Bali 2024

by clarkmoments

Here’s the thing about this Island of Gods that’s steeped in Hinduism. It offers whatever holiday you desire – homestays to 5 star, slow and easy to energetic, great sights, food and drinks and incredibly friendly people. Always uncomplicated, always relaxing.

No deep diving for us on this 2 week trip; just skating the thin edge of Kuta, Ubud and Sanur making sure plenty of good things feed into our Bali holiday.

This is my best bunch of photos.

A short distance from the airport (makes all the difference when you arrive late at night) and super comfortable for 3 nights
Amnaya’s pool
Shinta Warung- around the corner from Amnaya. Serves up fabulous Indonesian food
Kuta Beach  – a firm favourite. So many good places to eat and drink along this walking track that links to Seminyak
One of a number of tsunami shelters along the beach
Kuta sunset drinks

Been a few years since we’ve stayed in Ubud. Making up for that now with 4 days here. Vehicular traffic is dense. Walking’s easier, quicker. Still, a great place to visit for good cafes, art galleries and ricefields.

Villa Ubud Sunshine on laid back Jalan Bisma is set down a gang (lane) and amongst trees. Jungle view room is great value
Museum Puri Lukisan is Bali’s oldest art museum and showcases traditional Balinese paintings and woodwork
Neka Art Museum has fabulous collections by Balinese and expat artists. The swords are spectacular
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) is an incredible private collection of art, both Balinese and expat. Some works of Russian/German Walter Spies who lived in Bali from 1925 to WWII are here.
Drawn to this painting in ARMA commemorating selfless Balinese who assisted in the rescue
The stunning Ubud Water Palace is a temple for Goddess Saraswati. Not to be confused with Ubud Royal Palace where royal family still live.
Campuhan Trek – 4 kms return. The changing face of Bali is evident on this track –  ricefields are being replaced by villas at a steady rate. Still, the uphill walk gets the heart racing.
Coconut water, bintang and markets – a great combination
Wonderful Ubud warungs serve up tasty nasi/mie goreng
Mancingan rice fields – few tourists, mainly locals quietly going about their work
This man climbed a tree, retrieved a 🥥 and broke it open for us to drink. Even fashioned a Bali spoon from the shell so we could eat the young flesh
Lush, green Ubud back roads

Sanur became our patch years ago and a week’s stay at Sudamala Resort confirm why we return. Lovely rooms (can recommend pool suites), substantial breakfasts, good size pool and first class service always go down a treat.

Some days are sloth days
Some nights are Bintang and live music nights @ nearby Casablanca and Linga Longa
The very excellent 6 kms Sanur beachwalk path
One fine Sanur Beach day

Kebon Vintage Car Museum has been brought to fruition by Jakarta based Jos Dharmawan. A mad keen collector of cars (he has gathered 250) – Pontiac, Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Buick, Nash, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Fiat, Austin, Holden, Soviet Zil and a whole lot more, his museum is excellent. Spend a couple of hours here is my advice.

Balinese food never disappoints and with an exchange rate of $A1 to 10,000 Rupiah, it’s extremely well priced.

3 compulsory documents needed to enter Bali:

1. Visa

https://molina.imigrasi.go.id

If you can navigate the e Visa site (remember to register first), you can use the gates and get out of the airport really quickly. Unfortunately the site did not work for me. Passport issue date stubbornly reverted to today’s date. I paid for Visa On Arrival (VOA) at Bali airport. It cost 500,000 Rupiah. Cash only, no credit cards. Can pay in Australian dollars.

2. Tourist tax

https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id

Particular to Bali for sustainability projects. It’s new; introduced on 14 February and costs 150,000 RP.

I struggled to access the site. I also struggled to pay on arrival and departure. Teething problems, but by May, maybe earlier, spot checks will be conducted and entry to sites will be denied if you can’t show you’ve paid.

Update: Pay on arrival with credit card.

3. Customs declaration

https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/

Can be completed online up to 3 days before departure

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