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First impressions
Unlike the glamorous experiences depicted on screen, Trọng Nghĩa, a photographer from Saigon, recently took a 6-day, 5-night trip to Bali with his girlfriend, experiencing a mix of hilarious and awkward situations. During this trip, he visited Ubud, Nusa Penida, and Uluwatu, each with its own unique and impressive attractions.
Ubud is a town on the island of Bali in Indonesia, nestled amidst rice paddies and steep ravines at the foot of the central hills of Gianyar district. It is also one of Bali's main arts and cultural centers.
Recently, Trong Nghia, a photographer from Saigon, took a 6-day, 5-night trip to Bali, experiencing a series of hilarious and awkward situations.
Trong Nghia shared: “I am very impressed with the architecture and the antiquity of this place, partly because it is still connected to the religious life of the people. They perform religious rituals daily at the temples. However, the roads here are quite narrow and always congested. I think that's probably a trade-off, because these architectural structures were built a long time ago, and if they want to widen the road, they would have to demolish them.”
The people of Bali perform daily religious rituals at temples.
The ritual bathing in sacred water at the Tirta Empul temple.
To reach Nusa Penida, a small island off the coast of Bali, you need to take a 45-minute speedboat ride. It's famous for landmarks like the Dinosaur Backbone and the Diamond Beach… But to take photos there, you might have to wait for an hour or more. Therefore, Trong Nghia decided to switch to a snorkeling experience. The sea here is very well preserved, so the marine life is incredibly diverse; you can easily spot dolphins, turtles, and more. In particular, Nusa Penida is famous for its giant manta rays. This is a highlight and attracts tourists from all over the world.
According to Trong Nghia, to reach Manta Point (Manta's home), you need to take a speedboat for about an hour, riding the rough waves of the sea. There are two main types of tours here. One is snorkeling with fins and a snorkel, costing 350,000 Rupiah (RP), about 550,000 Vietnamese Dong. This method requires you to know how to dive and hold your breath for a long time. The second is scuba diving with oxygen tanks, which is easier for all tourists and lasts about 15-20 minutes underwater. However, the price is quite high at 2,500,000 Rupiah (RP), about 4 million Vietnamese Dong.
Experience diving in Nusa Penida.
A bittersweet experience while traveling in Bali.
Unlike traffic in Vietnam, in Bali, motorbikes are driven on the left lane. “Initially, when I wasn't used to it, I had several close calls driving against the traffic on the right. Gasoline here is quite cheap, only 14,000 VND per liter. The blue color of the gasoline is quite eye-catching. Perhaps because of the cheap gasoline, the rental prices for motorbikes and cars are also very affordable. A whole day only cost 100,000 VND for a motorbike and about 700,000 VND for a car,” Trong Nghia said.
He noted that Balinese cuisine mainly consists of chicken dishes, which are very salty and contain few vegetables. Compared to Vietnam, the food is not as diverse. Balinese cuisine and beliefs share similarities with India.
He commented that the cuisine in Bali mainly consists of chicken dishes, which are very salty and contain few vegetables.
When visiting the temples, tourists are given a piece of cloth to wrap around their waist called a sarong. Female visitors who are menstruating are not allowed to enter the temple.
During his 6-day trip to Bali, Trong Nghia's most unforgettable moment was his experience taking a waterbus to Nusa Penida island, literally. "It was raining heavily, and the boat was constantly being drenched like a waterfall. There were many boat companies offering this service, but perhaps I wasn't lucky enough to choose this one. No air conditioning, no rain shelter, and instead, it smelled awful and was unbearably hot," Trong Nghia humorously recounted.
When visiting temples, tourists are given a piece of cloth to wrap around their waist called a sarong.
It was raining heavily when he arrived on the island, so Trong Nghia quickly got into the car he had booked to go to the hotel. Another surprise awaited him. The hotel where he was staying was completely deserted, with no guests, no Wi-Fi, no reception, and no phone signal. It's no exaggeration to call it a "haunted house on the prairie." He had to walk a considerable distance to find a phone signal to contact a driver to find him another hotel. After the rain, the sun came out, and the next day was a sunny day with a blue sea. Trong Nghia was lucky enough to snorkel with giant manta rays, sea turtles, and a pod of dolphins.
Roads in Bali
Bali has long been known as the "cultural cradle" of Indonesia. What the photographer felt most strongly was the truly ancient atmosphere of Ubud's streets. Riding a motorbike through the narrow alleys, lined with architectural structures and rice paddies, gave him a nostalgic and delightful feeling. The religious rituals of the Balinese people are performed daily at these temples. However, non-Bali worshippers are not allowed to enter the temple gates.
According to Trong Nghia, when staying at a hotel, people often place a tray of flowers in front of their door or room during ceremonies. This tray is called a "Canang Sari" - one of the most common offerings in Balinese Hindu culture, used to offer to deities and ancestors to express gratitude and pray for peace and good fortune. "Canang Sari" is usually made from coconut leaves, flowers, rice, and sometimes includes incense or snacks. This offering is usually placed at temples, in front of houses, or at sacred sites, and you are not allowed to step on it.
Bali has long been known as the "cultural cradle" of Indonesia.
Things to note when visiting Bali for Vietnamese tourists?
- When visiting Bali, bargaining is very important, no matter what you're buying or using. If they quote a price of 100,000 VND, don't hesitate to offer 40,000 VND.
- Traffic jams are a common occurrence here, so getting around often takes a long time, and the attractions are quite far apart. If possible, you should rent a motorbike for easier and more independent transportation.
- Food is also a drawback, as it's quite difficult to eat and lacks variety. Tourists can try European dishes like pizza and pasta at local restaurants.
