Filipino Travelog: BALI, INDONESIA

SEAsian Tour 2011 (Part 1)

I may say that Bali has a number of amazing things to offer. If you are a kind of person that finds culture interesting, you can enjoy Kekak and Barong-Kris Dance. Coastline of Kuta may give you a selection of water activities in an affordable price for instance surfing, para sailing, jet skiing, banana boat and a lot more. Adventure doesn't end without experiencing the exciting night in Bali, where bars and restos are strategically built for thrill-seekers.

Courtesy of Innovata Map

We flew all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 19, 2011 at around 11pm via Air Asia. It took approximately 3 hours to reach Bali Airport Ngurah Rai Denpasar.

TIP: Traveling in a group has few advantages. You'll get to share the taxi fare and other costly package tour. However, before getting on the taxi in Bali, be wise enough to know the fair fare for taxi or you'll end up spending a lot. You must haggle.

Taxi Fare:

From the airport to Hotel Sorga, Kuta – R55,000

Accommodation

Hotel Sorga
The room is clean with pleasant ventilation. Then the bathroom is very spacious with a bathtub and they have something in front of the room to hang your damp clothes. The swimming pool is clean and clear. On the other hand, the breakfast is few for travelers who need so much of energy for a tour in Bali. That time, there never had free airport transfer and you need to rent their computer to have an access on the net. The staffs are friendly and accommodating.
For the updated list of service, you may visit their website.

Super Deluxe Room inclusive of
- Air-con
- TV
- Hot & Cold Shower
- with breakfast for three
Rate: RP 425,000 (P1882.75)

breakfast

Contact Information

Address: Pantai Kuta Street, Br., Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Telephone #: +62 361 751897
E-mail: contact@hotelsorgakuta.com
Website: http://www.hotelsorgakuta.com/

Itinerary

July 19, 2011 (Tue)

Kuala Lumpur to Bali, Indonesia

July 20, 2011 (Wed)

Barong Kris Dance

Tirta Empul Temple

Babi Guling Restaurant

Ketut Liyer- The Medicine Man

Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary (Ubud Monkey Forest)

Taman Ayun Temple

July 21, 2011 (Thur)

Kekak Dance

Surfing Lesson

Dinner at Jimbaran Bay

TIP: Enjoying the island of Bali has to come with a good tour guide as well as a dirver. So before you visit this place, you must contact this driver few months before so you could have the dates you desire. He might be fully-booked especially during peak season.

Review:
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 5 STARS FOR ABBE's SERVICE. I can't really say anything bad about Abbe Bali Driver. From the very first time I met him, you may say that this person would not fool you around. He knows how to treat his clients well without offending them because of culture differences. He is a type of person that would please you and won't exploit u as a tourist. He has the etiquette and when it's business, he seriously means it. For a full-day tour in Denpasar, he will suggest the most possible itinerary and it will surely be accomplished on his best ways. The only bad thing about this person, when we tried to invite him to eat with us, he always refused, hahaha. Anyway, for those who would like to enjoy the sun and the colorful culture of Bali, Abbe is there to help you. He will definitely make your stay in Bali a menorable one.

Contact Information:
Address: Gang 5-Tukad Yeh Aya Denpasar, Indonesia 80361

Phone: +62 87860570999

Email: abadi_guide@yahoo.com
Facebook: Abbe Bali Driver
Website: http://abaditransport.wordpress.com/

Tourist Sites

1. Barong Kris Dance – entrance fee is IDR80,000 (P355.42)

Barong is a lion-like character in the Balinese mythology located in Indonesia. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guards in the mythological traditions of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda is the highlight in Barong dance to show the eternal battle between good and evil.

Location: Ubud, Bali Indonesia
Admission Fee: IDR 80,000-100,000 or 10.20 USD

Taking picture with a costume- R3,000 (P13) per shot

2. Tirta Empul Temple

also known as holy spring water temple. Tirta Empul is named by the Tirta Ri Air Hampul and then changed to Tirta Hampul and finally became the Tirta Empul. Tirta Ri air hampul simply means the water or the holy pool (Petirthan) emerges from the land.
Balinese people believe that this water source can heal various diseases, that's why this place is visited by many Hindu people to do the ritual. This place has been opened for public and one of the famous tourist destinations in Bali.

(the holy water)

(the worshiper)

Admission fee: IDR 15,00 or 1.65 USD
Location: Tampak Siring Village, Gianyar Regency
39 km eastward from Denpasar, Bali Indonesia

TIP: Majority of the attractions in Bali are temples and other religious sites. Upon entering these sacred places, visitors are advised to wear jeans or anything that would cover your legs. So to save some bucks and to avoid skin problems, you can bring your own sarong if you're always wearing short pants. Most sarong at the entrance can be rented for a few bucks.

3. Babi Guling Restaurant

Babi Guling is a suckling pig usually stuffed with concoction such as coriander seeds, lemongrass, turmeric, black pepper and garlic. It is like 'Lechon' in the Philippines where pig is roasted until the skin becomes crispy. Babi Guling meal can be with other side dish like vegetables and other local food including rice.

Location: Babi Guling, Ibu Oka, Ubud Bali Indonesia
Price: IDR 30,000-50,000 excluding drinks

4. Ketut Liyer- free attraction

- he is the one being described in Elizabeth Gilbert's international bestseller 'Eat Pray Love' and its subsequent film adaptation starring Julia Roberts. These are just a few of his description, but who this man really is. Ketut is in fact a medicine man, healer, a palm reader, and a painter who lives in Bali, Indonesia.He is not like any other palm reader who chants a mantra, sprinkles holy water, and rings a bell to visitors, instead he looks at the person's eyes, then observes their ears, lips, and nose before reading the palm.

Palm reading: IDR 250,000 or 28 USD
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
Location: Pengosekan - Mas, Ubud Bali Indonesia

5. Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary (Ubud Monkey Forest)

6. Taman Ayun Temple

7. Surfing with a teacher for an hour –IDR100,000 (P444.2)

Our instructor taught us the basic of surfing for an hour and after that you'll do it on your own for another hour. I had so much fun learning this new water skill. At first, it was kinda tiring but once you'll get the technique, you would like to extend more.

TIP: You can find cheaper rate and sometimes you can haggle.

8. Kekak Dance- IDR70,000 (P310.35)

Kecak dance is played mainly by men, performers or dancers sit in line and a circle with certain rhythm voices calling for "cak", raising their hands. This kecak dance created in the 1930s by Wayan Limbak and with a German painter Walter Spies. They create a dance based on ancient traditions and take sanghyang from parts Ramayana story. This dance became popular when Wayan Limbak the Balinese dancers with her tour around the world to introduce the Kecak dance.

Admission fee: IDR 80,000

9. Dinner at Jimbaran Bay

This should be on your itinerary after a tiring day-tour around Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia. Experience the unique style of dinner at the beach overlooking the sunset at Jimbaran Bay. While enjoying your meals, you can watch Barong Kris dance mostly performed by kids. Most restaurants have variety of seafood packages including calamari, prawn, clam shell, crabs, fish cooked the way you like it. Other packages may have spicy barbeque and vegetables included. While waiting for your meal, you can have a quick stroll at the bay and try the grilled corn with butter, garlic and secret spices on it.
Tip: You have to tell to your guide ahead of time so that you can have available seats for dinner. Sometimes, the whole bay is packed with tourists and it's hard to get the spot you want.