Bali Guide
Bali was always the type of place you’d see on your Windows wallpaper, and think you’ll probably never be able to go unless it was for a honeymoon because they only show the luxurious, picturesque, and romantic images. Well, I made it, unmarried and broke, and still had a great time. I spent 5 days in Bali, and though I struggled with the humidity, I really enjoyed the unique culture and history.
Where to stay
Ubud- As the heart of Bali, Ubud displays more of the cultural side, with lots of natures, jungles, being one with mother earth, and healthy stuff. Want to get lost in the jungle, and make friends with some monkeys? Come here.
Seminiyak- This is where the bros are at. All the clubs, white-washed restaurants, and resorts are lined up along the beach
Uluwatu- Veterans of Bali are here to relax a little more quietly on the Southern tip of Bali
Canguu- Surfs up ma dude
Local Eats
Babi Guling- The famed suckling pig is the main dish of Bali. A whole spit-roasted pig is rubbed with turmeric then stuffed with a spice paste, which is commonly a combination of coriander seeds, lemongrass, Asian lime leaves, salam leaves, chillies, black pepper, garlic, red shallots, ginger and kencur. The end result is a juicy pig topped with crispy skin served with rice.
Nasi Campur- It literally means “mixed rice”. It’s like a bag of surprise, each restaurant has a different way of service Nasi Campur where you get to pick and choose a little bit of everything. The plate usually consists of white rice, meat, and veggies. My favorite part of this dish was all the hot sauces, Sambal, it came with.
Nasi Goreng- I know what you’re thinking. Goreng? Mie Goreng?! Not Mie Goreng, we ain’t there yet. Nasi Goreng is fried rice that’s usually topped with a fried egg.
Mie Goreng- I selfishly thought to myself “Yes! Packaged noodles”. Apologies for the millennial in me. Mie Goreng, similar to Nasi Goreng, is fried noodles topped with an egg and veggies
Bebek Betutu- Similar to Babi Guling, this is basically the duck version that produces juicy duck with crispy skin.
Sate- You’re probably used to seeing the word ‘Satay’, but Sate is the Indonesian version of marinated meat that is grilled on a stick. Sate Lilit is Bali’s own version where chicken, beef, or goat is grilled with a blend of coconut milk and spices, then wrapped around sugar cane or lemongrass. I don’t usually like Satay, but the spices on their meat were so flavorful, and the initial smell that drew me to the shady stand was irresistible. Didn’t get food poisoning, *high-five*
Bubur Ayam- Even though it was super hot and humid, I couldn’t resist the image of porridge while browsing my phone for local eats in Bali. Burbur Ayam will usually consist of chicken, Chinese fried dough, pickled cabbage, celery, scallions, fried shallots, fried soybeans, hard-boiled eggs, chicken gizzard or intestines), Indonesian crackers, and finally topped off with some colorful shrimp crackers.
What to do
Most people will stay in one city and hang out there for a while, but I went all out and hit up as many spots as I could in the short time span I was there. Let me tell you, you should definitely pop some down times in your itinerary so you can really soak in the true beauty of Bali.
Every major area is about 1.5 hours-2 hours apart. Our main hub for majority of the trip was Ubud.
Bali Swing- Get a different view of the rice fields
Mount Batur-
Tagalllang Rice Field- This rice field may be a little packed but it’s worth the visit because it’s only about 20 mins North of Ubud
Jatiliwuh Rice field
Monkey Forest- Get into some monkey business at the Monkey Forest. The monkeys in these forest are no angels, but they’re a cute sight.
Tirta Ganga
Cepung waterfall
Lempuyang
Handara Gate
Floaing Temple Ulun Danu
Besakih
Tanah Lot
Nusa Penida