Travel to Bali – Episode 649

Hear about travel to the Island of Bali in Indonesia as the Amateur Traveler talks to David Brodie from TravelIn10.com about a recent family trip to this popular tropical destination.

David says of Bali, “I just returned from a 10 day trip in Bali. It’s a fantastic spot. It definitely ranks among my favorites. We first went there about 15 years ago, my wife and I, when we were doing a one year tour around the world, when I first started this podcast. We had traveled through Bali, the two of us, but hadn’t been back since. So this was a chance to take our kids back and tour around and see how the country has changed in the intervening years.”

Bali is located just off the northern coast of Australia. “Many people think of it as almost the Australian version of Hawaii”.

Bali is probably most famous for its great white sand beaches,  beach vacations with snorkeling, diving, surfing and just enjoying the sun. There are several different beaches and beach resorts and beach clubs around the island.

Unlike the rest of Indonesia, Bali’s predominant religion is Hindu and there are many interesting temples in the interior as well as hikes, waterfalls, and rice terraces.

Kuta beach is the classic Bali beach destination near the international airport at Denpasar.

David and his family stayed instead in the up-and-coming area of Uluwatu in the southernmost tip of the island about 45 minutes from the airport. Many of the resorts in Uluwatu are located up on cliffs above the beach. It is also home to one of the most famous temples, Uluwatu temple, on the island. This picturesque temple is up on a cliff and is overrun with monkeys. Every sunset they do a traditional sunset fire dance. Uluwatu is also known for its professional surfing.

Ubud in the interior is known for the cultural experiences you can have there. It is in the jungle surrounded by waterfalls and active volcanoes. Ubud has several temples. It is known as a place to go for yoga studios. It was one of the places that David and his wife most enjoyed on their first trip. They enjoyed a great market there.  It is also known for resorts and great dining as well. This time they found it somewhat over touristed. It went from being a quiet out of the way destination to a place on everyone’s itinerary. Now they were running into 30-45 minute traffic jams.

The island is known for Indonesian cuisine but they also found some great international restaurants there including Mexican food. David makes some recommendations for where to eat and what to have.

David and his family took surfing lessons while they were there on one of the kid-friendly beaches near Kuta.

Bali is suffering somewhat from over-tourism so it might help to listen to David’s experiences before you book your trip.

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Show Notes

travelin10.com
Travel to Cambodia – Episode 127
Travel to Fiji – Episode 445
Bali
Uluwatu, Bali
Denpasar
Kuta Beach
Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, Ungasan, Indonesia
Sunday’s Beach Club – Uluwatu
Roosterfish Beach Club – Pandawa Beach
Ubud
Flavors of Bali book
Motel Mexicola
Nusa Penida
Legian
Pulau Biru Surf School
Grab App
Gojek App
My Blue Bird Taxi
Element by Westin Bali Ubud
Tibumana Waterfall
Seminyak – The Village Mall — Spring Spa
Nasi goreng
Satay
Uluwatu Temple
Where to Stay in Uluwatu, Bali

Community

Laura commented on Route 66 Road Trip – Episode 648

What a fun episode! I’m from the Midwest (Iowa) and love road trips – stopping at smaller cities/sites. But I do have to say that I wish Austin would have mentioned the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL as well. Seeing his home and tomb are awesome, but the museum is one of my favorite museums I have ever been to. It’s so well put together and great for both adults and kids – really interactive. I’m sure he was just trying to rush through what to see on the whole route, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t visit the museum!

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