I had reservations when I first set out in Bali. What could be more exciting to see in Indonesia that didn’t already excite me here in the Philippines or elsewhere? Our beaches in the country are definitely beautiful and almost non-par with what the rest of the world can offer but there’s something about the verve in Bali, both easy and vibrant, that melted memories of chasing deadlines and working hours… and created memories of delightful bliss.
This Indonesian Island noticeably caught my interest from Day 1. There is a good mixture of different things to do, eat and experience in Bali –each place has its own personality and it’s only within each other’s striking distance. Ubud is a place full of things to love. There’s a lot of splendor to be found in Ubud –from food to talent. Below is a list of things to do, spots or sites to visit, and reasons that made me have an affair with Bali.
Between Bites TOP 10 Best Things in Bali
10. Pura Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot Temple is located in the coastal side of the countryside which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes ride from Ubud. Tanah Lot means “Land in the Sea” while Pura means temple, this temple sits atop a large offshore rock being shaped continuously over the years by the ocean side. It’s located in Tabanan, about 20km from Denpasar.
Image Source: Wikipedia
For divers, Tanah Lot would resemble a coral reef near a coastal lip. Catch a spectacular view of the sunset behind a dry reef minus the swimming fishes. This is also considered as a “holy place” where some locals worship the Balinese sea gods. Check the corners around the Tanah Lot Temple and notice that holy tame snake in black and white color surrounding it as a seemingly guard of the temple.
9. Going Around
Going around Bali is as easy as 1-2-3. One has at least 3 choices of transport. If you decide to travel to Ubud and other parts of Bali, it is best to contract a hired vehicle with driver, which can approximately cost PHP 1,600 –a group of four friends can break this amount down to only PHP 400 per head. That’s 9 hours of touring around at your own disposal –without worry of getting lost, carrying your things/shopping bags around and flagging down cabs. That includes a trip to Tanah Lot Temple and Ubud which are at least an hour away from the central of Bali.
Other than taxi cabs, tourists can also flag down motorbikes for a cheaper ride (something similar to going around Boracay). Get the actual thrill of gusting wind on your face while speeding up when you rent a Vespa instead. If you can’t afford to own a Vespa in Manila (at least 300K for brand new) like me (I seriously want a vintage one with a basket in front), then renting it in Bali is the next best thing.
And of course, wandering aimlessly by foot gets you to see the heart of Bali.
8. Ubud, the Art Village
Take a short 1-hour drive to Ubud, the art village of Bali, and soak in the creativity and visions that unfold through dozens of art galleries in the area. Almost everyone seems to be an artist in Ubud and they rightfully have a knack at it.
Antonio Blanco Museum is one of the more famous art museums in Ubud. Antonio Blanco was born by Spanish parents who settled in the Philippines in 1911. He moved to Bali penniless, befriended the King and became the confidant of many powerful folks in Indonesia. His museum displays most of his paintings and artwork that involved baroque pornography, mostly women with exposed breasts. It has a wonderful garden patio that also has a corner for petting bird station.
Image Source: Blanco Museum Website
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There are a lot of other galleries to go to in Ubud. It’s such a groovy artist village with numerous stores showcasing the Balinese creativity. Paintings/sculptures are not only a feast for the eyes –they also stimulate the mind and sometimes spark the heart.
7. Outlet Stores
Shop until you literally drop! There are dozens of outlet stores scattered all over Bali! A lot of those include surfing brands like Billabong, Surfer Girl, Rip Curl, etc. Head to the Billabong Factory Outlet to get the best discounts since the prices are cut by 30%, 50% and 75% depending on the items!!! What a steal!!!
6. Nightlife
The Night Life in Bali is pretty happening too. The energy varies where you choose to spend the evening. The Legian area has a much tamer crowd while Kuta, on the other hand, is the actual epicenter of night life in Bali. Eventful clubs and bars are lined up along its streets. Think of Boracay’s party center and that’s exactly what Kuta is. Sky Lounge is one of the popular bars in Kuta, Bali. They have several levels for different type of music and crowd. The party never stops here.
Since Kuta is party-bustling until midnight or past it, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and shops nearby also close late. Drop in a massage parlor for a Balinese massage that will kneed your tired muscles after a long night of dancing. Balinese massage is on the hard side that concentrates on pressure points on your feet.
5. Ubud Botanical Garden
Botanic Garden describes itself as a palace with the sky as roof and many different rooms, secret chambers, galleries and staircases. It is a lush and tranquil sanctuary just 1.2 kilometers from the heart of Ubud. The Garden serves as a unique tourism destination as well as a retreat for Ubud’s residents.
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Men like Bubba would probably find the need to snooze here but I appreciated the live paintings of beautiful flowers, greenery and flowing water that energized my chi that perfect cool morning.
Botanical Garden
Kutuh Kaja, Ubud (80571), Bali, Indonesia
Phone: +62 (361) 970951
Email: info@botanicgardenbali.com
4. Bebek Bengil Dirty Duck Diner
Anthony Bourdain featured Bebek Bengil Dirty Duck Diner in his show No Reservations. Bebek Bengil opened in 1990 and has made the restaurant a popular spot for tourists to visit.
They are quite known for their Bebek Bengil Crispy Duck IRP 68,000 (PHP 340), which is half a duck steamed in Indonesian spices and then fried for a crispy finish with choice of sautéed potatoes and a side salad or steamed rice and Indonesian vegetables.
The brown fowl with glistening crispy skin and very lean duck meat was served with rice and vegetable side dishes. It has to be the crispiest duck Bubba and I ever tasted. Bubba almost didn’t want to share as he kept pulling at the meat, one bite after the next. Quite primitive with his bare hands but goes to show how much he enjoys the duck. Savor a decadently rich skin where taste is divine and almost melts in your mouth.
Bebek Bengil Restaurant
(Dirty Duck Diner)
Phone: 62-361-975-489
Padang Tegal, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Anthony Bourdain’s Bali Special on No Reservations
3. Surfing
Bali is the best spot to learn surfing for beginners. Odysseys Surf School is a surfing school supported by the Academy of Surfing Instructors Australia, Hard Rock Cafe, Surftime-Surf Mag and has a reputation for its open, fun and friendly atmosphere. It offers surfing lessons for beginners and intermediate.
Look at the waves
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I didn’t think I could do it
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Gearing up for a second run
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I had reservations about surfing since I am not a strong swimmer (I’m not a swimmer period) but Odyssey’s surfing instructor was really attentive and I felt safe under his watch. Their school is conveniently located in front of Kuta Beach, a beach very famous for its white sandy bottom, breaking waves and waist deep water, making the school the perfect and suitable place to learn surfing. It pumped the adrenaline and is one of the best activities I did in Bali.
Odyssey’s Surf School
G/F Mercure Hotel Arcade, Kuta Beach, Bali
2. Naughty Nuri Ribs
Naughty Nuri is a hole-in-the-wall resto with the exterior looking like a small unassuming shack fronted by a smoking barbecue grill and an unmistakable queue. No matter how intimidating the ribs might look like at first or how full you are, a person will be able to finish a plate of full slab barbecued ribs in New York minute –that’s how fantastic their ribs are.
My Love Shack
Naughty Nuri’s Barbecue Ribs, priced at IRP 85,000 (PHP400), give you three choices, pork, beef or lamb ribs. The perfectly smoked barbecued ribs exude sweet, smoky and piquant flavors. I didn’t fight the urge to grab it with my hands (more primitive than Bubba actually) –staining my small fingers with the barbecue sauce and charred flakes.
The ribs were well-coated with their special barbecue sauce from meat to the bones. Fall-off-the-bones tender ribs… it seems like my barbaric hunger for it will never end.
Oh and you might also want to order that with a dry dirty martini. New York Times claim they have the best in the world… along with those ribs. I’m willing to go back to Bali in a heartbeat if only for those mouthwatering and dream-inducing ribs.
Naughty Nuri’s Warung and Grill
Jl. Raya Sanggingan (Across the road from Neka Museum), Ubud, Bali
Phone: (361) 977547
Open Daily: 8AM-10PM
1. Jimbaran Sunset
Jimbaran is known for the seafood restaurants along the long stretch of stunning white sand. The sky is painted with red, pink, orange and blue hues. It was literally the BEST sunset I have ever seen. And I’ve seen a few… in the most beautiful places in the Philippines –Boracay, Anawangin, Calaguas, Bantayan, Malapascua, etc. I don’t think my photo serves it justice but the actual sight keeps me in awe.
In accord, the heavens seem to expose more of its beauty as its palette change from gray and blue tone… to gray and pink tone with a stroke of blue… to an orange pink and off-whitish hue… magnificently whipping fragments of mixed shades making me think an invisible painter is standing close by.
The crab and chicken dishes at Aroma restaurant are delicious and inclined service is adequate and friendly. Don’t miss out in trying out the corn that vendors sell on the beach. It’s grilled corn on the cob basted with an Indonesian gingery spice that’s delightful tasty.
This was the most relaxing part of the trip. We stayed in Jimbaran for almost 3 hours soaking in the evening’s quiet breeze and the sea’s lovely presence.
Are you ready for a Bali trip? 😉 Armed with these must-visit places, I think you definitely are. Take me with you? I can fit in a 30-lb luggage mebbe? 😀
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