Set in the centre of Indonesia’s string of tropical islands, Bali may be the loveliest of all. A relaxed, laid-back approach to life, combined with a culture of friendly open-mindedness make Bali a superb tropical getaway. I just spent three weeks there and I would give anything to go back!
My Itinerary: Surfing Lessons at Kuta to a Writing Retreat in the Rainforest
I’ll be honest, when I booked my trip to Bali I was a little concerned. It’s very far from my home, with a different language and culture, and I wasn’t sure how I’d get on there. When I arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, it was crowded and chaotic, and definitely not the relaxed tropical paradise I envisioned. But a representative from the resort was waiting for me and took me to my beautiful hotel in Nusa Dua, just outside of Denpasar. There, I swam in the infinity pool, relaxed on the private beach, and even made a side trip to a Buddhist temple on the southernmost peninsula.
After a few restful days in Nusa Dua, I decided to have a bit of adventure and hired a motorbike to explore the area. Eventually I found my way to Kuta Beach, which is known for surfing. I hired a surfboard and spent the afternoon catching waves, with short breaks to relax on the beach drinking ice-cold Bintang, the local tipple. As the sun began to set, I hopped back on my motorbike and drove back to town, where I found a quiet warung, to sample the nasi champur, a delicious mixture of different meats and sauces surrounding a clump of white rice.
When I got tired of exploring the area around Kuta, I followed the road inland to Ubud, a village in the forest that is known for being a retreat for artists, writers, yogis, or anyone seeking to recharge. It’s quiet, peaceful, and full of creative inspiration. I spent an entire week in this village, walking through the forest, listening to traditional music, shopping for handicrafts, and writing. I even managed to make some headway with the novel I’ve been working on.
At the end of my trip, I did not want to leave. It took every ounce of my resolve to get on the plane to go home. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to return to this magical island. Paradise found!
How I made it happen
Most things in Bali are fairly inexpensive and prices are similar to what you’d find in most of Southeast Asia. The greatest expense was airfare. However, I managed to afford everything by adding some extra shifts at work, selling some of my clothes to a consignment shop, and trading my old phone in for cash through mobile phone recycling. Through money-making tricks like these, as well as frugal spending choices while you’re there, it’s entirely possible to enjoy Bali on a budget.
