Wee.. I'm back from Bali Island, Indonesia 2 days ago.. It's a 4D3N trip from 28th Sept to 1st Oct 2013. Previously, I went to Jakarta about 2 months ago. However, since the itinerary is planned by my best friend, I am unable to give any tips and information to get there. This time, I'm able to collect some information about Bali. If you are planning to Bali on your own, I'm sure this post helps!

However, please bare in mind that holidaying in Bali is NOT cheap compare to other places in Indonesia. The whole Bali Island is mainly focussing on tourism, therefore, everything there isn't very cheap. For a Malaysian like me, a 4D3N  Bali trip cost about RM1500 to RM2000, depending on the air ticket and things that you buy and play.

Cheapest way: Wait for promotions in travel agencies/ fairs and go! Some promotions can be as low as RM1400~RM1700 inclusive of air ticket!
However, nowadays, most people like to travel ourselves. Some wanna go for a honeymoon, to have a sweet time for 2? After reading this post, you'll find Bali is one of the easiest place for you to plan for a holiday. I will share some of the highlights during my trip. Then you can have a better idea of Bali Island. Another reminder: there is NO public transport except Taxi in Bali Island. NO train, NO bus, only Taxi and car for rental. 

Here's my 4-day Bali trip highlights:

Day 1:
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

Day 2:
Watch Wild Dolphins at Lovina Beach (North Bali)
Mount Batur Volcano
Rice Terrace
Creative Balinese T-Shirt Art
Jimbaran Beach BBQ Dinner

Day 3:
Water Sports at Nusa Dua Beach (Sea Walking, Flying Fish)
Turtle Island (Glass bottom boat)
Kuta Beach
Domba Coffee Factory
Tanah Lot
Shopping near Hard Rock Hotel

Day 4:
Back Malaysia


Day 1:
We didn't went to many places on the first day. After arriving in the Denpasar Bali airport (South Bali), we took our lunch and straight away head to North because we wanted to watch wild dolphins on the second day. On the way to the north, we stop by at Ulun Danu Bratan Temple.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

 After travelling for about 3 hours, finally we arrived to our first destination. According to our tour guide, this place is situated at a higher place. Therefore, the weather here is cool and windy! I really love the weather here so much!

Most Balinese are Hinduism, therefore, there are many Hindu temples all around Bali Island. This place looks like a small park with Balinese style Hindu temple). It gives people a peaceful and calm feeling.

 Around Ulun Danu Temple..

 Can you spot the Double Dragon?

Additional Information:
- Situated at Center of Bali Island (about 2.5 or 3 hours drive from airport)
- Entrance fee: 30000 rp (appx. RM10)


Day 2:
Woke up early in the morning from our Hotel. I forgotten what's the hotel name, but it's a very nice hotel just beside Lovina Beach. Lovina Beach is situated at the North of Bali. About 4 to 5 hours of driving from the airport. This beach is very famous for wild dolphins. If you don't mind for the long travelling hours, I will also recommend you to come here!

Wild Dolphins watching at Lovina Beach
Woke up at 5.30am and depart at 6am for dolphins! So, we are enjoying the magnificent view of sunrise as well as watching the wild dolphins!! We managed to see many dolphins!! I am so excited!!! It was fun and interesting to see this wild dolphins jumping here and there! OMG!!!

Capture so many pictures and only managed to capture a few with dolphins in it.

So loving!!

 I don't have a good camera to capture the wild dolphins. Here are some pics from the internet which got a good shot on them! (Pic source from the internet)

 Watching dolphins and enjoying the awesome sunrise view!

This was exactly what I saw that morning!! I never regret to see these dolphins despite the long journey to the north! (Pic source from the internet)

This is a very special Bali's local boat. The type of boat we used to watch the dolphins. It's very steady and special! (Pic source from the internet)

After breakfast, we move back to the south for more activities. On the way, we stop by around Mount Batur, one of the famous active volcano in Bali Island.

Mount. Batur
Mount Batur..

 We are unable to get a close look at the mountain. We only managed to took pictures from a distance.

More or less is like this... (Pic source from the internet)

I guess it's hard to get a close look like this unless we are pretty near to this mountain. (Pic source from the internet)

Rice Terrace
Along the way, we also stop by to enjoy the beautiful view of rice terrace while on our way back to the south.
Tip: If you are travelling by your own, there is a coffee shop nearby. You can stop by to rest and take your sweet time to have your coffee while enjoying the beautiful rice terrace view in Bali. 

 I personally feels that it is very beautiful. The only thing that spoil my mood is the hot weather there.

How I wish the weather there is a bit cool and I can enjoy a cup of hot coffee while looking at this beautiful scenery =D (Pic source from the internet)

Creative Balinese T-shirt Art

Mr Tour Guild brought us to this place.. Im sorry I forgotten what is the exact name for this place. However, there's nothing special about this place, only authentic Balinese T-shirt Art. If you bought any plain T-shirts, you can choose a drawing that you like and request them to draw a customized shirt for you for a fee of USD $13. However, if you don't have any plain T-shirts, you could buy it on the spot at a USD $15 each (which is very expensive)

 so many cute drawings =D

I saw many couples went there for a customized t-shirt too!

Tool used to draw on t-shirts.

Additional Information:
Drawing: USD $13 (without T-shirt)
Plain T-shirt: USD $15

Jimbaran Beach BBQ Dinner
One of the place that I will recommend!
 Beautiful view of Jimbaran Beach..

Taken before dinner at Jimbaran Beach..

Bali sunset dinner..

Candle light BBQ seafood dinner by Jimbaran Beach during sunset =D Actually the food is so-so only, but enjoying seafood by the beach during sunset is such a blessed thing! Gives people a romantic feel!!

 Sunset at Jimbaran Beach...

 After sunset, there's Balinese performance... Enjoying the dinner with Balinese performance.. (photo is not edited)

Not edited! Perfect sunset view of Jimbaran Beach...
We end up our day by walking around our hotel, Bintang Kuta Hotel. Some went massaging and some went shopping.

Additional Information:
Traditional Balinese Massage is about 60000 rp for 60 minutes in Bali Island. (appx. RM20)

Day 3:
We went to Nusa Dua beach after breakfast for water sports. There are many types of water sports to choose from such as snorkelling, banana boat, speedboat, parasailing, scuba diving, sea walking.. etc etc... Since all of us had never tried sea walking before, we went decided to choose sea walking and flying fish. We spend quite some time bargaining with them.

Before going to sea walking. Im sorry I din brought any water resistant camera. Therefore, no photos taken during sea walking. You can browse more information about sea walking from google.

Sea walking. That big helmet allows oxygen to flow in for breathing. Sea walking is an alternative way for those who can't dive but want to look at the beautiful underwater world. (pic source from internet)

Basically, I dont think its quite worth for the sea walking in bali. The walking distance is only very short (about 15 minutes). There's also not much coral reefs and fishes. But if you have not tried it before, and wanted to try badly, you can do it here. Else, try to go to other islands for sea walking.

Another water sport we played that day: Flying Fish (only available in Bali Island)
If I'm not mistaken, we paid about 150,000 rp or 200,000 rp for this (appx. RM50-RM70). Price is per person. I think we have overpaid this for this kind of water sports, but if you are good at bargaining, you can request for a lower price.

Tip: Try to bargain to as low as possible. If you have many people playing, you can bargain more! Else, if you are taking lots of water sports, try to get a good price from them. Besides, there are many stalls there too. If the first one doesn't give you the price you want, try finding others! 


(Pic source from Internet)

Basically, it's a speed boat pulling the rubber buoy so that it will fly up in the sky. (Pic source from Internet)

Since we all had not tried before, we decided to give a try. It was fun! But would be better if the price can be lower! If you had not tried this before, I think it's worth to give a try too! There are also much more water sports activities! Choose those that you like the most, then have fun!!!

Addtional Infomation:
1) Sea walking: they priced it as USD $85, but we managed to bargain and got 450,000 rp per person (appx. RM150) - after bargain

2) Flying Fish: 150,000 rp or 200,000 rp  (appx. RM50-RM70) -after bargain


Turtle Island (went by glass bottom boat) 
Another place that one would usually go in Nusa Dua beach: Turtle Island. This island is situated nearby the Nusa Dua beach. Before going to the glass bottom boat, I was kinda exited when I heard 玻璃船 (direct translate glass boat in Chinese). Maybe I have too high expectation on the "Glass boat". After getting to the boat, I was quite disappointed with it.

There is just a hole as big as this at the bottom of the boat, and they called is glass bottom boat! OMG!! For that moment, I think I was fooled by them.
We manage to spot a FEW fishes only during our journey to turtle island.

Arrive to Turtle Island

The name "turtle island" sounds attractive. Hmm, actually there's only some turtles that the owner rare in this island. It's not that the turtles come and breed itself in this island. Again, it disappoint me.


Some turtles in Turtle island...

 This turtle is about 7 to 10 years old.

 There are other animals here too. However, the good thing here is if you want to take photos with these animals, it's all free. No extra charge will be imposed.

 Hawk!
Baby Python! Im not scare!! =D

on the way back to Nusa Dua Beach...

Unfortunately, I can't remember how much is it to go to turtle island with this glass bottom boat.

Domba Coffee Factory
A coffee factory that the tour guide brought us. Nothing special here. They are just promoting coffee to tourist.
Free coffee to test the coffee brew..

In Bali, there is a very famous coffee that were sold here. It is the top 1 coffee in the world called Coffee Luwak (Chinese: 猫屎咖啡). It is made from a type of cat's shit named Luwak. According to the studies, these coffee beans is very good and it is super expensive. As far as I know, a 100g Luwak Coffee cost us around USD$120 (appx. RM400). Better ones of Luwak Coffee Beans can cost up to RM800 for a 100g Luwak Coffee. Super freaking CRAZY!!

Last destination of the day:

Tanah Lot
I highly highly recommend everyone to pay a visit to this temple if you are going to Bali. In Chinese, it is called 海神庙 (direct translate means temple of the god of the sea). This place is so beautiful especially during sunset. I really think its worth to pay a visit. After all, there is no entrance fee for this temple!!

Tanah Lot Temple

I love the big waves here!!! <3 <3 <3

 Super love this place during sunset!



Best place to end your day with: Sunset in Tanah Lot..

Tip: there are a lot shops selling souvenirs and local products selling just outside tanah lot temple. I got a couple of cheap souvenirs here. If you wanna squeeze your budget, you can come here and bargain with them for some cheap stuff!  Remember: the more stuff you buy, the more you can bargain! Do group buying if possible.

After this, we went nearby Hard Rock hotel for some last minute shopping! I've managed to got some last minute stuff too! It's very "happening" in Bali at night. You could just stop by to have a drink, or do last minute shopping, massaging... etc..etc.. I've managed to got myself a Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Tee which is utterly cheap compare to Malaysia. If you love Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt, never forget to stop by at their retail shop and get yourself one!

Nothing much in Day 4. We packed and went back!


So, now, if you are planning for Bali, here's what you should do in just 3 simple steps:

1) First thing you have to do: Buy a cheap flight ticket! Since air ticket is usually make up a large portion of your expenses! Getting a cheaper ticket helps you to cut down your cost!

2) Secondly, find accommodation! Make sure that if you wanna watch the dolphins, book a hotel at the north, else you have to travel all the way to north and back to south in a day!
Tip: Get an accommodation near the airport (south), most of the attracting places are situated at the south and the center of Bali. Try to get accommodation that is not far from Kuta Beach, Hard Rock Hotel, Central.. You can easily find shops opening at night at these areas! 

3) Thirdly, Get as much brochures as you can when you arrive at the airport, get yourself a coffee and start planning your itinerary based on the packages offered!
Another reminder: There is NO public transport in Bali Island except for Taxi. Therefore, if you go with a bunch of friends, you can rent a car with driver and being the tour guide as well to bring you guys to walk around. I've browse through some of the brochures and noticed that it's not that expensive at all if divided equally with a group of friends.
You can refer some examples here:


these are some pics I took from the brochures I got! Anyway, you could always bargain when making reservation with them!
Tip: always bargain before you buy or make any reservations!

Below are some other random photos from the brochures I got, hope it helps and able to give you guys a better idea about the activities packages. (Click to enlarge)













There are much much more similar packages in other brochures. Above are just RANDOM ones. Take some time to go through every brochure and bargain. I'm sure you can squeeze your budget to the max!

Last tip: Most of the package are inclusive of return transfer from your hotel. Try to find some package that inclusive of picking you up from your hotel and bringing you back. You can save your transportation fee! 

Hope the above information are able to help you to plan for your Bali Trip!!! Happy Travelling!!!