From Karimun Jawa to Bali: A Journey Full of Surprises

Taking the fast boat in third class turned out to be quite the experience. Faster, with less rocking than the slow boat—but what an inferno! It felt like a floating sauna. Luckily, after sweating it out for a few hours, we finally set foot on solid ground.

Waiting for us, just as patient as ever, was Roy, our friendly driver from a few days earlier. Always full of good advice, he took us on a tour of the salt marshes south of Jepara and then through the region’s famous teak furniture workshops. Anaïs, eyes shining, was already dreaming of shipping home a container full of these treasures. But even Roy, smiling, warned her that such a dream might sting a little when it came time to check the price.

A Night in Semarang

We eventually arrived in Semarang, a massive city that felt just as busy and chaotic as Jakarta. Our accommodation for the night? DS Covine—a place straight out of an ‘80s American motel scene. But not in a charming, nostalgic way. More in an authentic kind of way… A dead cockroach, roughly the size of my big toe, was lying in front of the door, and a man was napping on a worn-out mat at the entrance. Lovely. And to top it off, we were split into two separate rooms—girls on one side, boys on the other.

Luckily, the evening took a turn for the better with dinner at L’Ascara, a little gem of a restaurant. A fusion of Indonesian and Vietnamese cuisine, served in a bamboo setting with soft, meditative bamboo music playing in the background. A solid 10/10. And the best part? Our entire meal, including delicious mocktails, cost just €20 for all four of us!

Off to Bali

That night, a spectacular tropical storm lit up the sky as we fell asleep early—wake-up call was set for 5 AM to catch our flight. Lion Air proved to be fast and affordable, and before we knew it, we had landed in Bali.

But Bali had to be earned! After touching down, we still had a three-hour drive to cover just 38 kilometers to reach Ubud. The road was a chaotic dance of traffic, but every twist and turn was worth it. As soon as we arrived, the island welcomed us in its own mischievous way—Marion, happily enjoying an ice cream on the street, had it stolen straight out of her hands by a monkey, who didn’t even bother with a thank you!

Ubud itself felt like a giant beehive—busy streets, restaurants from all over the world, and endless boutiques selling jewelry, linen clothing, woven bags, teak plates, and bowls. Anaïs immediately fell for a wooden salad tong and a spatula, while Marion, eyes wide with excitement, admired every shop window.

After strolling through this vibrant city, we made our way to our hotel—an absolute paradise with a pool overlooking the rice fields and a breathtaking view of the Monkey Forest. As night fell, a symphony of jungle sounds, mixed with the distant hum of scooters, lulled us to sleep. Our Balinese adventure had only just begun, yet we already felt like we had stepped into another world.

A huge thanks to Juju, who gave us amazing tips for our Indonesia trip! If you’re planning your own big adventure, check out verybagtrip.com for more travel hacks and inspiration. #verybagtrip

Welcome to the Monkey Forest: A Day of Jungle Encounters

After a night of deep sleep, rocked by the jungle sounds, we started our morning with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before heading out to explore Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest. For about €18 for all four of us, we stepped into a magical world.

The monkeys? Cute… mostly. But before we get to the chaotic part, let’s talk about the trees! The forest is a true natural wonder, home to massive strangler fig trees, whose enormous roots and vines twist and dangle like something straight out of Jurassic Park.

But tranquility didn’t last long! Toward the end of our visit, a little monkey suddenly charged straight at Martin. Luckily, I managed to grab him just in time before the primate reached him—but it was a close call!

Later, during a quick shopping run, we had another monkey attack. This time, one jumped onto Anaïs, launching an epic battle over her biscuits. I heard the desperate cry, “Juliennnn, help me!” as she fought valiantly. But despite all our efforts, the sneaky little thief got away—with Marion’s biscuits in its hands. Victory for the monkey army!

Luckily, we found some peace in the afternoon, splashing around in the hotel pool. A funny highlight? A cow casually strolled up and started grazing right next to us as the kids played and dove into the water.

Tonight, we’ll be watching a traditional Balinese dance performance in a temple—a moment I can’t wait to share in our next update.

See you soon for more Balinese adventures!