This post is way overdue, but it’s always better be late than never, right?

It was back in April that I had a short trip to Bali with hubby, yes, a holiday just for the 2 of us. Thanks to mother-in-law who helps to look after Dillon and Kaith while we are away.

We spent 3 nights in Bali but in reality we only had about 2.5 days to travel around because we took the evening flight (AA free seats ma, can’t be choosy loh…). We took a taxi from the airport and it cost only Rp. 45,000 since the distance is just merely 15 minutes away from Kuta. We stayed at Febri’s Hotel & Spa, located along Jl. Kartika Plaza. I booked through Agoda and cost us about US$165 only for 3 nights. It’s a good hotel with decent rooms, friendly service and reasonably price, the pool is nice and there is also a spa inhouse.

Day 1: Batuan Temple – Tampaksiring – Kintamani – Tegalalang – Ubud – Tanah Lot

After a good night rest, we met our driver guide – Wayan Darsa who drives a Kijang (Toyota Unser) at the hotel at 9.00am the next morning. Before we got there, I have already booked this driver guide by email, the cost is Rp. 450,000 per day. It wasn’t through any friend’s recommendation, I just got it from the web and we were lucky that he is a good one.

We started off our journey by stopping by some temples, which include the Batuan Temple, a Balinese Hindu Temple with lots of pretty stone carvings and sculptures, followed by Tampaksiring Temple, the holy Spring Water Temple (entrance fee Rp.6,000 per person).

By noon time, we arrived at Kintamani Lake Batur and Volcano but it wasn’t a good time because it started drizzling at that time, therefore we stopped by Windu Sara Restaurant to have our lunch. The food was nothing to brag about at all but the environment. It was quite relieve and relax to just sit down there having a glass of beer, while enjoying the cool air and a view of Mount Batur Volcano from far, the fog was pretty thick thou.

Then we head on to Ubud town and on the way, we stopped by Tegalalang for hubby to snap some photos of the rice terrace, nice greenery view.

The Ubud market is a traditional market selling lots of arts and crafts, souvenirs and beach clothing can also be found here. Well as usual, bargaining is a “must-do” if you want to buy something here and you have to be good at it.

The next stop is Tanah Lot (entrance fee Rp. 10,000 per person), we initially plan to be here for the sunset but we were late when we got there. The sky was already too dark for any good photos, what a shame! So we have already decided to come back here again during our next Bali trip in October later.

After Tanah Lot, we headed back to Kuta and we have our dinner at Mudi Restaurant nearby our hotel. Tried the Ayam Betutu (roast chicken in banana leaves), a well known Balinese dish and I like it.

Day 2: Taman Ayun Temple – Kuta Beach – Uluwatu – Jimbaran Bay

Following a tiring day, we woke up a little late today. After breakfast at 9.30am, we headed to Taman Ayun Temple (entrance fee Rp. 3,000 per person), it’s a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire. The temple building has multi-storey roof and has a beautiful landscape garden, definitely a nice place to visit in Bali.

The itinerary was supposed to continue with a trip to Lake Beratan but since I have to meet my boss and colleagues in Bali office for lunch at Bali Bakery in Kuta Town, we have to give it a pass this time and will go there in October.

After lunch, we headed to Uluwatu Temple (entrance fee Rp. 3,000 per person) for the sunset. Perched high on a cliff over the ocean on Bali’s south-western tip, the view at Uluwatu is magnificent; I’d say you have not been to Bali if you have not seen the most spectacular Uluwatu Temple.

When visiting Uluwatu, do not take the precaution note lightly, the monkeys here are aggressive (or shall I say are “well trained”). Take off your hat, sunglasses and any accessories that can be pulled off.

After Uluwatu, we went on to Jimbaran for our dinner. Although we have heard a lot about the expensive seafood here, but we think it’s something we should not missed. There are so many seafood restaurant along the Jimbaran Bay, with tables all set on the beach. We had no idea which one to go for, they all look the same to us; at last we dine at Blue Marlin Café.

We ordered the prawns, squid and fish, together with drinks, the bill cost us about Rp. 360,000, well that’s worth paying for the atmosphere and experience.

Day 3: Tirthagangga Water Palace – White Sand Beach – Candidasa

We checked out after breakfast, and put our luggage in the car and continue our exploring. Since we only have about 7 hours before we have depart to the airport for our evening flight, we decided to explore the Tirthagangga Water Palace at the east of Bali. According to Wayan, it is not common for tourist to explore the east of Bali due to its distance, it took us 2.5 hours!!

Tirthagangga Water Palacea very beautiful garden with lovely maze of pools and fountains, stone carvings and statue, simply elegant. Hubby spent hours taking photos around the garden.

After we left the palace, the driver guide took us the White Sand Beach, also known as The Virgin Beach because not many tourists have known about this place yet. To be honest, the location of this beach is so secluded and not even many local guides would have known the way.

Then we had our late lunch at The Lotus in Candidasa before we head to the airport.

Overall, although it’s a rather short trip and a bit rush, but we still manage to go to some pretty cool places and had enjoyed a lot. We’ll be coming back to Bali in October and that will be with the kids, mother-in-law and sister-in law’s family, and I’m already looking forward to that.

• 5 Comments