So, after deciding on Bali & Kuala Lumpur as our final destination, I eagerly dove into watching vlogs every day to plan my trip. However, as the saying goes, “not everything goes as planned.” I made a few mistakes along the way but learned from them. It’s important to remember that what works for others may not necessarily work for you, so don’t rely solely on YouTubers for your travel planning.
I tried searching for Indian blogs on Google, but didn’t have much luck finding them. I believe that written content is more detailed and informative than videos. However, after my trip, I remembered a blogger I knew who had visited the same destinations, and reading their blog post made me regret of not reading it before my trip. It’s always great to get firsthand experiences and recommendations from fellow travelers.
Nonetheless, I have some valuable tips to share based on my own experience in Bali and Kuala Lumpur. Avoid the common mistakes I made and make the most of your time in these amazing destinations. Let’s dive in!
Buying a Simcard from the Airport
One of the first things you should do upon arriving in Bali or Kuala Lumpur is to buy a simcard from the airport itself. This will ensure that you have access to data and can stay connected throughout your trip. Having a local simcard will also make it easier to navigate the cities and stay in touch with your loved ones.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jenifer Sayyed | Pune Blogger (@shaandaar_jenie)
I didn’t let anyone buy the simcard from the Bali airport because I had seen in a vlog that you could save money by purchasing it outside. Unfortunately, this didn’t work out for us. After freshening up, we rented a scooter and went for a ride but couldn’t find any telecom providers. Since we forgot to save the map from the hotel, we ended up getting lost.
We finally made our way to a Circle K supermart where they advertised wifi. I went inside and asked for help, and they kindly provided me with free wifi. With their assistance, I was able to locate a telecom service at Kuta market and buy a sim card. Phew! We wasted around 3 hours wandering around and feeling anxious.
Please learn from my mistake and either activate international roaming or buy a sim card at the airport. In Dubai and Singapore, we always bought our sim cards at the airport without any issues, but this time I made a mistake.
Hence in Kuala Lumpur, we made sure to purchase our sim card at the airport.
Do Your Own Research and don’t trust local travel agents completely
While local travel agents can be helpful, it’s important not to completely trust them. Do your own research on the places you want to visit, the activities you want to do, and the best restaurants to try. This way, you can make informed decisions and avoid any potential scams.
We had arranged for a cab to take us from Kuta to Ubud, with the added bonus of sightseeing in Ubud included in the package. Our cab driver in Bali mentioned that the monkey forest was along the way, so we decided to make a quick stop there before heading to our hotel to drop off our bags. He also mentioned the Bali Swing as a great spot with fewer crowds, unlike the Alas Harum which was always bustling.
As we made our way, our driver pulled over at a monkey forest and we purchased our tickets. However, once inside, we realized it was much smaller and less crowded than we had imagined. Curious, I asked the driver if there was another monkey forest in Ubud. He explained that there was, but he chose this one to avoid the traffic and crowds at the other location.
It became clear to us that our driver was taking us on less busy routes to avoid crowded places. So, we decided to rely on our own plans and navigation skills, opting to visit Alas Harum the next day by bike and using a map for guidance.
I am not saying that our driver in Bali was bad, he was good and we planned Nusa Penida trip with him.
However, as responsible tourists who want to make sure we see all our favorite places, it’s a good idea to do a little extra research. Check out the area on the map and ask for all the details so you can plan your trip just the way you like it. Sometimes travel agents have their own agenda, so it’s good to be in the know! 
Skipping Kuta If You Have Less Days
If you have limited time in Bali, consider skipping Kuta. While Kuta is popular for its beaches and nightlife, it can be disappointing for tourists like us who are not into parties.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jenifer Sayyed | Pune Blogger (@shaandaar_jenie)
We missed out on exploring some beaches because of a sim card problem, and Kuta market didn’t meet our expectations either. Luckily, we only had one day planned in Kuta before moving on to Ubud for the next five days! 
Timing Your Airport Arrival
It’s great to be on time for your flight, but no need to show up at the airport a whopping 4 hours early! We used to get there super early and it was a bummer if the flight got delayed (our Bali to Kuala Lumpur flight got delayed)
Instead, aim to arrive on time to save time and use those extra hours to explore more of the city. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or take a last-minute stroll before heading to the airport.
Stay Anywhere in Central Kuala Lumpur
When booking accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, you don’t need to limit yourself to hotels in Bukit Bintang. There are plenty of other areas in central Kuala Lumpur that offer great accommodation options at varying price points. Explore neighborhoods like KLCC, Chinatown, or Brickfields for a different experience.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jenifer Sayyed | Pune Blogger (@shaandaar_jenie)
I watched a lot of vlogs recommending staying near Bukit Bintang in KL because it’s the most popular area. But after my visit to Malaysia’s capital, I realized that there are other great places to stay too! All the areas are close by, so it only takes about 10 minutes to reach Bukit Bintang from anywhere.
I also found China town, specifically the central market area, to be a great place to stay. I noticed the Ancasa hotel which looked nice. The central market offers a variety of affordable options and even has halal food available.
So, I would suggest staying at Furama in Bukit Bintang, we had a wonderful experience there. But if you’re looking for another option, Ancasa hotel near the central market is a good choice too. Enjoy your stay in Kuala Lumpur! 
In conclusion, by following these tips and learning from my mistakes, you can travel smarter in Bali and Kuala Lumpur. From buying a simcard at the airport to exploring different neighborhoods in Kuala Lumpur, make the most of your trip by being well-prepared and open to new experiences. Happy travels!
My Bali Diary: Memorable Places I explored on my Trip
