It’s no secret that Bali was not my favorite destination, but one thing I’ve always been clear about is that the island is not without its redeeming factors. From hidden beaches, to exotic rice terraces and, of course, amazingly friendly people, Bali has plenty of positives to outweigh the negatives that unfortunately dominate discussions about the island these days.
Tegalagang Rice Terraces
I watched “Eat, Pray, Love” less than a month before I visited Bali, so you can imagine my surprise when I arrived in hectic Denpasar – it was about as far from the tranquil rice paddies where Julia Roberts had ridden her bike as you can get. Thankfully, the Bali from the movie is only three hours (well, maybe four, given Bali’s notorious traffic) from the island’s main airport. And Tegalang Rice Terraces aren’t just a good spot for biking:
Uluwatu Monkey Temple
The Hindu temples at Uluwatu are charming enough on their own, to say nothing of the gorgeous beach below, which sits far down from the cliff face that it’s literally virgin. Indeed, the adorable monkeys at Uluwatu Temple (which is appropriately known as “Uluwatu Monkey Temple”) are an attraction on their own. Tip: Hold onto your things – monkeys do steal!
Nusa Dua Beach
The first Bali beach I visited was Kuta, which is not only the island’s most popular, but also unfortunately its most polluted. Nusa Dua Beach, located near the southern tip of the island, couldn’t be more different, with a deserted, quiet feel, and bright blue waters. Sure, the Hindu statue erected above the beach in 2012 is as fake as the malls that line the shores of Kuta, but the natural aspect of Nusa Dua is beautiful enough that I don’t really care.
Bali Sunsets
No matter where in Bali you choose to stay or visit, one thing is for certain: The sunsets here are among the very best in the world. The picture above should speak for itself – and hopefully, will tide you over until you finally do make it to Bali yourself.
Robert Schrader is a travel writer and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications such as “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” along the way. His blog, Leave Your Daily Hell, provides a mix of travel advice, destination guides and personal essays covering the more esoteric aspects of life as a traveler.
