Bali Travel: The Undying Balinese Arts

The island of Bali is literally a very beautiful island situated under the equator in Indonesian Archipelago, is one of the most interesting and ultimate tourist destination in Asia. Since the first decade of the 20th century visitors have given to it several nicknames "Island of Gods" - "Island of thousand Temples" – "The Last Paradise" – and also often called "Island of Artist".

The spirit of creativity pervades everything in Balinese life, from the cultivation of the steeply-terraced rice field to the elaborate temple offerings of flowers and foods given to the gods at times of celebration. Dancing, playing the gamelan, painting and carving is as much a part of an ordinary day as working in the offices, in the fields or feeding livestock.

In ancient times, the people of the Indonesian Archipelago followed the ways of animism and ancestor worship. By around A.D. 600 however, Indian ideas and beliefs began to spread throughout Southeast Asia. Both Buddhism and Hinduism became active force on the islands of Sumatra and Java. When Islam gained control of Java in the 16th century, many Hindu princes, their followers and artisans fled to Bali. They established principalities on Bali.

The earliest art of Bali dates from this pre-Hindu era, including highly of decorative works of bronze, as well as skilled basketworks and weaving. During the Hindu era, the princes and their relatives were the patronage of the native arts of Bali, and also sustained by the guiding rituals of its religion. The palaces and temples, as political and religious center of the island, were also centers of the arts.

A prince would adorn his pavilions with the most exquisitely carved wood panels, paintings, silken materials, gilded umbrellas and would be entertained by gamelan music, dances and songs of poetical Kawi language. The opulence of the court – had its religious parallel in the lavish decoration and dances within the temples. So the courts and the temples have been receiving equal high performance in art.

This convergence of beauty and ritual explains why the arts have endured to such a great extent in Bali. Ritual demanded a continuous renewal of communion with the divine through temple celebrations. The people poured their artistic talents into preparations of these occasions. New offerings have to be made, new shrines constructed, new statues of stones and woods have to be carved, dances, music and dramas created and practiced. This kept carvers and masons constantly occupied creating new sculptures or retouching older ones.

The Balinese language has no words for “art” and “artist”. In former times there had been no need for such definitions. Art was never considered a conscious production for its own sake. Rather, it was regarded as a collective obligation to make thing beautiful. And this was always done with a definite purpose: to create beauty in service to society and religion. Thus a “figure-maker” or “picture-maker” as well as a farmer or merchant, he was called upon when his skills were needed. He neither signed his name to his work, nor received money for his labor. His prime aim was to serve his community. As was true in the olden days, the majority of Bali’s artists are highly skilled craftsmen who learned their trade by mastering the traditional forms inherited from their forefathers.

In the first decade of the 20th century, the Dutch took the island, and Bali entered a new era as a colony of the Netherlands. Western education, modern technology, magazines, and a steady tourist trade opened up a new world for many Balinese, and this widening of outlook was reflected in the arts. For the first time, craftsmen began to treat their work as art for art’s sake, experimenting in new style, themes and media. With the arrival of the Western influence, the rigid conventions of the traditional style were no longer binding. Instead of illustrating stories from the great Hindu epics, some Balinese artists began to depict scenes of everyday life and nature in their work. The present art community has two criteria: (a) a work of art is praiseworthy in the eyes of fellow Balinese, or (b) it appeals to the foreign market and is sold.

To day the traditional and modern arts can be viewed at various places: Museum Bali in Denpasar presents a commendable survey of Balinese art from prehistoric times to the early 20th century and modern arts. Werdi Budaya Arts Center in Denpasar offers exhibitions and sales of local handicrafts and hand loomed fabrics. Tohpati for fine batiks. Celuk for silver and gold works. Mas for excellent woodcarvings. Ubud is the heart of arts and cultures, home of the most talented painters. And Klungkung for the traditional paintings and silver works.

So if you are interested in arts, do not hesitate to choose this enchanting island for your Bali Vacation. It also has very nice beaches, hotels, fabulous nature’s views, friendly people and of course excellent foods. Go online and search your preferred Bali hotels or contact your reputable travel agent.

Tip List Of Honeymoon Vacation In Bali

Bali is the paradise for honeymooner that many couple wish to spend such a special occasion on the island. It’s mesmerized various views such as; beaches, mountain, rice field, and romantic place to stay like: Bali hotel, resort, villa, Bali private villa shall enable you to get a perfect honeymoon, no disturbance, no noisy sound, truly serenity, just sound of nature. Fresh atmosphere will refresh your mind & body. Bali rich culture would contribute to make your honeymoon the unforgettable one, you’ll find something that is unique, beautiful, memorable and fun, the experience of a lifetime, which cannot be gained at other places.

Bali is a tiny island but has so much wonderful things to offer. Many travel agents / tour operator provide worldwide choice of honeymoon ideas.

Here are some tips to get comfortable honeymoon in Bali:

- Schedule your departure day two days after the wedding to give you ample time for rest after the activities and the celebrations. If you must travel immediately, remember to leave in the middle of the day and not the early morning so you’ll get a good night’s sleep.

- Ask your travel agent for Honeymoon Packages, these usually offer the best destinations for honeymooners, not to mention discounts and freebies.

- Never, ever overbook day trips, you’re not just travelling, you’re with your new spouse, better save up some energy for the night’s fireworks.

- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask about certain perks, events.

- In addition to the above, don’t be afraid to request extra stuff, like a big bathtub, a double bed, or a romantic view.

- Don’t forget to bring your marriage certificate along with you, especially if the name of the bride is already under her husband’s name.

- Pack your camera and lots of film; you won’t want to miss anything. You might also want to pack a disposable underwater camera and extra batteries, these are absurdly pricey in tourist spots, and you wouldn’t want to overspend.

- Mention to anyone, especially in the café or in the tour boat, that you’re on your honeymoon, yes this may sound a bit embarrassing, but some restaurants give extras like free drinks or gifts for honeymooners. This also works for birthday celebrants.

- If you want an active honeymoon, research and prepare for water sports; the tropics are a great place, to learn them, always remember to consult hubby before you try one though.

- Stock up on sun protection. The higher the SPF the better, as you’ll probably be spending whole days out in the sun; you wouldn’t want to get skin cancer after just two weeks of marriage.

- Some travel agencies include island-hopping trips, these are great ways to explore, and enjoy. This is especially good because you’ll get a change in scenery, and won’t easily get bored, especially if you have an extended honeymoon.

- Even if your valuables are inside your hotel room, keep them under lock, and if you decide to bring them with you, always watch out for stray pickpockets.

- Bring with you a stock of candles and massage oils that you can place inside your hotel room for that romantic evening after touring and swimming.

Remember that the entire objective of a honeymoon vacation is to have an unforgettable romance. Follow the quick tips above and you can head your way to a memorable honeymoon in Bali.

A Bali Beach Worth a Stay

EVERYONE who is anyone in Bali's expatriate community shows up for sunset and cocktails at Ku De Ta.

As the shadows lengthen, the island's cognoscenti drift onto the bar's breezy beachfront deck, their linen shirts billowing open to expose native jewelry, their Thai fisherman's pants revealing calves tanned and toned by long walks on Kuta beach. A D.J. spins his latest chill mix, the international assemblage settles into chaise longues and the sun plunges into the Bali Strait.

It's the typical end to a typical day in Seminyak, Kuta's trendy northern neighbor. About two miles from the center of Kuta, away from the packs of Australian and Japanese surfers that rule the tourist strip, Europe's well heeled revel in their own barefoot Balinese playground.

Once a quiet village, Seminyak is now one of a handful of settlements that have been engulfed by Kuta's holiday megalopolis, with its T-shirt shops, tawdry bars and touts. But Seminyak has remained distinct in style and clientele, playing shiraz to Kuta's ice beer.

''It's chalk and cheese,'' said Arthur Chondros, an Australian who helped start Ku De Ta three years ago and now manages the restaurant and bar. ''Seminyak is a bit more outgoing and a bit more risky. It's got an opinion.''

People who stay in Seminyak are for the most part long-term visitors, guidebook émigrés whose weeklong visits turned into monthlong sabbaticals. Some have taken up residence, setting up businesses.

They are backpackers all grown up and wielding credit cards. They don't write postcards; they send text messages on their mobile phones.

I discovered Seminyak only recently, in October, despite at least a dozen visits to Bali over the last decade. Allergic to Kuta's carnival atmosphere, I typically leave Ngurah Rai International Airport south of Kuta and head literally for the hills -- to Ubud and the highland rice paddies beyond it.

But if Kuta is boisterous in the extreme, Ubud and its environs offer what verges on an excess of serenity. A few days of quiet contemplation amid its dragonflies and amphibian nocturnes is enough to make anyone pine for a beery Australian singalong. So when some friends decided to rent one of Seminyak's many luxury villas, I eagerly signed on.

Seminyak provided the perfect balance of seclusion and exhibition, a polished port of call for those staying in the villas moored in the nearby rice paddies. And unlike Ubud, Seminyak has a beach, the quiet end of the beach that makes Kuta one of the world's famous surfing spots.

Kuta was also the target of terrorists in October 2002, when more than 200 people were killed by a bomb at a nightclub; the area now has an ephemeral air. Fewer people have visited Bali since then: tourism dropped by about half, chilled by the Kuta bomb, SARS and a bomb in Jakarta. The Balinese economy was hard hit, and local people suffered.

Lately, though, visitors are returning in bigger numbers, as monthly arrivals of foreigners to Bali's international airport have recovered to roughly two-thirds their level before the bombing.

For the traditional visitor, Seminyak has a selection of fine hotels, including the beachfront Oberoi, which resembles a traditional Balinese village. One of Bali's first luxury hotels, it was designed in the early 1970's by the Australian architect Peter Muller, who also designed the Amandari resort near Ubud. The Oberoi is such a landmark that the entire area around it at the northern end of Seminyak is often referred to simply as Oberoi.

Most of the people who stay in that area, however, wouldn't be caught dead in a hotel, no matter how luxurious. Renting villas is the thing there, which affords distance from crowds but proximity to the scene. Many villas are a short drive away.

''People want to go to restaurants and bars and be where the action is,'' said Dan Brooks, a documentary photographer from London who came to Indonesia to film Komodo dragons and ended up staying in Bali to manage and rent villas for a company called Elite Havens.

How To Enjoy Adventures In Bali

Bali is to everyone not only known for it’s indigenous culture, people, but also known for it’s nature, i.e.: magnificent mountain, alluring sea, beaches, pristine forest, waterfall, hot spring, rice fields, flora, fauna, traditional villages, etc are the great asset that Bali has to offer. It attracts the tourists to come to Bali especially to those who are fond of travelling. They like to go to the places where they can recharge their souls, unwind, release the tension from work, and simply enjoy what life has to offer.

While enjoying the great view, you may thoroughly enjoy the adventures in Bali through joining adventure activities that available in Bali, such as: horse riding, elephant ride, quad & buggy ride, bungy jumping, buggy drive, village trekking, forest & mountain trekking, cycling, hiking, rafting, sea cruise, land cruise, scuba/diving, snorkelling, water sports, land tours, golf, and so on.

Here’s a list of tips for adventure travellers, whether they want adventures that are more inclined to wilderness or just the typical family adventure most people would love to experience:

1. It is best that people should know what the type of travel adventure they are getting into.

Adventure travel may provide the kind of adrenalin rush most adventurers long to experience every time they get out of their territory. It is the feeling of newness and uncertainty on what will happen that gives them the satisfaction and gratification that they need.

However, it is still important for them to know what they are doing. After all, travelling always involve risky activities especially to those who are set to gain adventure experience.

2. Have a fixed set on the adventure travel destination.

Because of the vastness of locations and adventure locations available today, people might get confused on what areas are best for their adventure travel.

One good tip is to choose a location that can baffle those adventurous minds and mystify the eyes with great mystery.

As much as new and exotic places can be adventurous, it is still best to stick to the classical and typical locations. It would be really risky to try areas, which no one has ever dared to go to.

3. Consider the budget.

Adventure travelling can be pretty expensive especially when it entails going to places that entails great adventure packages.

So, it would be better for adventure travellers to shop around first and compare prices before deciding on what kind of adventure travel to take.

Indeed, adventure travel can be one of the most exciting and gratifying travel one can experience. However, with the exotic places, wilderness, and virgin forests that one might consider, it is a must that every travel must know the proper way how to protect themselves and what to do first before trying the place out.

Ubud = Relaxation and no stress

If you head to Ubud directly from Kuta or Sanur you will probably at once notice the calmness and relaxed attitude af this golden spot. This place has no beaches, and does not attract the same kind of people as fx. Kuta beach does- where it can be hard to relax for one moment;-).

A lot of people come up to Ubud to explore the culture, the good shopping opportunities for textile, woodwork, jewelleries and art, and the Rice fields etc., But the majority of the people you see in daytime - dissapear in the evening. Most of them probably goes back to their beaches and resorts in Sanur and Kuta.

The place is a bit cooler than further south, and the temperature in the evening is comfortable - and perfect for a pair of light long pants - to avoid moscitto bites.

The town has a lot of god restaurants and caffes. In most restaurants they play the traditional Balinees music - Gamelan, which you come to like, if you don't do so at once. The sound of the Gamelan-Music has been described as "Moonlight twinkeling in in the sea" - and you can almost always hear a frog croaking or a Gekko clucking somewhere - IT IS SO NIIICE!!

You won't leave Ubud disappointed unless you're only into beach-life.

Breezing Through Lovina Beach

I’m not sure that Lovina Beach is all that it’s cracked up to be. We had just finished our tour of Bali’s ancient capital, Singaraja, which had been the object of riots, burning of buildings, looting,-all in the name of dissatisfaction over the winner of the presidential election. About 10 miles west of there, lies Lovina Beach with its black volcanic sand, and nary a dolphin in sight, the reason for which most people come here.

Our bus tour intended for us to stop here for lunch and not do any exploration of any kind; to add insult to injury, the lunch was pretty awful, despite the fact that we had an interesting view of the ocean, and eating in the open air is always a joyful experience. The water appears to be calm and fairly shallow; a woman peddler accosted me as I was wetting my feet and wanted to sell me saris at any cost. I positively refused although she continued to follow me as I dug my toes in the black sand, kicked up some water and ran back to our table to join the others.

Lovina is reputed for attracting water sportsmen (people if you prefer) who can do all the things I refuse to do such as as diving, snorkeling, and water skiing. The village itself is surrounded by rice paddies naturally, as well as fields; for commerce, there are shops who sell furniture and textiles complemented by the services provided by the hotel and restaurant industry.

I suppose if one were to wish to escape the pervasive touristy Kuta Beach to the South, this might offer a peaceful alternative. They indicated that parallel to the coast runs a long coral reef, so divers and snorkelers would certainly be tempted to come to Lovina. I would be hard pressed to recall the name of the restaurant that served us lunch, but consider that a blessing since I don’t really recommend the food here. It’s served buffet style, as customary, with bus tours and the food did not appear nor taste very fresh.

If you do come to Lovina for a few days, they do have some lovely hotels in the area that are very inexpensive due to the distance from Ngurah Rai airport in Tuban. Also in the area is a natural hot spring, a waterfall, a monkey temple and those are always fun, a traditional market and some ancient temples as well. The pictures below depict denizens of Bali waters.

Dolphin Tour

Dolphin is a kind of mammal that live in water, This animal is absolutely. no danger to human. Watching the dolphins in aquariums is very different than watching them in their own home, the ocean. For some time before dolphins can be watched at the north of Bali island, but that's far enough from Denpasar city.And now Bali Go Tours proudly presents for you, watching the dolphins in Nusa Dua area with beautiful background of Bali e.g. Uluwatu Temple, Batu Bolong Temple, Geger Temple etc by using Island Explorer Cruise

Lovina, Bali 's Northern low key beach town, has several attractions especially for nature lovers. Snorkeling and diving are great and allow for a colourful introduction to underwater life. For those who want to keep their ears dry, there's also a popular attraction that can be witnessed from the safe and relatively dry environment of a boat: Dolphins.

It is said that Lovina is the dolphin capital of Bali and the huge statue erected in honour of the flippered mammal is a testimony to its importance for the local tourist industry. Early morning dolphin tours are offered everywhere and since the price is fixed at Rp. 50,000 per person, it doesn't really matter where you book your trip.

Dolphins are early birds so prepare to wake up before the roosters because the captain of the boat will wake you up at 5 AM . Once you get to the beach in a sleepy drunken state, the boats will be rolled into the sea and prepped for departure. The boats are beautifully crafted colourful wooden vehicles with riggers that sit up to 5 people. They are made out of a single tree that's been hollowed out. Because of the riggers, these little boats are remarkably stable and seaworthy.

Clusters of boats will head to the ocean and they will each start the search for the wild dolphins by systematically covering a certain area, with the captains and passengers eagerly looking for a sign of a tail or fin in the water. It is said that dolphins used to be abundant in this area but over the years their numbers have decreased and the boats have to go further and further to find them.

This is one of the unfortunate consequences of both tourism and natural causes. It has never been proven that dolphins are harmed by the attention of the tourists observing them. However, the sheer absence of the intelligent and social mammal might imply a direct correlation between the organised dolphin tours and the decrease in dolphins in the Lovina bay. Other factors that might also be of concern include weather conditions, increased sea traffic and pollution.

However, the unfortunate conclusion was that SD didn't catch a single dolphin snout at sea. So if you plan on going on one of these dolphin tours, be prepared to gaze at a large amount of water…and water…and water. For a glimpse of a dolphin, your safest bet would either be the before mentioned statue that proudly rises above the Lovina beachfront, or one of the small wooden miniatures that grinning sales people will offer you as soon as you set foot on land again.

It is however quite a sight to see as the sun comes up and slowly enlightens the beautiful Lovina bay. Remember, that somewhere beneath the surface, dolphins might be clapping their little fins in joy and observing the tourists trapped like sardines on a boat while prodding their sleep ridden eyes to catch a sight of them.

Tanah Lot Sunset Tour

Our package to Bali included five free tours, but we aren't big on buses, so we decided to do a half-day tour first to see what they were like.

A small bus came to pick us up at our hotel at around 2pm and we continued on to pick up other people, then headed to the company headquarters where we boarded a larger bus.

Our first stop was Taman Ayun Temple, the water temple. (No sarong and sash needed for this temple, unlike most others.) This temple symbolizes the union between the sea and the mountains.

We had just started to go in, when we were approached by about 10 children, around the age of 10 wearing shirts that said "English School." They wanted to ask us questions like, "What is your job?", "What is your name?" to practice their English. They were so cute--even though you knew they didn't have a clue what you were saying!

Inside, the guide walked us around the temple. It wasn't all that impressive really, but the grounds were nice as they were beside a river. The guide told us a bit about the temple and then we all reboarded the bus.

Our next stop, after more driving, was Alas Kedaton Temple, a monkey and bat forest. Having been to the Ubud Monkey Forest, we knew what to expect but still really enjoyed it. When you got off the bus, guides greeted you and if you came to look at their stall afterwards, they would take you around. (You have no obligation to buy anything but it's nice to do so.) The girl that took us around was very nice and kept the monkeys away from me (I'm not a huge fan!), but got them to sit on my boyfriend's shoulder and hold his hand. Got some great photos from it!

She also showed us the bats in the trees--actually, I didn't ever see them but after about 5 minutes of her trying to point them out for me, I just lied and said I did!

When you first go into the forest, you can buy yams and tiny bananas to feed the monkeys. They're worth buying even if you just give them to your guide to feed them, it's cute to watch them eat. I highly recommend bringing some sort of antibacterial hand sanitizer (like Purel) for after this sort of thing!

Our last stop was Tanah Lot Temple. Now, had there not been construction and repairs going on at the temple, it would have been a stunning sight. Unfortunately, it was surrounded by cranes and it was hard to get a decent photo. It is only temporary though, as they are reinforcing the cliff the temple is on.

The sunset at Tanah Lot was beautiful though, even if it wasn't the really red ones they are famous for. There are lots of stalls for shopping around it as well, while you are waiting for the sunset and a couple restaurants, which I imagine aren't cheap with a view like that!

Well, if that was a half-day tour, we would have never made it through the full day. If you get even remotely car sick, you may want to try the half-day tour first. Or, as we did later, hire a car and driver. The sights were great but the bus on the bumpy roads is just too much to handle! We were glad we did the tour, but never did any of the other four.

A day to Lembongan Island

After getting up early we got into 2 taxis and headed to the port to catch the cruise boat to Lembongan Island. We were ready for a day of water activities, relaxing, eating and doing the normal tourist things when visiting a new place.

The day was a sunny day with a few clouds scattered in the sky, which meant it was perfect for what we wanted to do. We headed out of port towards the island of Lembongan and on the way we were given a different perspective of the Balinese coastal houses.

As we neared Lembongan we noticed a pontoon anchoured not far of the island's coast, this is where our boat docked for the duration of the day.

From this pontoon you could get diving and snorkelling equipment and part-take in those waterbased activities. The water was crystal blue and quite deep, the reef was therefore a distance below the water surface. Diving lessons are provided for those who have never dived before.

There was also a glass wall and bottomed boat that ventured out on tours of the crystal blue water at various times during the day and there were Banana Boat rides that took off regularly and inflatable canoes.

From the pontoon you could also get a boat that would take you to the island so you could wander around, watch the local woman weave and cut coconuts, maybe purchase an item or two, see the locals putting seaweed out to dry and just roam around.

While all this is going on the boat staff have been busy serving morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. On the way back we managed to find the helm and we all had a turn at sterring the boat.

About Panorama/Gray Tours

Panorama/Gray (PG) Tours’ headquarters is located in Sanur Beach which is about a 10 minute drive from Tuban . They greeted us at the airport with their very colorful bandanas and matching shirts; a vibrant mix of yellows, reds and blues. There were minor complications as we heard that some of the roads leading out of the airport had been blocked by rioters. The entire wait was a bit over an hour after landing. Not nearly soon enough, we were being shown to a small van that we boarded with another couple from South Africa.

This is when it gets hilarious or frustrating, depending on your level of fatigue. Remember, it takes 21 hours of flying to get here from New York, plus a 5 hour layover in Singapore, and a 90 minute stop in Frankfurt. As the driver made his way out of the airport, the guide turned to us and started speaking. I looked at him intently as I tried to decipher his English; Chuck had completely given up at the onset, convinced that we were being kidnapped somewhere. It’s good that the literature we received from them was printed in English. I want to thank the planners of the airport or the architects of the Bali Hai, whichever came first, for having made the distance between the two less than 10 minutes.

The next day, we had a call from a PG agent who was downstairs in our hotel’s lobby. She wanted to explain the whole tour thing to both of us, so down we went. There were 3 full day tours, and 2 half-day tours. You could actually pick and choose the tours and the days to go; they had so many people enlisted that it was not difficult to accommodate the requests. You had to be punctual; a mini air conditioned bus would always pick us up at the hotel and bring us to the office where people from the various hotels would converge, pick their tours and language preferences and would be assigned a bus number. I thought that was actually well done.

They offer complimentary coffee and tea to all the participants. The buses are fairly large and air conditioned which is nothing short of a blessing. The heat in Bali can get pretty brutal. You don’t get the same guide everyday, but some are more glib and give more information than others. If you select a tour, make sure it includes the following areas: Bedugul – Mengwi Temple, Pacung for lunch with wonderful view of rice terraces, Alas Kedaton with famed Monkey Forest and Tanah Lot with sea temple and snake cave; Kintamani – Barong dance in Batubulan, Celuk for silver, Ubud for artists; Besakih, biggest temple in Bali – Mas for wood carving, and batik weaving, Klungung – region of royalty with temple to name a few.

Bali Architecture

The Balinese are proud and accomplished builders. Despite the influx of Western influence by way of tourism, they have managed to maintain traditional design which serves to perpetuate its existence. Traditional Balinese architects are called "undagi" and it is reported that they consult ancient manuscripts which provide the guidelines they follow. For example, the Balinese roof is one which is constructed with bamboo, rattan and is almost always tapered to a pointy end. Doors and furnishings are elaborately carved to evoke the splendor of their temples. One of the most fascinating places to witness carving at its best is Mas. This is a mainstay stop on any of the island tours. In the corridors of the Holiday Inn Bali Hai were several, magnificent woodcarvings of the goddess, Saraswati. She is purported to be the goddess of art and science, others shorten it to just "knowledge". She has four arms, and is sometimes seen with a string instrument. The day we arrived in Bali was her day. It is celebrated once every 210 days which is the length of the Balinese calendar. Balinese architecture makes use of natural elements in most commercial constructions, erecting them amidst spectacular foliage, big stones and boulders which support cascading waters that house fish. Once in a while, a Dunkin Donut stand will rise above the sidewalk in mockery of the splendor around it. I found a very strong connection between places like the Besakih Temple and the elements of our room in Ubud. Let us hope that materialism and greed which have been brought about by tourism does not rob Bali of its magical characteristics.

10 Things to Experience in Bali

1) Jimbaran - seafood. You get to choose your own seafood (crabs, fish, clams, prawns, squid) and tell the cook how you want it done. Walk towards the beach, where romantic lanterns, tables of frolicking families and romantic couples abound. As you sit, the chair sinks into the sand. As you eat some more, you sink a little deeper. Live band going around playing music to suit all tastes.

2) Besakih - mother of all temples. I had to rent a sarong because you're not supposed to bare your knees in the holy place. But spaghettis and tubes are fine. So up we climbed the slope to the many, many temples clustered on the hillside. Our local guide had really brown eyes and we think he's mixed. Couldn't speak Indonesian, but schooled in English.

3) Ubud - Bali version of our Central Market. Lots of stuff to buy to your heart's content. Wooden carvings of cats and dicks, accessories of beads and shark's tooth, acrylic paintings of mythical creatures and women's chests. They're pretty good at painting boobs, from the many variations we saw there.

4) Kintamani - view of volcanic mountain. Didn't get to actually step on the volcano and its dark lava-enriched soil. But we were on the opposite side, where they have rows of restaurants with open-air views. Much like dining with the Swiss Alps at the background. Cool mountain breeze with afternoon sun. Japanese tourists seem to love it there.

5) Legian - shopping spree. Long road with little shops all along. Excellent place if you know how to bargain. Let me give you a tip if you plan to visit Bali - haggle until the shopkeeper cries. OK, maybe not that harsh, but sometimes I think they look like I'm asking for free. But hey, better to sell and get rid of inventory rather than hoard them and not earn anything. Seriously, I got my stuff for more than 50% off quoted price!

6) Spa - Green Garden Resort. Don’t know whether we were ripped off, but paying USD44 for 2 hours of massage, scrub and mandi lulur didn't seem to be so worth it. I had a better time in my Sri Hartamas massage compared to here. But the cottage where we had our pampering session opens up to the sky above. Lots of greens and bougainvilleas, piped-in Balinese music and sounds of gushes of water from nearby man-made fountain made it really relaxing, though.

7) Kuta at night - happening area. We walked past the place that got bombed 2 years ago. Hollow and flattened, with a memorial on the front. Can still see faded signatures along with fresh writings of consolation on the banner. Opposite is Paddy's Pub. Very hip and happening, loud music.

8) Hard Rock Cafe - bigger than KL's. No cover charge, but drinks are exorbitant. Paid rup800,000(!!!) for 2 jugs of alcoholic drinks. They have a proper stage for guest artists performing. "T-Rex" was rocking away when we arrived. Pretty good repertoire of songs backed up by solid vocals. Lead lady singer came down to chat with us, delighted that we're Malaysians. Word got to cute lead guy singer, who dropped by during break to take pics with us. Told us they'd be coming to our shores come September to perform in Planet Hollywood. Can't wait!

9) Kuta Beach - big waves, fine sand. Only managed to enjoy the lovely beach on the last day, though. Locals come rushing to you, offering hair-braiding services, tattooing, mats for rent, and of course, surfboards. Must mention hunky surfer dudes too. Rippling muscles and cute smiles. I was right, they were from Sydney. They were sporting enough to pose with us.

10) "Horse-trishaw". Brings you for a tour around Kuta area for a reasonable fee. Popular with Taiwanese tourists. Can smell horse backside from where I sat. Other than that, not too bad. Authentic, something like bullock cart. Just replace bull with horse.

Bali Island - A Paradise in the Sun

A Tourist’s Paradise—Bali has something for everyone. Beaches. Mountains. Water sports. Shopping. Food. Art. If you can’t find it here, you are not looking very hard. Bali has scuba diving, sports fishing, sailing, mountain adventure, art, shopping, temples (literally thousands of temples), food, food, and more food. If you can’t find something to keep your interest in Bali, you should pay a visit to your doctor, because you may be dead.

Starting with the hotels. Bali has some spectacular hotels that are located on the side of sheer ocean cliffs. In very few places in the world will you find hotels seated on private beaches, climbing up beautiful mountainsides, and you can actually afford to stay here. Bali is an ultimately affordable place to visit.

Hotels. Do you like the beach, pools, an incredible ocean view? Well, the Nikko Bali Resort will present you with a bit of a quandary. You can get a room high up the mountain cliffs, where you will be able to see the beautiful ocean side every morning from you private room balcony, or you can choose a room on the ground floor where you can open your back door and walk directly into the pool, just inches away from your patio door. It is definitely a quandary. I am sure there are other hotels in the world that share similar arrangements, but frankly, I have never seen one or visited another hotel like this one to tell you about. This hotel offers grounds that are beautiful, including wonderful sculptures—one of which stands about 100 feet tall, and is carved into the side of the mountain next to the hotel. An amazing site to behold. The art world and sculptures on the grounds start at the entrance and make their way through the campus. But the most striking feature of the hotel may be its pools. Making their way through canals from the ground floor guest rooms, these pools are tiered for privacy, have a large water slide, gentle waterfalls, and shallow sun bathing pools for those who are not sure if they want to be in the water, or out of the water. You will find few pools that are this diverse and interesting anywhere else in the world. Of course, the restaurant, the spa, the concierge service, and the basic amenities of this resort are as expected—great. Go check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

Shopping. Bali is filled with fantastic shops and shopping areas. They are easy to find, because they are everywhere. If you want to shop for art, talk to the concierge about getting a driver for the day that can take you around the countryside (all day drive) to various art communes and galleries. This will give you a very different view of what is available. You can see anything from sculptures, to paintings, to prints, to hand painted fabrics, to bowls, the knick-knacks. If you have ever been through the airport in Sydney Australia, and seen the incredible art work for sale in the shops there, you will see these same pieces for sale in Bali—because they are imported from Bali to Australia. Many of us once thought that this artwork was indigenous to Australia, but as it turns out, Australia is a big importer of Bali artwork and goods. One beautiful example: the long, tall wooden masks that are painted bright colors in a dot (“stipple”) art style come from Bali. You can also get clothes, kitchen items, and miles and miles of fun “stuff”. If you like to shop, Bali is a paradise.

Seafood. If you are in Asia, especially if you are on the coast, you should be looking for seafood restaurants. Asia is known for its seafood, and Bali is no exception. Two things that you should know about seafood restaurants: pick a restaurant that has large seafood tanks in the customer area. This is here to show you that the seafood is fresh, and for you to be able to pick your catch of the day. It may not appear too clean, but this is because the salt water is indeed fresh—this is not an aquarium. It is a food tank. Secondly, remember that seafood in Asia is served with all of the body parts—including the head. Fresh seafood always has a head, and swims. Frozen seafood typically does not have a head, and sinks when it is placed in water. If it is swimming, it is fresh, and this is where you want to eat.

Tours. There are lots of private tours in Bali. They are inexpensive, and highly recommended. You can rent a car for the day, driver/tour guide for very little, and have a blast—living like a king or queen. Don’t forget to tip your driver for a good day of service, and if you stop for to eat, consider buying lunch for your driver. This is a nice custom, and is a nice reflection on you and your country. This kind of behavior helps leave place like Bali a little better than when you arrived.

Scuba. The diving in Bali is drift diving, but if you have been drift diving in a gentle 2-3 knot current, you have a completely different dive experience waiting for you in Bali. Drift diving at 4-6 knots is like riding a roller coaster at New York, New York in Vegas. It starts out fast, and gets faster. It can be scary, and it is definitely not for the inexperienced. The thermo-climes in the water are treacherous. Every 30 seconds I went from 65 degrees F to 85 degree F. Hot to cold. Hot to cold. I was only wearing a shorty, and it was heck on my body. To complicate matters, I could not clear my mask quick enough, and we were a small group of 4, so I had difficulties keeping track of where my buddy was and keeping up with him. All in all, this was a pretty scary experience, and I would do it quite differently the next time I go to Bali. Here are some recommendations that I would make for you: (1) Be on your most conservative dive behavior. Get to know your buddy before you get in the water, and ask him/her to keep an eye on you as you descend—“this is my first time diving in Bali”. (2) Make sure your mask is well lubed for fog and the thermo-clime (3) Get some time in the water before you head to the open water; don’t let your dive in Bali be your first for the season, and if it is, do some beach check out diving before you head to the open water (4) Take it slow. This is something that most of us don’t want to do when we dive, but Bali is a place where divers have been lost in the current and yes, some have lost their way and not been found in time. It is a beautiful place, but this is not diving in the beautiful waters of Cozumel, Mexico, and it should not be treated causally.

In Summary, Bali is a fun place. There are many things to do here, and many places to see. You can easily spend a week in Bali, or longer if you want to see it all, and do it all.

Sight-seeing in Bali (Part 2)

Early in the morning, our good driver Made was already waiting for us at the guesthouse lobby. We went directly to Tanah Lot temple before it gets too hot and too crowded. When we reach there, we almost have the whole place to ourselves, except that the sea around Tanah Lot was full of surfers! There are 2 temples in Tanah Lot, one on an island maybe 20m off the shore and none of them permitted tourists to its interior.

During low tide, visitors could walk to the island from the shore and receive a blessing ritual from the priest, of course, with a price.

From Tanah Lot, we continued our journey to Tegalallang to see the tiered padi fields on hills. It was not worth the trouble to go all the way to see this. I would recommend to skip this. Our next stop was Ubud, where we had one of our best meal in Bali - roasted pig rice. This humble shop was recommended to us by our driver Made.

Ubud is a relaxing village filled with artists. There are many world-class hill resorts around this area. Central Ubud which is bustling with handicraft market/shops, nice cafes/restaurants is best covered by foot. Souvenir shopping in Ubud is very rewarding. It is the cheapest in Bali and full of varieties, definitely a heaven for shopaholics. Ubud also boasts of many Balinese spas that fit every budget, from the very high end Kirana Spa to low key spas even backpackers can afford.

Of all the places I visited in Bali, I love Ubud the most. The unmistakably Balinese relaxed pace is felt here, even in bustling Central Ubud. Just 1 or 2km outside the town centre, lush green countryside welcomed us with open arms. I would definitely return to Bali again, not for the sights, but for the lovely people, the relaxing atmosphere, and for the love of Balinese handicraft!

Sight-seeing in Bali (Part 1)

We hired a driver for 2 days to bring us to the sights of Bali. Our driver is Made (pronounced as Ma-De), a cheerful, reliable and honest driver. He is contact-able through his mobile phone 08123608229. I do highly recommend him as he charged a very reasonably price, was punctual and very accommodating.

Unlike my usual tight travel schedule, I decided to slow down to Balinese pace this time and only visit a couple of sights each day. We started out to visit the Four Seasons Resort in Jimbaran, en route to Uluwatu. There was a strict security check at the entrance to Four Seasons due to the recent bombing within the vicinity. We got in all right and had a look around the luxurious resort. The staff were all very friendly and made us feel really welcomed although they did realize we are not guests of the hotel. I even received a little souvenir flower from the little girl who dressed in traditional Balinese dance attire.

After Four Seasons, we drove to Tirtha Bali where my dream wedding location is. Tirtha Bali did look as good as what I've seen in magazines, if not better. It has a glass chapel overlooking the Indian Ocean below. It was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

We still had some time to kill before sunset and the Kecak Dance show in Uluwatu, so we visited some other small hotels around that area. We headed to Uluwatu around 5pm to stroll around the temple first. Do beware of monkeys when you go to Uluwatu as the monkeys are more cunning than snatch thieves! They snatch away whatever that can be removed from you, cabs, glasses, even cameras! Some of the monkeys are as big as a dog! No kidding!

Perched on top of a cliff with magnificent view of the open sea, Uluwatu has the perfect location to house the Kecak Dance performance. The show starts at 6pm everyday. If you only decide to watch one cultural performance in Bali, this should be it! I would recommend watching the show in Uluwatu because the open-air theatre here did really make the show even more interesting, especially when you can watch the beautiful sunset over Uluwatu while enjoying the show. It was cheaper too, as compared to Ubud.

After the Kecak dance show, we headed to Tanjung Benoa for a famous Balinese restaurant - Bumbu Bali. From my opinion, I think this restaurant is totally overrated. It was a complete waste of time to detour all the way to this part of the island for the overpriced yet disappointing food in Bumbu Bali.

Made brought us safely back to our guesthouse in Legian for the night, where our nightmarish accommodation experience was about to begin

Bali Overview

Highlights:
The luxurious hill resorts in Ubud are highly recommended for total seclusion and relaxation. Just close your eyes and pick any of them. All of them must have something great to offer.

Balinese food - Babi guling (roasted pork rice) and Bebek Bengil (dirty duck). Very tasty! Most of all, Balinese smiles. People are very friendly and helpful there. They provide top-notch service with top of the world smiles. You'll love them and wonder why terrorism could ever happen to people as lovely as them?!

Quick Tips/Suggestions:

Best handicraft shopping can be found in Ubud. I managed to haggle the price down 60%! Best Balinese furniture shopping can be found in Seminyak. Best Kecak dance show is none other than the one at Uluwatu (6pm everyday), with spectacular background of the Uluwatu cliff and sunset. It is also cheaper than the ones staged in Ubud.

Best Way to Get Around:

Bali is not really huge but it is very hilly, and the road system is not very developed. The best way to travel around Bali for sight-seeing is to hire a taxi with a driver. It should costs around $50 per day including petrol and parking fee. For short trips, cabbies are easily flagged down by the road, if they have not made their presence known to you yet.

Cycling in Ubud

Cycling in Ubud is highly recommended for those who don't mind a combination of uphill and downhill roads. We rented our bicycles from our resort in Tanggayuda, and cycled along the road towards Kedewatan. A recommended stop is the viewpoint just beside Kupu-Kupu Barong resort. We locked our bicycles near the entrance to the view point(it was safe) and started our trek to Ayung River. At the mid point, we had a good view of the valley of lush green padi fields and the flowing Ayung river glittering in the morning sun. There are some recommended treks which might take half a day but as we did not have enough time, we did not take the trek. You might bump into a 'freelance' trekking guide who would volunteer his service of taking you for a tour around the valley, I'm not sure if it'll be a rip-off as we did not take his service. We trekked down to the ayung river, walked across the hanging bridge to cross Ayung river. It was a very easy track.

After our trekking, on the way back to our resort, we stopped at one high-end resort to check out the interior and spa. We picked Royal Pita Maha Resort and Kirana spa, which is right next to the resort. This resort was incredibly large, from the top of the hill all the way down to the Ayung River valley below. The view was splendid. The price per room was also magnificent—it'll burn a hole in your pocket. Maybe it was the low season for the resort and spa, the staff in both resort and spa was very friendly, courteously showed us around the resort and explained to us the facilities, hoping that we would come back to the resort one day as their guests. Especially worth a visit is Kirana Spa, the mother of all luxurious spas. The spa is as big as a small hotel, you have to see it to believe it! It is definitely a good place to splurge when you need a little bit of pampering.

From Royal Pita Maha, we cycled uphill all the way back to Tanggayuda, where we branched out from the main road to the padi field. We jumped down from our bicycle and took a leisurely walk around the padi field just to soak in the atmosphere of a Balinese village.

The whole journey took us around 4 hours, including the stops in between. If we had more time in our hands, we would love to cycle a little bit more and explore more resorts along the Ayung river, which are all the luxurious resorts and offering magnificent views of Ayung river valley.

Bumbu Bali Restaurant

Although it is voted best restaurant in Bali and reputed with a Balinese cooking school, I think this restaurant is definitely over-rated. The ambience of the restaurant is typically Balinese. The food is traditional Balinese style but somehow I think the Balinese restaurants in Malaysia tasted even better and with lower price! The set dinner(BALINESE RIJSTTAFEL Rp185,000) offers a huge variety, with three appetizers, one soup, seven dishes with rice, and four types of desserts. It is enough for two moderate eaters. Bumbu Bali scored in terms of variety, but not taste, service, nor value-for-money. If given a choice, I would rather eat in a cheap 'warung' for authentic Balinese cuisine.

Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck)

Bebek Bengil, translated to English, means Dirty Duck. The signature dish of this restaurant is none other than dirty duck, done to perfect crisp. Highly recommended to be eaten with your hands. It might be a bit dry for French connoisseurs, but what the heck, we are in Bali! Other than the dirty duck, they also have local cuisine like nasi goreng (fried rice), nasi campur (mixed rice set). The mixed rice set is very delicious, and satisfying too.

This restaurant also prides itself on having the most unique ambience in the whole of Bali. It was built right next to a padi field, with open air huts spread out near the padi field and lotus ponds. The huts have low tables where we sat on the floor with many comfortable pillows to enjoy our meal, and the scenery. To get a place at the limited huts, reservation is highly recommended. Other than the sit-on-the-floor huts, there is also another section with cafe style decor, and another section with daybeds and sofas for pre-dinner cocktail. There is also live traditional music performances at one corner. This place looks amazing, especially during sunset, as the footpath around the restaurant to the padi field will be lit up with oil lamps. This restaurant has become a tourist attraction. Do pay a visit there, if not for the food, for the beautiful place.

Bali Map

A Brief Description
The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world with over 18,000 islands.
A popular tourist destination known for its natural attractions, perfect climate and relaxed atmosphere, this island of flowers, temples and friendly people is considered a real gem by travelers worldwide.
This tropical island is one of the most stunning, and yet, now dangerous destinations on the planet. Recent terrorism attacks here and in other areas of Indonesia have stifled western tourism rather dramatically.
Name Bali
Population 3,325,000
Capital City Denpasar
Languages Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch and many local dialects.
Flag here
Official Currency Indonesian Rupee (IDR)
Currency Converter here
Religions Muslim (88%), Protestant, others

Geographic Coordinates
Latitude/Longitude 08° 39S, 115° 13E
Relative Location Bali is located in the eastern and southern hemispheres. It's positioned in Southeast Asia, in central Indonesia, and sits just to the east of the island of Java, and just west of the island of Lombok. It's bordered by the Bali Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Land Statistics
Land Area 5,632 sq km (2,174 sq miles)
Terrain Dormant volcanoes (some exceeding 3,000 meters) stretch across the island. Tropical rain forests, crater lakes and rivers dot the landscape. White sand beaches are on the southern coastline.

Welcome to Bali Tour

Welcome to the official website of the Bali Tourism Board, the voice of Bali's tourism industry! As one of the prime tourist destinations of the world, the extraordinarily unique island of Bali virtually ensures a great holiday for backpackers and VIPs alike! From hostels to award-winning world-class resorts, Bali has it all !. Come and experience Bali's one-of-a-kind culture and the natural hospitality of her people.