A good friend of mine once told me, to take a solo trip at least once in your life. At first, the idea sounded crazy to me but after going through a tough year I decided to give this solo trip a try. It turned out to be the best thing I have ever done. My SOLO journey in Bali lasted 10 days and I totally had an Eat, Pray, Love experience of self-discovery. I met some wonderful people from around the world and to this day, I am still great friends with them. Especially with my Dutch friend Jantine, in fact she helped me put this post together.
Bali is such a picturesque island full of culture and adventure that has something for everyone. From peace and quiet time with yoga, meditation, relaxation at the spas; cultural experiences at all the beautiful temples, to the most fun you ever had in your life type of partying.
Here is a list of useful tips about Bali:
Fun fact: You can be a millionaire in Bali!! With just $80 bucks you can join the millionaires club since it is 13,221.50 Indonesian Rupiah to 1 US Dollar.
Transportation: There is only one airport in the island and it is called Ngurah Rai International Airport; it’s located in the south of Bali. From there, you can easily find some to drive you to the town of your choice at a very affordable price.
Ubud
Located in central Bali, Ubud is known as the cultural center of Bali. Famous for its artisan markets and art galleries, remarkable architecture, cultural/religious centers and yoga studios. In other words: eat-pray-love with chill, hippie, vegan vibes.
Accommodation: Alaya Ubud modern Balinese luxury, Green Field Hotel with beautiful views of rice fields and lily ponds!
Dining: Vegan/organic: Clear Cafe, Alchemy, Bali Budha, Garden Kafe delicious fresh food and smoothies, Feeling Fancy? : Mozaic
Bars/Fun: Melting Pot Saloon pool tables and country flags you can sign on the wall! CP Lounge chill bar with live music…but there is also a room where you can get down and dance like in a club!
Yoga: Yoga Barn (my fave) classes all day, everyday! Ubud yoga house.
Spa: Kush best massage I ever had in my life!
Temples: Tira Empul- Holy Water Temple, Goa Gajah- Elephant Cave
Activities: Go to a Balinese performance, visit some rice fields, drink Luwak coffee at a plantation (one the most expensive coffee in the world made of civet cat poop.. it’s tasty tough!), go wild water rafting, hang out at the Monkey Forest, visit the Angel to Angel Jewelry Store (gorgeous building).
Seminyak
Seminyak is notorious for its luxurious accommodations and fashionable high-end restaurants and bars, which makes the “it” place to be and to be seen. You can find most of these posh places in the Petitenget area, but don’t worry there are still plenty of chill places to enjoy by the beach. In other words: hip and posh, meets beachy chic.
Accommodation: Dalum Villas, Dash Hotel
Dining: Breakfast/lunch: Sister fields ( Jantine’s fave), Sea Circus , Nook (both all over Instagram) Diner: Motel Mexicola, Saigon Street yummy Vietnamese with a twist and hipster drinks (our fave), Republik 45
Coffee: Revolver Coffee (delicious and all over instagram)
Bars/Fun: La Favela (cool for diner…but after 11.30 it’s paaarty time), 707 Beach Berm, Batu Betling (chill and watch the sunset). Want to go ALL out and hit the club?: Mirrior (cool church like glass windows), Pyramid
Beach clubs: Potato Head (fun for drinks too!) Ku De Ta, La Plancha (all over Instagram)
Temples: Tanah Lot, about 30 min from Seminyak
Canggu
Canggu is more of a state of mind than an actual place. It is filled with villas along the beach, which makes it perfect for surfing or other beach activities. Here you will find a much more laid back atmosphere when it comes to dining, bars and everything else. Jantine and I will NEVER forget our crazy adventures in Canggu. 😉 In other words: Hipster-ville meets Surfer-dudes.
Accommodation: Serendity Eco Guest House is a hostel and yoga place, there is also Frii Hotel or Padua Suites (loved this place)
Dining: Breakfast: Feeling healthy? Go to Crate or Betelnut (we saw on Instagram and had to go!) Lunch/Diner: Shady Shack, Little Flinder, Taco Loco….. They really like Mexican stuff in Bali, ha!
Bars/Fun: Old man’s is a MUST! Don’t worry…there are no creepy old men there! on Sunday go to Deus to party with cool Australian surfers.
Activities: surfing and other beach activities…. But mainly just SURFING!
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a town in the south-western tip of Bali. Home of the breath taking Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple and a very popular destination for surfers of all abilities. In other words: Cool temple with a view, more surfing and sunsets.
Fun fact: The name Uluwatu comes from ulu, meaning ‘lands end’, and watu, meaning ‘rock’.
Dining: Om burger, Cashew tree
Beach club/fun: Single Fin great for viewing the sunsets and dinner every day, but extreme p-a-r-t-y on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Temples: Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple
Activities: Chill on the beach and watch surfers do their thing on Padang Padang beach. Do a day trip to Gili Island. Party all day, every day!! There are no cars or scooters, only horses and bikes.
… but wherever you go in Bali, don’t forget to drink plenty of Bintangs!
Post collaboration: Jantine Van Der Hoven
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