Indonesia is home to over 17,000Bali is full of surprises and there are so many things to do that we can easily forget something. The island of Gods is so marvelous that you would need an endless holiday to see it all. Unfortunately, this is not the case of everyone. So here I suggest some activities to do in Bali.
Step down into Tukad Cepung Waterfall
You must have heard all about Bali’s majestic waterfalls. Unknown to most people and only recently discovered by travellers, Tukad Cepung Waterfall stands almost virgin and unexplored. This is as close to nature as you can get! You will have to climb a flight of steps to get to this beauty, so gear up accordingly.
Very importantly, do be gentle with and respectful of the natural space around Tukad Cepung as locals strive to maintain the area. Once you walk down the steps, remember to look up – cliffs encircle your surrounding with the waterfall flowing from a river above. We’ve heard some mixed experiences from the few tourists who have travelled to Tukad Cepung. Since the waterfall remains a relative secret, there is no official entrance fee. However, in recent expeditions, travellers have been told to pay Rp. 10,000 (USD 0.75) to enter the area.
Drink from the fountain of youth at Goa Gajah
Once you enter Goa Gajah, you’ll see 6 statues of women with water streaming out of a pot held at their bellies. There were originally 7 of them, but an earthquake caused the middle one to collapse. Even so, its meaning remains unchanged, and the water is safe to drink, so why not take a shot at eternal youth?
The Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) was built in the 9th century, and served as a sanctuary. Don’t go there expecting to see any elephants. It got the name of Elephant Cave because the elephant is a symbol of education, and the cave was actually used as a school hundreds of years ago. But you don’t want to hear this from me. There are guides that will take you on a tour through Goa Gajah for a small tip of 50,000 rupiah (~S$5) – totally worth it.
Get a cream bath
A cream bath is a traditional Balinese hair treatment used almost daily by Indonesian women (hence their shiny, healthy hair) and works wonders on softening sun-kissed locks. It starts with a head, neck and shoulder massage, followed by putting a homemade mask on the scalp for 30 minutes under a steamer. Then followed by even more massaging and conditioning. It’s sheer budget bliss that we highly recommend.
Go muck diving in Padang Bai
Padang Bai is situated in the east of Bali and is most famous for its diving.
There are seven different dive sites that can easily be reached after a short boat trip from the shore. The good news is whatever your diving experience is, there is something for everyone here.
You can get PADI certified and if you like muck diving then this is one of the best places to do it in Bali. After that, you will find a range of underwater critters like the blue ringed octopus and pygmy seahorses.
There is also a good chance of seeing sharks, turtles, and waving fans and coral gardens.
Watch the sunrise from the top of Mount Batur
You’ll have to wake up extra early for this, possibly as early as 3AM if you want to be at the top of the mountain before sunrise. But the view is definitely worth it.
Imagine watching a velvet sky dotted with sparkling lights slowly fade into a sleepy lavender colour before a warm orange glow pushes through. And as the sunlight lazily peeks out of the horizon, you’re suddenly aware of the ocean of clouds surrounding you. That’s when it hits you – you’re standing in the sky, waiting to greet the sun as it climbs out of its apparent slumber. That feeling is simply indescribable.
Make jewellery at the John Hardy workshop
If you’re into gold and silver jewellery, head to John Hardy in Ubud for stunning collections of handmade, sustainable and artisanal pieces. Not only a dazzling boutique showcasing John Hardy’s creations, you can join a tour at the John Hardy workshop where you can get up close and personal with the craftsmen. You will see craftswomen burning, shaping and assembling John Hardy’s signature pieces – including your own. In fact, you can even try chain weaving for yourself, all amidst the stunning 400-acre lush green grounds. This is one immersive jewellery-buying experience that every treasure-lover needs to know.
Visit Nusa Islands, the Maldives of Bali
What happens when you find a paradise within a paradise?
That’s exactly what you will find in Bali!
If all the beach vibes on the main island is not enough for you, venture to the offshore islands, such as Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida! -Where you can truly find a slice of heaven!
When it comes to Nusa Lembongan, consider going for one of the day cruises with a waterslide. Discover an underground house on an archeological adventure. Visit the natural wonders of Devil’s Tears, Mushroom Beach and Pura Puncak Sari.
You can’t miss the yellow bridge that connects Nusa Ceningan with Lembongan. At Ceningan, you can go cliff jumping at Mahana Point, head out to the Blue Lagoon, and sneak a peek at Swallow’s Cave. When you’re in Nusa Penida, you should snorkel or scuba dive if you’d like to meet a giant manta, descend into Giri Putri Cave Temple, hike around scenic areas like Angel’s Billabong, Pasih Uwug and Bukit Teletubbies, and spend a day at Kelingking Beach.
Watch a Kecak dance
Bali is famous for its dances and one of these is the Kecak dance which was developed in the 1930s. The dance takes its name from the ‘cak’ sound that is repeated throughout and is based on the story of the Hindu epic called the Ramayana. You can watch performances of the dance all over the island and many shows take place outside under the stars.
Some Tour Packages We Offer
Here are some tour packages we offer which have wonderful activities included: