Bali - 9 Days

Upon your arrival at Denpasar Airport, a cab will transfer the group to the hotel in Ubud. Remember the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”. Yes, Ubud is where they shot the movie, and Bali became even more famous than it was before.
Ubud is a lovely little town, a perfect blend of Western and Asian – one side it has its Hindu temples springing out of nowhere, and on the other side it has its swanky cafes and galleries. The houses are as Balinese as they can get, and there are trees everywhere.
In the evening we shall go into the main town centre, and explore the pubs and cafes.

Like I tell everyone, a trip really isn’t a trip if you don’t find your way under a waterfall!
On a hot, hot day (and it is always hot in Bali!) what better than to go to a hidden waterfall in the middle of a lush, green jungle!
We ride our scooties to Tegenungan Kemenuh village, and find our way down narrow paths and a series of steps down to a river. There are several springs and streams on the way to the waterfall and spend time talking to the local villagers.
Jump into the pool, and wade your way to the falls. If you don’t want to swim in these shallow waters, sit by the rocks and cool your toes. The water is deliciously cool and feels amazing on hot days. After spending a couple of hours here, we will have lunch at the village itself. Try local Indonesian delicacies, for sampling the local cuisine too is an important element in travelling. Post lunch we go to Tibumana, another beautiful waterfall in Ubud.
When you’ll get closer to Tibumana Waterfall, you’ll notice endless rice fields and palm trees. You’ll have the chance to take a sneak peek inside the local people’s daily lives. You’ll see Balinese people taking care of their animals or wandering around the rice fields. Definitely something to remember!
The waterfall looks like a beautiful curtain cascading through the rocks
while the sunlight plays peekaboo.
Let’s swim and take some insta worthy shots.

After a lazy breakfast, you can head off to the famous Bali swings, whoever wants to- can visit Bali Swings (optional and not part of package inclusions). This is a beautiful place with nice panoramic views.
It’s become Instagram-famous so for all those who like getting photographed, or even clicking some, swing it, fly and have the time of your life!
Note: Riding the swings is optional, and whoever wants to do it, can directly pay the organizers.
On our way back, those who want, can go for the Campuhan ridge walk. It’s a scenic walk which takes you past paddy fields, past a tiny village, and there are good sunset views. Later, let’s have our dinner at a cozy restaurant or “Warung” as they call it here.
It’s our last night in Ubud, so let’s soak in the place one last time.

Today, we are headed to the island of Gili Trawangan, from Bali. It is an island that not many in India have really heard of, and it is pretty, has a lovely blue green sea and is everything an island should be.
There are three islands in the Gili belt – Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno. Trawangan is the biggest and we are headed to this island by fast boat. From Ubud, the cabs take us to the port (about 1.5 hours away) and from there we board the fast boat to Gili (about 2 hours’ time to reach).
After freshening up at the hotel, we can take bicycles and cycle around the island. There are no tours scheduled for the day, and we shall do things the “ traveller” way, not the “tourist” way. Cycle around, stop where we want, click pictures, have a drink at a local bar, and laze by the sea.
I don’t plan to sleep in my room at night, and think I shall lie under the stars on the beach. Feel free to follow your heart, stroll by yourself or with friends, be near the sea, or read a book in your room, it is but your holiday.
Note: In Gili islands, there is no motor transport. The only way to commute is either by walk, cycles or Tonga. Renting cycles or hiring a Tonga is upto the individual, and they can bargain the cost with the locals.

After a lazy breakfast, we shall be taking a glass bottom boat ride to the two islands of Gili Air and Gili Meno. The water is absolutely stunning. The boat stops midway to allow people to snorkel and I don’t think you’d have seen more beautiful corals or marine life like what you are going to see here.
We will be back by afternoon.
Let’s explore another part of the island today evening. We could even do a fun beach photo shoot among ourselves.
Dress up (or dress down) and go to one of the beaches where there is no one. You can be your funniest, wildest, silliest, sexiest, whatever you want to be. A little birdie tells me you can choose your best pic, and if you want you can be part of the next “This Guy’s on His Own Trip” beach calendar. Move over Kingfisher, the “This Guy’s Beach Calendar” is here!
The northern part of the island has less people, and is more private. There are these beautiful swings just about a foot into the sea which make for beautiful pictures. There are also these funny board signs on the way, and these strangely made cafes, all of which make for awesome photos.

The morning has been kept free for people to do what they want.
One of the main reasons to keep this morning free is so that people can spend the time doing Scuba Diving (not part of package inclusions). Scuba diving does not require you to know swimming. It is a beautiful, peaceful sport, where you go inside the ocean (wearing fins, a diving suit with an oxygen cylinder strapped to it).
In my last eight batches to Bali, everyone did scuba diving. Of course, there are quite a few people who are worried in the beginning before it all starts, but once they are finished with it, they are absolutely in love with it!
In the afternoon, we are headed to another of Bali’s gems – Nusa Penida. The island of Nusa Penida lies to the west of Bali, and we shall take an afternoon ferry from Gili to reach Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida is an authentic island with a startlingly blue ocean and abundant marine life surrounding it. Unlike Gili Islands, the interior of Nusa Penida is hilly, and one has to go up a cliff to see fantastic views of the ocean.

In the morning, we drive our scooties to Kelingking Beach. Most of the pics you see of Nusa Penida are of this beach, with its T Rex shape cliff side welcoming you to descend to the ocean. From the top, you shall feel as if you are a drone yourself, monitoring everything around! We shall do a short trek here, and there are superb drop offs on both sides of the cliffs.
Being here you would truly feel that you are very small as compared to the world around you. It humbles you, gives your perspective and lets you know that our lives, our troubles are small and one must feel thankful to be in such beauty.
Angel’s Billabong is another popular attraction on Nusa Penida with natural infinity pool is framed by rock cliffs and hangs out over the ocean overlooking Manta Point Beach. The water is clear as crystal with its emerald hues.
Well, about Broken Beach – this is an incredible little cove on Nusa Penida Island. Do you know the reason it is called Broken Beach?! It is due to the archway that wraps around the bay allowing water to flow in and out from the ocean.

We have an afternoon boat back to Seminyak, so in the morning we could head off to one of the pretty beaches (Diamond beach) on our scooties and spend time there. People who want to laze at the hotel can do so
Later in the afternoon a ferry will take us back to Bali, and a cab will take us to our Seminyak hotel. This evening, we could head to Seminyak and visit the famous Potato Head Lounge bar. Or alternatively check out the clubbing scene in Kuta or Seminyak. It’s our last night; let’s have a lot of fun together!

The Tour ends today, people! A cab will transfer us to the airport and from there it is back to India. Hope you had a great trip, and we shall meet somewhere some time again soon! Salud!