With Indonesia boasting over 17,000 islands you can really scratch your head at the thought of narrowing that down into a 3 week trip! But you all know how I feel about rushing and travel. They DO NOT mix! When you have so many options at your finger tips, pick the destinations which stand out to you and then just remind yourself that you can always return. You don’t have to see everything on one trip! The more you rush, the less you see.
After spending 3 weeks island hopping in Indonesia, it was hard to narrow my amazing time down into ten recommendations, but these are the things highest on my list!
#1: Snorkelling The Gili Islands
As you all know, I did a LOT of snorkelling in Indonesia! With such beautiful reefs surrounding the islands, it makes swimming difficult to achieve without scratched and cut knees. Whilst we were on the Island of Gili Trawangan we were not only treated to the colourful delights of the reef and thousands of tropical fish, but a see turtle named Timmy, who we saw TWICE! Check out my video of Timmy here, where my GoPro footage captured some majestical moments!
#2: Pearl of Trawangan | Gili Trawangan
By far, one of the best days I had in Indonesia! When we arrived at our apartment in Gili Trawangan our Irish host told us that if we needed a day of pure relaxation, amazing food and the run of a fancy resort, then we should head to Pearl of Trawangan! After a couple of days of me being ill, we decided to take a look. The deal is, you spend Rp100,000 ($10) on food or drink and you get to use the facilities all day. Including their uber amazing pool (with a pool side bar) and giant bean bags on the water front! It is something you really have to experience!
#3: Food Markets | Gili Trawangan
If there was something I had to pick about travel which I loved most of all, food markets would be way up on that list! Not only are they a great way to try the local delicacies, but they will be significantly cheaper to eat at than any restaurant! Gili Trawangan holds their delicious night market every evening and it’s located right in the heart of the island! But with all good things, news travels quick, so get their early to avoid the crowds!
Scott and I had a quick look the night previous to our visit, a night we had just spent a stupid amount of money on a meal. So you can imagine our faces when we stumbled across this delight! We vowed to return the following evening with an empty stomach! All day I had been craving fresh fish, after seeing the locals cook the fish whole right in front of you. You simply stroll up to one of the many stalls, pick your fish and pay your money. Then you just take a seat on one of the outdoor tables and your meal arrives in style!
#4:Tirta Empul Temple | Ubud, Bali
It is hard to visit any part of South East Asia without seeing a temple or two and to be honest they can all start looking the same after a while. The reason I chose to include this one was simply because you got to witness the locals visiting for a cultural purpose. Tirta Empul Temple includes a sacred bathing area, which tourists are allowed to enter, with a few conditions. Women must be covered and must not be menstruating. I must have stood back for around ten minutes just watching the locals pray and bathe in the water.
#5: FREE COFFEE TASTING | Jakawan
We had just spent a single night in Kuta, Bali before our driver came to pick us up from our hotel. We were expecting about a 2 hour drive to our villa in Ubud, but our driver had different plans. We got to talking and he found out that I was a huge coffee lover. His face lit up and he told us “Yes, yes. I know a place you must have coffee. I’ll take you there. It’s on the way.”
Great, I thought. The powdered coffee offered to us at the hotel was not exactly the boost I craved that morning.
We slowly pulled up just outside of the main strip in Ubud. We exited the silver car and was greeting with the most beautiful smile. A young lady guides us through the tree’s, pointing out different plants they used to make tea and coffee. She then directed us towards a large black cage. Inside we discovered, was the animal responsible for creating the world famous Luwak Coffee. But I’ll talk more about that at #6!
We got to see the process in making coffee. No machines. All done by hand. Grinding, roasting and eventually, drinking. We got presented with 10 cups of different teas and coffees to try. For free! I thought, what’s the scam. There wasn’t one! Of course they have a shop in which you could buy any of the teas and coffee’s you tried, but there was no pressure whatsoever. They just looked grateful to have tourists pass by!
#6: Try Luwak Coffee
So, after many tiny cups of pure heaven, I just had to try Luwak Coffee. The coffee bean is basically eaten by the Luwak, digested and then it’s… exited from the body. They then turn this into the most rich tasting coffee you could ever imagine! Sounds gross, I know. But seriously. Do not leave Bali without trying a cup! In bali terms, it is expensive, Rp50,000 ($5) but it’s an experience you may never get again!
#7: Beaches | Kuta, Lombok
Whilst we were lazing around the island of Gili Trawangan, we decided to catch a boat over to Lombok. However, we wern’t too sure where to start! We only had time to visit one place in depth, so we jumped onto google as our first point of call. We found that Kuta had some of the most majestic beaches imaginable. So, why not?
The beaches really were spectacular, but be warned, beach hawkers are EVERYWHERE here and you will be sold everything from Bintang singlets to sarongs. I recently wrote a post all about Scams In Indonesia and how to avoid being sold items on the beach!
#8: Stunning beachside bars
If there is one thing Indonesia has, it’s beach side bars. With so many of the islands being so small, everything is situated on the beach! Literally everyday we spent on the islands we would stop every so often at one of the many bars. They would either have sun loungers, bean bags or bamboo seats ready and waiting for you to relax and enjoy a nice cold one… or five! They really are the perfect way to break up your day, or even spend an entire day just chilling to the sound of reggae music.
#9: :Perfect swimming
Unlike a lot of spots in the Indian Ocean, you are pretty safe to swim around the islands near Bali, including the Gili Islands and Lombok. I have been a water baby for as long as I can remember, so when we went to Kuta Lombok, only severe sunburn would stop me jumping in for a dip! The water is remarkably warm and clear, however, the beaches in Kuta Lombok can be rough, which is why it is one of the top surfing capitals of the world!
#10: World renowned surf spots | Kuta, Lombok
If you are a professional surfer or just like to grab a wave every now and then, Kuta Lombok is really the place to visit! Even me, as a surfing-virgin was enthralled by watching the surfers take on some almighty waves!
What would you add to the list?
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