- There are still many places in Bali I have not yet discovered and explored despite the fact that I’ve been living is this sun, sea, surf island for about 9,5 years. This is a serial of 3 blog posts of A Day trip to Northern part of Bali (trilogy!). Written NOT in an order of where to visit first, although for your easy guide, I will give an itinerary* that most people usually does. Enjoy! -

If you are going up to North of Bali, to the highland village of Bedugul, that is famous with its Botanical Parc (Kebun Raya Bedugul) and Ulun Danu Temple on Beratan Lake, your journey can continue up to Buleleng, to the splash spot of the area : Munduk Waterfall. This is not only a visit to a beautiful waterfall place in Bali, but also a short hiking deep into the rain tropical forest of Munduk Village. Very recommended for Bali visitors after 4 or 5 days with skin tanning beach days and Seminyak night life, you should definitely schedule a day trip to Singaraja area.

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It is always rewarding for a blogger when a reputable association or a professional community mentioning your blog and giving an award for such a great job you’ve been doing in what you are most passionate about : writing and sharing it with people.

I had a pleasure moment when last year my culinary blog www.wisatakulinerbali.com on which I’m blogging about Bali culinary delights (not only about real and traditional Balinese food, but more on my recommendation of yummy,healthy, affordable, “Warung” style eateries in Bali) received an “Internet Sehat” Award from Indonesia ICT (Information & Communication Technology) Watch for Travel & Culinary Blog category, how nice!! And things like that always encouraged & motivated me to keep writing & blogging!

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Doing what? Jay ho dancing with Sharukh Khan? Or eat and drink Roti Canai and Teh Tarik? Nah…will get to that dancing move one day, and definitely am looking forward to see and taste the real indians doing the pour in-pour out Teh Tarik beverage. The tickets were booked about a month ago, after having spotted an economy promo air fare on this low fare airline website, but not until yesterday, ie. 2 days before the travel date I found a backpacker hostel on the internet (browsing, surfing, swimming on the world wide web could really get us lost!) that looks cozy, friendly, intimate and fun in mind, most importantly : CLEAN and SAFE, and even if I’m going to sleep on a 5 bed dorm (with Bart and a friend, we managed to get the room as a private room just for us), doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy my stay in Singapore..oups! Did I just mention the country I’ll be in? Oh well, there it goes my Bali Blogger in disguise mission.

Hostelling means staying in value-for-money accommodation where you can interact and have fun with other travellers in a convivial atmosphere. Why spending hundreds dollar in a fancy room when you’ll going to be there only for sleeping in the night? And I’m going to stay just for 3 days. I better save the money for sightseeing (and shopping too!). I’m welcoming any great places to see, to taste recommendation. A tout à l’heure !

Hihi…I laughed at myself at the blog title, but it’s true! I found several cavities or hollow spaces on this beach with pristine clear water, clean enough to wash your hands from sands. Bored with Dreamland Beach several years ago, I chose to find more secluded beaches with less people on it, so I could enjoy reading my book and take a nap without any interruption that sometimes makes me crazy like : getting hit by a mis-kicked soccer ball, screaming kids, a group of school kids from Java complete with their accompanied teachers in their Batik vest in the midst of hot sunny day!! And on My 5 Favorite Beaches in Bali, I’ve noted down all the beaches I like..

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” Gaby,
I found your blog on through Google and have enjoyed reading it very much so far.  I wonder if it will be possible to get some advice from you about my stay in Bali: where to go, what to see and eat, etc……Kuta makes me sick with all the tourists everywhere.  I came to Indonesia to experience the culture, the food, the beauty, and the people.But here in Kuta, with all the development and crowding, I am getting none of that, and starting to go crazy because of it…. Please let me know soon if you are able to help us!  We appreciate so much already what you have written on the internet that we will have no hard feelings if you cannot help us……I have only 7-8 more days to discover the amazing beauty of this place, not the ugly tourist centers that we are currently in.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Brian “

So last month I received this email from one of my blog reader, and quite surprising as he pointed out that finding my blog through Google has given him some good tips about what to do in Bali to help him escaping from his ‘helpless’ situation in the Bloody Kuta (later he told me how he ended up in Poppies Lane, on his first visit to Bali!staying in a dirty cheap hotel,and surrounded with some tourists that showed a disrespectful act to locals, and it made him and his friend were very sick of it).

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On my last visit to my parent’s house in Bandung,West Java in December 2008 I promised my self I should go back visiting this city, where I was born and grew up, every 3 or 4 months (my wish!), as I always miss my niece & nephew soon after I landed in Bali and so exactly on My dad’s birthday, 2nd of June’09 a ‘direct flight’ of Merpati Airlines Denpasar – Bandung flew me away from the sea,sun,surf island to the flower city or people in the past called it: Parijs van Java.

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Well,that’s what the aussie tourists always say. I don’t get it tough.Is somebody bleeding in Kuta? hmm…I’m not a big fan of Bali touristy place, but have to admit, Kuta Beach and its ambiance has its magic spell that attracts people all over the world to taste the ‘bloodyness’ of this tourist mecca. The beach,shops, Hard Rock Hotel landmark with the giant blue surf board (a must photo shot for most of local tourists, and I have one pic of myself! :p ), overly priced mini-marts along the road – the place where most young locals hang out with Bintang beers, watching non stop scene of people passing by, Kamasutera Club, halfway spot with another mini mart + cafe, and this horrific buiding claiming to be “the biggest Jakarta club to be built in Bali” in the corner of Melasti Road and Kuta Beach..Kuta..Kuta..Kuta..

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On my previous posts 5 Tips to enjoy Bali not as a tourist and My 5 Favorite Beaches in Bali, I keep bringing up why
I don’t like Dreamland Beach anymore that is called now New Kuta Beach. Located on the Bukit Peninsula,Bali, only 10 minutes from my house! Dreamland Beach was once spotted and found by a western surfer back in the 70’s.

The beach provided basic accommodation and cafes for surfers and day trippers. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, it is also renowned for its dangerous shorebreak.

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My days in Bali consist of finding beautiful and stunning beaches that are stretching out from west coast to the east cost, and not to forget southern area. As I live in Jimbaran, some surfer beaches are even located only 10 minutes by a speedy bike from my house :p

Here are my Top 5 Favorite Beaches I frequented quite often as my day dream spots :

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Bali is a big island to explore, and finding hidden stunning areas and spots such as blue pristine water in a secluded beach area are among the most fun part to discover this island of paradise.

More visitors or even local residents like me prefer avoiding touristy areas such as Kuta Beach (and Kuta Square), Dreamland Beach-who is now known as New Kuta Beach full of Jakarta and Surabaya local tourists! (how on earth those investors from Jakarta dare to change a beach name found once by a surfer in 70’s!), and would rather explore West,North,and East part of Bali.

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