Top 10 Highlights From Our BALI Trip

“Om Suastiastu” people!!! This is the traditional way to greet people or say hello in Balinese! Bali truly is a living postcard in Indonesia and both Salman and I can never have enough of this beautiful country. As we went on exploring this tropical paradise, we knew exactly why this is also known as the Island of the Gods. BALI is forever welcoming with its countless number of untouched beaches, artistic workshops, traditional performances, colorful ceremonies and loads of natural sites that retain and reflect its exotic beauty. You should also know that Bali is really famous for getting us the best “value for money” travel deals and it has recently emerged as one of the most favorite islands to visit in Asia. I love how it caters to so many different types of travelers and has something in store for every budget from backpackers to luxury seekers. We flew to Bali via Singapore and received such a warm welcome when we landed at the Ngurah Rai International airport in Bali. We landed straight in Denpasar which is the capital of Bali that also acts as a main gateway to the island. So here we go guys!! Come along with us to a paradise island – BALI as we take you through the top 10 must-see places here that were an absolute delight for the two of us personally.

Batur Mountain – Mount Batur is an active volcano that is 1717 meters above sea level and this also happens to be the 2^nd highest volcano in Bali. It sits right in the center of two concentric calderas northwest of Mount Agung on the majestic island of Bali, Indonesia.

Since the height of Mt. Batur is somewhat smaller as compared to other mountains in Indonesia, trekking at this spot for beginners is fun, easy and doable. It also happens to be a favorite amongst all professional climbers that go all the way on the top.

We decided to make a quick pit stop at the famous Batur Sari Restaurant that gives you an opportunity to lunch on their open rooftop terrace with uninterrupted Mt. Batur views.

Fun Fact – They have something called the “volcanic kitchen” for which you have to hike from the northern end of the summit. You’ll get to see the volcanic steam where your guide can show you how eggs can be cooked within minutes in the ground thanks to the volcanic steam.

Kelingking, Nusa Penida – Bali is filled with so many hidden gems and if island-hopping interests you, then gear up for the biggest treat of your lives. Nusa Penida Island in Bali won us over with its raw scenic beauty, untouched beaches and our personal favorite of them all – this secret point called “Kelingking”. This secret viewing point was created by the locals who made a pathway leading up to this fantastic viewing point.

The cliffs as you can see below are formed in the shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) and it’s also surrounded by white sands and turquoise-blue waters. Kelingking literally translates to “pinkie” the smallest finger on your hand. They say though the land looks like a pinkie, it is really the unique T-Rex shaped cliff that pulls the crowd here from all over the globe.

Angel’s Billabong, Nusa Penida – When in Bali, you just cannot miss out on visiting Angel’s Billabong. It is located on the West Coast of Nusa Penida island and can be reached very easily from wherever you are in Bali. It is a huge island and we enjoyed driving through the forests to get here. Angel’s Billabong is the final estuary of a river before the river’s water merges with the ocean and this is what makes it really unique. Your best bet will be to hire a scooter to get here which by the way is available at such affordable rates. You can also plan a day trip to Nusa Penida island as it’s so easy to cruise around in a speedboat before you get back to Bali at the end of the day.

Yellow Bridge, Nusa Lembongan – The Yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan with Nusa Cenengan and the boat ride to get here will be so much fun. The locals fondly call it the “Bridge Of Love” and once the sun sets you’ll witness how the bridge transforms itself as it is lit up in some beautiful array of colors.

The bridge is open only for pedestrians and for motorcyclists so we also saw many people walking and crossing over while taking in these views. At the base of this bridge, you’ll spot a ticket counter that provides ferry services in and around the area which is totally affordable and worth every penny.

Alas Harum – Alas Harum is a very well known agro-tourism project in Bali which is just 20 minutes away from Central Ubud. You can easily spend 3-4 hours here as you get the famous “Luwak” coffee plantation tour while learning their entire coffee-making process. Not to forget you also get to see the civets lazing around during day time as this is their usual nap time (yes they sleep through the day).

They also have so many other activities for you that allow you to soak in these rice paddy field views while you go zip-lining or swing on those giant swings. They also have many picturesque photo spots inside the plantation like the huge bird nests or cane towers. Towards the end of the tour, you also get to taste their 20+ varieties of teas which truly sent the tea lover in me to the moon.

Fun Fact – Alas Harum has the biggest Luwak statue in Indonesia placed right at its entrance.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan – This is such a surreal setting at the famous floating temple called “Pura Ulun Danu” which was built in honor of Dewi Danu, goddess of the lake, waters and rivers. Danu in the Balinese language translates to a lake that was formed by a volcanic eruption 30,000 years ago. Cool crisp air, misty background, and so many lush green gardens will surround you here as you sit and take in these lake views. This complex has 4 sacred buildings, out of which one is the Linga Pura where people come to worship Lord Shiva.

Pura Puncak Mangu stands 11 levels high and was built in dedication to God Vishnu. Pura Teratai Bang is the main temple and Pura Dalem Purva is the last temple which also is a site for those praying for fertility, prosperity and overall well-being. All these buildings have a common unique feature of the “Trimurti” belief – three holy colors that stand for 3 Gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. The architecture has a harmonious mix of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.

Fun Fact – There is a boating facility available here on the lake where you can spend such breezy evenings!

The Ubud Palace – Puri Saren Agung is the palace of the Ubud royal family and it also happens to be one of the most favorite landmarks in Ubud. I love how it combines its rich history, literature and traditional dance forms all in one place.

The palace’s stage and meeting halls have hosted several international events, including the opening ceremonies of the annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. The palace was built during the lordship of Tjokorda Putu Kandel (1800-1823) and I love the fact that it is just a stone’s away from the famous Ubud market.

The market has everything you need to take back home as souvenirs right from clothes, hand made artefacts, bags, shoes, sarongs and so much more. This palace also has an open garden towards the entrance where you’ll find so many locals and tourists chilling.

Fun Fact – The Ubud Royal Palace is best known amongst lovers of Balinese arts as one of the main sites to view their traditional dance performances.

GWK (Garuda Wishnu Kencana) Cultural Park – The towering statue of GWK in Bali has clearly become one of the most iconic landmarks here since it started the development in the year 1992 and it is one of the recent additions to the must-see places. There are many other statues here apart from the main one which is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu and they all represent such fine works of the Indonesian architecture.

It’s a surreal sight as you witness the iconic Lord Vishnu statue which is 23 meters long and by his side is his trusty mount and companion Garuda, the mythical bird. This rests on the highest point of Southern Bali. We spent 2 hours exploring this place and if you want to take a closer look at the Indonesian history, culture and architecture then this should definitely be a part of your itinerary.

There are two different ways to get to the top – one is by following the pathway and walking for approximately 30 minutes and the second option is to get there in a buggy. But remember when you go walking, you get to see some extra statues as a bonus.

Devil’s Tears, Nusa Lembongan – It is known as one of the best sunset spots on the island apart from boasting of some of the most epic tide pools. I would suggest it’s best for you to get on a speedboat to Lembongan and explore the island before returning back to Bali in the evening. For all you luxury seekers, there are several catamarans available too that include pick up and drop from Bali along with snorkeling and other fun activities.

Now you might wonder why the name “Devil’s Tears” right? The name comes from the fact that these huge waves come crashing into the cove with full force upon which the water is sprayed out from the opposite side creating a mist looking like “tears” that fill up the sky. It is really a miracle created by Mother Nature and I could be here for hours, watching the misty formation, disappear just to be formed again in seconds.

Sari Amerta Workshop – This is again a must-visit place in Bali according to me. It is a local art shop cum workshop that has different handcrafted souvenirs along with so many handmade batik designs right from clothes, bags, shoes to accessories.

These artisans are keeping the traditional Balinese craft alive through various handicrafts. Sari Amerta also happens to be one of the biggest producers of exclusively handcrafted products in Bali.

I learned how passionate they truly are towards this art when I interacted with these artisans and of course indulged in some shopping from their huge gallery next door before ending the tour.

Fun Fact – They use melted hot wax to create unique designs on dresses, sarongs, accessories, amongst many other things. It really is therapeutic to watch them in action.

I hope you guys enjoyed my top 10 must-do things list in Bali as much as I did curating for you all. This tropical paradise makes you fall in love with it, so much so that Salman and I both are dreaming of another Balinese getaway already!!! Until next time my Sassy Fam.