Bali Adventure: A Week of Fun and Exploration
After spending a week in Bali, our group had a blast! We spent more time relaxing at the hotel than going out, but still made some great memories.
Weather and Essentials
The weather was noticeably warmer than Vietnam. After 8 days, we definitely got a tan!
- SIM Card: We got a SIM card from Tuệ San for 170k VND for 8 days (1GB per day). The network was strong and lasted a long time. The hotel Wi-Fi was a bit spotty.
People and Language
The local people in Bali are incredibly friendly. They have a relaxed pace of life, but they drive like racing enthusiasts!
Don't worry about knowing too much English. We mostly spoke broken English, added a bit of Thai slang, used body language, and Google Translate. But the locals were always helpful and understanding. Just be brave and ask! They are always ready to assist.
Accommodation
We stayed in three different locations: Seminyak, Ubud, and Kuta. Rooms were quite affordable, ranging from 600k to 1 million VND per night for three people, including breakfast. We booked everything through Traveloka to manage our costs in advance.
Food Experiences
The cuisine is primarily savory and spicy. You'll find a lot of chicken, rice, and stir-fried vegetables. My favorite was Caps Cay—it wasn't too heavy or salty. For pork, try Bali Guling, though it's very spicy. Jimbaran is the best place for seafood, both delicious and affordable. You can also experience Balinese street food, including dishes with salted eggs.
Getting Around
In Bali, you can rent a motorbike, use Grab car services, or hire a private car. We mostly used private car services because it was our first time there independently, and we didn't know the roads well. Having a driver as a guide was the best option. We booked with #Wira – Their team was very enthusiastic and helped us with the most beautiful places at affordable prices for students like us. The drivers were skilled photographers and fun, joking around with us often.
Explore These Places
- Seminyak: We spent most of our time here relaxing to avoid the heat. We only visited Potato Head club and accidentally went to the wrong area. On day two, we went to Nusa Penida island with #WayanJanaKusuma. He was very helpful, assisting us from start to finish. Even though we chose the wrong places to visit, he was still happy to accommodate our group's preferences.
- Ubud: This place feels a lot like the countryside, with many rice fields. It gets a little spooky at night since there are not a lot of lights. We visited Tirta Empul (temple, about 50k IDR per person), Alas Harum (an entertainment complex with a Bali Swing—you'll feel like you've lost your mind afterwards—and restaurants and pools; entrance fee 50k IDR, plus extra fees for food and swimming), Tegenungan Waterfall (very refreshing, but the path down is tiring), and Taman Dedari (a beautiful cafe, you don't need an entrance fee; just order a drink).
- Kuta: Tanal Lot (75k IDR per person, beautiful ocean views, but we mostly sat in the grass to avoid the sun).
Final Thoughts
Overall, we found Bali similar to Vietnam. The cost of living is almost the same, so it's not expensive. If you have time, definitely visit Bali!
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