Jani Jermans – Travel Diaries

September 14, 2024

Indonesia – The land of Islands

Filed under: International Travel — jani @ 10:46 am

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a Southeast Asian and Oceanian country located between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea, making it the world’s largest archipelagic state.

Visa:
Visas can be obtained on arrival, and e-visas are available before travel. We used Ross Escapes, who arranged our e-visas, making the arrival process smoother.

Day 1:
This was a last-minute trip, and although a few more friends were supposed to join, it ended up being just Suman, Andrew, and myself. We met at the airport for our journey to Bali via Singapore. Flying with Singapore Airlines was a great experience, as always, with excellent hospitality. We had a layover in Singapore, where we switched terminals and boarded the next flight to Bali.

Day 2:
We arrived in Bali in the afternoon and were greeted by LH Travels team before heading off to a meeting. Afterward, we had Nasi Padang for lunch—a traditional dish from West Sumatra, consisting of steamed rice served with a variety of pre-cooked dishes. Post lunch, we traveled to Ubud and checked in at the Visesa Ubud Resort. The welcoming ceremony included ringing a bell and tying a colorful sacred thread, a tradition I participated in since Suman and Andrew had already experienced it during their previous visit.

Our villa was stunning, complete with a private pool and surrounded by lush greenery, including Frangipani trees, which are considered essential in every home. Later, Suman and I went to explore the Ubud market while Andrew rested. The market had a lively atmosphere with lots of shopping options. We stopped at a café for cappuccinos and croissants, which were exceptional—strong and flavorful.

In the evening, we dined at the hotel’s Lumbung restaurant, enjoying authentic Indonesian dishes such as chicken satays, red snapper soup, tuna salad, and barramundi before calling it a night.

Day 3:
It was another beautiful day. After a good rest, we all met at Lesung Restaurant for breakfast. Although the options were limited, we had a quick bite and then set off for Mount Batur. The drive to Batur was scenic, with mandarin orange orchards lining the route.

At Mount Batur, an active volcano, we stopped at Okuta Restaurant, which offered stunning views of the volcano and the nearby Psar Seni Geopark. We also sampled a variety of teas, including Hot Moody, Hot Magic Wood, and a unique crème brûlée latte.

Next, we visited Besakih Temple, located on the slopes of Mount Agung. Known as the “Mother Temple” of Bali, it is the largest and most sacred temple of Balinese Hinduism. The temple, made of lava stones, is especially grand during the full moon festival. While I prayed at the temple, Andrew and Suman relaxed with Bintang Beer, which, as a beer lover, I found to be one of the best I’ve tasted. Later, I joined them and enjoyed a refreshing coconut water, which, like in India, is sweet and delicious.

Our next stop was Penglipuran, a traditional village where each house sells local products. It was a picturesque place, and after exploring, we headed to Bamboo Forest for a local lunch. By evening, we were back in Ubud. We were dropped off at the market and took a relaxing walk back to the resort. Everyone was too tired for dinner, so we called it a night.

Day 4:
This was the day we checked out of Visesa Ubud Resort and made our way to Kuta. After a quick breakfast, we departed and stopped at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, which sits on the water. The temple complex also features a beautifully maintained park, making it a serene place to visit.

Our next stop was Handara Golf and Resort, a stunning property that’s perfect for golf enthusiasts. We enjoyed a coffee break there before continuing on to Gending Kedis Luxury Villas & Spa Estate, where we checked in.

Since I had plans to attend the Kecak Dance, a traditional Balinese Hindu performance, I left my luggage at the reception and headed out while Suman and Andrew continued their work. I arrived just in time for the dance, which tells the story of Sita’s kidnapping, Hanuman’s search for her, and her eventual return.

After the performance, I returned to the hotel for dinner and then made my way to my room. It was quite an experience as my room was 3 to 4 levels below the ground floor, near the edge of the forest. Every evening after dark, I would ask one of the hotel staff to accompany me to the room due to its secluded location. I then settled in for the night.

Day 5:
I started the day early to catch the Bali Dolphin Cruise to Nusa Penida, a breathtakingly beautiful island. Our first stop was Kelingking Beach, where the views from the top were absolutely stunning. Although we didn’t have time to go down to the beach, the scenic vista alone was worth the visit.

Next, we headed to Angela Billabong Beach, where we were lucky enough to spot a couple of dolphins playing in the water, adding to the spectacular view. Afterward, we visited Broken Beach, a spot that seemed perfect for a movie shoot with its dramatic landscapes. We took a short coconut break before continuing to Crystal Beach, where people were sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

After our time at Nusa Penida, we returned to the mainland and visited GWK Cultural Park, home to the towering Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, a 121-meter representation of the Hindu god Vishnu and his mount, the Garuda bird. The park also featured cultural activities, including traditional Balinese dance performances like the Kecak Garuda Wisnu Dance. I explored the park’s museum before heading back.

In the evening, I went to New Moon Café and Restaurant in Jimbaran for dinner. We sat on the beach and enjoyed a seafood platter with my driver and guide, making it a perfect end to the day.

Day 6:
We started the day with a quick breakfast at the hotel, which had set menus to choose from. Afterward, we visited the UC Silver and Gold Factory in Batubulan, known for its impressive collection of accessories made from silver and gold, along with various precious stones. It was fascinating to explore the craftsmanship behind the jewelry.

Next, we visited a Batik Factory, where we learned about the traditional art of painting on fabric. I picked up some local fabrics as souvenirs. Our next stop was Jambe Asriagro Tourism, where I had the chance to try Luwak coffee, which has a unique production process involving coffee cherries digested by the Asian palm civet. In addition to Luwak coffee, they offered samples of other teas like herbal tea, roselle tea and mangosteen tea, as well as different coffees like avocado coffee and vanilla coffee.

After enjoying the coffee, we visited Tanah Lot Temple, a picturesque temple located near the beach. We also saw the holy snake and experienced the holy water. The view from the temple was stunning, especially with the beach in the background.

For lunch, we headed to Kurnia Village, where we had a traditional Balinese meal. While the duck curry wasn’t particularly appetizing, the rest of the food was delicious, and I really enjoyed the soursop juice. Afterward, we visited Seminyak Beach for some ice cream and then walked along the shore to Kuta Beach.

We ended the day with a quick dinner back at the hotel before resting for the night.

Day 7:
It was another beautiful day, and after a quick breakfast, we headed to Taman Safari Bali. We took a safari tour and attended a few shows, including the Tiger Show and Elephant Show, where they discussed the interesting topic of human-animal conflict. This was my first time seeing a wildebeest in person. The safari also featured animals like giraffes, Sumatran elephants (which are shorter than other elephant species), lions, tigers, bison, and even an albino python.

After the safari, we visited the stunning Tegenungan Waterfall. We took a short tea break nearby before heading to Kebune Bali Agro Tourism, where I indulged in more Luwak coffee. Not far from there was the Kemenuh Butterfly Park, which also had a beautiful collection of orchids.

Later, we went to Uma Anyar Waterfall, which required a mini hike, but it was an easy walk. The waterfall was breathtaking, and we spent some time enjoying the serene atmosphere. Afterward, we headed back to the room to relax.

In the evening, I caught up with Andrew and Suman for a few minutes, as Andrew was leaving early the next day.

Day 8:
I woke up and started the day with a relaxing Balinese massage at Piramid Spa—a fantastic experience. Afterward, I returned, packed my bags, and checked out of the hotel. For lunch, we went to BE Ja NA at Nusa Dua, and then headed to Mal Bali Galeria to pass some time before our evening flight. The mall had a good selection of brands for shopping and several restaurants to choose from. We relaxed at Tous Les Jours, enjoying a nice coffee and a milky bun.

Later, we made our way to the airport for our flight back. It was a smooth process, and we boarded Singapore Airlines. Unfortunately, we realized there was an issue with Suman’s ticket—his second leg was mistakenly booked for the night instead of the morning. Thankfully, the airline staff were gracious enough to change his ticket to the same morning flight as mine, and with that concern resolved, we rested during the long layover.

Day 9:
With not much sleep, it was time to board our flight home. After a quick coffee, we boarded our return flight. Once we landed, I dropped off Suman and finally headed home.

PS: If anyone is looking for budget travel, Bali is an excellent destination, especially if you’re based in India. The people here are incredibly nice and hospitable. I wouldn’t mind visiting again, as there are still many places to explore. Also, I recommend getting an e-visa, as even with it, the queue was quite long after landing.

TERIMA KASIH – MATUR SUKSMA – THANK YOU

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