Making Each Day Count

In February 2025 I flew to Bali, Indonesia for what would be my first overseas travel this year. I flew with my friends from the University. We’ve been planning that trip since September of last year and I’m glad we finally got to do it.

We caught the earliest flight out of Manila via Cebu Pacific, departing at the ungodly hour of 3:50AM. A little over four hours in the air, we finally touched down to Bali, but not before a breathtaking sunrise view from my plane window.

Thanks to my friends’ thorough research, we breezed through immigration with ease. Before our flight to Bali, we took care of all the necessary documentation online, including the Health Pass Webform, Customs Declaration form, pre-registration, and e-visa. The final step was paying the USD 9 tourist levy. While it was quite a few forms to complete, doing it in advance saved us valuable time at the airport, sparing us from long lines and last-minute hassles.

For the next four days and three nights, we would be staying at a villa close to the airport (as we read reviews that Bali traffic can get bad). We also booked our daily transportation and guide for Bali via AirBnB Experiences: Bali Customized Experience Tour, a full day of entertainment – Airbnb. Our guide, Komang, met us at the airport and drove us to the villa where we left our luggages and freshened up before heading off to our first stop for the day.

Here is how our villa looked like. It had three rooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a pool.

Our first stop of the day was La Brisa Bali Beach Club in Canggu. Since it was a Sunday, we got to explore the Sunday Market along the way, indulging in a bit of window shopping. The market had a beautiful selection of merchandise, though prices were noticeably higher as it catered mainly to tourists.

Upon arriving at La Brisa, we were warmly welcomed by the staff. To secure a beachfront view, there was a required consumable fee, but since we were just having brunch, we opted for a cozy hut by the pool instead.

After our meal, we wandered down to the beachfront, watching the waves roll in and surfers gliding in the distance. There’s something truly mesmerizing about seeing the waves crash against the rocks—a sight that never fails to leave me in awe.

After brunch, we made our way to our final stop for the day: Luna Beach Club. There was a 20,000 IDR entrance fee (about $1.22 USD), and to reach the beach, we hopped on an electric car that took us to the main area.

Upon arrival, the staff warmly welcomed us and guided us to our covered daybed, perfectly positioned in front of the stage where we’d later watch the fire show at sundown. The daybed rental included a consumable amount for food and drinks, so we indulged in a feast—pizza, calamari, hummus, fries, fresh fruit, chicken, gyoza, and an assortment of cocktails. Even after all that, we still hadn’t maxed out our consumable credit, so we decided to take some pizzas to-go for later.

Spending the afternoon with my friends was pure fun. We chilled to the beach vibes, enjoyed the delicious food, and soaked in the lively atmosphere. We explored the club’s grounds and its two pools, taking in the scenery. As the sun began to set, the music shifted, and the fire dancers took the stage, putting on a mesmerizing show that made for the perfect end to our first day in Bali.

Stay tuned for the continuation of my Bali adventure. See you in my next blog!