Ubud - the heart of the dreamy island of Bali.

Every time Vinh returns to Bali, he is overwhelmed by the rapid changes on this beautiful island. Compared to three years ago, Bali is now much more bustling and vibrant, yet it hasn't lost its inherent ancient beauty. Especially, right in the middle of this colorful and glamorous Bali, the town of Ubud, with its unique local culture and exciting, novel experiences, remains Vinh's favorite stop. Ubud is also where Vinh has had the most unforgettable experiences throughout his trip.

Trekking to watch the sunrise on Mount Batur

That morning, Vinh had to wake up very early to be at the foot of the mountain by 2:30 AM. Vinh was truly astonished to see the enormous number of participants, all of them full of enthusiasm and energy. The local guide would spend a short time introducing the route and handing out flashlights, as well as renting out warm jackets to "rescue" those who hadn't prepared.

At exactly 3:00 AM, the trekking group set off. The sky was still pitch black, but Vinh vividly remembers the breathtaking sight of thousands of twinkling stars looking up. To ward off the early morning mountain chill, everyone in the group chatted and joked with each other, but after a short while, they all fell silent, focusing on conserving their energy for the upcoming uphill climb.

Holding their flashlights firmly and carefully illuminating the path, each person, one by one, struggled to navigate the rough, rocky sections of the trail, trying their best to maintain balance. The path was narrow, and the crowd of climbers was dense, with only a few steps between each person, so sometimes they had to endure a bit of traffic congestion.

Upon reaching rest stop number 1, Vinh and the entire group took a short break to regain their strength. There was a refreshment stand there, and looking up, they could see Mount Batur not far away, so everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, the remaining part of the journey was anything but easy, with sections of steep inclines so steep that the eyes of those behind were level with the ankles of those in front.

At 5 am, the whole group arrived at stop number 2. Everyone was exhausted, just hoping to reach their destination as quickly as possible. After resting, eating snacks, and drinking water, everyone busily prepared their cameras and phones, ready to welcome the sunrise. Around 5:30 am, the sun began to rise. The moment the first rays of sunlight pierced through the ethereal clouds received a huge round of applause from everyone. Some applauded the majestic natural beauty, while others applauded the difficult journey they had overcome. Vinh, despite his fatigue, was excited, thinking: Challenging my limits with this mountain trek, conquering the summit of Batur, and receiving this magnificent sunrise as a reward – why not?

After enjoying the picturesque scenery and taking countless Instagram-worthy photos to capture the golden moment, Vinh and many others in the group decided to head to the nearby Batur Natural Hotspring to relax and recharge.

Take Instagram-worthy photos on the Bali Swing.

The next experience that impressed Vinh during his visit to Ubud was the Bali Swing. If you're an adventurous person who loves exploration, the feeling of soaring high in the sky with the Bali Swing amidst the vast and beautiful green landscape below is a perfect choice for you. The Bali Swing is connected at both ends by two coconut trees right next to the cliff, with various heights, the lowest being 5 meters and the highest reaching 78 meters. With its lightweight and simple design, the swing can fly very high, allowing you to freely gaze far into the distance and be captivated by the beauty of the clouds, sky, and mountains.

As a travel enthusiast and lover of beauty, Vinh has long been fascinated by this incredibly popular swing, a favorite spot for Instagram-worthy photos. After experiencing it himself, Vinh could only exclaim, "Oh my god, it's amazing!" The surrounding space was like paradise, with a gentle breeze and cheerful birdsong, making Vinh unconsciously sigh in admiration. A little secret for everyone: any photo taken with the Bali Swing will attract a huge number of likes on social media.

However, it's worth noting that you'll have to wait in line for quite a while to ride the Bali Swing.

Cleansing bath at Pura Tirta Empul temple

When visiting Bali, you absolutely must go to Pura Tirta Empul and participate in this unique experience steeped in ancient culture. This is one of the most sacred temples in Bali, built around 960 AD. The temple is nestled deep within a lush tropical forest, surrounded by a cool, year-round flowing stream. The stream's water flows through a bubbling, sediment-filled sacred pool, then into two large rectangular pools with intricately carved fountains. Balinese people believe that bathing at Pura Tirta Empul cleanses and purifies the body, bringing good health and good fortune.

Because this is a sacred place, to ensure he performed the rituals correctly and without any transgressions, Vinh sought the help of a local guide. The purification ritual here is called Melukat. Before beginning, Vinh had to prepare offerings including flowers and incense to pray at the altar. Then, he placed the flowers on the water spout and bowed his head to receive the clear, refreshing holy water. According to the instructions, the holy water would be brought to the head three times in quick succession, then drunk once. For a wish to come true, each person should only pray for one thing.

For Vinh, this ritual was incredibly special because it gave him the feeling of being a child of the Bali mountains and forests, a true local. Along with conquering Mount Batur and swinging to the fullest on the Bali Swing, these experiences, though not numerous, were extremely meaningful, helping Vinh believe that he had truly conquered the heart of the beautiful island of Bali.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visa:If you've fallen in love with Bali but are hesitant to go because you're worried about complicated procedures, trust me, everything is much simpler than you think. Bali is an island in Indonesia, a member of ASEAN, so Vietnamese tourists with ordinary passports can easily enter for up to 30 days without a visa.

Time:Bali's weather is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season from November to April and the dry season from May to October each year. If you plan to visit Bali, Vinh recommends going during the dry months, especially around May and June, when there are many vibrant and lively festivals. However, Bali's peak tourist season is in July, August, and September, so prices for accommodation, services, and food increase dramatically. Please keep this in mind. If you visit Bali in late October or early November, like Vinh did, you should bring a tube of sunscreen to protect your skin from the hot weather with temperatures exceeding 33°C.^oC.

Means of transportation:To conveniently explore Bali and ensure it suits your personal needs, you can consider and choose one of the following popular modes of transportation:

- Motorbikes: This is the preferred mode of transportation for couples or groups of friends who enjoy independent travel. Renting a motorbike in Bali isn't too difficult, however, you need an international driver's license. The rental price is around 120,000 VND/day (calculated according to hotel check-in and check-out times), and gasoline costs around 24,000 VND/liter, which isn't too expensive for exploring every corner of the island.

- Bicycles: If you're traveling alone and enjoy sports, don't miss this fun option. Renting a cool sports bicycle will cost around 230,000 VND per day.

- Car: If you're traveling with a group of 3-5 friends, this is a great option. You can rent a self-drive car or hire a car with a private driver (rest assured, the drivers here are very enthusiastic and can communicate well in English). On hot days, this is a wonderful way to stay comfortable and relaxed throughout your trip.

- Taxis: If you choose to travel by taxi in Bali, Vinh recommends Blue Bird (blue cars with a prominent bird logo). Their taxi fares are quite affordable, and the drivers are very safe. A trip from the airport to Ubud will only cost around 400,000 VND. If you want to use a taxi from another company, remember to ask the driver to turn on the meter!

Cuisine:Balinese cuisine is rich and diverse, with delicious flavors and very reasonable prices. When visiting the island, don't forget to try some of the following specialties:

- Nasi goreng fried rice

- Be siap sambal matah chicken salad

- Bebek Betutu braised duck

- Roasted suckling pig Babi Guiling

- Nasi Kuning golden rice

- Coconut milk rice (Nasi Uduk)

- Tempeh (Soybean Paste Cake)

- Sate lembat skewers

- Java-style fried noodles

- Balinese Sweet Pancake

Accommodation:Ubud has many hotels of various types and price ranges. No matter where you stay, you're sure to have a pleasant experience, as accommodations in Ubud share a common characteristic: they are romantic, clean, and friendly. Vinh spent two nights at Ubud Wana Resort, a beautiful resort located right in the heart of Ubud.

Money:You can spend using Indonesian rupiah (1 rupiah is equivalent to 2 Vietnamese dong) and USD.

Note regarding Pura Tirta Empul temple

- Entrance fee is approximately 15,000 RP per person (30,000 VND). Opening hours: 7 AM - 6 PM on weekdays.

- Before entering the temple, each visitor will be given a sarong to wrap around themselves. However, you are not allowed to take this free sarong into the water to bathe. Sarongs for bathing can be rented at the changing area on the right side of the lake for about 20,000 VND per person.

- It's advisable to explore the temple complex before bathing, as you're not allowed to spill a single drop of water on the grounds.

Women who are menstruating are not allowed to participate in this ceremony.

Glory