Ubud – 5 nights
Nisa Penida – 3 nights
Gili T – 5 nights

Bali – Introduction

At first, we weren’t sure about Bali. We’d always thought of it as an Australian young people’s party destination, and while some areas are like that (which we avoided), after doing our research, we realised there was so much more to see. Bali is full of stunning rice terraces, traditional palaces, temples, craft shops, and art galleries, not to mention postcard-perfect beaches on Nusa Penida. We were excited to discover the cultural side, peaceful spots, and natural beauty, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Day 1 – Arrival and Settling In

We flew into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) near Denpasar and had a pre-booked taxi to Ubud. The drive should take about an hour and a half, but it ended up taking over two hours because it was a local holiday, with lots of extra traffic. It was a fun way to get our first glimpse of Bali’s busy, vibrant side.

We arrived in Ubud and checked into Artini Dijiwa Ubud. We were overwhelmed by how big and beautiful the hotel was for the price. The grounds were so tranquil, with lush gardens, quiet paths, and peaceful pools. Our room had a private terrace overlooking the pool and gardens, perfect for unwinding after the journey.

One of the highlights was a floating breakfast included in our booking, a unique experience, having our breakfast served on a tray floating in the pool.

That evening, we wandered over to Otokafe, a nearby bar with live music, for a drink and some satay, served on BBQs at the table. It was cheap, tasty, and a perfect way to ease into our trip.

Day 2 – Cheeky Monkeys and Ubud Palace

We had a short walk from our hotel to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. There were monkeys everywhere, very clever, used to people, and ridiculously smart. The cheekiest moment was watching two monkeys work as a team to steal a girl’s water bottle right out of her hand. Later, another monkey was interested in Paul’s water bottle, hopping onto his knee and posing perfectly for a photo, a real character.

After the monkey antics, we strolled over to Ubud Palace, a short walk from the forest. The palace itself is ornate and traditional, with beautiful carvings, gardens.

Later in the afternoon, we picked up tickets for a Balinese show from someone selling them outside the venue at Ubud Palace. Walking back to the hotel was hot, busy, and full of traffic, which made us realise we didn’t want to attempt it on foot again. We were a bit nervous at first, but we downloaded Grab and booked drivers on mopeds. The ride to the show was adventurous, weaving in and out of traffic, and we arrived quicker than any taxi.

The show itself was great, full of traditional music, fire, dramatic dance, and incredible costumes. It was a vibrant, immersive experience that really brought Balinese culture to life.

Day 3 – Rice Terraces & Ridge Walk

We Grabbed bikes again to the Campuhan Ridge Walk, which winds through rice terraces and rolling green hills. Early morning made it peaceful and perfect for photos.

Later, we stopped at Kastara Resort & Spa for a drink overlooking more terraces — one of those moments you just want to sit and take it all in.

Lunch was at a small local warung. The food, especially the fresh juices and noodles, was fantastic, and the prices were ridiculously cheap, though a few bathrooms in Bali can be questionable, so don’t be surprised!

Day 4 – Pool Day & Donna Restaurant

A chilled day by the pool was just what we needed. That evening, we treated ourselves to Donna Restaurant. The food and wine were excellent — and since my name is Donna, it felt rude not to!

Day 5 – Mount Batur Jeep Safari & Black Lava/Sand Stop

We shopped around and booked a jeep trip through a local travel agent, which meant we got a fair price.

Mount Batur is an active volcano in northern Bali, about 1,717 meters high, with a crater lake at its base. Instead of hiking, we chose a jeep safari to explore the area — perfect for taking in the dramatic volcanic landscape. After sunrise and amazing views of the volcano, our driver took us to explore the black lava fields and black sand terrain, remnants of past eruptions. Absolutely unlike anything else in Bali.

At one point, the jeep got stuck and had to be dug out, which only made it more memorable!

Back in Ubud, we went to Batubara Wood Fire Steakhouse, near our hotel. They cooked the steaks over a wood fire right in front of us — some of the best meat we’ve ever had.

Day 6 – Waterfalls, Temples & Lake Adventures

We hired the same taxi driver and paid a day rate, which made the day stress-free.

First stop: Handara Gate. A bit touristy, but quiet when we arrived. We paid a small fee for the staff to take photos on our phones in fun poses, and it was amusing to feel like models for a few minutes.

Then, Banyumala Waterfall, a hidden jungle gem. The hike down is steep, but the water was refreshing. At the bottom, little motorbikes took us back up the hill, which we needed after the trek.

Finally, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, the one you always see in holiday guides, sitting beautifully on Lake Beratan. The temple was stunning, and the beer there was cheap, which was a nice surprise — Bali doesn’t always have inflated tourist prices where you’d expect them. We even took a small speedboat around the lake.

Day 7 – Tibumana Waterfall & Nusa Penida

We used the same taxi driver again, paying him to take us to Tibumana Waterfall, wait while we explored, and then drop us at the ferry terminal near Sanur.

Tibumana was quite unlike any other waterfall we’d seen — straight, tall, and postcard-perfect, framed by lush jungle. The short hike to get there was worth it, and the water was lovely for swimming. Lockers made it easy to keep our things safe.

On the way to the ferry terminal near Sanur, we bought a small monkey ornament, which we carefully transported for the rest of the trip — it now lives proudly in our living room at home!

Later, we took the Semabu Hills Fast Boat to Nusa Penida. Buying a cold beer on board bagged us a top-deck seat, which made the ride even more fun.

Day 8 – Singabu Bungalows

We stayed in Singabu Bungalows, which were budget-friendly, small, quiet, and really authentic. The bungalows were simple but cosy, surrounded by greenery. The local-style bar and friendly staff added to the authentic island feel, and walking around the area felt like a glimpse into local life.

Nearby we found some amazing little restaurants, including Twin 88, where the food was fresh and delicious. The whole area had a real local vibe, quiet streets, and a sense of stepping back in time — perfect for relaxing.

Day 9 – West Coast Nusa Penida

Using our taxi driver, we explored the west coast highlights of Nusa Penida:

Kelingking Beach: This is the famous T‑Rex shaped cliff viewpoint, where the rock formation juts out into the sea in a way that looks a bit like a dinosaur head — absolutely breathtaking from above. The hike down to the beach itself is very steep and challenging, so we admired the views from the top instead of going all the way down.

Broken Beach (Pasih Uug): A shortwalk along the cliff takes you to a natural rock archway opening into the sea, where turquoise water crashes into rugged limestone — another incredible viewpoint.

Angels Billabong?

Smokey Beach: Reaching this one involves a steep path down the cliff, but once you’re at the bottom the soft sand, jagged rocks, and semi‑secluded vibe make it feel like a hidden paradise.

Crystal Bay: A more popular beach and perfect spot for sunset, with golden light over turquoise water and soft white sand.

That night, we grabbed pizza and pasta nearby, a relaxed way to end the day after so much exploring.

Day 10 – East Coast Nusa Penida

We visited Manta Point, hoping to see manta rays, but there were no mantas that day. Our driver said the sea was “too green” for mantas — we honestly don’t know what that means, but the water looked stunning. He joked that there had been lots of mantas last week, which wasn’t much use to us!

After that, we explored Diamond Beach, postcard-perfect with sheer cliffs and clear coves. Then a visit to Tele Tubby Hill and a stop at Chill Penida, a café with western food and amazing sea views, which was perfect for relaxing. That evening, we visited a small reggae bar near our hotel.

Day 11 – Arrival on Gili Trawangan

We took the Blue Water Express ferry to Gili Trawangan. From the harbor, we got a horse and cart to our hotel, which felt like stepping back in time.

We stayed at Desa Dunia Beda Beach Resort, a beachfront resort on the quieter side of the island, and we absolutely loved it. The bungalows were spacious, with lovely big terraces, perfect for sitting and enjoying a beer in peaceful tranquility

Day 12 – Beach Breakfast, Snorkelling, Sunset Cocktails & Evening Walk

We started the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel’s beach restaurant, overlooking the sea. From there, we went snorkelling straight off the coast, swimming with turtles and colorful fish.

Later, we booked a private boat for the following day through a local street vendor who was very persuasive and gave us a good price.

As the day wound down, we enjoyed half-price cocktails at the hotel bar for sunset, sitting on beanbags on the beach.

In the evening, we explored the busier part of the island. The dinner spot was pricier and surrounded by party spots, including karaoke places bursting at the seams. Not really our thing, so we enjoyed the quiet walk back to our hotel

Day 13 – Private Boat Trip to the Gili Islands

We spent the day on our private boat, exploring the Gili Islands at our own pace. We stopped at Gili Meno, relaxing at a little café with a hammock for a drink, and then headed to Gili Air, which is more built-up but still charming.

The journey between Gili Meno and Gili Air was very choppy and not for the faint-hearted, with the boat rocking side to side and waves splashing over us, although the “captain” of the boat seemed completely relaxed, casually smoking a cigarette. The water was calm and clear once we reached each island, perfect for swimming and enjoying the peaceful vibes

Day 14 – Cycling, Relaxation & Jali Kitchen

We started the morning with a cycle around Gili Trawangan, enjoying the quiet streets and island vibes. From our hotel restaurant table, we could see turtles swimming just off the coast.

The rest of the day was relaxing in the sun, recovering from the previous day’s adventure. Later, we cycled to Jali Kitchen, which was amazing. The meal was memorable, full of incredible flavours, fresh ingredients, and very reasonably priced.

Day 15 – Final Day – Gili Getaway & Reflection

On our final day, we took the Gili Getaway boat all the way to the Padangbai ferry terminal near the airport. After the peaceful boat ride over to the island from Nusa Penida, we did wonder what the towels on the deck were for, but we soon found out — as we had our second experience of waves splashing over our heads.