A Moment Of Reflection In Bali Nusa Dua

Remember when I wrote a while back the reason why I ended up in Bali the first time? Well, I never told you that I stayed in Nusa Dua. That’s because I didn’t realize until two weeks into our Bali trip that our resort is smack in the middle of Nusa Dua.

Our stay was indeed rejuvenating, and precisely what we needed before heading to Kuala Lumpur. And the fact that we ended up in Nusa Dua despite not planning to visit this place? Well, let’s just say that these moments are powerful reminders that everything happens for a reason.

If you’re new to the website and want to follow my year of travelling, visit this section for all posts related to long-term travel. You can also start from the beginning of the series by reading this article. Here’s a summary about leaving for a year to travel.

About Bali Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is very different compared to the rest of the island. Likely the most developed area in Bali, some call it the artificial part of the island that houses a lot of high-end resorts. Everything about Nusa Dua is perfect; maintained roads, broad sidewalks and manicured lawns. Nusa Dua is indeed ideal for a relaxing holiday and for those who are okay with staying at their resort.

Only low-key activities in Bali Nusa Dua

We didn’t do much in Nusa Dua. In fact, the highlight of my stay outside of our resort was eating at Starbucks and catching pretty sunsets! The one thing we struggled with in Nusa Dua is that it is hard to explore the area by foot. I mean, we could walk around on the roads, but the view would not have been very scenic. Hotels dominate this region, and high walls barricade each resort.

Nusa Dua is mostly about relaxing in resorts

La Berceuse Resort And Villa was the place we ended up staying for the last leg of our Bali trip. Having some downtime after spending a month travelling around Bali and staying in Seminyak, Kuta and Sukawati was very much the perfect way to end our trip in Bali.

Visited the Bali Collection Shopping Mall

Bali Collection is the shopping complex that everyone goes to in Nusa Dua. We didn’t do much shopping here, but it was fun to act like a tourist and take photos next to signs.

Of course, I stopped by Starbucks to get some yummy drinks. As you may recall, I discovered while in Kuta that EVERYTHING has Ajinomoto (aka MSG) and it was making me sick. So I won’t lie, that is one of the biggest reasons why I needed to pop into Starbucks. I mean, I know for a fact that Starbucks doesn’t put Ajinomoto in their food and it’s clean! So I ate. Plus, they sell drinks and food in flavours that aren’t available in Canada.

Visited the beaches in Nusa Dua (Pantai Mengiat)

The beaches and the expansive coastline in Nusa Dua are beautiful and uncrowded. Low tide is an enjoyable time to explore Nusa Dua beaches, especially if you have a keen interest in sea creatures. I was hoping to see sea urchin, big crabs, and starfish but sadly, they were not around.

You will sometimes see weird holes in the sand during low tide. If you stand still and wait long enough, eel-like creatures will pop their head out of the sand! Cool, but also creepy.

Nusa Dua water blow

This natural rock formation is famous for the giant waves of water splashing into the rock walls. We visited this place one evening in hopes of watching the water erupt from the sea, but to no avail. We learned later that you could see the water blow during high tide, so that’s something to keep in mind if you want to catch the water blow.

Statue of Krishna and Arjuna

There is a small park on the Nusa Dua Peninsula which you can spot from the large Krishna and Arjuna statues. The park is a quiet place to spend an evening watching the sunset. Many locals were around playing soccer, jogging and doing other random forms of exercise.

Other places and activities worth exploring in Bali Nusa Dua

If you’ve had enough relaxation in your resort, there’s quite a bit to see and do in Nusa Dua. I’m not going to create an exhaustive list here, just the places I wish I visited when I was in Nusa Dua. Some of these locations are worth exploring since they are a short drive from Nusa Dua.

Geger Temple

This old and sacred temple sits on top of a limestone cliff and creates a picturesque atmosphere. I don’t think it’s as popular as the other temples in the south of Bali too, which means no tourists in your photos!

Abandoned airplane in South Kuta

The backstory of this abandoned plane is not entirely clear. Some say the owner wanted to turn it into a tourist destination but ran out of money, while others say it was supposed to be a restaurant. Either way, it’s cool to check out since it is close to Nusa Dua.

Beach hopping in South of Bali

I planned to see these beaches when I was preparing for Bali but never quite made it to any of the beaches (booooo). Regardless, all the beaches I’ve listed below are very picturesque and worth checking out. Many of them have beautiful backdrops of cliffs, caves, and temples. They are:

• Suluban Beach
• Nyang Nyang Beach
• Melasti Beach
• Green Bowl Beach
• Pantai Gunung Payung

Uluwatu Temple

This temple is on top of a cliff where you can catch beautiful sunsets and watch the Kecak fire dance. Another thing to be mindful of is the aggressive monkeys in the area. We’ve read that they are quite crazy and will steal your belongings if you’re not careful.

Full circle back to Bali Nusa Dua

Perhaps the most crucial part of my stay in Nusa Dua was reflecting on the person I used to be the first time I was here. My dreams, my hopes, my wishes and heartbreaks no longer exist. Despite all the dreams that I was able to turn into a reality, the ones I had during that time never materialized.

Before Nusa Dua, I couldn’t help but wonder what lesson the universe is trying to teach me with all the “coincidences” and the little signs that I saw during my travels. By the end of our stay, the answer was clear.

“Sometimes a short walk down memory lane is all it takes to appreciate where you are today”

The universe has a way of teaching me lessons when I need it the most and bringing me back to where I need to be. To stop, and reflect on the person I was, so that I can better understand the person I am, and the person I will be.

It took me years to realize that sometimes, you just have to let go of what life took away from you. Because the reality is that what leaves you was necessary to make space for the things that really belong in your life.

For me, Nusa Dua was meeting the person I was six years ago and saying goodbye to her for the last time. To relive those cuts that healed over time and see that those cracks in life weren’t so bad after all. Or maybe I am just a little bit wiser.

And so there I stood in Nusa Dua, with memories of my former self, standing on the very same beach I stood six years ago. There was nothing left to do but to ask myself… Did I let go?

I have.

I buried that future behind.

Read next: Our visit to Kuala Lumpur

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