Bali Travel Guide

Bali Overview
Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago is one of the 27 provinces of Indonesia. The island is the perfect holiday destination for all ages and offers something for everyone. It has a wonderful blend of modern tourist facilities combined with excellent shopping opportunities and a rich heritage. A unique aspect of Bali is its Hindu culture that is still preserved to this day and is reflected in day-to-day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces.

If you are a surfing enthusiast Bali is definitely the place for you as some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island. Conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas with little more than a ripple breaking the calm surface of the water.

A shopper's paradise Bali is well known for casual and tailored clothing, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artefacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags to tailor made leather jackets, all at unbelievable prices. In fact, prices are so low, that you're sure to need more room in your suitcase! Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta, Sanur of Nusa Dua or fixed price shopping at a Denpasar department store.

For those that enjoy water related activities, Bali has world-class scuba diving, snorkelling and day trips out to Nusa Penida for beach sports and diving. Enjoy a romantic moonlit dinner and watch a spectacular Balinese Fire Dance or Kecak Dance. If you want to dance the night away Bali certainly knows how to party and nightclubs are scattered everywhere.

For those more culturally inclined, Bali can offer the peace and tranquillity of Ubud high in the hills where the scenery is nothing less than spectacular and where one can discover all sorts of cultural treasures as this is the 'art capital' of Bali and maybe even of Indonesia. Jungle, picturesque hillsides, rice terraces and the magnificence of Kintamani Volcano are also waiting to be discovered.

The more active, wanting a break from the idyllic beaches, can experience golf in the mountains or going for a paddle or white-water rafting down the beautiful Ayung River; mountain cycling through scenery you will never forget and trek through the jungles on foot to discover a side of Bali most tourists never encounter. seo services

Bali is a truly international destination, offering every standard of accommodation ranging from modest bungalow style hotels in lush tropical gardens to exclusive, sophisticated hotels in either the jungles or along open stretches of beach or hidden in small bays. It’s a perfect holiday choice for both the young and the old and certainly has something for everyone. seo consulting

CLIMATE
Bali has a tropical climate all year. The average temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. There are dry and wet seasons - dry from April to September and wet from October to March - but it can rain at any time of year and even during the wet season, rain is likely to pass quickly. In general May to August are the best months in Bali. At that time of year the climate is likely to be cooler and the rains lightest.

Around the coast, sea breezes cool the heat coming off the land and as you move inland you also move up so the altitude works to keep things cool. It can get very chilly in the highlands and a warm sweater is a good idea in mountain villages like Kintamani or Bedugul.

Bali Top 10 Things To Do
If you don't dive, Dolphin Watching is a unique activity that's only possible in a few places around the world and Bali is one of them. The trip out on the boat is an wonderful experience in itself, so if, by any chance, the dolphins aren't around when you go out in the boat at least it won't be a wasted journey.

Check out the local Bali Art and Crafts. These are a collector’s delight and even if you don’t want to purchase anything yourself the works are always worth viewing as the styles vary greatly as does the subject matter. There are many galleries located around the island and a number of internationally recognised artists have chosen Bali as their home and exhibit regularly at various venues throughout Bali.

Visit the Bali Barat National Park Covering an area over 750 km2 on the western tip of Bali. The park's boundaries are open savannah, rainforest, mangrove swamps and the coral reefs of Menjangan Island that are home to the rare java deer. This is a good spot for diving and snorkelling. Visitors are welcome, but must be accompanied by an official guide and have a park permit which is obtainable at the National Park Headquarters in Cekik, 3 kms south of Gilimanuk.

A true Bali spectacle if ever there was one is Bull Racing (Makepung). Drive westward to Negara, a small town situated in West Bali where the races are held. The road winds through terraced rice field some overlooking the Indian Ocean. This traditional performance is unique. It is a ritual event, part of a religious ceremony for a successful rice harvest. Different Kampongs compete against each other with fiery enthusiasm and is a photo oppourtunity like no other on the island. It's a great outing for the kids too.

Visit Goa Gajah Bedulu's Elephant Cave. This is one of the southern region's most famous tourist sights. In addition to the caves hand-tunneled through the face of the mountain, the complex above the Petanu River includes temples, statues, pavilions and three bathing pools. The exterior of the cave is an elaborately carved demonic head. The archaeologists who discovered the face in 1923 originally thought it to be that of an elephant - hence the cave's name. The cave is pitch dark – so take a flashlight. To the left is a niche with a statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god and son of Shiva. In the centre, to the right of a crumbled statue, are three linga (upright carved stones symbolizing male fertility), each alongside three smaller yoni, or female forms.

Don't feed the monkeys but do visit them at the Sangeh Monkey Forest. The main attractions here are the hordes of Balinese monkeys that inhabit both trees and the temple, Pura Bukit Sari. WARNING: The monkeys love to peek at (or snatch) whatever you are carrying or wearing such as anything shiny such as sunglasses and jewellery or food…do not encourage this as monkeys can and do bite, therefore don’t feed them or leave your glasses sitting on top of your head…wear them or put them away out of harms reach.

An oddity not to be missed if you like gorey stuff is Trunyan Village near Gunung Batur volcano. This is a major tourist attraction because of the ancient practices its people still observe: instead of cremating or burying the deceased, the people of Trunyan leave the dead out in the open air to decay. Fascination with this practice has brought many visitors to Trunyan's cemetery, in the nearby village of Kuban, which is accessible only by boat.

Another must do for the whole family is Elephant Riding. Tours are available at the Elephant Safari Park where you will sit atop an elephant in a traditional teak wood chair, while swaying through the refreshing jungle of Desa Taro. This has to be one of the best ways all members of the family from the real littlies to the grandparents can experience the jungles of Bali.

Jungle Trekking is a family affair where one can discover Bali's glorious flora and fauna in the nature reserve of Mount Batukaru on an 'off-beaten' track adventure that will lead you into the cool surroundings of a tropical rainforest. Experience the hidden world of Bali's wildlife and native plants, as you pass by ancient strangler trees, ferns, wild orchids and hanging lianas - the home of many species of tropical birds and animals. Stop for a picnic lunch by a clear mountain stream before continuing your journey to the archaic temple of Batukaru.

Sailing to nearby islands or just a quick sunset cruise to no-where along the Bali cost is an adventure the entire family can enjoy and is another activity on the 'Must Do' list when visiting this tropical paradise.