Bali is an island have a lot of mixed opinions. For those who love this island, usually, they will PR for Bali very enthusiastic. But conversely, there are people who doubt it, because they have never been to there, but always hear about the term "Bali paradise", therefore, suspicion is inevitable. Then they compared Bali with Maldives and got a little disappointed that it not as beautiful as in their imagine.
But for anyone who has been to Bali, experience the culture and the beauty very unique of the island, surely they will remember and want to come back again and again. Compared Bali with Maldives? The beauty of the Maldives was the beauty of paradise, a pure beauty without defect. But the beauty of Bali is the beauty of a separate culture, from something extremely reality, and these beaches beautiful as dreamlike. It's hard to compare between Bali and Maldives, because I arrived Maldives in order relax, but with Bali, I backpacking Bali in order find out natural, people and cultural there a little psychic.
What do you know about Bali
Before backpacking Bali, I recommend you should watch the movie "Eat, Pray & Love" of Julia Roberts. I had think backpacking Bali also like those tourist destinations else. But after watched this film, I understood not merely Bali a popular tourist island of Indonesia. It is also the mixing of happiness, the enjoy, religion and culture. There is a culture extremely develops include sculpture, painting, tanning, metallurgy and music. Indonesian people belong Muslim -, but in Bali, 93% of the population is Hindu. Bali people always regarded Bali as the center of the universe, so as while you backpacking Bali, should find a place that you think it as the center of Bali, means you're in the center of this vast universe!
Backpacking Bali in order seeks a happiness that I never ever found out. A happiness very difference comparison with those places I have ever experience. Bali people understand that to get happiness, you must always know where you are. That is where there a perfect balance. At the met place between heaven and earth, not have too much selfishness. Otherwise, life will extreme topsy-turvy. Please meditation as an Indian every morning, and then, enjoying Bali in your way.
Some tips for prepare before backpacking Bali:
How many days for backpacking Bali is enough?
The answer depending on the conditions of time and money for each person. However with a large island and there so much to discover as Bali, just some activities visiting those famous sights and check-in, you must also take at least 4-5 days (excluding the time you flight). And in order enjoy, feel and breathing with Bali culture, you should stay at least 1-3 month. I think a suitable schedule is that you should take one week to experience Bali.
A colorful road in Bali
Currency in Bali
In Bali, everybody uses the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). If you buy IDR at these exchange foreign currency counter in domestic, the exchange rate will be very high, eg I buy IDR in a shop in Vietnam 1IDR = 1 VND, too high. So I think firstly, you should exchange your money to USD, after arrived Bali, you exchange USD to get IDR, or you seek any friends had been ever traveled Indonesia in order buy IDR is the best. In Bali, you will not worry about finding currency exchange places, because certainly, any areas have tourists, it also has exchange money activities, or even at the airports also have exchange offices although the rate slightly higher.
The exchange rate from USD to IDR in those exchange offices at Bali around from 12600-13000 IDR for one dollar. I had exchanged a little at the airport to take a taxi to the city in the exchange rate is 12600. In the city center, the exchange rate quite untidy. These remote areas, the rates were most less attractive, but when arrived Ubud there many places have exchange rate very good, all range 12900-13000. If after you ended the backpacking trip, money still excessive, you should not exchange at the airport (groups of banks often taking the rates very high) you should keep in order back home and exchange in these exchange foreign currency counter in domestic. I had exchanged with the exchange rate and got 1IDR = 1.8 VND. Well, I got profit!
An experience while exchanges currency in Bali that you very easy being cheated if you exchange at some place that not reliable. I had almost lost money if I'm not sober. They offering an attractive price to lure you. When exchanging, they will hand you a bunch of money which entire in denominations 50,000 IDR. ie if you exchanging $ 300 you will get a bunch of money very thick in the wallet. Initially, they will count every bunch of 1 million IDR, then they give it to you count it again when you count finished, they regain and pretended count one again. This is the times they will switch or draw some sheet of money that you do not know. If you not counts money again and not handed them, maybe the amount of money you get will be diminished that you not know. I have stayed a long time, I finishing counting the money, they regain on my hands and pretended count again, but I so annoyed, shouted: “Please don’t touch my money!”. So they finally had to give in and handing money to me. Two guys exchanging foreign currency appears faces disappointed because they cannot be cheated me!
Apparel when you visiting in these temples
Like a number of other religious countries such as Myanmar or Thailand. At Bali, everybody very attaches much importance their beliefs, it expressed through provisions on costumes while arriving these sacred temples. Please remember you should wear a sarong - a piece of rectangular cloth to wrap around the body from the waist down - when you visit a certain temple in Bali, to avoid having to rent or buy at these temples, it very expensive.
Typical temple gates of Bali
Buy Sim of mobile phone in Bali
If you need to call Uber or Grab from the airport, you can buy sim at here, if not, you able to buy in the center. Sim 4G sold in most grocery stores or small shops sell sim on the island, you are easy to find while on the road. If you only stay in few days you can buy a clean sim and top up 420MB package. "Total losses" was about IDR 42k, in 1 week you can top up type of 1.3Gb with 60k IDR. In general, it quite cheap compared to other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, …
Bargain
When you buy something in Bali, must remembers bargain! my formula when shopping in some markets is bargaining down to 1/3 the price which they invite. With these shops look rather professional, you should also bargain but "soft" a little, but in your mind always remember repeating a word "bargain, bargain, and bargain" !!!
The suitable time for backpacking in Bali
Like many other tropical islands, Bali has the climate divided into two separate seasons are dry and rainy seasons. The rainy season occurs from December to April then the dry season from May to November. I chosen the times at the end of October for my backpacking trip and found that it's a great choice, this islands there not too many tourists flocking like months 7, 8 and weather very great!
Why I set the title this article is "chasing the sun god"? Because here there these moments of dawn and sunset too ecstatic, it's so beautiful. It beautiful every day, each day has a different beauty. But one drawback is this island is too large, so every time I want to go watch the dawn, sunset I must have gone a long way in order find a new position. So I walked and prayed that the sun staying a little longer so I could approach and more enjoy…
Move on Bali island
Going from the airport to the city center
Taxi almost the only option to go from the airport into the city. If you arrive destinations close as Nusa Dua or Kuta, the price so pleasant. But if you arrive in Ubud, it will so expensive because of Bali very large. Even arriving some places around Kuta, those taxis always follows you within the airport also pricing about 300-500k IDR. Many also introduce their car was Blue Bird genuine, runs under meter on the island, but prices are generally still high.
There's a little trick to save costs, you should not catch a taxi in the lounge area at the airport, you should walk to the outside, there will be some cheaper taxi companies not allowed parking within an airport or some taxis take customer arrive but without no one to come back. I have tried this way and it halved compared with the price at the airport, alone on a car very wide!
Another way that you can call Uber or Grab, although two companies are being discriminated in Bali. You need to buy pre-sim has the number of Indonesia and make a call to the driver. Normally, the driver will not be allowed entering inside so they would appointment you at a certain point outside the airport, the best if you have Indonesian friend, it's easier!
Moving in Bali
With a girl-backpacker only accompany one or two people and rarely go in the large group like me, perhaps motorbike always the optimal choice for moving on the island. Before I see some groups backpacking Bali often rent car all-day (cost range 500-800k IDR) but my conditions do not allow. The fact that I always love to go by myself, freely. On the island, you will feel so awesome when riding motorbikes, it very cool and you can enjoying the air of Bali truly, Also very awesome when I meet those backpackers also moves by motorbikes. In the night, I’m riding motorbike arriving few bars very playful, on the road also a lot of backpacker riding motorbikes to enjoy the air of Bali!
Rent a motorbike in Bali, there's price from 100-150K IDR / day different in each area. Normally you rented in downtown as Ubud would more expensive than the far destinations like Kuta and Nusa Dua. Conditions are only a deposit or passport. As for me, 808 Residence hotel has lending motorbike free, helmets also good. Just pour gasoline and hit the road discover Bali(price of gas around 7.5K IDR / liter).
Also, you can use the taxi or a bus in order moving on the island. Bus whether cheap but would rather inconvenient about the time, you can refer to the map of the bus routes and hours of the bus here.
Map buses in Bali
Hotels in Bali
Bali is an island very wide, the distance from the closest point to the farthest point on the island are approximate reach 100 kilometers, like as from city to countryside. Therefore you will need to consider the position you will stay when planning backpacking in Bali. There are three main areas concentrating motels, hotels:
Ubud: cultural center of the island, where the convergence of so many sacred temples and these ancient streets, restaurants or central market.
Nusa Dua: Location concentrated these most luxurious resorts in Bali, the beach is also very beautiful.
Kuta - Seminyak: This area located between Ubud and Nusa Dua, concentrating those venues relaxing, dancing, bars and beautiful beaches.
In general, if you schedule available for 7 days backpacking in Bali and intends will arrive nearly all of the attractions of the island, you can consider to staying in all 3 areas, each area about 2-3 nights. This choice will help you focus on sightseeing schedule. Ensure the moves is simple, not too far and experience the life in many places on the island. About book the room, I always remember three important websites: Booking.com, Agoda and Airbnb (specializing find the form as Apartment so beautiful).
You can read the article about the booking via Airbnb to get free when backpacking.
I chosen the 808 Residence hotel, price pretty good, fresh air, cool with standard apartment blocks, has an outdoor pool, quality of service very good. A plus point is that they lending motorbike free during the time stay at the hotel, I've surprised because of this. This hotel is divided into several zones with different prices, the cheapest rooms range $ 45 / night. Afternoon, you can walk only three steps is reach the beach.
Some 808 photos of Residence:
Cuisine, dining in Bali
Traditional foods in Bali according to the taste of Hindus and Islam, ie the typical taste of curry. Before, I was quite hard to eat with these foods have this taste but I have eaten many times and become familiar and feel it so delicious. Besides, Bali people appreciates vegetables in their meals because they think vegetables are the best foods for healthy and digestive of each person. A restaurant specializing salad very delicious and decoration beautifully situated opposite the Residence of 808 hotel, no need to go far in order find food if you staying in this hotel.
Because Bali is the resort island, so you can find anything, any cuisine, from these rice dish traditionally of Bali, or fast food and European foods, seafood. Normally, with small eateries has the price for a meal about 5-10 USD, but if you arrive these luxury restaurants, the price slightly higher, from 15-20 USD or in order comfortable dining the seafood, about 25 - 35 USD/ person.
About cuisine of Bali and review those restaurants in Bali I will write a separate article.
These attractions in Bali
The attractions in Bali I will arrange for each area on the island:
Map of locations revel in Bali
Cultural center Ubud
If you book the hotel in this area, you can schedule backpacking some the places around Ubud center and those sacred temples north of the island. A reasonable schedule is a day you arrive all the spots around Ubud Town include Ubud market and Ulun Danu water temple; one day visit the Monkey Forest temple, Lotus Temple near Ubud, visits Pura Tirta Empul, Pura Gunung Kawi, Tegalalang terraces; one day visits the Batur volcano and Pura Besakih temple.
Ubud Market
This is the biggest market in Ubud with a lot of goods all the types being sale include foods and drink. Here I bought a lot of stuff like Sarong in order wears while visiting these temples in Bali, clothing, hats, ..and all the cheap jewelry, souvenirs. Please remember must bargain at least from 1/4 -1/3 prices offer, here they overcharges so terrible. I bargain down to the lowest possible level, but still hesitated not know whether I bought gaffe or not. Outside there sell jackfruit has been cut available very delicious, they yelled the price is IDR 30k, I bargain down 10K but they still selling, however, whether it's price is high but it so delicious!
In fact, the area around Ubud Town had plenty of exciting things, you can visit those temples, central market, in the evening you can walk around the streets, those small alleyways to explore the nightlife of this place. In addition, in Ubud Town also there are many cafes, bars looked so great to enjoy.
A Cafe in Ubud
Monkey Forest Temple and Lotus Temple
The two temples are situated within Ubud Town so you should combine to visit in one day. Monkey Forest, just as its name, there a lot of monkeys all size and kinds. Monkey in Bali which within Monkey Forest or in Uluwatu you must be vigilant because it can robbery your things at any time. The temple also has the grandstand area look like Sapa or Dalat, Hot Spring area, shrines area... Lotus Temple is worth to visit, there a small road leading to the shrine, flanked is lotus ponds looks so peaceful.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
This terraces zone is located on the road ascent the Batur volcano, stop here and shooting images is so fun. Of course, this is only a small field on the island but it arranged so beautifully, within the tourism zone so it very is noticed, therefore it can not compare to those terraced areas at Mu Cang Chai with those arched mountain range, those immense fields. Beside the fields, also have a few coconut trees adorn the beauty here, you sit in a cafe and view the fields, it's a worth experience!
Pura Tirta Empul temple and Gunung Kawi
Two temples are situated close to each other, more prominent is Pura Tirta Empul with thousands of years old and the bath tank in rectangular shape containing pure water taken from the groundwater in the bottom, that's spring water from high flowing down. Legend has it that god Indra has created this sacred water stream for healing for the people after the battle between Indra and Mayadanawa makes water sources was contaminated. Bali people come here, bath with this water for healing disease and refreshing the spiritual.
To come into Empul Pura Tirta or Gunung Kawi, you must wrap Sarong around the body, especially Tirta Empul, it is imperative to show respect to the gods. Arrive Tirta Empul is free and the ticket price to visit Gunung Kawi is 20,000 IDR. You should bath at Tirta Empul, although initially, water seems a bit cold but the more I bath, the more I fun, feels like as being washed everything worst in my heart!
Pura Besakih
This is the largest temple and also the holiest temple of Bali, also known as Mother temple with around 30 big and small temples within it. Besakih Temple is located at the Agung volcano, and whole Bali people while sleep toward their heads to the volcano. 1963, an eruption of Agung volcanic and lava did thousands of people died, but the lava flow has stopped when it flowing to the foot of the temple, Bali people believe that is the spirit of tolerance of gods.
Mount Batur
The road arrives the Batur volcano quite far, and usually, you can only watching Batur from afar because you want trekking this volcano will take all day. Zone in order stand and view also equal the volcanic surface, therefore, you must ride the motorbike over many bumpy roads to arrive there, climate a bit cold but very pleasant. Beside Mount Batur, nearby there Lake Danau Batur also beautiful with charming scenery, like the natural landscapes in temperate regions such as Alishan mountain in Taiwan, or region near Lucerne of Switzerland.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
This is the second most important temple after Besakih Mother Temple, located on Bratan lake and also a dormant volcano. This temple isolated and there a separate road to get here, entrance ticket is 30,000 IDR but you need to be careful because there are plenty of touts, invites tour. The climate here is very fresh like Mount Batur volcano area.
Kuta and Seminyak
The beach, the bars in Seminyak
If Ubud representing cultural and the sacredness of Bali, but Kuta and Seminyak are venues with lots of bars, restaurants and beautiful beaches. You can stay in a hotel or apartment near the beach, daytime wandering these streets, these clothing shops and those souvenir items, afternoon ride motorbike wandering the beach and then gathered at the bar, enjoy these best tastes in Bali. This is the favorite area for who those love beach and party.
Sunset on the coast of Kuta
A nightclub in Bali
Tanah Lot TEMPLE
You should arrive this temple before noon because after that, tide come in and you can not walk to the temple which around completely water. Admission fee is 30,000IDR, this campus quite large you can spend for few hours sightseeing. It's great to standing on high cliffs overlooking the rushing waves pounding the shore, I had understood why backpackers love to surf in Bali. If you staying hotel is near the beach in Kuta area, distance to Tanah Lot is also not too far away.
Area south pole of the island - Uluwatu and Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua
This is the area concentrate most resorts, luxury hotels in Bali. There is a main road leading to Nusa Dua, on that road there a gate of the whole resort. You can ride comfortably if you do not stay in any resort does, when arriving here, just say with the guard you came here to swim then they will allow. The road will lead to a public beach quite nice and bustle. Of course, the most beautiful positions had been these resort hedged become their own area. Seems the seafront restaurant of resorts they also serve separately to guests who stay at their resort.
Rock Bar and beach in west of Bali
It was voted as one of 10 most beautiful Bar in the world in order watch the sunset with the rocks and the waves pounded the sand shores looks very great. In order arrive Rock Bar you go against the direction of Nusa Dua, mostly high-speed roads and asphalted roads so it very easy to go. If you do not want to arrive Bar, you can along the road through AYANA Resort and Spa Bali - resorts same owner with Rock Bar - to go to the beach. Here you will be standing on the mountain cliffs and overlooking the beach, in distant is the Rock Bar and you watch the sunset here is couldn't better. ^^!
Blue Point Beach
This is a beach and surf are famous near Uluwatu and these the cliff along the sides. On the road lead to the beach, I feel like going through a huge cave area and reach out to the door of paradise.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple located at the southwestern end of the island of Bali, so the road leading to here also very remoteness. Admission is 30,000 IDR, I buy a ticket and come to the area of cliffs high nearly 100 meters above sea level. I came here when close to sunset, feeling tiring due to ride and rushed afraid sun god disappeared. When arrive I just focused on photographing the sunset, therefore, I can not wandering around anymore. But the image taken is very valuable!
Bali is one of the few places I want to go back, want experience, when feel myself has grown up. My dream as simple as Elizabeth Gilbert, have a small house within these green terraces zone with work space so comfortable, in morning I will bike ride on the tree-lined roads, in afternoon I will bath in these stunning beach and enjoy the air of Bali! One personal opinion of mine when backpacking in Bali, if you arrives Bali, please do not rent a car carrying you go all day, only take you to the tourist attractions and take you back. Should take a motorbike, that's all ^ _ ^!