Bali is no stranger to travellers. It will surely come across everyone’s mind when talking about Indonesia. In fact, it was named world’s top destination in TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award in March 2017.

Besides beaches, temples and the recently crazed Bali swings, Balinese gates is yet another thing that Bali is famous for. Thanks to social media (yes, again!), taking a photo in front of a Balinese gate has becoming an it-thing. The most famous gate could potentially be Pura Lempuyang with the beautiful Mount Agung in the background, but making your way there from Ubud or Seminyak, where most travellers based themselves is a long painful journey that could take up to 4-5 hours. 

So, you have seen the famous Bali Swing photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram and you have got this place pinned for your next visit. Just as you got very excited about the idea of hanging midair with your pretty maxi dress and boasting about on your Facebook and Instagram, you found out that it actually costs you US$35. Instant dejection? Fret not, as there are plenty of cheaper imitations popping up all over Bali, and Wanagiri Hidden Hills is one of them.

There are countless waterfalls in Bali but unless you have one month in Bali, it’s impossible to see them all. If you are in Bali for only around a week or less, it could be hard trying to decide which one to explore. Though there are several waterfalls in and near Ubud worth exploring (think Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Kanto Lampo Waterfall and Tegunangan Waterfall, the best Bali waterfalls is said to be in North Bali. So, if you are heading to North Bali, such as the Bedugul area, I’d suggest slotting in one or two waterfalls into your itinerary.

Did you know that Bali has nine key direction temples? These nine directional temples (called Kayangan Jagat) are the largest and most prominent. They are located at strategic points across Bali and are designed to protect the island and its inhabitants from dark forces. They are located on either rugged high ground or at water edge, where the Balinese believe to be the source of evil dark forces.

Pura Taman Saraswati

Of all the places along the main street of Ubud, there was only one place which I was keen to visit – Pura Taman Saraswati, also known by many as The Ubud Water Palace.

What’s Ubud without Tegallalang Rice Terrace? The most famous rice paddyfiled in the whole of Bali, or some may say in South East Asia. If you’ve ever cyber-stalked photos of Ubud on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen photos of the Tegalalang rice terrace. So, when we based ourselves in Ubud during our Bali trip in August, we decided to include Tegallalang Rice Terrace into our itinerary despite our limited time in Ubud.

Mount Batur Bali is one of the sacred mountain according to Hindu believe. Located in Batur village of Kintamani District, this mountain which is only 171m above sea level (although my Suunto watch recorded 1766m), the mountain is relatively easy to hike, making it the most popular mountain in Bali, beating the higher and more challenging Mount Agung.