Bali Hidden Gems - Make Your Short Trip Unforgettable

Bali over the Weekend: Nusa Lembongan and Gianyar 

Experiencing the Hidden Gems of the Island of the Gods

It's only fitting that Bali is made the subject of my first English blog post. This is something I've been pondering for quite some time - the idea of making my blog bilingual exhausts me - but it's such a great opportunity to introduce the more exciting, more unknown, parts of this popular tropical paradise to foreign tourists and fellow travellers alike. Indonesians would have no difficulties exploring the nooks and crevices of Bali - the same rarely goes to foreign visitors, who require more caution and adequate travel preparations.

Some of you may have been to Bali, several times even. But when you feel like this small island, the pride of Indonesians, have nothing new to offer anymore, suddenly the social media is abuzz with newly discovered hidden gems - those small corners of Bali that were once carefully guarded by the locals or simply unaccessible due to road conditions. Even the native Balinese are unfamiliar with some of these beautiful places. Often times our taxi driver couldn't identify the places my sister and I were looking for. 'Really? I just heard about this now, and I've been living on this island for years.' This was a long-running comment from the locals when we told them these places we've visited during our short holiday. I highly recommend these itinerary to second-timers and those who have been regularly vacationing in Bali for the past years and are looking for new ways to experience what the Island of the Gods has to offer.

TIPS FROM AN INDONESIAN TO A FOREIGNER

Bali has always been advertised as a world-class travel destination. You can find almost everything you're looking for in a tropical paradise: delicious local delicacies, rich Hindu culture in an Islam-majority country, ancient traditions and architecture, friendly natives who are always ready to help you as well as natural beauty that's hard to compare with anywhere else in the world.

If you're a first timer in Bali, however, there are certain traditions and etiquette that you probably should know:

• Bali is in no manner a representation of the entire country. It's a majority Hindu region, with different culture and tradition to the rest of Indonesia. The natives celebrate Hindu holidays that are not similarly revered in other parts of the country. Their mannerism, habits, dialect and attitude towards foreign tourists may differ greatly than other regions.
• Prices differ greatly between the popular 'touristy' areas and the rural parts of Bali. Restaurants in the lively beaches of Kuta and Seminyak may charge you 5-6 times higher. However, accommodation is fairly cheap in Bali, even for a four-star hotel. 
• If you walk past Balinese houses and buildings, you may see offerings of food or flowers on display as well as small packets of incense and flowers on the ground. This is called 'canang' and is a sacred act for the Balinese, so don't step on them. If you accidentally do so, take care to apologize.
• Some sacred sites in Bali may require you to dress appropriately (if you wear something that's too short or revealing, they may rent a traditional 'sarong' to cover yourself with. Even though native Balinese probably don't consider the sight of people walking down the city streets in a bikini improper, these days many people who work in the tourism industry come from the more conservative parts of the country, such as Java and the nearby provinces, and you'll probably find yourself being stared at or even cat-called more often than you're comfortable with.
• Nyepi - regarded as the most sacred day in Bali, Nyepi is when the native Balinese cease their daily activities and stay home to do some self-reflection. The streets would be deserted, shops closed and lights out. Avoid visiting Bali during this day as you will find it difficult to get around. 
• At first glance Bali looks very inviting with its relaxing atmosphere and round-the-clock holiday vibes, but it's still a part of Indonesia and therefore adopts the same rule of law. Carrying, using and buying/selling narcotics and illegal drugs may carry death penalty. Don't forget to check with the Indonesian embassy website to learn about what kind of activities are considered illegal in the country.
• Other etiquettes are somewhat standard to the rest of Indonesia. It's considered rude to touch other people's head, to give something with your left hand instead of right, to point at something with your foot or to be loud and obnoxious in places that are considered sacred by the locals.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: THE MAINSTREAM PLACES IN BALI

Some people enjoy seeing lively, crowded places. Some others, myself included, prefer the more tranquil-less-bustling ambience, which Bali has in abundance. If you have more than 3 days to explore Bali, do try out these quintessential Balinese experiences:

Beaches and Nature: 

• The beaches of Kuta, Jimbaran and Seminyak are packed with foreign and local tourists. These are well-facilitated tourist attractions with quaint shops and restaurants that cater to all ages and preferences.
• Jimbaran offers a selection of beachfront restaurants with lanterns that look amazing and feel equally romantic after dusk.
• Karma Kandara, Karangasem and the more recently known Menjangan are somewhat more secluded beaches but are naturally further from large settlements.
• There are many beautiful waterfalls in Bali that make for memorable Instagram posts, including Tegenungan, Kembar Gitgit and Dusun Kuning that are fairly accessible.
• Bedugul Lake and Mt. Batur are arguably the most famous natural landmarks in Bali, the former being a natural lake on a volcanic crater and the latter the most popular hiking spot on the island.

Culture:

• Sacred temples such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Ulun Danu and Taman Ayun offer great cultural knowledge and history. 
• There are cultural villages - where all of its inhabitants showcase traditional Balinese lifestyle and offer local sightseeing tours and manufacture handmade goods - all over the island. The most famous ones are Kertalangu and Ubud.
• The quintessence of rural Bali, the rice terraces of Ubud provides the tranquil atmosphere away from the crowded touristy areas.

Indulgence:

• Balinese spa and wellness is an all-time favourite activity, especially for female tourists. 
• Bali is also known for its private villas, popular among honeymooners and couples.
• Seminyak road is full of high-end fashion boutiques as well as thematic cafes & restaurants.

DAY 1 - NUSA LEMBONGAN

Nusa Lembongan - Nusa meaning 'Island' in Sanskrit, a language used in ancient Indonesian - is nowadays a popular site for family-friendly water sports and fun activities. Tour operators that offer full-day trips or multiple days visit to this island are mostly based in Sanur, a seaside tourist spot on the mainland that's just across the strait. I was looking for a fun day trip for me and my sister for her belated birthday present and came across one of these on a website called Bali Seawalker. There are many different packages and prices that differ between local and foreign tourists, but the main star is always the Seawalking activity, where they put a 90 pound oxygen-supplied helmet on you so you can walk on the seabed looking at and feeding tropical fish 3 m-deep with the assistance of two divers.

Since we booked online, we telegraphed the advance payment one week prior. Our package was called 'Treasure Hunt', which entails a private pick up service from our hotel (as long as it's in popular nearby tourist areas such as Kuta, Jimbaran or Legian) at 7.30 am. We stayed in Bedrock Kuta, a 4-star cozy hotel with a great buffet breakfast to boot, 5 minutes away from the Airport by car. We realized from the driver that our particular operator, the Equator, caters to Chinese tourists (even our on-the-spot registration form is in Chinese letters), and there we found ourselves the only 2 Indonesian people in a boat full of 80+ Chinese tourists, all speaking - sometimes yelling - in Mandarin.

The ferry from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan took a mere 40 minutes and soon we were transferred to a Pontoon boat on a snorkeling spot. The boat offers 4 different activities on every direction: snorkeling, frenzy raft (basically 4 people sitting on a raft pulled by a speedboat), banana boat ride and seawalking. The Equator provide all the necessary equipments, including safety vests, full-face snorkel masks and diving shoes for walking on the seabed. Lockers are available for rent at Rp 15,000 for both on the pontoon and the beach club plus a complimentary towel. As the highlight of the trip, we queued for the seawalking first. It turned out to be the experience of a lifetime. Youtube videos of underwater walking are cool, but putting on the helmet and getting to see the coral life first-hand without the need for a diving equipment is something else entirely. So far Bali is the only place in Indonesia that offers this experience, so missing out on it would be a bummer!

This 90 pounds-helmet feels a lot lighter underwater. Oxygen is supplied to the helmet via a long hose, pushing the water level to a minimum inside the helmet. Similar experience is available in Sanur.

The downside of going on these scheduled tours is of course, being hard-pressed on time. The seawalking was 5-7 minutes at most as they had to serve 80+ people within 2 hours and our snorkeling was cut short (not that it mattered much, because even though the water was clear there wasn't much fish activity caught on my camera). Nearing lunch time, our guide took a party of 10 people to explore the island. We were brought by a small flatbed-car-turned-passenger-buggy to the highest spot on the island, where we could see the entire one side of the island, its coastline and ships sauntering back and forth. Unfortunately, the view was too unclear and the viewing spot was littered with construction  materials and scaffolding, making it impossible to take a good landscape shot. 

The next spot, however, was largely rewarding. It's a series of sharp cliffs jutting out to the sea, carved by the breaking waves. The two large caves on the side of the cliff gave the newly popular spot its name: Devil's Tears. Take caution when stepping over the rocks, as they are sharp and uneven.

Devil's Tears during a series of large waves

As the sun moves to its highest position in the sky, we were transported to the beach club for a buffet lunch (included in the package) and about an hour of free time on the beach before we head back to the ferry. My sister and I agreed to try sea-canoeing for about 20 minutes - before her arms started to give up - carefully avoiding going too far and getting carried by the waves. As this was my first time paddling on the ocean, the experience was both very unnerving and liberating! 

Canoeing is nothing new to me, but at sea it felt much more taxing, as we had to paddle against the current

At about 2 pm, a small glass-bottom boat took us back to the ferry. We sat at the very front row and experienced first hand what it feels like to ride a roller coaster for 40 minutes non-stop. The ride back to Sanur was a lot more bumpy, with everyone screaming on the top of their lungs each time the boat soars over the waves. The front part of the boat, of course, took the majority of the impact force against the water and we were both gripping the side of our seats tightly to lessen the G-Force (unsuccessfully lol). A boat crew was unbelievably asleep throughout most of the ride, seemingly unfazed by the falling sensation and the shrieks of 80 passengers.

The Equator Dive and Beach Club in a more secluded part of Nusa Lembongan

By 3 pm we were back in Sanur, where our driver was already waiting to take us back to the hotel. We spent the evening enjoying beach barbecue at Jimbaran, a favourite spot for eating seafood in Bali.

The hundred lanterns providing dim lighting on Jimbaran beach.

Highlight of the day: Seawalking

What to prepare: swimsuit, lots of sunblock, water, change clothes

How much: trip packages to Nusa Lembongan vary depending on the amount of activities, from $100 for a Treasure Hunt day trip like ours (foreigner price).

DAY 2 - BEJI GUWANG

A last minute decision, my sister and I were initially worried that we would be too exhausted from the day before to go canyoneering in Guwang, Gianyar. After a brief research the evening prior (mostly looking at unbelievable instagram photos, some Youtube reviews and blog articles) and a trip to the local hardware store to buy rubber safety shoes, we decided it's worth the try. We called the Beji Guwang management office (the number is available on Google) to ask if the water level was low. The canyons are closed after heavy rain or when the water level is too high for safety, so it's important to check with the management before you head out. We took a car ride to Gianyar, located some 5 miles to the east of Denpasar. I recommend renting a motorcycle or arrange for your driver to wait on the parking lot since public transport and taxi are scarce in this part of Bali. Uber is available sometimes, but you might have to wait up to half an hour or more.

At about 9 am we arrived at Beji Guwang, the first visitors of the day. The entrance to the canyon is located in front of a Hindu temple. We purchased the ticket on a booth for Rp 15,000 per person and guide fee of Rp 100,000. The start of the trail is a series of steep steps descending down to river level where we changed to our rubber shoes. The guide himself was barefooted, but we knew that there would be sharp pebbles along the river and wearing rubber shoes proved to be a wise decision. That particular day the water level is very low and some parts of the river were basically reduced to small streams. However, there are large boulders that we had to climb on and the river bed can be deep at some points. I slipped once when climbing on a ledge into a deep section of the river. Thankfully the guide held onto my hand and I managed to not drown entirely, even though my sister's phone (which was in my jacket pocket that time) sustained some water damage. 

You have to jump, climb, descend, walk on ledge and even submerge yourself waist-deep in the river

There are three canyon spots that serve as trek points. You can choose to only go to the first spot, which is a short distance from the start of the trail and not very difficult, but I highly recommend the full trek, which took only a little more than 2 hours for us (and that's with taking hundreds of photos along the way). 

These prehistoric rocks made me feel so small

I've been canyoneering before in West Java, but it was pale in comparison with Beji Guwang. This is probably the most beautiful canyon I've ever been to in my whole life. The place looks prehistoric, with car-sized boulders and erosion marks on the cliffsides. It was like venturing into a Jurassic park movie. It wasn't a particularly difficult trek, but certainly not easy, which is why you have to hire a guide. Our guide was very helpful, taking our photographs for us and even carrying our backpacks across some difficult parts of the river. He told us that the canyon has only been open to public for 2 years and not even Balinese people are aware of it. It has recently gained traction on the social media, however, especially among the young people of Jakarta and foreign tourists. April and August are probably the best month to visit Beji Guwang, as both have the lowest precipitation. The best time to visit would be about 9 am or in the afternoon to avoid harsh light on your pictures.

There are several intriguing rock piles like this along the trek. The guide was being coy about it, maybe to add to the  mysterious charm of the area

The sharp angles of the rocks belie its slippery surface. Don't forget to protect your phone from water.

At the end of the trail, we ascended more steps and exited through a vast paddy and chilli pepper field. The whole canyoneering experience was already spectacular, but it's made even sweeter with the panoramic view of Bali countryside. We walked back to the ticketing booth on a stone path among the rice fields, taking beautiful photographs along the way before we eventually rinsed ourselves and changed to dry clothes at the toilet. There are also some snack and beverage stalls nearby.

The way back to the canyon entrance is through a vast paddy field

From Beji Guwang, we walked westward to the Guwang Sukawati art market, where we purchased some local handmade souvenirs and oil-on-canvas paintings. This is a relatively new market which is an extension of the more popular and mainstream Sukawati market, a short distance to the north. Remember to haggle, as these sellers would offer a steep opening price. 

An Oil Painting Vendor at Guwang Art Market in Gianyar, Bali

At the evening, we tried out a relative's recommendation of good western-style restaurant called Wahaha Pork Ribs on Sunset Road. Priced at Rp 160,000 + tax per meal, this food is large enough for two, with french fries or mashed potato or rice on the side. It would be wise to reserve in advance or avoid dinner rush hours (around 7-8 pm) as this is a very popular restaurant.

Wahaha's flagship menu: BBQ Pork Ribs

Highlight of the day: Hidden Canyon of Beji Guwang

How much: Rp 15,000 of entrance fee/person + Rp 100,000 for guide

What to prepare: wet shoes (available for $5 at Ace Hardware), change clothes, water

DAY 3 - CULINARY TOURS

We spent a good part of the last day trying out Balinese cuisine. Our breakfast was Tipat Kuah, a local cuisine made of steamed rice cake in chicken stock with Balinese herbs and chicken meat, hard-boiled egg, vegetables and roast pork, topped with fried onion, peanuts and spicy sauce. We've been told it's a native favourite that's not widely available in the touristy areas of Bali.

Tipat Kuah

Tipat Kuah, a perfectly light Balinese breakfast

Babi Guling (Suckling Pig)

A good rule of thumb to enjoy local cuisine: don't buy in fancy, touristy restaurants. Look for small food kiosks on the side of the road or in downtown Denpasar. Tourists mostly aren't fussy about the quality and price of local food, as long as it looks authentic. The locals, however, would flock to the best and affordable food kiosks. Pork is one of the favorite sources of protein in Bali, and  it's incorporated in many of the local delicacies. A must try is the Suckling Pig, stuffed with Balinese spices and herbs and slow-roasted on open fire, just look for the sign 'Babi Guling' on the streets.

Slices of slow-roasted Suckling pig belly and satay with Balinese herbs and spices

Sate Lilit

Sate lilit is another favorite pork-based food, but it can also be made of beef. It's basically minced meat on bamboo sticks, grilled on charcoal fire while continuously slathered with spices. The most famous is Sate Lilit Bawah Pohon in Legian, Kuta. The owner grills satays below a large tree on a tent, earning its name (Bawah Pohon means Under the Tree in Indonesian).

'Lilit' means 'Coiled Around', as the minced pork is set in place by hand around the bamboo sticks

Rainbow Porridge by Laota

The last meal we ate in Bali is not a local cuisine - it's Chinese porridge - but it's made famous in the area and tourists have flocked to the island in the quest for this holy hong kong-style grail. Customer favorite would be the Rainbow Porridge with 7 types of meat (seafood + chicken + fermented egg / hundred year egg). 

The famous Laota Porridge in Tuban, near Kuta in Bali

And that concluded our short but memorable stay in Bali, the third in my lifetime but definitely the best. I hope you find all this information useful. Enjoy your stay on the island and subscribe to receive my future travel reviews and itineraries!