We made it to Bali! | Day 1 in Uluwatu

Aug 18, 2017Travel

We made it to Bali! 

ULUWATU DAY 1

It took a 13 hour flight from LAX to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, and then a 5 hour flight from Taiwan to Denpasar. I immediately noticed the amount of tourists flooding the airport hall towards baggage claim. There were a lot of them, and we were part of it. I don’t know how but somehow I packed verrrrry light for this trip and only brought my Deuter backpack. I was very thankful for this because that meant I didn’t have to wait in line for my bags, and I wouldn’t have to worry about losing my luggage.

*Pro Tip: Use the bathroom before you head to immigration because (1) there will be a long line, and (2) it’s harder to find a bathroom once you leave the airport.

We stepped out to the arrivals area and were greeted by about a hundred hoteliers and taxi drivers holding up signs with all sorts of names on them. I prearranged a pick up with a guy named Mario who we were referred to, but after half an hour of searching for him and feeling lost, we decided to go with another taxi driver who approached us asking if we needed a ride. The drive was a 1.5-hour sensory overload ride from Denpasar to Uluwatu. It was about 4pm and traffic was peaking. Lucky for us, our taxi driver knew all the backroads so we barely had to stop. The road was bumpy, the air smelled of fuel, and I got a little motion sickness. I didn’t care, I was having the time of my life. By about 5pm, we finally arrived at Batu Jaran Hill – our beautiful AirBnB clifftop cabin.

Can you believe it only cost $55 USD per night? After a quick dip in the infinity pool, Ian rented a scooter and we zipped off to Pantai Suluban beach just in time for a magnificent red sunset into the ocean’s horizon.

To get there, we traversed down many flights of uneven steps and ended up below the cliffs and marveled at the beach access. It’s known locally as Suluban Beach (“sulub” meaning to dodge) because surfers may need to crawl beneath the cliff rocks. We stopped for dinner at Delpi Waroeng at the top of the cliff, and I got my first taste of the Indonesia’s most popular meal – nasi goreng (fried rice).

low res images / high quality memories

I was too excited to sit in our BnB, no matter how beautiful it was. So we moto’d around Uluwatu looking for a power adapter and a SIM card, but to no avail. By 9pm we had retreated back to our cabin and got some much needed sleep.

*Note to self: always remember to pack universal power adapter! We could not find it in all of Uluwatu (that we saw, and we stopped many a mini-mart).


I barely took any photos on this first day. I was soaking it all in and prioritized the present. And didn’t want to risk bringing my camera while we were scootering around at first. But I do want to take more photos in the coming days!

What would you like to see from Bali? More to come!

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Photography

SESSIONS: Kelley & Alden (+1) almost there

Another session with Kelley and Alden. This glowing mom-to-be is due to give birth any day now, and she's making...
Moments

Hallway shelfie

Little bits and bobs in the hallway that make me happy
Lifestyle

LIFE: Scuba diving Hole in the Reef and travel plans

Scuba diving at Hole in the Reef, and my BCD broke!! Summer 2017 travel has been booked. And hosting travel...
Travel

New Zealand: Our Cozy North Shore AirBnB

Just about fell in love with the entire NZ north shore because of all the little tidbits of good homey...
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Throwback – Christmas Day Paddle

Logging this one here for the mems. Christmas day paddling all around the front beach and out past the reef...
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Sleepy sleepy

On Sunday morning, I felt so fatigued from the DIY project my husband and I started the day before; but...
Culture Lifestyle Photo Diaries

2021 Farm Fair at Fagatogo Market

March 26, 2021 - Snaps around the Fagatogo Market during the Farm Fair Gabs got us each a fresh cold...
Moments

morning moon set

The moon setting at 6am yesterday. Peaceful moments chillin' in the net hammocks by the lagoon.
Lifestyle

CLOTHING SWAP

Clothing swaps are a fun way to reduce, reuse and recycle! We all got together for a yummy mix of breakfast...
Moments

Hearts day

We played some silly games at my church's Hearts Day banquet, and Ian and I won King and Queen of...
Lifestyle Travel

EV NAUTILUS PHOTO JOURNAL PT. 3 | DEEP SEA EXPLORATION IN AMERICAN SAMOA

Part 3 (the final chapter) of my photo journal with the E/V Nautilus, exploring my home waters with the National...
Lifestyle

Fun “Office” Day at Fagatele Bay

A fun "office" day at Fagatele Bay with the NMSAS science team. I absoltely love when I'm able to get...
Culture Lifestyle

First Friday at the Fagatogo Market

Photos at Fagatogo Marketplace for March's First Friday. I brought Sutton (my camera) along because I've been feeling motivated to...
Meet Photography

French Pirates

Meet Diane and Louise. French pirates (not really really) and BFFs who are currently volunteering at the National Park of...
Lifestyle

Life Lately: Sunrise haze and updates

Woke up this morning to a pastel haze outside my kitchen window. Thought I'd share this view with you, along...
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Us at P.R.O.M.

Cutie couples pics to celebrate each other and all the amazing talent that will grace the stage.
Moments Photo Diaries

Sunset casa

The casa basking in the golden glow of sunset — my favorite time of day at home. No filter needed....
Photo Diaries

I’m 29 now, wow.

The days, weeks, months, and years seem to go by faster as I get older. I still feel like a...
Moments

Plantiful

Been a bit obsessed with my plants lately. Trying to experiment with propagation of my sansevieria, golden pothos, and that...
Moments

Ian caught this Dascyllus aruanus

at Coconut Point and here we're transporting it to the National Parks office for their new aquarium exhibit.