Bali

Got to visit Bali for the first time! It’s a short flight out from Singapore so it’s very convenient for us to head there. It is also popular among Australians (since it’s so near, especially Perth) and also people hailing from the west. People actually fly long haul here. The trip was somewhat a guided tour but I got to add in my own activities here and there.

First meal in Bali was a Balinese restaurant in the Nusa Dua area featuring Babi Guling, the Balinese version of suckling pig. Unlike most places in Indonesia, Bali is distinctly different with Hinduism as the leading religion. Therefore, pork dishes is very common in Bali making Balinese food very different from Javanese food for instance.

Besides the presence of pork, Balinese food is known to be way spicier than the Javanese counterpart. (I know there are more to just Balinese and Javanese for Indonesian food but I’m just comparing it to Javanese because that’s the only other place I’ve been.)

Babi Guling, a signature dish unique to Bali.

Array of Balinese dishes.

Babi Guling served.

Balinese fish tends to be dry.

Bumbu Bali
Jl. Pratama, Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Uluwatu Temple

Jimbaran Bay

Watching the sun falling below the horizon at Jimbaran Bay. This place is definitely a tourist trap but I’d recommend just falling into the trap because it’s actually a nice experience. This place is rather near the airport and you can see planes flying in.

This was just very average charcoal BBQ-ed seafood but it’s the atmosphere that completes the experience. Such touristy things have to be done.

Painting at a Batik factory store. Yes, this is touristy.

Ubud Market

Bali is actually quite good for shopping. I don’t mean Ubud market (the items gets repetitive here – sarongs, dream catchers etc), but along the streets of Jalan Hanoman (Ubud) or around the Seminyak area you can find many unique boutiques. Besides local repetitive products and unique boutique products, you can also find international brands in nicely done up shopping malls around Kuta area. This makes Bali different from Phuket, the latter being a place with nothing to shop for.

Ubud area is famous for their padi fields and of course I had to see one for myself. The Dirty Duck restaurant is famous in Bali and the outlet in Ubud is build within a padi field.

Lovely view for lunch!

Mango juice, great for this weather.

Chicken soup

Various spicy condiments.

Balinese crispy duck. This is the Balinese version of French Duck Confit and the pain point is not for the meat, but for the crunch. I did enjoy this meal and I think it’s worth the hype.

Bebek Bengil – Dirty Duck Diner
Jalan Hanoman, Padangtegal, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Civet Cat

Coffee Luwak is harvested in Bali hence a visit to the coffee plantation.

One cup cost around S$8-$10 here but considering how it goes for S$30 in Singapore usually…

Hario apparatus.

I don’t get the hype.

Dinner at Sarong. Read more about it here.

Started my morning with yoga at The Yoga Barn. Review is up here.

People tend to choose Bali for yoga retreats. I am guessing it’s because of the laid back nature of a beach destination, or perhaps the closeness to nature of the padi fields. It could also be the presence of Hinduism.

Whatever it is, I just had to check out the yoga studio here.

I loved how big the place is and it is very unique. You won’t find anything remotely close in Singapore.

The Yoga Barn
Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

The weather was quite nice for yoga too, being not too warm and not humid. It’s only hot in Bali when there’s direct exposure to the sun.

Post yoga was a lovely European inspired lunch at Locavore, a gem in the Ubud region.

Since I’m in Bali, I had to do a Balinese massage. There are massage parlours and spas all over the place but for convenience sake, I did it in my hotel. A 90 minutes Balinese massage cost IDR450.000 here. This is higher than what you may find in boutique spas, but it’s a very reasonable cost in my opinion comparing to Singaporean prices and the ambiance was lovely too. The massage itself was relaxing yet strong enough and I loved it.

I’m not a sun person so I did not hit the beach at all. All I managed was a quick dip in the infinity pool of the hotel before heading back, with plenty of sunscreen.