Java to Bali: Temples, Traditions & Island Time in Indonesia

We arrived in Yogyakarta and stopped for lunch at Aroem, easing into Java with comforting local flavors.

From there, we checked into The Phoenix Hotel, a grand, historic property right in the city center—an elegant base for exploring one of Indonesia’s most culturally rich regions.

Day two was a full immersion into Java’s spiritual heritage. We began at Prambanan Temple, learning about Hindu cosmology and the stories of the different gods depicted in the towering stone reliefs.

After lunch at BS Resto, we found ourselves with extra time and made an unplanned stop at Mendut Buddhist Monastery, gaining insight into how monks live and practice their faith—quiet, simple, and deeply intentional.

The day culminated with a VIP experience at Borobudur, allowing us to avoid the crowds and explore this extraordinary site at our own pace. Climbing the temple—yes, in flip-flops—past rows of serene Buddha statues felt surreal. As the sun set over Mount Merapi, the entire landscape glowed, making the long day more than worth it. Dinner that night was a well-earned, low-key meal back at the hotel.

We checked out early and flew to Bali, where we quickly learned our first lesson: traffic to Ubud at rush hour is no joke. What should’ve been a shorter transfer turned into nearly two hours—but a quick stop for beers along the way helped.

We eventually arrived at Komaneka at Rasa Sayang, our peaceful home in Ubud. That evening, we celebrated one of our group’s birthdays with a special dinner at Plataran Ubud, enjoying traditional cuisine in a beautiful setting.

The day began at the market with a local chef, selecting fresh ingredients for our Balinese cooking class. We then visited his commune, learning about daily life and community traditions before heading to the cooking school—set in the middle of a rice paddy.

We cooked five to six traditional dishes, including Tum Ayam, Tuna Sambal Matah, and Dadar Gulung, then enjoyed the fruits of our labor for lunch.

In the afternoon, we headed to Tukad Cepung Waterfall. The hike down was absolutely worth it—sunlight streaming through the canyon and the chance to cool off under the falls. The hike back up, however, was a serious workout.

Dinner at Yenni’s Kitchen Ubud capped off a full, unforgettable day.

The group headed out to explore the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by Ulun Danu Temple, whose floating design felt almost Disney-esque in the best way.

Meanwhile, Ian and I took a slower approach—resetting by the pool at the hotel before rejoining everyone for dinner at Donna.

The day started early—4 am early—with a two-hour drive to Lempuyang Temple, known as the Gates of Heaven. Arriving before the crowds meant quiet moments and a stunning sunrise framed perfectly between the gates.

From there, we headed to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, wandering the serene gardens before lunch at Tirta Ayu Restaurant.

The afternoon was all about relaxation back at the hotel, followed by dinner, where the staff performed a traditional Balinese mask dance.

We ended the night with drinks at The Blue Door Bar.

We departed Ubud and headed toward Denpasar, stopping for what we thought would be a short mask-carving demonstration. Instead, it turned into a six-hour hands-on workshop—complete with Indonesian Uber Eats for lunch.

The process was physically demanding, but carving a traditional Balinese mask gave us a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the dances we’d seen. We left with sore arms, a meaningful souvenir, and a newfound respect for the art.

That evening, we checked into Anvaya Beach Resort, ready to explore South Bali.

The day was split between beach and pool before heading to Tanah Lot for sunset. Watching the sun dip behind the sea temple from a scenic viewpoint was breathtaking.

We also received a traditional blessing with rice and even got to pet the holy snakes, making the experience uniquely Balinese.

Our final full day began slowly, enjoying the resort and the epic breakfast buffet.

In the afternoon, we drove to Melasti Beach, spending time at Uma Beach House before witnessing the powerful Kecak “Monkey Dance”—an intense, rhythmic performance that left a lasting impression.

To close out our time in Bali, we enjoyed a seafood barbecue dinner at Anantara Uluwatu, the perfect farewell meal overlooking the ocean.

With full hearts and very full camera rolls, we departed Bali for our onward journey—grateful for the temples, traditions, and moments that made this chapter of Indonesia unforgettable.

From flip-flop temple climbs and jungle waterfalls to sacred rituals and sunset sea temples, this journey through Java and Bali was rich, meaningful, and deeply memorable. Indonesia didn’t just show us its beauty—it invited us into its soul.