Discovering Bali: Our Travel Story from Ubud to the Southern Coast

 Bali sits in the heart of Indonesia, an island suspended between the Indian Ocean and the Bali Sea, wrapped in a tropical climate that never really cools down and shaped by a culture unlike anything you find elsewhere. Our journey begins here, in a part of the world that many imagine as a postcard paradise, but that in reality is far more complex: a place where spirituality is part of everyday life, where temples rise beside rice terraces, where the ocean dictates the rhythm of the day, and where every gesture carries a meaning that goes beyond what you see on the surface.

We landed at Denpasar Airport in the early afternoon, greeted by that unmistakable tropical heat that wraps around you the moment you step off the plane. After collecting our luggage, we met the driver we had booked through Grab, a friendly local who guided us through the busy roads toward Ubud.

The ride took about an hour, passing motorbikes weaving through traffic and small temples appearing unexpectedly along the roadside. When we finally reached Pertiwi Resort & Spa, our base for the first part of the trip, we realized that Ubud isn’t a city in the traditional sense—it’s a garden. The resort was surrounded by greenery, with two pools framed by palm trees and a quiet veranda overlooking a lush courtyard. The rooms were simple but well kept, and the price, around forty euros per night, felt perfectly aligned with what the place offered.

We dedicated our first day to exploring Ubud without rushing. We rented a scooter directly from the hotel, a common and convenient practice on the island, and headed toward the Tegallalang rice terraces. The road leading there is lined with artisan shops, small cafés, and glimpses of jungle. When the view finally opens onto the terraces, you understand immediately why this place is so iconic: the green seems endless, and the terraces descend like natural steps carved into the hillside. We walked along the narrow paths, watched farmers at work, and stopped for a fresh juice at one of the cafés overlooking the valley, where the landscape feels almost unreal.

Back in town, we visited the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a temple complex set within the jungle where monkeys roam freely. It’s not a tourist attraction in the usual sense but a sacred site, and as you walk among moss-covered statues and wooden bridges, you sense how deeply nature is woven into daily life here. The monkeys are curious and often playful, but the atmosphere remains surprisingly calm. After leaving the sanctuary,

we stopped for lunch at Warung Biah Biah, a popular spot among travelers. Here we tried nasi campur, a dish that captures the essence of Balinese cuisine: rice, spiced chicken, sautéed vegetables, peanuts, and sambal. It costs only a few euros, yet it’s one of those meals that stays with you because it reflects the island’s simplicity and strong flavors.

As we wandered through Ubud later that evening, we noticed the canang sari, the small offerings that Balinese women prepare each morning and place in front of homes and shops. Made of palm leaves, flowers, and incense, these offerings are a daily gesture of gratitude toward the gods. They’re impossible to miss and represent one of the island’s most authentic traditions. We also witnessed a small ceremony at Pura Dalem Ubud, where slow music and traditional clothing created an atmosphere that made it clear how deeply spirituality shapes everyday life here.

The next day we left Ubud and headed toward Canggu, a completely different part of Bali—more modern, more energetic, and closely tied to the ocean. Our taxi brought us to The Haven Suites Bali Berawa, an elegant hotel with spacious rooms and a large pool that feels like a lagoon. Its location near Berawa Beach is ideal for anyone wanting to experience the coast without sacrificing comfort. In the afternoon, we went to Echo Beach to watch the sunset. The sea here is stronger, the waves higher, and the sky at sunset becomes a mosaic of colors that shifts minute by minute. We sat on the sand and watched surfers entering and leaving the water, as if the ocean were a constant conversation between them and the waves.

We had dinner at La Brisa Bali, a beachfront restaurant built from reclaimed wood and decorated with fishing nets and lanterns that create a relaxed atmosphere. We ordered mie goreng and grilled fish, simple dishes prepared with care, and listened to the sound of the waves breaking nearby. Canggu has this dual nature: modern and international, yet always anchored to the sea.

For the final part of our journey, we moved down to Uluwatu, a region that feels like a different island altogether. The cliffs are higher, the wind stronger, and the ocean has a different kind of energy. We stayed at PinkCoco Uluwatu, a charming and colorful hotel near Padang Padang Beach. From there, it was easy to reach the Uluwatu Temple, one of the most striking places on the island. The temple sits on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean, and as you walk along the path leading to the main area, you feel the wind coming from the sea and see the waves crashing against the rocks below. It’s a place that impresses not because of its architecture but because of its dramatic location.

We attended the Kecak dance performance at sunset, a ritual held within the temple grounds. Men sit in a circle, chanting rhythmically as the sun sinks behind the ocean, creating an atmosphere that feels both ancient and powerful. It’s a tradition that tells part of Bali’s story, and experiencing it in that setting, with the sea moving beneath you, is something that stays with you long after you leave.

Getting around the island was easy: scooters for short distances, taxis or Grab for longer ones. Costs are reasonable, and transportation is straightforward, even though the traffic can be intense at times.

By the end of the trip, Bali had left its mark not because of one specific place but because of the combination of everything: the rice terraces, the temples, the ocean, the food, the traditions, and the people. It’s an island you experience day by day, without rushing, letting yourself be guided by whatever you encounter along the way.