Forget “Eat, Pray, Love.” Our Bali trip was “Slip, Pray, Laugh.” Between kleptomaniac monkeys, cat-poop coffee, and cliffs that test your quadriceps, this was the family adventure of a lifetime.
Getting There & First Impressions
We flew into Denpasar from Kuala Lumpur — a breezy three-hour hop. A pre-booked Grab driver waited for us, and after Airport formalities and flaunting our E-Visa, we were on our way to Ubud. The ride took about 1.5 hours (since it was mid-night, during day the time can be 2 to 3 hours), winding through rice paddies and incense-filled villages.
Our hotel in Ubud was a leafy boutique villa tucked into a rice field. A plunge pool, and geckos on guard duty. It smelled of frangipani and mosquito repellent — Bali’s signature welcome combo.
π Ubud – Temples, Monkeys & Mild Panic
We glanced at the clock: 2 a.m. We all crashed on the bed tired from our trip from Kuala Lumpur… only to be woken at 11 a.m. by a flurry of phone calls from the hotel reception and several polite knocks on the door. Apparently, breakfast had already ended and the staff was worried we’d joined a secret society of eternal sleepers.
Me: “Uh… we’re alive!”
Wife: “Do I get breakfast in bed, or just judgment?”Son: “I hope they brought pancakes… and Wi-Fi.”
The hotel staff, bless their souls, kept breakfast aside for us and delivered a full room-service feast. Pancakes, fresh fruit, and coffee magically appeared at our door. I silently promised to hug every hotel worker in Bali if I ever saw them again. With our tummies stuffed, soon we were ready to explore Ubud.
Sacred Monkey Forest – The Original Bali Reality Show
First stop: Sacred Monkey Forest. Imagine a nature park where the locals are 600+ sassy monkeys and you’re just a guest in their tree-top mansion. The Monkey Forest is equal parts temple complex, jungle trail, and monkey reality show. As you stroll under the giant banyan trees, long-tailed macaques swing over your head like they’re auditioning for a jungle version of Cirque du Soleil.
Pro tip: Hide your sunglasses, water bottles, and snacks unless you’re ready to reenact a National Geographic moment. The mossy stone statues and ancient temple gates give this place an “Indiana Jones meets Planet of the Apes” vibe — but in the best possible way.
Me: “Hold onto your sunglasses, they’re basically furry pickpockets.”
Son: “Dad, that one’s looking at me.”
Wife: “Relax, just smile for the photo.”
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Cue the monkey photobomb: one leapt right in front of us. My wife looked serene. My son looked like he was the lucky one.
Tip: Wear closed shoes, leave plastic bags at home, and hold onto your sunglasses — they’re basically furry pickpockets.
Ubud Palace & Saraswati Temple
The Ubud Palace was so ornate my son whispered, “Is this Minecraft in real life?” We wandered through courtyards where gamelan music floated in the air.
If Ubud had a royal living room, it would be Ubud Palace – only bigger, fancier, and with fewer IKEA chairs. Officially called Puri Saren Agung, this place was built for Bali’s royal family and still oozes “old money” vibes. Picture gold-tipped gates, intricate stone carvings, and courtyards so photogenic they practically beg to be on Instagram.
But Ubud Palace isn’t just for standing around feeling fancy. Every evening the palace courtyard transforms into an open-air theater where traditional Balinese dance performances happen — think glittering costumes, hypnotic gamelan music, and storytelling so dramatic even Netflix would be jealous. The best part? It’s right in the middle of Ubud, so you can wander from palace to market to cafΓ© without breaking a sweat (well, except in Bali humidity).
In short: Ubud Palace is where you go to soak up Balinese culture, pretend you’re royalty for an hour, and snap that “wish you were here” photo your friends will secretly envy.
While, we wanted to watch the Balinese performance, we also wanted to see Saraswati Temple. We got to know that artists are performing The Ramayana that evening. So the evening was spent watching the epic tale of Lord Ram from front seats (we reached early, really early). There is a restaurant inside the temple premises where you can eat while you wait for the show to start.
Wife (whispering): “This is magical.”
Son (whispering): “Is Diwali round the corner? Is this Ram Leela?.”
Me: “Shhh, you’ll get us kicked out.”
Tip: Arrive 30 minutes early for good seats and grab a fresh coconut from the street vendors outside.
On the way while exploring Ubud, we came across music festival which was celebrated ahead of Nyepi. If you're wondering what Nyepi is, scroll down a bit and you'll find out. The fest had many artists performing and people enjoying the food and art along with the effigies of demons that would be burned in few days.
Bali Swing – High Fashion Meets Mild Terror
Perched over the jungle, the Bali Swing is a photographer’s dream and an acrophobe’s nightmare. If Bali had a screensaver, it would be the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. Endless green steps of rice paddies cascade down hillsides like Mother Nature’s version of an amphitheater. The views here are so dreamy, your camera roll will explode before your coffee even cools.
Walk along the narrow paths, watch farmers tend their fields, or try the iconic swing that launches you out over the terraces for that “I’m-so-free” Instagram moment (you’ll look calm, your heart will be screaming). Early morning visits give you misty views and fewer tourists — but even at its busiest, Tegallalang still feels like Bali’s green heartbeat.
My wife glided above the jungle like a Bali goddess in a perfume ad. My son and I stood below, the unpaid paparazzi:
Me: “Tilt your chin, more wind in the hair!”
Son: “Mom, dab in midair!”
Wife (from swing): “You’re both fired.”
Honestly, I did not feel bad as the people who manage the swing took over the camera and clicked some beautiful shots which I would have never.
The staff was excellent at clicking the pictures that looked very professional.
Coffee tasting followed, where we learned about Luwak coffee (yes, the cat-poop one). We didn’t try it. Some things are best left for National Geographic. See the cat below!!
Then — plot twist — the sky cracked open. Biblical rain. Fallen trees. A two-hour Grab ride back. We ended the night with burgers, fries, wet socks, and the slow realization our Bali trip was morphing into a disaster movie.
Tip: There are several spots that offer Bali swing, some popular ones where you may have to spend hours in queue and some quiet ones. Choose wisely.
π Nusa Penida – The Cliff-Hugging Escape
We hopped a speedboat to Nusa Penida, our son clutching his life jacket like a teddy bear. The trip from Sanur to Nusa Penida takes about 40 minutes, though the sea feels like a trampoline for grown-ups.
On the island we hired a driver (essential — the roads are rough) and saw Kelingking Beach (aka T-Rex Cliff), Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, and snorkeled at Crystal Bay.
On the island: Kelingking Beach (aka T-Rex Cliff), Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, and snorkeling at Crystal Bay.
First stop: Kelingking Beach
Wife (from cliff edge): “This view is insane!”
Me (ten feet back): “Yes, so is the drop!”
Son: “Can we go back to monkeys?”
Tip: The trek may look easy in the picture than in reality!!
Instagram loves Nusa Penida. Your knees, however, may not. Bring sturdy shoes, water, and a sense of humor.
We also sampled the legendary banana pancake shacks — 50% carbs, 50% Instagram. For lunch we tried Nasi Campur (rice with veggies, tempeh, and chicken) and fresh coconut water served straight from the husk.
The Great Escape from Nyepi
Nyepi (Balinese New Year) is the island’s day of silence. But the day before? Total carnival chaos with demon effigies and street parades. We had to escape to Nusa Dua before everything shut down.
Son: “Dad, if one of these demons comes alive, we’re toast.”
Wife: “Smile for the picture anyway.”
Our crawl through the parades gave us a front-row seat to Bali’s most colorful chaos. The effigies towered higher than our hotel, dancers in monster masks performed in the street, and our driver muttered prayers under his breath.
At last, our Nusa Dua Beach resort: infinity pools, stocked bar, and Wi-Fi strong enough for trauma-posting. We’d successfully dodged an island-wide spiritual mute button. Read here the full blown story on Nyepi when we realized what are we getting intro during our holiday.
π‘ Tips for Travelers (So You Don’t Repeat Our Mistakes)
Monkeys: They’re cute but cunning. Secure your sunglasses, snacks, and phones.
Rain Gear: Bali weather can switch from sunny postcard to disaster movie in 5 minutes. Pack a poncho.
Nyepi Day: Everything shuts down. Book your stay in advance and stock up on snacks. It usually falls in March (date keeps on changing according to astronomy, it is their new year).
Luwak Coffee: Great story, questionable experience.
Nusa Penida Trails: Bring sturdy shoes. Those cliffs are no joke.
Family Banter: Nothing bonds a family like surviving tropical chaos together.
Food We Loved in Bali
Babi Guling (suckling pig) – Bali’s signature dish, best from local warungs.
Nasi Campur – A tasty plate of rice, vegetables, tempeh, chicken or fish.
Bebek Betutu (slow-cooked duck) – Rich, aromatic, perfect with steamed rice.
Banana Pancakes – Every guesthouse serves their own version.
Smoothie Bowls – Bright, fruity, and Instagram-ready.
Kopi Bali (local coffee) – Strong, earthy, and everywhere.
π To Sum It All Up
“Bali taught me two things: Always carry a raincoat, and never underestimate monkeys with kleptomaniac tendencies.”
“We came for inner peace, found demon parades and cat poop coffee instead.”
“My wife floats like a mermaid at Crystal Bay; I float like a dad who forgot gym day.”
“We survived Nyepi, Nusa Penida cliffs, and 4,000 monkey selfies — Bali’s holy trinity.”
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π΄ Closing Vibe
Our Bali trip wasn’t the serene, glowing, Instagram-perfect escape we pictured. It was rain, monkeys, cat-poop coffee, demon parades, and cliffs that made our knees weak. It was also breathtaking, hilarious, and absolutely unforgettable. And honestly? Those are the stories we’ll be retelling for years — long after the tan fades but the punchlines remain.
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