Bali: A Destination for Unforgettable Experiences
Bali, a captivating island paradise, beckons travelers with its allure. Its pristine beaches, lush rice paddies, and vibrant culture offer an unforgettable experience.
The island's natural beauty is unparalleled, with its iconic beaches, towering volcanoes, and verdant landscapes. The cultural richness of Bali is equally captivating, with its ancient temples, traditional dances, and intricate art forms.
Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Bali caters to diverse interests. Its diverse offerings ensure that every visitor leaves with cherished memories.
This is the first time Grace has visited Bali, Indonesia. She spent a long time researching with her friends about where to go and how to prepare. Upon arrival, it was no surprise why everyone wants to visit Bali. It is a city with architecture that is somewhat reminiscent of Lanna, similar to Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Day 1: Pura Tirta Empul
This sentence describes the first day of a trip to Bali, Indonesia. The author mentions booking a flight with AirAsia for 5,500 THB roundtrip and exchanging 3,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah per person for a total of 18 million Rupiah (approximately 10,000 THB) for the six-person group. The author expresses excitement about spending lavishly in Bali, where a single meal can cost hundreds of thousands of Rupiah. The sentence concludes by stating that the first day's itinerary includes a visit to Pura Tirta Empul.
The sacred spring temple is a must-visit for any visitor to Bali. People come here to pray for good fortune, but it is not possible to go down to the temple to pray without the proper attire. Instead, visitors can stand at a distance and raise their hands in prayer. Locals often go down to the temple to cleanse their bodies and pray for safety and good luck.
This resembles a natural spring that flows into a pool where people can bathe. Remarkably, sacred water bubbles up from the spring.
Next, we headed to "Pura Agung Besakih," the oldest and largest temple in Bali. Upon arrival, we were stunned by the grand entrance. Guides are available, and in the picture you see, the stairs in the center of the entrance are off-limits to tourists. They are reserved exclusively for those performing rituals. Therefore, we had to climb the stairs on the side to enter.
The temple exudes a sense of tranquility, with a steady stream of devotees performing rituals. Its vastness is undeniable, as it would take 1-2 hours to explore the entire complex. However, our group's physical limitations, exacerbated by the heat, forced us to retreat after only 30 minutes.
Villagers are performing a ceremony. It looks very powerful, but I can only watch from afar because they are not allowing anyone to enter. I must say that a lot of people have come to participate in the ceremony.
Day 2: Lovina Beach
After a long day of trekking, our driver brought us to a breathtaking view of Mount Kintamani. The journey was arduous, filled with winding roads and hours of travel. But the reward was well worth it. The crisp mountain air, thick fog, and constant breeze created a truly magical atmosphere. It was a moment of pure bliss, and I would gladly return in a heartbeat.
The text describes a morning trip to Lovina Beach to see dolphins. The writer mentions the black sand beach and their excitement upon seeing the dolphins. They also mention purchasing a package deal for dolphin watching and snorkeling for 150,000 rupiah (approximately $400), which they obtained through their driver. The writer expresses their satisfaction with the driver and offers to share their contact information privately.
The adorable dolphins chirped and frolicked, but it's a mystery how they knew exactly where to find them. As soon as they surfaced, every boat within a 400-meter radius would converge, like a dolphin-hunting gang. Some boats even came dangerously close, raising concerns for the dolphins' safety.
The scenery was breathtaking before the dolphins arrived. The sunrise was a sight to behold, and the atmosphere was incredibly relaxing.
After playing in the water and watching the dolphins, we rushed back to shower and head to "Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple," a serene temple in the middle of a lake. The pagodas stand in the middle of the water, and locals come to sit and enjoy the cool breeze. This temple is featured on the 50,000 rupiah bill. We only walked around for a short while, as we had already visited several temples, and they all felt quite similar. We spent some time taking in the atmosphere before leaving. It's important to note that all temples here require an entrance fee and visitors must wear a sarong for respect.
You can also take a boat ride on the lake.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a popular tourist destination in Bali, is located almost 2 hours' drive from the lake. The journey is long and winding, with narrow roads and steep drops, but the view is worth it. We chose to have lunch here, enjoying the stunning scenery while we ate. It would be amazing to wake up to this view every day.
Exquisitely beautiful, but unfortunately, we could only take a few photos before the sky started to cloud over. T_T
Day 3 : Blue Lagoon
A hidden beach that few people know about, with a difficult-to-find entrance that only locals are familiar with. Just seeing the view in front of you, you'll believe it's truly secluded. You'll need to park your car at the top and walk down the path.
The secluded beach was practically deserted, with only a handful of foreigners present. The tranquility and privacy were palpable. We relaxed, taking in the scenery, enjoying meals, and sipping drinks as the gentle breeze carried us away. It was pure bliss. You should definitely visit!
After a satisfying meal, we continued to the "Goa Gajah Temple," renowned for its cave resembling a giant's open mouth. As we entered the cave, a musty odor mingled with the scent of incense, creating an eerie atmosphere. We paid our respects to the Buddha statue inside before quickly exiting, as the ambiance was a tad unsettling.
Strolling around, one can immediately sense the ancient Balinese architecture that is ubiquitous, from the moment you step out of the airport, along the streets, and in every temple you visit. At Goa Gajah Temple, locals believe that those who desire children should come to pray and drink the holy water found there.
The temple grounds are lush and the air is refreshingly cool. The verdant scent of the trees creates a truly pleasant atmosphere.
Staying in a pool villa is a must when visiting Bali! We didn't miss out on this either, and tonight we're staying at Villa Kemuning, which has a total of 4 bedrooms for only 3,500! It's incredibly cheap! We rented the whole place. The atmosphere is very cool at night. They have a great welcome drink, but the rooms are a bit dark, with not enough lights. And the way to the accommodation is very dangerous. The road is so small that even the driver was surprised and asked if there was really a hotel here. He must have been wondering how we found this place!
Day 4: Tanah Lot temple
A popular seaside temple among tourists, the atmosphere is even better in the evening. Go when the tide is low so you can walk into the temple, because if the tide is high, this temple will become a temple in the middle of the sea.
Upon entering the temple, one will encounter a ceremony where they are offered sacred water to drink and have rice grains placed on their forehead. The purpose of this ritual remains unclear, but it evokes a sense of mystical power. A donation is expected after the rice is placed on the head.
The atmosphere was incredibly warm. I couldn't help but capture the moment with a photo.
I'm starving! A luxurious dinner for millionaires like us. Potato Head is located by the sea and also offers accommodation. Relax and listen to the sound of the waves after a day of traveling and exploring. Enjoy delicious food and good music. Wow, life is good!
When ordering food, we didn't even look at the prices. We thought we were rich and had plenty of money to spare. Since it was a rare occasion, we wanted to treat ourselves to something special. We went all out and ordered a huge feast. But the best part was that everything tasted amazing, especially the spaghetti. It was truly delicious.
The seafood was delicious, but the dipping sauce was not as good as the one we make at home. Overall, the seafood was fresh and passable. The bill for this meal came out to 3 million baht! We were stunned and confused. On other days, we eat instant noodles.
Day 5: Melasti Beach
This secluded beach is a hidden gem, unknown to most tourists. Our driver recommended it, and upon arrival, we found ourselves completely alone except for a single Westerner enjoying a coconut.
However, we did not play in the water as it was a sheer rock face. Falling down could potentially end our lives here. Therefore, we could only take beautiful and handsome photos, over a hundred of them, until we were satisfied.
It's time to say goodbye to Bali. Tomorrow, it's back to the real world and work. But this trip to Bali has been so amazing that I know I'll be back again. Stay tuned for our next adventure! In the meantime, be sure to like our page, Gangster456คำ, for more amazing photos and stories. Thanks for following along!
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Wednesday, October 9, 2024 6:01 PM