Note: I’ve written a comprehensive itinerary about the whole trip in the post 3 Asian Countries, 28 Days, and a P48K Budget All In.

I mentioned in my previous post that I met a Filipino couple back at a hostel in Singapore. We learned they just finished the Indochina leg of their trip with Malaysia as their last destination. They’d be traveling for three weeks all in all.

At the back of my mind, I was jealous. Indochina was really my goal so I can visit my friends in Laos but eventually, my travel plan changed. And wow! Three weeks! That’s something. Until I realized, oh, I was just one week in on my own travel schedule. Doing the math, I swallowed, the thrill of 20 more days of traveling hasn’t quite seeped in yet.

Not until I was on the plane to Bali. I looked out and saw  this and I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the all-white view outside. At that time, I’d like to think I’m in heaven. Well, yes, definitely, because I was already boarding the plane to a vacation paradise.

My excitement died down, however, when I walked out to look for the Grab bike I ordered. I utilized the airport WiFi because the sim card at the airport cost hundreds of thousands (quite literally). I read online about taxi drivers swarming offering you a ride, and it’s true. I just walked past them and I thought I was good to go. But I wasn’t. I lost the WiFi signal and I kinda panicked ’cause I thought I lost my Grab bike too!

I returned inside at the lobby and somehow, it’s a bit frightening to have men looking at you like you’re committing a crime and telling me, “Uber? Grab?” then shaking their heads and offering their taxi, feeling like they’re going to eat me alive. I’m sorry for the exaggeration. Truthfully, I was that scared. It’s not just that I was trying to save money but I didn’t want the uncertainty of riding a taxi. If you’re wondering about the price difference, taxi to Kuta will be around IDR 50,000+ whereas the Grab bike I ordered was IDR 11,000.

I tried to keep my calm though and hoped that the Grab bike driver was still there wherever he was because for the first time, I had my guard all up, with trust issues even with the information center. Aside from that, there was a language barrier as well. I messaged the driver to fetch me inside but eventually, we agreed to meet somewhere outside the airport. I mustered the courage to go through the exit gate again and asking a few people about the place the Grab bike driver instructed me with but they didn’t seem to know as well.

I walked around and I saw at a certain fence outside two Grab bike drivers standing by. I asked them if any of them was my assigned driver but we couldn’t understand each other but they instructed me where to exit. I thought I might as well order a ride again. But just right at the entrance, I saw a Grab driver waving at me and I found my Grab driver! I was so thankful he waited for me. I tipped him and I bailed on the other two. I felt so bad. But it was certainly a thorn off my chest to get past that airport experience.

Gong Corner Homestay

I stayed there on my first night because my travel buddies wouldn’t arrive until the next day. When my travel buddies left for Malaysia, and after my short Couchsurfing stay, I went back there again and stayed for another four days. I found this deal through Booking.com.

Price: IDR 50,000 (P 175) per night

What I got: Bunk bed at a 12-bed mixed dorm type room with a common toilet, air conditioner, locker, free breakfast

What I didn’t like: The nurse in me was triggered by a dirty kitchen downstairs; broken aircon; bed bugs

What I like: So I met those mishaps on my first night, but what made me go back and made this my home for 5 days, aside from the cheap price, was that I made friends here, the staff were friendly and accommodating, I like hanging out at the “lobby,” and I was able to do my laundry here and to hang them dry

See, I went to Bali with no travel plan at all unlike how I meticulously laid out our itineraries in Malaysia and Singapore. I figured that since this was my solo trip, I’ll try going with the flow this time. I made friends with an Indonesian in her thirties or forties,  from Jakarta, who I ended up calling Ate (big sister).  She said she had Filipino co-workers before calling each other ate so that’s how she knew about the word.

We hung out at the tables in the lobby mainly because the internet signal was stronger there. She introduced me to Lottie, from the UK, in her twenties. We talked about Indonesian words, travel goals, boys, and Bali in general. Lottie told me she didn’t buy a sim card and I thought I might as well do that. I somehow survived Bali thriving on free WiFi.

I spent the whole afternoon talking to Ate and Lottie. Ate told me she’ll take me to Sky Garden that night but she ended up meeting up with her guy. I ended up joining Lottie at Kutabex where she met with her Indonesian rockstar friend whose band played there that night. I also met Lottie’s friend who used to stay in Gong a few nights before. He guided me back to the hostel as I was totally lost.

My Travel Buddies

Back when I was planning my trip to Bali, I posted a public trip in Couchsurfing. It’s like you openly announce you’re going somewhere for the purpose of finding a host, people to meet up with, and in my case this time, travel buddies. I was messaged by Danica, from Cebu, if I’d consider a travel buddy because she really wanted to go to Bali but her friends bailed on her. I was open about the idea so I said yes. Over time, we exchanged itineraries and travel plans.

Then the piso fare happened around a month or something before our supposed trip. Since her friends, Jelly and Aris, found cheap flights, they also joined in. They booked the hotels through AirBnB ahead of time and also made the 6-day itinerary. I didn’t join them on their first day tour so I just went straight to our hotel and settled in.

Price: P 1,915 per person for 4 nights

What we got: Two-storey room; two twin beds, a small kitchen with fridge and microwave on the first floor; a queen sized bed, TV, dresser, a couch, shower room and toilet at the second floor

Others: Pool, keycard security, WiFi, buffet breakfast included

Ate Evany checked on me if I arrived safe at the hotel. We then agreed to meet that afternoon to buy pants. I mentioned about my sister aching to buy the pants she found in Little India but ended up with nada. I was really happy Ate was there with me because if it was just me, I don’t think I’ll be able to haggle that much. I bought two pants for IDR 110,000 (P 410) and not just one.

Ate also suggested for me to buy groceries to save on money. That’s where I discovered the love of my life in Bali:

That night, I was acquainted with my travel buddies. They shared their first day high stories and then prepared for our next day’s tour.

Nusa Penida, BGC, Motel Mexicola

Prior to coming to Bali, Danica already arranged a tour package to Nusa Penida. It cost IDR 2,400,000 and divided into four of us, IDR 600,000 (P2,100+) per person. Inclusions were hotel to port car transfer, return trip ferry to the island, car rental plus tour guide in Nusa Penida going to four destinations: Angel’s Billabong, Broken beach, Kelingking beach and Crystal beach, lunch, and car transfer from port back to the hotel.

We first went to Angel’s Billabong. From up above, you can see how it was famous for the emerald water where you can swim. I really wanted to swim too but I was worried about our time and all that. I saw some travelers just rented bikes so I bet they’re in charge of their time.

Next, we walked to the Broken Beach and from hereon in, the disappointment I had with the Kuta beach on my first day was completely wiped out. It was a really hot day but we’d rather endure the heat and the sweat to take memories with us in this majestic view. The waves as if in slow motion moving towards the beach was amazing.

And then to the highlight of our Nusa Penida trip, the Kelingking Beach. But before trekking down, we first had our lunch, a typical paket meal.

And then after a short trek, this breathtaking view:

Have you ever had that feeling that your expectation of a certain place is level 99999, only to find out once you got there that it doesn’t even have the level 99999 atmosphere? Well, it’s the opposite feeling when I saw this beach. It’s like I know travel photos are exceptional because the photographer is great at taking angles and Photoshop level 99999 but then you see this view and you feel the photo coming into life. You suddenly take it in your heart the meaning of “pristine” to describe the white sand, the uniqueness of “azure” with the color of the water and the literal meaning when a view right in front of you is called “breath-taking.”

Then we headed to Crystal Beach where we could swim but we all agreed it was just an average beach that instead of staying for an hour, we just took a few photos and left for the port. So maybe this remark is a bit big-headed but I guess if you’re from the Philippines and you’ve been to beaches in the Philippines, you have this high standard for beaches. LOL! I really felt bad because if we have known, if I have known, I’d just have spent the hour going down and up again at Kelingking Beach and forego the Crystal Beach.

That night, we ate dinner at Bamboo Garden Cafe at Dewi Sri. Then we went to Motel Mexicola at Seminyak to partey!

Motel Mexicola has a number of Instagrammable spots that Aris, Danica and Jelly returned here again to take photos during daytime. I also returned here for my last night in Bali. No entrance fee, cheapest drink is Bintang for IDR 46,000, I think.

We then went to La Favela as they were aiming to take photos of the replica of the Christ the Redeemer statue but when we arrived, we saw that a guy in slippers was not permitted entry so since some of us were wearing slippers, we assumed we couldn’t go in too. We just bought Bintang at the convenience store nearby and went home.

Beach Hopping: Double Six, La Plancha, Dreamland

Surfing lesson was in the original itinerary but we somehow decided to just chill at the beach. We rented four beach lounges for IDR 100,000  and ordered some drinks. They rented one surfboard (IDR 50,000?) since Jelly had already tried surfing, but mostly for picture-taking.

And then we started walking to La Plancha for the sunset at the beach.

Dreamland beach was sort of like a private beach so we went there by taxi from our Jimbaran B&B. We were dropped off and we took the free shuttle to the beach area. However, we had a problem going out of the Dreamland area because there were no taxis inside. A friendly local offered to contact a taxi but we were surprised it was a private car. Back and forth, we spent IDR 60,000 (P220) per person for transportation.

Buying Pasalubong at Krisna

Luckily for us, Krisna was just near our hotel. It’s a pasalubong center selling Bali-inspired products: T-shirts, dresses and shorts, sarong, jewelries, food, keychains, and more.

We just walked directly inside the store when we arrived. A girl chased us and put this sticker on our clothes:

We spent hours in here. No bargaining happening here but the prices were already very cheap. The store is open until 10 PM.

Aahh Bali B&B

Price: P 1,300+ per person for two nights

What we got: Pampering all the way, LOL! But really, worth every penny spent.

There was one day I didn’t join their tour so just staycation for me, internalizing the Bali villa life.

And I watched movies all day. Aris and I talked about Eat, Pray and Love ’cause he brought a book with him. I watched the Bali part of the movie which helped me make the decision of where to go next.

Lydia and Bob, the owners, were very accommodating. They made sure they introduced themselves to us, at one time, we ate breakfast with Bob. They were animal lovers so they have a few cats walking around and two dogs. Their staff were great as well, driving us when we ate dinner outside ’cause it’s raining and helping me out with my Grab bike order when I went to my next destination. Also, they also allowed Jelly, Aris and Danica to check out late since their flight to Kuala Lumpur was late in the afternoon.

Couchsurfing at Singaraja

I previously mentioned this was sort of my Eat, Pray, Love trip. I had been in contact with an Indonesian couchsurfer but I couldn’t bring myself to confirm my stay yet. And then I watched Eat, Pray, Love and thought maybe that’s a sign. Liz met a certain medicine man, Ketut, and because the couchsurfer also has the same name, in my mind, what the heck, let’s do this!

But of course, I was already anxious all the way. I’ll be going to the northern part of Bali where tourists are not as many as in the southern area. I’ll be alone and given the airport experience I had, I somehow felt unsafe and troubled about getting ripped off, language barrier problems and the dangers of being a solo female traveler.

I ordered Grab bike to Ubung Terminal and because I had no Internet and there’s no WiFi, I asked the driver to send a message to my host that I already arrived at the terminal. I think that was one of the positives of not buying my own sim, I realized the willingness of people to help.

I arrived around 12 PM and the bus (yes, they call this a bus) wouldn’t be going until 2 PM. People there turned out to be friendly. We had short conversations but it was tough because we didn’t seem to understand each other. I confirmed immediately how much to Sangket Terminal in Singaraja because of my rip-off worries. I was told it’s IDR 30,000. I made my research the night before and I sighed in relief as my rip-off worry was gone.

I was in the bus with locals and during the first half of the trip, I was a bit uneasy. Outside, I could see the change in scenery. Buildings turned into rice fields. I saw less and less tourists and more of Balinese people going through their daily life.

And then the other half felt nostalgic. I was at the Bedugul area and the atmosphere was getting cold with this amount of fog:

I recalled my trip up the northern part of the Philippines a few years ago which was my very first solo trip. I had the same feels as I had that time seeing Baguio, Banaue, and Sagada from the bus window. “I made the right choice not letting my fear take over,” I thought.

I also passed by Tanah Lot which I wasn’t able to visit. We also passed by a bridge wherein lots of monkeys were just freely roaming around the street. I also didn’t visit the Monkey Forest but at least I got to see these monkeys in passing.

I arrived at the terminal and I was kind of lost again. It was a small terminal and it felt deserted so I grew anxious again. I looked for a person I can ask to send a message to my host but thankfully, Ketut waved at me and I was glad I recognized him instantly.

He took me to his simple home and met his lovely wife, Komang. She understands little English and speaks one or two English words but I love how she was just there making me feel welcomed.

Just a little after I arrived, their son, Riant, got home from school. Riant is around 10 years old but he’s a very smart boy. I was awed by his enthusiasm in having visitors in their home, his guest relations skill being very high. He showed me around the house and his room where I will sleep at.

I had dinner with them and we just watched the TV and talked with the family that night. That’s when I learned Ketut is a common Balinese name. They told me that in Balinese culture, it’s normal to name their children according to order of birth. That’s why I saw plenty of Wayan (first born), our car driver during our Nusa Penida tour was Kadek (second child), Komang is a third-born, and Ketut was the fourth child in the family.

We also talked about Ketut’s sideline. Apart from being a farmer, he’s also a tour guide. Singaraja is home to plenty of waterfalls including Aling-aling, the one with the natural slide, and Gitgit waterfalls. That’s how he learned about Couchsurfing, from a fellow tour guide. Aside from the fact that the app helped bring him guests, it also inspired him to build a guesthouse for tourists who’d like to stay within the area.

The next day, Ketut took me up the forest to see three waterfalls that were not so famous. There were some trekking involved and Ketut told me stories about his previous couchsurfers while on the road.

For the three waterfalls, they just asked for donation. I didn’t know how much to give but Ketut said I can just give IDR 10,000 (P 37+).

We went back home after and I had another first:

I had origami lessons with Riant that afternoon:

And had dinner:

They actually invited me to go to their village temple for their village festival that Saturday but I couldn’t make it because I decided to stay in Kuta for my remaining days. So, Komang suggested to try on one of her kebaya and to take photos.

It was sad to say goodbye. I know it’s Couchsurfing and it’s really supposed to be free accommodation, but to have a simple family as theirs welcome me, share their dinner with me, allow me to do my laundry, and tour me around the area, I got more than what I asked for. I donated for Ketut’s guesthouse and left Riant my spare raincoat ’cause he got interested in it especially that it looked like a Poke-ball. Since Riant was at school when I went, Ketut sent me this photo of Riant:

Wandering Around Kuta

So I know most travelers advise to steer clear of Kuta because it’s packed with tourists, yeah, that’s true, but I thought I’d like to spend my remaining days in an area I’m familiar with, especially that I found Gong Corner Homestay to be, well, homey. Ate Evany wasn’t there although her suitcase was, lol, and I found Lottie still there. I also met a couple of new people because I spent most of my time either on the beach or at hostel downstairs.

FOOD

I didn’t have a lot of photos of food because I usually leave my phone locked in the homestay when I go out to swim, #soloproblems, and just bring enough money for food. That’s sort of my way to prevent having my phone and money stolen.

If you really want to save, there are plenty of warungs sort of like a karinderya, at least in my street. You can have a paket meal which may or may not consist of vegetables, nasi goreng (rice), ayam (chicken), tempeh, noodles. They cost around IDR 10,000-12,000.

This was my salvation if I feel I had too much Indonesian food, fast food chains which  were imitations of KFC, lol! There’s ACK, AFC, and this one, DFC:

This was a kind of leveled up warung in Jimbaran we frequent, actually just twice:

A Glimpse of Kuta Streets and Shops

The Beach

Couchsurfing Meet-up

So I found a number of events in Couchsurfing around Bali area. There’s a few meet-ups and an invitation to play frisbee at Canggu. But I was running out of funds plus my introvert self was acting up so I wasn’t able to go. But then for my last night in Bali, I thought I should push myself to get out there. Ate was messaging me in WhatsApp about going to Sky Garden but I said I didn’t want to go there alone.

I opened up the Couchsurfing app and turned on my Hangouts feature. I found some meet-up groups and I joined in. I eventually went with the group who talked about going to Motel Mexicola maybe because I’ve been there and some sense of familiarity might ease my worries.

I arrived there a bit early so I ordered something to eat, just a small taco for IDR 30,000. I was checking in the messages every now and then because I thought I might get stood up, lol! I waited for a few minutes but thank God, they came. I met Rizqi and Kevin, Indonesians who were working in Bali currently and were friends, and Nency and her other friends who were also staying in Bali. Apparently, I was the only non-Indonesian in the group.

We spent time in Mexicola dancing and a few drinks. Nency then told me she’ll bring me to La Favela ’cause she liked it there better. I think they all agreed Mexicola was like a warm-up club just until almost midnight when La Favela will be in its full party mode. I went along because we didn’t make it there with my travel buddies.

If I remember it right, they’re not really strict about dress codes especially if you’re a foreigner. But their security was strict for some reason I didn’t fully understand, there were some people they didn’t let in, like some super drunk people I think?

Indeed, La Favela had a wilder crowd. I saw a lot of the people from Mexicola earlier. At strike of midnight, the lights changed and the music hyped up. I met there Rizqi and Kevin’s friend, Tinae, and an Italian guy they partied with back in Canggu a few days before. It was a fun night. I told them over the blazing noise, “Why haven’t  I met you guys sooner?”

Around 2 or 3 AM, I think, we decided to go home. We went over to the convenience store to buy something to quench our thirst (I didn’t buy a drink at La Favela). They had their motorcycles and Kevin offered to take me back to the hostel. Tinae also offered to tour me around Flores (Komodo) Island, her home, if ever I go back to Indonesia.

I’d say, it was a good decision, thus a last night in Bali well-spent.

The Looong Way Home

I made some booking mistakes so I ended up with the Denpasar-Jakarta-Singapore-Cebu flight. It wasn’t pleasant at all. My real comfort at the end of the day, though, was Changi airport. I arrived in Singapore near midnight and there was about an 8-hour layover before the flight to Cebu. I booked a Scoot flight so I was at Terminal 3, and found this gem:

Free movies! And a comfortable seat! So, like, I watched Arrival, Wonder Woman, slept through the Lego Movie, and then watched again Gifted. This was the longest layover I ever experienced but so far the best airport experience.

 I didn’t fall in love in Bali but I fell in love with LIFE in Bali.

The End

That was my whole journey. For me, it was a dream come true to be able to backpack for more than just a few days and in different countries. Although I wasn’t able to pursue my Indochina goal, this trip gave me valuable lessons that are worth my every penny spent.

If ever you have any questions, you can comment here, send me an e-mail or or message me on my social media pages.

To check out my previous posts, click here:

• EAT With My Sis, Yoel, at Malaysia
• #PAMILYAgoals at Singapore
• Stories on the Road

And here’s again a breakdown of my expenses: