Sunrise in Sanur

When we arrived, the shore was already alive with quiet activity. Large boxes were stacked along the sand, and many workers were moving steadily back and forth.

The sun rising in the horizon.

The sky was still dark, but it was slowly filling with a soft orange glow near the horizon. That warm tint reflected faintly on the water and the sand, creating a beautiful contrast with the silhouettes of the workers and the boat.

Workers lifting the boxes onto their heads and carrying them down toward a boat parked right on the shoreline.

Watching this unfold in the early morning light felt like a behind-the-scenes glimpse of coastal life in Bali.

On the rocky shore, couples were already seated close together, quietly watching the sunrise. Some sat side by side, others leaned into each other, all facing the same direction, sharing the stillness of the moment.

Farther away, along a rocky pier, even more people had gathered, their figures lined up against the horizon, all waiting patiently for the sun to rise.

As I looked out toward the beach, facing the rising sun, the scene transformed.

The sun grew larger as it climbed, glowing with a bright yellow top while the bottom burned deep red, as if it were resting on the horizon.

The sky was filled with clouds, but instead of blocking the view, they softened it, catching the light and turning shades of orange, pink, and gold. The colors spread across the sky and reflected gently on the water.

It was so peaceful standing in this area and to watch the sun rising.

It was a peaceful, almost cinematic moment. Watching the sun rise on our last morning in Bali, surrounded by quiet onlookers and glowing skies, felt like a perfect ending, calm, beautiful, and full of gratitude for everything the island had given us.

Then I saw a man paddling on a stand-up paddleboard, gliding slowly across the water.

Against the brightening sky, he appeared almost like a silhouette, moving calmly and steadily as the sun rose behind him. Each stroke of his paddle was smooth and unhurried, perfectly matching the peaceful rhythm of the morning.

The glowing colors of the sunrise reflected off the water around him, gold, orange, and hints of red rippling with every small wave.

The main beach.

As the sun climbed higher into the sky, the colors shifted once again. The deep reds and oranges softened into a rich, glowing gold. The light spread across the water, creating long, shimmering reflections that danced with every gentle ripple.

Everything around us seemed to take on that same warm golden tone, he waves, the sand, the rocks along the shore. The morning felt brighter and calmer, as if the day had fully awakened. Standing there, wrapped in that golden light, it felt like a peaceful and perfect farewell to Bali, ending the journey with warmth, beauty, and quiet gratitude.

The morning felt brighter and calmer, as if the day had fully awakened. Standing there, wrapped in that golden light, it felt like a peaceful and perfect farewell to Bali, ending the journey with warmth, beauty, and quiet gratitude.

We walked further we encounter a group of young people exercising on the beach.

They were exercising at the rhythm of an upbeat song.

Boats docked on the shore.

One last stroll on the beach before heading to the airport.

Lunch at the Bali Airport. Hoa ordered a Nasi campur, classic Balinese dish.

I had a Tonkatsu soup and then we are headed to the terminal.

Our three weeks in Bali were a mix of beauty, contrast, and reflection. We experienced some truly unforgettable moments, dramatic cliffs in Nusa Penida, powerful waves crashing against rocky shores, quiet mornings watching the sunrise, and evenings wrapped in glowing sunsets. The light in Bali is special, and sunrise and sunset never failed to feel magical, whether we were on the beach, near the ocean, or simply pausing to take it all in.

At the same time, Bali felt very touristy, especially in popular areas. The crowds were constant, and the lack of an effective system to manage and clean up trash was hard to ignore. In many places, this took away from the natural beauty and made certain areas feel neglected and overly developed.

What stayed with us most, though, were the people. Everywhere we went, we met kind, welcoming, and hardworking locals, workers carrying supplies at dawn, tending gardens by hand, running small warungs, or quietly keeping things moving behind the scenes. Their warmth and dedication stood in contrast to the challenges the island faces.

In the end, our time in Bali was both eye-opening and memorable. It’s an island of incredible natural beauty and light, made even more meaningful by its people. Despite the crowds and environmental issues, the simple moments, golden sunrises, fiery sunsets, and everyday scenes of life are what we’ll remember most.

Day 1 in Kuala Lumpur

We flew from Bali to Kuala Lumpur. The flight is about 3 hours.

We arrived at our hotel in the evening.

We decided to eat at Tatsuma Japanese restaurant in the hotel. Tatsuma is an award-winning restaurant with Japanese Executive Chef Hiroshi Masuda and specialize in the art of Kaiseki, a refined, multi course dinning style.

Starting the meal with an assortment of Sushi.

After the sushi we were served a bunch of dishes in the kaiseki style.

Pan seared scallops in a butter miso sauce.

Assortment platter.

NEXT... Museum Negara, Kuala Lumpur