Best of Bali, Indonesia; things to do at least once.

Bali is a well-known Indonesian island rich in culture, tradition and nature sight-seeing. I had a splendid trip to Bali recently in February 2023  and this was my second visit to this sophisticated island. Bali is not alien to most travelers and there are numerous flights available from various destinations. I took the AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar Airport. I would not like to essay on the entire journey and minute details as information for Bali and tour agencies are vastly available on the net. However, I will pen down major interesting things to do when you are in Bali and what to expect during your visitation. The best season to visit Bali is from April to October, which are the non-monsoon season.

1. Tirta Empul Temple

As most of us are aware that Bali is famous for its Balinese Hindu temples and this is one of the famous water temples there. This is an unique temple as there is a holy water bathing section for self-cleansing and purification. I was sceptical on trying this ritual but it seemed those who had experienced it had a pleasant time there. The large pond with numerous Koi fishes at the center of the temple ground becomes a photography spot to visitors. This temple takes about 1 hour drive from Kuta town. 

2. Tegalalang Rice Terraces + Luwak coffee tasting.

Eventhough I come from a tropical contry, Malaysia, I personally feel that the rice terraces in Bali are pretty much attractive especially in Ubud area, Bali.  Alas Harum Bali is an one-stop spot for everything one can do with the pretty views of the rice terraces. We spent only about 3 hours there due to time constraint but I would suggest to allocate one full day to experience all the fun-loving activities such as luwak coffee tasting, giant swings, a walk across the rice terraces, swimming at the infinity pool and having a meal at the restaurant facing the paddy fields. Trust me, the photography scene here is definitely Instaworthy. After this, we stopped by at Bebek Joni for lunch with serene views of the paddy field. 

Instagram reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Coj2uSgBKbv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

3. Garuda-Wishnu-Kenchana Cultura Park & Kecak Dance

This is one of my favourite places to visit in Bali, which is located not far from Uluwatu area. There are gigantic statues of the two iconic goddess of Balinese Hindu devotees, Vishnu and Garuda. Visitors also get to see the newly built 122-meter tall GWK statue, which is the tallest in Indonesia. Another must-see activity at this place is the 'Kecak' performance. The repetitive chanting of 'Kecak' whilst narrating the Garuda -Wishnu plot is the highlight of the performance. This performance takes places in the late evening around 6pm at the open auditorium (check the GWK website for the latest timing).

4. Uluwatu

Uluwatu sits in the southern tip of Bali island , looking over the Indian Ocean from several clifftops. It only takes about 30 minutes drive from GWK and Denpasar Airport to Uluwatu. There are many things to see in Uluwatu including the Pura Luhur Temple, panaromic clifftop views and Kecak dance show during sunset. This place can be very crowded and hot during mid-day and therefore I skipped during my recent trip. 

5. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Undeniably, this is one of the most picturesique temples in Bali which is dedicated to the Balinese lake goddess, Dewi Danu. This is my favourite temple because of its unique location in the middle of Lake Bratan giving a floating effect with a cool environment due to the higher ground of this area. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Corrpk7h1pl/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

6. Tanah Lot Temple

Another must see temple in Bali is the Pura Tanah Lot, an ancient Hindu temple located on a large rock (like a tiny island) in Tabanan. I skipped this temple during this trip but all I could recall from my previous visit was the iconic view of the temple from the cliff, the short walk across the shores, towards the temple and partaking in the local Balinese Hindu rituals with the placement of the holy grain of rice (like a bindi) as sign of purification. I have also read reviews about visiting this temple for the beautiful sunset view from the cliff.

7. Legian Street and Hard Rock Cafe Bali

One of the highlights of Bali is its happening night life in Legian street. There is an array of eateries, bars, night-clubs and souvenir shops opened until late night. However, I could clearly see now that the businesess are pretty much affected after the Covid-19 pandemic and several shops had been closed down. My Balinese friend said that the nightlife is now focused in other parts of Bali like Ubud and Seminyak since the reopening of travels with many tourists and content creators prefering other parts of Bali as the mainstay of their visitation. I would also like to recommend a visit to Hard Rock Bali as they host live performances daily with good services and many seatings available. Something that I don't often see in HRC of other countries. 

8. Tranquil villa stay in Ubud

As mentioned earlier, Ubud is home to the beautiful rice terraces. It is worth to stay in a villa atleast for a night or two in between of your trip just to relax, unwind and connect with the greenery of Bali. There are plenty of options to choose, just Google search.  I would like to share my little experience of staying in Black Penny Ubud which costs about MYR 1000 per night (we got a discounted rate as we customized our tour with a friend). The villa is quite spacious equipped with wooden interior, a large private infinity pool with a stunning view of rice terraces and the Ayung river. You can even walk-down the valley to appreciate better.  Make sure you get the right villa for the perfect view. 

9. Handara Gate

This is an iconic traditional Hindu gate which makes your photography in Bali complete. I prefer this place as the crowd during my visit was still acceptable as compared to Pura Lempuyang and there is a staff who promptly aids tourists with the photo-taking including the reflective pictures.

This is gate is located near to the Bedegul temple and Banyumala waterfall, so you can make a quick visit on the way. Surely, Instaworthy. 

10. Banyumala Twin Waterfalls

These spectacular twin waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery and a pool of swimming hole makes it ideal for a perfect rejuvenation spot after the tiresome journey. One can rent a transport or scooter to Munduk area and then further drive about 30 minutes further in from the local sigboard up to the parking area. Later on, you need to hike about 30-45 minutes to reach the waterfalls. The entrace fee to this waterfall is USD2. Definitely, one of the most beautiful sights of Northern Bali. 

11. Pura Lempuyang @ The Gate of Heaven - Not a pleasant experience though. 

This temple is also an extraordinary one because of the gigantic traditional Balinese gate with the view of Mount Agong in the background. This is where the triple sanctrums of the Pura Penataran Agung temple is situated. However, this place is comercialised now with tourist flooding from early hours of the day. Just for a Instagram photo, people queue up to 7-8 hours and the temple authorities refuse to simplify the number of shots per group or individual despite the long queue. The view of Mount Agong is obliterated by the clouds at most of the time. There aren't much shops available beside the temple for you to eat and relax before your number is called. We waited for about 4 hours and left the place because we were rushing for the night flight. If you are in a rush, I would rather asked you to skip this. Alternatively, you can also take pictures of the sanctrums, the back view of the gate (like we did) or at the huge lotus structure at the base of the hill which also has a similar Mt. Agong view. Another option is to make this as an early morning activity with visits to Tirta Ganga on the way back, which is also located in the eastern Bali region.

12. Day trip to Nusa Penida Island

This is an island located near the southeastern side of Bali. There are numerous stunning view points, beaches and rainforest for one to explore in this island. Honestly, the Indian ocean view from the cliffs are breathtaking. We were also lucky enough to spot far from the cliff several Mantarays swimming swiftly. I would actually recommend to stay atleast one night here to be able to visit various sights of the island namely Kelingking Beach view point, Broken Beach, Diamond Beach and Rumah Pohon. Due to time constraint we took a day visit and selected 1 major view point from each of the eastern and western parts of the island respectively.  You can easily take a ferry from Bali (may request your agent to arrange it) or buy it from the jetty at Sanur, Bali (about 10 kilometers from Denpasar).

View points from cliffs at Diamond Beach (left) and Kelingking Beach (right)

These are some of the highlights of the many things I did in Bali. One should also visit the Mount Kintamani viewpoint where you can have lunch with the view of the stunning volcano. I heard now they have built some nice spots for photography too. I hope to repeat my trip to Bali in the future with Seminyak in my itinerary for the water activities. I also love exploring various cafes and bars with a scenic view of the Balinese seashore. Rockbar Bali is tempting. 

If you are hiring a private agent, you can list the places mentioned above with a customized itinerary. You can also rent a private car to further distanced places once in Bali and rent a bike to explore the nearby places like the Legian street. By writing this blog, I was able to understand Bali better besides recollecting the fond memories. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I did writing it.  

"Before you run out of time"

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The Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi Island, Malaysia.

When travelers to South East Asia were asked to name their favorite island, it would always be either Bali or Phuket. But many would have overlooked the underrated island in Malaysia known as the "Jewel of Kedah", called "Langkawi". The name Langkawi is derived from the Malay word "Helang" which means eagle. This is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. I will write a summary in my blog on the interesting facts and what to do in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. You can go to this island by taking a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur or Penang Island or you can make a road trip to the northern states of Kedah or Perlis and then board on a ferry to Langkawi from either Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis jetty. I hope you can relate yourself with the caption, "Naturally Langkawi" after reading my blog.

1. Emerald green waters of Andaman Sea

The waters of Andaman Sea are different compared to the pristine clear waters of Maldives. As you sail through the beaches of Langkawi, you will notice the emerald green waters surrounding the island. You will definitely come across picturesque beaches and eye cooling sunsets making your island experience a fulfilling one. To be specific, take an island hopping tour to Tasik Dayang Bunting (a lake in the midst of the Andaman Sea surrounded by mountains with the shape of a pregnant lady) or take a speedboat ride around Tanjung Rhu to experience what I have written here.

2. The Kilim Geoforest Park

The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park Langkawi spans almost 100 square kilometres, is famous for mangrove swamps, vertical karstic hills, eagle watching and the blue-green waters connecting to the Andaman Sea. You can notice the borders of Satun, Thailand as you go on a boat ride. Do not miss this tropical retreat while in Langkawi.

3. Pantai Cenang/ Cenang Street/ Pantai Tengah.

Cenang beach is like the Malaysian version of Copacabana since it is packed with an array of hotels, duty free shops and eateries. People literally flood here to enjoy themselves along the sandy beach throughout the day. You can consider to book a hotel here as there are variety of options to choose from based on your budget, for the sea view and walking distance to restaurants and bars. The Underwater World of Langkawi is also located at Cenang Street. At night, there will be music and fire performances by the local boys at the beach area and therefore a night walk with a warm beer would be ideal. Remember, this is Malaysia, do not expect explicit shows or activities like in Phuket, Thailand.

4. Langkawi Skybridge

This is another must thing to do in Langkawi. Take the Langkawi Sky Cab, one of the steepest cable car in the world to reach the Sky Bridge. You will appreciate the archipelago and the blue waters of Langkawi while on the gondola ride. At the end of the ride, you will reach the sky bridge, which is one of the main attractions in Langkawi. The Sky Bridge is a 125 metres curved pedestrian bridge supported by cables at the top of Machinchang mountain. One must be amazed by the architecture and the nature view of the island. The best time to experience the Sky Bridge is in the morning and during sunset. 

5. Luxury resorts 

Langkawi Island has got to offer one of the best resorts built strategically facing the Andaman sea at several locations. There are many 5 star resorts here under the Mariott Bonvoy chain, but my personal favourite is The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi which perfectly suits its tagline, "an intersection of nature and luxury". This resort is built along the Pantai Kok, enabling you to appreciate both the whispers of the rainforest and also the sea breeze from the edge of the Andaman Sea. A complete package here would mean a stay in the sea-view villa and also a tantalizing sunset dinner at the Beach Grill restaurant. There are plenty of Instagrammable spots within the resort namely the The Horizon infinity pool and the "Bubu' (of local fishermen) shaped spa.

6. Snorkeling at Pulau Payar

Pulau Payar is a small island which is also a marine park. You need to take a ferry from Kuah Jetty for a 45 minutes journey to this island, which needs a pre-booking. Pulau Payar is strictly protected by the local government and therefore you will surely enjoy snorkeling here witnessing thousands of sergeant fishes, baby sharks and untouched corals while swimming in the pristine waters of the island.

7. Paddy fields- 'Laman Padi' and 'Nasi Dagang Pak Malau'.

One thing you will notice while driving around the island is the tropical beauty of the paddy fields. The state of Kedah is also known as 'Jelapang Padi' as it serves as the rice bowl of Malaysia. Langkawi also has beautiful paddy fields surrounded by mountains. If you want to learn more about the paddy fields and have a hearty local cuisine, you can visit the "Laman Padi" which is located very near to Cenang. You can even take a stroll along the  paddy fields at Ulu Melaka village or even better try the traditional Malay dish called 'nasi dagang' at Nasi Dagang Pak Malau while appreciating the greenery. Do not miss this experience as you are in a rainforest country. 

    

(From left: Paddy field in Ulu Melaka, Nasi Dagang Pak Malau)

8. Eagle Square

Dataran Lang, or Eagle Square in English is an iconic square in Langkawi with a gigantic sculpture of an eagle representing the name Langkawi and its origin.  The main purpose to come here is for photo-taking to mark your attendance to this beautiful island besides appreciating the sea view. It is suggested to drop by here when you come to Kuah town for food and shopping or while on the way to Kuah Jetty Point.

9. Outdoor activities

This island has a list of fun-loving outdoor activities to offer. Some I have personally tried and enjoyed and some I am yet to explore. Anyways, I will pen down the activities that you may want to consider when you come to Langkawi.

i.   Parasailing at Pantai Tengah
ii.  Hiking at Gunung Raya
iii. Kayaking at private resorts
iv. Flying fox at Langkawi Skytrex
v.  Skydiving (not done yet)

10. Best bars to catch a sunset and unwind by the beach.

Most of us love watching the sunset especially after a tiring day exploring the island. There are few good spots to catch a sunset during the golden hour in Langkawi. Besides the Horizon Bar in Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, The Hidden Bar and The Dash BeachClub Resort are two good locations that I would recommend. Although I was kinda late for a sunset to both of these bars, I can assure the beachside ambience was indeed cool.

(From left: The Hidden Beach Bar, view from Dash BeachClub Resort)

11. Scenic waterfalls as a getaway from the beach.

Langkawi is also home to scenic waterfalls where one can hike and appreciate the beauty of the island and dip into chilled and fresh waters of the rainforest. Often people would suggest to visit 'Telaga Tujuh, which is located at the Machincang Mountain. As the name translates, 'Telaga Tujuh' consists of seven natural pools connected by a river. However, the hike to this spot can be tiring and overcrowded during peak times since it is a famous spot.

I would recommend another underrated gem in Langkawi called The Temurun Waterfall which is located near to Jalan Datai. It only takes about 10 minutes hike from the foothill to reach the second tier that will surely excite visitors with its gushing water falling from the top into the center pool where people can swim and appreciate the beauty of nature. Please be reminded not to litter as many garbages were thrown by picnic goers that can harm the environment. 

12. Food and duty-free shopping

Most of us are aware that Malaysia is famous for its rich Asian cuisines, placing it as one of the best foodie spots in the world. I can assure you that food in Langkawi will meet your expectations too. There are plenty of fresh seafood restaurants at Kuah town serving in both Chinese or Malay style. You must try the traditional Malay cuisines, from nasi lemak, to rendang daging and to pecel lele which are widely available, whether along the streets of Kuah town or in 5 star resorts like The Rimba at Ambong resort. As for the westerners, do not worry about having your regular big breakfast or pasta. Western food is widely available in Langkawi. 
Another point not to be missed is the duty free status of the island, which will tempt you to indulge in a shopping spree for liquours, luxury perfumes and premium chocolates. Well, these items are tax-free here in Langkawi!

These are just 12 major highlights of this sophisticated island among the many other things that one could explore. I will update this blog from time to time as I have still many things to try out in Langkawi including the sunset cruise. I hope you will save your dates to visit the Jewel of Kedah soon to indulge on a perfect island holiday in South East Asia. 

Visit my Instagram page, theroytravels for more videos and highlights of Langkawi. 

Reference: www.langkawi-info.com

"BEFORE YOU RUN OUT OF TIME"

Powell Roy Louis @ theroytravels🌏

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theroytravels

Email: powellroylouis@gmail.com