Show me my Planet (2025)

29/02/2020

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗨𝗹𝘂𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘂 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
Ulun Danu Temple is located in the north of Bali, on the mountainous Bedugul Regency. It lies at the edge of Baratan Lake and this makes the temple look very unique. The name Danu comes from the goddess Danu which is the queen of water, rivers and lakes. The temple was built to give honour and adoration for the goddess.

When we visited the area, it was quite dark and the mist was hanging over the lake, looking as it would flow around the temple. It gave the sacred place an even more mysterious atmosphere. The weather here is very different compared to the other parts of sunny Bali. However, I have heard this kind of misty climate is quite common around this area.

The temple grounds are very beautiful with gardens and shrines that are dedicated to different gods. You can also rent a boat and go explore the lake, or just walk around the different parts of temple gardens.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Hindu Temple
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: North of Bali ( about 1 hour drive from Ubud )
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 7.00 - 19.00
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲:
Adult - 50K IDR ( €3,00 )
Child - 25K IDR ( €1,50 )

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: You can wear regular clothes however remember it is a sacred place so the clothing should be respectful.

𝗧𝗶𝗽: I would recommend bringing a jumper or a light jacket as it can get a bit breezy. Also when visiting this temple you can also stop by Handara Golf Course Gate.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: I would totally recommend renting a scooter and getting there on your own. However you can always rent a driver to take you around for the whole day and put this attraction on your list.

20/12/2019

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝘂𝗵𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple is the oldest and holiest temple in Bali. Tucked away on the east side of the island, located on the slope of Mount Lempuyang, 1,175 meters above sea level. It is quite far from other tourist attractions however remotely close to the previously mentioned Tirta Gangga.

Many people don't realise that there are actually seven temples on the Pura Lempuyang grounds. The first temple is about 5 minutes walk from the car park and presents the very well known “Gates of Heaven”, which are facing the active Mount Agung volcano. If you feel like going on a hike I would recommend to climb up the stairs and reach the top of this sacred place. On the way you will be able to explore the other six temples. However the hike isn’t one of the easiest and can take up to 2 hours to reach the top.
As this place is very popular among the tourists it can get extremely crowded and you mind need to wait hours in a queue in order to take your iconic photo at the gate. Therefore the best time to visit the temple is during the sunrise hours. Not only will you avoid “rush hour” but it is also the best time to take your picture. Also the reflection you can see on the photos aren’t done by water but with a small mirror. There will be a local that will take your picture, however a small tip will be expected.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: There are few rules you should obey at the temple.

Dress code is essential
No kissing
No Yoga poses
No drones

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Hindu Temple
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: East side of Bali ( about 2 hours drive from Ubud)
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 7.00 - 17.00 ( however for worship purpose it is open 24h)
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 30 min - 4 hours
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: Donations only ( I would recommend to leave 10 - 30K IDR [0,70 - €2,00] )

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲:
Both women and men are required to wear a sarong and cover their shoulders. You can bring you own or rent it at the temple for 10K IDR (0,70 c)

𝗧𝗶𝗽: Best time for picture is a sunrise or a sunset. Also if you want to avoid the crowds arrive before 9am.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: I would totally recommend to rent a scooter and get there in your own time. However you can always rent a driver to take you around for the whole day and put this attraction on your list.

19/12/2019

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗧𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗮
Tirta Gangga which means water of the Ganges (Hinduism's holy river) is a former royal palace. Now it is open to the public and attracts many visitors. It also became hugely known place for the iconic “Instagram photo”.

This water palace consists of many pools, magnificent fountains, lush gardens and many sculptures depicting mythical creatures. The centrepiece is surrounded by stepping stones on the pond. There you can spot many coy fish of every size. You can feed them and buy fish food right outside the palace grounds for only 5K IDR (0.30 c) per bag.

In this Balinese sacred place there are pools where you can see kids and locals cool down during the hot season. However, as far as I am concerned it is close to the tourists and can only be accessed by the local people.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Right outside the gates you can see animals such as huge bats and other small furry creature being exploited for tourism. Please do NOT contribute to this cruel act.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Former Royal Palace
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: East Bali ( about 2h drive from Ubud)
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 7.00 until 18.00
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 1h-2h
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: IDR 10,000

𝗧𝗶𝗽: This is a very popular destination and I would recommend to arrive early if you want to skip the crowds. We got there around 9am and it was already full of tourists.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: I would totally recommend to rent a scooter and get there in your own time from Ubud. However you can always rent a driver to take you around for the whole day and put this attraction on your list.

19/12/2019

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗚𝘂𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝘄𝗶 𝗦𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘂 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲

Gunung Kawi Sebatu is another beautiful water temple, located in Sebatu village, near Ubud town. In here as well as in Pura Tirta Empul locals can take part in purification ceremony. This unique place is not well known among the tourists therefore you might be able to explore the grounds pretty much on your own. The greenery, natural stonewalls and the water springs add to a very peaceful atmosphere.

On the temple grounds there is a big pond with plenty of fish and water lilies. There you can buy fish food and relax by the water while feeding the fish. It is a lovely place to escape away from busy touristy attractions.

Outside the temple there is few small stalls where local ladies sell souvenirs and sarongs. If you don’t have a sarong or forgot it at the hotel you can always get it there. However always remember to bargain.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Hindu Temple
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Sebatu Village ( about 30 minutes drive from Ubud Town)
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 8.00 - 16.00
𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: Men as well women must wear a Sarong
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 30 minutes to 1 hour
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: 15,000 IDR ( €1,00 )

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: You can easily drive down and park your scooter outside the temple. You can also hire a driver for a day and put this temple on your list for the day.

18/12/2019

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗮 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗹

Pura Tirta Empul meaning “Holy Water Temple” is a sacred place for Hindu Balinese people for thousands of years. The temple is a place of worship as well as a place of purification ceremony. According to the legend, Indra the Hindu god created the spring that feeds the 13 fountains in the temple and infused it with magical powers. Local people bathe in the holy water during the purification ceremony in order to cleanse their soul and ward of evil.

When we visited the temple it was at the early morning hours, about 7 am. We were so lucky to meet a temple keeper who explained to us how does the ceremony work, what does it mean and encouraged us to take part. He was so kind and didn’t want anything in return.

Before entering the pool you need to remember a few things. First of all you will need to change into a special sarong, which you can rent in the temple however don't forget to bring your bathing suit to wear underneath. You can bring offerings made of flowers and leave it at the special place near the pool. When beginning with the ceremony you need to start from left fountain to the right. Also not all of the springs should be used and occasionally you might feel fish swimming near your feet.

This was such a magical experience. Not only were we able to take part in this beautiful ceremony but we have been welcome to take part by a local. It didn't feel that we were intruding but rather we felt as part of the community.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Hindu Temple
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Manukaya Village ( about 30 minutes drive from Ubud Town)
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 8.00 - 18.00
𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: Men as well women must wear a Sarong
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 30 minutes to 1H 30 minutes
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: 15,000 IDR ( €1,00 )

𝗧𝗶𝗽: The place gets very busy during the day so try to arrive early. Also it is a sacred place, so please be respectful.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: You can easily drive down and park your scooter outside the temple in the car park. You can also hire a driver for a day and put this temple on your list for the day.

17/12/2019

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸

Campuhan Ridge Walk is literally a hidden gem of Ubud. Located relatively close to town, however you won’t find it unless you really look for it. We tried to follow Google Maps maps, however no luck. We only found out after we left Ubud that to start off your hike you will need to enter through the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa Hotel.

It is a scenic hiking valley trail, with more jungle and forest walk rather than just rice fields. A lot of the area is in the open sun, so be prepared to bring a lot of water and choose morning hours or late afternoon, as the sun can get extremely hot.

On a clear day if you’re lucky and the weather’s extra good, you might be able to admire the view of Mount Agung standing tall and proud along the way.

*Imagine not mine

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Ubud Town ( Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa Hotel)
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: No closing time
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 1H 30 minutes to 2H
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: Free

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: You can either walk or drive your scooter from town to the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa Hotel.

03/12/2019

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗧𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀
Rice paddies are a signature landmark of Ubud and Bali. Tegalalang Rice Terraces are among the most popular once due to their unusual terrace like layout. The area alone offers beautiful scenic views of green fields and palm trees. You can walk around the paddies and explore the local rice farm. There you can also find a Bali swing and take your iconic photo. This is mostly a tourist attraction however from time to time you can notice local people still working in the fields.

It is located about 20 minutes drive north of Ubud town. You can easily drive there with a scooter or order a taxi, however make sure you set the price before hopping in the car. Once you park someone might approach you to pay for parking which will include the entrance fee. Then you can walk down to the fields through one of the restaurants facing the beautiful terraces.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: North of Ubud ( about 20 minutes drive from Ubud Town)
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: No closing time
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 20 minutes to 1H 30 minutes
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲:
Entrance - 15K IDR ( €1,00)
Parking - 5K IDR ( 0,40 )

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: You can drive with a scooter and park on the side of the road or rent a taxi. Also most of the organised tours include this attraction

01/12/2019

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆
Monkey Forest is located right in the centre of Ubud town and is a sanctuary for the natural habitat of the Balinese long-tailed Monkeys. The forest cover 10th kilometre square and is a home to over 700 monkeys and 168 species of plants and trees. On the grounds you can also find three spiritual temples, however they are closed to the public. You can only admire it from behind the closed gates.

The park itself is a very magical place. Despite the great number of tourists it can be somehow peaceful, as you’re surrounded by enormous trees barely able to see the sky. There you will encounter monkeys of every age, infants, teens and adults. They are usually very friendly, however can get aggressive if wanting to get your food. It is advised not to carry any food or valuables as monkeys can snitch it off your hand or from your bag.

The park is surrounded by a high stone wall however the animals can easily exit the park at any time, therefore drivers should pay extra caution while driving by exit/ entrance gates.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Ubud Town
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 8.30 - 17.30
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 2 - 3 hours
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲:
Adults - 80K IDR ( €5.00 )
Children - 60K IDR ( €4.00 )

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: You can either drive your scooter and park nearby the forest or simply walk from Ubud town.

01/12/2019

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗗𝗼

𝗚𝗪𝗞 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸
GWK which stands for Garuda Wisnu Kencana is a cultural park that draws visitors to explore the cultural performances, listen to the folklore tales and admire the statues from Hindu mythology.

One of the most impressive attractions in the park is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, which was opened for tourists only in 2018. It presents the Hindu God Wisnu, atop his mount, the mythical eagle, Garuda. According to the myth, Garuda agreed to be ridden by Lord Wisnu in return for the right to use the elixir to liberate his enslaved mother. It is the highest statue in the world reaching 120 meters. On the other hand some of religious authorities on the island complained that the enormous size of the statue can disturb the spiritual balance and the commercial purpose to be inappropriate.

In the park there are many daily performances such as Balinese Dance, Barong Keris Dance,Rindik instrument performance as well as Balinese parade and much more. There are specific times and places of each show, so I would recommend to check the schedule before hand on their official website.

The beautiful pictures of this place attracts many people however the visitors experience of the park is not that appealing. Many claiming this to be a typical tourist trap, with plenty of hidden extra costs with not so friendly staff. Therefore we gave it a miss this time but maybe in the future we will return to visit the GWK Cultural Park.

*Image taken from krishnabalitours.com

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: South of Bali. About 20 min drive from Kuta
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 8.00 - 22.00
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 2 - 4 hours
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲:
Entrance - 120K IDR ( €8,00 )
Transport to the statue - 30K IDR ( €2,00 )
Entrance to the statue 150K IDR ( €10 )

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: You can get there by taxi, Grab or by driving your own scooter. You can park near the entrance but you will need to pay extra for parking

𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: www.gwkbali.com

24/11/2019

𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗯𝘂𝘄𝘂𝗸
Alam Sembuwuk is a nice resort tucked away, between the rice fields, about 20 minutes drive from the popular Ubud town. In the mornings, you can enjoy coffee in your own balcony overlooking the green fields. If you're lucky you might even spot some monkeys playing in the trees.

Hotel offers many free activities like morning yoga, jungle trekking or Balinese dance class. You can also pre book a floating breakfast and enjoy it while having a dip in the pool. It is a great place if you’d like to cut off from a busy lifestyle and just relax.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Hotel
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 20 minutes drive from Ubud town
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: €25 + per night

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻: 14.00
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁: 12.00 (noon)

𝗧𝗶𝗽: The resort is quite far from Ubud town, therefore if you don’t have you own motorcycle you might struggle with transport.

24/11/2019

𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘁
Hideout is a unique Eco stay for adventurous travellers. Here you can experience a real feel of Balinese village. The bamboo houses are situated near the mountains of Gunung Agung volcano, rice fields and a nearby river.

The bamboo houses are made of two stores with the bedroom located on the top floor. Right in front of the unique triangular window, there are multiple bean bags for reading, cuddling and relaxing, the perfect place for meditation. During your stay you will also receive a lend of a basic scooter, that can get you around.

There are six different bamboo houses: Hay House,Hideout Horizon, Hideout Falcon, Hideout Beehive Hideout Lightroom and Hideout Bali

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Bamboo House - Glamping
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: East of Ubud
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: About €200 per night

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻: 15.00 - 19.00
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁: 11.00

𝗧𝗶𝗽: If you want to secure the stay make sure to book far in advance, as the place tend to be booked out.

*Image taken from twitter -

24/11/2019

𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗰𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲
Firefly Eco Lodge like the name indicates is based on an Eco friendly approach. Most of the structures in the resort are built from recycled materials and bamboo. It is located only a short walk from Ubuds town centre. However to get there you will need to make a little track through the rice fields, as it is tucked away in the secluded fields bringing you close to nature.

There are four different styles of accommodation on the premises.

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘁
Birds Nests consists of four nests stack one on top of another. Visitors must climb the bamboo ladder in order to reach the sleeping area. It is an open air pod that sleeps two people. Your belonging on the other hand can be stored in a locker that is located in the common room

𝗘𝗰𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲
It is a secluded bamboo cottage with an open air bedroom facing the palms and rice fields. It’s as if modern luxury meets outdoor living.

𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲
Tree House is a two story accommodation that’s nearly all made of bamboo. At the lower deck you can enjoy your breakfast overlooking the rice fields while on the second floor there is an open air bedroom with a queen bed

𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀
If you want to experience the nature atmosphere but still would like the comfort of air conditioner and some concrete polished walls then this is a room for you.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Bamboo Houses - Glamping
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Ubud
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: €20 - €70 per night

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻: 14.00
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁: 12.00 (noon)

𝗧𝗶𝗽: This type of stay might not be for everyone as it is a nature isolated accommodation with open air bedrooms. Therefore there you might encounter many little creatures like lizards or spiders crawling around.

*Image taken from Ubudhood.com

24/11/2019

𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗕𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹
Staying in a Bubble Hotel is an experience on its own. A transparent, air bubble accommodation where you can look at the stars at night without needing to leave your bed. Each bubble room is located with a great distances from one another, with hills and hedges separating the areas. This gives the visitors their own private space with a feel of being there alone.

The hotel is situated in the middle of rice paddies, giving a very relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. It is a perfect stay for a romantic getaway. In there you can also request for a special facilities of bonfire or a romantic dinner, but it of course comes with an extra price. Although I wouldn't recommend to stay there for more than two nights, as the toilet and shower is outside, covered only by bamboo trees.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Bubble Hotel - Glamping
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Ubud
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: €80 - €150 per night

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻: 15.00
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁: 12.00

𝗧𝗶𝗽: If you decide to stay in this romantic place make a day out of it. The area is too beautiful to leave for the city and stay only at night time. Also try to get the bubble with the private swimming pool.

20/11/2019

𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
Transport in Bali is quite limited in comparison
to the numbers of tourists visiting the island. Most common once are motorbike rentals, taxis and private car hire with the driver. There is also a public minibus called Bemo, however I haven’t used one nor have I seen one.

A lot of the hotels offer the services or cooperate with local businesses, so this would be a safe bet to avoid getting scammed. However sometimes you can get a better deal from a local, you just need to know where to look.

The range in price depends on the provider and the area where it is located. You should always watch out for the scammers. If they see that you are new in the area they will try to pump up the price to a ridiculous amount.

𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹
Motorbike rental in my opinion is the best way to travel in Bali. It gives you the freedom to go anywhere you want at any time. In more touristy areas you can encounter heavy traffic and you can easily skip it on the bike. However if you are not an experienced driver you might find it difficult to get around as the traffic can also be very chaotic.

In order to rent a motorbike in Bali by law you are required to have an international driving license. However not many places ask for it. Once you can pay and provide a passport ID you are good to go. Regardless you should always wear a helmet at all times. If you don’t, be prepared to get stopped by the local police and pay a fine. Helmet will also keep you safe in the crazy road conditions.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: 40,000 - 80,000 IDR ( €2,50 - 5,00) per day

𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗶
Taxis in Bali can be very tricky. Many drivers often try to overcharge you by not using the meter or taking you the longer way to your destination. There is a company called Blue Bird Taxi which seems to be the most honest of them all. Some taxi drivers try to make their vehicles look very similar to the Blue Bird so make sure you can see a bird logo at the top of the cab.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: Flag-down rate of 7,000 IDR (about 50 cents), then about IDR 6,500 ( 40 cent) for every added kilometre

𝗨𝗯𝗲𝗿/𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗯
In Asia Grab is the European version of Uber. It is the cheapest way of transport if your travelling from the Airport or moving hotels. However Grab is only reachable in the South of the island. In many places, especially rural areas like Ubud, they don’t permit Grab with, signs visible on the streets or at the hotels.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: Usually 30% - 50% cheaper than the taxi

𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿
Hiring a driver is the most common way used by tourists to exploring Bali. You can either book a tour where you will visit all the popular sightseeing destinations or you can plan yourself where you would like to go and the driver will take you there. The guys that will be taking you around are always super friendly and will go the extra mile to make your experience even better.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: About 600,000 IDR ( €40 ) for full day

*Image 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.𝗰𝗼𝗺

19/11/2019

𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶

Bali is the most popular Indonesian island among the luxurious tourists as well as the backpackers. It is known for its beautiful rice fields, volcanic hill sites, incredible waterfalls, rough waves for surfing and of course the calmness and spirituality. Its magical culture and super friendly locals is the true beauty of this place. Unlike the rest of Indonesia, Balinese people didn't convert into Islam but remained in their own traditional culture.

Although Bali has a lot of tourists visiting every year, there are still some incredible and rather quite destinations on the island. The island is big and hides so many natural and man-made gems, therefore to get the best out of Bali you will have to visit more than one place.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀:

𝗞𝘂𝘁𝗮 - Very popular among surfers as Kuta beach is perfect for experienced and beginners. This is also a good place if you would like to go a little crazy and experience the nightlife of Bali. However expect high prices and not as friendly locals.

𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘆𝗮𝗸 - Located super close to Kuta. Is more family friendly and of course is very popular for their Instagrammable coffee shops.

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗴𝘂 - Is a younger sister of Seminyak. A small town known for young travellers and surfers. There you can find many hipster cafes and yoga studios.

𝗨𝗹𝘂𝘄𝗮𝘁𝘂 - Unlike the previous destinations, it is located further south of Bali. It is known for its hilltop Uluwatu temple and the luxurious resorts with incredible sunsets facing the Indian Ocean.

𝗨𝗯𝘂𝗱 - If you are looking for more quiet and cultural destination Ubud would be a place for you. There you can find plenty of rice fields, sacred temples, many yoga and meditation classes. Here you can relax and take in the beauty of Real Bali

We also shouldn't forget about the neighbouring smaller islands Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and of course Gili Islands.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁
Bali consists of only two seasons: dry and rainy. Dry season is between April and October and the most visited months are July and August.

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
Currency used in Indonesia is Rupiah. €1.00 is equivalent to 16000 IDR

18/09/2019

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗶

𝟴. 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲

Art in Paradise is a 3-D museum with about 130 images of illustrations. I am sure most of you have seen the 3 - D images online or on the streets that have been drawn by the street artists. The paintings are fun to play around with. They make you look like you are a part of the image or that the image is part of your world.

There are six different zones in the museum; underwater world, wildlife area, classical art, ancient Egypt, surreal art and dinosaur zone. Beside each painting there is an area mark with an X on the floor. This is the place from which the picture should be taken in order to create that 3-D effect.

We decided to give it a go as the reviews said, it was a fun place to spend an hour or two. However once we entered the building and saw the price, we turned around and headed to the exit door. Tickets are quite expensive comparing to local prices and for what it is. We also weren’t the only once that were discouraged by the entrance fee. We saw a group of people that went in and came right out as well. Although if you are here just on short holidays and have some spare time and money why not give it a go and snap some fun shots.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Museum
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Chiang Mai Central

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 9.00 until 19.00
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: 400 Baht ( €12 )
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 1 or 2 hours

𝗧𝗶𝗽: Go as a group of friends or at least as a couple. You will need a pair of hands to take pictures of each other.

18/09/2019

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗶

𝟳. 𝗕𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲
Bor Sang is a small village just outside of Chiang Mai. Many people also call it an umbrella village due to its umbrella making crafts.

While driving through the streets of Bor Sang you will see small souvenir shops displaying beautiful paper umbrellas. They come in every size from small cocktail umbrellas to big garden parasols.

The highlight of the trip to the village is a visit to the umbrella factory. You can enter the main craft station free of charge and you can observe the craftsmen and women at their daily work. You can see how each small and big part is made. From curving the wood to creating paper from bamboo.

Workers are very friendly and are willing to show you how everything is made. Most of the people working there are elderly and are employed for already 20 years +

Once you leave the factory through the big store, you can buy a paper or silk umbrella as a souvenir. They are quite cheap about 250 Baht ( €7 ) and are all very pretty with hand painted patterns.

I got one for myself too, beautiful blue paper umbrella. However it will be no use in my country as in Ireland we don’t have sun but rain. Although it will be a beautiful decoration item.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Local Village / Crafts
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Bor Sang , about 9 km away from Chiang Mai

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 8.30 until 17.00
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: Free
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 1 hour

𝗧𝗶𝗽: Don’t be shy to talk to the workers. They may not speak good English but it’s nice to hear their story

18/09/2019

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗶

𝟲. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸

I must say, it took me a while to be convinced about the Elephant Sanctuary. However after hours of research, first hand experience of others and talk with the workers of this Park, I decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed

As an animal lover I would never go into places where animals are kept captive for tourism and are displayed as a prop. This place in another hand is a real elephant sanctuary, where rescue elephants get a chance to live a normal life.

The elephants in the park are either old or injured, that have been rescued from illegal logging, tourism rides and more

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸;
No Riding
No bullhooks or chains
No bathing with elephants ( you can only observe)
No touching ( unless the elephants come to you)

Many people don’t realise this, however many “ Sanctuaries” are no different than tourist attractions where animals are being abused. The name on its own doesn’t make the place an actual sanctuary, so please before you go to any place that has animals do your research right. For example when people bath with elephants, the animal doesn’t behave naturally. Many places force the animal to get into the river while it’s surrounded by many tourists that are splashing water at them from each side. The elephants are distressed but obey.

In Elephant Nature Park I witness the joy of big and small elephants playing with each other in the water. There was no one to disturb them.

In the park, elephants aren’t the only animals that have been rescued. There are also about 400 dogs and cats and 100 buffaloes roaming around.

The reason for tourists visiting the park is simple. The sanctuary needs money to support the living costs of the animals. This is a privately owned sanctuary with no funding from the government. The ticket fee is quite expensive, however it includes the shuttle bus from your hotel and a very tasty vegetarian lunch buffet.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Elephant Sanctuary
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 60 km away from Chiang Mai

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀: Daily 9.00 until 17.00
𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 8h
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲: 2,500 Baht ( €75 )

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: Make sure you bring comfortable footwear as you’ll be walking quite a lot. As well as light clothing as it could get very hot during the day.

𝗧𝗶𝗽: Keep it in mind the animals aren’t chained or restrained in any way. Therefore, be careful and mindful of your actions, as you could easily provoke the elephants and buffaloes. Try to keep a safe distance and enjoy your time.

𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: If you would like to find out more visit their website: https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

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