Bali, Indonesia
This is a bit of a backlog and sort of a combination of 2 separate Bali trips (back in early 2014 and a more recent one, June 2017). So I'm afraid I will not be able to give insights on cost breakdown. Instead, I will suggest some places to visit and some of the must have delicacies in Bali, Indonesia.
Where can you drink?
There's so many bars that you can easily discover just by walking along the street. But if I have to recommend...
Ku De Ta
The vibe here is extremely chill but it comes with a price tag. A cocktail was about 160,000Rp, approximately RM50. Do take note that there's some sort of dress code during dinner hours. So you might be denied entry if you're in beachwear or flip flops.
Stretch along Jalan Legian Kaja
Rowdy crowd with dodgy people asking if you'd like to buy some mushrooms. The definition of happening is the amount of drunk people you can spot but I suppose it's a Bali experience not to miss. Tip! Walk all the way towards the end of the street (in the direction away from Jalan Raya Kuta), you'll find some cheaper deals like 5 bottles of Bali Hai (lager beer) for just 100,000Rp. It won't be one of those bars with DJs but local live band, win.
What can you eat?
Suggestions below are not in any particular order.
Jimbaran for seafood dinner
The food here is not a die for but the ambiance in which you're eating by the beach, that's nice. Feeling the sand in between your toes, that sea breeze and sound of crashing waves while you're enjoying dinner, it's pretty surreal. Just pray that it doesn't rain when you get there.
Warung Ibu Oka 3 Babi Guling
Based on research, this seems to be one of those highly recommended restaurant to visit when you're in Ubud. Especially for their Babi Guling. It's nice but to be honest, I don't understand the craze. The pork skin weren't exactly crispy, rather it was hard and chewy. Personally, I think the roast piglet you typically get during Chinese wedding dinner in Malaysia still taste better.
Made Warung
This place is defnitely meant for tourists. BUT I'd say it's a good place to start your Bali palette adventure just because it gives a brief introduction on some of the local delicacies. Food is not half bad as well.
Naughty Nuri
I know. They're a franchise and you can even get them in Malaysia now but you should definitely try the ones in Bali. I swear to god, the pork ribs, grilled chicken EVERYTHING tasted so much better there. Or was it because of the holiday mood, I don't know for sure but we went there twice, for dinner and lunch the day after.
Kopi Luwak
The highlight is definitely not the coffee despite me sharing with you a photo of coffee. It's the view! Which I conveniently do not have a photo of, how ironic. I don't even remember the name of the "cafe" we visited but if you're hiring a driver to bring your around Bali, I'm sure he/she will be able to bring you to one with stunning views.
Roadside delicacies
This is for the ones with a strong heart and most importantly, a strong stomach. There's plenty of roadside stalls selling bakso and what not. Just don't question where and how they have clean bowls. Also managed to walk in to some random warung and ordered maggi goreng at 20,000Rp.
Where can you go?
Recommendations below will probably be good enough for a 3D2N trip.
Ubud
A place for culture and a place to go if you're getting bored of the party scene and would just like to see more greens (I'm referring to the trees here).
Places to visit includes the monkey forest and tegallalang rice terraces referenced in the photo below.
Tanah lot
You may disagree but it seems that most people think if you didn't visit Tanah Lot, you didn't visit Bali. And of course, I don't have a photo of Tanah Lot. Rather a panorama view at the top before actually making my way down to the iconic temple.
Other places
Kuta, Jimbaran, Seminyak. All of this is sort of mentioned above.
Also, if you're a big fan for water sports, try Nusa Dua or Nusa Lembongan. Personally don't think Bali has the prettiest beach but if you're getting sick of visiting temples and getting smashed, it's a good mix for your itinerary.
Where can you stay?
I've stayed at 2 different locations during the 2 separate occasions.
Pradha Villas in Seminyak
The villa is tucked behind some alley, away from the crowd but still near enough to the happening street in Seminyak, surrounded by small boutiques and a short walk away from the beach. Staffs were extremely helpful and very friendly. Villa came with our own private pool and Jacuzzi. What you see in their website's photo gallery, is exactly what you get. Breakfast is served in the villa itself. You can even get in house massages with pretty fair price, around RM60 per hour sesh if I remembered correctly. They also gave us a selection of local welcome fruits, nice touch there! Shower stall was open air and I can go on and on about how much I've enjoyed my stay there. Highly recommended if you're up for a couples retreat.
Park Regis in Kuta
The hotel offers decent comfort but of course if I'd to compare, nothing beats a private pool that is just a sliding door away from where you sleep. We got the "loft". It's pretty spacious but the only downside is the concept of "loft". I'm not a big fan of having to walk up some stairs to my bed. Can you imagine how troublesome it is when I have to pee in the middle of the night. And the worst part is, there's no power socket upstairs which means you have to leave your phone downstairs to charge #firstworldproblem.
Location wise, it's not entirely that convenient. It is about 15 minutes walk away from the happening street ie where the nightclubs of Kuta is located and about 20 minutes walk away from the main beach. It is walking distance as they advertied but there's definitely better located hotels if you want to be near the nightclubs or near the beach. Arguably, you can say it's away from the crowd.
Anything else?
Transportation in Bali
Taxis. "Bluebird" is the most common one you see on the road and they are almost everywhere so it won't be an issue trying to get a cab. Just remember to ask them to switch on the meter if they didn't have it on already.
There's Grab too! But in the form of a motorbike. Personally didn't try it but I did switch on the app and saw quite a few grab drivers.
Motorbike rental. They are all around, just have to keep an eye out.
So you want to venture to somewhere a bit more outskirt and obviously the above options will not cut it. Usually hotel will be able to recommend some drivers you can hire for up 8 hours a day. They are as good as hiring a local tour guide really. Asking price was around 600,000rp but it's negotiable. Do tip if you think they've done a good job.
Final words
Bali is really a place to relax. Don't try to cram places to visit just to make it a fruitful trip. Definitely don't visit when it's Raya because the last time I did, we were spending our time stuck in traffic jam. Also, don't go with a tour group because it's a waste of time when they bring you "shopping". Bali is not a difficult place to travel by yourself.
Ok, that's all from me for now. Till next trip.
Where can you drink?
There's so many bars that you can easily discover just by walking along the street. But if I have to recommend...
Ku De Ta
The vibe here is extremely chill but it comes with a price tag. A cocktail was about 160,000Rp, approximately RM50. Do take note that there's some sort of dress code during dinner hours. So you might be denied entry if you're in beachwear or flip flops.
Stretch along Jalan Legian Kaja
Rowdy crowd with dodgy people asking if you'd like to buy some mushrooms. The definition of happening is the amount of drunk people you can spot but I suppose it's a Bali experience not to miss. Tip! Walk all the way towards the end of the street (in the direction away from Jalan Raya Kuta), you'll find some cheaper deals like 5 bottles of Bali Hai (lager beer) for just 100,000Rp. It won't be one of those bars with DJs but local live band, win.
What can you eat?
Suggestions below are not in any particular order.
Jimbaran for seafood dinner
The food here is not a die for but the ambiance in which you're eating by the beach, that's nice. Feeling the sand in between your toes, that sea breeze and sound of crashing waves while you're enjoying dinner, it's pretty surreal. Just pray that it doesn't rain when you get there.
 |
| Photo source: https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co/bali/things-to-do-in-uluwatu-jimbaran-bukit-peninsula/ |
Warung Ibu Oka 3 Babi Guling
Based on research, this seems to be one of those highly recommended restaurant to visit when you're in Ubud. Especially for their Babi Guling. It's nice but to be honest, I don't understand the craze. The pork skin weren't exactly crispy, rather it was hard and chewy. Personally, I think the roast piglet you typically get during Chinese wedding dinner in Malaysia still taste better.
Made Warung
This place is defnitely meant for tourists. BUT I'd say it's a good place to start your Bali palette adventure just because it gives a brief introduction on some of the local delicacies. Food is not half bad as well.
Naughty Nuri
I know. They're a franchise and you can even get them in Malaysia now but you should definitely try the ones in Bali. I swear to god, the pork ribs, grilled chicken EVERYTHING tasted so much better there. Or was it because of the holiday mood, I don't know for sure but we went there twice, for dinner and lunch the day after.
Kopi Luwak
The highlight is definitely not the coffee despite me sharing with you a photo of coffee. It's the view! Which I conveniently do not have a photo of, how ironic. I don't even remember the name of the "cafe" we visited but if you're hiring a driver to bring your around Bali, I'm sure he/she will be able to bring you to one with stunning views.
Roadside delicacies
This is for the ones with a strong heart and most importantly, a strong stomach. There's plenty of roadside stalls selling bakso and what not. Just don't question where and how they have clean bowls. Also managed to walk in to some random warung and ordered maggi goreng at 20,000Rp.
Where can you go?
Recommendations below will probably be good enough for a 3D2N trip.
Ubud
A place for culture and a place to go if you're getting bored of the party scene and would just like to see more greens (I'm referring to the trees here).
Places to visit includes the monkey forest and tegallalang rice terraces referenced in the photo below.
 |
| Photo source: http://baligreentour.com/tegalalang-rice-terrace/ |
Tanah lot
You may disagree but it seems that most people think if you didn't visit Tanah Lot, you didn't visit Bali. And of course, I don't have a photo of Tanah Lot. Rather a panorama view at the top before actually making my way down to the iconic temple.
Other places
Kuta, Jimbaran, Seminyak. All of this is sort of mentioned above.
Also, if you're a big fan for water sports, try Nusa Dua or Nusa Lembongan. Personally don't think Bali has the prettiest beach but if you're getting sick of visiting temples and getting smashed, it's a good mix for your itinerary.
Where can you stay?
I've stayed at 2 different locations during the 2 separate occasions.
Pradha Villas in Seminyak
The villa is tucked behind some alley, away from the crowd but still near enough to the happening street in Seminyak, surrounded by small boutiques and a short walk away from the beach. Staffs were extremely helpful and very friendly. Villa came with our own private pool and Jacuzzi. What you see in their website's photo gallery, is exactly what you get. Breakfast is served in the villa itself. You can even get in house massages with pretty fair price, around RM60 per hour sesh if I remembered correctly. They also gave us a selection of local welcome fruits, nice touch there! Shower stall was open air and I can go on and on about how much I've enjoyed my stay there. Highly recommended if you're up for a couples retreat.
 |
| Photo source: Pradha Villas Seminyak Instagram account |
Park Regis in Kuta
The hotel offers decent comfort but of course if I'd to compare, nothing beats a private pool that is just a sliding door away from where you sleep. We got the "loft". It's pretty spacious but the only downside is the concept of "loft". I'm not a big fan of having to walk up some stairs to my bed. Can you imagine how troublesome it is when I have to pee in the middle of the night. And the worst part is, there's no power socket upstairs which means you have to leave your phone downstairs to charge #firstworldproblem.
Location wise, it's not entirely that convenient. It is about 15 minutes walk away from the happening street ie where the nightclubs of Kuta is located and about 20 minutes walk away from the main beach. It is walking distance as they advertied but there's definitely better located hotels if you want to be near the nightclubs or near the beach. Arguably, you can say it's away from the crowd.
Anything else?
Transportation in Bali
Taxis. "Bluebird" is the most common one you see on the road and they are almost everywhere so it won't be an issue trying to get a cab. Just remember to ask them to switch on the meter if they didn't have it on already.
There's Grab too! But in the form of a motorbike. Personally didn't try it but I did switch on the app and saw quite a few grab drivers.
Motorbike rental. They are all around, just have to keep an eye out.
So you want to venture to somewhere a bit more outskirt and obviously the above options will not cut it. Usually hotel will be able to recommend some drivers you can hire for up 8 hours a day. They are as good as hiring a local tour guide really. Asking price was around 600,000rp but it's negotiable. Do tip if you think they've done a good job.
Final words
Bali is really a place to relax. Don't try to cram places to visit just to make it a fruitful trip. Definitely don't visit when it's Raya because the last time I did, we were spending our time stuck in traffic jam. Also, don't go with a tour group because it's a waste of time when they bring you "shopping". Bali is not a difficult place to travel by yourself.
Ok, that's all from me for now. Till next trip.
