travel

#TravelPost: Bali the greenest Island of the Gods

RO: Daca v-ati propus sa descoperiti Asia, va pot povesti despre o tara insulara cu nu mai putin de 17.508 insule, Indonezia. Am ajuns doar in una dintre aceste insule, Bali pentru ca este printre cele mai cunoscute si cu siguranta una dintre cele mai cautate si fotografiate destinatii turistice din lume. Sunt asa de multe de povestit, dar am sa incerc sa ma rezum la informatiile cele mai folositoare (transport, cazare si obiective de vizitate).

  ENG: If you wanted to discover Asia, I can tell you about an island country with no less than 17,508 islands, Indonesia. I visited one of these islands, Bali, mainly because it’s one of the most known and certainly one of the most sought-after and photographed tourist destinations in the world. There is so much to talk about, but I will try to summarize the most useful information (transport, accommodation and sightseeing).
Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall

RO: Insula Bali este locul ideal atat pentru cei pasionati de munte, drumetii, cat si pentru cei dornici sa se relaxeze pe plaja, la soare sau surfing. Acesta este motivul pentru care timp de 8 zile si 7 nopti am strabatut insula in sus si in jos pentru a trai ambele experiente: am stat 3 nopti in Ubud, zona cu paduri tropicale, cu deja cunoscutele terase cu orez sau plantatii de cafea si 4 nopti in Kuta, zona cu plaje umbrite de palmieri, ape albastre si multi autralieni 😛

  ENG: Bali is ideal both for those passionate about mountains, hikers and also for those who like to relax on the beach or surf. This is why for 8 days and 7 nights we crossed the island up and down to experience both sides: I spent 3 nights in Ubud, in the rain forests area, with already known rice terraces  or coffee plantations and 4 nights in Kuta, the area with palm trees beaches, blue water and lots of Australians.

RO: Cum ajungi din Romania in Indonezia? Am zburat cu Swissair, Bucuresti – Singapore (economy class 433 Euro, dus-intors; daca va intereseaza preturile pentru iunie 2019 sunt tot la acelasi nivel) si din Singapore am luat Scoop (o companie aeriana low cost – 150 euro dus/intors sau 242 dolari singaporeeni), pana in Denpansar, capitala sau orasul-resedinta a insulei Bali.

  ENG: How to get from Romania to Indonesia? I flew with Swissair, Bucharest – Singapore (round trip, economy class = 433 Euro; if you are interested prices for June 2019 are still at the same level) and in Singapore I took Scoop (a low cost airline – round trip 150 euro or 242 in Singapore dollars), to Denpansar, capital city of Bali.

RO: Cu ce te plimbi prin Ubud si Kuta? De la aeroport am plecat spre nord, in Ubud. Detaliile transferului cu masina le-am aranjat cu cei de la cazare. Masina sau motocicleta sunt principalele mijloace de transport pentru turisti/localnici. Transportul in comun este aproape inexistent… Din Ubud in Kuta am aranjat tot cu cei de cazare, iar in Kuta ne-am deplasat cu taxiul de la o plaja la alta.

  ENG: Accommodation in Ubud and Kuta? From the airport we went directly in North to Ubud by car. We set transfer details with the help of our accommodation.  Car or motorcycle are the main means of transportation for tourists/locals. Public transportation is almost non-existent… From Ubud to Kuta we arranged transportation with the help of the hotel and in Kuta we moved from one beach to another by taxi.

RO: Cazarea in Ubud si Kuta? Am folosit Booking.com. Am ales optiuni medii dpdv cost. In Ubud am avut o fixatie sa stam intr-o pensiune cu piscina, multa vegetatie in jur si aproape de zona centrala, iar in Kuta am cautat o varianta cat mai aproape de plaja.

  • Ubud, Adi Bisma Inn, o camera pentru 2 persoane pentru 3 nopti a fost 142 euro, adica 2.295.000 rupii indonezieni;
  • Kuta, Grand Pudjawan Hotel, o camera pentru 2 persoane pentru 4 nopti = 96 euro, respectiv Rp 1.548.000 rupii indonezieni;
  ENG: Accommodation in Ubud and Kuta? Talking about accommodation, from Booking.com we chose middle cost options. In Ubud we had a fixation to stay in a guesthouse with pool, lots of vegetation and close to the central area, and in Kuta we looked for something closer to the beach.

  • Ubud, Adi Bisma Inn, one room for 2 people, 3 nights was 142 euro (2,295,000 Indonesian rupees)
  • Kuta, Grand Pudjawan Hotel, one room for 2 people, 4 nights = 96 euro (1,548,000 Indonesian rupees).

Adi Bisma Inn

RO: Ce poti face in Ubud? Am apelat la serviciile unui ghid pe care l-am gasit online si cu care am discutat pe Facebook inainte de a pleca in calatorie. Ne-a ajutat timp de 2 zile in care am vizitat unele dintre cele mai frumoase locuri din Ubud – Wayan Sukarta.

Ziua 1: Cascada Tegenungan, Templul Tirta Empul (adica “izvor de apa sfanta”, in care se realizeaza un ritual de purificare cu apa); Goa Gajah (Pestera Elefantului), Tegalalang terasa orez, Bali swing (unde am facut si degustare de cafea; am incercat 12 sortimente, printre care si cea mai cunoscuta Kopi Luwak – va las pe voi sa va documentati despre aceasta cafea).

  ENG: What can you do in Ubud? We used the services of a guide found online with whom we discussed on Facebook before going on a journey. He helped us for 2 days visiting some of the most beautiful places in Ubud – Wayan Sukarta.

Day 1: Tegenungan Waterfall, Tirta Empul Temple (meaning “holy water spring” where a water purification ritual is performed); Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Tegalalang rice terrace, Bali swing (where you can also taste some special coffee, 12 assortments, among which the most famous Kopi Luwak – I’ll let you find out more about this coffee).

RO: Ziua 2: Pura Ulun Danu Batur (al II-lea cel mai cunoscut templu din Bali);  Pura Taman Ayun (templul fostei dinastii Mengwi), templul Tanah Lot (“Tanah Lot” in limba balineza “pamant pe mare”).

Fiecare tur a fost intre 9 – 10 ore, cu plecarea la 8:30 – 9:00 dimineata de la hotel = 40 euro sau aprox. 45 dolari americani/zi)

  ENG: Day 2: Pura Ulun Danu Batur (the second most famous temple in Bali); Pura Taman Ayun (Mengwi Royal Family Temple), Tanah Lot temple (“Tanah Lot” in Balinese language “land at sea”).

Each day tour was 9 to 10 hours tour with departure at 8:30 – 9 morning from hotel = 40 euros or approx. 45 American dollars/day)

RO: Cum te relaxezi in Kuta? Aici ne-am descurcat singuri, am comandat taxi de la receptie si ne-am deplasat de la o plaja la alta: Kuta Beach, Deamland Beach, Balangan Beach… relaxare totala!

  ENG: How do you relax in Kuta? Here we managed on our own, we ordered taxi from reception and took it from one beach to another: Kuta Beach, Deamland Beach, Balangan Beach… total relaxation!

 

RO: Ziua 2: Dar mancarea, cum a fost mancarea? Preferata mea a fost friptura de ton. In plus, nici o dimineata fara fructe (fructul sarpelui, fructul dragonului, fructul pasiunii, mangosteen, banane mici, mango, pepene rosu, pepe galben, ananas) si nici o masa fara fresh de mango. In rest, am incercat specialitati locale, foarte mult orez… un desert interesant a fost orez negru cu lapte de cocos.

  ENG: But the food, how was the food? My favorite was tuna steak. In addition, no morning without fruits (the fruit of the snake, the fruit of the dragon, the passion of passion, mangosteen, small bananas, mango, red melon, yellow pepper, pineapple) and no meal without mango fresh. Otherwise, I tried local specialties, a lot of rice … an interesting dessert was black rice with coconut milk.

RO: Alte informatii: turismul este probabil cea mai importanta sursa de venit a tarii, de aceea gasiti spatii speciale pentru fotografii si tarabe cu suveniruri la fiecare pas.

Nu ratati un spectacol de dans balinez care e o combinatie unica de teatru, dans si muzica (in centrul Ubud la Pura Taman Saraswati sunt spectacole seara – o experienta aparte).

Daca iubiti sa calatoriti va recomand sa aplicati pentru un card de debit platinum de la Idea::Bank, aveti acces gratuit in loungeurile din aeroporturile din toata lumea prin programul LoungeKey.

  ENG: Other information: tourism is maybe the country’s most important sources of income, so you can find special spaces for photos and souvenirs stands at every step.

Do not miss Balinese dance performance, an unique combination of theater, dance and music (in center of Ubud at Taman Saraswati Temple cache an evening performances – a special experience).

If you love to travel I recommend you to apply for a platinum debit card from Idea::Bank, you have free access in airport lounges from all over the world through LoungeKey.

❤ Kisses darlings and hope you have the chance to travel the world!

#TravelPost – Ronda, the spectacular city on the edge of a cliff

RO: In continuarea calatoriei prin Andaluzia, am pornit catre cea mai cautata destinatie din apropierea orasului Malaga. Este o asezare micuta, dar cu totul aparte, care fara indoiala se regaseste in topul celor mai spectaculoase orase construite pe stanci, si anume orasul Ronda.

  ENG: Following our journey through Andalusia, we headed to the most sought-after destination near Malaga. It is a small, but very special settlement, which is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cities built on the rocks, namely the city of Ronda.

RO: Zona este strabatuta de Raul Guadalevin care formeaza un canion superb. Orasul a fost construit pana la marginea acestui canion, ceea ce iti permite sa te bucuri de un peisaj de vis.

  ENG: The area is crossed by Guadalevin River which forms a impressive canyon. The city was built up to the edge of this canyon, which allows you to enjoy a dreamy landscape.

RO: Acelasi rau taie orasul in doua, iar pentru a conectat ambele parti de-a lungul anilor au fost construite trei poduri, care cu siguranta sunt cele mai fotografiate structuri din oras. Puente Romano (Podul Roman), Puente Viejo (Podul Arab) si Puente Nuevo (Podul Nou), fiecare fiind numit dupa epoca istorica in care a fost construit, de catre neamurile straine care au stapanit orasul. Puente Nuevo este cel mai inalt dintre ele, se ridica la 120 de metri deasupra canionului si de pe suprafata lui, orasul arata fantastic, ofera cea mai frumoasa panorama.

  ENG: The same river cuts the city in two, and to connect both sides over the years have been built three bridges, which are certainly the most photographed structures in the city. Puente Romano, Puente Viejo (Arabian Bridge) and Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), each being named after the historical era in which they were built by the foreign nations who ruled the city. Puente Nuevo is the highest of them, it rises at 120 meters above the canyon and from its surface the city looks fantastic, it offers you the most beautiful panorama.

RO: Stiati ca aici, in Ronda, s-a nascut corida moderna?  Un toreador a schimbat modul de confruntare din arena si s-a decis sa nu mai lupte cu taurul de pe saua unui cal, ci sa coboare la nivelul animalului, aparat doar de capa trandafirie. Arena in care s-a desfasurat aceasta schimbare este arena din Muzeul Coridei din Ronda.

  ENG: Did you know that in Ronda was born the modern corrida? A toreador changed the way of confrontation in the arena, and decided not to fight the bull on a horse, but to go down an fight with the bull protected only by the red cloack. The arena in which this fight took place is the arena at the Bullfighting Museum in Ronda.

RO: Te poti pierde in plimbari indelungante pe stradutele inguste ale orasului vechi. Cu siguranta vei descoperi mici si mari comori, de la magazine cu suveniruri, cladiri muzeu si pana la portocali parca pictati de un artist uitat de timp.

  ENG: You can easily get lost in long walks along the narrow streets of the old town. You will surely discover small, priceless treasures, from souvenir shops, museum buildings or beautiful orange trees, that look like they were painted by an artist forgotten by time.

RO: Casele din oras sunt simple, varuite in alb, cu tigla rosie, ferestrele si usile sunt marcate de caramizi colorate, iar balcoanele mici sunt din fier. Este o caracteristica a localitatilor din zona, care sunt numite si Pueblos blancos, iar Ronda este o adevarata capitala a “satelor albe”.

  ENG: The houses are simple, white, with red tiles, only the windows and the doors are built with colored bricks, and the small balconies are made of iron. It is a particularity of the settlements in the area, which are also called Pueblos blancos, and Ronda is a true capital of the “white villages”.