Travel Date: May 4-7, 2013
Bali (Denpasar), Cebu Pacific’s 20th international destination which debut last March 2013.
Before, most of the Filipino travelers would still go to Jakarta, Malaysia or Singapore first. Then take a connecting flight to Ngurah Rai International Airport to reach Bali. Now you can reach Bali with direct flight from Manila, I bought this ticket (May 2013) last February 2013 during the online sale on behalf of the 20th Traveland Tour Expo. (Base Fare + Fuel Surcharge of 2671.50Php/way)
Blame it to Memories of Eat Pray Love?
Around 2004, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) brought “Something Happened in Bali”, which was shown in abs-cbn (local channel in the Philippines) as “Memories of Bali”. The first and last episodes of the series have done justice in promoting Bali as a tourist destination.
In 2010, Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Eat, Pray, Love” has become more popular after Julia Robert gave life to it on film. A story about a woman looking for herself and found love in Bali, after which meeting Ketut Liyer became a popular attraction in Ubud, Bali.
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.
You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes
even travel around the world looking for it.”
“Smile with face, smile with mind, and good energy
will come to you and clean away dirty energy.”
- Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Where to stay?
Most of my readings, travelers normally take half of their trip in Ubud (in the middle of the green fields to meet Ketut Liyer). Then, on the second half, they stay by the beach. Since I've been to the Philippine pride Banaue Rice Terraces, Bontoc, and Sagada, I decided to skip staying in Ubud.
In the beach area, after reading different blogs and trip reports, I would decide to stay on Seminyak area, posh and villa types of accommodation are offered there. But after seeing and experiencing the area, I would love to stay in Kuta-Legian area, preferably near Jl. Raya Kuta (Beach Walk mall near Jl. Poppies II), Kuta Square, Kuta Center, and Discovery Kartika Plaza.
My choice is not bad at all, The 101 Legian. There is a superior room originally with room rate of 488USD (19,976.00Php)/night, but with the flash deal at agoda (early booking saver rate), I got it at 2855Php/night. Book The ONE Legian Hotel, Bali in Agoda
Check-in Experience: Average - For me their check-in schedule time of 3:00pm is too late this is normally 12:00nn to others. But since there is no other choice and so as to make the time useful, we rested for a while at their lobby overlooking Jl. Raya, then we left our luggage at their Safety Room, used their very stylish washroom and finally left for the initial street walk at Legian.
