How To Manage Your 3 Day Holiday In Bali

Many people know the name Bali, but not many know that Bali is a beautiful island in Indonesia with lots of interesting sights such as temples, beaches, tourist attractions and water sports. Although Muslims in Bali are a minority (92% are Hindu) Islam arrived there around the 13th and 14th centuries through the Gelgel kingdom. There are many mosques which can be found in almost every town and are scattered across the island. When we visit Bali, we enjoy the beauty of nature the most and visiting Bali for just 3 days is never enough! If you only have a very short time for holiday, however, my notes below may be helpful for spending your time relaxing with your loved ones.

Day 1               

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu
We climbed the stairs at Uluwatu

Day 1 can be spent visiting the Uluwatu Temple. Uluwatu comes from the word “Ulu” means soil and “Watu” means rock. There are holy sites for Hindus located at the top of the hill and you will have to climb the stairs to the top of the hill. Uluwatu has a very beautiful view of the sea and waves beneath, and we felt close to the natural beauty that Allah (SWT) created while visiting.

For tourists who visit Uluwatu or other temples, they will be asked to wear clothes that are provided at the entrance if they are wearing shorts or skirts above the knee. It is to honor their places of worship.

Before entering the place, the guide will normally explain that wearing glasses, bringing cameras, and bags or shoes with shiny beads are prohibited because there are monkeys along the trail. We did not, however, encounter any annoying monkeys while we were in Bali.

Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran
Seafood Restaurant at Jimbaran

The tourists who visit Uluwatu generally wait for sunset and enjoy the Kecak dance performance, but we did not watch the dance as we preferred to go directly to Jimbaran to have dinner and pray Maghrib there.

Jimbaran

It was a little bit difficult to find halal food in Bali, but there is a great seafood restaurant near the beach of Jimbaran. We enjoyed fish, lobster, squid, shrimp, and stir-fried vegetables. After Maghrib time, visitors were spoiled with beautiful Balinese dances.

Learning how to make silver and gold jewelry
Learning how to make silver and gold jewelry

Day 2

Craft Silver/Gold in Celuk

Day 2 can be spent in Celuk, a village known for its gold and silver handicrafts. Tourists who want to learn how to make gold and silver from craftsmen and artists would love to come to this place. Gold and silver crafts in Celuk are of high quality and the craftsmen showed us how to make silver jewelry of various types and creations. Beautiful souvenirs of export commodities produced in this country such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, and other types of jewelry are also available. The village is located in the district of Sukawati, Gianyar.

Mount and Lake Batur, in front of our restaurant
The Lake and Mount of  Batur, in front of our restaurant

Kintamani

Kintamani is a very popular location with the beauty of the lake and mount of Batur. If you want to visit there, the most appropriate time is in the late morning. People who visit cannot often enjoy the beauty of the lake because of the fog-covered scenery but Alhamdulillah, when we visited there, the weather was sunny and we were able to sit in one of the restaurants with the view of the Lake and Mount of Batur around us. Restaurants along the Lake of Batur are generally closed from 2-3 pm because of the fog cover and lack of visibility on the road. A prayer room is provided in the restaurant for those who want to pray.

Roasting Luwak coffee
Roasting and pounding Luwak coffee beans

Luwak (Civet) Coffee Plantation, Kintamani

Luwak Coffee is one of the very popular agricultural products from Bali. The Luwak or civet, is a small mammal that is very fond of eating beans. The civet can even differentiate between the level of maturity of the coffee beans from 90-100%. In actually, the coffee bean is not the main meal of the mongoose and they only eat beans during the coffee harvest season. The civet’s digestive system is very simple and the coffee beans that are eaten by the civets undergo a process of fermentation in their digestive organs. This process creates a unique flavor which reduces the bitter taste of the coffee flavor so that Luwak coffee has a special taste. The digestive organs of the civet are very simple so the beans are still wrapped and are not destroyed during its digestive process. The protein content of Luwak coffee is lower than regular coffee as it goes through a more optimal fermentation which acts in reducing the bitter taste in coffee, in contrast to the roasting process. As a result, Luwak coffee is not as bitter as regular coffee due to its low protein content, and the aroma as well as the taste of Luwak coffee is very distinct.

Because the process for developing the coffee is disconcerting (the seeds of the coffee berries are eaten and defecated by the civet) there has been a debate whether Luwak coffee is halal to be consumed. Indonesian’s Ulema Majlis assessed Luwak coffee as having an unclean element because the beans eaten by the civets have been through the process of digestion and have been expelled through the feces, however, after washing the beans with water the coffee beans become HALAL. Drinking the coffee is not a problem. Wallahu A’lam.

Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring
Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring

We also were given the opportunity to assist in the process of making it by roasting the coffee beans (with firewood), then pounding it. Due to its unique process, its special taste, and its aroma, Luwak coffee is quite expensive.

Tirta Empul (Tampaksiring Palace)

Pura Tirta Empul is located in the village of Tampak Siring and is accessible by public transportation from Ubud. Within this area there are baths that have been used for over a thousand years by the people of Hindu Bali. 

At the Turtles Island
At the Turtles Island

Day 3

Tanjung Benoa Beach and The Turtle Island       

Day 3 can culminate by visiting the Tanjung Benoa Beach and Turtle Island. Your vacation is not complete if you do not try some of the various water sports in Bali. In Tanjung Benoa Beach, children and adults will enjoy Banana boats, flying fish, jet-skis, para-sailing, rolling donuts, snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, and ski-walkers.

A suitable tour package for families with children is for a trip across to Turtle Island in Tanjung Benoa. You can go as far as 300-500 meters out to sea by a motorized boat with a clear glass floor and from the boat you can enjoy the beautiful underwater scenery without having to dive. There are coral reefs, an assortment of ornamental fish, marine plants and other marine animals visible and the guide may give you some bread so that the children can feed the fish from the boat. The ride will last for about 15 minutes.

Turtle Island is a location for turtle breeding. You can see turtle eggs that have been incubated by small and large turtles, and visitors are allowed to hold the turtles. Remember to be careful, however, if you hold a baby turtle so that it does not fall because this particular type of turtle does not survive long. Adult turtles have an average weight of 35-45 kg. You can also interact with other animals such as snakes and various birds.

Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot

The Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most valuable attractions and is well-known for its distinctive offshore scenery and beautiful sunsets. The onshore location is peppered with smaller temples and visitor facilities such as  restaurants, shops and cultural parks that offer regular dance performances. The temple is situated in the Beraban Village of the Tabanan regency, an estimated 20 km northwest of Kuta, and most tours include travel to Bali’s western and central regions.

Below are several links for learning more about mosques, halal places, and attractions in Bali:

List of mosques in Bali

Halal places in Bali

Indonesia Travel

Have a nice holiday!

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