Indonesia-- Wonderous Journeys -- Natia's Personal Website

AboutNatia > Travel Logs > Indonesia

Welcome to Indonesia!
Indonesia has been on my travel list for a long time, so when the opportunity came up to visit, I was thrilled. Bali, where I spent, most of my time, had especially a great mix of interesting cultural elements and practices, delicious food, inspiring bushwalks and world-class scuba diving.
CITIES/PLACES VISITED IN INDONESIA : Bali (Ubud, Seminyak, Tulamben, Denpasar) and Jakarta.
Where to eat & Sleep in Indonesia

Restaurant & Accomodations Recommendations for Bali

Key Expressions & Words in Indonesian

Terima Kasih (Phonetic : Teh-ree-mah Kah-see) : Thanks
Sampai Jumpa (Phonetic : sam-paee jum-pah) : Bye
Selamat Pagi (Phonetic : seh-lah-mat pah-gee) : Good Morning (They also use 'Hi')
Enak (Phonetic : ee-nahk) : Tasty
Mat Neuss (Phonetic : mat nay-ooss) : Damn Tasty

TOP THINGS TO DO/SEE IN BALI

Bike tour across the countryside and rice fields in Bali (25km downhill at an easy pace)

Balinese-style Food Cooking Course

Amazing & easy scuba diving in Tulamben on shipwreck The Liberty

Bushwalk in the rice fields

Check out interesting temples in Ubud, etc

Check out the fascinating main art gallery in Ubud

Check out Terraced hills for a heavenly view

Enjoy a traditional Balinese meal

Wandering around both Ubud and Seminyak - Lots to discover (especially shopping and restaurants)

BEST MEMORIES FROM BALI

Amazing gargoyles and statues throughout Bali
The zen feeling that overwhelms you when walking through the rice fields on bushwalks in Bali
Night Dive on a Shipwreck and amazing Macro Photography opportunity at Tulamben
Hanging out in Ubud... my kind of place. Very vibrant and boho.

WATCH OUT FOR...

The monkeys in any monkey park or sanctuary. (I heard some have grabbed and broken glasses right off people's faces in Uluwatu, and make sure you don't have any food with you, even commercial candy)

FAVOURITE FOODS / DRINKS IN BALI

Salak fruit (Slightly tart and dry but ever so tasty)
Dadar pancakes (Filled with caramelised coconut)
Babi Guling (Roast Suckling Pig)
Satay Pork or Chicken (Mmm, peanut sauce)
Sambal (Indonesian Chili Sauce! If you like Chili, Indonesia is your place!)

INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT...

The Balinese are lovely people. Always smiling.
Balinese vs Javanese. Two very different cultures.
Balinese vs Javanese food - Quite different food.
There are almost no stop lights or stop signs in Bali. It's all about merging and constantly moving forward but at a very careful pace. I felt very safe in that environment actually. They are very careful and aware drivers.

PHOTO ALBUMS

Gargoyles & Statues Bali	Ubud Cooking Class Bali	Ubud Hiking Bali
Bike Tour Central Bali	Food Bali	Monkey Forest Ubud, Bali
Ubud, the town Bali	Art Galleries & Souvenirs Bali	Seminyak Bali
Denpasar City Bali	Denpasar Markets Bali	Terraced Fields Bali
Offerings Bali	Road Transport Bali	Scuba Diving Tulamben, Bali
Jakarta Indonesia

WHAT TO DO WHEN I GO BACK

Full 4 hr hike from Ibah Luxury Villas in Ubud (Campuan Ridge), Bali
Experience interaction with Dolphins (Dolphin Lodge, Jalan Tukad Punggawa, Link Br. Ponjok Kelurahan Serangan, +62.361.780.3886 / 780.3881, enquiry.dolphinlodge@gmail.com), in Bali
Visit the Sidha Karya Gong Foundry (Centre of Bali, near Blahbatuh)
See the terraced hills at Tegalalang (and even more rice paddies here)
Visit Gianyar town to see the beautiful ornamental palace of the royal family.
Uluwatu (West Bali) for the Kecak Fire Dance performance, Classical Balinese Architecture, been told to watch out for the evil monkeys. Check out Rock Bar to watch sunset (get there early to avoid lineups).
South Bali : Jimbaran - A good place to eat fresh seafood served over coconut husks. Fishing boats with lamps set off into water at dusk.
Elephant Safari Park
Tirta Empul (spring), tampaksiring
Go East to see Taman Gili, a royal compound with beautiful ceiling paintings in 2 large pavilions.
Find the unique mango called Wani, which is found in the singaraja area and has a distinctive smell cherished by the Balinese
Diving : Manta Point at Nusa Penida, Visit & Dive Gilis Islands, The Magnet for Hammerheads (Lombok)
Volcano Hike up Mt Agung
Supposedly I must try the Bakso Chicken, balinese-style chicken.