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How To Get Around In Bali | The Island Of The Gods
Yes, Bali is small, but there are so many amazing sights all over this Island of the Gods, that understanding how to get around is essential to an epic holiday. From the beautiful beaches in Uluwatu and Nusa Dua in the south, to lively Kuta and Seminyak near the airport, hip seaside Canggu, the temples, rice fields, and amazing yoga of Ubud, the serene mountains, lakes, temples and waterfalls in the north, including Munduk and Lovina, plus its incredible islands, there’s so much to experience here! This post covers how to get around Bali so you can revel in all its charms, including the pros and cons of each. I’ve…
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16 Best Things To Do In Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua, notorious for its top-notch, 5-star resorts, offers sumptuous beaches with soft, thick sand, azure blue waters, and gentle waves. These are some of the most beautiful beaches of Bali, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunning. It’s also known for surfing, which, when the conditions are right (usually in the rainy season), offer perfect right-hand breaks. Located on the eastern side of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, Nusa Dua is ideal for families, or those looking for a quiet place away from the crowds. This post covers the best things to see and do in Nusa Dua. In all honesty, Nusa Dua does have a reputation of being a bit ‘sterile’,…
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Best Things To Do In Ubud | Top Sites & Sacred Places
Discover the top things to see and do in Ubud, the center of traditional arts, dance, and spirituality in Bali. From treasured, ancient temples, used today for vibrant traditional dance performances like Legong, Kecak, and Barong, to walks in emerald green rice fields, many yoga studios, multiple spas, art classes, galleries and museums showcasing local artists, cooking classes, and a huge variety of amazing, healthy food options, Ubud is the perfect place to reinvigorate the body and the soul. Plus, the Balinese are such friendly and kind people, you can’t help but smile when you’re here. Ubud has long been considered a mystical place with healing powers, getting its name…
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15 Best Things To Do In Uluwatu Bali
Uluwatu, located on the western side of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, offers a variety stunning beaches tucked below lush, forested clifftops, great surfing and yoga, tons of healthy, hip cafes, cool clubs, incredible sunsets, and the ancient Hindu temple this area was named after. If Uluwatu wasn’t on your list of places to explore in Bali, it should be. The seaside tropical paradise of Uluwatu offers many fun places to explore and things to do. Plus, it’s a great escape from some of Bali’s more crowded spots like Kuta and Ubud. Best Things To Do In Uluwatu Surfing Surfing in Uluwatu is renowned, and has been a destination since the 70’s.…
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Top 4 Ubud Rice Fields Walks (Including Penestanen)
Learn how to find four beautiful lush, green rice fields walks in Ubud, Bali. These serene, vibrant oases are easy to access, providing a quick peak into the legacy of this vital Balinese crop. Plus, they’re all just a few steps away from the bustling city of Ubud, offering peace and serenity. Rice cultivation is an integral part of Balinese life. Historically cultivated here using an UNESCO awarded irrigation system called subak. This system, which was developed in the 9th century, diverts water from the mineral rich fresh springs and crater lakes of the island’s volcanic mountains, channeling it through rivers, streams, and ditches for collective use far and wide.…
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The Lush Tegallalang Rice Terraces | Essential Tips
Bali offers so much incredible beauty, it’s no wonder it’s such a popular travel destination. On top of its spectacular beaches, fascinating temples, and majestic, volcanic mountains, another one of its must-see assets are its lush, emerald green, terraced rice fields. They’re not only beautiful, they’re also a cultural experience, as these centuries old terraces remain an important part of Balinese life today. The Tegallalang rice terraces are one of the top rice fields to visit in Bali, both because they are so picturesque and because they’re relatively easy access. These stunning terraces are just a 30-minute drive north of Ubud. And although (unfortunately) they’ve become a bit over-commercialized, the…
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Ultimate Bali Travel Guide
Are you visiting Bali for the first time? My ultimate travel guide for Bali features the top places to visit, what to see there, how to get around, safety, scams to avoid, logistics, and more to help plan your trip. Bali, often mistaken for a country, is actually one of the 17,000 plus islands in the Republic of Indonesia. Also called the Island of the Gods, this is Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination. This unforgettable island offers stunning landscapes with mountains and volcanic peaks, lush, terraced, green rice fields, many lovely waterfalls, and incredible sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water, as well as outstanding surfing and yoga, and amazing…
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Exploring Munduk and Lovina Bali
Explore the small villages of Munduk and Lovina in northern Bali to see serene and tranquil Lake Tamblingan, trek to waterfalls nestled on jungle hillsides, visit remote temples not seen by many tourists, experience traditional hot springs, see a monastery, and more, all while experiencing incredible Balinese hospitality and local culture. It’s also a great way to escape the heat and tourists of Ubud, Kuta, and other hot spots. This post covers Munduk and Lovina in Bali, how to get here, the hidden gems, and what to expect. Exploring Munduk Bali Munduk, in the lush, green, mountainous northern region of central Bali, is about an hour and a half drive…
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Cremation Ceremony in Bali: Releasing The Soul
In Bali, the family at my homestay invited me to a Balinese cremation ceremony, one of the most important events in a Balinese life. After expressing my condolences, I was met with a perplexingly blank stare. He said that, yes, it is sad to lose a family member, but the cremation ceremony is a way to celebrate that loved one’s life and consecrate their soul, so it can be born again. This centuries old tradition is one of the last payments a child makes to their parents. One with a strong obligation to do properly. The Balinese believe that the soul is eternal, returning to earth repeatedly, working through its…
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Visit Tuktuk and Tomok on Samosir Island
A visit to Tuktuk Siadong Village and Tomok Village on Samosir Island is a refreshing treat if visiting Indonesia. Very scenic and undeveloped, there’s a lot of farming on the island. The coast is dotted with local homes, tourist hotels and shops. It is very peaceful and quite inexpensive. I was surprised to find many Europeans vacationing here as most of the guests we had at Timan Simalem were mostly Indonesian visitors. Where is Samosir Island? Samosir Island is in Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake. It’s a caldera formed by a supervolcanic eruption around 75,000 years ago. Some think it was the largest volcanic eruption in the last…
