After months of extreme, grueling work, my first trip of 2025 finally took flight! ╰(*°▽°*)╯
Bali was a much-needed respite from the extreme work hustle. I was in the most relaxed state and finally understood why many enjoy traveling to Bali.
Why Bali?
The Scoot sale was too good to pass up. It was a short, direct flight with favorable timings, and was affordable. We booked in late February for our trip in late May.
We had no prior knowledge of Bali’s beauty. Our general idea of the laid-back island, known for its waves and ang moh tourists, made us think that we could have the relaxing trip that we wanted. (And we did!) 🤙
Getting to Bali
Our Scoot flight was a B787-8 dreamliner (hugee plane). It was also a cool moment because it was the first time we were seated right in front of the entrance at the front half.
Photo Credit: Janice
Bali’s airport was very similar to Changi Airport, so the whole process was smooth upon arrival. Immigration and exiting the airport only took us less than 10 minutes!
Here’s how:
- Before departing, register for Indonesia’s Visa Exemption (or Visa on Arrival depending on your country). Once approved, you will receive a QR code via email.
- Complete the Customs Declaration form online. This will be another QR code.
- Once you have landed, head to the automated gates.
- Following that, you will pass by a counter to show the Customs QR code to the officer.
- You will then arrive at the baggage area. Best if you do not have any checked-in baggage.
The Bali airport was really modern and Singapore-like, and we felt it again upon departure. After clearing immigration using the auto-gate machines which was super fast, the airport made us do a full walkthrough of the shops before arriving at the departure gates. Remember to do your online web check-in, because that really saved a lot of time from being stuck in the queue. In addition, fill up your online SG Arrival Card on ICA’s website.
Observations
The weather is unpredictable. And it also depends on the area. For example, it rained so heavily that ponding was present in Ubud, but in Seminyak it was on-off, relatively light rain. Then, on our last day it was bright, sunny weather.
Card- and Whatsapp-friendly. Most shops are card-friendly. Almost all businesses use WhatsApp to communicate and reply to customers. And they were all very responsive.
Very catered to Western culture. This was something that we heard, but seeing it in person, wow. A good thing is that English is a common language, so even when I was speaking in Malay, they will reply in English.
Drinking water. It is not recommended to drink water straight from the tap.
On the road. Traffic was always busy, especially when it rained, which you would then see more cars. But motorcycles are the norm here, loads of them lined up on the narrow roads. There were little traffic lights, so the locals here were skillful at maneuvering through constant high traffic. Oh, it was also cool to see how natural it is for them to stand/sit at the back of lorries that were stacked high with items.
Local treasures. NIKI is Indonesia’s national treasure. There will always be shops playing her songs. The locals also take their religion seriously, with temples, shrines, and offerings. As the main religion is Hinduism, you will spot offerings, called a canang sari, in front of buildings, and even on street lampposts. The offerings are considered sacred by the Balinese, and it is not appropriate to touch or disturb them. Treat their treasures with care and respect.
Accommodation
YO, ngl, this villa was amazing, and I would definitely come back for real! 10/10.
The accommodation is located away from the noise, and yet close to the major roads and the shopping mall, Seminyak Village. It is located close to shops, restaurants, cafes, major resorts and the beach.
The rooms were great, honestly felt unnecessarily huge for three to four pax, but perfect if you want to feel like royalty. It was kept clean, homey and organised. The bedroom on the first floor gives you the pool view, the living room was comfy, the bedrooms were spacious and had comfy beds, and the toilet was upsized. The pool was a 2m deep pool. A lot of relaxing and instagrammable spaces around the villa.
The service was great, and they treated us with smiles and respect. They were so friendly and polite, and each request was served quickly and professionally. They were easily contactable through WhatsApp, and responded promptly with requests for plates, house slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, plug adapter, iron etc. They also shared a whole long document the day before check-in with very detailed information that we needed.
Best part is the pool floats are free, and lots of other things available for your enjoyment too. There are skateboards, surfboards, floating boards. Wished we used bicycles to get around Seminyak, but it kept raining. The villa is located in an alley which can be a bit dark and narrow, but they provide flashlights and umbrellas as a solution!
We could take an easy 5-minute walk to a Minimart for snacks. But you know what is easier? Ordering bbq for dinner!
We were shocked to see a live bbq set up right when we entered our villa. Food was prepared live, while we enjoyed the ambience. For the price point, I thought it was quite worth. They even allowed us to be “chefs” at the bbq pit.
Photo Credit (left): Janice
We were also served breakfast each morning at our dining table, which was always a great start to the day. Breakfast selection was done a day before with a different daily menu (personally thought the choices were enough) and the staff will serve it at your designated time. We had to go out at very early morning one of the days and they went of their way to serve us the breakfast earlier than usual.
Things To Do
When we were asking friends and family for recommendations, it was interesting how everyone naturally shared about their favourite spa and massage place. It truly sounded like Bali is a healing trip for most.
In Seminyak
It was quite an easy choice to pick Seminyak as first-timers to Bali. Known for its amazing beaches and sunsets, there is also plenty of nightlife, pampering spas, and cultural attractions.
Some people prefer Canggu, which is more hip, up and coming, and good if you know where exactly you want to go to. Though they say it is more crowded, hence more traffic jams. Sanur was another recommendation, which is less crowded and more family-friendly.
Sisterfields
From the cafe name, thought it would be a cafe that had a nice view of the fields in Bali. But it is actually all-day breakfast cafe in central Seminyak. The modern cafe with indoor and outdoor seating had a welcoming and cosy vibe thanks to the accommodating staff and decor.
Food presentation and taste was pretty good, but it is a fully western menu…in an Asian country. As this eatery is not halal-certified, dine at your own discretion.
Address: Jl. Kayu Cendana No.7, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Cool Spa
This place was definitely cool because a few friends recommended this Japanese-owned spa that opened in 2006. It is not luxurious, but it is at a great location, with good value, and you can start the session straight away after making payment. I liked the place because they were very upfront on their prices, and phones and your belongings must be left in a locker. It is also the best place for introverts because it is a no talking zone, and you actually get ‘sshh’-ed by the staff if you speak loudly.
We also heard that the facial here would “make your skin feel like tissue paper”. It was a basic facial that is entirely manual and uses Bioskin, a local brand.
Massage-wise, I requested for a stronger massage. The only thing that I did not like was that you still needed to change clothes for the shoulder and back massage.
Address: Jl. Kayu Cendana No.C001, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Seminyak Village
Seminyak Village is a two-level shopping mall, with an additional level that leads to the roof and a spa. It has international shops like FitFlop, Candylicious, and H&M, but also small local stalls, giving it a constant bazaar-like feel, a good spot for souvenir shopping. There was also a shop selling Pokemon cards and electronics.
There were few boutique stores and local products available – bought a bracelet and skincare products. Was glad to find a Sensatia Botanicals easily, which is Bali’s very own Aesop, dedicated to fine, natural materials and the local community. Interestingly, FitFlop was actually cheaper in Bali than in Singapore.
Also tried out Baked, a clean, modern cafe that puts in effort to use locally sourced, organic ingredients where they can to blend sustainability with baking. Oakberry, the acai place beside it was quite good – they had free flow fruits to choose for your acai bowl!
Address: Jl. Kayu Jati No.8, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Seminyak Square
Just down the road from Seminyak Village is Seminyak Square. It is a row of shophouses and street booths with an open-air plaza selling a mix of dining, shopping, beauty, and entertainment options.
Visit the I Heart Bali sign for photos and explore the area. Think this is one of the few places that had a bookstore. Buy some local beauty brands. There is a souvenir shop right at the end of the square, which had a small fish pedicure booth too.
Address: 1 Jl. Kayu Aya 80361 Kuta Bali
Minimart
This was the closest convenience store that opened till late near our accommodation. It was a medium-sized store that had both local and international products. The ice cream was super cheap including the Magnum, and I also got yoghurt and marshmallow-flavoured milk! There were also household items and toiletries.
The most memorable snack was probably the Tic Tac because I was absolutely convinced that there will be a 4-cut photo of NCT Jaehyun, but we got a dud instead. The snack itself was actually addictive since it was small sized so you can just pop a handful in your mouth.
Address: 8583+FFR, Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
Bali Brownies Oleh Oleh Khas Bali
We spotted the shop banner when we arrived in Bali, and was tempted to try it. Luckily, it is available on Grabfood/Gofood, so we had it delivered to our accoms (can I just say how sweet and nice all the food delivery riders are?!). We bought the brownies and nama chocolate, and they really lived up to the name of fudgy brownies. The nama chocolate does not have the same texture as Royce nama chocolate, but it is on the rich and fudgy side like its brownies, and they were pre-cut in bigger pieces, so you feel full with that one bite.
Address: Jl. Sunset Road No.106 80361 Kuta Bali
Bali Boat Shed
Bali Boat Shed is a clothing store, with tropical-inspired fashion for both genders. The shop features a collection of maxi dresses, blouses, swimwear, accessories and more as well as other popular labels.
Explore the rest of the streets in this area – Jl. Kayu Aya, which has lots of other shops with pretty good variety of souvenirs, and local boutique stores. If you are a millennial, you may be pleased to find the OG brands that we loved like Billabong, Quicksilver, and Von Dutch!
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya Jl. Petitenget No.20, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Matalokal Seminyak
Thought to give a shout out to this literal hidden gem – it is not visible immediately from the street. There is a variety of unique local products from Indonesian artisans, designers, and artists. This includes stickers, watches, crafts, ceramics, and accessories to clothing. The place is a good spot to explore if you appreciate handmade and thoughtfully curated pieces.
Address: Jl. Kayu Cendana No.1, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
The Flea Market Seminyak Bali
The Flea Market is an open-air art market with handmade clothing, accessories, crafts, and souvenirs. Lots of tattoo shops and eateries as well.
Address: Jl. Camplung Tanduk, Seminyak
Potato Head Beach Club – IJEN
Yo, service here was top-tier and the food ATE!
There is a good reason why Desa Potato Head is highly recommended. Firstly, getting there was already an experience, and the moment you enter Potato Head, you will feel like you are transported to a completely different world.
You had to walk through a weaved rattan-covered space, almost making you feel you are walking through a forest accompanied by traditional offerings and musical instruments. Along the way, there were art installations, exhibitions, and a boutique store that focuses on sustainability.
You will then walk further to reach the Beach Club. The path had a waterfall wall and recycled walls, and with the lights and sounds, it felt really mysterious and exclusive.
Decide between three food options – seafood at Ijen, Indonesia’s first zero-waste restaurant; Balinese food on the second floor overlooking the sea; or the beach club that comes with a western cuisine and daybeds. Do dine at your own discretion because it is not halal (the Balinese cuisine sells pork).
We dined at Ijen, which is nearer to the oceanfront pool, and the seafood was so fresh, juicy, and delicious. The sides were also surprisingly tasty and unique. If you had to throw your plastic water bottles at the entrance, you can pass the replacement chip to the staff who will replace it with a bottle of water for the table.
You can head straight to the beach from there for a quick stroll or to play in the sea. They have a foot-bath station at the entry for anyone coming in from the beach to the club.
Address: Petitenget St No.51B, Seminyak, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Revolver Seminyak
It is impossible to not know of Revolver since it is a hip hang-out spot. The all-day cafe is decorated in a warehouse-vintage-modern interior. Personally felt the space was squeezy with the crowd, and they had a ‘club’ type entry with cowboy-type doors and security to let you in.
Since Revolver geared towards serving Australian style coffee, my friend said it had great coffee, especially its single origin.
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.Gang 51, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Warungs
Honestly, there are many warungs in Bali. We used Grab and Gojek to order in, and the delivery fee was very affordable even for a far distance.
Photo Credit: Janice
And like all Indonesian cities, you can always count on exaggerated shop and food names. Spotted one on the road to Ubud, obviously went crazy for Nasi Goreng Gila.
In Ubud
Ubud was a lot more inland and surrounded by hills, waterfalls, and lush vegetation instead of beaches. So it was interesting to see a different view on the road – lots or rice fields, laundromats, mom-and-pop shops with produce spread on the floor, and stray dogs.
It rained super heavily the day we were in Ubud, so we spotted street peddlers walking around offering raincoats and umbrellas for sale (even if they were were actually selling other items on normal days). Making a living is tough anywhere in this world.
Jungle Cart
The Jungle Cart was fun! And it was a unique way to explore Bali’s iconic landscapes. You’ll race down a 4.5-kilometer track through jungle, rice fields, temples, and local villages in what feels like real-life Mario Kart. The 20-minute ride is exciting but safe, making it perfect for families and adventure lovers alike.
We booked directly on their website. The give a banana as a ticket when you check-in at the office, before they ferry you to the starting point. At the finishing point, we were fed with fried bananas and also kombucha.
Address: Jl. Raya Lungsiakan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
For the thrill-seekers, Ubud has plenty of other activities including Water Rafting, and ATV Ubud Adventure.
This Is Bali – Balinese Food & Desserts
This Is Bali is located in the Ubud city centre, along rows of eateries. But it definitely stood out with its beautiful white modern contemporary interior! The beautiful space is decorated delicately with plants, and floating tables that gives an edge to the restaurant space. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. Peanuts and hot towels were served when we were seated.
This restaurant is perfect for Muslim tourists who want to enjoy halal cuisine in the middle of Jl. Goutama Ubud, an area known for a variety of foreign cuisine menus. They serve traditional Balinese dishes and desserts, with gluten-free options available.
What makes dining here special is the unique ordering system where you use stamps to select your meal, adding a fun interactive element (there is also a package menu that has been prepared if you are lazy). And the food is actually delicious – everything is cooked freshly using hand-selected, high-quality ingredients, free of MSG, preservatives or additives.
Address: Jl. Goutama No.2, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Ubud Art Market
The Ubud Art Market is one of the most popular markets in Bali, with two floors and an extended street market beside the building.
The market is meant for local artisans to showcase and sell their handicrafts like wood carvings, batik fabrics, Balinese masks, wayang kulit (shadow puppets), coconut bowls, rattan hats and bags, and Balinese paintings and modern prints. There were lots of clothing, religious totems, silver jewelry, homewares, magnets etc. Haggling is expected, which is part of the fun.
To be honest, such souvenirs were familiar in other parts of Indonesia and other Asian countries, so was not too impressed. There was also blackout when we were there, and it was raining heavily. Though I can understand the appeal for first-time tourists.
Address: Jl. Raya Ubud No.35, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Black Eye Coffee Ubud
A local franchise, Black Eye Coffee is known throughout the island for their high-quality, premium single-origin coffee beans. The staff readily explained their coffee beans, which were sourced from across the Indonesian archipelago. There is a branch right across the street from Ubud Art Market.
The cozy space features clean and neat decor with a prominent black signage. Try their roasted coffee beans instead of brewed drinks for a stronger taste experience.
Address: Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Oemah Herborist
It was raining heavily, so we ended up shopping for quite some time at another local franchise right beside the coffee place, Oemah Herborist. Herborist is actually one of the pioneers in the traditional and organic beauty industry in Indonesia, and their products still maintains the use of natural ingredients today. Their items are like super cheap, and is halal-certified.
It is a well-known Indonesian beauty brand that you can find in Bali souvenir shops too. I actually quite liked their face mist and their face scrub (the beads were tender and not too rough on your skin and smells good).
Address: F7V7+48J, Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
FRESTIVE SUPERMARKET TEBONGKANG
Yo, love this supermarket cause there were so many halal options available for each food category.
Frestive is a small chain of supermarkets in Bali, with imported goods and Indonesian products. Based on the web, the range of products that they stock is quite different from the range carried by Pepito and they are almost complementary in their offerings.
Address: F68V+XMC, Jl. Raya Tebongkang No.88 B, Singakerta, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Other Activities
Other recommended things to do that we did not manage to do, but maybe you should try to do, if you want to:
For the adventurous, why not try out Mount Batur 4WD Jeep tour experience? There are plenty of options for this, from catching sunrise or sunset tours to day tours to hiking tours up Mount Batur.
Another activity that I really wanted to try was Sea Walking, which is at located south of Bali. You don’t actually need swimming experience, and you get to see fishes right up your face, which is pretty cool.
For the artsy ones, try out a jewelry making class. You can reach out to them via WhatsApp for bookings, rates and offers. You can also book slots on Klook. We were interested to book a session at Bali Turtle Jewelry Workshop or Seminyak Silver Class.
Bali was definitely an enjoyable surprise, and a great option for a quick getaway!
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