Gone in BALI

Amazing Adventure with Love

Everybody dreams of traveling around the world. And I am so grateful that even though we haven't traveled around the world yet, at least we have started. It's our first international trip together with my best boyfriend/travel buddy, but surely not our last. It was amazing and I can't wait to tell you all about it.

During out trip to Bali, we decided to stay in Sanur. It's a 30 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. It has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. Maybe that's the reason why Sanur appeal most middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans. It was actually the perfect hideout for us because all we want to do is relax. Do everything with no rush.

Sanur beach

Being in Bali opened the doors of enlightenment for me. It taught me how to appreciate other things, people and culture, from food to traditions. At first, I was hesitant to try Balinese food. But then, when we found our favorite restaurant I was surprised of how delicious there food was. And then, when I first saw there portraits, figurines and wood carvings it felt strange for me cause they look kinda scary. Yet, when I found out the meaning for each of them, I was surprised by what those symbols for. And it made me realize, it's not only about how something looks. But the most important thing is the essence of each them. We just need to understand things for us to be able to appreciate it.

Retro Restaurant (our favorite restaurant in Sanur)

What amaze me most is that, Bali can make you feel like you're a millionaire, in general. If you have been to Bali, then I'm sure you know what I mean. But for those who are wondering why I say so, I'll give you an idea. For example, dining in the Philippines in a fine restaurant would cost you maybe around 2,000 pesos for a dinner for two. But in Bali, it would cost you 250,000 or more. So if you dine 3 times a day probably you will be spending a million a day. But of course, it's in rupiah. You do the math for the conversion. :)

House to beach to house is routine for our first two days in Sanur. It was an unlimited tanning operation like I have never done before. Our place is just 5 minutes away from the beach. We can actually walk but good thing the owner of the villa has a bicycle. And riding in the bicycle together almost everyday was actually romantic.

 On our third and fourth day, we were able to experience what other things Bali has to offer. We have watched a traditional dance called "The Barong and Keris Dance"

Visited Sari Dewi Gold and Silver Collection,

Observed how coffee and tea are made and had a free taste on every coffee and tea they have. We actually liked their tea and coffee so we bought some.

Had a glimpse of the wood carving store. Wood carvings takes months even years to finish just one carving depending on how difficult the design is.

While on our way to those location we have seen this amazingly beautiful work of art.

Would you believe that it's a fence for a jewelry company? Well, you have to because it really is. :)

The tour isn't over yet, next stop was...

Monkey Forest

Rice Terraces

Ubud Temple

Colorful paintings in Ubud Market

and the Elephant Temple

Wow! That was already a lot. But still more to go. Most thrilling part is just about to come up. Among all the temples that we have seen the one we admire most is the Uluwatu Temple, the temple by the cliff.

Amazing isn't it?

Another thing about visiting Bali is that make sure you have your bargaining skills. Otherwise, you'll be reaped off especially when you're fond of buying souvenirs for your family, relatives and friends. For instance, in the picture I was about to buy a handmade bracelets for my friends. I asked how much it cost for one bracelet, she said it's 50,000 rupiah. For me, 50,000 rupiah for just 1 bracelet is too much. So i said, "how about 10 pieces for 80,000 rupiah?", as expected she said no. So I went higher, "how about 100,000 rupiah for 10 pieces?", but then again she said no. So I said "ohh, it's too much" while putting back all the bracelets I have chosen. Suddenly, she said "ok ok, 10 pieces for 100,000 rupiah and i give you 1 for free". Gotcha! If you can just imagine my face when the vendor said "ok". So I paid the lady and I even got 2 another free bracelet. All in all I had 13 bracelets for 100,000 rupiah. Whew! That's just how you do it. ;)

And so my most unforgettable moment in Bali was when I tried para sailing and jet ski for the first time.

that feeling when you're up above satisfying your eyes with the stunning view below was just priceless.

A trip wouldn't be enough if we miss to visit another beach again, especially if it's just nearby. So we're off to Padang-Padang and Seminyak

Padang-padang beach is where surfers go.

Of all the beaches we have visited, I find Seminyak beach as the not so friendly beach, its wave after wave always brings me back to the shore.

But in Seminyak, we were able to see it's beautiful sunset. If I compare Seminyak to Sanur; Sanur is calm, no waves and the sea is so quite while Seminyak is the exact opposite. And if you will stay in Sanur beach the whole day you can count the airplanes taking off from the airport. On the other hand, in Seminyak you can count the airplanes who lands in Bali.

The two day tour was really exhausting yet t'was fun. So for our fifth day in Bali, we spent the whole day the same as what we did in the first and second day. We thought we deserve a rest. haha!

Before our trip started, I have a lot of places in my list to visit. Only to find out that one week isn't enough to visit all those places. So if you wanted to go to Bali take my advice, stay there for two-three weeks or even a month and surely you won't regret it. You can surf, dive, do the water sports, visit an active volcano and many more.

If you want to see the rest of our photos in Bali, visit my Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/missKateTwila/media_set?set=a.10202053278333789&type=1&pnref=story

Arriving in Bali

THE HUMBLE ABODE

Two and a half hours flight and 17 hours waiting time (in the airport), what would you feel about that? Pretty tiring wasn't it? Yes it was very tiring, but how could I possibly complain about it when my excitement was overflowing. After all it was my first ever international flight. We've waited for this trip not just days nor weeks but months and finally it's happening. We couldn't wait till our feet hit the grounds of Bali, Indonesia.

Fetched from the airport and traveled 45 minutes until we reached the humble abode of Silvie in Sanur. Silvie is a very nice and accommodating host. Arriving in Silvie's house with a very warm welcome vanished all our tiredness. We are so happy that we have finally arrived and we have the rest of the week to enjoy our stay.

(a panorama view of Silvie's Balinese house from the poolside)

Seeing these gorgeous rooms made us realize that we had a very tiring day. Who could resist that tempting big beds? For a person as tired as we are, I bet none. I didn't waste any second there, I threw my luggage in the corner and get ready for bed because I know that tomorrow will be another long day. Bali awaits!

The Bedrooms

(the second room in the house facing the living room) 

(the room fronting the pool)

 

The Pool

For a tropical place like Bali, having a pool is a perfect choice. We are so lucky that Silvie's house got one.
We can take a dip anytime we want. It doesn't matter if it's 12 o'clock in the afternoon or 12 o'clock in the midnight.

The Living Room and The Kitchen

(living room viewing from the outside)

(the living room viewing from the kitchen)

(the sofa)

Genuine Balinese style and decoration, unique, quite, and relaxing, that's what this house could offer. In Silvie's house we have the luxury to do what we want to do; cook (but we never cooked really because we found our favorite restaurant in Sanur beach just 5 minutes away from the house), sleep, listen to music, swim in the pool or just sit in her sofa and read books. Indeed it feels like home.

(the little kitchen)

The sweet cute cats of Sylvie accompanied us while Sylvie visited her jungle house in Bali for 3 days. They are so playful and nice. Whenever we arrived from a long day in the beach they always wants to play.

This humble abode in Bali, decorated with authentic Balinese style, surrounded by plants and beautiful flowers has served us well during our stay. The memories that we had will be forever in our hearts. And if ever we will be given a chance to go back again and find a place to stay our choice would be the same. Thanks to Sylvie for her wonderful home.

If you are planning to go to Bali and would love to stay in Sylvie's home you can contact her and book her villa at www.airbnb.com!

Mati, a place to be

There's No Place Like Home

No matter where I've been, how many places I've seen, still there's no place like home. That feeling of familiarity and belongingness can never be found in any other place except in the place where your family is. After 8 months of being away, I'm so happy that I got the chance to visit my hometown and see my family and friends that I missed so much. 

Not many people knows about this place, Mati. It's part of Davao Oriental and a 3-4 hours drive from Davao City. Yes it's a city but it's not like any other city. It has no 3-4 storey mall, no expensive restaurants, NO TRAFFIC and white sand beach with crystal blue sea water is for FREE. It offers a simple and quite living where you can just do everything you want or just do nothing or visit the beach everyday. 

Dahican Beach

Honestly, I'm not a good swimmer, i'm afraid to get dark but I'm a beach lover, ironic isn't it? (haha) Whenever I go home I wouldn't miss to visit the beach. If you are a beach lover like me and who's dying to get the perfect tan then this is a perfect destination for you.  

Who could resist that pristine beauty Dahican beach could offer? I bet none. I could say that this place is a mixture of Siargao (Surfing capital of the Philippines) and Boracay because you'll get to experience the best of both world. You could go surfing and skim boarding or you can just lay on the sand. Surfing and skim boarding lesson is also offered for only Php.150 per hour (skimboarding) and Php.400 per hour (surfboarding). 

  
For almost 2 weeks of vacation I felt it's not enough,it's never been enough. Yet, it was an amazing stay. I was able to filled up the emptiness of missing the people I love. And I have seen that Mati has improved a lot,  improved for the better. Until next time, Mati. 

@misskatetwila