Is This My Life?
When we first got off the plane in Bali it was dark, sometimes arriving somewhere new during the day gives you a reality check, I am HERE! But when you arrive at night it’s almost still a dream like state. Does anyone else know what I am talking about? You look out of the window of your Uber (or in Southeast Asia, your Grab) and watch the swirl of passing lights and buildings engrossed by shadows. You enjoy the mystery of your new adventure while anticipating the morning when what you’re experiencing will be revealed by the light.
What I Loved About Bali
When I think of Bali I think of salty wind, fresh fruit, trendy shops, rice fields, exotic architecture, monkeys galore, creme baths, and colorful smoothie bowls. It’s also packed with people, but it doesn’t feel crowded. You get to experience a sort of laid back busyness while you watch people and scooters going here and there. It’s both calming and exciting.
Canggu
My friend Brooke and I stayed in the little village of Canggu. My impression of Canggu was that there is a huge expat group living amongst the many wonderful Indonesian people. It’s a happy friendly place that welcomes and begs you not to leave too soon. As soon as you arrive you want to stay and dread leaving. But then again, there are quite possibly TOO many shops, too many foreigners, and after the charm of it hits you in the middle of your heart, you decide there is probably more to Bali than trendy shops and smoothie bowls. And there is.
I would suggest staying in Canggu a couple days to visit the lovely cafes, go for a surf at the beach, and buy something to remember it all. When the shops and the people become too much, head to Ubud and stay near the beautiful Tegallalang rice terraces.
Ubud
If your trip is short and you don’t have time to stay in Ubud, definitely hire a driver for the day. We were able to hire a driver for around $60 for the entire day and he took us to Ubud. Along the way we visited a silver shop, a lovely Balinese shop where we saw the locals designing a cloth called Batik.
After some shopping and site seeing, imagine sitting down to a lovely Indonesian lunch under a sweet little thatched roof in the middle of a rice field.
With only one day in Ubud, our day was packed. After lunch our driver took us to coffee and tea taste and do the incredible swings that allow you to view the rice terraces while floating above them. Our trip completed with dinner and an Indonesian play which was unique to say the least.
Unique experiences in Bali
Here is a list of the unique things we saw or did in Bali that you should not miss!
Frozen Coffee from Crate (Canggu)
Bali Swing and Tea Tasting Ubud
Silver Shopping in Ubud
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