Bali Day 2: Ubud Swing, Market & Akohara Resort (2026)

Day two of our Bali adventure dawned, though I wouldn't exactly call it bright.

After a late night out (yes, we even hit a club!), we had to check out of our current accommodation to move to a new pool villa. That meant an early start to pack up, missing both breakfast and a refreshing morning swim. My body felt every bit of that exhaustion!

Must-Do Bali Experience

The Bali Swing

Our first stop was the famous Bali Swing. If you're in Bali, it's one of those experiences you simply have to try at least once. This was my second time, and I'm not going to lie – it was still terrifying!

The staff did an amazing job, giving me a powerful push!

I highly recommend visiting the Bali Swing in the morning. The staff, who spend all day pushing people, tend to get a bit tired by the afternoon. In the morning, they're full of energy, giving you stronger swings for more dynamic photos and videos!

Dress rental was available for about ~$15. I recall it being free during my honeymoon trip, so it seems Bali's prices have become a bit steeper. Nevertheless, dressing up for photos certainly makes for some stunning shots!

It's all about embracing those extravagant vacation photo ops! If you're planning to go, I recommend checking out booking options in advance. Here's some helpful reservation info:

Bali Swing Ticket Discounts, Operating Hours, Reviews [2026] | Trip.com3ha.in

After all that excitement, we headed down to Ubud Market. A refreshing Bintang beer, thoughtfully provided on the bus, was exactly what I needed! It was perfectly chilled.

Ubud Market Shopping

After conquering the Bali Swing, our next destination was the bustling Ubud Market area!

I ended up buying quite a few bags from Ticket to the Moon. I even wrote a separate post about my haul, which was extensive! Since the store was conveniently located along our Ubud sightseeing route, it was impossible to resist a visit. I've put together a detailed comparison of the bag types I chose, store features, and price comparisons if you were to buy them back home.

I also checked out some flip-flops at Indosole. They seemed incredibly comfortable with good arch support, but the fabric straps made me worry about them getting smelly after water activities, so I ultimately passed. They truly felt amazing, but for someone who loves being in the water, it was a deal-breaker!

Ubud Market offered a huge variety of souvenir magnets and hairpins, but they weren't quite what I was looking for.

However, I spent a long time browsing the colorful headbands (a must-have if you want to avoid a sunburned forehead while freediving!). They were absolutely adorable, but the colors felt a bit too vibrant to match my swimsuits, so I decided to pass on those too.

Akohara Resort

The true charm of a Bali Ubud pool villa, wouldn't you agree, is the breathtaking jungle view?

The Akohara Resort was simply stunning! The pool villa was split-level, and the lower pool area featured a hanging daybed. Just lying there, doing absolutely nothing but gazing at the view, felt like pure bliss.

(Reality check: I actually fell asleep after swimming and got bitten by mosquitoes!)

The entire villa felt like we were immersed in nature, and the meals were incredibly natural and refreshing too!

Instead of rich, indulgent dishes, the food showcased the fresh flavors of vegetables and natural ingredients. Enjoying such a wholesome meal in Bali helped cut through any richness and left me feeling truly refreshed!

After leaving Akohara, we indulged in an aroma massage, and later, for dinner, we found a Korean restaurant for some delicious samgyeopsal (pork belly BBQ).

Honestly, by this point, I was so exhausted that I barely had the energy to take photos! By the time we finished dinner, it was pitch black, and checking into the pool villa felt like navigating in the dark.

Even though Day 2 of our Bali trip meant missing breakfast and a morning swim, getting to experience the Bali Swing, enjoy some shopping, and savor delicious food made it feel like a proper vacation day, full of fun and exploration. (Day 1, with three hotel inspections, was certainly a challenge!)

And since we had an early start the next morning, I even managed a late-night swim to shake off the drowsiness!