My Malaysia

Bali

March 22nd, 2008 | by amdTaufik |

Another sudden vacation trip, this time I’m heading to Bali, will be meeting my wife there. She went to Bali earlier due to business purposes. My flight departed around 3:30pm on Thursday. Fly with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) on MH850. It’s a 3 hours journey to Bali. I arrived Bali, Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar at 6:30pm Bali time. There is no time difference between Malaysia and Bali.

Ngurah Rai aiport is surrounded by the Indian Ocean Sea. I was greeted with a stunning sea and sunset scenery. It was lovely!

The Bali Ngurah Rai, Denpasar Airport

 

On the way to the immigration counter, you’ll find lots of Bali Tour leaflets. It’s free, feel free to take it. These leaflets were very useful to me since I did not have the time to plan for this particular trip.

I need to get a taxi, to take me to Le Meridian Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort in Tabanan. Unfortunately it was not easy to get one. There was not a single taxi counter at the arrival terminal. I can only see money changer counter. I’ve to walk to the taxi stand for a taxi.

Before proceeding into the taxi, you’ll have to negotiate with the driver on the cost that they will charge you. It was getting dark, I could not wait any longer or negotiate further. The taxi cost me Rp 350,000 it was almost RM160, too damn expensive! I can actually rent a car with this amount of fees. Fyi the taxi did not actually use meter.

I should have ask the hotel services to pick me up, it might cost lesser.

Le Meridian, Tabanan is situated nearby Tanah Lot. The famous Taman Ayun Royal Family Temple located on the Indian Ocean Sea.

I reached Le Meridian hotel around 8:30pm. It was a lovely hotel. I think I don’t have to explain further, as it is a well known five stars hotel. After settled down with a nice shower and dinner bought by my wife, I slept at 10pm. Too tired to do any other thing.

 

Day 2
The next day, I took the hotel free shuttle to visit Kuta. Most of the hotel in Bali will provide you with free or minimal fees of shuttle transportation as Bali do not have a proper equipped taxi, which might be costly. It’s a 1hrs journey from the hotel.

Bali Kuta beach, the happening beach in Bali

 

Traveling from one place to another place in Bali will take sometimes due to the small roads. It will be even worst when cars are being park on the side of the roads.

Day 3
We check out from Le Meridian on the third day to relocate to Ubud. We spent our third day touring Bali, with our rented car and personal guide. It cost us Rp 380,000 for 8 hours.

First to Celuk, the famous center of gold and silver smith. If you are serious about buying some gold and silver stuff, you’ll find lots of choices here.

On our way to Tegalalang, we saw many shop lots left and right, mainly selling woods and stones handicraft items, ready to be exported out. The main attraction in Tegalalang is the dramatic scenery of terraced rice fields.

Further up is Kintamani Volcano. Small fees of Rp 5,000 per person will be collected upon entering Kintamani area. We had lunch here in Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant while enjoying the wonderful view of an active Kintamani volcano and Lake Batur. There’s variety of restaurant up here, feel free to choose one. Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant, serve buffet sets. It cost us Rp 70,000 ++ per person.

The active volcano of Kintamanin

 

Next we headed towards Sribatu, visited the cocoa and coffee plantation. You’ll be able to see how they actually produce coffee and taste its fresh coffee and cocoa drink.

Nearly 5:00pm we arrived Ubud and checked in at Tepi Sawah Villas. It’s a lovely villa. I would personally recommend you to stay here.

At night, we spent our time watching the Kecak and Fire Dance performed by the locals in Bali. It’s a recommended performance to watch while in Bali, other than Legong, Barong and Kris Dance. The Kecak and Fire dance last for 1 hour. It starts at 6:30pm and finish around 7:30pm. The entrance fees is Rp 50,000 per person, around RM 20.00 per person.

We then stopped at Nasik Padang Restaurant in Batu Bulan for dinner. Another tiring day, but we enjoyed it and get to know Bali and its culture closer.

 

Day 4
Started the day a bit late due to my wife was having her morning sickness. Tepi Sawah villa is only 3 minutes drive to Ubud. We took the free shuttle provided by Tepi Sawah villa. We went out nearly 12 noon. It was hot sunny day.

We pass by the green Wanara Wana Monkey Forest. Its huge and full of big trees. We did not stop to visit.

We then stop at the ancient king palace of Puri Saren. Taken a few lovely pictures here with a wonderful decorated and maintained palace which I think can be better taken care off.

Next, it’s shopping time at Pasar Ubud (Ubud Market). My wife really loves this particular activity. You need to have good bargaining skills to be able to maximize your buying needs. You’ll be able to buy t-shirts with the original price of Rp 100,000 for Rp 30,000 with good bargaining skills.

The Ubud market

 

We bought lots of souvenirs for our friends and family members here. We spent nearly RP 700,000 for it.

After 2 hours, we then start walking away from Pasar Ubud and was wondering around in Ubud city center. Well we were looking for a halal Nasik Padang restaurant for lunch. Manage to found one, but was not convinced that it is halal. So we walk further and search for another one but finally gave up and called our hotel shuttle services to pick us up.

The driver was so helpful, and drops us at a halal Nasik Padang restaurant called Putri Minang Jaya. It was nearly 4pm at that time. The restaurant was so near to where we were staying. We walk back to the hotel after our meal. It only took us 5 minutes walk to the hotel.

 

Day 5
We have limited time to spend. Our flight is leaving at 1:50pm. We manage to make a stop at Goa Gajah. We tough it’s going to be an adventurous caving activity, but turn out it’s an elephant cave temple. Religious activities are being performed here once in a while. A Rp 2,000 fees is collected per visitor.

Please take note that proper attire is required to enter Goa Gajah. Shorts are not allowed. Woman on their menstrual period will not be allowed to enter.

Tepi Sawah Villa has arrange us it shuttle service to send us to the airport. It cost us Rp 250,000. It took 1 hours for us to reach Ngurah Rai airport from Ubud.

Manage to check in 2 hours before the flight. The airport tax cost us Rp 150,000 per person. This airport tax will be collected at the immigration counter not at the check-in counter.

I found it interesting that the departure terminal is equipped with lots of food stalls, souvenirs shops, magazines shops, reflexology and SPA center. If you have time, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the 45 minutes relaxing reflexology treatment.

Related posts:

1. Tepi Sawah Villas
2. Kuta
3. Bali Public Holidays
4. To LCCT from KL – KLIA Transit
5. AirAsia From Kuala Lumpur to Paris