Our 8 Nights in Bali and 1 Night in Nusa Penida - March 2025

Arriving in Bali

Preparation for Bali was key, and once it was done—hurray! All online documents were completed, making the arrival process smooth. The auto gates were fairly quick, though the passport reader wasn’t as fast as in other places, but it still beat the long lines. After grabbing our luggage, we were randomly selected to put our bags through the x-ray machine, including my Lululemon handbag. There was also a QR code that needed to be scanned for the declaration. Since we were both on the same one, it was very quick.

Exiting the airport, we passed by all the car rental companies and had some taxi drivers approach us. We followed the Grab sign straight ahead and reached the pick-up point. There was a small lounge, likely with air conditioning, but our driver arrived just as we got there.

Hilton Bali Resort – 4 Nights

We spent our first four nights at Hilton Bali Resort. One day was particularly lovely, allowing us to enjoy the infinity pool in peace while catching up with our friends from Australia. However, the other days were grey and rainy—perfect for getting massages! The Bali massage was much gentler compared to the one we had in Thailand, which my body appreciated. The guys tried the four-hand massage, which they initially found confusing since one person worked on the upper body while the other worked on the lower. However, they loved it when both arms were massaged simultaneously. Despite the unique experience, they agreed they would prefer a two-hour massage over a four-hand one.

On a rainy day, we visited Bali Collection, an outdoor shopping mall, equipped with our umbrellas. It was a nice place to wander around.

Conrad Bali – 3 Nights

KECAK, one of the famous Balinese dance

Our next stay was at Conrad Bali for three nights. We enjoyed the dry sauna and cold dip, which were refreshing. Beach volleyball was only possible around 4 PM when the sand wasn’t scorching hot. The Conrad had more beachfront space, and we were glad they provided volleyballs. The amenities were great.

Weather can be unpredictable.

One Night in Nusa Penida

Finding a hotel in Nusa Penida was a bit tricky, but I eventually booked an adults-only four-star hotel on Booking.com. The ferry situation was a bit stressful—deciding on a company, finding the right time, and figuring out how to purchase tickets. We settled on El Rey, but their payment page wasn’t working. I messaged them on WhatsApp and went to bed, hoping it would resolve by morning.

We woke up early to allow extra time and traveled an hour from Nusa Dua to Sanur Harbour. Upon arrival, we went to El Rey’s office, where they confirmed our 11:30 AM reservation. The boarding process involved scanning our pass twice—once to enter the harbor building and again to board the boat. The boat was comfortable, and we were glad we didn’t have to wade through the water as many had described. Ticket prices varied, and we paid 260,000 IDR, though we saw online prices suggesting 400,000 IDR for two one-way tickets.

We withdrew 800,000 IDR, which turned out to be the perfect amount to cover both ferry rides, activities, and refreshments. Our hotel had arranged a driver to take us to the east side of the island.

Exploring Nusa Penida’s East Side

Our first stop was Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach, about an hour’s drive from the port. Entry was 45,000 IDR per person, which included a small water bottle—much needed in the heat. A small towel would have been useful, as I kept wiping my face with my linen blouse, which was visibly stained by the end of the day. We only went halfway down the stairs to Diamond Beach, took photos, and decided not to go all the way down. Some people swam, likely from the hotels at the top with their own stair access.

Next, we visited Thousand Island, the Tree House, and Five King viewpoints. The road there was rough. Entry was 25,000 IDR, again with a small water bottle. Some spots required additional fees for staged photo opportunities, but we weren’t interested. The hike back up was tough, with large steps making it particularly challenging. I saw a guide assisting a struggling woman up the steps—cardio and leg strength are definitely required for this trek! After cooling down with a delicious mango-strawberry vegan popsicle, we made a brief stop at Teletubbies Hills. Though only a short visit, the view was interesting.

Back at the hotel, we quickly jumped into the infinity pool and soaked in the peaceful atmosphere. We could have stayed another night, but one day of bumpy roads and beautiful beaches was enough for us. Having traveled to the Bahamas and Sardinia, we didn’t feel the need to overdo it with beach visits. Instead, we embraced the relaxation and tranquility of the island.

Silent Day Preparations & Crystal Bay

Upcoming on March 29th, 2025, is Silent Day (Nyepi), and we were there for the lead-up. On March 26th, three days before the New Year, Balinese people perform a cleansing ceremony at various beaches—we were near Crystal Bay. The ceremony is called Melasti.

We checked out at 11 AM and left our bags at the hotel before walking 20 minutes to the beach. Along the way, we saw locals returning from the ceremony, many smiling and waving at us. Some trucks passed by with drums playing as they drove along.

The beach itself had strong waves, and given that an excursion boat had recently capsized, resulting in a fatality, we decided not to snorkel. The hotel had also suspended snorkeling tours for safety reasons, so we opted for security over adventure. We had considered scuba diving, but since our flight was the next day, it wasn’t an option. Seeing manta rays and the elusive mola mola fish would have been amazing, but we told ourselves we might return one day.

Note: Taking the last ferries will be more hectic as lots of day-trippers take the last ferries back to Bali.

Back on Bali

We were fortunate to capture another parade. The atmosphere was lively, with locals dressed in traditional attire, carrying beautifully crafted offerings, and playing gamelan music.

Silent Day (Nyepi)

Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, marks the start of the Saka New Year. It is a day of complete stillness—no travel, no entertainment, and even the airport shuts down. The island embraces silence, reflection, and fasting, allowing for spiritual renewal. The night before, Ogoh-Ogoh parades take place, where large, monstrous effigies are carried through the streets and then burned to ward off evil spirits.

Final Thoughts

Bali and Nusa Penida captivated us with their natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. While some activities required planning, the effort was always worth it. If we had stayed longer in Nusa Penida, we could have explored even more hidden gems, but our time there felt fulfilling.

One thing I do wish I had done was climb a volcano. The manta rays were also high on my list—our first fun dive would have been incredible, or even just snorkeling to finally swim with them. But in the end, you don’t fully realize how much time and distance (and weather) it takes to visit certain places until you’re here. That said, I’m happy we chose to enjoy every moment rather than dwell on what we didn’t do—this time around.

With two unplanned weeks after our short stay in Singapore, who knows? Maybe we’ll end up back in Bali—perhaps to finally dive with manta rays or just to soak in the magic all over again. Or maybe Thailand, or even Japan. The adventure isn’t over yet!