Travel Stories

【Bali Travelogue】First Visit to the Island of the Gods: Private Car Tour, Luxurious Pool Villa & Michelin-Starred Birthday Surprise

2026年3月29日 ✏️ 編輯文章

This travelogue is adapted from YiShawn Huang’s shared experience

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This was my wife and I’s first time visiting Bali. For this long-awaited trip, we opted for a self-guided tour with a private car service, hoping to explore the island at our own pace. Little did we know, the first two days of our itinerary would bring us countless surprises, from warm hospitality to stunning cuisine — everything was perfectly arranged.

🚗 Our Travel Companion: Private Driver Benny

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Before the trip, we did a lot of research online and eventually found our private driver, Benny. The moment we met him at the bustling airport, our journey officially began! Benny was incredibly warm and chatty throughout the trip — not only was he professional, but he also felt like an old friend. Even after returning to Taiwan, we still chat occasionally on Facebook. If you’re planning a self-guided trip to Bali, we highly recommend him!

More About Private Car Hire

💧 Travel Tips: Water Quality & Shopping

On our first day, after arriving at the airport, Benny first took us to a money changer and then to Coco Supermarket near our accommodation for some shopping.

Drinking Water: We heard that the water quality in Bali isn’t great, so to be safe, we decided to use bottled water even for washing our faces and brushing our teeth — hence, we bought plenty.
Filtered Showerhead: We also brought our own filtered showerhead, and sure enough, the filter turned black quickly. If you’re concerned about water quality, we highly recommend bringing one!
Must-Try Drink: We bought Bintang Beer, which Benny highly recommended. It comes in various flavors and is refreshingly delicious.

Quick Reference: Bali Travel Health Tips: A Guide to Drinking Water and Bali Belly

🏡 Staying in a Cinnamon Paradise: Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Estate & Spa

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For the first two nights, we stayed at Kayumanis Villa in Jimbaran, one of Bali’s most renowned “Cinnamon Private Villas.” Upon arrival, our friendly butler warmly greeted us and surprised us with an upgrade to a two-bedroom villa! As we stepped inside, we were greeted by a large pool, an open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen. The welcome drinks (cinnamon ginger juice), salak fruit, and cinnamon cookies were all unique and delightful. The most thoughtful touch was the complimentary 15-minute massage, performed right in our room by a skilled therapist with just the right pressure. He even chatted with us about his favorite Chinese dramas (turns out he’s a fan of Yang Yang too!).

Book Kayumanis Jimbaran Villa here

More Jimbaran Dining and Entertainment Guide

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Jimbaran is a coastal paradise on Bali renowned for its romantic ambiance and culinary delights, featuring stunning golden beaches and breathtaking sunset views. The seafood restaurants here are a must-try culinary experience, while luxurious resorts and tranquil fishing village vibes allow visitors to enjoy both indulgence and local life. Whether for family trips or romantic dates, Jimbaran will exceed your expectations! Want to learn more about Jimbaran? Click here

Jimbaran Accommodation Themes

First Night Dinner: Wahaha Pork Rib We took a Grab ride to try this pork ribs spot. The atmosphere was chill with background music, and while the ribs and crispy pork were decent, the meat was a bit tough. It’s worth a visit if you’re nearby, but not worth a special trip.

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▲ Jack’s Wahaha Tasting Notes

🍳 A Rainy Breakfast and a Surprise Birthday Celebration

Even though it rained the next morning, enjoying a Balinese breakfast in the villa was still incredibly relaxing.

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Must-Try Recommendations: We absolutely loved their Mie Goreng (fried noodles) and homemade bread. The healthy green juice (with avocado, apple, pineapple, etc.) was sweet but not overpowering, perfect for cooling down.
Lunch Feast: We had lunch right at the villa’s restaurant. The grilled duck (Bebek Goreng) was the standout dish, tender and flavorful with meat that fell off the bone. The fried cassava with melted cheese was also unique—it looked like sweet potato but tasted like potato.
Surprise Moment: Mid-meal, the entire staff came out with a cake, singing “Happy Birthday” and presenting us with traditional Kue Lupis (glutinous rice cake with coconut and palm sugar). It was truly a delightful surprise!

Bali Honeymoon & Couples Essentials:

🍫 A Luxurious Experience: Avisha Wellness & Spa’s Chocolate Journey

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In the afternoon, we headed to nearby Avisha Wellness for their unique “Love Escape” couples massage (2.5 hours, approximately USD$155). As soon as we entered the treatment room, we were greeted by the rich aroma of chocolate. Beyond the full-body massage, the highlight was the chocolate granule exfoliation, followed by a chocolate body wrap. It felt like we were being turned into chocolate desserts! To top it off, we soaked in a romantic petal bath while enjoying a decadent chocolate dessert platter. Though the flavors were on the sweeter side, it was undoubtedly one of Bali’s most luxurious indulgences.

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🍽️ A Luxurious Birthday Dinner: Michelin Guide Restaurant Cuca

The birthday dinner was arranged at Cuca Restaurant, located near our villa. This Michelin Guide-recommended Spanish Tapas restaurant serves dishes that resemble works of art:

Lobster Roll: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with sweet lobster meat—our absolute favorite!
Fish Tartare: Paired with a tangy-spicy sauce and seaweed shrimp crackers, offering a rich and layered texture.
Spicy Marshmallow: A savory and spicy marshmallow with a texture reminiscent of creatures from Stranger Things—utterly unique.
Beef Bone: Perfectly presented, filled with a beef dish resembling sticky rice. After the meal, the staff surprised us with a handwritten note and a special “Snow White” birthday cake (a berry yogurt ice cream cake), making the experience truly memorable. Highly recommend making a special trip here.

Cuca Restaurant Dining Discount

More Food Recommendations

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Ubud Food Guide | Bali's Ultimate Food Journal: From Dirty Duck Rice to Ribs and Instagrammable Rice Field Cafes

The first two days in Bali ended with endless surprises. If you’re looking for an experience filled with thoughtful care and exquisite food, this island will not disappoint! Watch the highlights from the first two days here: