Majestic Mantas, Cooking Class, and Conclusion Indonesia

Our next destination in Bali, after leaving Tulamben behind, was Sanur, in the southeast of the island. Here, we had planned something special for our final days in Indonesia - diving or snorkeling with Manta Rays.

However, the first priority was to find accommodation. Once again, thanks to our consistently positive experiences, we found an unbeatably affordable homestay in Sanur - Kubu Daton Homestay. And once again, we were not disappointed. We had a beautiful room and a very nice pool. The owners were incredibly friendly and fulfilled every wish, even providing a free transfer to the beach. Despite the fact that the homestay is slightly off the beaten path, we highly recommend it.

We spent the first few days in Sanur relaxing and taking the opportunity to sleep in. At the same time, we ate at a nearby warung where they also offered Indonesian cooking classes. We couldn't pass up this opportunity to learn how to prepare Indonesian curry and Mie Goreng at home. After a short spontaneous tour, we got the contact information and later contacted the chef by email. We booked a personalized cooking class for the two dishes including appetizers (spring rolls and corn fritters) for approximately €13 per person, which was very affordable.

The cooking class was enjoyable, although we didn't get to do much ourselves. Nevertheless, it was great to see the ingredients required for the dishes. In addition to a successful result and dinner, we also received the recipes, so nothing stands in the way of an Indonesian evening in Germany for those who are interested ;-))

At the same time, we researched online to find the best provider for our planned Manta tour. We quickly came across Indo-Diving, which we also contacted by email. The Manta tour to the nearby Manta Point at Nusa Penida was not cheap at $75 per person, but of course, it turned out to be another unforgettable highlight.

Early in the morning, we took a speedboat from the beach to Manta Point. However, the journey was anything but calm as we had to face 3-5 meter high waves. We were grateful that we had taken motion sickness tablets beforehand. After a one-hour journey, we finally arrived at Manta Point and plunged into the cool water. After just a minute, we had the first success and were able to admire one of the majestic Manta Rays.

These creatures are incredibly huge and can grow up to 5-9 meters and weigh up to 3 tons. Despite their size, they glide silently and majestically through the water, having to eat up to 14% of their body weight in plankton and smaller fish every day.

It was an incredible experience to swim with these animals, and, of course, we took breathtaking pictures...

After Manta Point, we took a short, scenic speedboat ride to our second snorkeling spot, Crystal Bay. Crystal clear water and a beautiful coral garden awaited us there.

After returning to Sanur, the Indo-Diving team took us to our next hotel in Legian. Once again, we marveled at the countless mini gas stations and scooter parking lots, which can be found all over Bali =D

In summary, the entire tour is 100% recommended and a unique experience.

Conclusion Indonesia / Bali:

Incredibly friendly people, beautiful beaches on the Gili Islands with world-class snorkeling opportunities, breathtaking underwater world with sea turtles, mantas, Nemos, and colorful tropical fish, as well as stunning sunsets, temple complexes, and green rice terraces in the heart of Bali, providing the all-inclusive package for an affordable dream vacation. The price-performance ratio is unbeatable and we have never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world.

We were in Bali during the low season from May to early June, which was perfect for us, as the weather with a constant 30 degrees Celsius was a dream come true. Additionally, the hotels and accommodations were much cheaper than during the peak travel season, and there were generally fewer tourists, which is why we would recommend traveling during this time if possible. During the peak season, transportation and accommodations can easily cost twice as much, and stress is guaranteed.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Bali and the Gili Islands, mainly due to the friendly people, and we highly recommend a trip there. The only downside for us was that Indonesia, with its over 17,500 islands, has so much more to offer, which is why we will definitely come back someday. =)