Thinking of Bali

I want to go back. It's been almost two years since I traveled there. Didn't do much but party for a week, take surfing lessons and attend the awesome wedding of a good friend.

Legian Beach
Photo courtesy of  Gab G.

We took a PAL flight to Jakarta and then an Air Asia flight to Denpasar since there's no direct flight to Bali from Manila. Do not make the mistake of arriving at the JAK International airport around midnight as it's not a very nice airport. When we arrived, everything was closed except for the McDonald's right at the airport's exit and some money changers. No lounge, no nothing. No tourist desk where you can inquire on how to go to the domestic airport for your flight to Denpasar (Bali). You will be at the mercy of the cab drivers, a lot of which, will give you a ridiculous price for a short ride to the domestic airport. There is a shuttle bus but it doesn't operate round the clock. A friend paid around 60,000-70,000 IDR which is still a bit too much considering that it's only a few minutes away.

View of the pool from our room

Finally arrived in Bali and proceeded to our hotel. For a couple of nights, we stayed at the All Seasons Legian which is a nice, modern hotel. After breakfast, our next order of business was to find a money changer. Money changers are a dime a dozen in Bali. You just have to be careful where you go to. Look for one that doesn't have hidden charges (tax?) and one that won't cheat you. I chose one that offered higher exchange rates than the one a couple of stalls down and I got ripped off. 50 SGD worth. Never make the mistake of putting your money on the table. Count it first in front of the person before you give it to him/her. Never look away. Apparently, a lot of people have been scammed this way.

Anyway, despite all things mentioned, I still had a rocking time in Bali. I took an introductory course at the Quiksilver surf school. It costs USD40, includes board and rash guard rental and lasts around 2 hours. Successfully stood on the dang board after a million wipe outs and gallons of water swallowed.

Wiped out right after this photo was taken

Good-sized waves

Also did a bar crawl with friends, who like me, arrived in Bali a few days before the wedding. Most of the bars we went to were located in Kuta which is the most happening area in Bali. This is also where you'll find the Bali Bombing Monument which was built to commemorate the 202 people who died in the 2002 bombing.

Bali Bombing Monument

Bintang Beer of Indonesia
Photo courtesy of Gab G.

Last but not the least, took part in the lovely wedding of a friend..

Friend's wedding in Seminyak

Good times.