I’ve had mixed feelings about our Indonesia trip. I loved Indonesia yet I was also frustrated and disappointed. I’ve dealt with these feelings on other trips, but on this trip, those feelings were magnified. In this post, I explain all those feelings.

(Note: We visited Ubud, Kuta, Nusa Penida, Canggu, Labuan Bajo, and Komodo National Park. Ubud, Kuta, Nusa Penida, and Canggu are all part of Bali, so we spent much of our time there.)

The Lows

I estimate we spent 14 hours in a car during our trip.

Everything was much farther away from each other than I thought they’d be. We had two days of sight-seeing that felt a lot like a hop-on, hop-off bus. Getting from the airport to a city and city to city always involved a lot of traffic. Maybe we could have avoided it if we didn’t hop cities so much but it was unavoidable when you want to sight-see.

We’ve seen some incredible sights in our travels. Were we unimpressed by what we saw?

Bali is surprisingly not one of the most Instagrammed places in the world, but you would easily guess a Bali location by its blue waters, perfect views, and “wish you were here” beaches. They were so beautiful, yet something was missing. Maybe it was my own lack of gratitude and excitement. Maybe it’s harder to appreciate a sight when there are hordes of people surrounding you. Maybe my expectations were too high.

Asia’s plastic problem is real.

More than half of the plastic in the ocean comes from five Asian countries, Indonesia being one of them. They produce and use much of the plastic and it seemed like many of the communities don’t have a system for waste management or simply don’t care about having trash everywhere. I know there are issues with the amount of trash Asian countries import from rich countries and overtourism causes issues with waste management. But seeing piles of trash on the side of the road and currents of trash in the ocean brought our world’s trash issues to the top of my mind. Trash doesn’t just disappear when you throw it away.

Overtourism was obvious.

One, it was crowded. The beautiful viewpoints we visited were also enjoyed by hundreds of other tourists while we were there. Even when I knew to expect a high level of visitors, I ended up being disappointed. Two, everything was touristy. The beach towns were filled with restaurants and shops catering to tourists. Can Indonesia put up tourism restrictions? Will more areas of Indonesia create a tourist culture?

Instagram culture was at a whole other level. 

Everything is set up for the perfect photo opportunity. You can probably see it in your mind: swings above the rice terraces, over-sized nests, and heart photo frames for those perfect shots. What you don’t see are the lines of people waiting to get that exact shot. Is it a beautiful view? Sure. Is it worth your time to wait for it? I don’t think so. I appreciate thoughtful, artistic, and beautiful photography, but sometimes I think that photo is the opportunity to brag about where you’ve been or what you did. And when everyone is doing it in the same place, it makes the place lose its luster.

Is Indonesia set up for meaningful tourism?

When we go on tours, we expect a tour guide who engages in conversation about the past, present, and future of the country. We want to learn about the culture and the significance of the sights we’re seeing from a local. We went on several tours in Indonesia and were disappointed that our tour guide was merely a driver who didn’t speak fluent English. From our experiences, we felt like superficial tourists who simply wanted that perfect photo opportunity. I’m sure there are tour guides who can give that engaging experience and we found that in our food tour guide, but otherwise, you’ll have a driver offering a one-sided experience and an awkward, silent car ride. To counter this, I would look for a tour company that provides narration and conversation.

You can’t fully experience a country or culture in a short amount of time.

We try our best by going on sight-seeing and food tours and trying to connect with locals. We have a tiny chance to get a big impression of a place. With all the lows listed above, I had a hard time connecting with Indonesia. In Thailand, I loved the culture through food and the festival. In Egypt, I was in awe of every historic site. I think our experience would have been more positive if we went to different cities.

The Highs

The above things? Not so great. But in everything, you have to have positivity and gratitude. Look past the bad and see and appreciate the good! Even though the lows were depressing, I still had some memorable moments on this trip.

I didn’t get sick!

It happened in Egypt and it definitely happened in Mexico City, but even with the longer period of time and lots of local food eaten, my ironclad stomach prevailed the Bali Belly! However, Will got sick a week into our trip and stayed sick for about a month. He concludes that the cuisine triggered a pre-existing illness and he’s doing a lot better now!

We saw beautiful places.

We were so lucky to have the opportunity and wealth to experience places we had previously only seen in photos. Even though there were many tourists everywhere, when I took a quick moment to stop and appreciate the view, it was hard not to be in awe of the blue skies, powerful waves, and the beauty of nature.

Dining at Room4Dessert was a dream.

I was excited when I made the reservation before our trip, but moments throughout that dinner had me giddy. I think it was a combination of the flavors we were tasting, the dinner experience the restaurant put together, and the gratitude of being able to experience it. I gushed all about it in this post.

We met the kindest bed and breakfast owners.

On Nusa Penida, we stayed at a family-owned bed and breakfast. I had found it online and read many reviews about the place being quaint and the owners being friendly. From giving us restaurant recommendations and rides on their mopeds to arranging a tour, they were always happy to help, quick to respond, and the most honest and hospitable people we met during our trip. Having familiar and friendly faces greet you every day is a bonus at hotels and staying there was a highlight for me.

Learning about Indonesian cuisine and eating some of the best food on our trip on our food tours.

You know how I feel about food tours. We went on the Ubud Foodie Walking Tour and the Kuta Street Food Tour with Good Indonesian Food Tour. Both tours were full of delicious food at restaurants that locals visited and were somewhat unknown to tourists. Our guide Ratih guided us for both tours and happily answered all our questions about Indonesian culture and food. Connecting with locals is the best way to see and experience a country and when food is involved, it’s an even better experience!

We dove in one of the best places in the world.

The amount of fish and the variety of fish were incredible. In some places, it felt like we were in an aquarium. We saw huge manta rays for the first time, which will always make Indonesia a special place for me. I also got to see so many different types of nudibranchs, probably my favorite sea creature, and starfishes. I also saw pygmy seahorses, which are usually smaller than three centimeters!

The Reality

It’s all about perspective, and once we recognized the lows, it was hard to not see them everywhere we went. There are plenty of people who visit Bali and love it! For me, if I’m going to go somewhere simply to relax, eat good food, and sit by the pool, there are places closer in distance with less stress to do that! I also recognize that we went to Indonesia for our honeymoon, immediately after our wedding, which involved a lot of high feelings and maybe the post-wedding blues were already settling in.

I want to note – Indonesia is a quick flight for Australians and others in Asia, so for them, it’s a long weekend getaway. Indonesia to Australia is like Mexico or Central America to the U.S. Their experience is and can be completely different from mine!

I haven’t written Indonesia off completely and I hope this post doesn’t do that for you either. I know there are more cities and islands in the country than the few we visited. Those are definitely less touristy. It’ll take some courage to visit places you know won’t cater to your comforts like Bali does. I also know there are at least three more areas of Indonesia with incredible diving, so I’ll be back for sure!

Have you been to Indonesia and what did you think? Any recommendations for my next trip there?
Have you ever been somewhere that underwhelmed you? What’s the story?

P.S. If you want to read all my Indonesia posts, click here.

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post What I Really Thought About Bali and Our Indonesia Trip appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

This is the first place to look when planning your trip to Indonesia! There is no shortage of information about Indonesia. It’s a hot spot for travel and travel writers. However, there are so many places to visit in Indonesia and everyone has their own take on it. It was hard to plan our trip because there wasn’t an overall view to help us decide where to go.

The “Where to Go in Indonesia” section below would have been a BIG help to me, so I hope this reference can help you seamlessly plan your trip.
We visited Ubud, Kuta, Nusa Penida, Canggu, and Komodo National Park, and spent a brief time in Sanur and Labuan Bajo. So, this guide has a lot of information about the Bali area.

Why Visit Indonesia?

As is the priority of all of our big trips, we choose to visit Indonesia because of scuba diving. Some of the greatest variety and diversity of marine life in the world can be found here and it’s worth the hassle to experience it! I had an unforgettable experience and look forward to returning.

But if you’re not a scuba diver, there are plenty of things you’ll love. The beaches, the views, the affordable resorts, the fresh food, and the opportunity to experience a new culture are draws for the many tourists.

Quick Tips for Indonesia

• Visa: Most countries, including the U.S., will receive a 30-day visa upon arrival. See more info here.
• Language: Indonesian
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). $1 USD is about 140,000 IDR
• Vaccines and Medicine: Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are recommended. Depending on what area you are traveling to, like Komodo National Park, a prescription of malaria pills is recommended. Travel diarrhea pills are also recommended.
• Credit Cards: Can be used at hotels and ATMs but cash is preferred and easiest. It was hard for us to find a working ATM! One bed and breakfast gave us cash in exchange for a credit card charge.
• Capital City: Jakarta on the island of Java
• Water: Do not drink the tap water

How Much Does a Trip to Indonesia Cost?

Once you get to Indonesia, traveling around the country is fairly inexpensive. Our 5-day Komodo Island liveaboard was the most expensive cost for this trip, followed by the flight from Austin, Texas, USA to Denpasar, Indonesia. The round-trip flight for two people in September/October cost about $2,550, which we paid a fraction of by cashing in lots of credit card points.

If you want to dive in Indonesia, there are plenty of options. Going to Komodo Island, Raja Ampat, or Wakatobi Islands will cost more because they recommend a liveaboard and require a domestic flight to the liveaboard port. For cheaper dive options, try Bali, the Gili Islands, and Nusa Penida. As always, make sure you are not trading costs for safety and be sure to dive with reputable companies.

We stayed in 4-star hotels and our price ranged from $52-71 per night. Our priorities were air conditioning, private room with a private bathroom, and complimentary wi-fi. I also made sure the hotel was in a good location and had good reviews. If you’re on a budget, you can find quality hostels with dorm-style rooms and no air conditioning for around $20 per night.

Domestic flights in September/October from Bali to Labuan Bajo, the port for the Komodo Island, are about $120 one way. The ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida is less than $20 per person one way.

If you eat at local, family-owned restaurants (look for “warung”), your meal could cost $1-5 per person. Westernized restaurants will cost a bit more.

Best Time to Visit Indonesia

Indonesia’s dry season is May to September while the wet season is October to April.

Be sure to check when Ramadan (holy Muslim month) is, as businesses may be closed or have limited hours. Muslims will be fasting during this time, and attire and actions will be closely monitored.

Note when Balinese New Year is as there will be a day of silence.

How to Get to Indonesia – Fly into Jakarta or Bali?

There are several international airports in Indonesia, but most flights come into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, Bali and Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, Java. If you will be visiting Bali or the eastern islands of Indonesia, DPS is the best place to land.

We flew from Austin, TX to Denpasar, Bali with two stops – one in San Francisco and another in Singapore. Our trip there took 30 hours (longest layover was five and a half hours) and the trip back took 26 hours (longest layover was two and a half hours).

How to Get Around Indonesia

There are three main ways to get around an Indonesian island:

1. Rent a car or scooter.
2. Rideshare through an app such as Gojek or Grab.
3. Hire a driver through a hotel or tour service or get a Blue Bird taxi.

While some of the city centers are walkable, it is easiest to rent a scooter to get around and for more freedom. However, while scooters are prevalent, note you typically need an international driver’s license and courage. There is a lot of traffic in Bali, which means you’ll be weaving between cars and stopping and going frequently. Some islands, like Nusa Penida, have narrow and unpaved roads, so visitors may feel more comfortable with a driver.

It cost about Rp 150.000 – 200.000 ($10-15 USD) to get from the Denpasar airport to Seminyak (about 20 minutes without traffic). Our ride from Denpasar to Ubud, typically 40 minutes, took about two hours in traffic and cost Rp 350.000 ($24 USD) when we booked through our hotel. Hiring a driver for a day-long tour was about Rp 600.000 ($42 USD). These prices were for the car and not per person, so you can save money by splitting it with more passengers.

What Should I Wear in Indonesia?

In touristy areas like the island of Bali, shorts and crop tops are everywhere. If you’re visiting a temple, try to cover your knees and shoulders, though most places have sorongs you can borrow during your visit. Even though I wore pants, they asked me to wear a sorong. Outside of beach/tourist towns, you may be more comfortable wearing a more modest outfit of short sleeves and shorts/pants that hit the knee.

Is Indonesia Safe to Travel?

Yes, Indonesia is safe to travel to. As always, be aware of your surroundings and make safe decisions, especially at night. At the least, watch out for petty theft, such as stealing items while passing on a motorbike or in crowds. (See more safety tips here.)

Withdraw and exchange money from reputable banks and ATMs. When you’re at the beach, look for red flags that mark dangerous riptides and undertows.

What Indonesia Laws Should I Know About?

• Don’t smoke in public areas.
• Don’t give to beggars.
• Gambling, pornography, and drug trafficking are illegal.
• Drug laws are very strict and include marijuana.
• To drive in Indonesia, you need an Indonesian or international license.
• Make sure you have your passport with you at all times as you could be stopped and asked for it.

How Much Should I Tip in Indonesia?

Tipping is not necessary but appreciated. Check your bill for added tips, otherwise, tip 5-10% of the bill.

Where to Go in Indonesia – Which Cities to Visit and Highlights

So, you’ve decided to visit Indonesia, but you might be overwhelmed with the different cities and areas you could visit. Check this post about the best things to do in Indonesia or keep reading below.

Here’s a quick guide to the major cities tourists visit.

Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia for tourists. There are more Westernized options. You’ll likely be flying into Bali at Denpasar. From there, you’ll need to decide which city to visit. Here’s a quick summary of these cities.

• Ubud – Ubud is the most developed inner Bali city for travelers. Here you’ll have access to rice terraces, the Monkey Forest, and temples. See this post about the best things to do in Ubud.
• Canggu – Pronounced “chang-gu,” this city on the West Coast of Bali is a surfer and remote worker paradise. It is very Westernized, which is the appeal and convenience for many.
• Seminyak – South of Canggu is the beach resort town of Seminyak. It’s typically described as sleek and luxurious.
• Kuta – South of Seminyak is Kuta, a known party city. Because it is one of the first tourist developments, it is very commercialized. You’ll also have access to the beach and surf.
• Uluwatu – In the southern part of Bali is where you’ll find the laid-back and quiet city of Uluwatu, known for its surfing and luxury resorts. It’s a more exclusive surfer paradise because of its location, but there’s little else to do there.
• Sanur – On the east coast of Bali is Sanur, a small seaside town for backpackers and divers. You’ll likely come here if you’re taking a speedboat or ferry to nearby islands.

Outside of Bali, you’ll likely travel to nearby islands. These places are known for picturesque views.

Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan
This cluster of islands is the closest to Bali and a 45-minute trip by ferry or speedboat. Nusa Penida is the largest and most popular of the islands. These islands are known for their beaches, scenic views, and two popular dive sites – Manta Point and Crystal Bay.

Lombok and Gili Islands
A little farther from Bali are Lombok and the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno). You’ll take a 4-5 hour ferry ride from Bali to Lombok. From Lombok, the Gili islands are about 20 minutes away by boat.

• Gili Trawangan – Known as the place to party in Indonesia, Gili T is the go-to for non-stop fun.
• Gili Air – This island has a combination of fun and relaxation. You’ll find more families and couples here.
• Gili Meno – The smallest and quietest island of the three, Gili Meno is known for its beaches.

Less Touristy Cities
Most travelers prioritize the above locations when they visit Indonesia, but here are some other notable cities you might consider. If you prefer to go to less touristy places, I highly recommend these cities instead.

• Yogyakarta – A few famous temples, like Borobudur, are near this city.
• Jakarta – The bustling capital city of Indonesia has plenty of culture and notable sights, like the Bogor Botanical Gardens.
• Sumatra – On the largest Indonesia island, you’ll find orangutans.

Diving
If you’re a scuba diver and want more options than the above cities, you’ll want to know these places. Some liveaboards from Bali access Komodo National Park, Flores Sea, and Wakatobi National Park but if you want to spend extended time in these places, you’ll need a closer liveaboard or a dive resort.

• Labuan Bajo – You’ll be landing in this city a few islands over from Bali to dive the Komodo National Park.
• Sorong – You’ll be landing in this city in Northeast Indonesia to set off for diving Raja Ampat.
• Sulawesi – If you don’t get on a liveaboard, the cities on this Indonesian island is how you can access Wakatobi National Park. Wakatobi is known for its large schools of fish and corals as if you’re in an aquarium.

See this post for more information about diving in Indonesia.

What to Do in Indonesia

There’s a little something for everyone in Indonesia, especially if you like trying new food, if you are a diver, or if you enjoy the beach. Here are some more posts that might help you plan your activities.

• Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
• Diving Komodo National Park by Liveaboard + Indonesia Diving Guide
• Best Things to Do in Indonesia

What to Eat in Indonesia

This post about eating and drinking in Indonesia will tell you about the dishes to look out for and what to expect! I also have two posts about the unique fine dining experiences we had in Indonesia.

• Dining at Locavore in Ubud, Indonesia
• Dining at Room4Dessert in Ubud, Indonesia

Our Indonesia Itinerary

It wasn’t perfect but our itinerary allowed us to stay in four different cities and visit a few more. We were definitely on the go more often than I had hoped, but when we stayed too long, we found ourselves wishing we were somewhere else.

• Day 1: Fly from Home to Indonesia at 7 pm
• Day 2: Land in Indonesia 3 pm
• Day 3: Ubud
• Day 4: Ubud
• Day 5: Ubud to Kuta
• Day 6: Kuta, fly Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, board liveaboard
• Day 7-10: Scuba liveaboard life
• Day 11: Depart liveaboard, fly Labuan Bajo to Denpasar, boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida
• Day 12: Nusa Penida
• Day 13: Nusa Penida
• Day 14: Boat from Nusa Penida to Sanur, car to Canggu
• Day 15: Canggu
• Day 16: Fly from Denpasar to Home at 4 pm
• Day 17: Arrive Home 5 am

Itinerary changes and suggestions: 

• If you don’t do a scuba liveaboard, I would recommend visiting the Gili Islands instead.
• If you are only visiting for a week and want a slower trip, I would opt for two cities and taking day trips to nearby islands.
• Be sure to build in travel time. Car travel from city to city can involve a lot of traffic and boat travel to islands can involve delays.
• If you do not want to be around lots of tourists, find more secluded areas of Bali such as Uluwatu or less touristy cities like Yogyakarta.
• If I had to pick one city out of the ones we visited, I would return to Ubud.

Quick Reference of Our Bookings

Want to take our trip? Here’s a quick list of our hotels, tours, and other bookings.

• Ubud Hotel: Biyukukung Suites and Spa
• Kuta Hotel: Kuta Paradiso
• Nusa Penida Hotel: Double-G Guest House
• Canggu Hotel: FRii Bali Echo Beach Hotel
• Komodo Island Liveaboard: Moana Cruising
• Nusa Penida Dive Shop: Blue Corner Dive (didn’t love but was highly recommended)
• Food Tours in Ubud and Kuta: Good Indonesian Food 
• Sight-Seeing Driver in Ubud: Desy
• Restaurants We Booked Ahead: Room4Dessert and Locavore 

Until Next Time, Indonesia

With the number of diving opportunities available in Indonesia, I have a feeling I’ll be back one day. I’d love to return to experience Raja Ampat and the Wakatobi Islands.

For more information and reference, check out my other blog posts about Indonesia:

• Dining at Locavore in Ubud, Indonesia
• Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
• Dining at Room4Dessert in Ubud, Indonesia
• Eating and Drinking in Indonesia – Dishes and Restaurants to Try
• Diving Komodo National Park by Liveaboard + Indonesia Diving Guide
• Best Things to Do in Indonesia

If you have any questions, need advice, or want to add a recommendation, feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message.

Have you been to Indonesia? Share any tips you have below!

Follow the adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Indonesia Travel Guide & Itinerary appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

If you are a diver and want an incredible diving experience, you have to visit Indonesia! With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia’s biodiversity is out of this world. Thousands of wildlife, from gigantic manta rays to the smallest slugs, are waiting for you!

On-Board Our Indonesia Liveaboard – Moana

Diving in Indonesia and our Moana Liveaboard were highlights of our trip! We knew a liveaboard would be the best option for diving in Indonesia, and we picked Komodo Island because of the proximity (shorter and less expensive flight) from Bali. The last criteria in choosing our boat were the quality of the boat and the presence of sails. (We later found out that most of the time, sails are simply for show, and the classification and/or tax break boats can get if they have sails. That’s why you’ll see boats with unusable sails just for show.)

We spent five nights on Moana. The boat is in prime condition, and they maintain and upgrade the ship every year for two months. We spent most of our time on the front, open-air deck where we ate, napped, relaxed, and did our dive briefings. The backside is where we stored our dive equipment and got in and out of our dive boats. Our boat had five cabins underneath the deck with room for 10 guests.

The 12-person dive team and boat crew were excellent! They do everything from driving the boats to cooking and serving our meals. We were divided into three dive teams, so we were well taken care of underwater. On a liveaboard, it is all about diving! There are usually four opportunities to dive in a day, usually around 7 am, 10 am, 3 pm, and 6 pm. Our dive group was led by Rudi, who made sure I didn’t get pushed away from the current (thank goodness) and always pointed out the little creatures!

The guests on our boat were from the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Romania. The funny thing about our group was that there were three people named Will! Here’s our group photo with the crew.

After our dives, we usually change out of our swimsuits and have breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, respectively. The food was great! For breakfast, the crew set out a buffet while lunch and dinner were plated meals. The chef goes to training every year, so not only is the food delicious, but he also serves Indonesian and international cuisine to give guests and the crew a variety. 

When we weren’t diving or sleeping, we took naps, swam, read, or filled in our dive logs. It’s always fun looking through the fish identification books and talking to other guests about what they saw on the last dive. What we see underwater typically differs since fish don’t usually stay still, so it’s always a joy and bummer when we talk about what we saw and missed. Our conversations are a lot of “did you see that” and “what was that one fish.”

What You’ll See Diving in Indonesia

The wildlife list is incredibly vast in Indonesia. Be ready for over 3,000 types! For big species, look for manta rays, mola mola, and sharks. For small species, nudibranchs are my favorite! I also saw jellyfish, cuttlefish, longhorn cowfish, mantis shrimp, and so many types of starfish, including a chocolate chip starfish. Several dives had thousands of fish swimming around us, and it truly felt like we were in an aquarium.

On several dives, we saw what we greatly anticipated seeing – manta rays! We estimate the largest one was about 12 feet! They swim against the current and stay in one spot so that their food comes to them. Because it’s usually in high current, we had to hook onto hard coral and rocks to keep from drifting away. This made it some of the toughest diving we’ve done because it takes a lot of energy to swim against the current. But watching these huge creatures was amazing!

We also saw some of the tiniest wildlife – pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs. I’ve seen a few nudibranchs before this, but that number shot up with every dive. These sea slugs come in all different colors and were fun to spot. We had a hard time photographing them without a macro lens. They’re usually half the length of your palm.

Pygmy seahorses are also hard to find because they’re about the size of a fingernail, but they are typically on sea fans. Look at a sea fan and try to spot an irregularity, and it’s likely a camouflaged pygmy seahorse. It’s hard to spot below (especially hard to photograph without a macro lens), but it’s the light white spot in the middle third and lower half of the photograph.

Day Excursion – Komodo National Park 

We also saw some unique wildlife above water. If you’re diving around Komodo National Park, you’ll likely make a visit to Komodo Island or Rinca Island to see the komodo dragons in the wild! We took a short walk to see these giant lizards. Can you believe males get up to nine feet and 200 lbs? Yes, they are poisonous! We walked around the park in a straight line with a ranger in the front and back. We also saw a water buffalo in the far distance!

If you’re in Komodo National Park, Padar Island is a popular spot to stop for the views and beaches.

Indonesia Diving Guide: Where and When to Dive in Indonesia

Have I convinced you that Indonesia is one of the best places to dive in the world? If you want more options, here is a guide to diving in Indonesia.

When to Dive in Indonesia

You can dive year-round in Indonesia, but visibility varies. The rainy season is November to March and the dry season is April to October. The season also varies depending on what part of Indonesia you are diving. The water is about 26-30 degrees Celsius year-round, so a 5mm wetsuit is recommended. It was the thickest wetsuit we’ve ever worn and annoying to get on and off but it was very necessary!

How Much is Diving in Indonesia

We dove with two reputable companies in Indonesia. Our five-day liveaboard was about $2,000 USD per person plus equipment rental costs. Compared to our other liveaboard experiences in Thailand and Egypt, Indonesia was more expensive. Our day dives on Nusa Penida were about $45 USD per dive per person, including equipment rental. This price is close to the average.

Where to Dive in Indonesia

Some areas and liveaboards are not recommended for beginner divers. Currents can change quickly, and some dives are in the current. These currents are no joke, and sticks and hooks are needed to keep from being swept away.

It’s best to dive Komodo National Park and Raja Ampat by liveaboard because of the distance from shore. Although liveaboards are a pricier option, you get many dives into your trip. If you want a less expensive option, look for a dive resort in these areas. The downside is you’re limited by how far a dive site is located, meaning you may need to do fewer dives, and you’ll spend more time on a fast boat to get there.

In addition to Komodo, we also dove three times in Nusa Penida with Blue Corner Dive. Although we saw manta rays, we did not enjoy the experience because it was bad visibility, there were way too many people, and we didn’t really like the dive guides. But I’ve heard plenty of accounts where the diving in Nusa Penida is fantastic. This is the place to see mola molas.

Below are the details and recommendations for each area.

• Raja Ampat near Papua (Eastern Indonesia)
  • Best by liveaboard and they are usually 5-14 nights
  • Diving typically October through April
  • Beware strong currents
  • Liveaboards depart from the port of Sorong
• Komodo National Park of Flores (South Central Indonesia)
  • Best by liveaboard and they are usually 6-12 nights
  • Diving typically April through November
  • Beware strong currents
  • Liveaboards depart from the port of Labuan Bajo
• Sulawesi (North Central Indonesia)
  • Most popular diving areas on this island include Manado/Bunaken Marine Park in the North and the Wakatobi Islands in the South
  • More expensive to dive here but more secluded and undiscovered
  • Known for its muck diving (macro) in the Lembeh Strait
  • Diving season is typically March through December
  • Most people fly into Manado for Northern Sulawesi or Wangi-Wangi for Southern Sulawesi
• Pulau Weh near Sumatra (Western Indonesia)
  • Great for an island getaway
  • One hour boat from Banda Aceh on the island of Sumatra
  • Called an “untouched gem”Dry season is May through September
  • Known for its smaller creatures
• Banda Sea
  • Budget-friendlier liveaboard option
  • The area is known for hammerhead and thresher sharks
  • Liveaboards depart from Ambon
• Bali (South Central Indonesia)
  • Most popular because of accessibility
  • One of the most famous wreck dives: USS Liberty in Tulamben, Northeast Bali  
  • Nusa Penida is an island about 30 minutes by boat with a few dive sites known for manta rays and mola molas
  • The main airport is Denpasar and some dive ports are Tulamben, Sanur, and Padang Bai
• Gili Islands on Lombok  (South Central Indonesia)
  • The next most popular dive area (more touristy) because of closeness to Bali

Other Liveaboard and Resort Recommendations

Here are some other options I considered before I book my trip. I usually use the PADI Travel website and Liveaboard.com to do my initial search. Then I look at cost, timing, and online reviews to make my final decision.

• Siren Fleet
• Mermaid
• Uber Scuba
• Raja Ampat Dive Resort
• Biodiversity Resort
• Emperor (we dove with them in Egypt and loved it)

Conclusion

I look back on diving in Indonesia with the best memories! I hope I go back to Indonesia one day because there are so many areas to dive. Does anyone want to join me?

P.S. Want to read more posts about Indonesia?

• Eating and Drinking in Indonesia
• Best Things to Do in Indonesia
• Indonesia Travel Guide & Itinerary

The post Diving Komodo National Park by Liveaboard + Indonesia Diving Guide appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Visiting Indonesia is a blessing and a curse because there are so many things to do! For those of us with limited time off, prioritizing can be hard, but the adventures are endless. This list includes activities and sights for people who love food, adventure, history, and nature.

Below I’ve included typical activities and highlights in Indonesia you might have seen on Pinterest and Instagram, and I’ve included more information to plan your trip. In deciding where to go for our trip, I quickly realized we had to miss out on seeing some things because they were on a totally different island. This post will reference the nearest city.

I want to note that popular tourist sights, many on this list, are getting very crowded. You have to have a bit of understanding and patience to enjoy them. There will be plenty of tourists crowding sights and waiting to take photos. The best bet for fewer people is to get there very early.

Here are the best things to do in Indonesia!

Get Close to Monkeys

One of the most recognizable activities of Indonesia is monkeys! Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali is the one most people go to. It is a park where more than 700 Balinese long-tailed monkeys roam. They’re not enclosed and are free to leave, but they are fed by the park, so they stay close. If you get close enough, they may jump on you!

The other monkey to see is the native and endangered orangutan, which has two species. The Sumatran Orangutan and the Bornean Orangutan are located on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, respectively.

Scuba Dive or Snorkel

Diving in Indonesia is a dream! Here are some of the most popular dives and dive areas in Indonesia:

• Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida, Bali
• Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali
• Komodo Island
• Raja Ampat
• Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali

Surf

Ready to paddle out and get stoked? Areas of Bali are known for their surfing, including Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu. There are plenty of surf camp options, including Padang Padang Surf Camp, Lapoint, Wave House, and Rapture.

Relax at the Beach

Listen to the waves, jump in the water, and relax! Here are some popular beaches:

• Batu Balong Beach, Canggu, Bali
• Echo Beach, Canggu, Bali
• Pink Beach (Komodo Island)
• Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida, Bali
• Suluban Beach Cave, Uluwatu, Bali 

Dine at Amazing Restaurants + Take a Food Tour

Out of all the cities in Indonesia we visited, we enjoyed our meals in Ubud, Bali the most. For the budget-friendly option, some of our favorite bites were snacks from a vendor at the Ubud Art Market and the low-key places we visited on our Good Indonesian Food Tour. We also enjoyed our fine dining meals at Room4Dessert and Locavore (click the names to see our experience).

For more about Indonesian food and restaurant recommendations, see this post.

See the World’s Largest Buddhist Temple – Borobudur 

One of the coolest sights in Indonesia would be the Borobudur Temple, a Buddhist temple from the 9th century. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located in Central Java, about an hour and a half from Yogyakarta. Go before sunrise since it looks really cool but also because there will be lots and lots of tourists as the sun rises.

Marvel the Prambanan Temple

If you’re in the Yogyakarta area, the 9th century Hindu temple complex is a sight to see. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.

Visit these Other Temples

While the majority of Indonesia is Muslim, the predominant religion in Bali is Hinduism. That’s why Tirta Empul Temple (known for the holy spring water baths) and Saraswati Temple (known as the Ubud Water Temple or the Lotus Temple), both in/near Ubud, are Balinese Hindu temples. Their popularity is probably also because of the influx of tourists in Bali.

Visit the Ubud Palace

Around the corner from the Saraswati Temple is the Ubud Palace, a quick attraction that shows some of the old architecture.

See the Rice Terraces

One top of mind sight in Indonesia is a rice terrace. You’ll likely find the tourist versions near Central Ubud and they all look similar. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the most popular and Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, the UNESCO World Heritage site, is about an hour outside of Ubud.

Visit An Active Volcano – Mount Bromo or Mount Batur

There are more than 100 volcanoes in Indonesia and yes, you can hike to see an active volcano.

Mount Bromo is located in East Java. The trip is typically from Surabaya, about four hours away from the start of the trek. The trek up takes about 30-45 minutes and you’ll want to wear layers. Go for the sunrise during dry season.

For another sunrise trek, consider Mount Batur on Bali. This active volcano is about an hour drive from Ubud and a two to three hours trek. This hike is more strenuous than Mount Bromo and you’ll definitely want a guide.

Chase Waterfalls

When you think of outdoor adventures in Indonesia, you’ve likely thought of waterfalls. We went to Tengenungan near Ubud and there’s a short trek to it. Here are a few of the many options:

• Tegenungan Waterfall, Ubud, Bali
• Tibumana Waterfall, Bangli, Bali
• Aling-Aling Waterfall, Gitgit, Bali
• Sekumpul Waterfall, Gitgit, Bali

Go on an Adventure Tour

Want an outdoor adventure? Consider biking through rice fields and canyoning down waterfalls. These tours in Bali can give you the thrill:

• Bali Eco Cycling
• Adventure & Spirit Canyoning
• Bali Quad Discovery Tours

Watch the Flying Foxes of Kalong Island Take Flight

Kalong Island, near Labuan Bajo’s port and in Komodo National Park is home to thousands of nocturnal flying foxes that leave their nests to feed every night around sunset. These megabats are also known as fruit bats and can get up to four feet in wingspan and up to four pounds in weight. Seeing them take off reminded me exactly of Austin’s Congress Avenue bats that do the same, but when you look at these, you can tell they are huge!

Take the Gate of Heaven Photo

You’ve seen the famous photo, but this shot is actually an illusion. The glassy water is actually a reflective paper the photographer puts underneath the camera and I’ve also heard there is usually a long line for your turn at this photo. This is located outside Denpasar on Bali.

Take a Tour of Nusa Penida’s Most Famous Sights

Whether you take a day trip from Bali or you spend a few days on Nusa Penida, the largest of the three islands off Bali, you’ll likely want to see its most famous sights.

Because there are mostly narrow, winding, steep, and unpaved roads on Nusa Penida, getting around the island to these sites take more time than you think. The West Coast Tour will take about five hours, depending on how much time you spend at each place. Renting a driver is recommended unless you are brave enough to drive a scooter and it costs about $60 per car, so try to gather a group to split the cost.

On the West Coast Tour, you can see:

• Kelingking Beach 
• Broken Beach
• Crystal Bay
• Angel’s Billabong

On the East Coast Tour, you can see:

• Diamond Beach
• Suwehan Beach
• Atuh Beach
• Pura Goa Giri Putri Cave
• Teletubby Hills

Visit a Craft Chocolate Factory – Pod Chocolate Factory

Enjoy Indonesian craft chocolate by visiting the Pod Chocolate Factory outside Central Ubud. They have a storefront in Sanur and they sell the chocolate at the airport.

Visit the World’s Best Batik Museum – House of Danar Hadi

Located in Central Java in the city of Surakarta, this museum houses a large display and history of batik fabrics. Batik, the way of dyeing cloth into patterns, originated in Indonesia.

See Komodo Dragons

The largest lizard species can be seen in the wild in Indonesia. These venomous reptiles can grow to be 10 feet and 150 lbs! They can be seen on Komodo and Rinca Islands and guides will take you around the park to keep you safe and give you more knowledge about them.

See That Scenic Island View

You know the one. It’s the view that’s used in most of Indonesia’s marketing material. It’s Padar Island, next to Komodo and Rinca Islands. You can’t stay on the island but you can take a day trip from Labuan Bajo, 20 miles away. Things to do include hiking a 30-minute summit to the peak and enjoying the pink, white, and black beaches.

Relax at the Spa and Get a Massage

Since an hour-long massage can be $5-10 USD, indulge and find yourself a spa. They’re easy to find, especially in a touristy city like Ubud or Canggu. They seem to be on every street!

I hope this list gives you some ideas to start planning your trip! There is so much to see, though I wouldn’t blame you if you want to relax and enjoy the beach. Get more suggestions from the tourism Instagram.

Have you been to Indonesia? What would you recommend to do?

P.S. Want to read more posts about Indonesia? See them here.

Follow the adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Best Things to Do in Indonesia appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

In the U.S., we’re lucky to have access to food of different cultures, so it’s interesting to travel to another country where the cuisine is typically consistent wherever you go. We learned a lot and ate mostly Indonesian cuisine on our trip. The fun of eating in another country is discovering new dishes and recognizing dishes you like along your trip.

For reference, we visited Ubud, Kuta, Canggu, and Nusa Penida. Different parts of Indonesia have region-specific dishes and/or their own way of preparing dishes, so get excited about discovering something new.

In this post, I’ll explain some of the keywords, typical dishes, and restaurant recommendations to give you a primer on Indonesian cuisine.

Indonesian Food Keywords

When it comes to reading signs and menus, here are some of the basic words to recognize.

• Nasi – rice
• Mie – noodle
• Sayur – vegetable
• Ayam – chicken
• Babi – pork
• Bebek – duck
• Sapi – beef
• Ikan – fish
• Udang – shrimp
• Bakso – meatball
• Telur – egg
• Goreng – fried
• Sambal – chili sauce
• Kopi – coffee
• Teh – tea
• Bir – beer
• Air putih – water

Local Foods to try in Indonesia

At the beginning of our trip, I was loving all the soto ayam (chicken soup) but as we were counting down the days until we went home, I made sure to eat as much mie goreng (fried noodles) as I could! Sure, there were a few Italian and healthy restaurants opened by expats, but otherwise, the restaurants served Indonesian dishes and we tried as much of it as possible.

These are the typical and popular dishes you can try in Indonesia. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the interesting dishes available but should give you a starting place to introduce you to Indonesian cuisine, especially in the Bali region.

DISHES

Nasi Goreng – Many cultures have their version of a fried rice and this is the one from Indonesia. It typically has vegetables and meat and sometimes topped with a fried egg.

Mie Goreng – Similar to nasi goreng, this is the fried noodles version of the dish.

Nasi Campur – Translated to “mixed rice,” this dish involves choosing your base rice and then accompaniments. Restaurants usually have all the choices laid out and locals usually choose two or three. Some choices we enjoyed include fried chicken, stewed vegetables, and potato chips.

Babi Guling – Roasted suckling pig is a traditional Balinese dish. The pork is typically served on top of white rice and accompanied by some veggies and other parts of the pig, such as blood sausage or crispy skin.

Mee Bakso – This is a meatball noodle dish.

Soto Ayam – One of the most popular dishes is this turmeric chicken noodle soup. It usually has vermicelli noodles and has some spice to it.

Nasi Tepeng – This breakfast dish is a typical street food dish. Its consistency is between rice and porridge and is topped with sauce.

Bebek Goreng – This fried crispy duck dish is a popular one in Bali.

Ayam Goreng – Fried chicken is typically accompanied by rice.

Sate (satay) – These meat skewers are typically seasoned and grilled chicken or pork. They’re usually served with a peanut sauce.

Lawar – This is a dish with minced meat, herbs, and vegetables (usually green beans).

Martabak – This is a hearty street food dish in Indonesia. This fried crepe omelet can be customized to whatever you want inside, typically vegetables, green onion, or minced meat. You can find this dish in other Southeast Asian and Arabian countries.

DRINKS

Jamu Juice – This is an herbal drink made with turmeric, ginger, honey, and lemon. It was very refreshing and it could be part of a sparkling or alcoholic drink. Some locals drink it daily.

Avocado juice – This drink is like a smoothie, with condensed milk and chocolate.

Bintang – Their most popular beer is a pale lager that is part of Heineken.

Anker Beer – Another Indonesian beer company, they also produce a pale lager.

Stark Craft Beer – If you’re looking for craft beer in Indonesia, look for Stark. Their IPA (Indonesian Pale Ale) was deliciously hoppy. Find their beers at the Stark Beer Garden in Kuta or in random restaurants around Bali. I was lucky to happen upon it at The Shady Shack in Canggu.

Coffee – Since Indonesia is the fourth-largest producer of coffee in the world, you bet you can get some good stuff here. There are plantations and flavor varieties all over the country. The most unique type is kopi luwak. Civets, a type of animal, eats the coffee cherry and digests out the coffee bean. The coffee is somewhat controversial as some force feed and inhumanely treat the animals.

DESSERT

Es Campur – This is an Indonesian dessert made with shaved ice and toppings like jelly. There is another similar dessert called es teler, but I haven’t figured out the difference!

Martabak Manis or Terang Bulan – We tried this dessert from a street cart and it was the best dessert I had in Indonesia. It’s similar to the savory martabak but these pancakes have chocolate and nuts.

Cendol – This popular Southeast Asian dessert has green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, syrup, and ice.

Klepon – These are sweet rice balls rolled in grated coconut. It’s found in numerous Southeast Asian countries.

Pisang Goreng – You can’t leave Indonesia without eating some banana fritters. They’re simply bananas or plantains covered in batter and fried. We liked them dipped in Nutella.

Lupis – One of my favorite things we tried, this delicious dessert came from a stall in the street market. It is sticky rice with palm sugar syrup and shredded coconut. You can find it for breakfast but I like it as a dessert option.

FRUIT

In addition to fresh mango, passion fruit, and bananas you’ll enjoy:

• Salak – Also known as snake fruit, this fruit can be peeled and has about four sweet, apple-like fruit pods around a seed.
• Mangosteen – Inside, the white fruit looks similar to salak but it is easy to eat like a clementine.

Restaurants in Indonesia to Try

If you’re looking for restaurant recommendations, here they are! I usually create these huge lists before we travel, narrow down our choices, and see what we’re in the mood for or whatever is nearby. I’ve marked the ones we visited and personally recommend with an asterisk.

The great thing about eating in Bali is that their neighborhoods are fairly walkable and you can wander until you see an enticing restaurant. It’s always a good sign when you see plenty of locals dining there. If you see the word “warung,” it means it is a family-owned business, typically a restaurant.

You’ll notice many trendy restaurants serving menus that are raw, vegan, and vegetarian. This is the result of the tourist boom from Eat, Pray, Love fans hoping to experience the yoga hippie lifestyle. While it has woven itself into Bali culture and is sought-out by tourists, this isn’t the typical Indonesian diet. The famous Balinese roast pork and crispy duck are obvious signs of this!

Ubud

• *Ayam Betutu Pak Sanur – Balinese roasted pork
• *Babi Guling Gung Cung – chicken and rice
• *Room4Dessert – 21-course dessert-focused tasting menu (see our experience in this post)
• *Locavore – fine dining local tasting menu (see our experience in this post)
• Mozaic – fine dining
• Tukies – coconut ice cream
• *Monsieur Spoon – six locations of this French bakery around Bali
• Seeds of Life Café – raw food
• *KAFE – vegetarian
• Bebek Tepi Sawah – fried duck
• Puspa’s Warung
• Naughty Nuri’s – pork ribs
• Warung Rama – nasi campur
• Kafe Bunute
• Hujan Locale
• Melting Wok Warung
• Mudra Café – ayurvedic cafe
• Alchemy – vegan
• *Seniman Coffee – craft coffee

Kuta

• Warung Babi Guling Bu Dayu
• Warung Nasi Bebek Bu Rima
• Mama San

Seminyak

• Nook Umalas – Indonesian fusion
• Shelter Café – healthy eats
• Nalu Bowls – smoothie bowls
• Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen

Canggu

• *The Shady Shack – healthy eats
• *Warung Bu Mi – nasi campur
• Warung Varuna – Indonesian food
• Crate – breakfast
• Old Man’s – cool vibes with live music but food was mediocre
• La Brisa – restaurant on echo beach known for its huge patio
• Wahaha – Indonesian food, known for their pork ribs
• Nalu Bowls – smoothie bowls
• Moana Fish Eatery – poke, reservation needed
• Gelato Secrets – European gelato chain
• *The Mocca – healthy eats

Nusa Penida

• *Sunny Cafe Penida
• Secret Penida – healthy eats
• Amok Sunset – to watch the sunset
• Sebuluh Resto & Bar

Conclusion

There are plenty of new dishes and ingredients to try in Indonesia, so don’t be afraid to venture out. From the traditional roasted pork to the trendy acai bowls, Indonesian cuisine has a variety based on the region.

In Austin, we have one Indonesian restaurant (Twin Panda) but other Southeast Asian restaurants also have dish variations. I’m looking forward to trying these flavors again!

Have you tried any of these Indonesian dishes before?

P.S. Looking for more Indonesia posts? See them here!

Keep up with my food adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Eating and Drinking in Indonesia appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

In searching for Bali restaurant recommendations, I happened upon Room 4 Dessert and knew this was absolutely an experience I wanted to have. Why? Three words: dessert tasting menu. Will needed a little bit of convincing but he finally agreed that if we’re going all the way to Indonesia, we should do it.

Room 4 Dessert

The best way to describe Room 4 Dessert is whimsical. How can you not when their menu is focused on dessert? Their playful personality extends from their website to the presentation on the plate. It’s hard not to feel happy when you think about and eat dessert. Dining at Room 4 Dessert takes eating dessert to another level.

Chef Will Goldfarb is the mastermind behind the restaurant. You might be familiar with him if you’re a foodie in New York or have seen the Chef’s Table episode about him. Room 4 Dessert actually started in New York in 2005 and this iteration ended in 2007. Goldfarb decided to get away from the industry structure that he didn’t seem to fit in. He was tired of the critics, the restraints, and the drama. In 2008, he and his family moved to Bali.

After years of re-cooperating, Goldfarb was ready to find a place where he could do what he loved and be as innovative as he wanted. He opened Room 4 Dessert in Bali in 2014 and has been growing the concept and team since. The restaurant was closed from January to April this year for a remodel. It re-opened with additional space, 10,000 square feet in total.

The 21-course tasting menu takes you on three different journeys. The first is savory in their outdoor seating area. The next is mostly sweet in their main dining room. Finally, you’re led to their outside garden for small sweet bites, petit fours. The adventure through three different environments and tasting a variety of flavors add to the charm of the experience. Having 21 courses might seem daunting but know about 14 of the courses were one or two bites.

The menu changes with the seasons and creativity, and we enjoyed Season 10: The Sequel. I won’t go into full detail of every course in case you will be visiting, but I’ll be highlighting my favorite details. Keep reading!

Our Dinner at Room 4 Dessert

Room 4 Dessert was about an eight-minute drive from our hotel on a road that didn’t seem walking-friendly. When we arrived, we were greeted and escorted into the restaurant’s huge garden. Room4Dessert’s garden supplies a few of the ingredients on their menu and they’re working to grow that percentage more and more.

Our first stop was in their outdoor seating area to taste seven savory “snack” courses. This area was like a very fancy backyard patio with a bar and lounge area. We were seated at the bar and the adventure began! On each part of the journey, we were given a paper with the name and illustration of each course.

1. Dancing Flower
2. Gobo
3. Chicken Feet
4. R4D Shwarma
5. Kentucky Mushroom
6. Mc Catri
7. Torchon

After our first seven courses, we took a journey through the kitchen to the main dining room where we were seated at a low bar area facing the kitchen and plating area. The next part of our dinner was the main course. These dishes were the best part of the dinner in my opinion. The flavors went perfectly together! Red, Mango Puff, and Incidente Stradale were my favorites. They were creatively presented and I love the unique plates.

8. Red
9. Na Bro
10. Le Razz Hot
11. Mango Puff
12. Devil Kiss
13. Incidente Stradale
14. Caramel Chocolate Brulee

For the final part of our dinner, we were led through the front door to the other side of the restaurant. This area has a long table surrounded by a trellis and awning with greenery. It felt like we were in a backyard garden, and it was a lovely night and setting to end our dinner. This part of the dinner was petit fours and these bites were easily one bite.

15. Madeleine
16. Aloe vera “Pate de Fruit”
17. Klapertart
18. Hot Bobi
19. Small Mac
20. Tamago
21. Open Alfajores

What I Thought About Room 4 Dessert

Is it that obvious? I loved it! I love dessert so it was an easy sell for me, but what has me obsessed is how the presentation, flavors, and experience were impressive at every point. The flow of the dinner, from different spaces to different types of bites, was a colorful story coming to life and the Ubud setting made it more magical.

While Chef Goldfarb wasn’t present the night we dined, we were in good hands with his enthusiastic team. They seemed young but that made their hospitality and professionalism impressive. Watching them plate dishes, run courses, and present the dishes seamlessly and expertly made it obvious that attention to detail is a high standard. It’s obvious everyone who works there takes great pride in being a part of the restaurant.

This dinner made up for all the times I missed eating dessert because I was too full, tired, or not interested!

Details for Your Visit

Room 4 Dessert is a dessert lover’s dream. Even though the meal is 21 courses, many of them are bite-sized, so I didn’t think it was too much food. For those who are not a big fan of dessert or can’t tolerate that much sugar, you might not enjoy this restaurant as much.

Budget-wise, it can be an investment, especially if you compare it to the price of a typical meal in Bali. But for a fine dining experience with this many courses, it was reasonable.

I made a reservation about three months before our visit, though you should be able to get a lunch or dinner reservation a few weeks before if your day and time are flexible. As they warn, the dinner will take about two and a half hours.

• Ambiance: Whimsical
• Attire: Casual
• Noise Level: Average
• Reservation: Recommended
• Groups: Yes
• Meal: 21-course prix fixe
• Pricing: Our dinner for two (no drink pairings) was about $132 USD

Room 4 Dessert
Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 5 to 11 pm
https://www.room4dessert.com/

P.S. Curious about my travel eats? See more restaurants here!

Follow the adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Dining at Room 4 Dessert in Ubud, Indonesia appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, you’ll probably stop in Bali. And if you stop in Bali, you should visit Ubud. This town is surrounded by the rainforest and rice paddies, and you’ll find many cultural sights here.

The city center is fairly walkable, though it is a lot easier to travel by motorbike or car. Most tours will take you to many of these sites on the same day.

Rice Terraces

Rice terraces seem to be one of the key images when you think of Indonesia, and Ubud is the place to see them. I love the beauty between nature and agriculture. These terraces are an impressive green landscape and significant in the food culture of the country.

There are multiple rice terraces around the city center of Ubud. The most popular is Tegalalang because of the wider viewpoint. We also visited Alas Harum where there are rice terrace views, a swing, a skybike, and multiple photo points. Another spot is the Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and about 90 minutes from Ubud. See this link for more rice terraces. Admission costs vary.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul is a Hindu water temple. You may have seen photos of Jaba Tengah, the part of the temple complex with two purification pools. Worshipers typically dip their heads under each of the 30 spouts as part of their ritual, and any visitor is able to participate in this. Admission to the temple is Rp 50.000 (about $3.50 USD) per person.

POD Chocolate Factory

Craft chocolate in Indonesia? Yes! POD Chocolate works with local cacao farmers to produce high quality, ethically sourced chocolate. I love their colorful branding and fun flavors. POD Chocolate’s factory is about 40 minutes from Ubud’s city center. If you can’t make it to the factory, be sure to look for their chocolate at the airport or at their other two shops in Bali.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Chase the waterfall at this scenic view. After a short five-minute walk down, you’ll be able to swim and take photos. Many photos of this waterfall seem old because there is now a restaurant and club at the top of the waterfall. The entrance fee to the waterfall is Rp 10.000 (about $0.71 USD) per person.

Saraswati Temple / Pura Taman Saraswati / Ubud Water Palace

Dedicated to the goddess of knowledge Saraswati and completed in 1952, this Hindu temple is known for its picturesque lotus pond in front of it. From what I experienced and researched, you can not go into the temple itself. Admission to explore is free and to get there, look for the Lotus Cafe and enter in through the walkway to the right of the restaurant. There is a traditional dance show at 7:30 pm daily at the temple for Rp 80.000 (about $6 USD) per person and you can get a reservation at the cafe.

Ubud Palace / Puri Saren Agung

The Ubud Palace was the official residence of the royal family and is now a historical building. It’s interesting to see the architecture, but the complex is smaller than I thought it was and doesn’t take long to see. Admission is free and it’s located next to the Saraswati Temple, so you can do both in one stop.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

There are monkeys wandering everywhere in this sanctuary! The place is not enclosed but they get fed, so they stay close. The monkeys keep their distance but will also jump on you if you provoke them. When you visit, be sure to not wear big jewelry or carry any food, drink, or plastic bags. Also, keep any food secure in your bag. The tricky monkeys will try to steal from you. Other than the monkeys, the place is a shady place to take a walk and admire the greenery. Admission is Rp 80.000 (about $6 USD) per person.

Ubud Art Market / Pasar Seni Ubud

If you’re looking for a souvenir, you’ll find them all here. This market has a lot of items with the word “Bali” on them, woven baskets, kites, purses, and more. Many of the items are catered to the tourist, like the dream catchers that have no connection to the Indonesian culture. However, I did have one of my favorite things I ate in Indonesia at an unassuming stall in this market, so take notice of where the locals are eating! The market is open around 8 am – 5 pm daily.

Birds of Petulu

Bird enthusiasts, this one is for you. In the village of Petulu, north of Ubud’s city center, up to 20,000 herons fly in every night. See these yellow and white birds about an hour before sunset.

Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)

Founded by Balinese art enthusiast Agung Rai, this art museum opened in 1996 and is well-known in Ubud and Indonesia. The museum features works and collections from Balinese, Indonesian, and international artists. Located south of the city center, the museum also has a resort. The admission fee is Rp. 60.000 (about $4 USD) per person.

Goa Gajah / Elephant Cave

This cave built in the 9th century is known for its intricately carved front gate. The site is small and while it’s not as impressive as some other sites, it’s a quick stop if you’re in the area.

Mount Batur / Gunung Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano that last erupted in 2000. The sunrise hike on Mount Batur is the most popular activity, but it requires a 2 a.m. start since it’s an hour north of Ubud’s city center. The intermediate-level hike to the peak, 1,700 meters / 5,600 feet above sea level, takes about two hours. Be sure to wear good shoes and a light jacket (maybe a rain jacket). Your tour fee typically includes a guide, transportation, flashlight, and breakfast. Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking and Get Your Guide are two recommended companies for this tour.

Good Indonesian Food Tour

Our Ubud food tour with Good Indonesian Food was a highlight of our time there. Walking around Ubud’s city center, we visited four different spots to try Bali’s most popular eats. From craft coffee to the famous Balinese roast pork, every stop had something delicious and we were happily full when we were finished. I love food tours when I travel, and this experience was no different. Our guide Ratih was happy to answer our questions about Indonesian culture and food.

If you’re looking for fine dining, try Locavore.

Adventure Tours

If you’re looking for more active adventures, here are some other tours you could do:

• See Ubud by bicycle with Bali Eco Cycling
• Rappel down waterfalls and trek jungles with Adventure & Spirit Canyoning
• Go off-roading with Bali Quad Discovery Tours

Get a Massage

I’m sure this is a must-do in every tourist city you visit in Indonesia. This is recommended because a good, hour-long massage can cost about $6-10 USD, which is ridiculously affordable. There seem to be massage shops everywhere and your hotel can recommend a spot. We were lucky to have a spa at our hotel Biyukukung Suites & Spa, so our massage was steps from our room.

Take a Long Day Trip

If Ubud can’t hold your attention, consider a longer day trip. Tulamben is on the north side of the island, about two hours away, and is known for its dive sites such as the Liberty Wreck. Nusa Penida is about an hour of travel while the Gili Islands is about four hours.

For more information, visit the Indonesian Tourism website.

Have you ever been to Ubud? What is your favorite thing to do there?

P.S. To see all my Indonesia posts, click here.

The post Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I didn’t know what to expect from Locavore. I knew it was an award-winning restaurant, easily found through “best restaurants in Indonesia” searches. I had glanced at the menu and photos. What we enjoyed was a creative dining experience that introduced us to the beautiful ingredients of Indonesia!

Locavore – Modern Cuisine, Local Produce

Highly rated in Asia (most recently number 22 in Asia’s Best Restaurants of 2019) and one of the most noteworthy restaurants in Indonesia, Locavore is known for its European cooking style with local Indonesian ingredients. Open since 2013, this restaurant is for traveling foodies wanting to experience fine dining in Bali.

You know I have a thing for local eating, and in a place like Bali, where there seems to be a struggle in keeping up with environmentally friendly practices, Locavore is an example of sustainability. Sourcing local produce and ethically raised animals, decreasing waste by using the whole animal, and re-purposing waste by composting or saving waste to feed pigs are some of the practices the restaurant upholds. Over 95% of Locavore’s ingredients are from Indonesia, which says a lot about their creativity and their passion for introducing the country’s bounty to guests. I think these practices and values enhance Locavore’s noteworthiness, and I’m not alone in my thinking. Locavore won the Sustainable Restaurant Award from Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants this year.

Locavore is led by Chefs Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah and managed by Adi Karmayasa. Both chefs trained in different countries (Eelke is Dutch and Ray is Indonesian) before meeting each other and Adi while working at a hotel in Ubud.

Our Dinner at Locavore

After about a 10-minute walk from our hotel near the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, we arrived at Locavore, located in the central part of Ubud. We were greeted by the hostess who immediately led us to our table. The restaurant is spacious with a slightly raised seating level on one side and an open kitchen on the other. Locavore is thoughtfully decorated with a slate, wood, and green color palette.

The team first presented this colorful display of edible flowers. It’s a canang sari, a Balinese Hindu offering that can be seen outside businesses and homes daily. With a palm leaf tray, the offering symbolizes gratitude. It’s ready to eat after a spray of vinaigrette and a dash of salt. After clearing the dish, we found a booklet with a welcome message and our menu options.

We decided on the nine-course dinner, and Will got the locavore menu while I got the herbivore (vegetarian) menu. We decided against drink pairings because it seemed like a lot of food, but we did get a round of cocktails.

Our dinner was full of surprises. Before the dinner began, we had six snack courses! These, pictured below, were some of my favorite parts of the meal. One of the snacks imitated a monkey’s way of eating. We took the lemongrass stalk, stuck it into a container of honey and then stuck it into another container of a nut mixture.

There was also a fried snack near the end of the savory dishes, a palette cleanser, and an additional dessert at the end.

Here are the dishes from the herbivore menu:
(the first four dishes are pictured below)

1. Savoury Citrus – five different citrus fruits, cashew coriander creme, spiced nuts, citrus oil, chili soy sauce, citrus peel powder
2. Eggplant in its element – baby eggplant, pickled in ginger torch vinegar, smoked eggplant creme, aromatics
3. Bangkuang Loves Passion Fruit – oven-roasted jicama, passion fruit emulsion, turmeric pickled jicama, peanut miso creme, tempered spices
4. Everything Pumpkin – the whole pumpkin, confit in cacao nib oil, charred pumpkin candlenut creme, spiced cacao nib crumble, pickled pumpkin, salted pumpkin seed powder
5. Singkong 17 – cassava garlic mousseline, 17 tasty condiments
6. Banana Blossom 2.0 – battered banana blossom, white mole sauce, lacto fermented garlic, garlic flowers
7. Bubur Beda – three-grain porridge, rawon broth, black rice cracker, soy pickled wood ear mushrooms, button mushrooms, shiitake rawon powder
8. So Much More Than Just Nutmeg – nutmeg fruit gelato, white chocolate chantilly, warm chocolate foam, kombucha pickled salak, cacao nib nougatine
9. Everything Palm Tree – palm sugar caramel gelato, tamarind jam, kaffir lime pickled palm heart, kolang kaling tamarind candy, palm sugar meringue

Here are the dishes from the locavore menu:
(the first four dishes are pictured below)

1. Good Old Squid Noodles… – confit squid, young coconut, compressed cucumber, salted lime kosho, coconut tiger milk, culantro oil, scallop boshi
2. Edi Brokoli (Just Google Him) – marinated broccoli stems, peanut miso, broccoli ham puree, seaweed, cassava ham vichyssoise, left-over broccoli powder
3. Flower Power – lots of marigold flowers, young white corn rice, mud crab, nixtamalized corn miso veloute, toasted corn husk oil
4. Into the Sawah (aka everything that lives, grows and swims in and around the Ubud rice fields) – heritage galuh rice porridge, 64 degrees duck egg yok, snails, frog leg abon, fern tips, wildflowers
5. Black is the New Orange – carrot slow roasted in smoked beef fat, kecap glaze, carrot reduction, spiced carrot puree, smoked lacto-fermented carrot powder
6. Who Doesn’t Like Fancy French Sauce?! – snapper, confit in vanilla cacao butter, black orange sauce, “maltaise”, burned tangerine, temu kunci
7. Ayam Hitam – Jon’s chicken, grilled with black garlic, garlic confit puree, black garlic kecap emulsion, pickled solo garlic, green garlic oil, crispy chicken skin cracker
8. The Real White Coffee (a.k.a. ask Ivan Falls)… – white coffee licorice gelato, mulberries in kombucha syrup, palm nectar licorice syrup, coffee crumble
9. Everything Palm Tree – palm sugar caramel gelato, tamarind jam, kaffir lime pickled palm heart, kolang kaling tamarind candy, palm sugar meringue  

The last dish of our dinner was a clever representation of the Indonesian game congklak with treats in every spot. As you may recognize from the vessel, congklak is a version of mancala, a popular strategy board game using stones or beans.

What I Thought About Locavore

Many of the dishes included flavors that were bright and strong. The menu featured several emulsions and fermented ingredients.

With the off-menu surprise dishes, our nine-course menus turned into 19 courses, which was a lot of food! As you can see, most of the courses were small, so we weren’t too uncomfortable by the end of the meal. Nearly three hours later, jet lag was more of the problem than the amount of food since we were trying not to fall asleep at the table!

Dining at Locavore was delightful because it included so many of the things I enjoy in a dining experience. The service was attentive, informative, and collaborative. The presentation lets your eyes eat first and easily resulted in a “wow” as the dish hits the table. The creativity and flavors played well together in a beautifully executed dish.

Would I return? Yes. Locavore’s menu is seasonal and the team is constantly trying new things, so it would be a new adventure. If not Locavore, I would definitely explore some of their other establishments.

Details for Your Visit

Locavore is nontraditional Indonesian food yet still every bit Indonesian. You might not see the typical nasi or mie goreng here, but Indonesian produce and meats are presented and celebrated in every dish. It’s an inspiring way to think about cuisine.

Budget-wise, it can be an investment, especially if you compare it to the price of a typical meal in Bali. Since you can easily find meals for under $5 USD, this meal could be a week’s worth of meals on your trip. Compared to other fine dining meals, it’s on par for cost, and you should always consider how price aligns with the quality of ingredients.

We made a reservation about three months before our visit, though you should be able to get a lunch or dinner reservation a few weeks before if your day and time are flexible. If I were to go back to Locavore, I’d aim for an earlier dinner time or try it for lunch. We were about one day into our trip, and with our 7 pm dinner reservation, we were fighting to stay awake by the end of the meal. Our nine-course dinner took about three hours.

I preferred the locavore menu to the herbivore menu, and I’d recommend the six-course unless you can eat more. I’d also recommend a drink pairing as part of the experience since those are also beautifully prepared.

• Ambiance: Open, spacious, green
• Attire: Casual
• Noise Level: Average
• Reservation: Recommended
• Groups: Yes
• Parking: Street
• Meal: lunch or dinner times, locavore or herbivore (vegetarian), 6 or 9-course prix fixe menus, optional drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) pairing
• Pricing:
  • Locavore menu
    • 6 dishes: Rp 895 ($63.42 USD) plus Rp 500 ($35.43 USD) drink pairing
    • 9 dishes: Rp 1195 ($84.67 USD) plus Rp 650 ($46.06 USD) drink pairing
  • Herbivore menu
    • 6 dishes: Rp 795 ($56.33 USD) plus Rp 500 ($35.43 USD) drink pairing
    • 9 dishes: Rp 1095 ($77.59 USD) plus Rp 650 ($46.06 USD) drink pairing

Locavore
Jl. Dewisita No.10, Banjar Padang, Tegal, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 am to 11 pm
https://www.locavore.co.id/

You could also check out the other establishments by the Locavore team:

• Nusantara by Locavore – opened in 2017, this restaurant features Indonesian dishes
• Night Rooster – a 40-seat bar offering fun cocktails
• Locavore To Go – Locavore’s little sister serves more casual dishes like sandwiches
• Local Parts – their cruelty-free butcher shop

P.S. Curious about more travel eats? See more restaurants here!

Follow the adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Dining at Locavore in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia appeared first on Fearless Captivations.