Everyone has a different travel preference, or a favourite aspect of travelling. Some travel for love of beautiful scenery, many desire a little r&r, some are sun worshippers in need of warm weather and breathtaking beaches, and others crave the adrenaline that only an extreme sport in a new place can bring. I love finding travel gems that combine all of these aspects which creates a unique and fun atmosphere with plenty to satisfy even the most discerning traveller. Bali, is without a doubt one of these destinations. Whether you are an amateur/pro surfer or yoga master, have a love of old ruins, etc. you will be sure to find something to love and enjoy in Bali.
Where to Stay:
The Bamboo Inn was one of the highlights of my trip. Those of you that have been to Bali can likely attest to the overcrowded and rowdy nature of Kuta (the primary party destination of the island). If you still want to stay near the action, but actually want to get a decent night sleep…The Bamboo Inn provides a welcome calm relief. Located about a 10 minute walk away from the main party area, The Bamboo Inn contains a beautiful Balinese garden, clean rooms with double beds and a shower, anddddd it only costs 15$! Whats more, this price includes a delicious and hearty breakfast made by the kind and welcoming owner. This is a steal for the budget traveller!
Jalan SINGOSARI/BAKUNGSARI, Gang Kresek No.1, Indonesia
+62 361 751935
Amateur Surfing:
(I must admit it took an embarrassingly long amount of time to catch this shot!)
There are many beautiful beaches around Bali for the more experienced surfer but if you’re a rookie, like me, Kuta Beach can
definitely satisfy your “inner” surfer. There are many surf schools around Kuta Beach….don’t bother with them. They are overpriced andyou don’t get enough individual instruction in the group lessons. There are many knowledgeable Indonesions guys on the beach who have surf boards to rent and are willing to give you a one on one lesson for a fair price. I went surfing for the first time ever in Bali…I met this super friendly guy Andy, who gave me a two hour surf lesson and was with me in the water the entire time for about 20$ Canadian (including the surf board rental). I had
such a stellar time I went back every other day on my trip…and dragged my friends along with me! 🙂
My surf instructor Andy and I 🙂
What To Do/See:
-Take a Day Trip to Ubud: Ubud is an artists city in the centre of Bali which has beautiful Balinese architecture and gardens. You can either rent a scooter, hire a car, or take a preplanned tour. We took a preplanned tour for the day and I don’t recommend this as thetours have agreements with specific shops and take you there and try to “encourage” you to buy things.
-Monkey Forest- BEWARE monkeys are beautiful, but vicious…I almost got attacked by a Monkey while trying to take its picture!
Not sure if you can tell by the picture…but I was screaming in this shot as the monkey bared its teeth at me while angrily grabbing the bananas! 😐
-Hiking Mount Batur- Mount Batur is a beautiful inactive volcano that you can spend a day hiking or trekking around. Unfortunately I didn’t make it for a hike, but it is really beautiful and is worth visiting even just to look at. 
-Rice Paddies: Bali has many beautiful rich green rice fields to explore. -Beach Hopping: Kuta Beach, which is the main tourist beach, is somewhat dirty and nothing overly impressive. With that being said, if you are willing to travel around the island a bit, there are beautiful beaches a short scooter ride away which are pristine and more secluded. -Traditional Balinese Dance: If you can, catch a Balinese Dance performance, the combination of skilful dancing and visual storytelling and bright and beautiful costumes is sure to keep you entertained.
Shopping:
Bali has many beautiful things perfect for gifts and keepsakes. Some things I purchased were:
-Batik Paintings
-Silver Jewlery
-Wood Carvings
The average salary for an average Balinese person is about 75 USD a month. If you can, please be kind
and buy a few items to support these lovely people and their economy.
Things to Remember:
-Have 20 USD in cash with you when you arrive in Indonesia. You must purchase a visa upon arrival in order to enter the country
-As an experienced solo female traveller, I am always wary of invasion of my personal space, so Bali took a little Balinese people are extremely friendly and touchy feely, which takes a bit of getting used to and can initially come across as a bit aggressive. Though it is important to always be on your guard while travelling, remember that touching is just a part of their culture and is harmless. People will literally grab you by the arm and attempt to pull you into their shops to buy something.
Bali is a lovely place filled with beautiful scenery, friendly people and plenty to keep you occupied. Definitely an awesome vacation destination!
Savoury Travels 