Blissful Bali | 4 Days 4 Nights Exploring the Island: Beaches, Mountains, Temples, and Hospitals

BLISSFUL BALI | 4-Day, 4-Night Bali Tour: Island, Sea, Mountains, Temples, and Hospitals

To make the most of your trip, explore all that Nusa Penida, Ubud, Amlapura, Canggu, and Kuta have to offer, from tourist attractions to a hospital visit in Bali. 555

Essential Pre-Trip Preparations for Bali: A Concise Guide

1) Transportation: We booked a comfortable and affordable airport transfer through KLOOK, eliminating the risk of being overcharged.

2) Rental car (1,000 baht per person): We can choose to have the car delivered and picked up, which is convenient and affordable. However, the downside is that driving in Bali can be challenging. The roads are either rough, steep, or chaotic, with motorbikes weaving in and out from all directions.

3) The KLOOK SIM card was delivered when we were picked up from the airport. However, the signal was very bad outside of Kuta, making it almost unusable. We were not very impressed.

4) We booked our hotel through Booking.com, which has been reliable and allows for payment directly at the hotel. Therefore, preparing sufficient currency exchange beforehand is recommended.

Nusa Penida Tour Recommendation

If you're planning a trip to Nusa Penida, consider booking a tour with Discovernusapenida.com. While the $70 per person price tag might seem steep, it's worth the investment. The tour includes everything you need for a fantastic day trip: transportation to and from the island, boat tickets, a private guide and vehicle for touring the island, lunch, snacks, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and towels.

The highlight of the tour is the knowledgeable and friendly guide, who even went above and beyond by saving the author's life!

Rough Schedule for April 16-20, 2018:

Get ready, it's time to begin!

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DAY 1 Bangkok — Bali — Nusa Penida Island

Our journey began at Don Mueang Airport at 7 pm on AirAsia. We arrived in Bali at almost 1 am, which is one hour ahead of Thailand time. Klook's car was waiting to pick us up and take us to H-ostel, our first accommodation. We slept for only 5 hours before checking out and waiting for the island tour guide to pick us up at 6:30 am.

The driver took us to the pier and let us have breakfast at the only open restaurant there. Fortunately, we were the first group to arrive, so we didn't have to wait long. After we finished eating, the restaurant was full, and there was only one waiter, who was incredibly slow.

Instant noodles are similar to stir-fried Mama noodles.

The sun is already strong in the morning on this side.

After a half-hour boat ride, we arrived at Nusa Penida Island, where our guide, Kadek (as far as I could understand), was waiting to greet us. Kadek and the driver took us on a tour of the island. The roads were terrible, making self-driving impossible. They were bumpy and single-lane, but there was constant traffic. Kadek informed us that the island had only been open for three years and had not yet undergone significant development.

Billabong at high tide

The guide led us to Angel Billabong, where, according to reviews, people have been swimming and taking stunning photos.

The tide was high when we arrived, making it impossible to swim. However, the captain informed us that we could still take photos by the water's edge. My friend and I decided to go down, and she asked the young men to take our pictures. But then...

This wave is the beginning of the onslaught.

Suddenly, a series of large waves hit the shore. The lifeguard quickly instructed us to get up and move to a safe location. However, the lifeguard forgot that we were sitting on sharp rocks and couldn't get up in time. We were both injured as a result.

As the large waves approached, it became a matter of life or death. My friend and I were rushing to take cover, but it was too late. The lifeguard grabbed my arm tightly because I was almost swept away to the bay with sharp rocks (which the lifeguard later told me had a history of accidents). My shins hit the rocks hard, but we managed to get to safety just in time. (Everyone in the area fled, it was really scary)

Blood seeped through our pants. The moment was painful, but we didn't want anything more to happen, especially since it was our first day. As expected, our knee was open, revealing the inside. The staff quickly brought a first-aid kit for us and our friend, whose foot was also bleeding.

After finishing the wound treatment, we bravely continued to Broken Beach, which is nearby. When asked if it hurt, it felt like falling off a bicycle, but my friend and I were determined. We had spent a lot of money, haha. (The doctor told us to wait until we got back to the mainland to go to the hospital because there wasn't one there.)

Broken Beach is a stunning location that leaves one in awe of nature's artistry.

Another girl with a limp is a friend, lol.

In the distance, we observed a Manta Ray swimming, its size was truly remarkable.

We then continued to Kelingking Beach, which is accessible by foot and takes about an hour to reach. The view from above was breathtaking, with pristine white sand. However, we were informed that the descent was challenging, and given our physical limitations, we decided against it. We settled for capturing the beauty from afar, albeit with a tinge of disappointment.

Upon reaching the island, we took a break for lunch at a restaurant included in the tour. The fried fish was highly recommended and was indeed delicious, especially when paired with the Balinese dipping sauce, which resembled a local relish. We were even able to request additional servings.

Upon arriving in Bali, you must drink Bintang, eat local cuisine, and dip it in ABC chili sauce.

The final stop on our tour with Kade was Crystal Bay, a beautiful spot for snorkeling. However, we were unable to join the others in the water, so we relaxed on the beach and chatted with Kade. After some time, Kade brought us back to the pier and collected payment. We tipped him generously and boarded the boat, arriving back on shore around 4 pm. After picking up our rental car, we were advised to visit Sanglah General Hospital, known for its quality and affordability.

After confidently entering the emergency room, my face turned pale when the doctor informed me that stitches were necessary. Following the completion of the paperwork, five doctors arrived to stitch my wound while engaging in conversation with me. While the experience bore some resemblance to a public hospital in Thailand, the staff was courteous and acted swiftly. The total cost of the procedure amounted to approximately 1600 baht.

Our hotel, Ayodhaya Uluwatu ~

Exhausted from the hospital, the four of us drove to Uluwatu, where we had booked a hotel near Single Fin. However, we were ultimately too tired to do anything but eat at Outside Corner (which had delicious pork steak). We were disappointed to miss out on everything else.

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DAY 2 Uluwatu — Ubud

Uluwatu Monkey Temple: A Scenic Sanctuary with Mischievous Primates

Uluwatu Monkey Temple, renowned for its breathtaking clifftop views and ancient charm, offered a tranquil escape after yesterday's adventures. The serene atmosphere and lush greenery transported us to a bygone era. As is customary in Balinese temples, we donned sarongs to ensure respectful attire. However, navigating the temple grounds required constant vigilance, as the resident monkeys were notorious for their audacious thievery. From water bottles to sunglasses and bags, nothing seemed safe from their nimble paws. Their fearless nature added an element of amusement and trepidation to our visit.

Who should I pick?

Employees are required to climb down the cliff to retrieve items from the monkeys.

What kind of heart do you have, calling this a cliff?!

We drove back up to Ubud and stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant. The restaurants (Warung) here are few and far between, and most of them serve similar dishes, mainly rice salad. By chance, we stumbled upon a cafe called BGS cafe. Since it also sells high-quality surf gear, it's a popular spot for surfers. The coffee here is also excellent, so we relaxed for a while before continuing our journey.

Point and the auntie will serve you.

Four plates with a large bottle of water for 45,000 IDR, which is equivalent to approximately 100 Thai baht.

When discussing Ubud, one of the first things that comes to mind is the Bali Swing.

We came across a large and expensive item, only to realize that another item was right next to it after we had already gone inside. Oh no!

You paid a lot, so please let me go to the next campaign.

This translates to:

We each paid $35, which included everything: an all-you-can-eat buffet of unappetizing local food (even if you just went in to accompany someone, the food cost $10). There were four swings of varying heights and thrill levels, but the view was undeniably amazing. There were also several bird's nests where we could queue up for photos, although there were a lot of Chinese tourists. But hey, we had already paid, so we kept taking pictures.

Next, we visited the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, another beautiful tourist spot in Ubud with swings. The view here is slightly different, and we could walk around freely. There were also many restaurants and cafes along the way, allowing us to enjoy the view in a relaxed atmosphere.

Our accommodation for the night was the most beautiful and expensive on the trip. It was called Tejaprana Resort and Spa, and it cost around 7,xxx baht in total. We booked it on Booking.com, and the price included breakfast, a 15-minute free massage, and afternoon tea. The room we booked was a pool villa with a view of the Ubud forest, which was stunning. The bed also faced east, so we woke up to watch the sunrise in the morning. It was truly beautiful. I highly recommend staying here.

Waking up to the gentle morning sun, it's the perfect time for an early dip in the pool.

At Tejaprana, the breakfast is a must-try. The buffet offers a wide variety of delicious Balinese and international dishes, including eggs cooked in various styles. The all-you-can-eat breakfast is available from 7 am to 11 am.

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DAY 3 Amlapura — Tirta Ganga — Heaven’s Gate

Today, we drove to Amlapura to visit Tirta Gangga, a water palace and public park. We were able to stroll through the gardens, take photos, feed the fish, and even swim in a designated pool. What truly amazed us was the crystal-clear water, allowing us to see the bottom of the pool. The natural setting made it feel as if the pool was not man-made.

The fish here are as tame as dogs, you can even call them and they will come! 55555

After the fish pond, we drove up a very high mountain, where we could see a volcano in the background. This is another landmark of Bali, Pura Lempuyang, also known as the Gate of Heaven.

The view from here is truly breathtaking. It feels as if we are within arm's reach of the sky. :)

DAY 2: Seminyak Nightlife

This evening, we explored the vibrant nightlife of Seminyak. Our hotel, Grandmas, boasts a fantastic restaurant and bar called Miura, where we indulged in delicious cuisine. The chicken satay and pork ribs were particularly noteworthy, and the cocktails were potent and expertly crafted.

On our last day in Bali, we decided to visit the Surf zone early in the morning. Canggu is full of great restaurants on both sides of the road, making it difficult to choose. We finally decided on Cocomo Cafe because it had a cute vibe that stood out from the other restaurants.

Exquisitely charming, especially for men.

Our lunch at Echo House: A beachfront haven for seafood and more

Echo House, a beachfront restaurant, was the perfect spot for our midday meal. We strolled over and were greeted by a diverse selection of fresh seafood, along with various meat options clearly priced. The food was grilled to perfection, with a subtle turmeric flavor, and the quality was exceptional. The prices were surprisingly affordable, and to top it off, this was the coldest Bintang beer we'd encountered in Bali! For those who prefer a twist on the classic flavor, the lemon and orange Bintang with a mere 2% alcohol content is a refreshing option to enjoy while watching surfers ride the waves.

All-you-can-eat meat, pork, seafood, and beer for 600-700 THB per person.

After our stomachs were full from the delicious food, we stopped by the famous black sand beach of Canggu to take some photos.

Wait, where's the beach?...

This place is relatively clean and has strong waves.

Before reaching the car, we stopped by another shop called Nula bowls. It's a coconut shell bowl with fruits, yogurt, and homemade granola, beautifully decorated inside the shop. It's delicious but a bit expensive. But it's still beautiful for taking pictures.

Due to our early morning flight, we checked into the vibrant and renowned Cara Cara Inn to freshen up and rest before our airport transfer. The hotel's aesthetic appeal and comfortable accommodations left us wishing we had stayed there for the entirety of our trip.

Everything is readily available, almost eliminating the need to leave the hotel. Plus, it's right next to a market that feels like Lumpini Park. 555

Summary:

Bali is a tourist destination that offers a variety of experiences, from adventure and relaxation to luxury and simplicity. During my recent trip, I experienced both physical challenges and excitement, as well as a sense of carefree relaxation. Simply gazing at the scenery brought me immense peace of mind. The people were incredibly kind and helpful, truly living up to Bali's reputation as a tourist destination. On my next visit, I promise to avoid injury so I can join in the diving activities. 55555