Why I did not visit Bali in 2011 and why I am looking forward to it in the future
I remember that when I visited South East Asia for 3 months in 2011, I was thinking of going to Bali as well. Bali is an island which together with a few small islands form one of 33 provinces of Indonesia with Denpasar being its capital.
Bali has always been on my bucket list as for us, Europeans, Bali is something exotic where not everyone can go from here if we have only a 2-week holidays in summer (and almost a mission impossible with low salaries in Slovakia).
So when I was planning my SE Asia getaway, I dedicated some time to browse cheap flights to Bali among other countries to visit there. Some of my friends posted their photos from Bali relaxing at the beach on my facebook before and were telling me to definitely hop on a plane to Bali if I was anywhere close.
Especially many of my friends from Australia visit Bali very often because of good deals they can get. And I am also in touch with many people from Indonesia through facebook as they are very active there. So I had really many reasons why to include Bali on my countries-to-visit list in 2011.
But then, believe me or not, I realised I could not make it there this time.
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines and again Thailand during 3 months was enough of moving around for me to visit Bali as well. I can tell you I was a bit upset about it. Because first, in Langkawi island I met a Canadian guy who flew to Bali after. And then, after spending a few days in Kuala Lumpur in early November, my friend, a German guy, spoke about his great Bali holidays.
So I really wanted to go.
But with my plans, the most I could spend in beautiful island of Bali was 2 or 3 days. And paying for the flights and the visa to enter Bali (Slovak citizens can get them at the airport – $10 for 7 days, $25 for 30 days) was not worth it in my opinion.
I wanted to go to Bali for longer time.
At least 2 or 3 weeks, or even a month so I could properly enjoy everything the island has to offer.
I learned from my friends or fellow travelers a few things about Bali and I cannot wait to go there within the next few years because of the same reasons.
a Bali beach
I am looking forward to visit Bali in the future because:
– it is a country of temples (such as Pura Ulun Danu Bratan) – oh yes! Temples and ruins are just something for me. I could spend days there just thinking and breathing the atmosphere like in the archeological sites of Mexico I visited.
– Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana – a temple complex with macaque monkeys in the jungle. I do love monkeys and it looks like they love me even more. They always attack me and try to get all my food. It is fun!
– Gunung Kawi – 10 shrines engraved in a rock
– hot weather
– beaches with both white (South part of the island) and black sand (West and North)
– island is surrounded by coral reefs – let’s enjoy snorkeling!
– a unique cave (grotto) spa in Ubud
– central Bali is covered with mountains and volcanos (such as Gunung Batur) – as much as I love beaches, I am a mountain girl too.
– Bali Orchid Garden – a garden of thousands of orchid. Tell me, which girl does not like flowers?
– it is affordable
– variety of food, avocado and cheap fresh fruit juices
– there are touristy and less touristy places
– around 280 species of birds, Bali tiger or leopard – some of Bali animals I would like to meet (and hopefully not get eaten by them)
In 2015 I finally went to Bali :)
Forsa
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I am Indonesian, I live in Jakarta. Last time I visited Bali more than 5 years ago. I heard Lombok island on east Bali is more beautiful than Bali.
Charles Rahm
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Yep. It’s touristy, but there are still good places. I was at some, here are my reports: https://www.dontworryjusttravel.com/tag/Bali
I would also recomend you to go to the southwest near the airport. For example Seminyak beach is beautiful, once you found it after walking along all the restaurants, shops and boutiques.
At the north the beaches are not so beautiful, but therefore it is much more relaxed without Starbucks and all the craze. :-)
Once you’ll be there, enjoy!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Charles, thanks so much for your recommendations :)
Andreas
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when you visit Bali make sure to visit the 3 Gili islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air as well :)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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I will, Andreas, it is on my bucket list ;)
Antonia
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Oh you’ll love Bali and you’ll definitely need to spend more than a few day’s here, a month is probably just enough!
The island is beautiful in so many ways, the volcanoes, the mountains with amazing views. Beaches and spectacular sunsets and so much more.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Thanks so much for all the info, Antonia ;)
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Duane Storey:
Aw, bribe? :D
Duane Storey
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I really enjoyed Bali when I was there in 2011. I remember the airport line being crazy long though, like two hours long, and security guards asked me a few times if I wanted to pay a special $20 ‘fee’ to skip the line with one of them.
Watch your camera gear whenever you see monkeys! They are used to seeing tourists and I saw lots of people lose things to the monkeys while i was there. Enjoy your trip though!
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Adam – Tropical Nomad:
That’s exactly what I heard too. You need to go to less known places I guess ;)
Adam - Tropical Nomad
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I went to Bali in August 2011 and to be honest, it wasn’t great.. Mass tourism destroyed it! Kuta anyway…
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Canyoning in Wales:
I can only agree with you about the people. I have met a few people from Bali and they were all so cute and helpful!
Canyoning in Wales
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I have visited Bali on two occasions. Having done a fair bit of traveling in my time, Bali is definitely in the top 3 of the best locations I have been to. There are the obvious attractions of the weather (which is just perfect), its such a manageable temperature, around 30 everyday. It also has a massive draw to me, as I am a surfer, and Bali hosts some of the best waves in the world. But aside from these benefits, the people of Bali are what really make the Island. They are some of the most welcoming people I have ever met, they can never do enough for you and will go out of their way completely to make sure you enjoy the visit. I can’t recommend Bali enough!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Sergio:
Cool, Sergio :)) Glad you enjoyed Bali.
Sergio
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Nacho and me were in Bali during our trip around Asia just a few days ago, we have been there during 10 days, and was awesome!! Definitely you should go soon! We are thinking after a break of Asia back…if you need any tips let me know =)
crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Veny (@MissLaiLai):
Really nice to hear your opinion :) I will make sure not to go to Kuta as more people told me the same :)