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.

CDO Adventures - Conquering the Water Rapids and Strong Winds

The trip to Cagayan de oro was surely unexpected and was a quick planning one. An officemate just asked if we can go and everyone else was just confirming and planning and before we know it, we were already booked! 

Staying overnight in Camiguin Islands (as a side trip) we sure did went to a lot of places. Going to hot springs, cold springs, seeing the mount hibok-hibok, the old  church ruins, and the sunken cemetary... it was really a good place to relax and unwind. They also have a nice cool white island (literally an island coming out of the sea when its low tide and disappears on high tide. My favorite place in Camiguin, is the very majestic Katibawasan falls. =) I would give up any other places to be here as much as I can, if you ask.  More of Camiguin Islands in this  LINK 

Leaving Camiguin with a heavy heart(wishing to have more days in the island, of course) we took a fastcraft to Cagayan de oro port. Travel wasn't so fast, anyway. we were rather disappointed as we were travelling on the sea no less than 2 hours! =( I had to take two no travel tablets so i won't feel dizzy. 

Camiguin - Done! Now we are on to the next challenges. We were so ready for the Zipline and the white water rafting in the Cagayan De Oro River. Oh my palms were so cold and a bit sweaty though when i was about to be let go to have that 850 meters worth of travelling from one point to another in the Dahilayan Park. 

When you are scheduled for a trip to the Dahilayan Park, bring jackets, it was soo cold up there! The air is so thin, it's given me chills that I have to wear two of my shirts. :D 

Our last day in Cagayan De Oro is probably one of the best that marks our CDO trip - a very nice to remember is our 3 hour White Water Rafting! Thank God the day was calm and  sunny. The water rafting was worth noting as it was one of a kind experience. Going through more than 20 rapids in those hours of being in the "Raft" paddling, singing, laughing, taking a dip and jumping in the river... it was really a great experience I would love to have all over again! 

 Above photo was the orientation before the RIDE!!

Below are the Rapids one after the other. It is a team sports! :D 

After surviving the crashing, the endless paddling, back paddling, and more... when the river is deep and peaceful, you can request for a "capsize" treat below... 

or have that jumpshot from the raft to the river! Just make a request to have multiple shots so you'd see yourself disappear into the water. haha

Warning: You'll almost touch the bottom of the river if you jump high enough. hehe Just wish your life vest does its job and to pull you up and save you.

 

And, of course! After every rapids your raft have succeessfully survived, there's that wonderful High five! All paddles in up!!