Sri Lanka is well known for its wildlife , especially for its massive herds of Asian elephants residing in forests and the national parks.
We started by 9 am from Colombo and it takes about 2.5 Hrs. (70.9 km) to reach Kagalle.
Millennium elephant foundation is a charity organization which rescues captive Asian elephants and take care of them.
There are different visiting package fares which you can choose from and it’s a contribution for the elephant welfare. We took the Tour package of 2000 Sri Lankan rupees which included elephant museum, elephant bathing and tour of the park.
This park is fascinating and huge. It offers a very natural habitat to the elephants. The elephant tamers are very kind towards the animals and look after them generously.
I am not very fond of touching animals and this time I got to touch an elephant which was a very different experience. What I noticed is they have very rough skin and have thick har on then which is merely visible because of their skin texture.
Elephants are very human friendly creatures and I find them to be super cute.
Check out our time at elephant foundation below:
The park is very well maintained and its takes about an hours’ time to take a stroll around the park. The park is covered with beautiful flowers and coconut trees.
Its genuinely a refreshing experience and you must definitely take this if you love animals and want to spend some time caressing them.
My first international trip was to a country with natural scenic beauty: Sri Lanka
I don’t know should I call it lucky or unlucky my trip to Sri Lanka was just after the tragic bomb blast incident in Sri Lanka.That too it was my Bachelorette trip with my friends.
So me and my friends were very sceptical about taking this trip or not .Buy it’s said right “Whatever happens, happens for your own good “. That’s what we realised when we reached there. There were least no of tourists and apparently we were among them.
Bachelorette trip
We reached Colombo airport early in the morning from India took an Air India Flight and I must say they serve amazing breakfast and the View from the Window seat is beyond imagination, Flying above the Indian Ocean Damn man that’s an experience in total. The view is so mesmerising that I forgot to blink after watching Sri Lanka from up in the air. Also I could see the famous Ram Setu Bridge which was unbelievable for me. As it was my first international trip that too at such a situation in Sri Lanka I was scared.
Sri Lanka is an island which is culturally rich and blessed with bounty of Natures beauty.
Never in my dreams I had ever thought I would be visiting this amazing place for my bachelorette trip.
Sri Lanka is a country which can be visited in a budget and you can enjoy to the fullest without spending too much. Me and my friends wanted to have a international bachelorette trip which is safe for girls and affordable too ……….. so SRI LANKA it is.
First and foremost, I would like to tell you all about the ram setu bridge which is clearly visible from the flight when you are flying above the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka is a small island which is seen amidst the huge Indian ocean.
All you can see when you are landing in Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake (almost 30 km away from Colombo); are large lush green patches of land. I can already feel the tropical climate.
The airport is convenient when it comes to navigation for the tourists and the immigration process is fast and because we visited in June 2019 (few months after the tragic bomb blasts in Sri Lanka) . there were merely any tourists in the airport. The airport staff is very helpful and guided us very well.
As I took a flight from Chennai to Colombo, I reached in a hour’s time, Check this Video foe all the info about flight and airport details
HarryTinkers Tip: Preferably take an early morning flight to feast on the most beautiful sunrise
The first day at Ubud we were fully exhausted by our river rafting session in the afternoon and also because of the night journey previous night from Singapore. While walking down the streets of Ubud we came across this lovely restaurant Cilantro
Cilantro serves Mexican cuisine and we both are diehard fans of Mexican cuisine. The restaurant was super cosy and dim lit; perfect for a candle light dinner. It’s two storied building and has cosy corners in the first floor and an open space balcony which was beautifully lit.
We preferred to sit in the balcony area and theta one of the best decision we made that day.
We ordered the below dishes
And an honest review to all the dishes is its super authentic and really delicious.
The price was reasonable and the quantity was good.
One of the major reasons for visiting bali was to actually taste the famous smoothie bowl. This is first restaurant we visited which served us a really refreshing smoothie bowl. Very satisfying indeed.
We were just not satisfied with one smoothie bowl that night so we came across this small outlet which served Acai smoothie bowls. We had no clue what Acai was but apparently Acai is a berry which is found in Brazil and super rich in antioxidants whoahhh that’s something NEW!!
Well the taste was super amazing; had a little sour taste blended with sweetness.
The desserts are on an expensive side as compared to the quantity.
Teba sari
We were super hungry after our visit to Alas harum and this restaurant is the closest to the park. Again, one of the best decisions taken on the day. This restaurant is no less than a resort in itself .The souring feels like you are in a jungle.
The ambience of the restaurant is mesmerising and absolutely photo friendly
Note : if you are a vegetarian please ask the ingredients in any dish they serve because we found prawns in a chutney which was served with the starters and if you are allergic to something please specify that to them.
The staff is very welcoming and jovial and we were very happy with their fast service.
The quantity of the food was very less and the price was way too high.
Paperboy
We wanted to have smoothie bowl again and we landed to this place at night while walking down the streets of kuta.
Paperboy offers you with amazing food, friendly staff, photo-booths and lovely ambience.
Everything we tasted was super tasty and beautifully presented. For the /smoothies the price was worth it but for rest of the items it’s on an expensive side.
If you ever visit Kuta don’t miss this place this is truly a gem and we found out this one accidently when we were super hungry and had our brunch there. After having the food we wished we had come here every day for breakfast.
This place is mostly recommended for breakfast and brunch and they have different menu for each meal. So take turns nod visit this place multiple times if possible.
The price is worth it for the quantity and the taste.
New delhi Indian restaurant Kuta
This restaurant was just located in front of our hotel so we chose this as we were super hungry and wanted to have something quick.
We had Chaas, Egg biryani and paneer chilly and the food was good nad reasonable too. For someone who craves Indian food can visit this place for a quick bite.
Ganesha ek sanskriti
The last night in Kuta we decided to have something Indian and we don’t know why we chose to have dinner from this place. The food was very expensive, the quantity was below satisfaction and the service was very slow and we had to cancel few dishes which we ordered.
Chicken 65 and Amritsari fish
The reviews are great about the place the ambience is beautiful other than that we were really disappointed.
All these are our reviews for the places we had our food from.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations which we have explored Click here
A Bali trip is incomplete without a spa time. You definitely should try it. They have some of the most relaxing and cheap spas you can ever imagine. The quality of service is truly appreciable. WE took a couple package and it was really amazing. At first, we were sceptical about it but after having the massage we were more than satisfied and it’s worth the price you pay.
Visit a waterfall
Bali is known for having numerous waterfalls and beaches and that’s why in every nook n corner you can find a very beautiful waterfall. While researching we came across loads of suggestions about waterfall and at the end we chose Tegunungan because it was near to the place we stayed. The waterfall is very beautiful and the water is cold and clear. The only problems were the end number of steps which was easy to climb down but will take your life climbing up. Also what we felt is this waterfall was too crowded.
The best destination to watch the sunset and one of the most beautiful sunsets we have witnessed is in Kuta beach. The beach is super crowded during the sunset and the weirdest part was the crowd just vanished after the sunset and the beach was all empty.
The seashore is very beautiful and you can see the flights landing in Bali from the beach.
The beach is lively with tourists and have loads of resorts nearby which are beautifully lit for the night party later on.
Also there are loads of drug dealers roaming here n there and they are little creepy the way they behave and look at tourists
Explore Ubud market
Ubud market can be called the shoppers heaven because you get so many varieties of things including bags, clothes, home decor items etc at a very cheap price. Also if you are good at bargaining then it’s like the cherry on the top.
The main reason you will get confused is everything looks so pretty that you will feel like buying it all (but you can’t of course)
The best part about the items are it made by the local artisans and is sold at a a very cheap price and the quality of the items are pretty good.
The same things get super expensive (almost double the price) and commercialised because most tourist prefer Kuta than Ubud because its near to the airport.
Eat Healthy
There are lots of healthy food varieties in Balinese cuisine also you get fresh fruits everywhere. So relish the Healthy food varieties . Main point here is it helps you with adjusting with the tropical climate fast and also keeps you hydrated.
Smoothie bowl
We would always suggest you to have local and seasonal fruits of the country.
Rice terraces are the best way to enjoy the nature in Bali also to know more about the locals and the lifestyle. You can spend some time in the peaceful rice terraces.Dont forget your sunscreen!! as its super hot during the daytime.
We visited Alas Harum Agropark for this experience and it was really worth visiting this place
Bali is a place which is a hidden gem the more you explore the more you will discover. So we would advise you to at least stay for a week in Bali.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations which we have explored Click here
Kuta is famous for its hippie vibes and usually attracts the youngers tourists because of its night life. Kuta has become a synonym of bail’s nightlife. The city is beautifully lit and tourists are seen parting hard in every nook and corner of the city.
Disclaimer: Its a waste place for tourists who don’t drink or party ( guys you can choose ubud )
Kuta beach
The best destination to watch the sunset and one of the most beautiful sunsets we have witnessed. The beach is super crowded during the sunset and the weirdest part was the crowd just vanished after the sunset and the beach was all empty.
The seashore is very beautiful and you can see the flights landing in Bali from the beach.
The beach is lively with tourists and have loads of resorts nearby which are beautifully lit for the night party later on.
Also there are loads of drug dealers roaming here n there and they are little creepy the way they behave and look at tourists.
Kuta night life
Kuta is really famous for its night life and the shopping places. Tourists come here to party and relax. You can find plenty of resto pubs and and night clubs. There is no time limits in certain clubs and the party goes on till sunrise too.
Our favourite restaurants
Paperboy
We wanted to have smoothie bowl again and we landed to this place at night while walking down the streets of Kuta.
Paperboy offers you with amazing food, friendly staff, photo-booths and lovely ambience.
Everything we tasted was super tasty and beautifully presented. For the /smoothies the price was worth it but for rest of the items it’s on an expensive side.
If you ever visit Kuta don’t miss this place this is truly a gem and we found out this one accidently when we were super hungry and had our brunch there. After having the food we wished we had come here every day for breakfast.
This place is mostly recommended for breakfast and brunch and they have different menu for each meal. So take turns and visit this place multiple times if possible.
The price is worth it for the quantity and the taste.
Personally we would visit Kuta only to visit Paperboy and Crumb and coaster and nothing else. We loved the food and the service from these two restaurants.Also we would recommend you have non spicy food during your trip.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations in Bali which we have explored Click here
Tegenungan Waterfall is located at the Tegenungan village, in Gianyar, which is close to the artist village of Ubud. The waterfall is isolated but has become a popular tourist attraction and is mostly crowded because of its beauty.
The best time to visit the waterfall is in the morning as it opens by 6:30 am and closes by 6:30pm. There are almost 200 steps to reach the waterfall from the parking lot. The parking is free and the is no entrance fees.
Climbing back the stairs is little tedious as the step are very steep.There are washrooms and changing rooms if you want to change to your swimwear.
The waterfall area gets quite crowded after 10 am. Also, there are few photo booths if you are Instagram frenzy.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful day
You can check out other destinations in Bali which we have explored Click here
Bali has always been fantasized for its natural beauty and picturesque beaches. Bali is romanticized to be the best honeymoon place for any newlywed couple and also for someone who loves to enjoy a tropical Hawaiian feel in an affordable destination.
For us too Bali was nothing less than a paradise for being the newly wed. We had so many expectations for this place and Bali was far beyond our expectation in terms of beauty and adventures.
We reached Bali in the morning by 8 am and after all the immigration process was done we decided to check-in to our hotel in Ubud .
There are two most famous cab /scooter services present in Bali Grab and go jek. Both are pretty reasonable and its recommended that you download their respective apps before reaching Bali.
We preferred bikes for our journey
What we would suggest everyone is think what kind of a trip you want to experience and then choose your pitstops because Bali offers many different segments of experiences namely religious, adventurous, nightlife, paradise, wildlife and for each one this the cities you have to choose are totally different
For us it was more of adventure and to enjoy nature so we chose Ubud and Nusa penida
The local cab drivers can charge you a lot as compared to the cab drivers from grab or go jek. You have to be very careful when it comes to paying them . We recommend pay only by meter.
The street dogs
The street dogs go little furious when they see new people coming in their territory and can chase you sometimes. This mostly happens at night and morning are quite safe for tourists who are scared of dogs (Stay indoors t night as dogs don’t like intruders)
The drug peddler
If you visit Kuta and you don’t come across a drug dealer every now n then, that’s not Kuta then. You can find them everywhere. They are little creepy the way they behave and look at tourists. You can deal with them at your own risk.
The deserted streets at night
The streets in Ubud becomes very deserted after 9 pm at night .We are not talking about marketplace but the residential areas and the streets. These streets can be reason for criminal activities.
The scooter vendors
The local scooter vendors are very cunning and they can give you scooters without brakes, without helmet and without even the legal papers of the bike which is very dangerous when it comes to police asking you for the same if by chance you get caught by them. Also have the contact details of the person from where you have taken the bike
The police men
You don’t find many of them on the main roads but the chances are if you get caught by police officers then you may be charged a fine if you don’t have a driving licence, helmet and official papers of the vehicle you are driving. Also have the contact details of the person from where you have taken the bike
Be careful about the road conditions in Nusa Penida
The road conditions are pathetic in Nusa Penida actually there are no roads we could say and the sides of the roads are covered with big boulders so you have to be very careful when you ride a bike.
road conditions
The local water
It is advised to drink packed mineral water because the water may not suit you in the beginning and why to take a risk when you are going for a vacation.
Be careful with food (for vegetarians)
So, for vegetarians the variety of food is less and also you have carefully read the menu card for description and if not described in menu do ask before ordering anything because most of the cuisines have oyster sauce or prawn in them. WE experienced a similar instance where we were served a chutney which had prawns grinded in it and Akhil is allergic to sea food so only when we mentioned about our allergies is when the waitress told us.
Bali is famous for its handicrafts and the artisans and craftsmen are very dedicated and creative in terms of the variety of products they offers and also you will not get the same design in different shops so be ready to be amazed by the intricacy and detailed art.
If you like some unique designs do check below items
Silver jewellery
Silver lovers will go crazy when it comes to the detailing and intricacy in the silver jewellery and you can get customised designs in some shops. Balinese silverwork tradition is very ancient.
Bali rattan bag
Handmade in Bali from the ata plant (aka rattan) the Balinese artisans use the leaf ribs and stalk of the plant to weave these beautiful bags. After they have been woven, they are dried and smoked in an oven to create their distinctive colour. You get wide variety of option in terms in shapes and designs on them.
Furniture
Furniture are made with natural fibres, including cane, sea-grass, water hyacinth and banana leaves are durable, beautiful and sustainable fibres that are smooth to the hand and naturally very attractive to the eye, making them a good choice from a functional and contemporary design perspective.
Handlooms
Visiting bali and not getting an authentic Ikat and Batik fabric outfits will be a miss. So, the handlooms in bali are very beautiful and is a must buy.
Ceramics
As the artisans are very creative and detail oriented their ceramic work is very intricate and worth buying. They have mirror work and beadwork ceramics which were very unique.
The ceramic plate which we bought
Slogan boards
You can find lots of slogan boards of various sizes and shapes .Some slogans are even painted and carved on surfboards. Mostly the boards are wooden/ ceramic have all kinds of Hippie quotes on them.
Wooden items
Markets are filled with numerous wooden items ranging from culinary items to sculpture. Each and every item is unique and can’t be found in the next shop. Talking about the sculptures they have a very surreal inspiration to them. I was awestruck looking at the beautiful sculptures
The wooden bowl which we bought
Incense sticks
You can get a wide variety when it comes to homemade incense sticks and each one is eco friendly and natural.
Beachwear
As Bali is famous for its beaches and water sports definitely you can get some really aesthetic beachwear. Tie dye, batik, floral prints are the most famous ones.
Dreamcatchers
Bali is usually associated with hippie culture; so, the presence of dreamcatchers is obvious. You can find a wide variety of dreamcatchers in various sizes and we bet that you won’t buy just one because it’s so unique and beautiful you would go on and on while selecting them.
Bath necessities
When it comes to bath necessities, where everything is claimed to be organic and sustainable, you can find wide varieties of oils, soaps, shampoos and moisturisers. Scented candles are also among top selling items.
We can’t stop promoting the brand specially for flip flops because they are trendy as well as sturdy and even helped us during a trek at Nusa Penida. This brand is totally recommended if you love flip flops. Their collection will suit everyone taste and is reasonable too.
Harrytinkers travelog 