BALI DWIPA JAYA

Our real south-east Asian adventure started when we arrived in Indonesia to Bali. Bali is one of 17.508 islands in Indonesia and it is Hindu island in Muslim country.

Bali - the paradise in South East Asia

We came to Bali because we wanted to visit our friend Bere. He is Croatian, but he found his home far from Croatia, in surfers paradise where he is living for last 12 years. When we arrived at Denpasar airport Bere picked us up and drove us to beautiful bungalows where we were situated for the next two weeks. As soon as we left our backpacks we wanted to go to explore the Island of Gods. The best way to do it is to rent a scooter! You can get it for 2€ per day, just beware of crazy traffic! Thanx to our friend Bere and his girlfriend Aleksandra we visited some amazing places on Bali and they gave us lots of tips and advices about traveling around the island.

WHAT TO VISIT IN BALI? 

Monkey Forest @ Ubud, Bali

UBUD- is located in the central part of Bali, less than 1 hour ride from Kuta. Ubud is a cultural center of Bali, charming place with interesting streets where you can find all kinds of artwork and souvenirs. When you are in Ubud don't miss Monkey Forest where you can meet the friendliest monkeys ever! This ones will not still your sunglasses and you can make some great photos here! Just a short ride from Ubud and we found unreal place, Goa Gajah rain forest where Elephant Cave is located. We were very impressed by the whole forest and how peaceful it was. We were just wondering around and we saw so  many things, some ruined temple, naked women taking a bath in the river, a huge spider on Roby's head and a old guy who was very friendly and so happy when he saw my camera. Ubud is also famous for beautiful rice fields and that's one more reason to visit Ubud!

Pura Besakih - symbol of Bali

PURA BESAKIH- is a complex of 22 temples and a symbol of Bali located in the east part of the island. It took us around 2 hour with a scooter to get to the Temple. The ride is also very interesting and you can always turn from the main road and end up in a village. At the entrance they try to charge us the ticket to visit Pura Besakih because it was some "special ceremony" going on and we were not able to enter without the ticket. You can just pretend stupid and keep saying "Yes, yes..thank you! Ok!" and just walk away. It worked for us! ;) In front of the Temple there is lots of guides offering a tours. That's not bad idea at all! For just 1€ we got a nice story about the Temple and Hinduism. The tour guide answered every question we had about their culture and religion. On the way back a big storm caught us! So go to visit Pura Besakih as early as possible so that you can avoid common afternoon showers!

Dreamland beach on Bali - surfers paradise

DREAMLAND BEACH- is one of the most famous surfer beaches in the world! If you are visiting Bali it is a must do to surf some waves! A perfect spot for surfing is a sandy Dreamland beach where you can cheaply rent a surf board! After drowning experience you can relax at the best bar & restaurant in Bali El Kabron,  situated above Dreamland beach on the cliff. If you add a white stone swimming pool and cozy atmosphere you'll get a perfect spot for watching a sunset. It was really perfect!

ULU WATU- is a unique temple located on the cliff. Every day at 5:30 p.m. you can go to see traditional Kecak dance performed near Ulu Watu temple. Kecak dance is impressive Balinese dance performed mostly by men chanting "cak" and shaking their arms and bodies.  Kecak dance is originally trance dance transformed into drama, telling a story from Ramayana.

There is so many more beautiful places to visit on Bali, but in limited amount of time you can see it all so this are my favorite places!

WHERE TO STAY IN BALI?
- It really depend on what places you want to visit in Bali! You can stay at on place and every day do a day trip with a scooter or you can do a road trip and every day stay at different place! 

Palm Merah bungalows @ Seminyak, Bali

SEMINYAK- is located near Kuta, but it is not that crowded and built up! We found amazing bungalows with swimming pool for 15€ per person per day! The place is called "Villa Palm Merah" and it is located in interesting area full of restaurants, shops and bars.
 KUTA- is the craziest place on Bali, full of clubs, bars, loud music and drunk Aussies, if you are a party animal that's a perfect spot for you!

WHERE TO EAT IN BALI?

El Kabron restaurant & bar @ Bali

EL KABRON- located above the Dreamland beach on the cliff (Jl. Pantan Cemongkak, Pecatu) it offers variety of international food with a Spanish touch and the best sunset view on Bali!

PILI-PILI-  is a buffet style restaurant where you can find delicious Indonesian and international food. It is situated on Jl. Merthanadi 63 in Seminyak.

WARUNG MURAH- this is a small local restaurant in Seminyak where you will find authentic and cheap food.

Delicious Indonesian food

THE JUNCTION-  is a modern and stylish restaurant in Seminyak (Jalan Kayu Aya) where you can have a international or traditional Indonesian meal in nicely decorated interior.

PUNDI-PUNDI- is a beautiful restaurant in Ubud where you can enjoy Asian cousine and a nice view on the rice field in front (Pengosekan steet).

TIPS FOR  BACKPACKING IN BALI:

- Rent a scooter! It is the best way to visit Bali, just be careful about hectic traffic! You should also ware  helmet and have international driving license. If you don't have a license you can cheaply buy a fake one, specially in Bangkok! You can do a trip an scooter around the island and one of the best road trips around Bali is: South Bali - Ubud - Jatiluwih - Bedugul - Munduk - Lovina - Kubutambahan - Mt.Batur - Bangli - Pura Besakih- Rengan - Amlapura

Rambutan & salak - exotic Indonesian fruit

- When traveling around Bali don't miss delicious and traditional Balinese and Indonesian food! You can find nasi goreng or soto ayam in every restaurant (warung) in Bali. I can still taste rambutan or salak (snake fruit) in my mouth and i miss that exotic taste of Bali.

- When entering the temple you'll have to be dressed properly! In front of the temple there is always some people offering a sarong free of charge.

- Often you can find a ceremony going on on the beach or in the temple. Join the local people for celebrating a special day or an opening of the new temple, it will be a unique experience!

Backpacking Bali, South East Asia

- Learn a few basic Indonesian words like thank you = terima kasi  and you're welcome = sama sama, it will help you to interact with local community and everybody appreciates when you are trying to learn their language! 



- Bali is an island of smiles so leave your problems at home, pack your love and happiness and go to explore Bali! ;)

I love Bali