3. Get Lost!
Dropped by the famous Motel Mexicola
Old Man’s at Canggu! A must-visit!
Admiring the sunset from a random beach-side bar in Seminyak
Hung out at one of Ubud’s countles charming cafes
We were on a very tight schedule for our Bali trip, which unfortunately didn’t allow us much time to walk around and explore the place for ourselves. It would be great to reserve a free day or two simply get lost, wander aimlessly around Bali and discover great finds, sans the guide book. Ubud, especially, is such a vibrant and busy place, with so much to offer if you look closely.
4.Ditch the pricey restaurants; go WARUNG hunting!
Each dish goes for about 20,000 IDR at your typical warung.
Bali offers a plethora of great restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes to try. To get an authentic taste of Bali, however, one must go warung hunting. The Balinese equivalent of our own “carinderia,” warungs offer hot,fresh and tasty traditional Indonesian cuisine at a fraction of the cost of most restaurants. We recommend Warung Dewa in Ubud, Warung Murah in Seminyak, and Warung Varuna in Canggu.
Warung Dewa – Jl. Gootama No. 13, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali
Warung Murah – Oberoi, Seminyak, Bali
Warung Varuna – Jl. Batu Bolong, Canggu, Bali
5. Indulge your inner shopaholic and shop, shop, shop!
At a random shop outside Tirta Empul, where a shopkeeper urged me to purchase his batik “for good luck” after I asked how much he sold them for.
At a massive “pasalubong” warehouse on the way to the airport
If there’s one thing I regret about our Bali trip (aside from not extending), is not shopping enough! If you have a good eye and haggle well, you can walk home with a unique batik-print sarong, cute printed shoulder bag, or crochet top for only 50,000 IDR (PHP 250). What’s even more astounding is that almost all items are hand-made by Ubud’s skilled artists, crafted in their homes and sold in their shops right outside. You basically take home Bali’s heart and soul with each trinket you buy. Popular buys include their super fragrant soaps, gold and silver trinkets, batik sarongs, wood carvings, and mosaic mirrors.
Have you been to Bali? Are you planning to? What other tips would you offer for an unforgettable trip? Let me know, as I’m dead set on coming back!
