Shenzhen Weekend Getaway Challenge, Stop 1: Bali

🧚About Bali: A digital nomad hub, the backdrop for Apple wallpapers, and a popular celebrity wedding destination ✈️Flights: Depart Saturday morning and return Monday morning. 0-yuan tickets on Hong Kong Airlines, with round-trip taxes and fees just over CNY 800, including checked baggage. Office workers only need to take one morning off! Day 1️⃣: Relaxing at the hotel + Sunset viewing + Drinks at a bar 🔸Check-in: I made arrangements to check in early. Since I would be leaving early the next day for a boat trip and wouldn't have time for breakfast, I asked the hotel to switch my breakfast to the day of check-in! After enjoying breakfast upon arrival, I went back to my room to catch up on sleep (red-eye flights are brutal... sob). I chose a hotel near Nusa Dua. Most hotels there have private beaches accessible directly from the hotel, and the rooms have balconies that lead right into the pool! They provided Indonesian fruit and local pastries, and the service was excellent! Two thumbs up! 🔸Dinner: I chose Natys, which mainly serves Western food. The atmosphere was great, the live music was top-notch, and the food was delicious. The cheese lobster and skewers were both fantastic. The cost was about CNY 150 per person. 🔸Stroll along the beach: After dinner, you can walk along the beach straight back to the hotel! Day 2️⃣: Day trip around Nusa Penida 🔸Car hire: Pick-up was at 7am at the hotel entrance. The cost was CNY 530 per adult, including transfers from southern hotels to the port, boat tickets, a private car on the island, and lunch. 🔸Island tour: We arrived at the island by boat around 10am, and a guide was waiting for me with my name on a sign! We had booked for two people and expected to be part of a larger group, but it turned out we had a private car for the entire trip! 🔸Kelingking Beach ("T-Rex Cliff"): A picture-perfect spot. The Indonesian guide had apparently received government-provided photography training, and their photos were really good, haha. All my portraits were taken by the guide! They even climbed trees to get the best shots! Very professional! 🔸Dinner in Kuta: When in Indonesia, be sure to try the grilled pork ribs! They are so delicious! I recommend choosing a restaurant near Kuta. We chose Dulang Kafe Kuta Square, and everything we ordered was great! The cost was about CNY 200 per person. 🔸Shopping: For souvenirs, Sensatia is a good choice. Their lip balm and masks are excellent, with natural scents! The masks don't have many thickeners, so they feel very comfortable on the skin. And they're only around CNY 10 each. ⚠️Tips: 1️⃣ Visa on arrival: You only need CNY 250 and your passport. After getting off the plane, go pay the fee first; then take the payment receipt and your passport to queue for the visa on arrival; scan the QR code to fill out the customs declaration, and after completing it, scan the code again to exit. Visa on arrival only accepts cash! Have small bills ready to avoid the "no change" scam! 2️⃣ For red-eye flights, choose hotels that offer early check-in. 3️⃣ The best time to take photos at Kelingking Beach is between 9-11am (backlighting in the afternoon + 2-hour queues). 4️⃣ Choose established restaurants in Kuta for grilled pork ribs (newer restaurants are 30% more likely to use frozen meat). 5️⃣ If you have an early flight, stay at the Hilton; it's within walking distance of the airport. No upset stomachs, everything went smoothly. But I'll save some for next time – Ubud, I'll be back!