3 weeks in Bali, Indonesia- 5/28- 6/15/2024

Day 2- Balangan Beach-5/28/2024

We are in Uluwatu, one of Bali’s most dramatic and atmospheric coastal regions, a place where steep cliffs, turquoise water, and golden sunsets come together in a way that feels almost cinematic. Uluwatu sits on the southern tip of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, known for towering limestone cliffs that drop straight into the ocean. Our hotel is positioned right along these cliffs, giving sweeping views all day long.

We started the day with breakfast on the balcony, enjoying a wide, peaceful view of the ocean.

What a big change in weather from Australia.  We are definitely feeling the warm and humidity of a tropical weather.

Tropical fruits.  I am loving it!

Afterward, we set out for the beach. The walk took us through the resort grounds.

Because the hotel is located on a cliff, we had to go down a bunch of stairs.

To get to the beach we passed by a bunch of Balinese Warungs (cafes and stalls), and small basic surf shacks.  The body of water before the beach is a natural tidal channel, pool, or low-lying marshy area that runs parallel to the line of warungs.

The warungs are built right on the edge of the beach, sitting on the sand and rock shelf. This cluster of structures is the heart of the beach's local surf vibe.

The divider is made of low concrete wall that separates the warungs and their seating areas from this body of water, providing a dry walking access point right before the main beach.

One of the many bar close to the beach. These are not traditional bars but rather small family-run establishments that serve cold Bintangs, fresh coconuts, simple Indonesian food (like Nasi Goreng), and rent out sun loungers. This is where you pass through to step onto the main stretch of sand.

Heading to the beach.

A red flag on the beach means that strong Currents and Rip Tides, signaling that the waves are too big or turbulent for safe swimming.   

The ocean bordering Balangan Beach is the Indian Ocean.

Balangan beach is a long, golden arc of sand backed by cliffs and framed by bright blue water. It has a slightly tucked-away feeling, which matches your walk in perfectly. To reach it, we followed a small path that run beside a tidal pool, and then suddenly the beach appears at the end, wide, open, and dramatic.

The beach is famously bordered on its northern end (to our left as you face the ocean) by a prominent limestone rock formation.

These "big boulders" or large rock shelves are what gives Balangan its iconic look and are a very popular spot for photos, especially at sunset. The main surf break rolls in near this rocky area.

The view is absolutely magnificent from here. There is nobody swimming because the red flag means DO NOT ENTER THE WATER or proceed with extreme caution, often indicating that swimming is prohibited.

The waves are definitely huge and strong.

We are now walking to the right of the beach and I see two dogs having fun chasing each other.

The dogs absolutely had a blast on the beach

On the beach there is a raised structure that is used maybe be sit and watch the sunset.  This spot is famous for its panoramic views over the beach and the Indian Ocean, and it often has some man-made structures for viewing or small beach shacks built into the rocks.

The huge waves and the huge boulders you see in the distance are characteristic of this area.

Balangan is a famous reef break surf spot, meaning the waves crash over a coral reef rather than sand. This creates those large, powerful, and consistent waves that make it great for surfing but dangerous for casual swimming, which perfectly explains why the red flag is posted.

The entire area is part of the Bukit Peninsula, which is characterized by dramatic limestone cliffs and rugged coastlines, with large rock formations and boulders scattered along the shoreline and in the water.

A large boulder (or rock formation) in the middle of the beach with vegetation on top is almost certainly the iconic Balangan Beach. It's a sizable chunk of the limestone cliff that has been isolated over time, and its top, being exposed to the elements, has accumulated soil and supports scrubby green vegetation (bushes, grass, or small plants).

I can see why it is a popular surf spot because the waves are strong and consistent. Even from the shore, the surf is impressive to watch. On days with a red flag, it’s definitely one of those beaches where you admire the ocean rather than swim in it.

The waves are huge.

Balangan beach is more secluded and feels calm. You hear mostly the sound of the waves and the breeze, making it easy to just stroll, sit, or watch surfers ride long breaks.

We are now walking back to our hotel.

After the beach, we met our tour guide in the lobby of the resort and set off on the next leg of our adventure.

The first stop was Bukit Sari Agro Luwak Coffee, a little shop tucked along the road between Uluwatu Temple and GWK. It’s not exactly a sprawling plantation, more like a cozy garden-front coffee house,  but it’s full of lush greenery, coffee plants, and even a small waterfall out back.

As we walked through the small garden area of the coffee place, we got to see the actual coffee plants up close. The branches were dotted with clusters of coffee cherries, some still green and others turning a deep red as they ripened. It was interesting to see how the beans grow in layers, with the shiny outer skin and the seed hidden inside.

The garden is peaceful and pretty, but some visitors have raised ethical concerns: a few noted luwaks being kept in cages.

During our visit, the guide walked us through how civet (luwak) coffee is made: how the Asian palm civet eats the coffee cherries, and how the beans are collected afterward.

The garden is peaceful and pretty, but some visitors have raised ethical concerns: a few noted luwaks being kept in cages.

The mongoose (or more accurately, the Asian Palm Civet) is the crucial element for Luwak Coffee. Showing it caged is the proof, but it often raises ethical concerns as these nocturnal, solitary animals are kept in small, stressful enclosures for display and production.

Closer view of the Asian Palm Civet.  He is calm but he looks pretty sad.

The traditional, hands-on process (roasting, grinding) is demonstrated to highlight the authenticity and effort required, justifying the high price of the Luwak coffee.

Manual roasting and grinding process.

The complimentary tasting (usually various herbal teas, fruit teas, and flavored coffees except for the Luwak coffee) is a soft-sell technique. It's a pleasant experience that builds goodwill before the main objective is to sell their producst.

This place is essentially designed and carefully curated for tourist experiences, and to me to me it felt like a "tourist trap".  We did not buy anything as there is nothing I wanted to buy or to take back.

NEXT... Uluwatu temple