Put this Tropical Adventure in Bali on Your 2021 Planner

Seeing endless waves of pandemic and lockdown everywhere in the world, it is probably the first time for most of us to see our freedom of travelling being taken away. With less than two month’s time to get into 2021, we better hope for the best with a travel marking in our new planner. When I was asked some day ago where my first destination would be after Coronavirus is gone (hopefully very soon!), memorable travel moments from last year’s Bali trip flashed back in my mind and yes, a healing revisit is a must! Deep dive into the ocean to find nemos in real life; enjoy appetizing local cuisines like nasi goreng (Indonsian fried rice) and tapas; explore the authentic markets to pick your favourite handmade items...how fascinating! Who doesn’t want to have an island getaway, waking up to feel the waves and be amazed by our mother nature all over again? Here I have picked the best 5 must-go spots to visit in this tropical paradise from my last trip for you guys, and of course for your instagram as well!

Tegalalang Rice Terrace

Whenever you make a quick search about Bali, photos or videos of people sitting on a huge swing facing the whole piece of rice terrace would surely pop up on the top. The Bali Swing has become the top on my to-go list since then! There are a few swings in Ubud area which is more than an hour drive away from the city centre in Denpasar and we have been to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. It takes time to go but it is totally worth a visit. The entrance fee of 1USD includes the fee for some photo-taking spots like rattan bird nest decorations as well as a swing near the entrance. It feels so good to forget all the hustle and bustle, swinging all troubles away. It took us around 2 hours to finish the relaxing walk around the terrace. I would recommend visiting the terrace in the morning and having lunch at the Yellow Flower Cafe afterwards which offers a great deal of vegan food nearby. Do remember to spend an energetic day in Ubud!

Lempuyang Temple

Can you believe that you have to queue for 3 hours for a snapshot? Yes, that’s not a typo. I did queue for hours for just 5 minutes of photoshoot but that definitely would ‘Wow’ everyone. There are lots of temples in Bali with a similar style of split gate so what makes it so special? And that is the perfect mirror reflection with the heavenly background. If you are lucky enough to be in the Gate of Heaven without a cloudy sky, the Agung Volcano will be at your back as well! But sorry guys, I have to destroy your imagination and tell you guys the truth: the reflection is fake. Not until we arrived did we know that the reflection is formed with a mirror placed under the lens of our camera. So just see if you are patient enough for the wait or whether you think this spot really worth the wait when you are planning your trip!

Tip: Don't forget to get a Sarong at the entrance before entering the temple unless you have your own to show your respect to Balinese cultures.

Tamar Ujung Water Palace

This water palace located in the eastern part of Bali is indeed a sizable garden with all kinds of plants and flowers surrounding a lake. You could put it on the same day in your itinerary with the Lempuyang Temple as they are only half an hour drive away. If you are a fan of nature and greenery, make sure you don’t miss this out! Unlike other instagrammable spots, it is not crowded with tourists at all. We had an enjoyable and cozy walk there during the late afternoon. Find the stairs when walking along the path, you will be in this ancient hidden gem when you go upstairs. You can even see the gorgeous seaview from afar. Go immerse yourself in the vintage vibes with your partner or friends!

Nusa Penida

Exploring the ‘nusa’ which means outlying island in a tropical city like Bali would never disappoint you! It is a good idea to join a one-day local tour discovering the beauty of the western part of the island: Crystal Bay, Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. Kelingking Beach looks exactly like a lovely dolphin lying on the shimmering boundless ocean from the top view. It is even more mesmerizing when you see it with your own eyes. There is a super steep slope for you to get down to the beach so be extra careful if you decide to give it a go! But simply appreciating the landforms, taking a refreshing breath and listening to the soft waves are enough to make your day. Trust me, if you book a local tour like I did, your driver would be your best photographer accompanying you all the way to the spots. They are very well-trained to find the best angle for your instagram photos haha.

Tip: If you have enough time, you definitely should make a booking of their island signature treehouse to stay for a night and tour around the eastern part the next day. The Atuh Beach is truly stunning as recommended by other bloggers but it’s a pity that I missed it last time. Let me leave it for the upcoming trip!

Seminyak Beach

Speaking of a tropical adventure, how could you not end your day on a beach with the breathtaking sunset views? Seminyak Beach is still the coolest one I have ever been to. You could never take your eyes off this view when the sun meets the sea and the pastel colour palette is shown across the sky. Sitting on the comfy beanbags, ordering a Bintang (the local Balinese beer) and chilling with live music, I guess this is how my dream life be like. I have even joined the band for a little jam session. Perhaps it is the courage I would have only when I am travelling. Cheers for another beautiful laid-back day!