Bali (Day 2): Nusa Penida

Day 2 in Bali was when the real fun starts!

We started early to have our breakfast at Shelter, a boutique cafe seemingly cater for ang mohs or foreigners as how we call them in Malaysia. I say that because we were the only Asians around, really. I can tell why _ the Western dishes with salads, big breakfast and rolls in humongous portions!






Before I got tanned! LOL

After brekkie, it was time to head to Sanur to catch the boat to Nusa Penida, we arrived just on time before the 11AM boat leaves.... Then while I was getting on the boat, still standing on deck, a wave hit the boat and sent me tumbling down into the boat, ya~ouch! You should have seen me falling Humpty Dumpty (+____+) One lady went, "Kesian dia", kesian me I hurt my butt! Oh well, could've been worse like falling into the water and getting all drench *shrugs*

The entire boat ride to Nusa Penida was terribly rocky, it was really the worst boat ride in my life! I was surprised I didn't feel nauseous during the one hour ride. 

We arrived at Dwi Menunggal Harbor, one of the four harbors in Nusa Penida Island which is the largest of the three Nusa Islands. My first reaction was, OMG, this is the bluest water I have ever seen! The bumpy ride was worth it, still next time I'll opt for a flight from Denpasar to Nusa Penida.

So pretty!

(Typhoon-like shadow at the side is dirt on the lens...)

 At arrival, we were bombarded with tour guides offering to guide us around the island for 550kRupees and on top of that, separate charges of 160kRupees to our stay, Bintang Bungalow. Considering there were no option to rent a car (I checked there were but was told otherwise!) nor neither any of us could ride a bike, we didn't have much option. But this turns out to be a blessing because the roads around Nusa Penida is so rocky, driving around on our own isn't wise... I have also seen foreigners trying to manoeuvre their bikes along the gravels road and it was cringeworthy. I truly fear for their safety!

So here are your two travel tips if you're planning to go around Nusa Penida:

Tip 1: Renting transportations in Nusa Penida 

1) Get the help of a local tour guide for IDR 550k, this will save you a lot of trouble finding your ways and driving along the narrow and uneven roads. 

2) Rent a moped then have an ojek a.k.a. moped driver (usually staffs at hotels/hostels offer their service after their working hours. You can find them at the harbours as well) to show you around. WARNING: Butt aches and really painful thighs are to be expected from the long, rocky rides. Been there, done that (More about this on my Day 3 Bali travel post!).


So here was my lodging for the night _ Bintang Bungalow!

Our bathroom's nature ceiling LOL

I bungkus a pack of nasi goreng ayam satay aka fried rice with chicken satay (satay means chicken on stick, yo!) to eat on the way to our first destination. But halfway, decided to quit because the road was impossibly bumpy to enjoy my nasi goreng. By the way, it was the BEST fried rice I have ever tasted, I'm missing it so much!

Our first destination is Kelingking Point, which is impossibly beautiful!! I mean, just look at that!

You can actually hike down a bit for photos or even all the way down to the beach. I didn't dare to, it was so steep! Didn't help I was holding a tote, a backpack would've made the climb down much more convenient. I did, however found a wooden platform I could take photos!


I met this group of girls from Jawa, as they introduced themselves, and helped them with some group photos. They love what I helped them took and thought I was a photographer which totally flattered me hahahaha



After that, we headed to Angel Billabong, a natural pool framed by rocky cliffs. To get down to the pool, I learn you need to have some rock climbing skills. There was no proper staircase down so it was a bit tricky for me. And ouch, was the rock sharp! 

Check out how the rainbow formed from water vapors after the waves crashed into the rocks.

Our final destination for the day was Broken Beach, just walking distance away from Angel Billabong.

Boy, was it super blazing hot! 

That was how I got so tanned at the end of my trip.. Another because I didn't have the chance to

reapply my sunblock! I need to be more diligent with this seriously!

On the way back, our guide, Dewa was nice enough to drop by the town centre so that my friends and I can exchange more money. It turned out to be a bad idea because the rate was slightly lower than if you do so in Kuta! So that's your next tips if you plan to hang around Nusa Penida. 

Tips 2: How much $$$ do you need in Nusa Penida 

You'll need at least IDR400k per person for the return speed boat rides, about IDR200k to get to your hotel and IDR550k for four-hours tour around the island.  

Besides that, you will also need to pay IDR10k-IDR20k per attractions you visit. Kelingking point is counted as one destination while both Angel Billabong and Broken Beach are counted as another since they're both at the same spot. 

Food wise, price range from about IDR40k to IDR80k++ per meal, not inclusive of beverages.

Finally, it was dinner time before I sign off for the day. Had something from Bintang Bungalow's 
cafeteria. Opted for stir fried instant noodles because there weren't much other options but it tasted amazing nevertheless!

Bali (Day 1): Kuta & Seminyak

Finally getting to writing about my 2017 travel diary for Bali! Woohooo~~ Can you believe my Bali tan hasn't cured yet after so many months??

When I arrived in Bali, it was already late since there was a delay in my flight. I went to check into Flamingo Hostel, a hostel located not too far from the main street yet quiet and super relaxing!

I would DEFINITELY recommend the hostel because the location is just super convenient and you can get around Kuta's main road_Japan Pantai Kuta, several Art Markets, Matahari Department Store, plenty of restaurants and even Kuta Beach within walking distance! There's just so much to explore! Exactly why it's my favourite hangout, shopping and relaxing spot! In fact, I love this place so much I spent a lot of my days just being here!

By the way, this hostel also prepares breakfast and even van tour service, just so you know :)

Legian, Seminyak

On official Day One, I spent only half a day in Kuta before taking a rather expensive taxi ride to check into my next stay at Legian. My first impression was I didn't like how the main shopping and food streets were further from the hostel which means I have to walk a good 15-20 minutes before coming across the shopping street although there are attraction nearby like 3D World. Of course, I spent the entire day walking, just checking out almost every shops I came across (the best part of exploring by foot!) and even found a pretty printed maxi skirt. You cannot forget to get some Bali-esques vibes clothes or accessories while you're at Bali, nah ah.

The Legian Sunset Residence, where I reside for the night

When I'm tired and hungry from my walk, I decided to have my lunch at Ocha Warung, a boutique cafe with amazing ambient. Because tourism is a huge thing in Bali, there are lots of furnitures shops/factories/interior design companies catering for the local demands from restaurants and even hotels/hostels/Airbnb as I learnt that evening while walking along Sunset Road. Ocha Warung is one of the many restaurants with grand (at least for a tourist's POV) interiors.

Opted for the Indonesian-Western fusion nasi campur a.k.a. mixed rice and it was so-o-o good! I chose Mango salad, Indonesian chicken satay (grilled meat on stick) and lodeh.

I continued walking along Sunset Road before finding myself back to my hostel (made a huge round!). Decided I was tired I decided to take a nap and before I know it, it was 8PM! So much for wanting to check out the sunset at Legian Beach, gahhh! I head out again, this time exploring Arjuna Street while waiting for my friends whose flight got delayed. Why is this happening a lot for flights to Bali?? (I'm saying a lot because most of my friends who has been to Bali tell me so!)

Anyways, Arjuna Street is a great place to hangout for a drink, there are several small bars and cafes (though nothing like in Kuta) and several boutiques if you're looking to shop at night. My Exilim doesn't perform best at night so I don't have many clear photos...

I didn't do much, not wanting my friends to wait too long for me after their 3 hours journey. When they did arrived, we had our dinner at Apartment Red, a two-storey warung just less than 5 minutes away from our hostel. One friend opted for IndoMee, having heard so much of it and have never tried them while another opted for fried rice.

Myself, I chose fried chicken with dried chilli sauce which initially I thought was interesting (because I love spicy food) but proves overly spicy and dry for my liking. Thankfully, I ordered iced drink to cool myself (or rather, my tongue) down LOL