Bali, for the first time.

It's Christmas and after a couple of weeks, a new year will begin. I grew up always making sure that I'm with the whole family on the first day of the year because that will be the reflection of the whole year- if I'm not with them, I'll not be with them the whole year, that's what they say. But this coming new year, for the first time, I'll not be with my family, moreover, I'll be in Bali.


I went to Bali last month to attend the Southeast Asian Bloggers Conference and had a glimpse of how rich the culture is and how beautiful the people are.


For me, Bali in Indonesia is as beautiful as Boracay in the Philippines. The difference is just, Boracay is more commercial, Bali is more cultural and maybe, the "sand" and the "bikes."

Beer, book and beach always go together.

Below is one of the most photographed places in Bali, I guess. But before you get to see this very beautiful place, you have to make friends with the monkeys all over the temple of Uluwatu which comes from different sizes and age so you have to be mindful about your little things like bags, sunglasses and even necklace! (I kept my necklace since I was scared to lose it again and I don't like Taku to look for a new one over again.) 


Uluwatu is such a serene and beautiful place, a very good place for reflection but just like any sacred place, please try to be mindful of what you're wearing. Well, just in case you're in a "beach" mode and wearing shorts, linens are available in the entrance for you to cover your legs!

I like this part of GWK Cultural Park- Lotus Pond. It's so vast and green, I can look at it for the whole day!

GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) Cultural Park is a good stop when you visit Bali. There, you'll see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue that will be standing 150 meters tall with wings span 64 meters across.


According to GWK, the statue is picturing Lord Wisnu, as the source of wisdom, riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda as the manifestation of conscience toward Amerta, the perennial goodness and it is made from more than 4000 tons of copper and brass. The statue and its pedestal will be surrounded by more than 240 hectares cultural park which was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. GWK Cultural Park is intended to educate, especially the young generations about the importance of preserving and cultivating world’s cultural heritage.


 As of the moment, the statue of Wisnu, the statue of Garuda, and the hands of Wisnu have been placed temporarily in three different plazas within the park. 


You may refer to the photo below to let your imagination fly on how big the statue is going to be once it has been put altogether.

Left to right: Statue of Lord Wisnu, Garuda, miniature of how it'll look like after completion.

One of my favorites in Bali is the Balinese dancer. 

How they move their hips, hands and even their eyes are fabulous plus their colorful costume! The music is also very wonderful and reminds me of the "Singkil" dance in the Mindanao, southern part of the Philippines which I think both dances influenced each other because of their location. Remember, Indonesia have lots of Durian just like our beloved Mindanao. I would be grateful to learn a few steps of their dances, especially the "eye" movements. Awesome!

Balinese dancer at GWK

Of course, I love eating, no one can change it. But of course, Indonesian dishes are so spicy! You have to be ready to have water beside you. Haha. But I think I can eat Nasi Goreng the whole week!

A few reminders to have a wonderful uninterrupted exploration and vacation, please listen to me cause I didn't learn the last time I visited Indonesia and forgot about adapter. 

Philippines uses the flat one but Indonesia uses the rounded one.

Watch your step! Most of the people in Bali are Hindus which makes the place more interesting aside from the beautiful places to go and see. 

Always be careful when walking cause you might step on one of their offerings- a basket or container filled with flowers or rice which is called "canang sari." It is basically a ritual of giving back what the gods has given and in Balinese perspective, giving back or offering is the best way to maintain the relationships between the people and the spirits and it is believed that it will appease the spirit and will bring prosperity and good health to the people.

Offerings in shops

I almost stepped on this offering in Kuta Beach.

Offerings in sidewalks.

One of my memorable experience in Bali is the "blessing" or the prayer. I was astonished with the amount of water thrown to us and the grains of rice that was put in my forehead. Surprisingly, I felt renewed.  

the start of the prayer.

Cheers for good life!

I have attempted to drink Bintang twice during the trip but I guess, it's reserved for the next visit! Most of them agreed that Laos beer is the best (I'll try it soon!) but I hope that this one can beat the best Philippine beer: San Miguel (which I doubt! Haha)

Taku sent me a chat message when I was there saying that "Bali sunset is dangerous" only to keep me away from seeing it because we'll be back soon. Sunset is always one of the best moments in trips and I'll definitely catch more of the Bali sunsets soon, now with him.

I'll be back for more, Bali! See you in a few days!

(From the Philippines, I comfortably flew to Kuala Lumpur via Cebu Pacific Air and flew to Bali via Air Asia)