Bali
Quite possibly Southeast Asia's most beautiful destination, Indonesia is a mix of breathtaking beaches, fascinating languages & top of the line hospitality.
Streets are filled with coconut palms & ceremonial bamboo decorations, buildings crafted with red clay roofs & developed architecture with cascading rice fields hidden in between.
Balinese culture is peaceful & welcoming, making Bali a safe choice for solo travelers.
The island houses the famous monkey forest in Ubud, offers exciting underwater adventures such as snorkeling, diving & paddle boarding, with local Balinese cuisine that will leave you craving more.
Check out the gallery below to see some of my favorite pics from Indonesia!
Jl. Pantai Gili Trawangan Beach, Gili Trawangan Island
Located about 45 minutes off the shore of Bali, this Island houses most of the snorkeling cruises, reggae night life & private beaches.
Pear of Trawangan Hotel, Gili Trawangan Island
Literally the pearl of the island, this hotel is nestled at the far end of the popular Gili Trawangan. Guests are offered tropical cocktails from the relaxing pool bar, top of the line service & stunning hotel rooms. Prices range from $35-$200 USD/night.
Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
Where the rain forest meets culture, Ubud alone stands as the cultural gem of Bali. Located in the center of Ubud, Monkey Forest is a chance to get up close & personal with some of Indonesia's wildlife.
Sunset Kiss Beach, Gili Trawangan Island
Another must see on Gili Island, this famous swing/hammock with sunset views will give you some of the best photo opps in the country. Be sure to come early as there is a line of people behind the scenes of this shot waiting for their turn. Bring mosquito spray! I'd never encountered more mosquitoes in my life until the walk back to my hotel from this beach!
Mount Bromo, Bali
Bali's active volcano sits in the middle of a protected nature reserve called 'Sand and Sea', the volcano itself clearing just over 7600 ft. It's not Bali's tallest mountain, but definitely the most popular. To find out how to hike this mountain without a tour, check out this article from Be My Travel Muse.
Snorkel Cruise, Gili Trawangan Island
Throughout the Indonesian Islands you will find many activities where you can explore the wildlife under the sea. Snorkel cruises run very inexpensive, and most do a 3 island tour. I recommend comparing street prices for these activities and avoid booking through your hotel; I found hotel bookings for anything in Bali to be almost 3x street prices.
Hidden Rice Fields, Ubud, Bali
As I was walking through the quaint and cozy town of Ubud admiring the fine arts, adorable fashion and unique architecture, I stumbled upon this hidden rice field. It was so exciting to go from a bustling small city through a grassy alley to find old Balinese culture is still alive and well. Locals were sprinkled throughout the fields carrying tree stumps, coconuts and piles of rice grass on their heads. Smiles never left their faces as they spent their afternoon knelt in the grass patiently manicuring the endless fields.
Kori Resort, Ubud, Bali
My absolute favorite hotel in Bali! I booked this hotel through hotels.com same day & saved 50% off the original price - costing me less than $30 USD/night! It was a quiet resort located in the rain forest of Ubud, walking distance from Monkey Forest and many local restaurants. The hotel has a private restaurant, two pools and is surrounded by lush tropical flowers that will relax even the most high strung individual.
Lotus Pond, Bali
Hidden behind a Starbucks in Ubud, this great photo opp is a peaceful area perfect for seeing the gorgeous red clay architecture that is so unique to Indonesia.
Rice Fields, Ubud, Bali
Sprinkled throughout the country, rice fields offer some of the most cascading views in Indonesia. One of the cultures staple foods, rice is accountable for over 50% of the calorie intake for locals & a source of income for over 20 million residents.
Kori Resort, Ubud, Bali
More of my favorite hotel; this gem had such a colorful tropical landscape it was the perfect place for the best photo opps of the trip!
Kecak Fire & Trance Dance, Bali
Booked through your hotel, this live performance is a great cultural attraction. They dance, perform with fire & chant. You get a chance to experience Balinese arts, culture & enthusiasm for a few U.S. dollars.
Sunset Beach, Gili Trawangan Island
A gorgeous beach walk on Bali's Sister Island with views of the volcano, Bali & a magnificent sunset.
Bali, Indonesia
View from the flight over, approximately a 4.5 hour flight from Bangkok and only cost $130 USD each direction.
Pearl of Trawangan, Gili Trawangan Island
If you stay on Gili T Island, stay at the Pearl. Get the suite. Order room service. It's your vacation. You deserve it.
View of Volcano on Bali from Gili Trawangan Island
Bring the bug spray & some cash for the sunset bar. Go early to get a seat. The sunset view is phenomenal.
Kuta, Bali
The perfect small strip of city located on the beach next to Denpasar. This is where you will find great night life, street entertainers, live music & even the occasional mushroom solicitor.
Fairy Tale Bridge, Ubud, Bali
Yep, watch out. The spiders get this big.
Sunset Kiss Beach, Gili Trawangan Island
The perfect last stop photo opp.
There are Unlimited Reasons to Visit Bali
From the amazing beaches, the tropical rain forest, the Monkey forest and the hippie chic shops of Ubud, Bali is an amazing place for anyone. It is customized for relaxation and comfort, with sunny tropical sands to lay out on and cool rice fields.
With the USD equaling over 13,000 Rupiah, your sure to get the bang for your buck.
If you are interested in more travel tips about Bali or the Gili Islands, need help planning an upcoming trip or have ideas on blog stories, send me a message!
And Remember:
You are only one decision away from a totally different life!!!
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Dez, Founder of My Deztination, recently gave up her executive career in Hawaii to travel the world, volunteer with influential causes & inspire others to do it, too.
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