When it comes to hard decisions, I believe that travel decisions also fit into this category. After deciding to visit a place, accommodation is the next aspect you should take into account.

I have always said that a suitable place to stay can significantly improve your travel experience. This is exactly what happened in my case when I traveled to Bali.  The Camakila Legian Hotel was the perfect accommodation for me and one of the few hotels which made me feel a strong blend of emotions.

I remember that as soon as I left the reception, I was delighted by the image of a lagoon swimming pool which was lying in the middle of a splash of green.  I’m not a big fan of swimming pools, but in front of this image my reaction was similar to the one of a child who had just discovered a new toy.

Even if the hotel is not a very big one, it is blessed with a large courtyard which reproduces a tropical garden and which invites you to relax in a peaceful ambience.

All the spacious rooms are decorated in a modern way and they are equipped with all the necessary amenities. Whether you opt for one of its deluxe rooms or suites, you will plunge into a total oasis of comfort.The open air restaurant offers an authentic Indonesian dining experience in the middle of nature.

Among the facilities of the Camakila Legian Hotel there is also an infinity pool. I am sure you have heard about the famous Balinese infinity pools which are a real treat for tourists. The pool is situated behind the beach and it offers a wonderful sea view. What can be more pleasant than to drink a glass of wine while you are admiring the sunset from this infinity pool?

Another important detail is the fact that the hotel is situated in Denpasar, the capital of Bali and this will make it very easy for you to get to the major Balinese tourist attractions.

All things considered, I really believe that the Camakila Legian Hotel is the perfect accommodation in Bali. It’s important to make good choices when you travel and I recommend the Camakila Legian Hotel in case you are going to visit Bali.

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This lovely temple was the last one I visited in Bali and it immediately became my favorite. What I liked the most was the incredibly beautiful scenery which surrounds this temple.

Situated on Beratan Lake and surrounded by a high mountain range, this temple seems to float on water. Being one of the most photographed Balinese tourist attractions, the Ulun Danu Beratan lies in the village of Candikuning. It is made of a complex of four temples meant to worship Siwa, Vishnu, Brahma and Danu, a few Balinese deities.

The name of the temple comes from Dewi Danu which is the goddess of water and it means “the beginning of the lake”. As well as several other Balinese temples, the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple was built in order to protect Bali from evil spirits.

An interesting thing about this temple is the fact that a few rituals are held there annually. The most famous one is the ritual dedicated to the goddess Dewi Danu.

After visiting this religious edifice, the tourists can either walk around the garden situated in front of the temple or visit the small zoo located nearby.

All things considered, you cannot leave Bali without visiting its iconic sanctuary. Take a look at the following pictures and I’m sure you will understand what I am talking about!

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The Batukaru Temple (Pura Luhur Batukau) is the third temple I visited during my trip to Bali and I found it the most mysterious of all. One of the reasons I feel this way might be the fact that it’s situated on the southern slope of Mount Batukaru, in a peaceful region far from the fuss of the urban areas. This mountain peak is the second highest in Bali and it is blessed with a beautiful rainforest which gives the entire scenery that special touch of wilderness.

As you have probably understood, the Batukaru Temple is in my opinion the ideal place to meditate and find your inner peace. Situated in the district of Penebel, in Tabanan, this Hindu temple is considered one of the most important Balinese temples.

Built in order to protect Bali from evil spirits and to protect the surrounding nature, the temple is dedicated to the ancestors of the rajas of Tabanan. The entire complex is embellished by a few towers, stone sculptures, fountains and altars. The most important altars that can be admired in the temple are dedicated to Mahadewa, the god of Mount Batukaru and to Ratu Hyang Tumuwuh, the god of fertility.

Beyond all these details, the vibe of this place is totally overwhelming. I personally felt a blend between positive feelings and inner peace. The best way to understand what I’m talking about is to actually visit this temple. The following pictures might be the right reason to plan this trip.

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It goes without saying that I couldn’t have left Bali without visiting its famous and interesting temples.

The Taman Ayun Temple (Pura Taman Ayun) is one of the temples that have really impressed me. Considered one the most beautiful religious edifices in Bali, this Hindu temple is situated very close to Ubud, in the village of Mengwi.

Built in the traditional Balinese architectural style, the temple lies in the middle of a beautiful garden. The name of the temple is related to its location and it means “beautiful garden” in Balinese.

Surrounded by a natural pond and decorated with valuable Balinese ornaments, the Taman Ayun Temple is a very important sanctuary for both locals and tourists. The entire scenery is perfectly completed by the presence of a few pavilions, towers and altars. Barong and Garuda, the two famous Hindu symbols which represent a lion and an eagle can be admired in the courtyard of this temple.

Initially built as a house of prayer for the Mengwi dynasty, the temple is also known as the Royal Temple of the Mengwi Empire. Pura Kawiten which means “the temple of family” is very important for the Balinese people for whom the concept of family is one of the main concepts in their culture.

All things considered, this is definitely one of the places you shouldn’t miss in case you visit Bali. The following pictures are the proof that the Taman Ayun Temple is worth visiting.

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The first temple I visited during my trip there is the Uluwatu Temple or Pura Luhur Uluwatu, the way they call it in their language.

Situated in Pecatu village, in the area of Kuta, this is one of the most important temples in Bali.  In Hindu religion the Uluwatu Temple is considered the place where the three divine powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva become one power. Dedicated to Siva Rudra, the Balinese Hindu deity of all elements and aspects of life, the main purpose of the Uluwatu Temple is to protect Bali from evil and sea spirits.

Built in the Balinese architectural style, the temple is decorated with a variety of ancient sculptures. The name Uluwatu is symbolically chosen and it means “on the top of the rock”, referring to the fact that it is situated at the edge of a 70 meter high cliff. Thanks to its magnificent location, the Uluwatu Temple is also famous for a beautiful panorama and lovely sunsets.This is why the best time to visit this place is in the evening.

In order to get to the temple you have to go through a small forest which is home to hundreds of monkeys. According to the Balinese culture, monkeys are supposed to protect the temple against evil spirits.

The monkeys that live in this forest are famous for the fact that they snatch things from the tourists. You should be very careful with your personal belongings in case you don’t want these little thieves to steal them. It will very funny to watch these monkeys while they are trying to steal from the tourists. I really enjoyed myself seeing these monkeys drinking water out of bottles. As far as I’m concerned, these funny monkeys made my day.

As you can see, the Uluwatu Temple is not only about religion, it is also about beautiful views, sunsets and wonderful experiences. You should take a look at the following pictures and you’ll understand what I’m talking about!

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1.First of all you should surf the internet and you should try to find out as many things as you can about Bali. It’s better to be informed than disappointed. I don’t know what you know about Bali, but the unpleasant truth is that Bali is a very dirty place, especially if we are talking about the urban areas.

Leaving aside the trash, there is one more aspect that significantly contributes to this general appearance. I’m talking about the multitude of offerings which can be seen in every part of the island. One of the principles of the Hindu religion is to worship the gods and this is why everywhere you look you will see altars which are adorned with a lot of offerings.

Even if those offerings are beautifully decorated with flowers and plants, they also contain food. You can’t even imagine how bad these offerings reek at over 30 degrees Celsius.

However, it’s about their religion and culture and no matter how strange it may seem to some of us, it’s important to respect their values and principles.

Bali is often associated with the image of exotic beaches with white sand and blue waters, but this is a wrong perception. Despite what many people think, the Balinese beaches are usually very dirty and common. From all the beaches I have visited in Bali, the lovely Jimbaran beach seems to be an exception.

2.Choose a suitable resort for your trip to Bali! Believe me when I say that it’s important to choose a resort which can live up to your expectations. I’m sure that you have heard about the famous infinity pools and that the Balinese resorts are usually blessed with this type of pools. In my opinion you should take this aspect into account when searching for the perfect accommodation. I had the opportunity to stay in a resort which had a lovely infinity pool and I must say that it was a real treat to rest and relax in that pool in the morning sunlight.

3.Bali seems to be one huge natural landscape. From its lovely rice fields and wild forests to its natural parks and interesting temples, everywhere you look you can admire a splash of green.

If you travel on your own, my advice is not to choose an organized local tour because it’s very expensive. It is true that you’ll be safer this way, but there are other options, too. One of them is to rent a car with a driver from a specialized agency.

No matter how experienced you are as a driver, the traffic in Bali is chaotic and it would be better to have a local driver at your disposal. First of all the driver is accustomed to the multitude of cars and scooters and secondly there will be no danger of getting lost on one of the narrow streets of the city.

4.Don’t exchange your money in the currency exchange offices in the streets or in the souvenir shops, even if the exchange rate is much better. You might be fooled by the sellers because they use a special tactic to give you less money and if you are not careful enough you will fall into their trap. The safest places to exchange your money are the banks or the exchange offices in the grocery stores.

5.You should practice your bargain skills in case you want to save a lot of money. No matter what you want to buy, you should know that everything is negotiable in the Balinese local markets. It may seem exaggerated but the right price is about a quarter of what they ask for the goods. You should drive a hard bargain because it will worth the effort in the end.

To conclude, I believe these five tips will help you improve your traveling experience in Bali. After all, experiences make us richer and Bali means a multitude of new and interesting experiences.

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Another reason why I wanted to visit Bali so much was the fact that I considered this exotic destination a small paradise defined by an overwhelming beauty.

I must confess that after my visit there I see things in a different way. I cannot deny that Bali is a beautiful place from many points of view, but it’s far away from being a piece of heaven.

Despite all my expectations, Bali is first of all a very dirty place. If you are ready to look beyond this aspect, this is the type of place which will offer you a lot of interesting experiences. In a nutshell, if you plan to visit Bali just to rest and relax or to let yourself delighted by spectacular places, maybe it would be better to choose another destination.

Many people associate Bali with the image of the beautiful and exotic beaches, but this is a totally wrong perception. Bali is about unique experiences, a different culture and a very simple lifestyle. If you’re one of those people who love new experiences, I’m sure that Bali will be the right choice.

As you have probably understood, even though Bali disappointed me to a certain extent, it is also the place that delighted me with a few memorable experiences. It goes without saying that I don’t regret at all my trip there. It’s all about the way you set your expectations and manage to get over the negative aspects.

On this note, I want to talk about the places in Bali where I had the chance to live a few amazing new experiences.

The Balinese temples are extremely interesting and the island is blessed with a lot of such religious edifices. Hinduism is the religion of more than 80% of the Balinese population and according to this religion they believe in different deities and symbols. Everywhere you look you will see a multitude of altars which are adorned with a lot of offerings used as a way to worship their gods.

The Uluwatu Temple is one of the most famous and beautiful temples in Bali. Situated on top of a cliff, this temple offers an insight into the Hindu religion, but also some spectacular views. In case you want to admire a beautiful sunset from the top of the cliffs, you should visit this place in the evening.

Taking a lot of pictures of the kleptomaniac monkeys which can be found in the area was a really nice experience. You should be very careful when you visit the Uluwatu Temple, in case you don’t want your bag, glasses or your jewelry stolen by these thieving monkeys.

The Taman Ayun Temple and the Batukaru Temple are other two interesting temples which will make you plunge into the Balinese culture and religion. My favorite temple is the Ulun Danu Bratan Temple which is a floating temple situated on the lovely Beratan Lake.

Rice cultivation is one of the most common occupations in Bali and this is one of the reasons why Bali has so many rice fields. Located in the area of Tabanan, Jatiluwih Green Land is my favorite rice terrace thanks to its natural beauty. The image of this rice terrace is one of my precious memories in Bali.

You can also admire lovely rice fields in Ubud, another beautiful area in Bali. This area hosts an interesting Elephant Safari Park, where I had the chance to ride an elephant for the second time in my life.

Another place that I liked very much in this area was the Ubud Traditional Art Market. As the name suggests, this is a market where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, clothes, souvenirs and a lot of other goods at very good prices. It is a delight to taste the delicious passion fruit, granadilla, rambutan, mangoes and bananas. When it comes to food, I must confess that I’m not a big fan of the Asian cuisine but the exotic fruit were indeed a real treat.

Bali is the place where I have drunk the famous Kopi Luwak coffee for the first time. Made of coffee beans which were eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet, this is actually the most expensive coffee in the world. Enjoying a cup of Kopi Luwak coffee, in Ubud, was indeed an interesting experience especially that I also had the opportunity to find out a lot of details about the entire production process of this type of coffee.

Situated in the area of Ungasan, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is the place where you will have the chance to admire a few beautiful temples and statues of deities. Here, you can take a couple of pictures of a few Balinese women wearing their traditional costumes and also enjoy a lovely Balinese show.

As I have already told you, you should not expect to find amazing beaches in Bali. Even though the Balinese beaches are common and usually very dirty, there is one I really want to mention. I’m talking about Jimbaran Beach, a very clean and beautiful beach with greenish water and fine sand.

The Gitgit Waterfall is a place which made me experience the Balinese jungle. In order to reach this waterfall, I had to follow a path through the jungle and even if this path was man-made, the scenery was really natural and wild. The Gitgit Waterfall is not something extraordinary, but the road that leads to this place is definitely worth experiencing. I had the chance to see banana flowers, cocoa trees and jackfruit trees with my own eyes.

To conclude, Bali is a place where you can experience a lot of interesting things. In my opinion, the most important aspect about a place is its ability to make you feel a variety of emotions and Bali is the type of place which has this ability.

1.The Uluwatu Temple

2.The Uluwatu Temple

3.Monkeys in the area of the Uluwatu Temple

4.Monkeys in the area of the Uluwatu Temple

5.Lovely sunset seen from the top of the cliffs, in the area of the Uluwatu Temple

6.Lovely image seen from the Uluwatu Temple

7.The Taman Ayun Temple

8.The Taman Ayun Temple

9.The Taman Ayun Temple

10.The Taman Ayun Temple

11.The Taman Ayun Temple

12.The Luhur Batukaru Temple

13.The Luhur Batukaru Temple

14.The Luhur Batukaru Temple

15.Image seen from the Luhur Batukaru Temple

16.The Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

17.The Ulun Danu Bratan Temple&Beratan Lake

18.The lovely Beratan Lake

19.Rice terrace in Tabanan-Jatiluwih Green Land

20.Rice field in Ubud

21.Kopi Luwak coffee

22.Passion fruit, granadilla, rambutan and bananas

23.The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

24.The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

25.The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

26.Balinese show in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

27.The Elephant Safari Park in Ubud

28.The Elephant Safari Park in Ubud

29.Jimbaran Beach

30.The Gitgit Waterfall

31.Cocoa trees in Bali

32.Banana flowers

33.Jackfruit tree

34.Barong, a Balinese symbol

35…and Bali is about a lot of green…

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