Let me start by saying that Bali was never really at the top of my bucket list; and no, I didn’t go there just because of the book “Eat, Pray, Love”. I decided to take a trip there simply because a few people that I’ve met in the travel industry all told me that Bali, especially Ubud, is one of their favorite destinations. Oh boy, and as I found out, it is not overrated at all. I fell in love hard with this island.

We arrived in Bali in the early afternoon and were greeted by our local guide with a handmade flower garland right when I made my exit from the terminal. We drove straight from the airport to the Monkey Forest in Ubud where dozens of monkeys live peacefully around the traditional temple complex. It was truly an amazing experience! We later checked in at the hotel and even though we’ve stayed at several amazing hotels around the world, the hotels here are by far the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at. It’s also no secret that luxury hotel rates in Bali are very affordable compared to other destinations. You get a cultural hub in Ubud with views of green rice paddies, local yoga studios, and little towns where you can observe the way of the villagers. I’m not surprised why so many people pick Bali for their wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary destination.

Though Bali receives many western tourists throughout the year, it’s amazing to me that they’re still able to preserve their local tradition. You can see this through the way they live, eat, and work. From Ubud, we drove to the South where the beautiful ocean lies. They’re many great diving and snorkeling spots here. This time we stayed at a resort in Nusa Dua.