2 Nov 2014

Indonesia | Bali on a budget! (Day 1)

Finally, it was time for an island getaway! This was my second trip to Bali. My first trip to Bali was on a business trip and I did not get the opportunity to tour around much. The best thing about this trip was to travel together with my two buddies, Din and Raja. Our trip was a 4 nights trip where we had hired a freelance tour guide named Bobby Sugianto. Bobby is very flexible and his tour is at a very reasonable price. When I say reasonable it’s SUPER REASONABLE! Bobby’s service includes transportation (where he will send and wait for you), a pre-planned/suggested itinerary which caters to your preferences and an airport pick up/sent off. He is highly recommendable for those looking to visit Bali anytime soon. Contact details will be provided at the end of this write-up.

All checked it and ready to fly. Bali here we come!
Before our trip to Bali, Bobby had provided us with itineraries for the top of the list must visit/do in Bali. We were left only to book both our flights and accommodations. We flew using Airasia where we've managed to get return tickets for only MYR322/per pax. We've decided to move the hotel every night to have a feel of different services.

Eating our supper after the 3 hours flight.
Nasi Ramesh and my all-time favourite - Teh Botol.
We flew on the last flight departing from KLIA2 on the 31st October 2014 and we only arrived at Ngurah Rai Denpasar International Airport past midnight. Bobby was already waiting for us at the airport. There were many changes at the airport since the last time I’ve visited Bali in 2012. Before checking in at our hotel, Bobby brought us for a late-night supper where we had nasi Ramesh. Oh my, that was spicy! Every time I am in Indonesia, I will definitely go with Teh Botol – tea in the bottle. One thing I love whenever I travel to Indonesia is that food is super cheap! Our meal for three was only Rp57,000! For our first and second night in Bali, we’ve booked the S8 Suardana Hotel located in Kuta. The room was cosy and it even has a small kitchen for cooking! It looks like a small service apartment. The 2 nights stay for 3 pax only cost us MYR208!



Our room at S8 Suardana Hotel. Top: The bed. Middle: The mini kitchen. Bottom: The living room.

Day 1 – Beaches and cultures

An early morning dip to start the day at the hotel.
Our first destination was to Tanjong Benoa, south of Kuta. Tanjong Benoa is well known for water sports activities and also the famous Turtle Island. One good thing when you have Bobby as your guide is that you can enjoy the local price (not all tourist site are applicable). After discussing on the excursion that morning, we’ve decided to visit the Turtle Island (on a glass view motorboat) together. Tips: There will be another extra Rp5,000/per pax upon entering the Turtle Farm for conservation fee.  As for the water sports, Din and Raja decided to try the flying fish and I’ve decided to go for the paragliding. Total costs for all our excursions was only Rp1,650,000. My take for Turtle Island: I think it was too commercialized. Turtles were too dependent. I cannot imagine if these turtles were to be released into the wild, what will be their chance of surviving. Another thing I would like to highlight was to have stricter rules. The reason said is because some tourists were not handling the sea turtles well. Some were lifting the turtles up for a picture and just chucking them down after they were done. Boo them!

In front of the turtle farm at Turtle Island.
SELFIE with the poor turtles.
My expression tells a lot on this visit.
The paragliding was awesome. I highly recommend this activity as this will give you the chance to have an aerial view of Tanjong Benoa. The flying fish on the other hand, (based on Din and Raja’s experience) gave a great view but it involves lots of stamina.

Din and Raja getting ready on their flying fish.
Me gliding over Tanjong Benoa.
After a great kick-off in the morning, we went off for lunch. Bobby brought us to Warung Ibu Oki for chicken rice and hell it was spicy. Total spend for lunch was only Rp25,000. Later that afternoon, we headed off to Pandawa Beach. Pandawa is located in the village of Kutuh, Southern Bali. It is normally referred to as the secret beach. There were not many tourists there and the view was picturesque perfect. Tips: If you are looking for a quiet spot this beach should be on top of your list. We spend the afternoon chilling and enjoying our ice coffee and rojak buah – fruit salad with prawn paste sauce. 

At Warung Ibu Oki for lunch.
The super spicy chicken rice.
Pandawa Beach.
Rojak Buah.

A selfie at this secret beach.
For our next stop, we headed off to another beach called Suluban Beach or famously known as Blue Point Beach which was a 35 minutes’ drive from Pandawa. Blue Point Beach was jam-packed with surfers but the view here was stunning. If I was given an option, I would prefer to stay longer at Pandawa Beach. 

Strong wave, a surfers paradise at Blue Point Beach. 
The highlight for our first day will be the famous Uluwatu Temple. Entrance fee: Rp20,000/per pax. To enter this heritage site it is compulsory to dress appropriately as it served as the local worshipped place. We were all provided with sarongs and Bobby taught us how to tie it like the Balinese. The view at the Uluwatu Temple was divine. As it was almost dawn, we quickly grabbed our ticket for the Kecak and Fire Dance performance. The ticket was only Rp100,000/per pax. Tips: Try to get the tickets earlier (say 1730H)  and secure the best seat (facing the sunset). For me, it was so surreal to experience firsthand one of Bali’s famous traditional culture performance. The show lasted for almost 2 hours and man we were starving!

We in our sarongs. Just getting in the mood.
The view is awesome!
Sunset at Uluwatu while watching the Kecak & Fire Dance performance.
Amid the performance. 
With one of the performer. 
Dinner that night was special. Bobby brought us to Jimbaran Bay. The setting was just stunning! It was by the beach. The place sells itself. However, a night out like this is usually very pricey. There were many seafood restaurants to choose from but we've decided to go with The Cuisine – Fresh grill seafood restaurant.  Tips: Go with a set meal and usually a set meal can feed up to 4 pax. As we've expected our meal for that night was super expensive! We've forked out a total of Rp487,000! Oh well, it’s a once in a lifetime experience! The night ended with all of us feeling knackered and we went to bed quite early. Tomorrow, to the north we go!

Our so-called "romantic" dinner by the beach excluding Din because he was busy taking this photo.

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