We arrived early in the morning at 8 am and hired a cab from the airport to our villa (IDR 150K / one-way trip) which is near Seminyak Square and the beach.
Although there was some miscommunication between us and the driver (i.e. he did not pick us up), nothing could affect the excitement of our arrival in Bali!
Villa check-in + Sea Circus + Massage + Warung Nasi Babi Guling
Welcome to Villa Jasmine, I really love the stone pavements and wooden entrance that scream Bali resort living! There were two rooms across two storeys and a huge open-air kitchen, which has more than enough space for the four of us.
Look at our balcony - we spent our last girls' night watching stars and having heart to heart talks here. It was perfect!
And the highlight of the villa, our private pool! And we blew up the unicorn for some fun in the sun.
One of my favourite pictures of my girls. Love how the sun shone down on us and formed a geometric shape, adding a special touch to this photo! After our pool party, we headed out for brunch. Our villa was just a stone's throw from Seminyak square and the nearby cafes, so A+ for location.
We walked around Seminyak (IDR 250K / 8GB SIM card) and found many interesting signboards and cafe decors!
Mandatory shot with the exterior of Bali's popular Sea Circus cafe. This is going to be a vibrant post that looks different from my usual style because there are just so many colours in Bali. I won't be doing this place justice if I desaturate the photos, so enjoy!
Welcome to Sea Circus, a lifestyle store that sells beach clothing and colourful wellness food. Must visit in Bali!
Even the menu looks gorgeous.
After much contemplation, I decided to go for the acai bowl (IDR100K)! An insta-worthy bowl of goodness that fills your tummy with almost zero carbs. The perfect kind of indulgence for someone who's training for that beach bod (not that I am, haha)
My other girlfriends chose eggs benedict and Zi Xin got herself some chicken wraps! :)
Wouldn't say the food is amazing, but the overall dining experience sure was.
We wanted to visit Bodyworks (entrance pictured above) for a massage which was just around the corner.
Unfortunately, it was fully booked for the day so we went for a foot massage at Purya along the street (IDR120K / 30 min). Next, we went to Carrefour for some grocery shopping to stock up our fridge and snacks for tomorrow's hike up Mt Batur.
Dinner at Warung Nasi Babi Guling, roasted suckling pig (IDR80K / pax). We were quite surprised that pork was served in Bali. It was not my cup of tea, because firstly I prefer seafood over meat and secondly, the babi was quite tough and had a strong taste. But do give it a try if it's your first time!
With food and massage, we are all geared up for tomorrow's hike that starts at 2 am.
Mt Batur + Toya Devasya Hot Springs + Anong Sari Kopi Luwak +
Tirta Empul Temple + Jimbaran Beach
We woke up at 2 am and began our hike at 4 am with a local guide (IDR475K / pax). 5 hours and 14500 steps later in pure darkness with nothing but our torch lighting the way, we arrived at the peak. We could see the sun glowing from the horizon as people made their way to the vantage point.
Everyone waiting for that golden moment.
There's something special about sunrise that puts a smile across my face. I think it's the symbolic thought of hope and new beginnings.
Although we were shivering in the cold at 1,717m, we were rewarded with an incredible view of rolling milky clouds surrounding the golden sun! Incredibly breathtaking!
Thank you girls for being with me every step of the way, proud of us! We came and we conquered, time for our well-deserved spa treatment. First, another arduous hike down.
Look at this volcano crater! We also saw some locals cooking their eggs in the steam coming out from the vents.
The morning sun peeking through the forest trees, doesn't this look magical?
Some snapshots of our descent - Found this image rather meaningful since the four of us were sort of like these little chicks following our mountain guide.
When the sun was out, I finally saw the tracks in entirety. We had to use our hands to hold onto the rocks and climb with all four limbs, thankfully none of us was injured during this process. At the end of the hike, my muscles were screaming but its so rewarding!
Such adventures make me feel so alive, guess I am addicted to sunrise hikes?
We passed by several villages and temples along the way.
And immediately after arriving at our van, our driver drove us to Toya Devasya hot springs (IDR150K / entry) to rejuvenate and relax our muscles! Did not take any photos because I forgot to bring my gopro and my G7x is not waterproof.
Traditional indo style buffet lunch at Amora Baj (IDR110K / pax) at the top of the mountain, our driver's recommendation!
We wanted to visit Tegenubgan waterfall but scrapped the idea because we were too exhausted for another so we went to Anong Sari for some coffee tasting. They served us a tray filled with different types of coffee, coconut, honey, vanilla etc. and we could purchase the coffee powder after tasting.
Since Bali is well known for Kopi Luwak, known as civet coffee that includes part-digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. It's the world's most expensive coffee(IDR115K / cup), they offered us to taste it.
I don't know if it is sleeping, but this civet looks sad to me. Their living conditions aren't the best and it's heartbreaking to see this. :(
We continued our drive down the mountain and visited Tirta Empul temple (IDR15K / entry).
Photos of the locals bathing in the holy pools and selling fruits in the streets.
Caught this photo of my cheeky girlfriends who were waiting patiently for the spot so that we can take a group photo together but this tourist did not want to move! So we settled for another photo spot below.
Coincidentally colour-coordinated our sarongs!
Just beside the temple lies a street that sells Bali style souvenirs, bags and dresses! Wish we had more time to shop here but we had to head South to catch the sunset at Jimbaran Bay.
Seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay Sri Gangga Cafe (IDR1500K / 4 pax). Be careful of the restaurants you choose - I felt that our meal was too pricey for average seafood. Bleh. Should have done more research instead of going for the first restaurant that approached us. Lesson learnt.
But the overall dining experience on the beach with our toes buried in the sand as we watch the sun set behind the horizon was a memory of a lifetime!
The Bistrot + Twin Lakes + Ulun Danu Temple + Taman Ayun Temple +
Jatiwuluh Rice Terraces + Tanah Lot + Potato Head Beach Club
We slept in after a long tiring day and woke up for a late brunch at this beautiful Victorian style bistro!
Guacamole egg benedict on toast for a hearty brunch (IDR110K). It's my first time trying kombucha, a fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened alcoholic tea. Got mine in mixed berries. Extremely well fed during this trip, this is the life!
A candid art shot of our taitai brunch in Bali hehe.
We were blessed with perfect weather at Twin Lakes! We wanted to try the Bali swing (IDR300K / entry) but it was totally out of the way plus we were expected to queue 30 min for a 2 min experience, so our driver recommended this place as an alternative.
The best part? Affordable with no queue at all (IDR40K / entry). Tips on how to avoid tourist traps but still take your touristy shot. :)
Photos of me counting how many birds flew past haha.
The iconic Taman Ayun temple, or temple on the lake (IDR50K / entry). We instantly recognised it as the famous cover photo of Bali itineraries and vacations.
More temple exploring!
Jawatiluh rice terraces, a UNESCO world heritage site that truly lives up to its title! Never ending hectares and hectares of rice fields, I shall let the photos do the talking (Free entry).
Jawatiluh is the biggest rice field in Bali yet not as touristy as Tegallalang. One might get lost just walking in such dramatic landscape!
Feels surreal to be surrounded by these vast fields of gold and to be breathing in fresh air from the impressively contoured rice terraces, loved every moment of this visit!
As it was nearing sunset, we visited Tanah Lot (IDR60K / entry). A place that boasts one of the most beautiful sunsets in Bali. Sadly, there were rain clouds covering the sun that evening and we did not witness the famous sunset before it started raining. Next time!
A magnificent sight of the waves crashing against the temple that sits just above the coastal shore.
More streets of shopping before we headed for dinner at Potato Head Beach Club!
It was a lovely night listening to live band music and hanging out with my girlfriends, there's also an infinity pool bar in the club!
We treated ourselves with expensive steak, fresh fish and chips and a bowl of (really) succulent oysters since it was our last dinner of this trip (IDR180K / pax). Definitely going to miss Bali and positive vibes on this beautiful island!
Found this little polar bear sleeping in the club's art gallery before we left. Isn't it cute?
Motel Mexicola + Angelita Tea Salon & Patisserie + Harum Bali Lapis Legit
Bali is no short of quaint colourful cafes and we always had a tough time choosing which ones to visit. Finally here at Motel Mexicola!
Lynette looking all happy with her dress that matches the decor!
Mexican juices, tapas and churros for brunch (IDR100K / pax), yumyum!
After packing our luggage and checking out of the villa, we went for our final massage at Kimberly Spa (IDR95K / hr) along the main street of Bali!
On the way to the airport, we stopped by Angelita for tea break.
Feels like we were transported to France with these exquisite delicacies! We indulged ourselves with salted caramel eclair, joy coffee cake, hot chocolate and many of their speciality desserts (IDR110K / pax).
There's so much more to explore in Bali. I've never been to Nusa Penida and it's on the list for my next trip! One can never get enough sunshine, beaches and villas.
Time to say goodbye, I shall end this post with a mega selfie of my beach hat. I'll be back soon! :)
xx
* Pricing in Indonesian rupiah
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