General Bali Guide

 

This is a late post of my trip to Bali last November 2023. This post is to give general information on what you need to know about Bali for your travel and what you can expect.

November is not a popular time to visit Bali because it is their rainy season. However, luckily it was sunny during our trip and just experienced one drizzle during our whole stay on the island. Since it is off-season there are fewer tourists and shorter lines in some tourists’ destinations. There are only two seasons in Indonesia, pretty much like in the Philippines.  Its two seasons are defined as dry (April to October) and wet (November to March). However, even if it’s raining, it can be humid in Bali. So, it’s better to bring and wear light attire.

The first thing we did when we arrived in Bali was withdraw cash. There are some ATM machines before you exit the airport. Based on our research BNI has the lowest exchange rate, so this is where we usually withdraw our money.

There are a lot of taxis offering rides. In our case we booked a vehicle through Gojek. Gojek is the local ride hailing services in Bali. It is the same as Uber or Grab. There is also a Gojek booth outside the airport that can assist you. We downloaded the Gojek application before our flight. Gojek accepts cash payment, or you may link your credit card to the app.

The place where you want to stay in Bali will depend on what is your itinerary. Some tourist destinations are from each other hence it is better to book a place where you want to stay based on your itinerary.

Getting around Bali is easy. The most popular way is renting a motorbike. Motorbike rentals are common in Bali. It is also cheaper and gives you more flexibility. Another option is booking a ride through Gojek. You can also contact tour services in Bali to help you get around the places you want to visit. In our case, we told our tour service our itinerary and they advised us if it is feasible and gave us the total cost. We checked three different tour services to compare costs and inclusion. Some tour services do not include gas charges. It is better to read and compare the inclusions of their services so that you can get better value for your money.

Most tourist attractions have entrance fees but there are some which are free. Most of the temples we visited have an entrance fee. There are also some temples that have a dress code which you need to follow. Temples are still very common in Bali.

Aside from temple, one of the famous tourist attractions in Bali is their beaches. There are a lot of beaches in Bali and each beach offers a different experience. Popular beach destinations in Bali are Kuta, Uluwatu, Sanur ang Canggu. Another popular beach destination is Nusa Penida, however this is a small island near the big island of Bali.

Of course, a travel in Bali would not be complete without experiencing their food. Popular local food is Babi Guling or roasted suckling pig. There are Warungs that offer Babi Guling. Warung is a small eatery or cafeteria. Satay is also a popular local dish in Bali. Other must-try food in Bali are Nasi Goreng, Tahu and Tempeh and traditional cakes and dessert.

Travel to Bali is not complete without having their traditional coffee. You can visit coffee plantations and have free samples of their teas and coffee including the expensive luwak coffee. They also explain how they create their tea and coffee. You may also try their local beers. The most recognized local beer is Bintang.

Aside from this it is better to also understand the culture of Bali. majority of the population is Muslim, while in Bali the Hindu religion is predominant. In general, Balinese are very religious. You can see them prepare and have canang sari in their houses or any establishment. Canang sari are usually based in a woven bamboo container and include rice, flowers, incense, sweets, fruits, and spices.

Visiting Bali is a remarkable experience. It is both an adventure and a tranquil place in one. Will be posting about more of our detailed tour in Bali.

Gastronomy in Vigan

 The pandemic has really taken a toll on our desire to travel and experience a lot of new things. To start my revenge travel this year, I went to Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The trip to Vigan is simple. We do not have any itinerary because it just a weekend trip. I know some of you would wonder why just a weekend trip to Vigan. Well, we have other ulterior motives in going to Vigan. However, we know we would like to eat in Vigan. And I mean really eat! And I do not mean eating in every restaurant in Vigan. We try to choose the best places to eat in Vigan and limit it to the must try.

So, our first food adventure brought us to the well-known Grandpa's Inn where Kusina Felicitas is located. We decided to have our lunch here. Kusina Felicitas is popular for their Pipian na Manok and Sinanglao. However, Ilocano dish like Bagnet and Pinakbet is also a must-try. For our lunch, we ordered their Bagnet and Pinakbet. Of course, the Bagnet tastes great. Their pinakbet is not very salty based on my taste. You can appreciate the own taste of each vegetables because the bagoong does not overpower it. Instead, the bagoong in the pinakbet helps enhance the taste of each vegetables.

Aside from the Bagnet and Pinakbet, we also had their chocolate cake. Its a classic chocolate cake. 

In the afternoon, we searched for Irene's Empanada. Based on our research, this where you can buy the authentic and best empanada in Vigan. Irene's Empanada is located in Calle Crisologo. There is a sign so you will definitely not miss it. They have different varieties of  empanada and they also have okoy.

For dinner, we decided to go to Calle Brewery. We do not want to miss to try their craft beers. Aside from the craft beer they offer smoked meats. Its different from the other foods offered by the other restaurants. We ordered their BBQ plate. The BBQ plate consists of rice, two sides and your choice of meat. We ordered sausages and beef brisket for the meat. The meat is very tender and juicy. And, of course we tried their craft beer. They have six craft beers that you can choose from.

On the next day, we had our breakfast in our hotel. Since we are in Vigan, we ordered their local longganisa for breakfast. I like the garlicky taste of Vigan longganisa. Its very flavorful.

To end our food trip, we tried their local coffee, Ilocos coffee, at Coffee Break Vigan. Coffee Break Vigan is a quaint cafe in Calle Crisologo. Aside from coffee, they also have sandwiches, breakfast meals and pasta.

There are a lot of other restaurants and cafe in Vigan. Hopefully we can try them on our next visit.