Bali and Lombok

Yes, everyone has been to Bali and everyone raves about how amazing and life changing it is on social media. I agree about the amazing but still have to figure out the life changing part. As this was my first trip to Indonesia, my goal was to meet Bali with no expectations and without any preconceived ideas. As a first timer with only 3 weeks to travel, I focused on Ubub, Canggu and the island of Lombok.

Ubud is beautiful but packed with tourists in August and traffic can get pretty crazy. You can get a driver for cheap but be prepared to crowded streets.  Renting a scooter and exploring the country side will give you a more authentic experience.

Canggu is a surfer hipster’s paradise where most people surf, chill and eat out all day. There isn’t much to do or visit except to hang out at the beach, enjoy a drink or shop at the local stores. It is easy to get pulled in this beautiful cookie cutter palm tree paradise where Bali seems to morph into a much less expensive version of California. Canggu is great fun but it will not give you a real and authentic feel of Indonesia.

Last but not least, the island of Lombok was probably my favorite part of the trip. It is more raw and less touristy and gave me a greater sense of freedom. Keep in mind that the island is Muslim and therefore the culture, aesthetics and food are different from what you get in Bali.The pristine beaches with crystal clear water are ideal if you want to escape from the crowds.