Where do I start, I feel like I’m one of the last people to finally get to Bali. I spent so many years watching friends, influencers, strangers online visit Indonesia and thinking now that looks like my kind of place. I don’t know why it took so long to get there!? I guess it’s the fact it’s a very long journey from Ireland and finding a long period of time to escape work was always the hold back.
I’ve travelled a lot of places so when I say this know I say it with full conviction — it was everything I thought it would be and more. I rarely say I would go back somewhere, but I would go back to Bali in a heartbeat, maybe even live there. I would just have to be lathered in factor fifty 24/7.
There are multiple airlines that fly to Indonesia, unfortunately there are no direct flights from Ireland. We flew from Dublin to Denpasar via Dubai.Airlines that fly there include Emirates, Qatar, Ethihad, British Airways and Garuda Indonesia.For long haul flights — get the Netflix app and download a full series. I managed to watch the entire series of YOU on the flight home.
We opted for villas for our stay as there was a group of six of us travelling. Hotels just wouldn’t have made sense. Villas in Bali are unbelievable and work out far more economical for longer stays.Security was a concern initially but villas come with 24/7 security and assistance, just like a hotel. And the best part — private pools. I never thought I was a pool-all-day person but Bali proved me very wrong.
We stayed in Villa Ramadewa in Seminyak for 10 days. Arriving at midnight after 17 hours of flying, we were wide awake with excitement. The villa was far bigger than expected and unbelievably clean and modern.It was centrally located, the staff were lovely and the food was exceptional. One thing to note — it’s near a club, so light sleepers should avoid the upstairs room. Our Ubud villa, Kelusa, was out of this world. Split into two buildings, each with its own hanging pool overlooking rice fields and jungle.
We instantly regretted not staying longer. The villa even had a house dog named Puu who somehow always found you for a cuddle. It was the perfect way to end our Bali trip.
For transport, Blue Bird taxi app works well for short trips. For day trips it’s cheaper to hire a driver. Most bookings are done through WhatsApp.I didn’t rent a moped — the road chaos in Seminyak confirmed that decision. Ubud would be more manageable if you do decide to rent one — and always wear a helmet.
Bali has two seasons — wet and dry. We travelled in December during wet season and it honestly wasn’t bad at all. The rain actually helped cool us down.
I packed light layers, silk dresses, Birkenstocks, gym gear, one jumper and good runners. A long sleeve swimsuit was essential to avoid sunburn, and SPF 50 is non-negotiable — I burnt my bum so badly I couldn’t sit for three days.One of the must-do experiences is chasing waterfalls. We visited Sekumpul Waterfall, a two hour drive from Seminyak. After a muddy hike down steep steps, we reached the waterfalls and swam at the base.Standing under a waterfall is one of the most awakening experiences. Pack snacks, water, shoes that can get wet and a towel.
Even if you don’t surf, visit Uluwatu. It’s remote, relaxed and home to some of the best beaches. We surfed with Padang Padang Surf School and had individual instructors.The instructors guide you every step — literally screaming “stand up!”. Be warned, the sun is strong out on the water — layer that SPF.
We took a day trip to Nusa Penida for snorkelling and manta ray searching. Although we didn’t see manta rays, the sea life was incredible.A storm forced us onto mopeds to get back to the beach — the most terrifying and hilarious 20 minutes of my life. It ended up being one of my most memorable Bali moments.
Hiking Mount Batur for sunrise was one of my favourite days. The hike starts in complete darkness and takes around two hours.Watching the pastel sky rise behind the mountains made every step worth it. Do this early in your trip while jet lag is still on your side.
