his is the second post in a 2-part series about my recent trip to Bali, Indonesia.
It was a good decision to schedule our arrival at Bali a few days before our conference was set to start. Because we did this, we were already able to experience much of what Bali has to offer before it was time to get down to business.
Read about our first couple of days in Bali here.
Our 2-day Conference at Harris Hotel & Residences
Our first conference day was reserved for registration and a welcome dinner. We headed back to the Harris Hotel after a morning of touring, and had enough time to freshen up before the registration area opened. After that we were given free time to relax and mingle.
At 5:00 PM we were asked to gather at the lobby to get picked up for our welcome dinner. We traveled by luxurious coach to our venue, New Moon Restaurant, where my companions and I also had dinner the night before. The occasion was highlighted by a beautiful sunset.
The welcome night was set up as a fun event, with bingo games, and a karaoke contest to go with our seafood dinner. It was a great start to what would be a fun and fruitful next few days for all of us delegates.
The following day was filled with learning sessions from morning til afternoon. In the evening, the seminar delegates were treated to another dinner party. This one was an Aloha-themed barbecue with a costume contest and fun party games. The evening ended early, giving us ample time to rest for the tour package we signed up for the next day.
Balinese Temple Tour
Delegates were given the option to spend day three touring Bali, and I jumped at the chance to take part in the activity. Opportunities like these are awesome. I recommend that you also sign up for any packaged tours, if given the chance, when you are going abroad or to a different city for a conference. Embrace every opportunity that you can!
The itinerary on this day tour was different from the one we took before the conference began. We were set to visit several popular temples around the island, and believe me when I tell you that there are quite a few. After all, Bali is nicknamed “The Island of a Thousand Temples.”
Our first stop was the Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi Village. It is known to be one of the most beautiful temples in Bali, and is one of the landmarks of this village. It was built in the 1600’s as the main temple for worship among the Mengwi people.
Next, we visited Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, a Hindu-Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess of the waters, Dewi Danu. It was built in the 17th century, and is situated along the shores of Lake Bratan. Over the centuries, ceremonies have been held here to ensure an ample supply of water for the farmers of Bali.
Our lunch destination that day is one that I definitely recommend to anyone coming to Bali, if only for the magnificent view that it offers. We enjoyed a buffet meal overlooking the fabulous rice terraces at Pacung Indah Restaurant. The food here is delicious, and worth the price.
Tip: While there, try your hand at t-shirt painting. It can be quite relaxing, and you’ll never know what hidden talents you may uncover.
After lunch our guide took us to see one last temple, the Tanah Lot Temple, which is another famous landmark of Bali. The temple is built atop a majestic rock formation, with the open sea as its backdrop. It is one of seven sea temples found on the coast of Bali Tip: This is a wonderful place to catch the sunset.
Our day ended with another amazing show and a delicious dinner.
One Last Day… For Shopping!
We were booked on an evening flight home to Manila on our final day. I suggest you choose a late flight whenever you can, just so you can have extra time to do last-minute things you may have missed out on before you leave. In my case, my last-minute errand was shopping!
There are three places I go to shop for treasures and trinkets to take home whenever I’m in Bali: Agung Bali, Bali Mall, and Krisna.
Agung Bali Oleh-Oleh Khas Bali is a souvenir shop complex found, with one branch on Sunset Road and another at Jalan Raya Kuta. Here you will find several stalls selling Balinese handicrafts, local snack items, fabrics, jewelry, and art.
Mall Bali Galeria is one of Bali’s largest shopping centers, and is situated in Kuta. Krisna Oleh-Oleh Khas Bali, on the other hand, is the place to go for affordable souvenirs to take home to your friends and family.
Here’s my “Ms TM’s Bali tour loot”: Bali Batik dresses, Starbucks mugs and tumbler, and refrigerator magnets!
We had time for one last meal before heading for the airport, and we chose Rumah Makan Ayam Betutu for a taste of local cuisine. Tip: A lot of the food here is spicy! So if you have a sensitive tongue or a sensitive stomach, beware. I have trouble with very spicy dishes, which is why it was fortunate that they sell ice cream at the restaurant. It was a great ending to our exotic meal.
Bali continues to be a dream destination for many travelers, and I consider myself fortunate to have had a great experience over there. The beautiful scenery, friendly locals, and laid back atmosphere makes this a great place to go to relax and enjoy.
Always remember, travel enriches life. It teaches us to enjoy moments, to say goodbye to stress and embrace joy instead. Experience has taught me this, and I’m happy that I get to share my journeys with you now, too. Anytime you need help and tips finding worry-free, budget-friendly places to see, I’m here to help!
