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The mere mention of Bali evokes thoughts of a paradise. It's more than a place; it's a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind.
It might sound like a cliché, but
Bali truly is a ‘heaven on earth’. It is an island blessed with stunning
beaches, lush green countryside and beautiful temples.
Bali is located just off the eastern
edge of the main Indonesian island of Java. To the east is the neighbouring
island of Lombok, while the equator lies to the north.
The biggest draw for visitors is the
beaches, particularly those of Kuta and Nusa Dua in the south. Both are long
swathes of golden sand lapped by azure waters. The beaches along the north
coast consist of black volcanic sand and tend to be quieter.
But Bali has much more to offer than
just beaches. In the east, the volcanic mountain of Gunung Agung dominates the
skyline while the islands interior consists of terraced rice fields that
cascade down the hillside dotted with terracotta temples.
Traditional dance and music is very
much part of life in Bali. This is especially so in the town of Ubud. Here
visitors can see performances of gamelan music
plus traditional kecak and barong dances. The town is also the best
place for homemade crafts which make popular souvenirs.
What makes Bali distinctive from the
rest of Indonesia is the belief in a predominantly Hindu faith, incorporating
the ancient Indonesian animist conviction (that natural objects are inhabited
by good or bad spirits) into every aspect of local life. Scattered around the
island are thousands of Hindu temples and places of worship.
While many come to enjoy the natural
beauty and serenity of the island, many backpackers and revelers come to enjoy
the laid-back attractions of Kuta and Seminyak, where bars and nightclubs offer
more robust entertainment.
But whatever you are searching for, Bali
is truly a destination with something for everyone.
Bali enjoys
a tropical climate year round with an average daily temperature of 31°C. High
humidity can be expected during the wet season between October and April. While
the dry season, between May and September, is the busiest time to visit the
island as travellers take advantage of the long hot days and little rain.
The average
monthly temperatures are:
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Day |
30 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
29 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
Night |
24 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
Bali has many markets, shops and
shopping centres to keep you occupied when you want a change of scene from the
beach. You can pick up numerous souvenirs but the best buys are ethnic
handicrafts, traditional fabrics, wooden ornaments and furniture.
Denspasar is a great place to find
handicrafts. The Kumbasari market near the river is a typical Indonesian market
with household goods and clothing, spices and dried goods as well as fresh
produce. The nearby Jalan Hasanudin, is a whole street of gold shops. Close by
is Jalan Sulawesi where all types of fabrics are sold. Denpasar also boasts of a wide range of
department stores such as the Matahari, Libi, MA Department Store, New Dewata
Ayu, Tiara Dewata, Ramayana or the Tragia.
Ubud is very much the artistic centre
of Bali, where well-known and highly regarded galleries like the Neka, Agung
Rai and Rudana are worth a visit.
Kuta's main road is lined with shops
selling everything from swimwear, sarongs, handicrafts and CDs to jewellery,
clothing, furniture and leather goods. If
you don't enjoy haggling for the right price, Kuta has a number of department
stores and shopping centres with fixed prices. Try Kuta Square and Kuta Centre
located very close to each other in Jalan Kartika Plaza. Galena Nusa Dua with
over 80 specialty shops is also a hit with the avid shopper, as it has
everything a tourist and shopper could be interested in. Kuta is also home to
Bali’s biggest and most modern shopping centre ‘Bali Galeria’, a huge complex
with cinema, duty free shops and international branded stores.
Nusa Dua has a small charming market,
with some great bargains at its entranceway. Within the Nusa Dua complex is The
Galena, a huge open-air shopping mall with stores selling fixed priced, high quality
items. The Kris Gallery is also worth a try for things uniquely Bali. It is
also good to know that all hotels have their own shopping areas with fairly
exclusive products.
Massimo Italian Restaurant
Charming Restaurant
Batu Jimbar Café
Mezzanine Restaurant & Bar
Ryoshi Restaurant
Ketupat Restaurant
Sate Bali Restaurant
Kembang Goela Restaurant
Warung Batavia Restaurant
Bali isn’t
renowned for its nightlife, mainly because most visitors come for the beach
life and water sports rather than the clubs.
Most of the hotels will offer some
live entertainment, but there are several other venues in many of the resorts
to keep you occupied after dark.
One thing you ought to see during
your visit is a performance of Balinese dance. There are two types, Legong (young and graceful girls) and Kecak (a large group of men waving their
arms and swaying). Details of what is on and where can be found in the
publication Bali Plus which can be
found in hotels and restaurants.
The island also has 2 cinemas (Wisala
21 in Denpasar and Galeria 21 in Mal Bali Galeria) which usually show American
films with Indonesian subtitles.
If you are looking for somewhere to
party until the small hours, there are several good bars and clubs. Listed
below is a selection of venues you might like to try:
·
Club 66, Seminyak
·
Apache Club, Seminyak
·
MBargo, Kuta
·
Hu’u Club, Kerobokan
·
Café del Mar, Seminyak
·
De Ja Vu, Seminyak
·
Jazz Bar & Grill, Legian
·
Maccaroni, Kuta
·
Funky Monkey, Ubud
·
Santa Fé, Seminyak
·
Spy Bar, Seminyak
· Rumours Nightclub, Sanur
January
March
April
July
August
We have
already seen that there is a wealth of things to see and do across
Bali. Your hotel will also be able to provide you with details of excursions run
by local tour operators. However here are a few suggestions on top of those
already listed above:
·
Dolphin cruise
·
Nusa Lembongan – small, tranquil island
·
Lombok – neighboring island which is quieter and less
commercialised
The tap water is not safe to drink.
Bottled water is readily available and cheap and should also be used for
cleaning your teeth. Some expensive hotels and restaurants use purified water in
their ice however it is always best to check as it could be made from tap
water.
One of the main causes of illness on
Bali is dehydration so ensure you drink plenty of water and don’t spend too
long in the sun. Also, always use a high factor sun cream to reduce the risk of
burning.
Always consult your GP before
travelling to ensure you have the required vaccinations and make sure you have
full medical insurance in place before your trip.
Crime is not a serious issue but you
should exercise the usual precautions with your valuables especially in
crowded, tourist areas.
Following the bombings in 2005,
Governments are advising travellers to take extra care when visiting Bali and
to keep up to date with the latest news and advice before travelling.