5 Perfect Days in Bali
Published November 25th, 2023
Photography by Joseph Manner
I hopped on the bike at Mount Batur, adjusted the seat, and secured my helmet. The group chose an off-road route to visit the tiny villages rimmed with rice paddies. I wondered how I would embarrass myself this time.
I don't have a good track record with biking, canoeing, and kayaking. In Penticton, B.C., I flew over the bike handlebars landing on my leg, sank waist-deep in mud in Algonquin Park, and twisted my ankle clambering out of a kayak in Gananoque. There was no major damage.
Follow me as I do my best to limit accidents and preserve my sanity while seeking new adventures in Bali.
Day 1: Seminyak
My partner and I met up with friends in Seminyak. We stayed at the centrally-located Blue Z Resort, just a 5-minute walk from Seminyak Beach., complete with a huge buffet breakfast and two pools.
Getting Religion
In Bali, Hinduism is integral to everyday life. Vivid reds, blues, greens, and yellows are infused in life-size statues and temples. Daily offerings to the gods include rice, flowers, incense, sweets, fruits, and spices.
Life is a Beach
A not-to-be-missed experience in Seminyak is sunset at the beach. Oceanfront bars are flanked by multi-hued bean bag chairs, prepped for sundown. My obsession with Bintang Radler, a mix of beer and lemon juice, began here.
Day 2: Ubud Temples
In Ubud, family compounds sit alongside terraced rice fields. We stayed at a gated, family compound called Villa Bhuana Alit. The complex, tucked in a neighbourhood of Ubud, has a pool perfect for lap swimming, with statues spouting water. The large rooms have balconies with tables a fridge, and a market nearby.
You can’t visit Ubud and not see these three major temple complexes.
Water Temple
The 10th-century Water Temple boasts a series of freshwater pools and over a dozen fountains. Pilgrims are purified through prayer and washing.
Elephant Cave Temple
In the 9th-century Goa Gajah, you’ll find a deep cave with the shrines of Hindu Gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. The monstrous stone face at the entrance is believed to offer protection from evil spirits.
Monkey Forest Temples
A visit to the Monkey Forest is a must when in Ubud. This Forest, built in the 14th century, has three Temples: Dalem Agung Padangtegal, Pura Beji, and Pura Prajapati. The temple complex was dedicated to the God of the forest. Today about 1200 long-tailed macaques call this forest home. The macaques make it known that you are on their turf. I watched as the females protected their young by forming a line in front of them.
Day 3: Ubud Bike Tour
As I head down Mount Batur at full speed, the air is cool and smells of cardamom and rice. Small children yell ‘hallo’ and laugh.
We are riding in the muddy ruts in between rice paddies when I feel myself tumbling into the water. My shirt is covered in mud. I got back on the bike and we kept going. A group of Australian tourists looked aghast. “What happened to you?” they asked. The off-road route afforded glimpses of Balinese life we wouldn't have had otherwise - with a few minor mishaps along the way.
Day 4: Ubud - Art and Dance
Amazing Art
I toured the wonderful Agung Rai Museum of Art or ARMA, founded in 1996 by Agung Rai, to house his private collection.
Dynamic Dance
A dance performance at ARMA told the story of unrequited love. The dancers move to the beat of a gamelan, a multi-timbered ensemble, consisting of gongs, and metal instruments that are struck with mallets. The costumes are brilliant and the dance moves are dynamic and each family has a temple for celebrations.
Day 5: Gili T Snorkeling
Gili Trawangan, or Gili T, is an Island paradise, a short boat ride from Padang Bai. Motor vehicles are not permitted. Horse-drawn carriages take vacationers to one of many reasonably priced hotels. Gili T is Muslim, and you can hear the daily call to prayer from minarets nearby, mingling with tunes like I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor from beach bars.
Stay at the Pearl of Trawangan. The large rooms face on to a lovely kidney-shaped pool.
A short bike ride takes you around the island. We found a quiet, white sand beach and rented lounge chairs and snorkeling equipment. The vendor was eager for us to see turtles and followed us into the water to point them out. The view at sunset was magical.
Our trip had a good mix of fitness, culture, and beach time in a country with friendly, humble locals, and affordable luxury. And I got up close and personal with rice paddies. If you go, consider spending some time in Ubud to get a taste of daily life in Bali.
To start planning your experience in Bali, visit Bali Tourism Board and Indonesia Travel.
Merle Rosenstein
How many people can say that their second home is in Hawaii? And that wine, beer, and spirits is their family business? Merle Rosenstein can. She is a freelance travel, wine, and food writer from Toronto, Canada, with Level 2 Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) certification. Her dad was a traveling liquor salesman, her partner worked for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), and her daughter works for a major beer company. Rosenstein completed an internship with Canadian Traveler Magazine, and wrote for Wander with Wonder, Quench Magazine, IWA Wine Country Blog, The Canadian Jewish News, Chocolatour, Best Health Magazine, and Vacay.ca. She has toured wineries across Chile, sipped wine in Spain, and interviewed winemakers in Tuscany.