Bali: Temples, Nature and Culture on the Island of the Gods

Indonesia

July 2018

Bali: Temples, Nature, and Culture on the Island of the Gods

Arrival on the Magical Island

We arrived in Bali on a Saturday night, excited to begin our adventure on this magical island of Indonesia. As soon as we stepped into Ngurah Rai Airport, we could already feel that different kind of atmosphere, as if the island were welcoming us with its blend of incense and tropical humidity. We had booked a taxi with Joko (@jokobalitransport) through Instagram, and from the very first moment everything flowed naturally.

Our first accommodation was in the north, at OmUnityBali, an eco-resort that promised total disconnection. Although it was only 90 kilometers away, Balinese traffic is an experience in itself: narrow roads, scooters everywhere, and a kind of chaos that somehow becomes part of the charm. The journey took more than two and a half hours, and we arrived when it was almost dawn. But the morning surprised us: the whole hotel was waiting for us for a communal breakfast. Starting the day with group breathing exercises was a curious and refreshing way to begin our adventure in Indonesia.

Exploring the North

We rented a scooter, something almost essential for getting around the island, and headed to the impressive Sekumpul Waterfall. This place is a true natural spectacle: water falls from several heights surrounded by lush vegetation. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Bali, with seven main cascades, and to reach it you have to descend a long stretch of stairs through the jungle. Without a doubt, a spectacular start to our route.

After that, we went to Wanagiri Hidden Hill Bali, a place known for its swings and wooden nests that offer panoramic views of Lake Buyan. Yes, it is quite touristy, but we couldn’t resist taking a few photos. It was funny to see how hard the workers tried to capture the best light and angles, almost as if they were improvised directors of photography.

Then we visited the famous Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, located on the shore of Lake Bratan. It is one of Bali’s most iconic temples, dedicated to the goddess of water, and the peacefulness of the place made us feel as if we were inside a postcard. That said, this part of the island is surprisingly cold — who would have thought, in Indonesia — so we had to buy some jumpers to keep warm.

The Magic of Ubud

After exploring the north, we moved on to Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. We stayed at Bije Suite Villa, a wonderful place with a private pool at prices that felt like a real bargain. We spent three incredible nights there, completely switching off.

One day we decided to eat at Sweet Orange Warung, a small restaurant hidden among the rice fields. The decoration, with coconuts painted like faces, and the food — homemade nasi and mie goreng — completely won us over. The fruit smoothies were the perfect addition to a lunch surrounded by nature.

In Ubud, we couldn’t miss the Campuhan Ridge Walk, a trail that follows a green valley with panoramic views. We also visited the Monkey Forest, a sanctuary full of mischievous monkeys that, although adorable, have huge teeth and do not hesitate to come close if they spot food. During those days, we rented another scooter and explored the Tegallalang rice fields, with their stepped terraces typical of the subak irrigation system. We also went for a swim at the spectacular Tibumana Waterfall and ventured into the fun Tukad Cepung Waterfall, where the walk through a river canyon was quite an experience.

Visiting Nusa Penida

From Padang Bay, we took a ferry to the wonderful island of Nusa Penida. Although we have heard that the roads have improved, riding a scooter there is still one of the craziest experiences we have ever had: sharp bends, potholes, and breathtaking scenery. We stayed at Bitang Hostel, a pagoda-style accommodation in the west of the island with spectacular views.

From there, we visited Crystal Bay Beach, where we enjoyed the best dragon fruit juice and watched one of the most magical sunsets of our lives. Nearby, we also saw the famous arch at Angel’s Billabong, a natural pool sculpted by the waves, where we were lucky enough to watch the sea crash powerfully against the coast. We also ventured to Kelingking Beach, famous for its tyrannosaurus-shaped cliff. The stairs leading down to the beach have been improved, but we still hold a nostalgic memory of how unique they used to be.

To close our experience in Nusa Penida, we did a trek to Seganing Waterfall. The route, full of steps carved into the rock and sticks used as handrails, was wonderful. The waterfall itself is less crowded than others, and the sound of the falling water made us feel completely connected with nature.

An Unexpected Change of Plans

Our initial idea was to visit the Gili Islands, but rough seas left us stranded for one more day in Nusa Penida. In the end, that led us to change our plans and move to the neighboring island of Nusa Ceningan, an unplanned destination. There we stayed at Nusa Veranda Sunset Villa and, surprisingly, ate the best carbonara pasta in the world at The Sand, a beach bar with sea views. We went back two nights in a row.

In Nusa Ceningan, we rested a lot, explored the Blue Lagoon — a cove with turquoise waters — and crossed the famous yellow bridge that connects it with Nusa Lembongan. This place, although less well known, had its own charm: peace, untouched landscapes, and a much slower pace of life.

Farewell to Bali

Finally, we returned to Bali by ferry and spent our last days in the south of the island, near Luhur Uluwatu Temple. This temple, perched on a cliff above the ocean, is also full of mischievous monkeys that accompanied us during the visit. We made the most of that final day by going to Balangan Beach, a perfect spot for surfers with a spectacular sunset. Always accompanied by a refreshing watermelon juice, our farewell was the perfect way to conclude this magical adventure in Bali.