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

Create Sustainable Living

Look What I Made: Zero Waste Bifold Card Wallet

So it’s currently midnight and I’d normally be in bed already buuuut I felt the urge to craft and make...
Moments

I love my family, and I love that my family loves each other 💞
Photography

SESSIONS: Kelley & Alden (+1)

At 7 months pregnant, Kelley is still a bombshell in a lavalava. This hot mama and her handsome husband of...
Culture Photography

2017 Samoana Jazz & Arts Festival

The 4th annual Samoana Jazz & Arts Festival in American Samoa. A 3-day annual music festival featuring local artists and...
Moments

This time last year

Our trip to Samoa. And in less than a week, we're going back!
Photo Diaries

Scruff in the yellow sun

Some pics I took one evening in October while Officer Scruffles sat perched on the railing looking like a cute...
Lifestyle

A Lazy Flag Day for Me

Flag Day is a day of cultural performances for government employees and visiting dignitaries. American Samoa dependence day, and my...
Moments

Lifestyle Sustainable Living

Preparing for #PlasticFreeJuly

One of my goals for 2018 was to strive for a zero waste lifestyle, and I’ve accepted the challenge to...
Moments

Really

really missing my little nuggets. I tear up a little whenever I facetime them and they run up yelling "Aunty...
Moments

Liuasi and Sima
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Celebrating my birthday in quarantine, social distancing outdoor movie night with friends

I never would've imagined I'd have a social distancing/ pandemic/ quarantine themed birthday but such is life! Outdoor movie night...
Lifestyle

Sunday Fun Day: Tidepools and Whale Watching

Not much to do on Sundays, except for jumping into tidepools, snorkeling at the beach, and whale watching with friends....
Photography

SESSIONS: Kate & Taylor / Sunrise besties

Life is better with friends... What are your friendships like? This one is silly, loving, and adventurous! Dedicated teachers turned...
Journal Photo Diaries

Dad turns 60!

Celebrating my dad's birthday, and feeling exceptionally blessed that our family can still find our health and safety intact.
Travel

Photo Diary: Auckland

Traveling photo diary in the "City of Sails" Auckland, New Zealand. Good vibes, our beautiful AirBnB coffee, brews, and the...
Lifestyle Travel

Passing through Olosega

Olosega is part of the Manu'a group separated from Ofu island by the Asaga Strait. We admired the view of...
Moments

Some people are exhausting. Really taking notice of how much I’m enjoying my time in isolation.
Photography

Hanae + Tana’s American Samoa Court Wedding

Photos I took for Hanae and Tana late last year when they made their love official in a beautiful emotional...
Travel

Photo Journal: South to North Island, New Zealand

Sharing another long forgotten photo journal recovered from my drafts folder. I'm slowly clearing that out, and so please don't...