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

2026年3月29日 ✏️ 編輯文章

💡 Quick Answer

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…

This travelogue is adapted from a shared post by YiShawn Huang

【Bali Travelogue】First Visit to the Island of the Gods: Priv

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 the warm hospitality to the stunning cuisine—everything was perfectly arranged.

🚗 Our Travel Companion: Private Driver Benny

Our Travel Companion: Private Driver Benny

Before our 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 enthusiastic, and throughout the trip, we had many conversations. He wasn’t just professional—he felt like an old friend. Even after returning to Taiwan, we occasionally chat 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 and Shopping

On our first day, after arriving at the airport, Benny first took us to a money changer, and then we went on a big shopping spree at Coco Supermarket near our accommodation.

Drinking Water: We heard that the water quality in Bali isn’t great, so to be safe, we planned to use bottled water even for washing our faces and brushing our teeth. We bought quite a lot.
Filtered Showerhead: We also brought our own filtered showerhead, and sure enough, the filter turned black very 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’s refreshing and comes in a variety of flavors—it’s truly delicious.

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

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

Stay in a Cinnamon Paradise: Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Esta

For the first two nights, we stayed at Kayumanis Villa in Jimbaran. This is Bali’s most renowned “Cinnamon Private Villa.” Upon arrival, our friendly villa host warmly greeted us and surprised us with an upgrade to a two-master bedroom Villa! As we stepped inside, we were greeted by a large pool, open-concept 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 experience, where the masseuse came directly to our room. Their technique was superb, with just the right pressure, and they even chatted with us about their love for Chinese dramas (turns out they’re also a fan of Yang Yang!).

Book Kayumanis Jimbaran Villa here

More Jimbaran Dining and Entertainment Guide

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 rib restaurant. The atmosphere was chill with music playing. The ribs and crispy pork were decent, though the meat was a bit tough. It’s worth a visit if you’re nearby, but not necessarily worth a special trip.

Stay in a Cinnamon Paradise: Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Esta

▲ Jay’s Wahaha Food Diary

🍳 A Delicious Breakfast in the Rain and a Surprise Birthday Celebration

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

A Delicious Breakfast in the Rain and a Surprise Birthday Ce

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 yet refreshing, perfect for the tropical heat.
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 right off the bone. The fried cassava with melted cheese was also unique, resembling sweet potato in appearance but with a potato-like texture.
Surprise Moment: Midway through our meal, the entire staff came out with a cake, singing “Happy Birthday,” and presented us with traditional Kue Lupis (sticky rice cake with coconut and palm sugar). It was an unforgettable surprise!

Bali Honeymoon & Couples Essentials:

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

A Luxurious Experience: Avisha Wellness & Spa’s Chocolate Jo

In the afternoon, we headed to nearby Avisha Wellness for their special “Love Escape” couple’s massage package (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! The experience concluded with a romantic flower petal bath, accompanied by a decadent chocolate dessert platter. While the flavors were on the sweeter side, it was undoubtedly one of Bali’s most luxurious indulgences.

A Luxurious Experience: Avisha Wellness & Spa’s Chocolate Jo

🍽️ A Luxurious Birthday Dinner: Michelin Guide Restaurant Cuca

The evening’s birthday feast was held at Cuca Restaurant, located right next to 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 and spicy sauce and seaweed shrimp crackers, offering a rich tapestry of flavors.
Spicy Marshmallow: A savory and spicy marshmallow with a texture reminiscent of creatures from ‘Stranger Things,’ incredibly unique.
Beef Bone: Perfectly presented, filled with a beef dish resembling sticky rice. After the meal, the staff presented us with a handwritten note and a special ‘Snow White’ birthday cake (a berry yogurt ice cream cake), adding a touch of ceremony. Highly recommend making a special trip here.

Cuca Restaurant Dining Discount

More Food Recommendations

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

The first two days in Bali concluded with endless surprises. If you’re looking to experience being pampered and surrounded by exquisite cuisine, this island will not disappoint! Check out the video from the first two days here: