3 weeks in Bali, Indonesia- 5/28- 6/15/2024

Day 3- Tanjung Benoa Beach, Uluwatu-5/29/2024

We had our breakfast and we had 15 minutes before our tour guide will pick us up,  so we went to the Golf Terrace Restaurant (in our resort) and sat in an area adjacent to the Gold course.

This spot offers a fantastic vantage point over the manicured fairways of the New Kuta Golf Course.

We watched golfers walking around the golf course sporting bright, crisp polos and hats against the deep green grass.

Players walking to their cart are transitioning between the serious focus of their swing and the brief, relaxing drive to the next hole.

This morning, our tour guide will pick us up from our hotel and will drive us to Tanjung Benoa Beach, afterwards we will headed to Nusa Dua, and will end the day at Melasti beach, and watching the famous Kecak and Fire Dance.

Tanjung Benoa beach

Tanjung Benoa beach is is a major hub for water activities in Bali. The beach is very active with lot of boats clustered close to shore.

The area is very much tourist-oriented in terms of water-sports operations, so it’s expected to be busy.

So many people lined up and suited up because it’s a big water-sport zone, there are a lot of life vests, staff, and safety briefings happening on the beach.

People waiting for their turn to get on a boat.

There are so many boats in the area.

Flyboarding, for a real adrenaline rush: shoot up into the air on a water-powered board.

 Banana Boat, a classic fun ride with a group, bouncing over waves on an inflatable banana-shaped boat, and Jet Ski, probably the most popular. You can ride a jet ski either with an instructor or solo.

Parasailing, you can be towed by a speedboat, fly high up in the air, and see the coastline from above.

Our guide brought us to the beach near Bintang Watersports, and the moment we arrived we could tell it was a very busy, tourist-driven area. The shoreline was packed with people wearing life vests, lining up for activities, and groups waiting their turn to board jet skis, banana boats, parasailing rides, and all kinds of water sports. There were boats everywhere just offshore, engines running, and staff constantly calling out instructions.

We walked around for about twenty minutes to take it in, but it didn’t really match the experience we were looking for, too commercial, too crowded, and not the relaxed beach atmosphere we enjoy. So we decided to leave and continue on to our next stop: Nusa Dua Beach, hoping for something a bit calmer and more scenic.

Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua is truly one of Bali's most beautiful and peaceful areas, it often surprises visitors with its tranquility compared to other parts of the island.

This is exactly what we were looking for, far from all the touristy place.

The beach.

Walking through the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Grand Hyatt Bali. From the garden, we could already see the coastline ahead, and the ocean opening up in front of us.

 Closer to the water, the scenery shifted. Instead of just sandy shore, we reached a spot where the waves were crashing against large boulders, sending white splashes up with each surge. The sound of the surf mixing with the ocean breeze gave this area a wilder, more dramatic feel while still being peaceful and beautifully maintained.

I noticed a lot of these palm trees with “stilt roots” (also called prop roots) growing out of the ground.  In coastal zones, wind, shifting sands, and erosion can make rooting difficult, stilt roots help palms cope with that.

These roots emerge above the soil and angle down into the earth (or toward it), giving that triangular or angled appearance.

Stilt roots help stabilize the palm, especially in areas with loose or sandy soil (like near the beach). Because palms don’t have a deep taproot, having these above-ground roots gives them extra anchorage.

Large waves crashing agaisnt large boulders.

Watching the waves crashing against this boulder is so mesmerizing.

 As we continued walking, the pathways were lined with lush plants and bougainvillea in full bloom, splashing bright pink and purple along the walkway. The gardens felt calm and elegant, a big contrast from the crowds earlier.

As we continued walking, we reached Nusa Dua Beach. The sand was lined with small huts and shaded loungers, giving the beach a relaxed, almost secluded feel.

The waves rolled in softly and the area felt incredibly calm and peaceful, quiet enough that you could just hear the water and the breeze through the palms.

We sat on the beach, sinking into fine, soft sand while taking in the peaceful surroundings. Despite the gentle white foam forming where the waves met the shore, the water felt calm and serene. The whole scene was quiet, almost soothing, as if the beach had its own quiet rhythm untouched by the world around it.

Lunch at BeJana

Bejana is perched on a cliff-top, offering stunning, panoramic views of Nusa Dua and the Indian Ocean, especially from the beautiful outdoor seating areas. It's an elegant and romantic setting that creates a memorable atmosphere.

Fresh coconut!

 Hoa ordered the Gado-Gado, It literally means "mix-mix" that features a mix of vegetables (like long beans, cabbage, and bean sprouts), boiled potato, fried tofu, hard-boiled egg, grilled fish and braised chicken.

The dishes are so colorful and appetizing.

I ordered Bebek Betutu (Balinese Roasted Duck).  The duck that is slow-simmered in a rich spice mixture (like turmeric, galangal, and lemongrass) to make it tender, and then deep-fried until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Bebek Betutu is the traditional Balinese slow-roasted duck, where the whole duck is stuffed with an intensely flavorful spice paste (bumbu) and wrapped tightly in banana leaves or foil before being slow-cooked for many hours.

NEXT... Melasti beach, Kecak Fire Dance