I recently got back from Asia and the largest block of time was spent in Bali. There were pros and cons to Bali, but there were some pleasant surprises that greeted me. As Bali has been on the map for a while, it worried me that it would set me back a pretty penny. My Airbnb had a few issues but did at least have a view of the ocean. Sadly, the air conditioner had several issues and so I had to eventually switch out where I stayed. I then stayed at the Swiss Bel-Hotel in Kuta, and it was a refreshing change from my prior accommodations. The hotel delivered a comfortable and enjoyable experience, exceeding expectations in many ways. Located in the bustling Kuta area, it offered convenient access to local shops, restaurants, making it ideal for exploring the vibrant surroundings. The staff was attentive and welcoming, ensuring a smooth and pleasant stay.

The room itself was modern and well-maintained, providing a cozy space to relax. One of the highlights was the hotel’s pool area, which was perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. Additionally, the on-site restaurant served delicious meals, with a mix of local and international options at an affordable price. The all you can eat breakfast buffet could be had for $6 dollars. Overall, the Swiss Bel-Hotel in Kuta proved to be a delightful stay that combined affordability, convenience, and comfort in one package. It was a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and pleasant place to stay while visiting Bali.

I did not explore the island as much as I wanted to, but it was perfect for truly unwinding and not feeling like a tourist trap like other destinations. It is perfect for unwinding with friends, family, and lovers alike. I mostly hung with a friend, and the sun and things nearby kept me occupied. My friend and I did explore the rice terraces, which were still nice and the Tegenungan Waterfall was quaint and if we had more time, I would have explored the nearby village and little bar near the waterfall. I was worried about the price, but from the Youtube videos I watched endorsed cheap drinks and food. If the drive was not so long and I did not have as so many issues with payments, I might have been more adventurous, but I wanted to make sure we got back at a decent time.

The one day I did go out on my own, I did explore Kota, and it seemed filled to the brim with some nice restaurants. 88 Chicken! 鸡酒麵屋 팔팔치킨 and the Retro Kitchen and Bar were two highlights from my excursion to Kota. ICON Bali was also worth visiting. Whether you’re looking to relax in the lush tropical surroundings, explore vibrant local markets, or indulge in world-class dining, ICON Bali provides the perfect setting for unravelling and for romantic getaways down the promenades. But beyond that, you can grab food for cooking from the supermarket or wine from the wine shop. ICON Bali has plenty of bar and food options. ICON Bali is also convenient in that it is open until 10pm.

For upscale dining and drinks, stop by Rosso Vivo Dine & Lounge provides buy one get one free during Happy Hour and their Grade C steaks pared very well with my Cuban mini cigars. For the price I would not miss it. My friend and I also went to the Hard Rock Cafe, and while the drinks were pretty good (albeit kind of expensive for Asia), the music was meh. While it was still nice to enjoy time with a friend, I could think of some less expensive and more enjoyable options. One final mention that was an honorable mention and that was a shocker was Don Juan Mexican Restaurant and Bar. I was not expecting that Mexican could be done right in Asia, but if you get a hankering, I highly suggest it. My friend does not get to eat Mexican food a lot, so I figured why not, and it was not bad.

I will touch on a few final loose ends. Grab food delivery seemed to not work at all, whereas Grab cabs worked 75% of the time. Grab worked way better than Didi in China. I would suggest having cash and Western Union, especially to send to e-wallets. Payments still worked 75% better than China but still had issues. ATMs that I ran into seemed more locked into Mastercard than Visa but tap to pay worked better than I expected. Most touristy places accept tap to pay. T-Mobile data worked flawlessly throughout my trip, but long distances call to my bank was a bit off putting. Censorship (especially of Reddit) was also off-putting, but there were relays for most popular services. Interestingly, I had more issues with censorship in Indonesia than China. The beaches were nice, but I only went out once or twice. Overall, Bali is great for just relaxing and is still not too touristy and can still be enjoyed, even for the biggest skeptic like me.