Buzz
Swinging on a giant swing, indulging in a delightful breakfast, staying in a hidden villa amidst the mountains and forests, Minh Hoang and his family had a fantastic holiday in Bali.
A Hanoi guy enjoying an extraordinary Bali trip
Read the detailed sharing of Minh Hoang's Bali travel experience
Next, I'll share with you some of my unique experiences during my 5-day, 4-night Bali trip recently. I'm not a big fan of Indonesian food, so I'll skip reviewing the food.
Flight tickets
There are plenty of airlines to choose from, but the most popular one is Air Asia due to its affordability (around 4-5 million VND). However, I opted for Singapore Airlines (priced at 7.5 million VND) as the journey includes my elderly mom and grandma, and we needed a more comfortable seating. If traveling solo, I'd go for the most cost-effective option. Since Vietnam doesn't have direct flights, you may have to transit in Singapore. The transit process is straightforward—disembark, check the information board for the next flight, and head to the designated gate. My layover in Singapore was just over an hour, so quick movement between planes is crucial; keep this in mind to avoid missing your connection.
Getting around in Bali:
– Taxis, Uber, and Grab are popular in Bali, but the streets are narrow. Moving from one attraction to another, which is 15-17km apart, can take 1 to 2 hours due to traffic, especially during peak hours.
– Renting a car: My family chose this option as we had both elderly and young members. We rented a car for a total of 5 days and 4 nights, costing us 200 USD. The driver, a cool guy in his 50s, guided us meticulously. Every morning, he adorned the car with a flower, adding a cool touch. Even after we returned to Vietnam, he messaged us, sincerely inquiring if we had safely reached home and expressing gratitude and apologies for any shortcomings (though there were none; he was truly fantastic). If you need to book a car, check out Yasapathi Ngurah on Facebook; he speaks excellent English for smooth communication.
Sim card:
Buying a sim card in Bali is quite economical. I purchased a 6GB sim card, sufficient for 5 days, with strong LTE coverage for around 200,000 VND. You can buy it at the airport or in the city for a better deal.
Currency Exchange
It's advisable to exchange some USD at home and switch to Indonesian Rupiah in Bali for the best exchange rates. Exchange a portion (100-200 USD) at the airport and additional amounts in the city, where the rates tend to be more favorable.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi – Ubud:
I flew into Bali's airport at 8:40 PM and headed straight to Ubud—a tranquil mountain town in Bali known as the cultural and traditional art center. It was also featured in the film 'Eat, Pray, Love.' My family rented a villa for 2 nights at Pondok Sebatu Villa.
Day 2: Ubud
Ubud offers numerous captivating attractions that will provide you with stunning photo opportunities! Here are the places I visited on my second day.
– Bali Swing: The legendary swing that everyone hopes to capture a sparkling photo on, priced at around 20 USD per swing (a bit expensive but totally worth it, the sensation of swinging into nature is truly unforgettable). There are also giant bird nests for Bali travelers to take characteristic Instagram-worthy photos.
– Tirta Empul Temple:
This Hindu temple, dating back to the 10th century, is one of the holiest temples in Bali, surrounded by a perennial flowing stream. Water from the stream flows into a sacred tranquil pond and then into two rectangular pools with intricately carved water spouts. If you wish to immerse yourself, cleanse your body, you can rent a locker and another sarong to enter the pools. Sarongs borrowed outside the gate should not be worn into the water. Balinese people believe that bathing in this temple will cleanse and purify oneself, bringing health and good fortune. For travelers, it's a fascinating experience of the unique traditional culture of Indonesia.
– Downtown Ubud: After exploring these two locations, it was late afternoon, and I decided to visit downtown Ubud. Here, there are countless food stalls and beautiful cafes where I could sit for hours, order a glass of wine, and casually watch Western tourists strolling by.
Day 3: Ubud – Seminyak
– Wake up and enjoy a family breakfast. Remember, when in Bali at a resort or villa, make sure to order the floating breakfast! Drifting on the water while having breakfast is an incomparable experience, a Bali specialty. Book a day in advance; otherwise, they'll serve you a traditional breakfast.
– Monkey Forest Ubud: After breakfast and checking out, my family moved to the famous Monkey Forest—a must-visit for anyone in Ubud. The expansive forest is teeming with monkeys, lively and vibrant. Amidst the forest, there's a temple and a stream, making it beautiful. Dress in vintage clothes for fantastic photos here. Note that the monkeys can be aggressive, so absolutely do not feed, touch, or tease them; otherwise, they might become agitated and scratch you. If you just admire them without any interaction, they are incredibly adorable and playful.
– Tanah Lot Temple: After the monkey forest, we visited one of Bali's most famous temples: Tanah Lot. It's a sacred Hindu temple located in the middle of the sea. Wear comfortable clothes as the temple is surrounded by water, and you have to wade through to reach it. Dress comfortably; it's easier to change if you get wet.
– Seminyak Beach: From Tanah Lot, my family traveled to Seminyak and stayed overnight. This is a bustling and popular area in Bali, known for its high-end restaurants, bars, vibrant shopping, and spa activities. We rented Seminyak Icon by Karaniya Experience for our stay.
– Evening in Seminyak offers plenty of entertainment, with bars lining the main streets like Jln Laksmana, Jln Petitenget, Jln 66, Jln Raya Seminyak, Jln Raya Kerobokan, Jln Dhyana Pura. These streets are mainly frequented by Western tourists, ensuring a lively atmosphere.
– After strolling around the main streets, my family chose a beach club with a sea view called Ku De Ta—one of Bali's most famous beach clubs. It offers everything from food, drinks, DJ music, and, especially, a spacious and beautiful setting worth visiting.
Day 4: Kuta
– Uluwatu Temple: After checking out in Seminyak, we visited Uluwatu Temple. Situated on a rugged cliff, this ancient temple offers a majestic backdrop for watching the sunset over the sea.
Uluwatu Temple peacefully nestles within the grandeur of nature. Carved from black coral stone, the temple sits atop a 76-meter-high cliff, overlooking the Java Sea. Built in the 10th century, Uluwatu is one of Bali's oldest temples. According to Hindu belief, the temple serves as one of Bali's kayangan jagat or 'guardian temples,' protecting Bali from malevolent spirits. The scenery here for photography is breathtaking—the deep blue sea, crashing white waves, and the ancient temple perched on the cliff in the distance.
Note: The temple is home to many monkeys, mischievous and notorious for snatching tourists' eyeglasses! Initially skeptical, I didn't believe it until my own mom became a victim. A crafty monkey swiftly approached her, snatched her glasses, and before she could react, disappeared! Luckily, the temple guardian, familiar with such incidents, retrieved the glasses by tossing a piece of fruit for an exchange. It's advisable to keep your glasses secure.
– Kuta Beach: After exploring Uluwatu Temple, my family moved to Kuta Beach for an overnight stay. One of Indonesia's most famous beaches, Kuta boasts various seafood restaurants and beachfront cafes. It's an ideal destination for sunbathing, shopping, and enjoying nightlife. If you're into all-night parties, Kuta Beach is the perfect choice. Despite Bali being an island, Kuta Beach even has a shopping center with many popular brands for your comfortable shopping experience.
– Hotel in Kuta: Four Points by Sheraton. Consider booking a suite on the first floor for direct access to the shared pool, making your stay extra enjoyable.
Summary:
For me, Bali is a destination worth visiting, and if given the chance, I'll definitely return, perhaps with my partner or friends. The people of Bali are the most hospitable I've encountered in all my travels, providing excellent service. Phrases like 'Thank you' and 'You're welcome' come naturally to the locals here, and I truly appreciate the warmth of the people.
In wrapping up this journey, I borrow a quote: 'Bali is more than a place… It’s a mood, it’s magical. It’s a tropical state of mind.'
By Nguyên Chi/Ngôi sao
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJuly 18, 2018
