Jay's Travel Memories | Indonesia

Indonesia

My little trip around the world continues...

Bali

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Last solo trip of 2018.. Willing to escape our cold December winter I ended up in Ubud; very green landscape surrounded with rice fields terraces, temples, rivers and forest. Best place for relaxing, meditate, go for spas, and do yoga. I chose to be away of crowds and noisy streets for a calm retreat and that was perfect.

I drove around with help of my driver and his motorbike as I gave up the car rental and did not fancy being stuck in traffic. For once I haven't planned my trip but if you see below I have been quite busy for the week, I was just thinking on the day based on the weather and how I felt like doing that was cool and relaxing.

It cost me around 10-20€ /day depending how far I was going in Bali. Even when it rained sometimes it was still a cool drive protected with my helmet and raining coat. Many times I got wet from head to toe while walking in the city but as it’s raining season I couldn't be bothered! I just accepted it with a smile :)

I visited one of the oldest sacred temple in Bali, famous "Heaven gate", at the Mount Bisbis. Pay respect as locals do, in all temples, I had to wear a sarong in all temples on top of my already long skirt and also cover shoulders with my scarf as requested. It is an amazing site from which you can view the volcano if no clouds around...

I spent some chill relaxed time at Jungle fish Ubud, nice infinity-edged pool, view over the jungle, Balinese decor, delicious Balinese and International dishes with fresh locally grown herbs and spices and very cosy ! I also wanted to try the Hanging gardens which is also nice but did not have the time.

Pura Tirtha temple, rice fields and terraces and tasted some luwak coffee farm. Not a coffee fan and it was quite strong for me!

I enjoyed a little (huge! scary) swing in trees in the forest; the sensation almost got me a tear ;) I was shaking at the end of it, screaming [Stop stop no more!]

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- Land of the Gods, green nature, natural beauty with volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields releasing peace and serenity -

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I visited Taman Soekasada Ujung, the water palace is beautiful garden to see and walk around, ideal areas to wander around and relax in.

After a long day out and rain starting to pour I usually go for a long 90 mins Massage for less than 7€ at Carla Spa, they are many of this chain in the city. Enjoying a 2 hours every evening and ending with dinner at Tropical Bali Restaurant then ready for a pickup back to my nice suite hotel in Gianyar (Puri Saron Madagan). They are a number of waterfalls to go visits and are worth it and the water is warm too.

I checked in @Elephant safari lodge hotel. Got upgraded to a room near the elephants and SPA and offered a free elephant pickup ride that I declined.

Seeing nice kind elephants well kept and well treated was relaxing. I could can feed, touch, bath & scrub them too, walk with them, no one harming or beating them in any way! They are 31 elephants rescued from Sumatra from deforestation.

My room was awesome and super clean. Unfortunately for me I catch a cold from the days before when rain got me wet head to toe and SPA room at Carla Spa was way too cold..

I booked for myself a wonderful SPA massage treatment with full body scrub at the lodge, and aromatherapy bath where I could see the elephants from the window while being in my Jacuzzi bath having my tea and cake 🏾 So relaxing and peaceful.. I felt like I was flying !

Then time for dinner but with my cold coming up I preferred a quick service room and ordered no Asian food :)

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After the Elephant trip, and a fresh night in this cool atmosphere and glamorous environment I spent time at the pool a long walk In the parc as it was sunny and hot and then had a nice breakfast in front the elephants area.

11:30 am my driver picked me up with motorbike and headed for first Yoga Barn, a retreat, as I wanted to spend some time there and book a yoga session but my cold did not allow that so after a while we continued our way to Kuta. I was looking at hotels on booking.com and did not reserved until I got there : so I could upgrade myself and have a cheaper stay at Vasanti Kuta Hotel :)

I enjoyed the cheap Christmas dinner, the SPA and the pool as the hotel was not crowded at all... I needed to stay next to the airport so I could chill, relax at the beach and be ready for my early flight with AirAsia...

Finally ended my trip with Beach and SPA day but I did not like so much the local beach..

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Food Love in Bali

Variety of choice around, except for breakfast in my hotel where I was having either fried rice or fried noodles or rice noodles and tea plus fresh fruits... Outside I was enjoying other local tasty and cheap food.

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My first time in Bali was in 2013 [pictures below]. I enjoyed snorkeling in perfectly preserved beautiful reefs, watch craftspeople, visit rice fields.

Each town on the island has a different culture, so better choose if you wish to either relax at a spa or have some adventures plans.

The number of temples in Bali is truly remarkable and you will see many houses with a statue and flowers with incense, these are offerings to gods that are very important to the locals.

Go catch a boat to other island-paradises and discover the color and traditional festival, eat local specialties.

It was so relaxing for me i was going crazy at the end of the day because it was super dark from 6pm and they was nothing else to do, as my hotel was far from the living city.. so it's good to have a mix.

- Not all about beaches but certainly the beauty is unspeakable... -