Beyond the beach: The wild, warm, and wonderfully unexpected side of Bali
Skip the beach just for a day and dive into these offbeat, soul-stirring experiences.
WAN AZFAROZZA WAN ATHMAR
When you think of Bali, what pops into your head? Probably the luxurious spas, mystical Kecak dances, delicious satay, endless paddy terraces, temples perched on cliffs, vibrant nightlife, and tales of gods and demons. All valid. All magical.
But let’s shake things up a bit. Have you ever explored the raw, rugged heart of Bali—the volcanic highlands? No? Well, next time you’re there, skip the beach just for a day and dive into these offbeat, soul-stirring experiences. Trust me, they’ll leave a mark deeper than your sunburn.
1. Dune it like dune: Ride to Mount Batur’s volcanic heart
Okay, picture this: you’re riding over black volcanic sand in a jeep, kicking up dust Mad Max-style, pretending you’re avoiding sandworms à la Dune (no judgement).
Mount Batur isn’t just any mountain—it’s a sleeping but very much alive volcano, last erupting in 2000. You can take a sunrise or sunset jeep adventure (I went for sunset—because dusk, drama, and a poetic heart). Tours typically last around 3 to 4 hours, with pickup from Kintamani.
Quick tip: don’t leave your shades and face mask behind unless you want to taste the volcano. Volcanic dust doesn’t mess around. The ride is bumpy, scenic, and thrilling, with several stops for epic photo ops and a little geology 101. Expect stunning views of black lava fields, sand plains, and a serene finale at Lake Batur. Nature’s drama at its finest.
2. “I don’t like coffee” - Until I came here
Brace yourself, coffee lovers. This one might hurt. I don’t like coffee. There, I said it. It makes me dizzy, jittery, and regretful. But then came Kintamani Arabica Coffee at Mount Catur… and everything changed.
Nestled in the highlands, this coffee farm, run by the ever-charming Pak Ketut Jati, doesn’t serve your fancy ventis or frappes. Just honest, pure, mountain-grown magic in a cup. And guess what? I drank it black. No milk. No sugar. No dizziness.
They say the soil in the highlands adds something special to the beans—and they’re not lying. Low in caffeine, smooth on the tongue, and somehow luxurious. Even this die-hard non-coffee-drinker was converted (briefly). So if you love coffee, come here. If you don’t - still come here. You might just surprise yourself.
3. Get lost to find yourself: The secret sanctuary
After volcanic rides and caffeine revelations, all I wanted was silence. Solitude. A place to breathe.
Enter: Inara Alas Harum. Tucked away 30 minutes from Kintamani, this hidden retreat starts off like the beginning of a fairy tale - narrow roads, thick greenery, no signs of life. I thought I was lost. Then, like magic, a sign appeared: Inara Alas Harum. I was in a secret paddy-field paradise.
This place is serene with a capital S. Choose between suites or villas, each blending into the landscape like they grew there. Two restaurants—Semara Grill and Poaman—offer rich Balinese flavours for whatever mood you're in (or whatever mood your stomach is in). It’s the kind of place where your soul exhales. Total reset mode.
Go high to get grounded
Bali is more than beaches and coconut trees. The highlands—Kintamani, Mount Batur, Mount Catur—offer a side of the island that’s wild, raw, and deeply grounding.
Whether you're chasing volcanic horizons, sipping unexpectedly delicious coffee, or hiding away in a paddy-field sanctuary, this part of Bali offers something rare: a sense of stillness.
So next time you’re on the Island of the Gods, ditch the predictable for the profound. Trust me, your Instagram feed - and your soul - will thank you.
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