Bali 25-30 August 2018

16^th Asia Pacific Congress of Paediatrics (APCP) 2018
25 – 30 August 2018
Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia.

updated 14th Sept 2018, , when I have time to write more..

Denpasar Cathedral, Kuta
Unique architecture 'Hindu Temple Design' for a Roman catholic Church.

Ulun Danu Bedugul Gate

This is the places that I visited.

ü Ulun Danu (Bedugul)

ü Uluwatu (kecak dance)

ü Canggu ( Sunset)

ü Nusa Dua

The recommended place to visit for first timer Bali. Most of this I have visited in my first trip to Bali previously.

Kintamani ( Hill overseeing Mount Agung)
Purification Temple
Barong Dance
Jimbara Beach
Tanah Lot
Uluwatu and Kecak Dance
Ubud

25^th August 2018

Kuching-Kuala Lumpur 1420 hrs

Kuala Lumpur -Denpasar 1755 hrs ( 3hours flight) supposed to land 2055 hrs( unexpected event, the flight was reroute and change flight and landed at 0030 hrs(26^th August).

Where to stay in Bali? It is depend on how you want your holiday will be?

With friends, night life and beaches, Kuta town will be the better option. Despite, the beach is not the best compare to other part of Bali, but still beautiful beaches compare to any beaches that I know. Kuta is a busy city, a lot of tourist, many food places, pubs, and hotels ranging from 5 stars to the Bed and Breakfast/ Hostel.

Nusa Dua, more quieter part of Bali, Resorts at southern part of Bali. 4-5 stars hotel, beautiful beeches( more beutiful than in Kuta), quieter to explore nature and relaxing. The contras, need to travel a bit far to look for pubs which mainly located in Kuta town. Suggested for Honeymooners.

Other famous location to stay, Ubud, interior part, quiet, elite resort, Many of the resort surrounded by paddy terrace. Great place for relaxation. suggested for Honeymooners.

How to move around in Bali? Bali is a big island, you cant expect a public transport ie bus/cab to catch from one location to another locations. Most of the tourist attractions are few hours apart from one location to the others. Example Kintamani ( 3-4 hours from Kuta), Begudul (2-3 hours), Uluwatu 1 hours toward southern part of Kuta. Kuta to Nusa Dua for about 1 hour trip in car.
The most economical way to travel in Bali, is to hire a car rental with driver, which cost around 350-400K Indo Rupiah per day.
If the trip is not mainly a visiting trip, for me this trip I was only free for sight seeing after conference end everyday. So it is not worth to pay a full day driver. I has been using 'Grab Car' or 'Go Car' , an Indo version of Grab/Uber.

It is significantly cheap, and easily available in main tourist areas. Other can e hailing car service, a reliable cab to be used is Blue Bird Taxi, which I also used and paid reasonable price- also same like GrabCar. Make sure it is Blue Bird taxi, and not to confused with taxi painted with blue colour.

I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar,Bali

Front View of Denpasar Airport, taken from departure level.
Modern, New Aiport, My previous trip in 2009 was still the old airport.

26^th August 2018

Mercure Nusa Dua Bali Hotel

I choosed to be at Mercure Nusa Dua Bali, reasonable price compared to other hotels surrounding it, ie Westin, Melia, Courtyard Marriote.
The downside of this hotel compare to the rest, it is not very closed to the beach, but walkable. Free buggy also provided from the hotel to Mercure private beach vice versa.

Started with pool breakfast at Mercure Hotel the proceed to Sunday Mass at St Francis Xavier Kuta. Mass in Bahasa Indonesia, and can see many tourist attending the mass.

Roman Catholic Church in the middle of Kuta town, my second visit to this church. This is the only church that has service in english. It is very famous among the tourist.

Inside St Francis Xavier Church Kuta

Groto of Mother Mary at SFX Kuta

After the mass , heading to Gusto Gelato ice cream in Kuta, before heading for lunch at Satay Babi bawah pohon in Kuta.

Gusto gelato ice cream Kuta

the famous Babi bawah pohon

bebek tepi sawah

After lunch , driving to Ulun danu Temple. It was around 3 hours journey from Kuta. It was around almost 5pm when we reached Ulun danu, the weather was a bit frosty. Luckily , we manage to capture few beautiful photos.

The heading back to Kuta., stopped by Secret Garden. But it was closed for visitor, as we reached there after 6pm.

It was Sunday evening, on full moon day, may shops were closed,including famous babi guling in Kuta. Short dinner at Satay Pleecing in Kuta, opposite Plaza Renon then proceed to another food hunt for babi guling in Kuta.

It was a long day in Bali before heading back to Hotel in Nusa Dua..

Denpasar Cathedral

27^th August 2018

Started early morning to attend Asia Pacific Congress of Paediatrics at Nusa Dua Convention Centre. It was a whole day event, attended by more than 4000 paediatricians and doctors around Asia Pacific Region.

After finished the event , we headed to Uluwatu, the Kecak Dance venue. It was around 1 hour journey from Nusa Dua.

Beautiful show and very crowded with tourist. Ticket sale was closed at 5pm and limited to only 3000 audiences every day. The show was by the cliff and sunset.

After the show, heading to Jimbaran for Nuri’s warong dinner. A famous pork rib café with few branches around Bali.

28^th August 2018

Started as early as 4.45am for at Congress Fun Run 3.5km at Nusa Dua resort.. It was a great event.

Before starting the event at 8am until 4pm.

Today we attended at Gala Dinner, organized by the congress organizer at Peninsula Island. It was a great cultural night Gala Dinner.

Traditional instrument before the Gala Dinner (at the hellipad)

Picture with the recipient of Outstanding Paediatrician award Prof Tang Swee Fong

Bali Collection

After the Gala Dinner, short walk at Bali collection before heading back to hotel.

29^th August 2018

Attended last day of conference until 1pm the closing ceremony. It was great time to catch up with old colleagues. After lunch, heading to see sunset at Canggu, about 2 hours drive from Nusa Dua.The view worth the journey.. Last venue for the day was Kuta Beach walk and Hard Rock Café Kuta.