top of page
Search

BALI BOUND: IS IT WHAT YOU THINK?

While Bali has become a hotspot in the past few years, especially among digital nomads and travel groups, is Bali everything that you see on Instagram? Filters, swings, rice fields and thrilling experiences. Sounds great, but what's missing?



I'll let you decide for yourself, but all I can say is you must experience the places you see to know the story behind every picture. Bali has quickly become the number one destination on many people's wish list. As with any other tourist hotspots like Paris, London, and New York City, it is obvious that you can expect crowds, despite visiting off-season. After spending two weeks in Indonesia solo, I chose to end my trip in Bali.


Here are some of my impressions, along with things I learned (sometimes the hard way) from the moment I landed in Bali:

1 - Right away upon landing, I felt like I was actually on vacation, for the first time in two weeks. Why? Well, the airport gives off that kind of vibe. Signs of Balinese culture is everywhere, from the architecture and decor around the airport. I found the Bali sign and the vibe around the airport, from the multiple restaurants around, to the several transportation options and the trees. It is clean, the Wi-Fi is not so good, but it is easy to find your way around and you can get a SIM card.


2 - I came across more tourists in Bali than locals. The restaurants and landmarks are catered to tourism. In a way, it made me feel bad for the locals, as it is already hard to get by, and now the influx of tourists have driven the costs up of everything. Don't get me wrong, while tourism is bringing in a lot of money, how much of the population benefits from it? Surely, there are more job options, but does the cost of living balance what the locals are making? Many have invested in properties in Bali. In Bali, you can expect to pay more at restaurants, in addition to a government tax added to your bill.


3 - Bali is in Indonesia. Believe it or not, I laughed when my guide in Jakarta told me that many people will say they've been to Bali, but not Indonesia. Unfortunately, it is true that many people fly only to Bali and don't get to explore other parts of Indonesia. It reminds me of the UAE and how people think Dubai is a country. I have seen this happen many times!


4 - The traffic is a mess. Bali is huge and many people don't realize that. You will always come across the beautiful Insta-worthy spots, but nobody tells you how long it takes to get from place to place. Now imagine the stress, when I landed at 12 and was hoping to make it for a ferry at 3 pm. Though I checked the route on before landing, when I got there, the driver told me it may take 2 hours to get to the port. Don't rely on the maps. Do download Grab and Gojek. Tolls are not included in the rate listed, thus you may find an additional cost added to the estimate at the end of your journey.


5 - As a first-timer in Bali, I recommend sticking to specific areas based on your interest or moving around throughout your stay. The most popular spots are Ubud (basically where I found the majority of the landmarks to be), Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu and Kuta. Each place brings its' own charm, but it all depends on your interest. For example, you can expect breathtaking sunsets in Uluwatu, or a peaceful relaxing getaway in Ubud, or if you are into partying, then Canggu might be calling your name. I opted for Ubud.


6 - Bali is overrated. Those swings you see? They're everywhere. The opportunities to fill your Instagram feed are endless.


Pretty much every scenic restaurant has a photo-op. They've got different props for your pictures, whether it is a bird's nest or the aesthetic of the place itself. You are guaranteed to find something worth taking a picture of. However, I found Bali to be overrated. I never really traveled to show or for Instagram, and I definitely have been staying away from posting on Instagram for that reason.


For me, to travel is to experience, not to always capture the moments as a picture or video. I travel to learn, to appreciate the world, and having photo ops around constantly takes away from the purpose. In Bali, I just felt like I was stuck at an Instagram shoot all day long, which is one of the reasons I decided to opt out of booking more tours and visiting more places.


7 - Bali is crowded. Walking in the streets at any time of day, I came across mostly souvenirs, and well, people. Everywhere you go, there are people. For example, when it comes to the attractions, you can expect to wait for hours. The Gateway to Heaven is one of the most popular Instagram pictures you will see when you search up Bali and the wait times can take 3-4 hours on regular day (Imagine this was considered "normal" when I visited a week before the peak season began, so you can probably expect to wait longer in high season).


8 - Indonesia is a Muslim country, but you still need to ask about Halal options in Bali! Going to Yogyakarta before coming to Bali was a blessing in disguise, as I got to learn about the history of Bali and got a better understanding of Balinese culture after visiting Borobudur. I understood the significance of religion and got a fresh perspective on how it impacted the different islands in the country. Bali has a high Hindu population, which is why my driver advised me to always ask about halal before eating in Bali. As it is a place that caters to the international market, unlike the other places I had visited in Indonesia, I started seeing pork on the menu in Bali. Some places did not offer halal, but there are many vegan and vegetarian-only restaurants. There are seafood options. There are lots of healthy options.



9 - Spend more time on the neighboring islands, rather than the mainland. The good news is, though the ports are not so close to the airport, you have access to many islands nearby without having to get on a plane. I spontaneously decided to book a two-night stay in Nusa Penida after coming across a beautiful hotel. Though I originally planned a day-trip to Nusa Penida only, I ended up enjoying my stay there more than mainland Bali. I also met a lot of people who went to other places, such as Gili T and Lombok. These are other options you can consider, but do keep in mind that it may be smaller islands and thus, you may not have taxis or the ease of moving around, but it is still doable and worth a visit.


10 - Balinese culture is present everywhere! You will find the majority of shops and landmarks place offerings outside every single day, known as "Canang Sari." They look like a woven basket, and they are made of coconut leaves. They are usually filled with flowers, snacks and burning incense. You will find them outside of family homes as well. I also noticed that many neighborhoods had their own temples for the community, and many families also have temples. There are lots of temples and they are pretty much everywhere.


Perhaps the mistake I made was having high expectations of Bali, or maybe I did not like Bali just because of my travel style. Regardless of what it may be, I am not saying to not go to Bali. Would I go back? Given that I decided to cut my trip short and leave early, I highly doubt it. There are a lot of activities that I looked at and considered doing (though I have done it in other places). There are many places I skipped out on, simply by choice, to avoid the crowds and the constant feel of being stuck in a photograph. I do not regret it. I am glad I spent the short time that I did in Bali.


I am glad that I found that while the food is great and the fruits are so fresh (and organic), not all restaurants taste good. Some places you can expect to spend more, though it is still very affordable (think about $20 for a meal being a "luxury" dining experience). Other than that, I also did not like the amount of bugs, mosquitoes and lizards I came across, but it is expected as with any islands.


This is only my personal preference and thoughts, of course, to each their own. What does not work for me, may be the best thing that happens to you. You won't know, unless you experience it for yourself!


Have you been to Bali or is it on your list? Let me know your thoughts!


Comments


bottom of page