Explore the weekend vibes, old man’s market
Did you think shopping at weekend markets are only a thing in Bangkok? Though not as vibrant, Bali’s very own Sunday markets are full of surf, sand and summer styles that will surprise you.
Shopping does not always have to be dash-and-run. Take the entire evening to browse through the lively marketplace with up to 150 stalls gathered at Old Man’s in Canggu, and make it as relaxed as you can, the Old Man really knows how to bring the party to the house.
Get your hands on boho chic jewellery, fun beachwear, and some very sumptuous organic food. It is a kind of hipster shopping gathering you would not want to miss.
Walk around the beaches
Bali owes part of its fame to its collection of beaches, mostly public and easily accessible. The popular ones, such as Tuban, Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua have additional footpaths that allow for leisure walks at any time of the day, especially sunrise and sunset. The cliff-fringed beaches of the southern limestone Bukit peninsula require much more effort to get to, with stone pathways and crags, but with scenic views and quieter scenes.
Kuta Beach is more urbane, with modern malls the likes of Kuta Beachwalk on its northern half and Discovery Shopping Mall on its south – both freely accessible from the beachside and great for window shopping after a day out on the sand.
Gaze at the sunset
Nature offers the best free things to do such as the amazing sunsets that attract hundreds of people to the beaches. Kuta beach all the way to Seminyak is probably the most popular place to watch the sunset. Everyday you can expect different colors and patterns.
If you want a bit of more romance and prefer to have the feeling of owning the entire beach then head to Lovina beach in the North, Candidasa in the East or go to Nusa Lembongan. For the early risers or the ones suffering from jet leg you can wake up to a beautiful sunrise at Sanur beach or Nusa Dua beach.
Walk through a rice field
You will be surprised at how soothing this simple activity is. The sun is warm but the air is crisp, and you are in the middle of a vast, picturesque rice terrace. In an instance, you will feel like the green calming sight has washed away your weary eyes from hours of staring at the screen daily. And taking pictures is still free.
Witness the creation of a masterpiece
Make your stop at any of Bali’s major art markets where you can find stall after stall of arts and crafts, curios of different shapes and sizes. Then consider how they are made.
A visit to any of Bali’s artistic villages and communities of craftsmen, such as the Pakudui village in Tegallalang, or the gold and silversmith communities of Celuk and Mas, south of Ubud, can be eye-opening where you can see how woodcarvers shape intricate Garuda statues, or how silversmiths craft gemstones into their shiny and sophisticated jewellery pieces. Most workshops allow you to witness the process. But it is better if you can buy something there as souvenirs.