Bali is a place free of stress, as a local driver told us so.
My friends and I took a night flight , and arrived there almost 11pm. (note: Visa On Arrival is US$10.00/person as of 2009)
When landed, we at once can smell the special scent of Bali and find ourselves immersed in an airport heavily decorated with the Bali style.
There are counters outside the airport offering taxi service. You simply register there, and they will take care of you from then on.
Our hotel is Furama Villa & Spa, booked from www.luxury.com.sg hotel page. It’s a four start hotel, odd but stylish.
We had a good rest and got us ready for the adventure in Bali!
There are four famous beaches in Bali, namely Kuta, NusaDua, Sanur Beach and Jimbaran Beach.
Nusa Dua is mainly for water sports, such as diving, snorkling, banana boats, ect.
Jimbaran Beach is famous for its breathtaking view of sunset. And a seafood BBQ along the beach is a perfect match for the beautiful view.
Day 1
Kuta area is one of the most famous beaches. However, the sea is not very clean and the wind is too strong. You can enjoy a nice surfing there instead of swimming.
Don’t worry if you know little about surfing. A quick tutoring is available to send you on board:) even better, you will be rewarded with a certificate after the surfing training:D
After 2 hours surfing we all exhausted and starved to death. Luckily, a small local restaurant – Rumah Makan Bamboo Corner – is not far away. Their food is more than good and the fresh fruit drinks just couldn’t be any better.
After dinner we booked rafting from a local agent. Actually you can easily book a tour from the batch of local agents. One of the most interesting activities in Bali is to bargain. Practice and try harder, you will get a good rate for your tour.
Day 2
2 hours on road from hotel to Ayung River, we arrived safe and sound. The staffs gave us a short breifing and then led us to the rafting boat. Our team leader is Ben, a native who knows this river well.
Strictly followed his instruction, we went rafting for about 1hr. At first, we were afraid of dropping off into the river. After practice some more, our skills improved a bit and we finally came to relax, and began to enjoy the scenery on the way.
After rafting the organizer provided a free buff lunch and transfer for us to Ubud Market – the biggest market for local products, such as traditional handiworks.
SPA was anther highlight in Bali. We went to an average-priced spa center ZEN, in Ubud. Their massage after spa was fantastic.
Another restaurant worth a special mention called Dirty Duck. It serves local specialties in an international style. The crispy duck is one of their famous dishes and you’d better to make a reservation beforehand.
Day 3
We rented a car for one day sightseeing. The driver picked us up to Tanah Lot in early morning, a renowned temple on the top of a huge stone overlooking the sea. When the stone was submerged by rising tide, the temple looks like standing on the surface of the sea.
Afterwards, we headed to Blue Point Hotel, a world celebrated hotel boasts for its church that made of glass and its special-designed outdoor swimming pool. Moreover, the Blue Point Hotel has its own beach. As Vanessa sings, save the best to the last. This last stop did give a happy ending to our journey in Bali.
