About Lynne P
Lives in Ballina, Australia
Since Jun 2007
50-64 year old female
From 1985 - 1992 I lived and worked in Jakarta, Singapore and Bali. From 1992 - 2000 I lived in Jakarta and then Probolinggo in Java. I have been back living in Australia since 2000 and have holidays to Bali and meet up with family twice a year.
This guide is for the traveler who wants to experience everything Bali has to offer in 3 days — sun, sand, sea, mountains, temples, scenery and much more — and not so much for the traveler who wants to relax and chill.
17 Places
8 City Tips
17 Places
Sacred & Religious Sites
Flea & Street Markets, Gift & Speciality Shops
Ancient Ruins, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Architectural Buildings, Sacred & Religious Sites
Scenic Walking Areas, Farms, Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sacred & Religious Sites
Restaurants
Cooking Classes
Gift & Speciality Shops
Sacred & Religious Sites
Performances
Beaches, Neighbourhoods
Points of Interest & Landmarks, Historic Sites, Gardens
Historic Sites
Beaches
Caverns & Caves, Sacred & Religious Sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Restaurants
Taman Ayun Temple was built in 1634 by the King of Mengwi. It is set in the middle of magnificent gardens and ponds and surrounded by a moat, with access via the bridge. It is one of the most beautiful temples in Bali.
Pasar Candi Kuning is a traditional market selling fruit, vegetables and flowers. The produce sold here is locally grown in the rich, fertile fields which benefit from a cooler climate higher up. Here you will find all the exotic fruits of Bali (when in season), and spices in abundance.
Pura Ulun Danau sits on the shore of Lake Bratan, and is the second most important temple complex in Bali. It actually consists of four temples: Lingga Petak, Penataran Pucak Mangu, Terate Bang and Dalem Purwa. This is a tourist hotspot and a photographer's dream!
'Jatiluwih' is the name given to the lush green rice terraces that cover Tabanan. This area is more beautiful than its better-known sister, Tegallalang, and its panoramic views with Mt. Agung and Mt. Batukaru in the background, make it a photographer's delight.
Pura Tanah Lot, a pilgrimage temple, is the most photographed temple in Bali. It sits a few meters offshore on a rock formation and is particularly popular late afternoon for the stunning sunset. At high tide the temple is impossible to reach, but at low tide you can walk to the base of the temple to be blessed by a priest.
Echo Beach House is a great way to end a perfect day. Positioned right on the beach, it is a fun place to be, and also happens to serve really good BBQ seafood. Choose your own seafood, cooked to your requirements, and then load up at the free salad bar, complete with baked potatoes.
What better way to take a bit of Bali back home with you than through its cooking? At Bamboo Shoots you can learn to cook authentic Indonesian food through a mix of demonstrations and hands-on practice. Start with an early morning visit to the traditional local market for all the fresh ingredients you'll need, and then head back to the school to learn the different techniques involved in the food preparation and cooking. Laughs guaranteed!
For a spot of market-style shopping, Sindhu Beach Market is the place in town to go. There are numerous shops (some fixed-price, some not) here selling clothes, bags, handicrafts, sunglasses, sarongs, shoes, wallets, cushion covers and enough souvenirs to fill a suitcase and more! There are many warungs and restaurants too, should you need a break from haggling. Put you feet in the sand, order a drink, relax and people-watch!
Pura Uluwatu sits on top of a cliff edge, 90 meters above the waves below, and the views from here across the Indian Ocean are stunning. Plus, animal lovers will enjoy the forest in front where numerous monkeys live, and who often play around the temple area.
As it gets closer to sunset, it's time to get ready for the Kecak and Fire Dance. While this one may not the best in terms of performance quality, its backdrop — as the sun goes down during the show — is spectacular, and certainly takes some beating.
40 or so warungs, cafes and International restaurants stretch across the 3 kilometer-long beach at Jimbaran Bay (otherwise known as Kedonganan Beach). There are two distinct areas; one next to the fish market and the other about 1 kilometer away to the south. Although considered a must for fresh seafood, this area is without doubt over-rated and over-priced. It is, however, a place that should still be visited for its atmosphere alone. After sunset, Balinese dancers, jazz musicians, and wandering guitarists will all appear to keep you entertained...
Tirta Gangga Water Palace in East Bali is the former Royal Palace; a beautiful complex with a maze of pools, gardens, fountains, and statues spread over 3 levels overlooking the rice fields.
Tenganan is one of two main isolated villages left in Bali, in which the Bali Aga traditions have been preserved, and inhabitants live today just as their ancestors once did. It's also the only place where the traditional geringsing double ikat style of weaving can still be found. Although highly commercialized, visiting this unique community of 250 people is like taking a step back in history!
Blue Lagoon is located at Padang Bai. It is a hidden paradise with warm, crystal clear water, and an abundance of marine life and coral, which make it the ideal place to snorkel. There are two basic warungs here where you can get a tasty if simple meal, a cold drink, hire your snorkel gear, and have a massage and a shower after your swim.
Pura Goa Lawah or 'Bat Cave Temple' is a holy spot that is home to thousands upon thousands of bats. The walls and ceilings are completely covered in them, all pressed so tightly together that it is hard to distinguish one from another!
The village of Kusamba is set on volcanic black sand, and consists of a few very modest huts. Here, a group of 25 local Balinese live and farm for salt the traditional way. Learn all about the process - it can take up to two weeks of tedious work to produce just a small amount of salt — and then sample the tasty end product; delicious and noticeably better than its generic, table-salt rivals.
This restaurant is an oasis in the desert, offering seating in scattered bamboo structures (known as bales), some of which jut out into the artificial lake. The food served here is typically Sundanese (from West Java), and the unique ambiance makes it a complete experience, rather than just somewhere to dine.