Can I tell you about ... Bali
Rafe Totengco
I go to Bali to recharge, reflect and relax. Every time I go I find something new to do and my friends there always bring me to their favorite spots. It's the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
STAY
The Alila Villas in Uluwatu is a must if you're in Bali. The view, the service, the location and the design of the property...you almost never want to leave.
DO
Take a hike up Mt. Batur at dawn. The view is spectacular especially as the sun rises. Just be careful not to feed the monkeys! Spend the night at Lakeview Hotel they will arrange a guide to take you up the mountain. So worth the trek.
EAT
I love suckling pig and one of the best places to have it is from Ibu Oka in Ubud. Order the Babi Guling special, a coconut, sit down cross-legged on a straw mat and pig-out!
MUST SEE
A temple festival. Because there you can see the entire gamut of Balinese culture in action: the art, architecture (both permanent and temporary), music, dance, theatre, as well as communal bonding, life and the economy. And you have to see how the Balinese mix their prints!
WHAT I LOVED MOST
What I love most about Bali is that it's a total package; the people, the varieties of activities, the temples, and the food! You have the beaches, the mountains, the lakes all within driving distance from each other. That's why I keep coming back.