Kuta Theater

Kuta Theater Entrance

Kuta Theater, The Unbelievable Show

it was a warm Saturday evening. my watch showed the time already reached 7pm Bali time. had already my dinner & had no idea what to do that evening (was a long time to be in Legian). I set my mind to Centro Shopping Mall on Kartika Plaza, might find something chill. my steps stopped as I saw a big sign on the edge of the street. it wrote "Unbelievable Theatrical Show". never had an idea what was in it. seemed worth every penny. then I asked to a man with a red mask, stood just by the sign, he was the doorman. "it's a theater illusion show, mate. come and see!" while he told me about. still had no idea. I watched the TV instead, and I got his message ;)

Kuta Theater Balcony

the doorman delivered me upstairs where I could see the whole show & of course bought the ticket. USD 10 for a ticket, for an hour show with full of action, the doorman convinced me.

the show started at 8pm precisely, I picked a middle row seat, where I felt comfort to see the whole show. it was entirely free seat to choose & that evening there were lots of spectators, around 100.

The Legong Dance in Kuta Theater Show

the show begun with a balinese traditional dance then it was totally different. a mixed twisted story of a modern life with balinese touch and magic. yupp magic! they zipped in the magic touches & tricks with dance, drama & Bali's plot. clever tricks! I couldn't figure it out how they run the show, and mostly the magic tricks. the magician vanished three dancers in a box. with just a slight wave of hand, those three girls were vanished right in my very eyes. absolutely worth every cents & dime to watch this show.

The Viewers

the story ended when the girl & the guy re-united again, and happily ever after. the magician, dancers & the crews bowed, saluting "good bye". it was never felt it was already 60 minutes. decided to rush out to the doors, the dancers & the magician waved us, they were so friendly indeed. I saw happy faces, big smiles after the show. great work mate!

the spectators were amazingly from around the world, Aussie, German, French, Russia, Korea, Japan, China and some Malaysians, and I haven't saw any frowned faces.

with the Dancer

and the day after, I saw the dancers walked around the block. I greeted and cheered her, but of course it won't be good without a photo.

she gave me a free photo session. well surely I will be here again next time, where the magic comes alive...

The Ritual Bali - Cliff & Chapel

The Chapel

The Ritual Bali - Cliff & Chapel

this place is actually a private owned place and you need a special permit to get in. I was there, while my friend & I had some Fireworks installation to finish off. we were hired for a wedding event. the wedding organizer arranged a great evening for the bride, one night to remember.

this place is called The Ritual, first, it has a Chapel, which obviously a place for people to have a marriage ceremony. second, it has a cliff and wonderful sightseeing. 

Cliff Behind The Chapel

at the first time, I wondered how much this place would spend our money and I got an answer, it would take USD 6000 for an hour. and it would need to pay the half to book this place (food and beverage are obviously not included).

the best thing, the space would only suit for less than 50 people. so you might have a proper reason not to invite some unwanted friends :))

View from The Cliff

for once in a lifetime moment, USD 6000 would surely a fair price, if you look the blue sea and sky whose would be the background of your wedding photos. so.., have an idea to change your wedding venue? just don't make up your mind too fast.

the Ritual is just before the intersection of Blue Point, Suluban Beach. there's a sign made of solid rock, surely you won't miss.

Blue Sea from Above

Petitenget Seminyak

A Girl Walks By

 Petitenget Seminyak

Crowded Beach of Petitenget

Seminyak has become the up market heart of Bali. here you will find a slightly quieter pace than Kuta and Legian and the home of fine dining, boutique shopping and trendy bars. the area is popular with the European crowd and offers luxury villas and 5 star hotels. Seminyak Beach continues along from Legian heading away from the airport and is where you will find the famous Ku De Ta, La Luchiola and  Oberoi.

Villas & Bungalos Are Easily Found

Sand Drawing

Petitenget is Seminyak's little sister located just next door and has cute cafes and shops. further along heading away from the Beach are the areas of Umalas and Kerobokan. here you will find beautiful private Villas and a more traditional feel, whilst still being only 5-10 minutes away from the heart of Seminyak.
along from Petitenget is the quaint area of Batu Belig (that we have been). as Seminyak spreads along the coast, the shops and restaurants have now reached this neighboring village. there is still a semi-rural traditional feel to this area but its close enough to the action & even has some of its own destinations now. 

Petitenget won't allow foreigners to sunbath or swim as it's sacred to the Balinese and it's just in front of a temple area. they often have ceremonies here and don't want to find any disrespect to be shown. there are signs which ask you not to sunbath so it's pretty obvious but sometimes people don't see signs even if they are big. sometimes in the evening you can buy barbequed corn on the cob. get drinks and food from the little wagons that are set up. a corn on the cob costs 50 cents.  

because this area has a temple on it, you'll find more sellers and locals. they often spend time here on the weekend. if you want to swim or surf, this place obviously won't suit you in..

Batu Belig Beach Kerobokan

Batu Belig before Sunset

Batu Belig Beach Kerobokan

 

you can find Batu Belig beach just as simple as ticking your finger. basically it lies in Kerobokan and it's actually the same beach as Seminyak and Legian. quite a long stretch of beach that goes from near Tanah Lot, all the way to the airport. Riding from Kerobokan through Seminyak by bike would take about 30 minutes.

Walk around

Darker Sand

Sunbath

Batu Belig has a wonderful & nice environment. it's quiet and has very few hawkers. you can take a sunset stroll along the beach and have dinner at La Lucciola. or you can even walk to Kuta, but it's quite a way to go.

the area of Batu Belig is eventually the same as Seminyak, ten years ago. it still has a wonderful rural Balinese feel to it. if you want to be in the tourist "action". you may be disappointed with the lack of shopping and nightlife spot there. but you're more likely to be drift off to sleep with the sound of crashing waves here. and as long as I stay here, when you stay in the parts of Seminyak or Kuta, it's sometimes difficult to sleep cause of the boom boom music will obviously drive you mad.

Echo Beach

Echo Beach - Hard To Find

Echo Beach - Hard To Forget

Low Tide

Darker Sand

Echo Beach

after we were moving around on the South of Bali. now we travel across to South West part of this island. we're heading to Canggu to find another destination, and of course another beach to discover.

you might know so well about Canggu, a small district near Kerobokan. it's about 20 minutes north of Seminyak, half way to Tanah Lot. 

this Canggu district is popular with many expatriates who choose to live here, and a large number of the villas owned by overseas nationals are located here. much of the area features quietly terrain with the rice paddies field who has been identically the Bali's second identity, Paddy fields. 

Taxi is often hard to find here in Canggu and most travel tends to be by private car or bike. you should consider yourself to book an accommodation with a free airport pickup as this is the easiest way to be here.

This beach has dark grey or black sand and wouldn't quite good for swimming I suppose, but it does offer some renowned and challenging surfer spots. you might easily spot surfers here with their looks and custom bikes. 

and when I was here, I met with another large groups of French (again), and mostly they were here with small groups (2-5 persons). they gathered on the restaurants beside the beach, they seemed to rule this place :D (vive la france!)

you should never have any worry, Canggu has lots of villas and bungalows. they always offer more private space for.

when I saw this place for the 1st time, I saw some tables and chairs were being prepared. this place is obviously still "alive" after the sunset, but obviously they wouldn't stay alive 24 hours. if you want to have another different spot, this place is likely worth to try...

green-golden Paddy Field

Padang - Padang Beach

Padang-Padang Beach view from the bridge

 Padang - Padang Beach

Beach entrance

Padang-Padang Beach

South Kuta is enriched with numbers of beaches and our trip is moving north to Padang-Padang Beach or Labuan Sait.

when I was there at the first time, I didn't notice that this was a beach, cause there's no sign or entrance before. but I saw some teenagers who took photos on the bridge.

Jean Luc & Loic play with their dog, Astro

it was quite awkward like "what the hell are they doing there?", suddenly I realized there's a beach  under the bridge :)

if you see my picture on the left, you will meet some wild monkeys (for your own good, do not feed them) and you have to through a small pass. the space is so thin, it can be trespassed only by one person.

there were some parts on this beach that I didn't put in this review. this beach was quite "unorganized", I found some sellers who sold foods & merchandized, they built huts, and never cleaned their mess. I suggest you to stay away from the sellers, it might spoil up everything.

I was amazed with this beach, it has a great of coral reefs and white sand. this beach is actually a surfer spot. I saw bunch of surfers, riding the wave on distance.

I met and had a chat with a family from France that day & amazingly it was their 3rd time here. (what a shame for me, cause it was my first). they told me that they knew this place from their friends, whose obviously french.

I took their photo, they won't be annoyed with my present cause they were so busy with their clams, shells and Astro, their dog.

alors, ayez une bonne vacation chers amis, Jean-Luc et Loic. on rencontrerait bientot...

have a good vacation my friend, see you soon..

Suluban Beach / Blue Point Bali - Upper Stage

follow the signs

Suluban Beach / Blue Point Bali - Upper Stage

now we continue our trip to the upper part of Suluban Beach / Blue Point Bali. our last trip was on the lower stage of the spot, and now we climb the hills, trying to see the another part of this marvelous beach. 

just like on the lower stage, this place is dominated by the restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. some cozy and comfort places are quite easy to find here despite the lacks of space.

I was here in a short period, but when I saw the restaurants, mostly they quite had lots visitors.

cafes along the cliff

if you want to stay here for some nights, you can stay in the hotels. I saw some of them, when I went uphill. the price would eventually isn't so cheap like in Kuta but it's fair enough. I heard they have some apartments too. it means they develop this place so well. just make sure you pick the right room, with a view to the ocean.

view from the top

 I found another 2 ladders, one will lead me down to the beach, and another one will lead me up to the top of the cliff. I chose the upstairs, and Voila.., it was a magnificent sightseeing in my point of view. I will surely recommend you to stay here for 2-3 nights. just don't miss this place in your trip.

people walks on the shore

Suluban Beach / Blue Point Bali - Lower Stage

Blue Point view

Suluban Beach / Blue Point Bali - Lower Stage

it's another exotic beach with a marvelous sightseeing, lies on the South Kuta. after Secret Beach, now we move to North West towards the famous Pura (Temple) Uluwatu, near Pecatu Resort. no worries mate.. the way to be here isn't quite complicated like we'd have to take to our previous destination, Secret Beach.

all you have to do is just follow the direction to the Pecatu Resort and Uluwatu. then you'll find a sign of "Suluban Beach", that's we're heading to.   

Deep Blue

before you reach the shore, you will have to take a walk through ladders, local village and a small pass through a hill. you'll be welcomed by the sands and great sounds of wave hitting the reefs. 

you can just surf or swim among the blue ocean, or take another ladder upwards where it leads you to bunch of restaurants that offers you vast different menu. you can just relax there and spend your time watching the ocean. but I would prefer to hunt the wave. 

just like Secret Beach, this place lies on the South, so the 

best time here is after midday. everyone here is waiting for 

the sunset and have their own getaway. 

catch the wave

Secret Beach Uluwatu-Nusa Dua

road to secret beach

Secret Beach Uluwatu-Nusa Dua

 

Secret Beach is a brand new open destination. some people might not notice where it is. because it's secret. yes.. it's secret, hidden between the big hills and cliffs. this beach lies on the South of Bali and the best time to be here is before the sunset.

it was so hard to be here. you have to take a long road & hectic Jimbaran-Nusa Dua-Uluwatu traffic. but no worries, I can give you the path to be there.

1st, you should take the route to Jimbaran or Nusa Dua, you shall take the Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai that will lead you to an innersection, where you meet Benoa Square and Warisan Outlet (then you take the right path towards GWK).

the downhill view

after you turn right and get to GWK, you still have to find a direction to Bali Cliff (you'll find another innersection, if you pick the right side, you'll be at Uluwatu. and if you take the opposite, the left side, you will find the direction to Bali Cliff. when you find the Entrance of Bali Cliff, you have to look out, cause there's a new constructed road that leads you to South. and that new constructed road will lead you to this Beach.

it's quite confusing, isn't it? haha :D well,, the name tells it though.. Secret Beach..

secret beach with no people

as soonest you're there, you'll find a marvelous beach with no one there (creepy!?) 

just take your time here, lay your head on the sand and enjoy the wave.. hope you won't forget your sun block... :)

well, I mean few people

Double Six Beach Seminyak

Surfboards Rental

Double Six Beach Seminyak

Seminyak is the next district north of Kuta (about 20 minutes from the airport). Seminyak has more luxury places and upmarket choices than other destinations in Bali. Double Six itself was a name of a famous night club just beside this beach, so people named it "double six beach" (the club is now closed).

Seminyak has more quiet environment than Kuta. the inhabitants itself are more uptown and fancy than the others. lots of 5-stars hotels, fancy stores and high end spas open their branches here, trying to offers us different varieties.

before sunset

it's quite relief to be at the beach, cause the traffic here is far more crazier than the other parts of Bali.

the route to Seminyak is quite complicated, you have to pass traffic jam in Legian, narrow road with no alternative and sometimes Road Block, when a Banjar (village in balinese language) holds up a ceremony. taking a taxi or cars would obviously be a bad idea. but by bikes or taking a shortcut (by walking along Kuta beach) will definitely be a great way to reach this place. actually Kuta-Seminyak-Kerobokan are in a parallel line, so having for a walk always be a great time though.

Huts along the beach

even though the wave here isn't quite so scary, but you have to be alert, cause in some parts of this beach, there are signs of swimming prohibition. if you hesitate to swim, you can just ask lifeguards who always walk around this area. they are noticeable with their red caps, red shorts and whistles. they will lead you to safe parts of this beach. quite similar like Kuta, people always expect beautiful sunset to spend (what else?)

after sunset

surfer walks by

Kuta Bali

Kuta Sunset

 Kuta Beach and Roundabouts

Kuta, one of the main tourist destination in Bali. Kuta is well known by its beach, shops, night clubs, cheap hotels and lifestyle.

I decided to stay here since 2010 'til now. And years by years this place continues to develop its own identity, to be a great melting pot of people around the world.

it only takes 10 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport to the beach. never have any worries that you won't be welcomed. ever since you arrived at the airport, Taxi drivers, Ojek (Public Transport by bike)

Waiting for the sunset

or some guys with sun glasses will greet you and offer you transport service (it's a warm welcome, isn't it?). it's all yours, just make up your choice fast (sometimes they won't wait) cause Kuta has tons of choices, and don't forget to bargain & bargain.

Along the road you will discover shops, spas, hotels, cafes, pubs, everything you want is available 24/7. but sometimes everything which is available might not comfort you. over crowded population, noisy environments and traffic jams are common here. you might have to get used to it :D

soonest your feet step on the beach, everything surrounds you, surfboard rent, sellers, tattoo artist, even you will find ladies who offers you a massage & hair-do (crazy isn't it?)

the crowds often gather here for the sunset, they wait all day long for this one. but if you might consider yourself wouldn't be fully comfortable to just sit on the beach. Kuta provides you lots of restaurants beside the beach. there are Rosso Vivo (italian resto), Hard Rock Cafe (with their famous balcony view) or just throw yourself to

McDonald's (there's McCafe, with well cappucino & ice cream)

Kuta Square full of shops

when the night comes by, the mainstream always flairs to night clubs in Legian Street / Jalan Legian (just 10 minutes from the beach). they arrange party all night long & there's no entrance ticket for tourist (but local will be charged around 5 USD). There are 2 most famous night clubs in Jalan Legian, they are Sky Garden & Bounty. it's easy to spot those 2 night clubs, Sky Garden is quite like a complex with tall modern building (beside the Ground  Zero)

and Bounty is quite like an amusement park from outside with lots of flags & banners. they always have lots of guests. they hold the party from 9pm 'til 3am & they're likely closed at noon.

that kid with red shirt thinks like I do :D

Kuta always offers you different choices, and the choice is always yours. it never waits what you want to decide, but it always has their own identity. 

bit of a suggestion, you might have to stay a little bit longer here, cause Kuta always gives you a surprise & "wonderful sightseeing"

                                              

Trucuk Rain Forest

Sigit with one of the Monkey

 Trucuk Rain Forest

in the middle of our trip to Gilis, we passed a great Rain Forest. we just saw big green trees on the both side. 

we weren't noticed that the road led us deep into the jungle, we couldn't see neither any houses nor buildings, only green vegetation surrounded us.

we kept follow the Road Signs "Bangsal 50km" means it still another 30 minutes to be on the port. 

Suddenly, we surprised with a crowd of people who stopped, we wonder what it could be? 

it was some people who gather and fed some wild monkeys.

in many encounters, this primate is quite annoying

me & the monkeys

monkeys in malimbo

and sometimes, because it's wild, it attacks people. fortunately the monkeys here were not.

they're wild but quite friendly. their curiosity led them to a mutual contact with men (they get food, we get the photos)

some of them approached us with no hesitation. well, it's not a suggestion to do like we did in the picture, cause we might not know what would happen to you later on :))

and.. after we took 15 minutes break, we continued the journey...