Kummel Mao's Bali Free Travel Guide: Real Experiences in Canggu, Ubud, and Jimbaran

Kummel Mao arrived in Bali expecting a ‘tropical paradise’ getaway, but was immediately hit hard by the island’s notorious traffic right after leaving the airport.

The congestion, chaotic streets, and the contrast between tourist spots and local life made her realize Bali isn’t quite the perfect picture she had imagined.

On the flip side, the villa she checked into was so stunning it was impossible to resist.

Throughout her trip, she traveled from Jimbaran and Canggu to Ubud, switching accommodations three times in just a few days, and tried private pool villas, local food, Grab, Gojek, and Bali’s famous Sound Healing.

The most intriguing part was her initial vision of Bali as a ‘spiritual island,’ which led her to experience Sound Healing in Ubud.

Someone at the session even broke down crying from the healing sounds, but what was her own takeaway?

Ubud Sound Healing / Singing Bowl Meditation

She also compared the prices of Grab and Gojek for the same route from Canggu to Ubud, finding a notable difference between the two platforms.

Just when she thought the trip was settling into a rhythm, a sudden downpour in Ubud threw a wrench into the next day’s transportation plans—her pre-booked private driver was unexpectedly canceled.

Not to mention, her trip happened to coincide with the eve of Ogoh-Ogoh, where she witnessed towering, two-to-three-story monstrous effigies lining the streets, giving her an entirely new perspective on Balinese culture.

Planning to experience Ogoh-Ogoh and Nyepi in 2027? Check this out: 2027 Bali Nyepi Day Complete Guide: From Ogoh-Ogoh Festivities to 24-Hour Silence + Resort Recommendations

What makes this video truly worth watching isn’t just ‘whether Bali is fun or not,’ but how Kummel Amo captures the island’s most contradictory side through the eyes of a first-time visitor:

On one hand, there are stunning villas, affordable accommodations, pools, and a resort lifestyle; on the other, traffic jams, litter, a pedestrian nightmare, and unexpected hiccups that can pop up at any moment during the journey.

If you’re planning your first solo trip to Bali, this video is a great preview of what you might actually encounter after someone has been through it firsthand.

👉 Curious about Kummel Amo’s final honest take on Bali and how she felt about the Sound Healing session in Ubud?

Watch the video for a much more vivid experience than any text can convey:

Bali Area Guides