Bali Solo Trip

Solo trip is always tricky. From boarding flight to experiencing a new adventure, everything needs to be managed alone. Traveling alone to a place the most basic question that pops up in the head is; Is Bali Safe for a Solo Trip? Here is the solo travel guide to Bali.

I am traveling solo outside India since 2015 & the first thing I search on the internet is the safety of the place. Touchwood, I have not experienced anything alarming till date while traveling solo.

Bali is among the best cities in the world. Saying so it is also one of most beautiful one. I went on a 8 days trip to Bali alone & thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Solo Traveler Guide To Bali

Bali is, in general, a very safe place to be in. However, being cautious is one aspect that should be kept in the mind while traveling to any new city. The best places in Bali are Ubud, Seminyak, South Kuta. Most of the activities happen at these places only.

Things to be kept in mind

 

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Commuting: I rented a bike & traveled by that. There is an option for booking a cab as well. But, it is recommended to check for prices. There have been some incidents where cab drivers asked for a higher amount than the billed amount. So, clarify rates before boarding the cab. Google maps work here so finding a route is simple.

 

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Driving License: In case, of renting a bike. It is mandatory to have an international driving license. Traffic police can stop & ask you for the papers. It is recommended to carry papers with you. I was among the lucky ones. During my stay of 8 days, I was never stopped at any point of time. But, it is better to be prepared for any contingencies.

Site Seeing: An entry fee is charged at the entry of every destination. Hence, no need to pay anything extra. There is an option to hire a guide as well.

Clubs & Pubs: Clubs & pubs are very famous in South Kuta. However, extra caution must be maintained while entering such places. There are several cases of people getting duped in drugs. There are certain people who mix your drinks with drugs & charge for that. The charges for such drinks are insanely high. This is very common at few places, it is advisable to check the pubs & clubs authenticity before entering.

 

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Other than this there is nothing alarming about the place. It is probably among the safest cities in the world.

Keep worries aside & visit this beautiful place. It will engrave some lifetime memories in your mind.

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“Fill your life with adventures & things, have stories to tell not stuff to show”

PS: For lonely planet guide: Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok

 

 

First Impression Of Bali

Bali is a small island in Indonesia. A pocket size island equipped with everything;  literary everything. From mountains to beaches, from jungles to waterfalls; this place is a heaven on the earth.Here is my first impression of Bali.

I am on a plane to Jakarta (capital of Indonesia). Feeling little nervous, this is my first trip of 12 days overseas, much longer than any of my previous trips. I am waiting in a queue to get my passport stamped. It is pretty boring to wait for long hours at Jakarta. Jakarta airport doesn’t have lots of shops so there are limited options to kill the time. Feeling bored I started talking to a fellow traveler about the Bali. Asked all about the place. Like where to go, how to go, what all to do etc etc, the conversation only escalated my excitement.

I boarded a flight to Bali & in another 2.5 Hours I was flying above the sea looking at an airport strip in the middle of the sea (which turns out to be Bali Airport). It is 8 pm & already dark outside. My phone is having some issue & I didn’t know where & how to reach my hostel.I enquired about the bus but the service which is not at all a good option. The only option left was booking a private cab which I did.  It took me nearly one hour to reach my destination.

Landscapes Bali

Human Interaction:

Bali has a decent Hindu population. People are very helpful, even though not many speaks English, but it is manageable with even a little bit of English. It is not a perfect example of Human interaction, but few instances which put a smile on my face. So, I was traveling back from Nusa Penida, I still had 3 more days to explore Bali. Left with a handful sum of amount, I was sure of going back to Bali & spend few quite days over there. However, once I landed at the dockyard. A guy came to me & asked

Do you want to go to Gilli islands?

I wanted to but hadn’t had any huge sum to back that up. I said nervously “Yeah”.

He said, ” I can give you the BEST DEAL EVER.

I said, ” How?”

He said,”I can give you discounts on speedboat ticket”

I said, “How much?”

He said,”For a to & fro ticket from Gilli Islands a price of IDR 450,000″

I said,”It’s too high I don’t have this amount with me, also I need to find a place to stay as I haven’t booked anything”

He said,”Oohh! common, you come here for the first time enjoy some nature.

I said,”Give me the best offer”

He said,”Where are you from?”

I said,”India”

He said,”Oh wow great, I know India. There is a god name Ganesha. My name is also forodo. I follow Ganesha.

I was surprised to see his knowledge about Indian culture & Bollywood stars like Shah Ruk Khan & Mr. Amitabh Bachan.

He continued,”Just because you are Indian, I will give you best offer please don’t reject this. A to & fro ticket at IDR 400,000″

I said,”Sure good enough.

On average the price costs IDR 600,000 per person. However, I managed to get it under IDR 400,000. So, talk to people you may get surprised 😉

Infrastructure:

Bali is a touristic destination so it is constantly crowded with travelers. Roads are fantastic to drive on. Very well constructed & maintained by local people. The only issue is the internet. The best way to use internet is through sim card; buy a sim card & access the internet without any hassle the prices are the minimum. The architect is unique & different. Most of the buildings have dark outer surface. It is easy on eyes & also looks aesthetically beautiful. A unique gate in entries is worth gate crashing ;).

 

Road Bali

 

 

The architect is unique & different. Most of the buildings have a dark facade. It is easy on eyes & is aesthetically beautiful. A unique gate in entries is worth gate crashing ;). The vintage look of buildings provides an ancient experience. A place to enjoy your holidays.

Culture:

Bali has a decent Hindu population. So, from temples to rituals there are some similarities with Hindus. Balinese people are very helpful & tourist friendly. I didn’t encounter any issue while roaming solo in the city, even in the suburbs it was pretty safe. Ubud is one of the main places to enjoy Balinese culture. The place is very charming & beautiful. There are numbers of temples, dance shows, numerous heritage site to explore. Temples are among the major attractions in Bali. So, just explore ;).

Activities:

Bali is mix & match of various things. It is easy to experience water sports, adventure sports, sightseeing, trekking, jungle trails, temples, mountains etc all on the small island to Bali.

Ride Forever Bali

Some of the things not to be missed is scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain trekking are some of the activities that should not be missed while holidaying in Bali. Bali is also famous for its rice fields which are a big hit among the western travelers. It is unique & good for a one time visit. The rice fields are beautiful to watch. If you are not interested in any of the activities. South Kuta & Seminyak has some of the best places to party till late night in Bali.

Rice Fields Bali

Here is an account of my first impression of Bali. As they say “First time is always special”.

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Minimum Amount For Bangkok

An overseas trip is always difficult to plan. Money is one of the major concern while traveling abroad. But, never let money define your happiness. This I learned during my trips that; money is just a catalyst in your happiness. This post is for all those budding travelers who love traveling but are doing it because of financial constraint. This is a guide to the budget trip to Bangkok & also minimum amount required for a week stay in Bangkok.

The major components of expense are accommodation, food,  sight seeing & commutation. Usually, accommodation cost is pretty high in case of 2 or 3-star hotels. The best way to keep cost low is to stay in hostels. The cost of hostels starts from 125 THB for a day at a decent place.

Food: Plate of noodles cost 30 THB on streets. There are many restaurants which offer food at a nominal rate. It is easy to find bread and butter for 10 THB which can be a good breakfast. A glass of juice is 30 THB which is very fulfilling.

Commutation: Private taxis & cabs costs are usually on a higher side. On shoestring budget, it is best to use bus services. Buses are very frequent & cheapest mode of transportation. The cost of a ticket is 2 THB for shortest distance.

Site seeing: The cost of sites can not to compromised. So, pay the full amount at the sites.

If I calculate the cost for a day it will work out to be around 250 to 300 THB. This is the minimum amount as per my assumption. The rates I considered is of 2016. This cost is valid only if you spend decently.

So, for a 7-day trip minimum amount one needs to have is around 1,750 to 2,100 – THB.

I travel to different places to get the feel of the place. I live like a locale. So, I spend money decently. This is the minimum expense to be kept in the mind.  There is no upper limit to expenditure.

 

Minimum Amount For A Week In Bangkok

Indonesia Visa For Indians

Indonesia is one of the few countries which allow Indians a free visa. A place so much beautiful & entry is free is the cherry on the cake. Just book a ticket & explore this beautiful place. This is as simple as it sounds. Here is a guide to Indonesia visa for Indians.

I went from Thailand to Indonesia on my 2 weeks solo trip. It was hard to decide which place to chose in the budget. After searching for different countries, I chose Thailand & Indonesia & the main reason behind the same was the ease with which I can get the visa. Thailand offers visa on arrival for Indians & Indonesia offers a free visa. So, it was easy to shortlist these places. Also, these places are dirt cheap so expenses of items are not too high.

After boarding a flight from Pattaya. I landed in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia bit nervous reason being what if there were any last minute surprises. I stood in the line waiting for my turn to come. There was a counter for visa on arrival, to clear my doubts I cross checked with the representative. To my relief, he said just stand in line & get stamped.

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Nervousness is always there be it. We are nervous about everything from standing in a queue to asking for a help. The best way I found out to calm the nerves is listening to music. Play some music to change the mindset. The tempo of songs can set up a mood.

 

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I stood in a queue to waited for my turn. I handed over my passport. The guy asked me about the details of my stay & return. I replied with the answer. He checked my passport & stamped it in no time.

After collecting my passport, I went ahead with my plans.

 

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So, as I mentioned the process is simple & hassle free. So, book your tickets & enjoy this place.

Have any doubts about the Indonesia visa process, you can contact me at [email protected]. I would be more than happy to help you.

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“Between saying & thinking most of our life is spent; don’t be that person :P”

The Perfect Evening In Mumbai

Mumbai is a financial hub of India & also among the most famous ones. It is the only city in India which is running 24*7. Mumbai attracts approx. 4 to 5 millions tourists every year. There are so many things to do in Mumbai.

Why wouldn’t any one will fall for this city. There are many facts to support that Mumbai is way more than a city; some of the reasons are SAFETY, GOOD VIBES & the ARABIAN SEA. But, most interesting part of Mumbai is it’s people. I have hardly seen anyone fighting here.Local trains are jam packed with commuters but still, people help each other.  May be, this is the reason for the name “Amachi Mumbai

There are many to do in Mumbai. From pub hopping in Bandra to beach in Juhu; From nature abode in the national park to the hanging garden. But one thing which is epitome of Mumbai is “THE NARIMAN POINT“.

One of the so many things to do in Mumbai & one is to spend a perfect Sunday evening at Nariman Point. Nariman point is located at the end of 1.5 Km stretch of Marine Drive. This point attracts thousands of tourist

So, What Makes This An Exciting Place To Be In?

A place from where it is easy to see the skyline of Mumbai (Long tall buildings standing on the Arabian Sea is worth a view).

Marine Lines Mark My Adventure

A place from where it is easy to view; is an unending Arabian Sea. An unending view to mesmerize your perception of life. A place to lose yourself & enjoy some peace time with waves & also with yourself ;).

Marine Lines Mark My Adventure

A place where every superstar has sat atleast once.

A place where people visualize their dream.

A place where the couples talk about their future.

For some peoples, it is a place to celebrate birthdays.

In short, it is a place for everything. While all these discussions are taking place there is small element “Sun” slowly slowly setting into the Arabian Sea. The transition of colors from orange to yellow to blue can be witnessed. The way sun disappears in the Arabian Sea, leaving its impression on the sky through it sunlight is one of the few precious moments which everyone can enjoy without paying a penny.  Nothing is much calmer than watching a Sun Setting & true colors of the sky.

Sunset at Nariman Point Mark My Adventure

I have their hundreds of times but every time I went there, it’s all new & refreshing each time.

Other Activites:

After relaxing at Nariman Point, head towards Colaba. Some of the must visit places in Colaba are as follows

Leopold Cafe: Very popular cafe in Colaba. The place has an amazing vibe &  food is good. The place was targetted by terrorist during 26/11 attacks. However, it is restored & fully functional now;  but the impression of bullets are still visible at some places in this cafe.

Leopold Cafe Things To Do In Mumbai

Mondegar: Another place to hang out. A customize music system add to the glory of this place. The rates are decent, food is amazing & ambiance is too good to be ignored. A must visit cafe in Colaba.

Mondegar Mark My Adventure

Gokul: One of the shady places in Mumbai & is located in the prime location of Mumbai. The reason this place is famous is cheap alcohol. This shady ambiance attracts lot of young crowds.Rates offered by Gokul is unresistable place compared to its surroundings.

Gokul Things to do in Mumbai

Bayview Cafe: If you like open spaces & sea view this is the ideal place for you. This cafe is way to go. It is at walkable distance from Gate of India. Sitting are in open. The breezy atmosphere & mighty Arabian Sea is its USP. Spend atleast couple of hours here.

Bayview

The Marina Upper Deck: This place is an open arrangement. Food & location is the USP of this place. Views from this place is amazing. The food is bit costly but with an amazing view & good ambience, cost part can be ignored.

Bade Miyan: The famous food outlet attracts every person at least once. The non veg is mouth watering. It has decend veg food. But, it is mainly famous for non veg. Recommended to try it once if you are in Mumbai.

Bademiya Mumbai

Gateway of India: Just visit this place & fall in love with the building.

This is my point of view to spend a perfect evening in India’s most vibrant city. I will be updating more on Mumbai in coming post. If you like my writing, do COMMENT or SUBSCRIBE to my website.