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.
When we look at the pictures of travellers visiting Bali what is the first thing which comes to your mind. That’s right!! BALI SWING. Definitely this was something which Maya wanted to do in Bali. So, we Headed to a place where we can visit the rice terrace, taste Luwak Coffee and enjoy Bali swing. There are lots of places which offer you all these activities together and after doing little research we found out this place in Ubud: Alas harum Bali.
Alas harum agro tourism started as a coffee tasting place which evolved into a place which attracts the tourists because of these reasons
Bali Jungle swing
Here one can experience different levels of Bali swing. Single swing with different height and a couple swing decorated beautifully with flowers. The Bali swing takes one to the highest adrenaline rush in between the beautiful rice terrace and tropical jungle.
The first time they push you, that extreme trill you experience is so intoxicating because you feel like flying towards the sky amidst the coconut trees. It’s a must do if you love adventures in nature.
Sky biking
Sky biking is the new addition to the adventure activities in Bali wherein you can drive a bicycle suspended on a high wire which is 30 ft above the ground. Another adrenaline rush activity, looks easy but is challenging. It’s fun and scary too because you are held up in the air and you have maintained the balance of bicycle and your own body when the gravity pulls you down. It feels like you are swaying in the air and have no control on your upper torso because of the safely equipment. Our suggestion is not to be tried by an acrophobic person.
Bali nests
There are about 3-4 varieties of bali nests in the park and you can enjoy the view by sitting on them ,but usually there be lots of people waiting to click pictures so it is advised not to take too much time in one nest.
Rice terrace and Photo booths
Walking in midst the lush green rice terrace is a wonderful and refreshing experience. There are loads of points to take pictures from. The whole setup reminded us of temple run and as if we had entered an ancient temple with moss. WE loved the swaying bridge and glass floor its super surreal.
Luwak Coffee
Coffee tasting is one of the favourite activities in Bali and you are served two coffee: Luwak coffee and normal Balinese coffee and the difference can be instantly felt because of its intense aroma, nutty taste along with a hint of caramel and chocolate. It’s said to have made with coffee seeds extracted from Luwak’s poop.
Luwak coffee
luwak
It’s a beautiful place from the time you enter the place. Natures beauty is totally utilised and maintained. Very friendly staff, swings are worth the price, you can get amazing instagram worthy pics and enjoy coffee on the glass bottom terrace facing the rice terrace.
the glass bottom floor
Harrytinkers tip
It’s not suggested for people who have difficulty in walking because you have to climb loads of stairs and walk a lot.
Acrophobic stay away from sky biking and Bali swing (it might make you little dizzy)
There is no restaurant inside so eat something from outside the park
Luwak coffee is good, taste it!! Have some fun.
Bali swing and sky biking a must try and it feels wonderful after the adventure 😮
the entry is free but you have to pay for the activities you prefer and this is the prices of the activities ( in 2019)
Mount Batur is an active volcano located at the centre of two concentric Calderas North West of Mount Agung on the island of Bali, Indonesia. It is beside the caldera lake. We had just read in books that an active volcano always has lakes besides them and it is really required to cool down the hot molten lava.
We were staying in Ubud and our cab picked us up at 2:30 Am and it was a terribly cold morning we reached our base camp by 3:30 Am and had small session with our guide and our team mates. We were handed over two small water bottles each and a mini torch.
Close to 4 o clock we started the trek and the weather was very cold and we did not expect it to be so cold. As we started walking suddenly we looked up at the sky and what we saw was so mesmerising ; a sky full of stars , a perfect place for sky gazing .The trek was fun for the first one hour as we were having fun climbing and we finally reached our first pit stop where we took a break
early morning view
WE were six People in a team four ladies (they were sisters) and both of us. Our guide was very sweet, jovial and motivating along with the super energetic teammates
our team members
By 5 am the sky had started changing its colour and we were excited to see the sunrise from the peak. Maya was super dehydrated and tired because of the climb. So, we started drinking water in every 10 minutes which was very helpful.
To watch the sunrise from the highest peak in Bali was a blissful moment. It’s very beautiful and mesmerising sight.
Sunrise from Mount batur
For those who get tired climbing and want to reach the peak, there is motorbike service available. These are racer bikes and these bikers generally drive very fast and little rash too, because the way is very muddy and slippery. And you will reach very fast with this.
It took us almost 2.5 hours to reach the peak. The trail is super dusty and muddy, more than the rocks. We were damn exhausted, thirsty and hungry by that time we reached the top. Our trek plan had breakfast included where we were given sandwich, boiled egg and banana.
On the side of the mountain there was smoke coming from various portions of the mountain, later we realised that it was the smoke of the volcano and we are on top of an active volcano. Those were warm vapours which were getting released from the mountain craters.
The joy of completing the trek
Also, we realised that climbing down was more difficult than climbing up. The main inconvenience with whole trek was there was no arrangement of washroom and also as you tend to hydrate yourself so it’s definitely a requirement.
Climbing down also took us the same amount of time as climbing up. As its steep while climbing down, there are more chances of slipping as you lose your control. Also, if you don’t wear trekking shoes you may sprain your ankle as well.
We also saw a place which was destroyed by the volcanic eruption and covered with black lava. Its just in books we had read about lava but this one was real and we were amazed to see it.
The black portion in the left side is the black lava
Climbing down was not that interesting maybe because we had already experienced the beauty of sunrise and we just needed a restroom and some place to relax.
On total we loved the trek and it was amazing to watch the sunrise from the peak and of course climbing on top of an active volcano was a dream come true.
Harrytinkers tip
It’s an intermediate level trek please keep the below points in mind:
Build your stamina by running or jogging three days a week at least a month prior
Carry 2 litres water and stay hydrated, have water at least every half n hour
Pause and climb there is no hurry.
Carry energy bars or something sweet which gives you energy
Carry a jacket which can keep you warm in the morning
Wear comfortable loose clothing
Wear trekking shoes (very important)
Have the good sleep the previous night of your trek.
The most important point is having faith on yourself, if its first trek you can definitely do it
Rafting and white-water rafting are recreational outdoor activities which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water. This is often done on white-water or different degrees of rough water. Dealing with risk and the need for teamwork is often a part of the experience.
Our Experience
The first place we visited in Ubud was Ayung river for river rafting. Ayung river is the longest river in Bali. We visited Bali in October and the climate was very pleasant and perfect for river rafting. We had pre booked this activity online (www.govoyagin.com) three months prior so it was very reasonable for us.
The service was too good as they contacted us a week before to check our itinerary and there was a pick up and drop-down service included with the package along with the lunch. We had our lunch before the river rafting and that actually gave us lots of energy later for the activity.
As soon as we reached the destination we were introduced to our guide and two more members who would accompany us for the adventure. After the introduction he gave us the safety jackets and the boat peddle
All ready for the adventure
We went in another cab to the starting point from there we walked through some rice fields and through some forest area and finally reached the river bank. Thereafter the guide instructed us the basic rules and some safety instructions for river rafting.
You have to walk a lot
Fortunately, we got the front row to sit and trust us it was super thrilling and if its your first time and you love adventures and some adrenaline rush, definitely prefer the front row.
As the raft took its pace our hearts stated beating fast for the unforeseen adventure ahead. In the beginning the flow of the water was mild and slow but later as soon as we started approaching the slopes the water was wild and fast.
The best part about rafting is the sense of flying in the air for few seconds in the slopes and with the wild waterflow and the strong and extreme current and turbulence in the water makes it very thrilling.
The gushing river water, the luscious forest surroundings, mighty hills, clear sky and sounds of melodious birds , everything seemed so surreal , a paradise in dream. This experience is a must have from Ubud. AS it was our first adventure together Akhil was really too careful about me and we really had a fun time together.
Half the way through the adventure we stopped in to have so refreshments like tender coconut water and the again started to raft. Our guide was very funny and he knew how to keep his guests enthusiastic.
There was a place where we observed numerous small waterfalls from the mountains on either side. And our raft stopped at one of those waterfalls so that we can grt drenched in the cold waters of Ayung river. This was so refreshing. The water looks very deep but was only till our waist level.
river rafting fun
It was a one-hour journey in the middle of a white river and the forest which covers the area and we truly had the best time on our first day to Bali.
FAQs
Do you need to know swimming for river rafting?
NO. Everyone on commercial rafting trips wears a coast guard approved ‘life vest’ which is designed to aid in keeping you afloat in the event that you find yourself in the river. Many non-swimmers go on rafting trips, and they have a great time. Your guides will give you an in depth and engaging safety talk before your trip explaining what you should prepare for and do in the event you fall out of the raft.
Your Guide is trained in white-water rescue and will work with the rest of your team to ensure that you are able to feel comfortable with the white-water conditions on your trip. It is advised to all non-swimming folks to inform their guide before the trip.
What to wear during rafting and what to take along?
Wear your swimwear or clothes which are best suited for water sports
(something which absorbs and dry faster)
Take a set of dry clothes and flip-flops to change into after your rafting adventures.
Take a dry pouch to keep tour phone in case if you want to take pictures
A bottle of water because you will feel very exhausted
SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDE?
Yes, please do. Your guide works hard to ensure that you have a fun, yet safe adventure, and they appreciate being tipped. If you feel your guide has done a good job at keeping you entertained and sharing the wonderful river environment with you, feel free to tip them.
Harrytinkers tip
Carry water bottle with you and stay hydrated
As you have to walk as well as do the rafting ensure you wear comfortable footwear
Wear clothes which is water resistant
Don’t worry if you don’t know swimming just hold the side rope tightly and follow the instructions by the guide
Carry a waterproof camera or a mobile cover to protect you phone if you are shooting
Have fun and let the adrenaline rush take you to more adventures
Harrytinkers travelog 