I barely had any sleep today. I'm still not over my Hanoi trip (my flight back to Manila was just this morning, after all!), but here I am reminiscing about my Bali adventure and already itching for my Thailand escapade this November.
It's no secret that I had an amazing time in Bali. If you've been following me on Instagram for the last few months, you probably noticed that I'd posted a ton of Bali pictures. Because honestly, that's what Bali will do to you. It will invade your thoughts, it will make you want to go back, it will stay with you no matter how long it's been. Some of the details may be fuzzy now, but that kind of exhilaration is unforgettable. It's the type of feeling that you can't wait to replicate and experience again, the kind that will make you daydream about the next time you'll find yourself in the same island, wondering how more epic it could be.
HIRE A DRIVER
One of the best decisions we'd made during this trip was to hire a driver. There were four of us, which meant that we could split the cost. It was SO worth it. I found Bali Safest Driver on Trip Advisor and had no regrets. The driver assigned to us, Putu, was so kind and helpful he seriously became a buddy of ours. He introduced us to my friends' surf instructor and gave us amazing tips. He even joined us one night and partied with us. That's how much we enjoyed his company. If you're going to Bali, send them an e-mail to inquire about their rates and don't forget to ask for Putu! :)
EAT, EAT, EAT (AT ARTSY PLACES)
Who doesn't love great food and Instagrammable places?! If you're a vegetarian, I think you'd have no problem finding vegetarian-friendly restaurants. And if you're an avid Instagram user, then make time to drop by any of the following restaurants.
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| #tacotuesday at Motel Mexicola. Look how beautiful everything is!!! And the food was so yum!!! |
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| Nalu Bowls is AMAZING. For your smoothie bowl cravings, visit this healthy and delicious shack. |
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| We couldn't get enough of colorful restaurants, so Sea Circus was on our list, as well. Go to the loo even if you don't have to pee because that's one gorgeous comfort room. |
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| Indonesian meatball aka BAKSO. Cheap, but flavorful! |
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| Deus Ex Machina is a one-stop shop if you want to do some shopping, admire a few relevant paintings, eat good food, and get some drinks. (Bottom photo by @joshuarreyes) |
Nothing wrong with being a proper tourist for a day or two and enjoying the beautiful sights a certain place has to offer. Bali is so beautiful and full of culture that it can't really disappoint you.
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| Pura Luhur Uluwatu a.k.a. Uluwatu Temple. Easily one of my favorite views in Bali! So breathtakingly beautiful. |
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| Tegenungan Waterfall. We were lucky there weren't as many people as we had expected. |
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| Tegellalang Rice Terraces because who can't appreciate this kind of scenery? |
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| Ubud Market where you can test your bargaining skills (just give an amount and pretend to walk away if the sellers don't agree; they'll shout and call you and eventually cave in). |
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| Pura Tirta Empul a.k.a. Water Temple which is built around a bubbling spring and where you can perform the traditional ritual. |
We were debating whether we should book Villa Gemuk or not. We eventually did and it was pretty amazing. It is a 3-bedroom villa with a private pool in the Seminyak area. We booked it through Agoda and the price wasn't bad at all!
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| Both photos are from my friend's IG @joshuarreyes |
So here's the thing: I had never hiked a mountain before Mt. Batur. I'd wanted to for so long, but just never had the chance to do so. Putu picked us up from the villa at around 2am. We rented jackets in the area because we had realized we would probably freeze to death somehow. Then we quickly had bread and coffee before we started our hike. It was so dark, but we each had a flashlight to help us guide our steps. Was it tiring? Yes. Was it rocky and slippery? Yes and yes. Was it worth it? YES. That sunrise was absolutely stunning.
CHILL AT A CAT POOP COFFEE SHOP
Yes, you did read that right. We had a coffee and tea tasting at Luwak Coffee. FYI, Kopi Luwak is civet coffee "that includes part-digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet." (Thanks, Wikipedia!)
BE A BEACH BUM (OR GO SURF)
I didn't go surfing partly because I was being a cheapskate, but my friends did. We went to Padang Padang beach twice and we really liked the vibe. I can't say much about the surfing experience, but I know my friends had a good time. It's a good spot for beginners, I believe. While they were surfing, I was just chilling and reading a book. Still a good way to spend the afternoon.
Last but not least, my friends and I seriously enjoyed the night life in Bali. Sky Garden was one of a kind; Eikon had the best music; and La Favela...well, La Favela. What can I say? There was something about it that I can't really put into words. Suffice to say that next time we're in Bali, we're gonna party a lot more!
This entry might be over, but my feelings for Bali just intensified. Just you wait, Bali, I'll be back soon enough!
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