This is our true story in Bali. This is about us two – the tourists, not me – the travel agent. We were a couple in love, exploring the wonders of Indonesia in this unforgettable trip.
Although we did not get married, this was the best honeymoon we could ever had!
Since the day we came back, until today, I’ve been booking honeymoon in Bali for many couples looking for an exquisite emotion!
This story will include the most recent life-time-lasting story of our dear clients, Mihai and Oana, with their real photos, from their honeymoon. Their spiritual patents, the ones that witnessed their union in church, joined them.
Tow young couples that enjoy Bali now, versus the couple we were 10 years back. Bali never changed, just became more and more popular.
We went in 2013, just after the “Eat, Pray, Love” movie put Bali on the map, making it a “must-see” for everyone.
So I had to visit Ketut, check our fortune, see what he will predict for us. I’m happy we did that, after a little while he passed away. He was almost blind when i was there and he was reading me mostly by touching me.
Hm, you pretty, me very lucky to meet you!
I think this was his line to every girl coming to visit. His story and my fortune reading a bit later… we have many insides for you!
Going back to our clients, for our clients:
I always package Bali with Lombok or Gili Islands for diving or snorkeling and Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in the end, so you really feel the mix that Asia is so famous for.
Let’s enjoy Bali now!
To feel Bali we begin by listening the traditional music of Gus Teja, famous local artist. This was our breakfast background, chill and joyful: Morning Happiness
Bali
temples, jungles
monkeys, beach
Gili Islands
diving, snorkeling
turquoise waters
Singapore
city of the future
modern lifestyle
Ubud arrival
We land in Denpasar airport, the entry point in Bali. As Denpasar city is crowdy and a bit dirty, it’s not our focus in the fist day we step foot in Bali. So we have a private transfer to take us from the airport to our lodge in Ubud.
The road is long and very crowdy… welcome to Bali!
We get to our accommodation, we check-in and rest a bit by the pool, as our guide will give us some insights on what to do next.
We love Bhanuswari Villas Ubud 4*. Our room is on the ground floor, big and clean, with natural flowers and open air shower, aside the bathtub filled with flowers. And, it smells like nature! The frangipani smell is making us fall in love again! The staff is so friendly and the food so good!
The pool is not big but we took a swim, as all other guests were out exploring the surroundings. Next to the villas we had a rice field. from the neighours we could hear the roosters, as they were very loud, we loves that country style vibe!
For breakfast next day we had our first nasi goreng (fried rice) with eggs, a pinnaple fresh an the best traditional music on the background, Gus Teja, the famous local artist.
Our dear clients chose a different location for this summer. They loved it! You could see that from the real photos they shared with us.
Now, that the bags are safe, let’s enjoy the area…
Ubud City and Area
Ubud is Bali’s hub, with its handmade shops and art galleries. Ubud was first settled as a city in the eighth century.
“Ubud” means “medicine” in the Balinese dialect, and the region was first well-known for being a source of medicinal plants. Rice terraces around the city, and the nearby villages are well-known for their traditional bamboo crafts and expert stone carvers.
We have plenty to see around, so, let’s enjoy!
Holy Water Temple
(Tirta Empul)
The temple is 14 km away from Ubud, about 30 min drive.
Created by Lord Indra, the temple’s blessed waters could purify those who bathe here, if they believe! We do!
The temple is just below the Presidential Palace of Tampaksiring, buit in 1957 by Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno. The views are stunning.
We need to put on a “sarong” before entering the grounds. For a small donation you can rent sarongs at the temple’s front door. it’s kind of traditional skirt. I bought one instead of renting it. For 5USD I still have the nice blue souvenir.
As soon as we enter the temple, we walk through the large stone Balinese gate and arrive in the outer courtyard of the temple and then in the central courtyard. This gate is guarded by two Dwarapala guardians statues.
Entering the inner courtyard we get to the main area of the temple. Local Balinese and Hindu worshippers wait in the pools to perform the MELUKAT, a purifying ceremony, which involves dipping one’s head under the water spouts. Swimmers enter the pool from the left side, kneeling down beneath the first water spout. Following their self-cleansing under the first spout, they proceed to the following line. They keep doing this until they have thoroughly cleaned under each waterspout.
The front part of the courtyard is dominated by the large water spring that feeds the purification pools. The spring is filled with green algae and small fish swim among the reeds. Behind the springs are large Hindu shrines, brightly decorated. As we exit we pass through a large pool filled with koi fish, swimming lazily in the pond.
We spent a lot of time here, looking at people. A family of 4 girls and an older brother were happy to to the ritual just in front of us. I could not help myself not to take a picture of them. They were happy!
Luwak Coffee
On the way to Lake Temple we stop by Satria Coffee Plantation to taste the most expensive coffee in the world, Luwak Coffee.
They have a touristic shop where they teach you how the coffee is made.
Kopi Luwak is a coffee made from partially digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet.
The cherries ferment as they move through a civet’s intestines and are collected after being defecated with other fecals.
Before you decide whether to buy, you can try a variety of teas, coffees, and the famos luwak coffee. I didn’t like it!
After shopping (some tea) we reach Bedugul, to visit Ulun Danu, or better said, Lake Temple.
Lake Temple
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, or Pura Bratan, is known by the tourists as The Lake temple, as it’s located in the mountain highlands near Bedugul on the shores of Lake Bratan.
Lake Beratan in Bedugul is actually a crater lake (from an old volcano). Lake Bratan is also the second biggest lake in Bali, after Lake Batur in Kintamani.
Lake Beratan is the source of irrigation for rice fields and plantations across the entire Bedugul Village. It seats on “the holy mountain” as the weather is cool and the soil rich and fertile. The name Beratan comes from the term “Tapa Brata,” which is to meditate and be united with nature.
Lake Temple was built in adoration of the Goddess Danu, queen of water, lakes and rivers. The temple complex consists of four sacred buildings.
Linga Pura stands 3 levels high, worships Lord Shiva.
Pura Puncak Mangu stands 11 levels high, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Pura Teratai Bang is the main temple, and Pura Dalem Purwa is built for those who pray for fertility, prosperity and well-being.
Three holy colors to represent the three gods: For Lord Brahma, The Creator, red is the first color. Next is black, for Lord Vishnu, the universe’s keeper, balancer and protector. Last but not least, white for Shiva, The Destroyer.
Interestingly there is an old megalithic sarcophagus within the complex, so scientists say that this site was established even before the Hindu shrines have been built.
These are our photos, from 2013:
And these are the photos of your tourist, taken recently.
Now, the mother of all temples…
The largest and most beautiful temple is Besakih Temple, or Mother Temple, as tourists know it. The impressive temple is located on the slope of Mount Agung.
On the way to Mother Temple we pass Sidemen Village, about 2-hour drive from Ubud. It’s an excellent spot for viewing beautiful rice paddies in East Bali. Driving along the rural neighborhood’s roads is quite relaxing, with soothing views from up close…
We reach Mother Temple
You have to climb the steep staircase… Some locals would tell you that it’s a must to book a guide, and they are happy to tell you all the history… for 10$, but we said no, it was to beautiful just to enjoy people around us!
Around the three main temples (Brahma, Wisnu and Shiva) there are 18 shrines belonging to different reigns and castes.
Here we were blessed to attend a celebration, when locals came with offerings to the temple.
We sit and watch the crowds coming to perform their adoration ritual. Amazing ceremony, a spiritual show for us, free of charge.
We could also buy flowers and sticky rice to blend in and say our pray… we did!
Oh, we staid here for a while, how to leave this sacred place? the joy and peace you see in people’s eyes? We loved it!
Now, THE RICE TERRACES!
We leave the temple and head to the rice fields. It’s time to enjoy lunch with a breathtaking view!
Mahagiri Panoramic Resort in Karangasem village is the best location do do just that. Visiting in this typical Balinese village you feel how the nature’s harmony and tranquility helps to preserve Balinese culture.
The buffet menu attracts many tourists, but the main interest there is to take your photo with the spectacular view of mount Agung, Bali’s most famous holy mountain.
There is no better selfie elsewhere, now it’s time you share your smile online, from the most extraordinary rice terraces in the world. It’s just wow! it’s breathtaking. You, the rice fields and peace. Wonderful!
A nice lady was lightning a candle to the gods, with a short pray, to protect the fields, to have a good crop. She was friendly and we had a lovely spiritual talk.
Do you see Wayan? he’s our guide, the most kind guide I ever had, and I travel fro 20 years now! all tourists we’ve sent to Bali were guided by him.
There is another great spot for great rice fields photos, what we visit the next day.
How did the terraces came to be?
Rsi Marhandya, a hindu priest, developed an irrigation system, known as the Subak System. While the terraced rice fields are all over the island, the most visited teraces are around the villages of Tegallalang, Pejeng and Campuhan. In 2012 the Subak System of Bali was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Tegallalang Valley it’s very popular and green all year around, due to succession planting.
Here I have a talk to a local old man. I was charmed by his peaceful look. He was picking the weed to keep the rice filed clean. He could be our grandpa for the day. We try to talk but his english was too poor. he agreed to pose for us, so we can have his smile as a precious souvenir. His photo was the wallpaper on my laptop for many years…
And these are the photos of your tourist, taken recently.
What next?
We visit a resort where I had clients before. To stay here is expensive as it’s a luxury sanctuary. We go to have a look on what my clients had and enjoy the elephant experience.
Mason Elephant Park and Lodge is only 15 km away from Ubud, so, let’s see some elephants! They are trained to paint, to do circus, to entertain!
But! The guy that was our “elephant driver” gave us some insight story. he was working there for 5 years, with the same elephant and the animal will listen only to his commands. The route was a circle in the jungle park and it’s short. It’s more for the photos, to get your selfie on the back of the elephant.
We were 2 people on the elephant and all was ok. After we finish our ride we look at one very big lady trying to fit the chair on the elephant (we could fit 2 people in that). when she finally took her seat the elephant shanked … OMG! poor animal!
That was the last time i ever used an animal for my enjoyment. After this trip i went to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand but never paid to ride an animal.
Another temple…this one is really unique! We need to descend 371 stone steps to find Gunung Kawi Temple, a funerary complex, known as The Valley of The Balinese Kings, from 11th-century.
The royal tombs were carved into the cliff wall at the bottom of a Pakerisan river valley.
Bring your sarong along. If you don’t have one, you can borrow one at the door. To go to the temple, you must about 1 kilometer of walking. The trek is lovely yet challenging. Going down is one thing, but climbing back up is quite another, especially in Bali’s humid weather. But the effort will be rewarded with the great views.
When you are in front of the 7-meter-tall carved shrines, look around and try to picture what the area was like more than a thousand years ago. Nothing but forest,a river deep in a valley, no stairs and no roads.
Let’s return to Ubud.
All tourists go to Monkey Forest. It’s the main attraction here, so we go inside. As I am not a monkey lover we leave soon.
We have an appointment with KETUT, the movie star from “Eat, Pray, Love”. It was only 10am an I was the 12th client. My boyfriend was fixing up the camera to film the entire future prediction.
I was told:
You speedy, no good! pay attention! here he was right!
You very pretty, me very lucky to meet you! this line was for all the ladies, I think..
This is your husband? Nice guy, don’t lose him! or you’ll be alone all your life! well, he’s not my husband yet… so?
Many other advise followed, some to keep in mind, some just bla-bla touristic farewell Goodluck wishes.
I paid 10 USD and left with a big smile on my face. The photos made it worth the money. Finally I was Julia Roberts! It was fun!
From Ubud we go South Bali. we take a detour to see Tanah Lot before heading to Nusa Dua beach area.
Tanah Lot Temple
The temple of earth in the sea translates as Temple (Pura), Earth (Tanah) and Sea (Lot). Built out of wood, on a rock, this hindu temple is just different.
we could walk to climb it, but during high tide, the temple seems as if it floating in the middle of the water surrounding it.
To many shops until you reach it though…
It’s time for a switch.
We had 5 nights in Ubud. Now we take the ferry to Lombok, to stay there for 5 nights and then return to Bali for 5 nights in Nusa Dua.
Please read in this article our story in Lombok and Gili Islands where we went diving.
Returning from Lombok, we continue the story of our beach adventure in Nusa Dua area.
To really enjoy the stay I could assist with a reservation in The Laguna, a luxury 5* hotel in Nusa Dua. The dinner time is like a ritual by the beach. Elegant table settings and a romantic vibe.
Next day
We meet our local partner and his with to enjoy the beach time in Bali.
We have a dinner on the sand, no shows, to feel Mother Earth’s energy.
Tony chose a nice restaurant, with great settings, in the busy area. We enjoy dorada fish and some other local foods, with drinks and all spices, we paid for all 4 of us only!!! only 40$!!! It was so good!
What next?
After a relaxing day in spa hotel, using the spa’s facilities, siting by the pool, in the evening we decide to visit Uluwatu Temple, to attend The Barong dance.
The Kecak Dance performance is about the ancient struggle between good and evil, it’s the main touristic atraction in Uluwatu area. it starts daily at 6pm and the traffic is a jam during the sunset, as everyone want to get the sun and the monkeys in the same picture with the Uluwatu cliff… oh, it’s so busy!
The monkeys are many aggressive. They can still your sunglasses, your purse, please pay attention! We go up the hill for some peace and a night view of the ocean.
Next day
Some water activities would be nice! we go for snorkeling on Lembongnan Island. Not so nice, after diving in Gili…
We return and wonder around, meet the locals, talk to them. We stop and eat a fried fish, just on the side of the road, for one dolar! what a treat! The lady gave me a bonus: fried corn, with coconut oil, salt and chilli… oh, spicy, good!
it’s time to leave…
Bali is amazing! This article can describe to few of the energy that surrounds you here! you have to come feel it yourself.
We fly out to Singapore.
Did you know that Air Asia is the best low cost in the world? well yes, we can agree to that. De departure was on time, the service was good and we promote them.
To see our next experience please read this next article: Our story in Singapore.
Let’s plan your next trip!
We remain your dedicated travel consultant along the way.
Let’s write together the most beautiful holiday life stories.
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Hai cu noi! Let’s enjoy!
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