Out of all of the trips I’ve planned so far, Bali was one I had difficulties creating an itinerary for. It was simply overwhelming to have so many resources available online. After a lot of drafts and revisions, however, my friend and I ended up with a ‘somewhat raw’ Bali itinerary that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The gaps that we left made way for surprises that we truly enjoyed.

4 Awesome Things You Can Do in Bali

4. Feast on Healthy, Hearty Food

Most of the food we had in Bali were on the healthy and hearty side. My favorites were the ones we had for breakfast: humble servings of fruits, smoothie bowls, omelettes, and pancakes. Lunch and dinner were equally wonderful, though.

Left: Berry Tropical smoothie bowl at KYND Community (73,000 IDR or ~ Php272) / Right: Hearty breakfast at Bulan Bali Homestay

Left: Moksa Sampler *Raw* at Moksa (80,000 IDR or ~ Php298) / Right: Daily Living Cake at Moksa (65,000 IDR or ~ Php242)

3. View Paradise from the Uma Pakel Bali Swing

Weeks after I booked my plane ticket to Bali, I browsed through the IG feed of a blogger-friend-unnie who recently went there (I swear I’m not a sasaeng!). Out of all the amazing photos she shared, the one that caught my eye was the Bali Swing. I immediately messaged her about it and she confirmed that it was real fun.

Fast forward to our first day in Bali: while we were on our way to Ubud, and when I was having second thoughts about trying the swing, our driver suddenly mentioned it and said that we should go and try it. And so we did. DEFINITELY ONE OF THE HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES. Thank you, Ate Erika and Ketut!

The Uma Pakel Bali Swing (200,000 IDR or ~ Php745)

The Uma Pakel Bird’s Nest (fee is included in the Bali Swing)

2. Get Awed by the Amazing Views and Landmarks of Singaraja

A few days before I flew to Bali, a friend (Hi, Neowy!) sent a sample itinerary that introduced me to the Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the Handara Gate in Singaraja, a port town in Northern Bali. The views here are amazing and so is the weather. We went during the summer, but it was still relatively cold.

Left: Before we went to Singaraja, we dropped by Pura Taman Ayun in Badung (20,000 IDR or ~ Php75) / Right: View from the Wanagiri Hidden Hill swing (40,000 IDR or ~ Php149)

Do a yoga pose and a jump shot at the iconic Handara Gate (30,000 IDR or ~ Php112)

1. Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and the Bali Botanic Garden

Another area in Northern Bali is Bedugul, which is home to the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, as well as the Bali Botanic Garden. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the must-see temples in Bali.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (50,000 IDR or ~ Php187)

The Bali Botanic Garden, on the other hand, is the largest botanica; garden in Indonesia established way back in 1959.

The Bali Botanic Garden (50,000 IDR or ~ Php187)

Bali was healing for me – for both my heart and my soul. There were so many things to appreciate, to experience, and to be thankful for. When people hear of Bali, the usual thing that comes to mind is a tropical paradise perfect for romantic getaways. While that may be true, Bali has also emerged into a destination for all types of travelers. Whatever your purpose for visiting, Bali will surely give you more reasons to go back.

(RELATED: A Guide on Where to Go and What to Eat When in Bali)

We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;—
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.

Ode | Arthur O’Shaughnessy