Personal Kirukkalgal: Our first INTERNATIONAL Trip

My passport was supposed to get expired by next year and till now I've only used it to make photocopies to submit in my companies and as proof for getting a marriage certificate. Same fate for my wife's passport as well. But, finally, we have used it to travel outside India. On my last trip, I got close to a foreign country was Bangladesh border and this time I successfully crossed our border.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

And, the destination Bali was my wife's dream destination, I didn't even have any idea about this beautiful destination.

Day -1: The Start

Our flight to Singapore was on Monday midnight, we started as early as possible. While on the way Uber driver asked as "Domestic ah International ah?", we both were waiting for that question since we started and answered in chorus "INTERNATIONAL". Hearing our enthusiastic answer he would have found out it was our first time. And, after clicking selfies and check-ins finally found that lounge for HDFC cardholders where you can rest and also have a buffet dinner for a mere amount. It was like a myth to me since I've heard it many times and never experienced it. Finally, I found that lounge and had that buffet before boarding.

Day 0: SINGAPORE in a day.

The first stop was Singapore on Tuesday morning. Since our flight to Bali was on Wednesday morning we had 23 hours of transit time, we decided to use that time as an opportunity to make it as a Singapore trip. Singapore was not even in our plan, but this was the cheapest flight available to Bali so we have added Singapore into our itinerary. We have already booked tickets for two attractions in Singapore.

After finishing the immigration, our first country outside India, we decided to look around the world's best airport. But, we were able to see only that giant artificial waterfalls inside the Changi airport and we proceeded to our hotel. It was hot already and after having breakfast in a hotel full of Tamil people from Madurai we took some rest and went out to explore Singapore. We had too many places on our list, but too little time.

First, we visited the Red Dot Design Museum to collect our tickets to The Gardens By the Bay and decided to walk towards that. We visited the Flower Dome first since it was about to close. It was beautiful with so many flowers, we pretty much covered everything before they could kick us out.

Flower Dome

The next spot was the Cloud Forest. Cloud Forest was too good with an amazing waterfall and the whole place was wonderful with amazing artificial falls and surrounded by forests on the clouds. And, it was airconditioned, thank god.

Cloud Forest's waterfalls

Cloud Forest

We were already so tired we still had too many places to visit. We proceeded to the Marina Bay Sands where we can get a view of Singapore from the 57th floor. The view was absolutely stunning. And, Singapore looks so pretty in the night.

View from the 57th floor, Marina Bay Sands

That's the view of Gardens By The Bay from Marina Bay Sands

Now, we have to come back to The Gardens By the Bay to visit the final attraction of Supertree Grove, before 8:00, but the time was already 7:40. It's a long walk again so we were in a dilemma whether to try or skip that. But, OCBC Skywalk above that Supertree Grove was one of the places I wanted to visit since we booked a ticket, we literally made a run for it. We were completely exhausted. When we reached the Sound and Music show was already started and everyone was laying on the ground and enjoying so no one was there to show the way to the ticket counter. Finally, we found it and gave us the next time slot and when we looked up after settling in the line the show was over. The lights were switched off, we were very disappointed. After waiting more than 30 minutes in the line, we went up to that skywalk. It was another beautiful view. And, when we were on that skywalk, they started that show again and it was spectacular to view it from the top as well. And, I was completely satisfied.

Supertree Grove

Supertree Grove, OCBC Skywalk

Marina Bay Sands from OCBC Skywalk

Supertree Grove

And, it was too late and we were too tired and we came back to the hotel. We missed that iconic Merlion Park, we were looking forward to that place. That place is similar to our Chennai Central, in every movie they show Chennai Central for Chennai and that Lion statue for Singapore.

When we reached the hotel our cab driver warned us it was not a good area and asked us to avoid staying here next time. After hearing this I was unable to sleep and waiting to leave this place and go to the airport. And, we started at midnight 2 and reached the airport even 3 hours before. And, after self-check-in which was a new experience, we wanted to look around all those attractions inside the airport terminals. But, they said the trains covering the terminals will open only after 5 and we were disappointed. But, at 5 we decided to go around on that train to see the Butterfly Garden, Enchanted Garden. We went around the terminals 2 and 3 covering those spots, but it was still dark. At least that Skytrain inside the airport was too cool and we were happy we at least made to those gardens before leaving Singapore.

Singapore Flyer

SINGAPORE

The people here were very helpful and polite. The traffic was heavy in the morning. And, it was hot even for a guy from Chennai. And, we should come back to have a look around all those places in leisure soon.

Day 1: Landed in Bali

The next day morning we landed in our actual destination Bali. Thankfully our guide was waiting with our name board. After welcoming us with garlands, we proceeded to our hotel while the guide spoke about Bali and also about him for some time. After, reaching the nice hotel, Jani's Place Cottage, we just roamed around that street which was filled with too many restaurants and spas. And, we couldn't walk much after our tiring day in Singapore and it was hot in here as well. We had dinner nearby and back to the hotel since we had to start early the next day.

Jani's Place Cottage

Day 2: The glorious and hot Nusa Penida

This was an awesome day and also one of the hottest days. We woke up as early as 4:30 to get ready by 6:00 to start to the harbor where we had to take a fast boat to reach the Nusa Penida Island. We were first to reach the harbor so we had to spend an hour there waiting to catch the boat. And, the boat ride was just 45 minutes. Once reaching that beautiful island it was clear that we are gonna get roasted in the heat. Our first stop was at Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach, two beaches with some fantastic views. Just 30 minutes in that place we were dehydrated completely.

Angel's Billabong

Broken Beach

Then we proceeded to have lunch and next to "THE" destination of Nusa Penida, KelingKING Beach which was the mother of all beaches with some spectacular views. Number one in our bucket list when we decided to visit Nusa Penida. We can't believe we were actually there. The T-Rex shaped rock was mesmerizing to watch even from the top. But, because of the sun, we didn't have the energy to climb all the way down. But, still, even from the top the view was amazing which ends our day at Nusa Penida. Back to the harbor and back to the hotel which took longer due to traffic.

T-Rex, KelingKING Beach

KelingKING Beach

Day 3: Bedugul, North Bali

And, today we were on the Northside of Bali, Bedugul. Our first destination was the most Instagrammed Handara Gate where we were given 10 minutes for the pictures. Another destination which was on our bucket list.

Handara Gate

Next place was Git Git Waterfalls. I didn't expect it to be this good. When we visited it was deserted and that tall falls were amazing which became my favorite spot in Bali. It was a little scary to get all the way near to that falls.

Git Git Waterfalls

And, after lunch, we went to Ulun Danu Temple which was by the lake with some amazing views. Contrary to the previous day it started raining heavily which was rare in Bali. And, it was amazing to experience that as well. Overall, another satisfying day and bathing in Git Git was an unforgettable experience.

Ulun Danu Temple

Day 4: Ubud

And, this day started with a visit to an art market, but things were costlier than the street shops. Then, next to Kopi Luwak coffee plantation place. Where we got to see the process and also we were given some 12 different varieties of teas and coffees to taste. Also, we tasted that famous Luwak Coffee and also bought some tea and coffee powders for back home.

The next stop was Bali Bird Park, which we expected to be boring, but it had many colorful birds and also they let some birds sit on you to pose for pictures.

BirdMan, Bali Bird Park

Bali Bird Park

And, the next destination was another one in our bucket list, Tegallalng Rice Terrace where we experienced that famous Bali Swing, it was really a must-try. And, that place had some amazing views.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Bali Swing, Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Followed that with Campuhan Ridge Walk, where two rivers join and we can go on a trek in that mountain with some amazing views. Then, we visited the local Ubud Market to do that much-needed purchase of our trip with our excellent bargaining skills :D:D. And, the last spot was Saraswati Temple, where there was no Saraswati Idol at all, but the architecture was good. Which ends our satisfying Bali trip.

Saraswati Temple, Ubud

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Day 5: The END

And, this day was nothing but to rest and pack our bags. We boarded our flight to Malaysia (adding one more country to our list :D :D) and spent a few hours at that airport before catching our flight to Chennai. And, the news back home, it was raining heavily on "December 1st" just like it was that famous day. We were hoping to land in Chennai safely and the sky was actually clear and it wasn't raining as predicted. And, that ends our first and successful INTERNATIONAL trip without any hiccups.

That's me at the end of our trip "FULLY BROKE"

Bali was hot and the people here were insanely polite and helpful. Be it any time of the day they always greet you with a smile and they all were very religious as well. Ganesh statues were all over in Ubud. And, looks like they have their own version of Ramayana where the places were changed. And, none of the hotels offer you free water, you were supposed to buy bottled water. And, the landscape especially Ubud with a lot of rice farms looked very similar to our Tamil Nadu.

And, finally, I am very happy and also relieved to finish an international trip. I was so afraid and nervous about my first international trip, but it turned out to be an awesome experience with a lot of sweet memories and we feel like we have achieved something big :D :D

These are very few pictures from a total of 3K pictures we have clicked so far on this trip :D :D.

Personal Kirukkalgal

Thursday 5 December 2019

Our first INTERNATIONAL Trip