Travelling hacks!

Tips & tricks for the smart travellers!

Before continuing on with my posts about the United States, I’d like to introduce you to some very helpful tips and tricks to make your life easier when travelling. A lot of people who love the idea of travelling, don’t usually know all that much about how to make your life easier when you are travelling. It’s important that you know the rules and restrictions of foreign countries before you actually go there. Just so you can be certain of what and what not to do.

#1 Travel lighter

When you’re travelling, generally you want a couple of sets of comfortable clothes you can travel in, a good going out outfit and a few extras. You don’t necessarily need to take 10 pairs of shoes, or 7 pairs of jeans and 5 hoodies. All you need to pack is enough to last you your entire trip. When packing clothes, the ‘just in case clothes’ hardly ever get worn, so why don’t you leave them out? It’ll save you having to carry around a massive heavy bag while you’re travelling as well!

#2 Save space

A very useful travel hack is to actually roll your clothes up rather than folding them. This reduces the amount of space they take up, leaving more space for the important stuff. If you absolutely need to fold something, try and use tissue paper to reduce the wrinkles in your clothes (newspaper works as well, but if the paper gets wet then it will stain your clothing and it mightn’t come out in the wash). When packing socks, try putting them inside your shoes. Not only does this save space, but it also keeps your shoes in shape for the time that they’re in your suitcase.

When packing cords and digital accessories, try and keep them all in the same location. A glasses case is ideal for cords and that way they’re all together when you need them. Generally, it also stops them from becoming incredibly tangled and it keeps them in a pretty good condition. When packing accessories, try and use small boxes (such as a pill box or contact lens case) to store your items in to save space and not lose your accessories in the process.

#3 Don’t get stuck

Before travelling it’s really important to make sure all your personal identification is up to date and correct. It’s also very important to have copies of your passport, identification card, debit/credit cards, itinerary etc. and email them to yourself. This way, if you lose any of your important documentation and/or your phone, you’ll still have access to it in one way or another. This is absolutely crucial because if you’re in foreign country and you don’t know how to go about losing items or having items stolen off you, having the reassurance that you have a copy of your personal information can make you that little bit more at ease.

#4 Girls, this one’s for you!

How often are you travelling and you can’t find a hair tie or a single bobby pin? These can be incredibly stressful times and therefore require forethought so that these frustrating situations don’t occur. When packing hair ties, bobby pins and clips, try storing them in empty tic-tac containers. This way they are easily accessible and they’re in a small enough packaging to fit into your purse or handbag. Genius!

# 5 My all-time favourite

If you fart whilst on public transport, just pretend to be asleep! This works on the majority of transport and you probably won’t get blamed for it. Just try not to make it too obvious, because then people will become suspicious of you. It’s a very sophisticated act that needs to be practised and executed well! J

How-to Videos

Here are a few videos to help you along your way:

12 Travel Packing Tips

How To Pack Like A Pro

How To Prepare For A Long Plane Flight

City of Dreams

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city where reality clashes with all of your childhood fairy tales. You can visit Hollywood boulevard and do the Walk of Fame where you’ll be able to see all of the stars who have made a considerable contribution to the Hollywood society. You can visit Rodeo drive, where all of the super famous brand name retail stores are; that means you can shop (and maybe even splurge a little bit) in exactly the same place where some of the most famous people in the world do. When you visit Hollywood, it would be a crime to not go and see the iconic Hollywood sign with your own eyes. The Hollywood sign is quite remarkable really, could you imagine just how big each of the letters would have to be?

When people think about Los Angeles, let’s be honest, there isn’t a single person who isn’t absolutely dying to go to the most famous theme park in the world: Disneyland. Even though Disneyland is located in Anaheim, it's still technically located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, making it a part of Los Angeles. Disneyland is a place where dreams come true… there’s magic, laughter, music and all your favourite childhood characters! When youngsters visit the legendary Disneyland, all they think about are the rides, the food and their favourite Disney characters. When you’re a bit older though, you start to appreciate Disneyland for what it really is. Disneyland is a place of imagination, the creativity that keeps society open-minded and willing to accept. Disney creates hope and wonder for all ages and it is definitely a location that I would suggest to any person visiting Los Angeles.

Planning your visit to the happiest place on Earth...

Universal studies is such an exciting place to be! You get to witness the history of some of the greatest movies ever created. Some people are just so talented, constantly coming up with new ideas for themes, constructing atmospheres to create the best possible imagery for their viewers. I find the processes which are followed to make movies very intriguing, especially nowadays with the use of special effects. Universal studios isn’t just one big history lesson though! It contains within its walls some of the most thrilling rides in existence. The recently constructed Harry Potter World is a good example of many a person’s childhood dreams coming to life. This part of the theme park has everything Harry Potter, including the thrill rides to go with it. When I went to Universal studios for the first time, my brother and I loved the dragon thrill rides so much that we went on the same rollercoaster 37 times in a row!!

San Diego

San Diego is California’s oldest town, as it was founded in 1769. In and around the city is a total of 68 miles (109. 5 km) of beaches creating an air of enchanting natural beauty all over the city. San Diego is known for its many museums, spread thoroughly throughout the city. Considering that this town is the oldest in California, it is a great place to gain some knowledge and increase your awareness of American culture. San Diego is one of the most southern cities of California, which means that there has to be a border somewhere right? Well, San Diego borders Mexico, so if you want to continue travelling different countries, then simply continue on over the border!

Balboa Park should definitely be a priority when visiting San Diego. Simply because it has such a wide range of activities to offer. These buildings were created by architects of Mexican and Spanish ethnicity in the very early 1900s and still stand today as fantastic historical landmarks. Balboa Park has so much to offer. Its main attractions are: the Botanical Gardens and lily pond, the Museum of Man, the Museum of Natural History, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the famous San Diego Zoo. In a place where there is so much to be explored, the atmosphere is still quite relaxed and calm, making the experience a thousand times more enjoyable.

Located within Balboa Park is the famous San Diego Zoo. This zoo is quite different from those around the globe. It is maintained incredibly well in order to replicate the natural environments of the animals that live within the zoo. The zoo is quite large, providing more than sufficient space for the animals to roam and mill around in. At San Diego Zoo you will see a multitude of exotic species, which have been successfully bred in the zoo as part of an endangered species program. The zoo aims to provide the best possible care for the animals and to eventually integrate programs which will allow the animals bred and raised in captivity to be released back into the wild again.

SeaWorld in San Diego is probably the biggest attraction in San Diego. It is absolutely perfect for the entire family, a place where age is simply a number. SeaWorld can be enjoyed by those of all ages and especially by those who have a love for the ocean and the wildlife it provides a home for. At SeaWorld, there’s lots to see and do, the most widely known are the wildlife shows featuring killer whales, sea lions, dolphins and other stunning marine life. There are also a select few rides, some thrill rides for the bigger kids and some calmer type rides for the tiny tots. You can see the underwater world, with only an inch of glass between you and many fascinating creatures. There are also touch pools where you can get close and personal with the inhabitants of the underwater world. Doesn’t that sound absolutely amazing? 

~ USA

California Dreaming

California

Oh sweet California! As one of the most commonly visited states in America, it’s safe to say that this is one destination no to be missed! I’m dedicating my next two posts to the state of California, simply because there’s just so much to see and do in this incredible state. I've been to California and the four main cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento) and let me tell you, these places are absolutely worth visiting. You need a fair amount of time when visiting the USA because everything is just so new and exciting. There’s enormous amounts of tourist attractions and sightseeing opportunities both man-made and naturally existing. Without further ado, let’s start California dreaming!

Our adventures will start in my all-time favourite city of not only California, but the whole of the USA… SAN FRANCISCO!!!

San Francisco

San Francisco is my all-time favourite state of America! It’s just a beautiful city, colourful, full of history and knowledge… San Francisco has a personality unlike any of the other states. It is home to the crookedest street in the world, the wharf which has become famous for its friendly neighbourhood sea lions, two very iconic bridges, “the rock” and many, many more fascinating destinations (if I stated any more destinations, this post would be a mile long). There is something here in San Francisco for everyone to explore and enjoy.

 Known as the “Crookedest Street in the world”, Lombard Street is certainly something to marvel over. It mightn't sound very exciting, but honestly, there’s nothing else in the world like it. This street consists of eight very sharp turns in order to accommodate cars wishing to make their way down this extremely steep hill – which has a natural decline grade of 27% and an advised speed limit of 5 mph (8 km/h). This crooked street is approximately 180 m long, one-way and paved entirely in red bricks.  It is constantly maintained and is bordered with the natural wildlife of San Francisco: in spring, Lombard Street blooms into a beautiful and picturesque location. This amazing engineering feat, lined with beautiful, traditional Victorian era houses is just spectacular.

They’re funny, friendly and waiting for you at Pier 39! These cheeky sea lions have been hanging out on Pier 39 ever since the Loma Prieta earthquake struck San Francisco in 1989, after all, it is the ideal location for them to live. Even though the seals are the main attraction on Pier 39, there is lots more to do and explore. The Pier 39 shops have an extraordinarily large range of items on offer. The shops range from apparel, to body care, jewellery, sweet treats, services and of course gifts & collectibles. These shops aren't usually bustling with people, so it’s quite a relaxing way to stroll and mill around knowing that there’s no rush. Pier 39 is a place where memories are made to last forever.

These two bridges are known all over the world, one slightly more than the other, but equally exciting. The Golden Gate Bridge has been declared as one of the ‘Wonders of the Modern World’ by the American Society of Civil Engineers. This bridge links the two sides of the Golden Gate Strait, making the bridge approximately one mile (1.6 km) long – the width of the strait. The second iconic bridge in the city of San Francisco is the San Francisco-Oakley Bay Bridge, more commonly known as the Bay Bridge by the locals. The Bay Bridge consists of two separate bridges of roughly the same length and both consisting of five lanes. All westbound traffic travels on the upper deck and all of the eastbound traffic travels on the lower deck in order to keep accidents to a minimum. Both bridges consist of incredible engineering in all aspects!

Last, but not least, in the heart of the city of San Francisco lies “the rock”. Located 2.4 km offshore in San Francisco Bay is the island of Alcatraz. The now abandoned prison was once home to the hardened criminals who needed a high security prison to keep them at bay. In its time, Alcatraz held 1, 576 inmates, several of whom are highly infamous on a global scale. When touring the island of Alcatraz, so much can be learnt about the nature of the people who spent the majority of their lives there and how they spent their time, considering the island is quite small. When Alcatraz ceased to be a prison, many of the inmates’ rooms were remade as if they had never left. The famous holding cells of Al Capone, George “Machine-Gun” Kelly and Arthur “Doc” Barker are all identified and documented exactly as they would've been during their sentences. It’s quite surreal being there and quite frankly it’s a bit eerie, but if I had the chance I would absolutely go there again. It’s an absolutely astonishing place.

Sacramento

State Capitol: Sacramento

Old Sacramento

The capital city of California, Sacramento, is renowned for its incredible history and the knowledge that it is able to share with the world. It’s a very popular sightseeing place, full of interesting things to see and do. It’s a truly lovely place, especially in the dry season between spring and fall. When you visit Sacramento, be sure to visit State Capitol, Old Sacramento and Fairy tale town! Out of all of the places to visit around the Sacramento area, there’s certainly one that cannot be missed. That is… Yosemite National Park!!

Yosemite National Park

Located approximately 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Sacramento is the scenic mountain region in east-central California, known as Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the entirety of the USA. It is known for its gloriousness, the way it makes you feel like you’re connected with nature every single step of the way. Yosemite is a natural wonderland, made up of effervescent waterfalls, astounding cliffs and wildlife structured in the most perfect way, it almost makes it seem celestial.

Yosemite Falls

The waterfalls in Yosemite are beautiful displays of Mother Nature at her best. Yosemite Falls, the pinnacle of all Yosemite’s waterfalls is the fifth largest waterfall in the entire world. Yosemite Falls, a combination of three waterfalls has a total drop of approximately 2, 425 feet (740 m). Bridalveil Fall is prominent when entering Yosemite Valley. The native people of Yosemite Valley, the Ahwahneechee Indians, called the fall “Pohono” meaning “spirit of the puffing wind”. Bridalveil Fall is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Yosemite. There are quite a few other falls in Yosemite including: Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Horsetail Fall, Ribbon Fall and Illilouette Fall. Each of these magnificent falls are absolutely stunning and differ greatly from one another. Each waterfall brings a new experience and amazing beauty.

Yosemite Half Dome

In this mountainous area, it is expected that there will be cliffs… and there are! The half dome is the most popular of the cliff faces (8, 842 ft high), due to the fact that it is a perfect half dome, sculpted by Mother Nature herself. El Capitan is another famous cliff face of Yosemite. Rock climbers from all around the globe visit Yosemite to challenge their climbing abilities on the sheer granite rock face of El Capitan. Another famous cliff of Yosemite is The Sentinel, simply because it is very visually appealing. It’s very interesting to see the massive differences between the rock faces in the one area, they are all unique and have their own specialties. Yosemite National Park certainly does rock!

~ USA

Aesthetical Arizona & Angelical Arkansas

Arizona

Arizona is absolutely exploding with interesting places to visit which appear as if they are completely out of this world! A very hot tourist spot, which is visited by thousands every year is the legendary Grand Canyon (pun intended). The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest geological feats ever recorded. The canyon itself is an excellent record of approximately four eras of time, providing geological, paleontological, archaeological and biological resources and evidence for explorers and scientists all over the world. The canyon averages a depth of 1219.2m, making the scale of this rocky land feature absolutely mind-blowing. It’s truly a beautiful place to experience, viewing the layers of Earth’s existence which date back to hundreds of years ago. This historical feat is not one to be missed, it is part of our history, our lives and our future.

There are other canyons which are of a smaller scale than the Grand Canyon, but are equally impressive in other aspects. Monument Valley is a good example of how incredible Mother Nature is. These immense rock formations have stayed exactly where they are for hundreds of years without the support of a surrounding canyon. Bridging the gap between Arizona and Utah, a scenic drive along the highway through this amazing area will show you just how amazing this area is.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is very similar to the Grand Canyon, although the canyon is full of water! How awesome is that? Glen Canyon is all about recreational activities, it’s open to the general public for swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking and many more! There are also many non-water activities that can be undertaken in Glen Canyon including mountain biking, hiking and scenic drives. So depending what you’re into, there’s something to suit everyone.

The Canyon De Chelly National Monument is also a fantastic place to visit if you’re interested in the history of our ancestors who may have lived there. There is evidence of cave dwellings dating back to AD 350 – 1300 when they were occupied. Each of these canyons brings a new light to the history of the Earth and the wonders that are brought along with it. It’s truly incredible how such amazing artefacts have stayed intact over all these years and when you visit Arizona, you can witness their beauty first hand.

Another canyon which is vastly different to the three mentioned above is Antelope Canyon at Page. This destination is an extremely popular destination for photographers due to the incredibly scenic views and lighting within the canyon. Antelope Canyon is out of this world with its amazing natural configurations and the vast expanse of hollow, twisting rock which creates a visually pleasing atmosphere of wonder. During the daytime, natural sunlight pours into the cracks of the canyon from above, causing a mystic waterfall of light to concentrate in particular areas, as if a greater being is showing their appreciation for your visit. The feeling of being in Antelope Canyon is indescribable, creating feelings which can only be experienced not explained.

Have you ever wished that you were part of a fairy tale? Well now you can be! Havasu Falls located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation looks as if it is straight out of a fairy tale with its large pools of crystal clear blue-green water. Havasu Falls creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation with the many perfect waterfalls encompassing the bathing pools. To this day, there are about 450 Havasupai Indians, known as the people of the blue-green water, living in the area of Havasu Falls. What an exquisite place to live your life! It’s amazing just how different Havasu Falls is compared to the rest of the dry and arid landscapes that make up Arizona. Havasu Falls is an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Arizona is a place of dreams. There are so many opportunities awaiting your visit in Arizona. When exploring Arizona, make sure you get to experience many if not all of these destinations because then you will truly be travelling your dreams.

Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park is the place to be in Arkansas. Located in Ouachita Mountains (pronounced wosh-i-taw mountains), these hot springs have been of high interest to many people due to the fact that they are believed to have healing properties. The Hot Springs National Park consists of these wonderful, old-fashioned bath houses, an observation tower, 26 miles worth of hiking trails and many more scenic opportunities. This National Park which has been receiving visits from tourists since before the 1920’s, has everyone returning for another slice of paradise. It’s just so easy to relax in a place which makes you feel as if you are at one with nature, appreciating every little bit that the world has to offer.

What is a girl’s best friend? That’s right, Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. If you want to be best buddies with diamonds, then look no further… the Crater of Diamonds State Park is perfect if you want to do a little bit of searching for your new best friend. Over 70, 000 diamonds have been found so far at this one location, including the forever famous Wagner diamond. This diamond is the most perfectly flawless diamond ever found by humans in our known history. It’s a 1.09 carat, round brilliant-cut diamond, D-colour, internally flawless diamond. So who knows, maybe there are more 

like that ready and waiting to be found!

If you’re looking for a bit of history to add to your collection, then I’d suggest that you visit the Arkansas air museum. A 1940s aircraft hangar in Fayetteville is home to 1920s and 30s racing planes and biplanes which are still in flying condition. The museum is full of information to learn and to ponder during your visit there. They say you learn something new every day, but at this museum you’d learn one hundred and one new things. It’s really quite interesting the feats that were accomplished by those who did not have access to the technology we have access to today. It’s an incredible place to visit, definitely not to be missed.

~USA

America or 'Murica?

Up next we’re going to embark on a journey which will have us travelling half way around the world! We’ll be exploring the Americas, both north and south, and what it would be like to travel to the other side of the world! Personally, I’ve been to a few states in the USA and I think it’s an amazing experience. It’s not as culturally different from Australia as some of the other countries are, but it’s definitely unique in its own way. Somewhere I would really like to visit is South America, simply because it’s one of the places that I know less about. What’s better than travelling to a place you’ve never been to and exploring all that it has to offer?

The USA is a very big place with 50 states, one federal district and one incorporated territory. I’m going to share with you the fascinating details of each of these areas individually so you can create the best imagery possible! There are quite a few, so I’m going to pick about 1 – 2 states per post to write about. If everything goes according to plan, there should be a new post up every day (maybe even two if you’re lucky). The USA just has so much to offer and every state has something unique and exciting to explore within it. Let’s start travelling our dreams – welcome to the USA!

Alabama

Whenever I think of Alabama and some of the other southern states of America, I think of thick southern accents, cowboys and attire which suited only the most rowdy of people. Now I can tell you that whilst the accent bit is correct, Alabama has advanced significantly over the years to become quite a civilised state. Huntsville, a city in Alabama is home to the US Space & Rocket centre. This centre is known as the birthplace of America’s space program. The rockets which put the first US satellites into orbit and sent men to the moon for the very first time were developed here. This absolutely astounding piece of history is a must-see destination when visiting the states. There’s nowhere else in the world that can say “we developed the technology to send man to the moon”. Here's the link for the official US Space & Rocket centre: http://rocketcenter.com/

Whilst I’ve been researching Alabama, I can say that I’m quite surprised with just how many historical landmarks are in this one state. Located in the capital of Alabama (Montgomery), at 400 Washington Avenue, the Civil Rights Memorial (commemorating those who died in the Civil Rights movement) stands in front of the Civil Rights Memorial Centre. This memorial represents a very important part of America’s history, where equal rights were demanded and a stop would be put to social segregation. This also ties in with another major part of America’s history.

Civil Rights Memorial

The house belonging to Martin Luther King and his wife (located at 315 S. Jackson Street, Montgomery) has become a worldwide destination of interest. Martin Luther King (MLK) is known worldwide for combatting racial inequality through nonviolence, which includes his forever famous “I have a dream” speech. The actions of MLK has changed the way society acts and views itself in many countries globally. When I visit America again, I am absolutely, 100% going to visit Alabama and all the wonders it has to offer.

Martin Luther Kings home

Alaska

Aurora Borealis. Need I say any more? From September to mid-April when Alaska is experiencing long, dark winters, the aurora borealis takes the stage and becomes one of the most magnificent sights ever experienced. The best place to view the aurora borealis from is Fairbanks, the second most populated city of Alaska. The reason for this is that Fairbanks is located under what is called the “aurora oval”, where the auroras are seen most frequently. Peak viewing time of the aurora borealis is during the middle of the night, so be prepared! During the winter the best time to view the aurora borealis is between 11:30pm and 3:30am, but it is definitely worth it. Viewing the solar particles within Earth’s magnetic field, causing the aurora borealis, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a must for all travellers… I know this is definitely on my bucket list now J

Aurora Borealis

Alaska is a state which is all about the natural side of travelling. Denali National Park is one of the largest national parks in the US and home to North America’s tallest mountain. This national park is approximately 6 000 000 acres (24281.139km²) and is geographically plentiful. It is rich with high alpine ranges, wide river valleys and glacier-draped mountains which are a naturally beautiful sight. The Denali National Park is also home to a variety of fauna including grizzly bears, wolves, reindeer elk and an estimated 167 different species of birds. While you’re visiting this national park you can sit back and relax, surrounded by nature’s beauty.

Denali National Park: Jewel Lake

Another very exciting aspect of Alaska are the glacial fjords which can be found in many areas of the state. The Tracy Arm Fjord is one of the most common sightseeing locations, positioned just south of Alaska’s capital, Juneau. At the head of the fjord sit two of the most exquisite glaciers, the Sawyer Glaciers. They are extravagant and two of the largest glaciers in Alaska. Kenai Fjords National Park, which is located south of Anchorage, is also a fantastic destination to experience glaciers like never before. As with many of the areas in Alaska, the wildlife can also be experienced when travelling the fjords as well. It’s a very exciting natural phenomenon which needs to be experienced to realise just how amazing Mother Nature can be.

Kenai Fjords National Park

~ USA

Bali, Bali, Bali!

Bali, one of the biggest provinces of Indonesia also happens to be the most commonly sought after travel destination in the whole country. Although this particular province has a reputation for partying, it really has so much more to offer. The island of Bali offers so many cultural experiences in the forms of nature, art, spirituality and communications with islanders who have lived there for their entire lives. Bali is a place of many sensual experiences: it can be a place to relax & unwind, to explore & discover or to party & get excited!

The first time I went to Bali, I was absolutely flabbergasted with just how stunning the entire island was. I was with my family at the time and we did a lot of travelling around the province. We started off in Ubud and I can honestly say that if this is your first, second, third or hundredth time to Bali you should still visit Ubud. It’s a truly magical place and all the citizens of Ubud are so kind and genuine to every person they meet. There are so many places to visit in Bali, so I’m just going elaborate on three of the most commonly visited areas of this wonderful province.

Rice Terraces in Ubud

Ubud is known as the cultural heart of Bali. Many tourists who want to break out of that so-called “tourist mode” are advised to go to Ubud to step into a cultural world of their own. The traditionalism in Ubud is astounding, with nightly traditional performances and Hindu-Balinese ceremonies taking place on a daily basis. Another place which is absolutely teeming with traditional creativity is the Ubud Art Market or as it is locally known as Pasar Seni Ubud. These markets are quite busy the majority of the time and they are open daily: it really lets you grasp the concept of what Bali markets are like. Located opposite of the Ubud markets is the royal palace, known as Puri Ubud by the locals. During special occasion seasons, there are traditional performances at the royal palace which are absolutely incredible! I was invited to one of the ceremonies they host annually and it is definitely one of the most spectacular events I have ever been a part of.

Ubud: The Royal Palace

Another amazing area of Ubud you just have to visit, is called the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary or more commonly known as The Monkey Forest. If you love nature and animals, then I can 100% guarantee you will love The Monkey Forest! This was my absolute favourite part of Bali and I will go there again when I have the chance. These monkeys are free to do as they please as The Monkey Forest is located on a nature reserve, which also happens to be part of a Hindu temple complex. When you enter the nature reserve, you are given the option to buy bananas to feed the monkeys whilst you’re there. The experience of feeding these cheeky little monkeys was one I’ll never forget. It’s almost impossible to hide bananas from these little guys, they can sniff them out from anywhere! Ubud is the best place to go if you haven’t been to Bali before or even if you have; you could pretty much spend all of your time in just the one area!

Cheeky little monkeys inhabiting "The Monkey Forest"

We also visited Kuta for a short while and visited the beautiful beaches that it is renowned for. It’s amazing just how different certain areas of Kuta can really be. Kuta is actually a relatively large part of Bali, it consists of North, South and Central Kuta. In the centre of Kuta, it’s pretty much party central. Although, towards the outskirts of Kuta, the beaches and the natural flora and fauna is quite a sight. Central Kuta is where the party is at – if you’re looking to go to Bali to party. North and South Kuta however, are actually very different to what you might already know about Kuta. These areas are fantastic for exploring, because they are somewhat bigger than the areas of Ubud. One part of South Kuta, known as Nusa Dua, is specifically renowned for relaxing. The iconic “Nusa Dua Beach, Hotel and Spa” is one of the best places to experience authentic Balinese heritage and culture. Here’s the link for their website à https://www.nusaduahotel.com/#

South Kuta: Bali Villas

If you’re into the cultural aspect of travelling and want to understand and appreciate traditional Balinese culture, then it’s really important you know all about the temples and shrines of Bali. In Bali there are hundreds of them! The task at hand is to decide which ones will be the most beneficial for your knowledge and give you the best insight to what Balinese culture is really like. I visited many Temples and Shrines when I was in Bali and I must say that Tanah Lot Temple was certainly an eye-opener. Tanah Lot is located in the Beraban village of the Tabanan regency, approximately 20km northwest of Kuta. The name given to the temple, Tanah Lot, actually means “little temple on the sea”. It was given this name because the temple can only be accessed at low tide. At high tide, the temple is inaccessible and looks as though it is floating. Surrounding the island are many sea-snakes which are believed to be deities by the Balinese people. These snakes are generally very passive and in a rare occasion that they do leave the water and come ashore, there are guards who protect them from visitors. Most of the snakes living on-shore are considered very precious and visitors are able to pay the snakes money to be blessed by them. This temple has some very weird and wonderful facts about it, so it is definitely worth visiting the Tanah Lot Temple if you ever happen to find yourself in Bali.

These are just a few of the main go-to destinations for tourists, but there are many, many more to be discovered by you!

Tanah Lot Temple

*Note: There’s only one aspect of Bali that some tourists might find a bit unsettling, which is the barter system. At most Balinese shops & markets, the owner will generally have prices set to a very high amount (in comparison to the prices of your home country). Many people get ripped off by these prices, hence you need to know how to barter. Bartering is quite simple and is done all over Bali, you just need some confidence to be able to do it. When looking at items you wish to purchase, keep in mind how much these would cost in your home country and then convert it to the Balinese Rupiah in your head (keep in mind that $1 Aus. ≈ 10 000 Rp, $1 US ≈ 13 000 Rp and €1 ≈ 14 000 Rp). Then when you go to purchase your items, make sure that you don’t go over the amount of money you are willing to pay or are happy to pay. Just remember that in Bali, a lot of the markets sell similar items, so if you’re not happy with the prices of one store, you may be able to get the same item for a better price at another store.

~ Bali