Bali Tour Series E: Tanah Lot, Coffee Plantation and some Hot Spring Bath

We actually went to the Tanah Lot on the first day of our travel. It was the last itinerary on our first day as we were told that it is best to visit this place towards the afternoon since the sunset view here is quite outstanding. 
Tanah Lot is perhaps one of the busiest tourist spot in Bali. Of all the places we went into, this is where we found a lot of tourists taking pictures, and even locals were present, enjoying the view. Also, rarely you will find a tour package that Tanah Lot isn't in it. ;) 

view of the other side of the Tanah Lot area

Banjar Hot Springs! I saw this in a photo when i was searching through a lot of places where we can go and enjoy in Bali. This place came up as a must visit because of the natural healing property of the spring water. It was not crowded when we were there, we even got ourselves one Naga(stone carved mythical dragon) each. To take a dip, you just need to be in your swimming attire, take a quick shower and enjoy. The water looked a bit murky in the other side, actually, It sure is color green, probably because of the sulfur and some natural soil settling . 

What is good about the place is that it was situated in the middle of a jungle. It is said that people with rheumatic arthritis will surely benefit from swimming in this pool of volcanic origin. 

Coffee Plantation - We did not think much of this, but since all my companions are coffee drinkers, they were actually looking forward to it. =) I thought it was just a tour on a portion in their plantation. It was really very educational too. You can see a few of the plants they have, some dried herbs, some coffee plants and how they roast the coffee... 

Fresh Coffee

Dried herbs for tourists to see. 

In the plantation, we were given a free tour of how they process their coffees, we also asked about lemurs and the Luwak coffee. They have willingly told us how they get to make Luwak coffee. Well we were a bit excited to try this expensive coffee as well, but it does not come with the free taste. :D It was an additional 50,000 Rupiah. But we did try it just to see if it was really that good. To my taste, and to my companions, it was actually not as aromatic, not as good as i have probably expected from a very expensive coffee. It also got a sour taste to it. It could be attributed, more or less to the "digestive"enzymes and some processes it went through the stomach of the lemur. :P 

This is how the coffee taken in by Lermur looked like. It realy is a bunch of sh*t. :P 

Coffee Roasting: Smells really wonderful! 

The Free Taste Guide ;)

 We were seated to a table for our group (of six) and was given a set of free teas and coffees for a free taste. Each of the coffee and tea with free taste that they have for us were described to us as well, how to use, and how each tea can help us with our health. 

The Plantation's activity area where all guests try out their free coffee and tea.

What can we say about the free taste? Here's a slight comment. 
Coffee Mocha - it was like your other coffee mocha, i guess it was a bit different here because it really smelled fresh. 
Lemon Grass Tea - very refreshing!
Mangosteen Tea - really great, I bought 3 boxes of this ready to drink tea mix. 
Ginger Tea - It is just like any other ginger ale i have tried. The ginger taste is not very strong though. 
Cocoa - nothing great, not much to rave about.
Coconut Coffee - this is a bit too sweet. the coconut smell in this coffee is very distinct. 
Bali Coffee - A bit different, from the usual ready to drink mix i have tried, but for its kind it is much better. of course for the price, it is not recommended. 

Bali Tour Series D: Besakih Temple and Ubud Monkey Forest

Besakih Temple: This is the biggest temple in Bali. Located at the slope of Mt. Agung. This place is very high and can get very cold towards the end of the afternoon. You can see fog and feel the coldness in your skin if you are not prepared. 

Common statues you will find inside the temple premises

The Temple is huge, it was after all the largest temple in Bali; to this day it is still being used for ceremonies, even if it is also a tourist spot. Outside, there are a small road that leads to the temple entrance. a free tour guide will accompany you inside the temple and will explain and give information about it; you and your companions will be asked to give donation as well after you register how many of you went inside the temple. =) 

The view from the top of the temple

Mini Temple (pagoda) inside Besakih Temple

Ubud Monkey Forrest: I was a little hesitant about this, because i am a bit scared of the primates because I have had a bit of a bad experience with them. Upon arrival in Ubud, Monkey Forrest Area, you can already see a lot of monkeys walking around the parking lot and was just minding their own business. 

We have a baby with us during the tour, she was just a year old, actually and she was so fearless in walking around the premises and just chasing the monkey and trying to touch them. They (monkeys) are very used to the tourists and would go near you if you have a banana with you (It is also sold inside the premises). 

A Family we chanced upon taking a rest in one of the statues inside the forest area

 Spending no less than an hour here, it was quite an experience too, seeing the monkeys and their families, they are just really cute and are fun to watch especially when they try to wrestle with tourists who hides banana in their pockets.  Also, the monkeys are clean! I haven't encountered one that smells bad! Not one tourist who has had one jumped into them (even on top of their head) complained about foul smell whatsoever. 

Bali Tour Series C: Nature Trip (Waterfalls, Rice Terraces and Volcano)

I haven't been to our very own Banaue Rice Terraces but it sure is quite a sight in photos; I was excited to see the version of it in Bali - the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. It wasn't as wide, or huge as what we have in our country(Philippines) but it sure was a nice place. The van we rented parked in a designated area and we walked about 3 minutes to see the view. We were not able to go near it, but the place is a bit cold even in the sunny weather. We were told you can go see the place up close but it would be down another road and would take another hour or two. 

Mount Batur was part of our itinerary. seeing this on the list where we will have out lunch, well I sure did not expect to have such magnificent view while having lunch. The restaurant where we ate even have a rooftop where clients are encouraged to go up to and so you can take a photo or even a selfie. 

This is another photo we took, as much as it is beautiful in the photo, it is even more grand with your own eyes. =) This is one of the top places we visited in Bali that has surpassed my expectations. I was so happy that we have included this in out itinerary.  

Away from the city, and another hour or two of rough road drive, we head out for the GITGIT Water Falls. We inserted this in our itinerary (it was not very common in the packages that the Bali tours would give you as most of them are sight seeing that relates to the culture and these are mostly temples.

To be able to see the waterfalls, you have to walk at least 1 kilometers, perhaps up and down a cemented stairs, some with view of the forest to your right and some paths with some local houses. It was such a trek (not difficult but long for us who does not climb mountains. (^-^)

It is rather difficult to go there and take a dip. most people probably just go take some pics, feel the cool breeze and just head back. When we went there, no one actually was with us, except for our tour guide and basically no other tourists have gone to the place.  

Bali Tour Series B: Beach Hopping

Bali is known primarily for their white sand beaches, but a trip to Bali has introduced us more to their culture more than anything else. They have more to offer than temples, and beaches actually. This post though will focus on the obvious Bali spot every one dreams of visiting in Bali. ;)

Nusa Dua Beach: This beach is where most of the high end resorts are located. The beach is free, you can take a dip, swim a bit and have a quick change by the beach (or by a paid bathroom near the surf board rentals).

Just a few meters walk, at the other side of the Nusa Dua Beach, is "The Bay, Bali" The beach also has a long shore ideal for beach walking. We first went here, and intended to swim a bit, but the sand although was white... it was a bit rough since the quality of the sand is not that fine. Taking a close look (using the microscope function of my camera) it shows corals that aren't that much fine yet. =)

Beach "Sand" Up Close

The water, as you can see, is very clear and clean. =)

Jimbaran Bay - The restaurant where we ate our lunch was at Jimbaran Bay. It is also a white sand beach. The whole stretch of the beach is calm, and suitable for swimming. The whole Jimbaran Bay was lined up with a lot of several other resorts and restaurants by the bay. =) Too bad we did not stay for a long time here. The sand was fine, but not as great as that of the Nusa Dua Beach. =)

Seminyak Beach - This is yet another beach, more of a public one. There was a huge parking space for patrons here. We intended to take a swim but was a bit disappointed since the beach was not as white as what we thought most Bali beaches are. =P Another challenge was the lack of a public changing room too. So once you take a swim, there was no way you can wash up properly. You will have to change into your normal clothes in public. We are not able to see how the locals do it, though since there was practically no one around, except for our group and a couple of vendors.

The Seminyak beach is free of charge, and well it sure looks like a great place to relax, we just ought to transfer and get on with the rest of the tour (finishing earlier than usual) since we felt we couldn't swim and not wash up leaving our skin to dry with sea water. This beach sure does have a huge shore. =)

Sanur Beach - This is the last beach on our list for this tour. Having come to this beach as part of the trip and where we had our wonderful lunch by the bay. The beach is calm, but a bit more rocky in one area. The shore is a bit shorter, and narrow hence not much beach goers come. There are parked boats in some area around  the shore, but still the view is breathtaking.

Bali Tour Series A: Food Trip - What we ate around Bali (on a budget)

We survived Bali for 5 days, on a cheap budget for Dinner and Snacks (our lunch came with the tour). We managed to go to a restaurant that serve Pork Lechon and the likes. Also some street food that is equally as good as those you would order in restaurants. Bali is packed with tourists and so eating like a local is the best option(cheapest too) to try the food as what locals enjoy. =)

Babi Guling -  this is the local version of the Philippine's Lechon Baboy. I have to tell you though that this is so spicy! The first meal I ate in Bali Indonesia, burned my tongue!

About Php 125 (per plate)

Sate Babi - this is a ground pork on stick (similar to the kebab bbq) A Bit sweet in taste.

Php 50 per 3 pieces? 

Just a Burger - We found this burger stand by the convenient store where we buy drinks (near the hotel) It is not as good as the likes of the minute burger, or even angel's burger. After all its a chicken pattie. he he a bit bland for my taste.

Soto Ayam -Chicken Noodles (Soup) This one costs only about Php 40/bowl. It is really good and it tastes good; and filling too. Also the Ayam Sate is also in the banana leaves in this photo. It's got a sweet peanut taste to it. =)

 

In another instance, we were also able to chance upon someone who sells dumpling noodles (also about 40-50 pesos per bowl. This soup is a bit spicy. Its got dumplings and some squidballs (?)

The noodle seller even stayed for a while near the hotel's lobby and waited for us to finish our soups. =) He lend us the bowls and will serve as you requested. In my case, I asked my soup to be less spicy, or put more scallions, and so on.

When you are by the beach, there are also some vendors that sell some authentic Bali Street food. =) More barbecued chicken on stick, careful to tell them you don't want the chili poured all over the barbecue! Also there are some grilled corn with sweet and spicy sauce. It is a must try! The corn is really really great! =)

Planning a TRIP to Bali, Indonesia

Not much expectations, but full of excitement. Bali, one of the known tourist destination in Asia! :D I have a lot of plans and how to spend them Bali Beaches. But we chose to avail a tour package, after reading through several blogs and travel sites as well that it is quite hard to commute around Bali since there is little to no public transportation available. 

Travelling to Bali from Manila is about 4 hours. Bali Airport is at Denpassar.

 

First, we booked a place to stay. It was booked through AGODA. the place is a good deal since we only have to spend about 1,000Php per day per room (for two). It is, however a bit within the (City) Denpassar area, and it would take 30 minutes to an hour or two to each of the other destinations. 

The hotel is clean, with very nice staff; but most of them do not speak english. The room comes with a free breakfast for two - and they do not open the restaurant for any other orders. The restaurant is open for guests who bring food from outside and you can eat them in their restaurant, but they do not take orders, not cook anything except for breakfast. 

CATUR ADI PUTRA
http://www.booking.com/hotel/id/catur-adi-putra-by-shailendra.html

The pool is small. it is also very cold. The pool water gave us a shock when we tried to dip in it, in a hot summer night. it was really cold. But it is very clean, nonetheless. 

Next, is the tour. there are a lot of tour packages, and travel agencies in the internet. We sent out a few inquiries to these sites, along with our planned itinerary. I have initially researched a few places that is a must visit. Some came back (via email) with an offer and a few did not. I managed to haggle a price that i think is suitable for us (group of 6), but other tours have fixed price. 

We booked about $125 worth of tour packages for 5 days, including our private ride of 8 hours, tour entrances and a lunch. Our Tour Agency's name was STAR BALI TOURS and they are very easy to communicate with. Our package was semi customized because it is a private tour, we also are able to do our sightseeing on our own time.  

I was not even asked for a down payment upon booking. We paid on the day (First day of our tour) and Wayan (our tour guide/ driver) was always on time each and every day. 

Their direct URL is http://www.starbalitour.com
Phone : (+62361-7943706)
Mbl  : (+6281.338.591.311)  / (+6282.145.316.381)
E-Mail : starbalitour@gmail.com , starbalitour@yahoo.com
WhatsApp : 082145316381
Skype : starbalitour
Messenger : starbalitour@yahoo.com or infostarparadise@yahoo.co.id

Each of our Day Itinerary will be posted separately in this blog for a more detailed (and more pictures) account of the whole tour.