Joining the We Love Bali Program
Specifically to the regions which rely on tourism as an economic wheel such as Bali. Therefore, The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy took the initiative to revive the local community's economy by collaborating with the travel agency, professional convention organizer, and local guides on the We Love Bali program which was held from October to November 2020. The event invites all bloggers, vloggers, and travel agents to participate by deploying them to several tourism places by showing that tourism in Bali is ready to welcome both domestic and international tourists, because Bali has implemented CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainable).
I joined this cool event! Initially, I chose the program with the Nusa Lembongan-Nusa Penida trip, but it turned out the quota was full after registered, so I was transferred to another program. But, to be honest I didn’t like it hehe, so I try to negotiate for at least the snorkeling activities. And, heaven-sent! One of the participants informed me that there was a program with another trip. Even though there was no snorkeling activity, at least balance between activities on the beach, mountains, and the others. Yes, finally I got program 11 with the itinerary to Buleleng, Kintamani, and Bangli.
The activity is carried out for 3 days 2 nights (4-6 November 2020) with the following detail:
Day One:
1. Meeting point at Matahari Terbit Beach, Sanur: Hereafter re-registration and submitting negative rapid test results, the journey continues to…
2. The Bloom Garden
This is a large flower garden inspired by the Dubai Miracle Garden. The location itself is in the Bedugul area, North Bali. This tourist spot is highly recommended for families.
3. Handara Golf
Not for playing golf, but only taking pictures at the gate of this golf course which is quite viral on social media.
4. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
I have visited this temple more than 3 times. But, this is my first visit during the pandemic. Everything has changed, not of the temple but the visitor’s behavior, washing hands, and body check temperature are mandatory at the entrance and keep wearing a face mask while in the temple area. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple is also well known as a floating temple due to when high tide thus, you need a boat to reach the temple.
5. Banyumala Waterfalls
My second visit when joining this program. Such a nice falls in Bali!
6. Buleleng
We stayed at Puri Bagus Lovina, and surprisingly! I was upgraded to a suite room with certain facilities that the room size is much wider than a regular room, there is a bathtub, separate shower with the concept of an outdoor shower, and a private pool. Lucky me! Hehe. To apply the health protocol, especially "Keep the distance" each participant gets one room. So you can imagine, I was alone in that super big suite room hehehe
Day Two:
1. Lovina, Buleleng
At dawn, before 5 am I woke up and get ready to see the dolphins. Because our resort is beachfront, so it needs a few steps to the beach and small boats were waiting to take all participants to see the dolphins' actions welcoming the sunrise.
2. Museum Soenda Ketjil
After checking out of Puri Bagus Lovina, we immediately headed to this museum. And this is the first museum that I visited while in Bali hehe
3. Beji Temple
The uniqueness of this temple is, it has a relief of a Dutchman playing guitar.
4. Meduwe Karang Temple
This temple is known as a temple for Balinese Hindus who give thanks for the sustenance they get, either by promotion, getting a better job, etc.
5. Kintamani
Lunch at Puncak Sari, a restaurant that is always or almost always visited by group tourists. Because it's good with the view. Yes, it directly leads to Mount Batur and Mount Abang as well as Lake Batur.
6. Toya Devasya
This is a hot spring that provides a water park and campers / hikers-style lodging. We stayed in a tent, which I thought would be camping in a field beside the lake, but it turned out that the tent had been set a hall. It such a beginner camper hehehe. They have it because it turns out that there’s a request from several hikers who are hiking in the area.
Day 3:
1. Kintamani
Cycling in the Kintamani area with views of Mount Batur. The distance that we paddled was 7 km with medium terrain. Cycling is not my thing, but because I am used to swimming, I wasn’t surprised, but for those who have never exercised, they’ll hand up hehehe. Yup! Turned out some participants who just started turned back again hehehe
2. Toya Devasya
Before checking out after cycling, we all have breakfast and do water activities on Lake Batur. Yes, this water game is specifically for participants who win the photography competition. Meanwhile, the winners were announced at dinner in the camper area. And, I'm the one who won it, won 2 categories! Namely in the best videos and best photos. And the prize was a ticket to play water rides provided by Toya Devasya. So I played Banana and Donut Boat. Wow! So exciting! Watch the video on my YouTube!
3. Penglipuran Village
After checking out of the camper area, we went to the last destination, Penglipuran Village. This village received an award as the cleanest village in the world in early 2016. It's cool! And indeed, when I went there for the second time, I didn't find any garbage scattered in the people's houses. And we have the opportunity to see the process of making Balinese herbal medicine made from cemcem leaves or better known as spondias pinnata. For 4 years of living in Bali, I have never had it, and it turns out it tastes fresh, so I like it! And after that proceed to see the weaving process. Which unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity, because after seeing the Loloh Cemcem process, I was asked by the head of the event committee to give a testimony during the activity. And it was immediately recorded by the committee when I gave the testimony. Wow! 4 participants were selected and one of them was me. And the testimonies were sent directly to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as the organizer of the event. I'm flattered hehehe.
And it should be noted that during the event, both the participants and the committee always apply health protocols by not removing the face masks except for eating and drinking, always diligently washing our hands using hand sanitizers, and using soap and running water when we arrive at tourist attractions. Yes, all the tourist attractions we visited have provided a sink and checking body temperature. Even if the distance is applied in the bus we use, the seats that should be filled for 2 passengers, but during the event only filled by one passenger each. Meanwhile, the rear seats, which can usually be filled with 5 to 6 passengers, were only filled with a maximum of 3 people.
So, through this event, we hope the economy will revive soon, especially in the tourism sector. By adopting health protocols and adhering to them, there will be no excessive worry during traveling. Hopefully, the condition will recover soon and tourism both in Bali, Indonesia, and globally will soon improve.
And, I heard from one of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy staff who participated in our program, the We Love Bali event will soon expand to other islands in Indonesia, such as Java (East Java and Central Java) and Sumatra. Good luck!
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