Bali, Indonesia

One thing that I can cross off my to-do list this year is travelling solo overseas. When someone asks me why I chose Bali, I really can't pinpoint an exact reason why I wanted to go. Truthfully, I overheard a conversation that a friend had an amazing time over there and wanted to check it out for myself. When I googled Bali, it was widely known for its rice paddies, religious temples, beaches, islands, and night life. And those were more than enough reasons for me to go. 

The flight from LAX to Ngurah Rai International Airport wasn't unbearable but it took a toll. Total flight time was 22 hours with a long layover in Guangzhou, China. But the airline was gracious enough to offer free hotel accommodation during the transfer. I arrived late night in Denpasar, the capital city of Bali and checked into my hotel at The Grand Walon in Kuta. Reviews of this hotel were very good and the hotel was only about twenty minutes away from the airport. 

At first glance, Kuta can come across as pretty chaotic, congested, and overcrowded. But to me, it seemed like a classic backpacker's stop in Southeast Asia. Kuta is a beach resort area and is known for much surfing by day and much more partying at night. I got a taste of surfing with a lesson from friendly local instructors at Kuta Beach. It takes practice, core strength, and balance. But once you get the hang of it, it's an absolute blast. During my first days in Kuta, I explored Tanah Lot Temple, the name meaning "Land in the Sea". It's a temple that sits on a large offshore rock over the ocean. It's difficult to get a picture during the day without any tourists in it. But the sight itself is incredible. On my second day, I explored Uluwatu Temple, another Balinese sea temple. Whether you are male or female, you must enter with a sarong on, which are provided free at entrance, but you do need to pay a small fee to enter. I found Uluwatu to be a more enjoyable sight than Tanah Lot because of its beautiful cliff location over looking the horizon. 

The next few days, I explored what had to be my favorite town, Ubud, known as the cultural hub of Bali and far removed from the beach party scene in Kuta. I explored Tegenungan Waterfall, unique for its lush green surroundings and heavy water flow. It's a bit of a hike downwards to get to the waterfall, but once you arrive, it's a stunning waterfall pool that you can lounge in, great for swimming and enjoying the water. It's a popular waterfall among tourists and locals so I wasn't surprised how crowded it was there. I think what attracted me most about Ubud was getting to view the gorgeous rice terraces. The trek to explore different parts of the rice terraces wasn't difficult, but it wasn't a walk in the park either. I'd recommend hiking sandals, not flip-flops to walk across the slippery water and mud.  The monkey forest was no ordinary experience either. There were wild monkeys running left and right as tourists passed through. Although seemingly cute and cuddly, I'd recommend asking a guide to help you walk and interact with the monkeys. It's strongly advised to not leave personal belongings out, touch, feed, or show teeth at the monkeys. I was so lucky enough to have leave a hand sanitizer bottle dangling outside my backpack where a monkey grabbed and stole it away. Other visits in Ubud included the lovely, Manik Abian coffee plantation, where they make the most expensive coffee in the world (no joke)! I was a bit unlucky with the weather as it started raining during the site tour, but they were friendly enough to give out umbrellas. I thought this visit was very educative as you see how Luwak coffee is made - the process was well explained. At the end, I had the chance to taste different styles of teas and coffees, apart from Luwak, for free. If I had a favorite, it would be the Mocha coffee. I bought this coffee to bring home at their shop. The most prized memory of Ubud was visiting a local primary school where I got the chance to meet and play with the kids there. I met some of the sweetest young girls there. They reminded me that friends can come in any size and from any place.

My last few days were spent on the lovely island of Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three Gili Islands with an estimated permanent population of about 800. To get to this island took about a 2-3 hour fast-boat from Ubud. The island is known for a wild party reputation and cheap accommodation. I learned that the people on the island don't speak Balinese but Indonesian. A cool fact about this island is that the only mode of transport was cycling. You can cycle around the entire island in about 2-3 hours. One of the highlights of Gili T was cycling to the gorgeous Trawangan swings. There was nothing more enjoyable than having a cold beverage in your hand and watching the sun set. It's also popular to go island hopping by boat and snorkel. I haven't tried snorkeling before but was lucky enough to see beautiful fish and a huge sea turtle underwater. And lucky for me again, I totally threw up in the Bali Sea from being seasick on the bumpy boat ride around the islands. No shame, but it's probably a memory I won't forget anytime soon. 

I was able to make my trek back to the main island and to the airport for my flight home safely. All I could think about was how exquisite Bali is and how much I'd love to fly back there one day. To anyone who's looking to travel solo anywhere, it's possible - no matter how old you are, what gender you are, or where you are in life. If it's important for you to do this, you will make the time. Time to research the country, plan your travels, and commit to it. Thank you for reading! 

Cheers,
kim

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

-Jawaharial Nehru