Sometimes all you need is to swing out over the jungle…
If you ever find yourself in Bali do yourself a favor and check out the Bali Swing in Ubud. It was something I’d randomly seen on Instagram and as we were driving back from our white water rafting adventure I saw a sign that said:
“Bali Swing: 5km –>”
I had made a mental note to do it when I went to Bali later in the year but had completely forgotten about it. Call it a coincidence, godsend, or me simply paying attention to signs around me, but here was not only a reminder but quite literally a sign pointing me in the right direction.
In typical Todd fashion, I didn’t ask the others in the group (I know one of my flaws), but instead leaned up to the driver and said: “can you take us to the Bali Swing?” He happily took a sharp right and we were on our way. Everyone else in the car looked at me and finally, Cameron voiced the question on everyone else’s mind “Todd, what is the Bali Swing?”
In short, the Bali Swing in Ubud is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a giant swing where you swing out over the jungle that is Ubud. You get on a wooden bench swing and get harnessed in to (hopefully) ensure that you don’t fall off and drop straight down into the jungle to never be heard from again.
Once you get to the swing it’s 500,000 IDR (50AUD or 35USD) per person for an hour of swing time. To me, it was a no brainer. When’s the next time I’m going to be in Bali? When’s the next time I’ll be able to swing over a jungle? This is not something I planned on passing up.
I’ll be the first to admit, I was nervous. I mean who wouldn’t be? I was about to swing out over a jungle so high that I had to be harnessed in. The height of anticipation (and fear) comes once you’re in and they pulling you back.
But once they push you, you’re flying.
I convinced Nick and Cam to do it as well and they both seemed to really enjoy it, but it wasn’t Raka or Mac’s thing, which is completely okay. There was music playing and drinks for sale so while the rest of us took turns we relaxed, enjoyed the tunes, and a few beers. It was an unplanned end to a really good day.
After we went, I read a lot of reviews online about the Bali Swing in Ubud and not all of them were good. People kept using phrases like “overhyped” and “just a place to take photos” and I’ll be honest, the Bali swing in Ubud isn’t for everyone. If you don’t like heights, aren’t an adventure sports person, or get annoyed with people taking selfies it isn’t for you.
But I want to be clear. I really enjoyed it. Granted I didn’t have many expectations going into it and I don’t think that the Bali Swing in Ubud should be the focal point of your day. We timed it really well and got there toward the end of the day when there was no line and were there for less than two hours. We went swinging, had a few beers, and waited for the sun to go down. Next time you’re in Ubud if you can fit the Bali Swing in I truly do recommend it, as it’s a unique activity you can’t find anywhere else.
Stay Gold.
