Bali Paradise: Waterfalls and Hidden Temples

After picking up our car from the airport, our first stop was Expat. Roaster. This specialty coffee shop has locations across Indonesia. Since Indonesia is a major coffee producer, we really wanted to try the best of Balinese coffee. This location is on the smaller side, but there are two floors and also some seating outside. We waited for a few minutes to grab seating, as it tends to be very busy there. I decided to choose an iced chai latte, and Michael got a light roast pour over with Balinese coffee beans.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall in Siangan is one of the most visited waterfalls in Bali. This waterfall appears on Instagram a lot, and in terms of “Instagram vs. reality,” it’s a mix of both. After parking, there’s a 10-minute trek down to the river, and you pay an entrance fee of 20,000 IDR (1.20 USD). Since Kanto Lampo Waterfall is very popular, there were many people queuing for the main photo spots.

While we were in line, we wondered if the wait was really worth it, since the falls aren’t that huge in reality. But once it was our turn and we got under the waterfall, we understood. Kanto Lampo is magical and intense. The water beats down on you heavily, and I could hardly hear what pose they were telling me to make. Regardless, it is a incredible feeling being inside so much water. I don’t regret asking the guides to take our pictures and videos. They did a great job and it remains one of the most magical memories we have.

Tibumana Waterfall is in the central part of Bali. Unlike Kanto Lampo, this is a very compact and tall waterfall with a beautiful bowl. It’s 20,000 IDR (1.20 USD) to enter. From the parking lot, the falls are about a 15 minute walk past rice fields and through the canyon. The walk is stunning, with plenty of cafes and restaurants at the top, and a lush rainforest with smaller falls at the bottom. When people call Bali paradise, this is the environment I think of.

When we finally arrived at Tibumana Falls, it was quieter compared to Kanto Lampo. With no lines, we walked right into the pool and witnessed the immense power of the falls. It is really fun to swim around, but it was a bit too chilly for me. Because the water is so strong, you are not allowed to swim underneath, and lifeguards are on duty to stop reckless tourists. We were fine with observing at a distance, but this area isn’t as large as Kanto Lampo, so we only spent an hour here.

Elephant Cave, also known as Goa Gajah, is located near Ubud. This Hindu temple has an entry fee of 50,000 IDR (3 USD), and requires modest outfits. Since it is one of Bali’s largest attractions, there are plenty of people selling souvenirs near the entrance. Several people harassed us to buy sarongs because they are required to enter, but they are provided for free at the ticket office, so don’t pay extra for a sarong you don’t need.

The site is named after the large faces carved into the rock face, once thought to be elephants. In reality, they are probably human faces meant to ward off evil. The site is over 1000 years old, and contains cleansing pools, a large plaza, and a small man-made cave with the eponymous carvings on the outside. We went through the mouth to explore the cave, which turned out to be quite small. Although I couldn’t carve a cave by hand, so I still find it impressive.

Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu is a Hindu temple 10 km north of Ubud. Like Elephant Cave, there is a small 50,000 IDR (3 USD) entrance fee, which includes a sarong for modesty. This complex is quite a bit larger, with multiple purification pools, many shrines, and funeral halls. To be honest, it’s really hard to find history about this place. The internet failed me when researching, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived. Thankfully, Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu didn’t disappoint.

The complex is in a valley, with beautiful reflection pools and greenery at every corner. At the bathing pools, you can do a ritual called melukat, where you immerse yourself in holy water to cleanse your body. It’s possible to book tours with guides if you want to do it correctly, but we were happy to observe. The golden light streaming through the trees at dusk made the temple water glow beautifully. Even though I can’t tell you much about the temple, I can definitely recommend that you visit it for yourself.

We originally were planning to eat in downtown Ubud, but it was impossible to get parking late at night. After getting stuck in traffic and circling for an hour, we called it quits and headed to our Airbnb. We called our host to see if there were any restaurants nearby that opened late, and he recommended Warung Gula Bali. This restaurant offers Balinese cuisine while overlooking beautiful rice terraces. Sadly, we couldn’t see because we arrived after dark.

Michael ordered mie goreng, which is Indonesian stir-fried noodles. I had the bebek goreng, which is fried duck with rice, vegetables, and a spicy chili sauce. This is my second time trying this Indonesian dish, and I preferred the restaurant I went to in Jakarta because of the refreshing punch from the leafy greens. Michael also enjoyed his noodles, but we realized that Indonesian food is seasoned very simply, and we prefer stronger flavors. I devoured my food, and a little friend decided to take the parts of the duck I couldn’t get off the bone. But this friend was patient and waited quietly until we were done, so we didn’t mind the company.

Since we were in Bali, we really wanted to stay in an aesthetic Airbnb. After hours of searching, I found Kabinji Stay. Kabinji Stay is a cabin in Tampaksiring, north of Ubud. It is a walled estate with a fire pit, gazebo, fish pond, and front porch. We enjoyed having an entire property to ourselves, which is a rare treat while travelling.

The interior was just as great as the exterior with a kitchenette, living room, and a comfortable bed. They were stocked with every amenity, plus games, music, and TV. The bathroom is outside in the back of the cabin, with a beautiful outdoor shower and bathing area. On our last day, we hiked Mt. Batur, and Michael took what he describes as the best shower of his life here. Aesthetically, this was one of the most tropical stays we have had.

Our stay also included a full breakfast, with a choice of Western or Indonesian. We always go for local food, so we chose Indonesian food with an option between stir fried rice, fried noodles, or rice porridge. For an extra cost, they can provide a BBQ chicken dinner with rice, vegetables, and fruit juice as well. We really enjoyed having meals during our stay because the food was tasty and the environment was amazing. This location is far from tourist areas, so we had peaceful nights and perfect nature to ourselves. It was a great place for us to reconnect and reflect on how blessed we are to have these travel opportunities.