SPENDING 3 WEEKS IN BALI

Bali has been a place that I’ve been eager to visit for as long as I can remember. Between the lush vegetation and the unique Balinese culture, I knew it would be a place that would inevitably leave its mark on me.

After spending 3 weeks in Bali, I can say, I was right! Within the first few days, you really start to get a fair sense of the overall vibe and pace of things.

During the time that I spent here, I tried to detect and better understand why Bali is such an attractive holiday location to so many different kinds of people.  Sure there’s the beach, the sun, and lush beauty with every new turn – but something about Bali and the grip it has on you is far too intoxicating to really understand at first glance.

For some people, I think they’re simply compelled by the stunning scenery everywhere. For others, I think it’s for the mesmeric culture and traditions that the Balinese uphold. For some, they come for the unique café and party scene that can be found in a variety of villages. I would say for me, it’s a hearty combination of all three.

Part of Bali’s bewitching charm is that it makes you fall in love with it gradually – it doesn’t happen all at once. It has this otherworldly quality that really deserves a few weeks of your time to really appreciate and embrace it! One of the preeminent qualities of Bali that I’ve been most surprised by is the affordability of most things. The average meal costs around $4-8 – and by meal, I mean a glorious blend of fresh & exotic fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

You can rent an entire luxurious villa for a meager $100 a night. Or if you’re really on a budget, it’s quite possible to rent a room at a comparable villa for as low as $15 per night. Getting around the large island can be a bit trickier for tourists since public transportation is essentially non-existent. Cabs and private car services are at the forefront of how people get around. While they’re fairly reasonably priced, there are certain cab drivers that are avid about ripping off tourists.

Using a driving service is a very straightforward and legitimate way of getting from point A to point B. Uber is a bit convoluted as it’s “not allowed” but technically not deemed as illegal either.  If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can rent a scooter (or scoopy as the locals call it) for about $40 USD for the entire month.

I think most people owe it to themselves to really take the time to explore Bali for a few weeks when they finally do make their way. Not only will your money stretch further here than most places, but you’ll also really be able to immerse yourself and fall for a place that has captured a myriad of different hearts.