Arriving at Bali was a travelers’ delight. Nothing could beat travel fatigue better than the friendly, smiling Balinese faces at the Customs and Immigrations at the Denpasar airport and the Visa on arrival stamped on my passport for $10 in 15 minutes flat. Bali is an island of temples, dances, and age-old rituals; with over ninety percent of the three million people practice a form of Hinduism. Kuta is the center of night life activities along with an array of shops, boutiques, and galleries.
Bali offers a vast section of hotels for all budgets, right from simple and cheap accommodation for backpackers to five star hotels with indulgent spas for those seeking pure luxuries.
At sunset, the Kuta beach comes alive, with people wanting to enjoy the stunning panorama. Teeming tourist, locals selling the colorful sarongs and batiks and a Balinese dance performance somewhere on endless stretch of the beach…and if you want to dance away into the wee hours of the morning, you won’t be disappointed- pubbing is amazing in Kuta, with a wide choice of with pubs and discos that offer a vibrant nightlife.
The best way to enjoy Kuta is by simply asking the locals, who are very friendly an always ready to help you. However, if your kind of vacation is to relax and chill out, head to the southern peninsula, with world-class, self-contained luxury hotels set on quiet stretches of beach of Sanur and Nusa Dua, as well as in Jimbaran Bay. (Which is also very popular for very reasonable Sea Food?) These white sand beaches dotted by thousands of mangrove and coconut trees and sheltered by coral reefs, create an ideal haven for honeymooners or those preferring solitudes.
To take a break from the hustle and bustle of Kuta, Ubud has retained the feel of a cost village retreat, despite of the growing tourism industry. Ubud is the arts and crafts capital of Bali, so in addition to streets lined with lined with shops and workshops specializing in traditional crafts, there are a number of different art galleries and museums to visit.
The next, for a day-trip cruise from Benoa Harbor that took to the Lembongan Island, a popular spot for surfers and scuba divers. (at approx. $60 onwards for the day-cruise inclusive of lunch, it’s a worth a visit). Arriving on the white sandy beaches of Lembongan Bay, you can take the guided snorkeling trips and glass-bottom boat cruise or simply walk amidst the native Balinese villages. If you want to take a break from the beach scenario, I suggest a trip into the cool mountains of Kintamani with its green rice fields, the placid Lake Batur that rests in a huge crater and the impressive Gunung Batur volcano that dominates the landscape. The evenings tend to get cooler, so carry a warm pullover or a shawl and make sure you have a camera with you to capture the spectacular view of Mt Batur.
Bali is one of the Spa Capitals of the world where you can indulge yourself in a spa treatment at very reasonable prices. If you want to spoil yourself then you can sample from an elaborate menu of lulur massages, rice-paste exfoliations, flower petal aroma baths and indulgent cream baths. I would suggest you check some of the local spas that work spa therapies into your holiday schedule daily. And don’t forget the traditional drinks made of herbs and roots– ‘jamu’, a local Balinese remedy for fatigue, headaches, aching bones or chills. For the adventurous and sporty, Bali offers a host of adrenaline-pumping water-sports, both below and above water. Surfing, scuba diving, banana boats, snorkeling, parasailing, Jet Ski, Bungee Jumping, Bali offers it all.
Do try the river rafting on the Ayung River amidst a wild tropical forest. Ride the fast-flowing Ayung River as it carves its way with numerous hairpin curves and swirling rapids. A full day program would only cost you about $35 onwards.
For those who love the underwater world and always wanted to dive, there are spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling off the unspoiled coral reefs around the island, with the most amazing and colorful underwater life. There are even learner’s courses by qualified professional instructors for the amateurs (you can take a day’s course for less than $ 100)
And while you are on the beach enjoying the water sports, do indulge in the locals who cajole you into trying hair braiding, getting a tattoo done or even have a relaxing massage.
If you are traveling with your kids, be sure to take them to the Waterboom Park. You can enjoy a day of water slides and pools in all sizes with restaurants and snack bars within arms reach…good family fun for kids of all ages!
When you feel like venturing outside for a meal, there are lots of breezy open sided bamboo cafes serving authentic Balinese food as well as an array of sumptuous international cuisine.
For those who do not want to wander too far from the beach, Sanur, Kuta and Ubud have more than enough to appease any shopper, from sarongs and sandals to wooden statues, stone carvings and iron and bronze works. However, if you are keen on shopping, you can buy branded stuff from malls like Mahatari or also look for Factory Sales of branded clothes.
You’ll find the ultimate in open-air market browsing in southern Bali, where traditional Asian-style shopping still thrives. Do check out the local painting styles.
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