Bali addiction. Why won't I go to Bali again? Sights and natural landscapes
The first time I heard the words “Don’t go there, to this Bali” was during a bike ride in Pattaya. With us in the group there was a Dutchman of about 35 years old, and he, like all farangs, was with a Thai girl from a bar. “It’s strange,” I say, “everyone seems to love Bali so much.” “Yes, all the bars there are open until 22-23 hours, and in general there are few of them. One trip to Bali is enough, and even a short one,” the guy concluded.
After our trip to Bali, I can confirm: if you want drunken fun, available girls in noisy bars, you are not in Bali. But I would also highlight a few more cases when it’s not that you shouldn’t go to Bali... But when you definitely won’t see Bali the way it will hit you in the heart. So let's get started :)
The sea in Bali is incredibly beautiful. But the stern doesn’t always let you approach you. By the way, in the photo is the Uluwatu temple, where
1. Is it worth going to Bali? Not worth it if you're only interested in bars
Because then your stay will be limited to southern resorts, such as Kuta and Nusa Dua. There is no such vibrant nightlife as in Thailand. And there are no girls to choose from on every corner either.
2. You shouldn’t go to Bali if you only want a beach holiday in Kuta or Nusa Dua
Bali, beach in Kuta. Not very impressive, right? But it’s okay, because the main highlight of the Island of the Gods is not the beaches at all!
3. It’s not worth going to Bali if you’re on a budget.
Nung Nung Waterfall is one of the main and most beautiful Bali attractions. But you can’t get there by public transport, because there is none on the island.
That is, if you do not budget for excursions. The fact is that public transport is not particularly developed on the island, and you will not be able to get to most of Bali’s attractions on your own. If you have good experience driving a motorcycle, you can rent it. The price for renting a bike in Kuta is from 100 to 200 rubles per day. We rented a bike for 100 rubles (). Advice for tourists: Don't get a bike if you barely remember how to ride it! The traffic is very dangerous, and when you go deep into the island and see what serpentines there are...
Therefore, there is another option - rent a car with a driver. It costs on average $50 per day in Bali. Another option is to take a taxi to attractions. In general, as you can see, transport will be a significant expense. And it would be a shame to visit mystical Bali and not see its sights. I promise – your trip will be full of new impressions.
4. It’s not worth going to Bali if you stay there for less than five days.
If your trip is codenamed “galloping through Asia” and you plan to visit Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sumatra, Jakarta, Bali and Komodo in two weeks, our advice for tourists is this: cross Bali off that list. Bali is not some gothic cathedral that you can explore in an hour. You should not go to Bali for less than five days. Bali is a place of power, a special place for which you need to take time, slowly enjoy it, try to understand.
Unless, of course, this is a trip for show.
Okay friends, these are just my recommendations. Answer the question “Is it worth going to Bali?” you owe it to yourself. The island of Bali made a strong impression on me, and of course, I would like other people to have the opportunity to get to know it as closely as possible. And for this we need to create the right conditions. Do you agree? 🙂
The island of Bali is a place of special strength and rare beauty. You can travel around it in five days. It is impossible to understand.
In the photo - one of the main Bali attractions, Pura Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan.
HOW TO FLY
If you are planning a trip to the island of Bali (or indeed anywhere in the world), let me recommend you convenient service for finding cheap air tickets Aviasales. This is the service we use most often. If you decide to book flights by clicking on a link from our website, we will receive a small commission from this service. For you the price will be the same :)
OUR HOTELS
Which hotels in Bali did we stay in:
Hotel in Kuta: The Tirtha Inn Pondok Anyar(from 450 rubles per night)
Another hotel in Kuta: A Residence(from 800 rubles per night)
Hotel in Ubud: Sakha House(from 500 rubles per night)
Hotel in Ubud(our favorite!): Ketut Kuaya Homestay(from 700 rubles per night)
Bali is the island of Gods and Demons. A paradise island washed by the waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. This is the most developed tourist resort in Indonesia. What attracts tourists to Bali so much? Among the 17,000 islands in Indonesia, why do most choose it? Having lived on the island for 7 months, I identified the following main points for myself: 1. Nature of incredible beauty. It has everything: lush tropical vegetation, magical beaches with black volcanic sand, bounty beaches with snow-white sand, diving and snorkeling sites with an amazing underwater world, volcanoes, waterfalls, mountain rivers and lakes, rice fields.
2. Surfing. This is the best place on the planet to learn to surf. Smooth, soft, long Balinese waves are ideal for learning. The availability of surfing schools and individual trainers is off the charts. Only people who are especially lazy or indifferent to the ocean don’t try to surf here. For intermediate and advanced surfers there are reef spots of different difficulty levels. Read more about. 
3. Religion. Despite the fact that Indonesia is the largest Muslim country, the official religion in Bali is Agama Hindu Dharma. It is a mixture of Hinduism, Buddhism and pagan beliefs. Here they believe in many good and evil spirits. Every day, the Balinese make offerings to the spirits in the form of small bamboo baskets with flowers, sweets, money and even cigarettes. Everyday religious ceremonies form the basis of the life of the local population. 
4. Culture. After religion comes cultural heritage. It’s not for nothing that Bali is called “the island of a thousand temples.” Here, there are about 11,000 temples. These are small family altars and huge temples revered by residents of the whole country. There are also water palaces and nature reserves. A special place should be given to Balinese dances, which, in addition to beautiful choreography, contain powerful energy and magnetism. 
5. People. The Balinese are very sunny and friendly people. I don’t know if it has to do with religion or the lack of cold, but they are always smiling. They are very peaceful and calm. It's nice to communicate with them and make friends. 
6. Energy. The island is rightly called the “place of power”. Here you can find a lot of esoteric and psychological schools of different directions. Most spiritual seekers are concentrated in Ubud - in the very “heart” of the island. Among the local population, shamans, magicians, sorcerers, healers occupy a special place. Throughout their lives, Balinese periodically turn to them for help. “White magicians” predict the future and suggest how to correct it. “Black magicians” help solve problems that have already arisen and keep people in fear so that they do not forget that they must live honestly and correctly. 
7. Big art party. The island, like a magnet, attracts creative people from all over the world. There are artists, musicians, dancers, writers, fashion designers, photographers, designers. They are charged with powerful energy and create masterpieces. Together with esotericists, creative bohemia took a fancy to Ubud. 
8. One of the best spa resorts in Southeast Asia. Bali amazes with an abundance of spa services. Traditional Balinese massages, thalassotherapy, reflexology, Japanese shiatsu, Indian Ayurveda, Hawaiian lomi-lomi, stone therapy and much more. You will be pleasantly surprised by the prices, for example, an hour-long full body massage will cost you about $5. And all this in a beautiful environment, with pleasant, relaxing music, using natural oils.9. Delicious, cheap and varied food. In local “warungs” (cafes) you can eat for $1. But these places are not for everyone, although some of them are very cozy, with good cuisine and service. The basis of local cuisine is rice. Gourmets can pamper themselves with the freshest seafood and fish. Fans of a healthy diet will be pleased with the large abundance of fruits, vegetables and organic products. Only picked mangoes, papaya, bananas, tangerines, pineapples, strawberries, dragon fruit, lychees, caroms, watermelons, melons will not leave anyone indifferent. The island has prepared a pleasant surprise for coffee lovers - the most expensive and best Luwak coffee in the world. 
Coconut juice for breakfast mmm...
10. Nightlife. Bali never lets you get bored, day or night. The center of nightlife is Kuta and Seminyak. Here you will find nightclubs, bars and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. No matter what day of the week, parties and fun can always be found. In Kuta there is no dress code in clubs: most people wear shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops. Here you can relax and not think about your image. In Seminyak, the establishments are more expensive, more beautiful, the crowd is more decent, but no less cheerful. Canggu and Jimbaran also offer nightlife, but the parties here are mostly on weekends, as the crowd is mostly expats who are busy with surfing and other everyday activities on weekdays.
Why is it worth going to Bali? You will definitely enjoy Bali if...
Currency. Where and how best to change money
The Indonesian currency is called the rupiah and the ratio is approximately 9,000 rupiah to 1 dollar. USA. It is better to change money at official exchange offices at large banks and not use small exchange offices on the street. You risk running into scammers. This is especially true for Kuta. You need to count the money carefully and slowly, as some bills are very similar to each other. If it’s correct, then don’t give it back to the cashier, even if he wants to count it again. If you feel something is wrong, just ask for your money back and look for another exchanger.
Communication in Bali
There are no problems with communication in Bali. Everywhere you can find points of sale of SIM cards from different mobile operators. The most optimal ones for dialing to Russia are TELKOMSEL with the SIMPATI and AXIS package. For assistance in purchasing a SIM card, please contact your guide and greeting staff. They will be happy to help you.
Language and communication
The official language in Bali is Indonesian, but Bali also has its own local language. Almost everyone speaks English. Many people already speak Russian, as more and more Russian tourists come to Bali. Balinese people are very smiling and friendly. They do not raise their voices, do not gesticulate, and speak slowly and measuredly. They have nowhere to rush. In Bali it is not customary to raise your voice, point your finger or touch someone on the head, this is an insult.
Russians in Bali
Russian tourists usually relax in the resort areas of Nusa Dua or. The reason is the development of infrastructure with restaurants and shops and, of course, the beach with calm seas and light sand. In winter, around the New Year holidays, the number of Russian tourists in these areas increases several times. If you do not want to relax next to your compatriots, you need to think about your vacation spot in advance. This could be Sanur, Seminyak or, where you can rarely meet our compatriots.
She lived quietly in Minsk and worked in a travel company, until one day she visited Bali. After several trips to the island, the girl decided to leave her job and live for some time on this warm island. About the love for Bali and why you always want to return there - in Inga’s column.
“To be honest, Bali is the usual South Asian chaos.”
“The eye is happy, the body is happy and the brain is also happy, because you live like a tomato in a greenhouse.”
Overall, zero aesthetics. Whoever conquered what piece of land - built his barn there. When you first arrive in Bali, it seems that the plane has mistaken the island. Everything looks completely different on Instagram! But this is if we talk about the ordinary world of people and do not raise the topic of luxury hotels.
As for picturesque nature, the island is truly rich in this. There are two active volcanoes, mountains, dozens of waterfalls, lakes, rivers and jungles. A kaleidoscope of black, gray and white beaches stretches along the entire coast. In a separate part of the island, cliffs 100 meters high rise above the ocean. The waves at the foot of these cliffs look truly mesmerizing from above.
Bali is unique for its ancient culture and religion, which the locals actively support to this day. The main religion in Indonesia is Islam. Bali is the only island in the country where another religion is widely practiced, and this religion is special. This is a peculiar variety of Hinduism, which mixes the philosophy of Buddhism, the cult of Shiva and ceremonies that are rooted in the pagan beliefs of the natives. The basis of faith is the veneration of any manifestation of the Divine in the world, including respect for the objects of worship of other people.
This religion has a positive effect on young Balinese - for the most part they are friendly and positive people. It is always a pleasure to be in their company. But, of course, money-hungry scammers are often found here too. Fortunately, after a while the level of your own dexterity increases and you can crack the tricksters like nuts.
Then I even like to watch how they react to being exposed in cunning. Almost everyone instantly forgets English and starts laughing nonstop. In response, you also laugh, this is a natural reflex. As a result, the brewing conflict evaporates, and you answer the question: “How much do you want?” and everyone is happy. That's why I'm no longer angry with the bracelet saleswoman on the beach when she immediately asks for a price 5 times higher than normal for a bauble with shells.
In Bali, I would highlight several areas in which the largest number of island guests are concentrated: the coast of Kuta - Seminyak - Canggu, the Bukit Peninsula and Ubud. They all have different environments and vibes. Therefore, during a short visit, I recommend combining accommodation in different parts of Bali. This way you will get to know and feel the island as much as possible.
Those who are here for a long time are dispersed relatively evenly across the island. Everyone chooses to live in the region that corresponds to their goals and lifestyle. Me and my friends live in Canggu. This is a small surfer village with a high concentration of fashionable establishments, surfers and conceptual youth. As my friend said when he got to Changu: “It looks like the giant Oktyabrskaya in Minsk.” Creative people from all over the world flock here: artists, musicians, dancers, designers and writers. They all bring their vision of beauty to the village, thereby developing and moving it in a creative direction. I think one of the reasons people stay here is the desire to be at the epicenter of the world's creative movement, combined with surfing and beach parties.
My husband and I live in a guesthouse. These are small hotels, with an average of 10-15 rooms with a common area, kitchen and swimming pool (rental cost is approximately $400 per month per room). Almost a communal apartment, but everyone has their own exit to the street. We don't specifically move to a villa because it's more fun here. Guys from different countries are constantly moving in, and there is an opportunity to meet interesting people, and sometimes learn something from them. At the same time we are improving our English.
So one day we had full-time travelers from New Zealand living with us, who make a living with their YouTube channel of 70 thousand subscribers. The guys told us about this difficult journey and shared life hacks for channel monetization. I didn’t become a vlogger after that, but we still keep in touch with them. You never know – we’ll be going to New Zealand. One guy from New York turned from a “doughnut” into a fitness model in three months before our eyes. For me, he is now the ideal of self-discipline. We lived together with our French neighbor for four months and struck up a very warm friendship. I was surprised every time when he ate scrambled eggs with sugar, bananas and strawberry jam for breakfast. From him I learned that the French learn to go on strike at school, where they train this skill: against unloved lessons or for extra days off. I remember a lot of guys with whom I would happily meet again and warmly hug.
As for the amazing energy, the feeling of harmony and constant surges of happiness during your stay on the island, all this is also true. Bloggers don't lie. But if we think realistically, then the reason for everything is a comfortable climate, sun, fruits, ocean and bright tropical greenery around all year round. The eye is happy, the body is happy and the brain is also happy, because you live like a tomato in a greenhouse.
Here the way of life and way of life differs from the usual urban one. A unique resort-village style. You spend almost all your time in the fresh air, rarely wear shoes (I even go to stores barefoot), don’t use public transport, and set aside two hours every day for sunset by the ocean. At the same time, there is all the necessary urban infrastructure: supermarkets with familiar products, shopping centers with food courts, pharmacies, clinics, beauty salons, gyms and yoga studios. The latter, by the way, is developed at a very high level. In general, the topic of health and proper nutrition is popular on the island. But beach clubs with Bintang (Bintang is a local brand of beer) are also thriving.
So why did I return to Bali once again? I was never able to find a simple and understandable answer. But one thing I know for sure is that when I wake up every morning, I sincerely enjoy the new day. I like to cook breakfast in the fresh air, listen to the stories of children from different parts of the Earth, wander barefoot on the beach at sunset, be inspired by local craftsmen, learn sincere kindness from the aborigines, and go on picnics to amazingly beautiful places on weekends. Yes, it sounds banal, but it turned out that this is quite enough to feel happiness - at least for now. I feel at home here. Today this is my home.
How much does life cost in Bali?
Approximate monthly expenses for two:
$400 – housing (guesthouse with a swimming pool, hot water in the shower, air conditioning, internet, refrigerator, cleaning and a shared kitchen with everything you need);
About $300 – food (we cook it ourselves, eat at local warungs and buy fruit at the market);
About $150 – cafes and bars (2-3 times a week);
Approximately $80 – bike rental and fuel;
$100 – visa;
About $10 to wash clothes.
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Total: about $1040 per month
The first part of my trip was purely maritime and traditional and took place on the island of Koh Samui: the beauty of coconut groves, frangipani, sea air, juice detox and Thai spa, meetings with my close friends and interesting conversations with my mentor - a master of Japanese acupuncture and Spiritual Teacher.
So, about what it is like, my Bali, or “it just turned out to be a whole story.”:)
I admit, I deliberately postponed the article about Bali until my arrival. I wanted to see what melodies and feelings would remain on the shore when the wave of intoxication with the unusual and mysterious subsided.
And, of course, during the story, visit Bali again, come into contact with its magic, the friendly smiles of proud Balinese people and, albeit for a short time, immerse yourself in the beauty of the island.
My Bali turned out to be far from being an island resort surrounded by incredibly sexy and windy surfers, lovers of night parties, seafood and breathtaking landscapes.
My Bali is a unique Energy: sometimes formidable and uncontrollable, and sometimes soft and shy, fluid, healing and changing consciousness.
These are mysterious temples, rituals of offering flowers to the spirits of the island and very friendly Balinese people, with a huge sense of inner dignity, even among representatives of the simplest caste.
This is the energy of the wild jungle and the Water element, gently rocking Bali on its waves: is it a joke, two oceans wash such a very small island?
And, of course, these are emerald rice fields, contemplating which it becomes crystal clear why all the ancient peoples who grew rice deified it!
And, of course, Bali is Mindful Beauty territory! Why?
It's simple:
I. Because the people of Bali remember and revere the BEAUTY AND SPIRITUALITY of our world.
When I arrived in Bali, the first thing I discovered was that the taps had good water and the pools were very clean. And I sadly asked my mentor why we have such bad water on Koh Samui, but so luxurious in Bali? It’s also an island, there’s also a huge infrastructure, too many people, even traffic jams, and also not the highest standard of living...
Do you know what my favorite wise teacher answered me?
“Our Samui is full of consumers, and in Bali people worship the Water Goddess, perform rituals and make offerings, spiritually work with the element of water and thus purify it every day.”
Like this. And this is the honest truth.
Every day begins with a ritual offering to the Spirits of Bali. It consists in the fact that one of the Women of the house, preferably the hostess, wears traditional Balinese clothing, consisting of a sarong skirt and a lace kabaya jacket.
It’s interesting that this clothing suits all women; they wear a corset underneath it. It looks feminine and very cool! :)
Then small pieces of fruit and frangipani flowers are placed in a special small basket
and make an offering to the spirits and Gods of Bali, saying a prayer to themselves.
And one of the main temples, Pura Ulun Danu, located on Lake Bratan, is dedicated to the Goddess of Water, who is incredibly revered.
And so the water from this lake flows throughout the island, irrigating all the rice fields and terraces.
In addition, the water here has not only nutritional properties and nourishes the entire island, but also a strong cleansing effect. There are water temples that the Balinese go to specifically to cleanse themselves and pray. The most famous is Tirtu Empul Temple.
II. Because Bali is a special place with unique energy.
If you open up to it, resonate with its unique rhythms and vibrations, it can heal you, nourish and change your consciousness, “organize” a meeting with your inner Self and even return yourself to you.
WARNING and CONDITION: You must always behave with respect and inner reverence for Nature and the unseen world and, of course, respect the traditions of the local people.
Imagine that they will come to the temple of your faith (Orthodox, Muslim or other) with disrespect and behave inappropriately - you will be offended and indignant! So it is here. And one more nuance: for many Balinese, Nature and the world around us is a temple, so we behave accordingly. :) Otherwise, your vibrations will lower, and you can’t expect any miracles, but only indigestion from an unsuccessful trip to a restaurant, fatigue from annoying taxi drivers, heat and misunderstanding from the series “what does everyone find in this Bali?”
III. Every evening mystery of sunset.
The beauties that accompany this miracle of Bali cannot be described in words, they must be seen, or rather, contemplated, and your heart will be filled with Awe, real silence and gratitude. Moreover, you can contemplate them anywhere, for example, in a beautiful stylish restaurant overlooking a rice field, watching, as if in a theater, the change of scenery in the back of the hall behind the terrace where the rice field begins. You will see how the sunny world with an emerald carpet gradually begins to be enveloped in a deep velvety blue, and from the bright and light you find yourself in a mysterious dim room, illuminated only by candles and beautiful lamps.
You can meet him on the sand near the ocean,
near the Tanah Lot temple, located almost in the ocean,
or go for a walk through the rice fields.
Yes, just sit on the balcony of your room.
In any case, unforgettable sensations and beauty await you.
And so every evening! :)
IV. Because Ubud is here!!! :)
Ubud was once the cultural capital of Bali, which in the early 20th century. was chosen by the creative intelligentsia from all over the world, leaving a legacy of a huge number of art schools, workshops, galleries and making it a center of attraction for artists from all over Indonesia.:)
And today Ubud is a Spiritual center, known throughout the world, where yoga and yogini rule the roost, wellness trainers and coaches, quantum healers, detox specialists, masters of gong meditations and singing bowls, doctors of spa centers that cleanse no less your aura! And it’s all true, and it all works and creates a friendly and cool atmosphere of mutual understanding and unity.
Ubud is a very nice city, you can walk endlessly along its narrow streets,
chatting with friendly Balinese people, lazily fending off intrusive taxi drivers and, of course, visiting numerous shops with luxurious silk dresses and skirts, sarongs and scarves made from real batik. Or spending hours hanging out in shops of stylish silver jewelry, made not only with great taste, but also processed with excellent quality. Or in shops with decorations with magical or spiritual meaning.
Having lunch at numerous healthy vegetarian restaurants and contemplating the rice fields. 
Yes, yes, in the center of Ubud you can go to a cafe and sit on the terrace overlooking the emerald rice field! And sit there until the evening with your laptop, drinking a mango smoothie or lassi.
Yes, Ubud is also saturated with spiritual and healing energy (this has been known since ancient times), and the fact that today it is chosen by New Age followers is absolutely natural. Ubud's famous history dates back to the 8th century, when the Javanese Buddhist monk Rsi Marhandya sailed to Bali from Java and meditated at the confluence of two rivers at Champuan, just west of the modern city center. A temple was later founded there, later expanded by the Javanese priest Nirartha, who is considered the founder of Balinese religious practices and rituals as we know them today. In addition, even in those days, this area was a center of natural medicine and healing, hence the name Ubud: “Ubad” means “medicine” in the ancient Balinese language.
V. Because there are extraordinary rice fields with amazing paths, 
magnificent terraces where you can meditate, relieve stress, walk for hours, watch sunrises and sunsets, breathe in their divine energy.
VI. Oceans of Bali.
They are beautiful. Incredible. Unforgettable. They are powerful, and you can talk about them endlessly, it’s better to visit...
Near each of them there is such an atmosphere saturated with energy that it seems that you can sit down in the morning and, immersed in contemplation, sit until the evening, literally absorbing the aura of the ocean with every cell of the body, until the scarlet disk of the sun falls into your palm and then falls over the horizon .
About the more practical side of the issue - where we live, where we go, where we do yoga - :).