Eat, Pray, Love: Back to Bali!

Table of Contents

I have been visiting Bali for thirty years. From a backpacker on a Round the World adventure to a young Mum on yoga retreats, I always found peace in Bali.

Sunrise at Mount Batur

Why choose Bali?

With travel restrictions ending, and after the mad dash for family reunions around the world, the next question for those seeking an Asian holiday, is where to go?

Bali, Singapore, and Japan were my last trips in 2019 before you know what… Japan has just reopened and is by all accounts popular but the last time I was there so was typhoon Hagibis… Singapore is always great but the draw to return to Bali which I felt needed my tourism money more, was strong.

So as their latest hashtag says #ItstimeforBali. It felt like a perfect choice and an easy escapade.

Wandering The Pavilions Bali

Bali offers a lot

it’s a beautiful small island with huge offerings. Here adventure awaits, beaches beckon, and culture calls. There is no need to go to Italy and India you can find all your Eat, Pray, Love* experiences here!

The natural beauty of Bali

The lush green interior of Bali soothes and appeals. From the pretty terraced rice fields that offer a feeling of peace to the looming mountainous scenery complete with waterfalls and volcanoes. Many come to Bali for the beaches, and some even for surfing.

Ubud Village Resort

The ease of Bali

For fully vaccinated arrivals, no Covid testing and a four-hour direct flight from Bangkok on Air Asia, make Bali attractive. For Australians, it’s approximately 6 hours with direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Please check for travel updates due to the dynamic nature of travel regulations.

Wandering Ubud temples

Architecture of Bali

The Balinese buildings are distinctive with their Hindu influences and the use of teak, bamboo, and coconut wood. Give me a floating pavilion and a Balinese shrine on any of my wanders and I’m happy. It’s no wonder that Balinese pavilions can be found transported across the world in people’s gardens!

Sunny days in Ubud – Cendana Resort

Bali weather

Bali is located very near the equator which gives it a warm, tropical climate. The average year-round temperature stands at around 26-27°C although, for the sweaty Bettys amongst us (moi) the humidity levels are about 85-90%, this never seems to matter quite as much when you are on holiday! The water temperatures are always pleasant.

Balianese fishing boats Sanur beach

Bali is good value

Whilst I definitely found that Bali accommodation wasn’t as cheap as some Asian countries, the value is generally very good enabling a five-star experience on a mid-range budget. Local Spa treatments are more affordable than in western countries.

To obtain the best hotel prices I will always check directly with the hotel, but often resort to booking agencies such as Agoda, or I have found some good deals via Klook recently.

Amnaya Resort Nusa Dua – Agoda booking $70 AUS

My 2019 Bali adventures

In 2019 I joined a Fit’cation at Komune Resort. Each day started at Muscle Beach with group training, there was daily yoga and personal training. We ate healthy nutritious food, swam, cycled 25 km around Ubud’s rice fields, and climbed Mount Batur for sunrise. In the evening we relaxed with a spa massage treatment followed by a sunset cocktail and chatted.

We were an eclectic group of broken marriages, cancer survivors, and randoms who’d met in a Melbourne gym. Our conversations were all so pre-pandemic. We talked about our food cravings, searching for love (and a few irritating partners), and seeking calm in our crazy busy lives.

Ha! Be careful what you wish for in life, along came 2020 and we had all the stay-at-home calm to last a lifetime!

Bali yoga Komune Resort & Beach Club Keramas Beach

My 2022 Bali trip

After two years of home working, I was so up for this well-earned Nasi Goreng. Bring it on!

I was once an extreme holiday planner, Covid has taken this out of me. I choose to start with The Pavilions Bali and finish with a three-day REVĪVŌ Wellness Retreat in Nusa Dua. I’d stayed at their sister hotel The Pavilions Phuket and always wanted to check them out in Bali. The rest was worked out on a whim whilst there.

Pavilions Bali

Bali highlights

In 2022, the Island of Gods still weaves her magic. It has spiritual allure.

After a week exploring the art and cultural capital of Ubud, beaches, and wandering the green hillsides and rice terraces of Sidemen, I end with a REVĪVŌ Wellness Retreat.

Two years of a sedentary, going nowhere lifestyle have taken their toll. My first day was a FiiT class, wellness consultation, and yoga. I’m wobbly, overweight, and emotional. Family separation, bereavement, and the sheer Bloody Hell of Covid were obvious.

It’s amazing what a holiday in Bali and a wellness retreat can do. I leave re-energised, my body moves better and my gym clothes are not so tight. I’m a work in progress but thank you Bali, you were all I needed and more.

For more on Why your next trip should be a Fitness Retreat

Fun Fact!

Did you know? Bali has one of the highest concentrations of spas in the world?

Karsa Spa, Ubud highly recommended

Travel to Bali

We live in an ever-changing travel world for the latest travel advice check updates here.

Foreign Travel Advice:

So how was Bali?

The short answer was lovely! But no island is going to go from 6.3 million tourists in 2019 to a reported 45 tourists in 2021 without a devasting impact.

Many businesses have closed and with an island reliant on tourism for 60% of its income, it’s been more than tough. If you choose your destination carefully (check recent reviews) this is a fabulous time to come to Bali. Some say it will be 10 years before Bali is back to pre-pandemic levels. Check carefully what is open and choose hotels that have had sufficient funding to keep them going & their staff employed.

This of course is the second recovery for the island’s tourism in recent years. The twentieth anniversary of the tragic bombings has thrown the eyes of the world back at Bali. I remember the day darkness fell on Bali very well living in Australia at the time. I hope these eyes of the world will consider a return.

You will find an island desperate to welcome you, emptier than many of us have seen for years, possibly cheaper than previously, and a totally awesome place to holiday!

When I follow my heart I end up in Bali