Traveling to Bali from Thailand as part of our vacation was an adventure within an adventure, with plenty of surprises and pleasures. Before our trip, I was sitting in the Japanese town of Nara, known to have freely roaming deer, when I received a message that our flight from Thailand to Bali had been rescheduled […]

In Bali, we needed a 6-seater car as Marianna’s mum was visiting. On popular websites, I found just one option available for the entire 3.5-week period of our stay. The price was around 1,200 GBP. With no real alternatives, I booked it, only to receive a message a few hours later informing me that the […]

Garuda Vishnu Kencana (GWK) Park is one of the most iconic and spectacular landmarks in Bali. Located in the southern part of the island, it serves as a cultural centre where various artistic events occur, including traditional Balinese dances, musical performances, and theatrical shows. The park’s main highlight is the towering Garuda Vishnu Kencana statue, […]

Candidasa, a small town on the eastern coast of Bali, was a nice break from the hustle and bustle we experienced as we made our way from the busy streets of Kuta. Our villa, nestled right by the sea, was surrounded by lush greenery and towering coconut palms. Here, for the first time on our […]

Candidasa, also known as “Cheli Dasa,” was originally a small fishing village. Its name comes from the ancient “Pura Candidasa” temple, located on a hill overlooking the town. As you stroll through the streets, you can still feel the local charm of this place, which has managed to retain its original character even as it […]

The Ujung Water Palace is one of the most picturesque and richest historical sites in Bali. It is located in the eastern part of the island, near the town of Amlapura, and was once the residence of the Karangasem royal family.      Photo: Ujung Water Palace The palace was built in the early 20th […]

Bali is well known for its lush ocean views, a feature that cements it as an essential item on the world’s vacation bucket list. It’s hard to believe, but during our entire stay in Bali, we only visited the beach twice. One of those visits was a short trip to Virgin Beach, although even then […]

Goa Lawah Temple, also known as the Bat Cave Temple, is one of the most significant sacred sites in Bali. It was established in the 11th century by Mpu Kuturan, a renowned Balinese priest who played a key role in the development of Hinduism on the island. Entry to the temple is only allowed with […]

At our villa in Candidasa, our very kind neighbour, Wayan, turned out to be invaluable during our stay. We needed help with various things – from ordering coconuts to organizing massages and booking a diving trip. All it took was a quick phone call to Wayan. One afternoon, he suggested we have lunch together. We […]

Banjar and Lovina are two picturesque towns located on the northern coast of Bali, offering a quieter and less crowded alternative to the more heavily tourist-populated areas of the island. Our villa in Banjar was situated on a hillside, offering a stunning view of the surrounding area. In the mornings, we could watch the sunrise […]

Brahmavihara Arama is the largest and most well-known Buddhist monastery in Bali, often referred to as the “Buddhist Monastery of Bali.” The monastery is particularly valued for its beautiful architecture, which harmoniously blends Balinese and Buddhist elements. Another interesting feature is that the monastery has a unique replica of the Borobudur stupa, one of the […]

Mesusun Waterfall, also known as Air Terjun Mesesun, is one of the wildest and least-discovered places we visited during our stay in Bali. A hidden gem, rarely visited by tourists, it’s located in the Buleleng region in the north of the island, near the village of Munduk.    Photo: Mesusun Waterfall Reaching the waterfall involves […]

Bali Reptile Park is the first and only reptile park on the island, known for its rich collection of several species. Established in 1996, the park is actively involved in the conservation and rescue of reptiles. It is beautifully situated amidst lush greenery, with large trees providing shade and relief from the hot Balinese sun. […]

We visited Lovina Beach twice. The first time was during lunch at Warung 3D, and the second was when we went to a hotel, hoping for a swim in the sea. Warung 3D is located right on the beach, making it a perfect spot for lunch, especially at sunset. The food was delicious, and the […]

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is one of the most famous and picturesque temples in Bali. It is located on the western shore of Lake Beratan, in the mountains of Bedugul, at an altitude of about 1,200 metres above sea level. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is one of Bali’s most recognisable symbols and frequently appears on […]

In Banjar, we often had some rather unusual visitors – a group of monkeys. They would typically drop by for a short while, check out the surroundings, hop around the area, and then quickly be on their way. However, on our penultimate day at the villa, we decided to keep them around for a bit […]

For the first time during our travels, our villa shared a courtyard with a Balinese family. When booking, we hadn’t fully realised that this would be the case, but it turned out to be an interesting experience. The family was multi-generational, and the courtyard was quite densely built-up, with space for a family temple as […]

Walking around the nearby streets is our favourite way of discovering the customs of the local people. In the shops here, you can literally find everything, but when you need something specific, it seems it’s always the one thing they don’t have. 😊 Once, I tried to buy some mineral water from one of these […]

We had the option of visiting the rice terraces in either Jatiluwih or Tegallalang. Ultimately, we chose the latter, primarily because it was nearly an hour closer and came recommended by our host. Tegallalang is the most popular rice terrace in Bali, though this popularity has led to significant commercialisation. We purchased our tickets next […]

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a popular trail in Ubud, offering breathtaking views of hills, valleys, rice terraces, and the jungle. The path starts at the Gunung Lebah Temple, just a short 15-minute drive from where we were staying, and we managed to park right next to the temple. The temple is situated at the […]

Penglipuran is a traditional Balinese village located in the Bangli Regency, renowned for preserving authentic Balinese culture and architecture. One of its standout features is its cleanliness and organised layout, with traditional houses and streets meticulously maintained, which invites many tourists to visit. We managed to reach the village quite early by our standards. Despite […]

Tanah Lot, meaning “land in the sea,” was founded in the 16th century by a Hindu priest, Bhagawan Dang Hyang Nirartha, who deemed the spot perfect for a temple after experiencing a divine revelation. The temple is dedicated to the sea god, Varuna, and is one of Bali’s holiest sites, alongside the Ulun Danu Temple. […]

In no other country did we visit restaurants as often as we did in Bali. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that we ate out every day. This was due to two main factors: firstly, the food was genuinely delicious, made with local, fresh ingredients; and secondly, the prices were very affordable. It’s also […]

Before arriving in Bali, we imagined the island as a peaceful place with beautiful beaches, perfect for a relaxing getaway, far from the hustle and bustle of Western civilisation. We thought we’d spend most of our time on the beaches or swimming in scenic lagoons. Our knowledge of the island was very limited, and we […]

Three days before our return to Poland, after a seven-month trip, we all came down with severe food poisoning at a villa in Ubud. The children were hit the hardest, suffering from vomiting, high fevers, and extreme weakness. We didn’t have much choice — we were feeling better, but still far from perfect for the […]