Top 10 Experiences in Bali

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Traveling to Asia has always been on my bucket list. When I had the opportunity to go to Bali for a yoga retreat, I jumped at the opportunity to visit this beautiful island. Its lush, green rice terraces and ancient temples inspired me to want to see this beauty up close and in person. Below, in no particular order, I list my favorite moments and sites.

Ubud Monkey Forest

In theory, monkeys that roam freely through this forest are cute. At least, that’s what the pictures I saw before-hand portrayed. Truthfully, I was terrified and a bit of a coward when it came to the monkeys jumping on me. Nevertheless, it’s worth a visit to see the cute monkeys playing around, jumping, and semi-stalking some people (hint: don’t make eye contact). The forest is beautiful and clean with workers tending to the monkeys around every corner.

Taman Ayun Temple

This temple is located in a beautiful park surrounded by the greenest grass you’ve ever seen.  Within the park are trees, plants, ponds, and a pathway that leads up to various levels of the temple courtyards. As we walked along the path, the musical sound of the cicadas was prevalent.  The grounds are incredibly clean and well-maintained, but be aware of snakes. There was one located near the fountain that I narrowly missed.

Luwak Coffee Tasting

Most, if not all, of the tour guides that are offered in Bali will bring you to a coffee and tea tasting. Bali is well known for their famous Luwak coffee. This coffee is produced from coffee beans digested by a cat-like animal called a civet cat.  The digested beans are then washed, dried, pounded, and roasted to produce the end result. Any normal person would shy away at the opportunity to taste this coffee, which is considered the most expensive coffee in the world. Of course I tried it! When else would I have the chance to try ‘cat-poo-chino?’

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

Out of all of the temples I visited in Bali, this was my favorite. Located high up in the mountain area of Bali, you are immediately greeted with cooler temperatures and less humidity. Floating right in the middle of Lake Bratan, this temple understandably was packed with tourists. Despite all of the people, it was surprisingly a relaxing visit. Don’t miss the beautiful entrance gates, which are picturesque on its own.

Rice Terraces

We had the opportunity to visit two rice fields during our visit. The first one, located in an obscure location, had zero other tourists. The moody clouds and rolling hills provided the perfect back drop to see endless views of greenery. The second rice field, called Tegalalang, was packed with tourists. Although the number of people there did not detract from its beauty, it was somewhat disheartening to see people trampling all over the rice fields. If you’re going to visit this rice terrace, I suggest going first thing in the morning.

Sunrise at Sanur Beach

If there is anything worth getting up in the pitch black morning for, it’s a sunrise. Sunsets seem to get all of the glory, but I’d argue that sunrises are more alluring. There is something about welcoming your day with the rising sun and knowing that you get to make the most of that day. The beach at Sanur had a handful of other people waiting to photograph the rising sun, and understandably so. The shore line is lined with outrigger boats and a gazebo is located in a picture perfect spot along the horizon and multi-colored sky. Beware, the beach is not very clean and littered with trash, so watch where you step.

 

Traditional Balinese Market

Rarely in an exotic country does one get the opportunity to see the rural and every day life of its inhabitants. Gone are the glitz and glamour that Instagram shows. In its place, I got a glimpse of the ‘real’ life, such as how the locals get their food and how they interact with one another. The sights, sounds, and smells of the market provided a behind the scenes insight to how the Balinese live.

Tegenungan Waterfall

While this may be another spot filled with tourists, this glorious waterfall is not to be missed. After descending hundreds of steps, you encounter a refreshing mist and the sound of roaring waters. It was nice to relax and enjoy the waterfall and its surrounding jungle. There is even a cafe that provides refreshment at the bottom. Just be sure you get your relaxation in before making the climb back up the stairs in 100% humidity.

Bali Cultural Dinner

Included in the activities of the yoga retreat was a visit to a local family’s house for a traditional Bali feast and dancing. Not only was the food the best I’d had during the whole trip, but the family that hosted us showed me what the true Bali spirit is about: acceptance, selflessness, and generosity. The evening ended with a beautiful dance by the daughters of the house.

Soulshine Bali

Last, but certainly not least, the Soulshine Bali resort exceeded my expectations. The daily meals were so healthy, nourishing, and prepared with the freshest ingredients. Water was readily available, literally around every corner. The spa services were wonderfully relaxing. The cocktails were unique and delicious and tasted best while poolside. Oh, did I mention that Michael Franti owns it and my sister and I got to stay in ‘his’ room? Out of all of these exceptional details, the best part of this resort was the staff. When my sister and I had an early morning wake up call to explore, the staff not only had a prepared boxed breakfast for us, but one staff member walked us out with his flashlight pointing backwards for us to guide us to the entrance. He then made sure that our ride arrived and we were off safely. These simple acts of kindness are what I will always remember about Bali.