BALI THE ISLAND OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY BALI ISLAND:
A tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop.
The rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people, this perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone.
This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage.
The majority of Balinese are Hindu, this is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces.
Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.
Bali Island is a shopper's paradise particularly for casual and tailored clothing, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artifacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags through to tailor made leather jackets and coats, all at unbelievable prices.
Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta, Sanur of Nusa Dua or fixed price shopping at a Denpasar department store. Bali has it all.
For those that love the water, Bali Island has world class scuba diving, snorkelling and wonderful day trips out to Nusa Penida for beach sports and coral viewing.
When the sun sets, the choices are still hard to make - a quiet romantic moon lit dinner or watch the spectacular Balinese Fire Dance or Kecak Dance. For those that want to party, Bali Island has it all with bars, discos and nightclubs.
As a truly international destination attracting visitors from all over the world, restaurants in Bali are extremely cosmopolitan yet inexpensive.
Experience not only local delicacies like Nasi Goreng and Sate Campur but also Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Italian/European Greek, Moroccan and even Mexican cuisine.
We must not forget Bali's wonderful seafood - local lobster at such prices that you will want to keep coming back for more.
For those more culturally inclined, Bali can offer the peace and tranquility of Ubud high in the hills; the spectacular Mother Temple at Besakih; the ancient capital of Bali, Singaraja and the floating palace at Ujung near the pretty beach area of Candi Dasa.
The Scenery is nothing less than spectacular. Jungle, picturesque hillside rice terraces and the awesome magnificence of Kintamani Volcano.
The more active, wanting a break from the idyllic beaches, can experience wonderful golf courses in the mountains at Bedugul and beachside at Nusa Dua, the thrill of white water rafting or kayaking down the beautiful Ayung River; mountain cycling amid scenery you will never forget and organized rice paddy and jungle treks to see the side of Bali most tourists never encounter.
Bali Island, a truly international destination, offers every standard of accommodation ranging from charming yet modest bungalow style hotels in lush tropical gardens for the budget minded through to arguably amongst the most exclusive and sophisticated hotels in the world!
BALI BEACHES
For the majority of tourists to Bali, time honored images of palm fringed beaches are uppermost in the mind and probably the biggest single reason for purchasing that ticket to paradise.
The reality is all that and more. While those palm fringed beaches do exist, there is also the wild coastline of the west with black sand beaches and treacherous waters, as well as the dramatic surf beaches of the bukit, the aquamarine lagoons of Lembongan island and the sleepy coves in the north.
kuta Beach
KUTA beach remains the most popular strip and extends all the way up to Candu and down towards the airport in Tuban. Kuta proper remains the whitest stretch of sand and is a big draw for those who want to test their surfing skills with both a beach break and a reef break further out.
Its popularity continues to grow and for all ages, it is a wonderful place to lay your sarong, frolic in the waves and soak up the warm sun. These days beach sellers are kept behind an invisible line, so peace is still possible on this action packed strip.
Legian Beach
Legian is a no-holds barred beach where locals, expatriates and tourists mingle, bargain with the best, play paddle ball and football, indulge in a massage and manicure, catch up on reading, meditate, exercise, you name it.
Sunset is peak time at Legian, when the beach bars fill, the football field is at its busiest and the locals knock off work and wade fully clothes, skirts swirling, into the waves.
Tuban
Tuban, between Kuta and the airport, big hotels line this stretch of beach. A little less frantic than Kuta, it's a good place to grab a deck chair and a good book. Swimming here is safe, as the hotel, lifeguards will put up flags if there are any rips, but mostly it is pretty well protected.
Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamland
These beaches were formerly the playground of surfers almost exclusively. The former teak forest was only accessible over rough dirt tracks and the hike down to some of the beaches deterred just about everyone but the most dedicated wave riders
This is no longer true. A number of developments planned on the barren bukit have meant that tarred roads have been put in, and slowly steps and access paths have been built down to the more popular beaches. This means that virtually anyone can take advantage of these stunning beaches, which are still very quite by Bali's standards.
Small warungs offer simple food and cold drinks, the obligatory massage people have moved in and a few sellers offer basic Bali merchandises. When the surf's up you can catch some excellent rides, when there is no surf the beaches become quiet lagoons with clear water lapping the white sand.
Uluwatu is still the busiest, particularly at sunset when the monkeys play on the spectacularly located temple.
Nusa Dua
NUSA DUA was designed for the luxury conscious with a heavy concentration of big name hotels lining the beautiful white sand beach. Some of the resorts have private beaches but most areas are accessible. The stretch past the Hilton Resort has been a public beach and during the wet season the outer reef there is a popular surf break. At present, you will still find some simple warungs selling good food at cheap prices along this beautiful stretch of white sandy beach that offers excellent swimming conditions in a protected lagoon.
Sanur Beach
SANUR BEACH is a calm, quiet lagoon that offers great conditions for wind surfing and parasailing. The chic address of many of Bali is rich and famous since the 1930s; Sanur has a lively history and is still a revered area. The beach often fills with brightly clad ceremonial folk honouring various auspicious days.
The stretch from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel to beyond the Bali Hyatt is now serviced by a beach walk making it possible to enjoy the many hotels and restaurants along the strip. The calm waters are very popular with families. The reef off Sanur is a popular surf break but only works under limited conditions. Many watersport companies are based here, offering a number of recreational activities.
Jimbaran
JIMBARAN is a sleepy cove fleet of fishing boats color on the scene. Formerly a relatively quiet its image has improved dramatically with the opening of the beautiful Four Season’s Resort and the intercontinental. In the last couple of years, it has become even busier still with grilled seafood restaurants going up at a rapid pace along the beach, attracting local families and tourists in droves.
A popular spot for windsurfing and sailing small craft, which are available for rent, Jimbran's grey sand and calm waters are attracting more people but the beach still has a sleepy feeling. A day at Jimbaran is made even more popular because of the all the wonderful options to eat - choose from simple local food, the freshest fish or 5-star luxury.
Nusa Lembongan
NUSA LEMBONGAN is one of the most popular destinations for day cruises on the many pleasure boats sailing from Bali. Depending on whether you sail or motor, the trip can take anywhere from one hour to two and a half.
The pristine white sandy beaches with aquamarine bays are brimming with colorful sea life, so diving and snorkeling are very popular sports. The less adventurous can enjoy glass bottomed boat rides. A number of reef breaks are popular with surfers, and the view back to Bali with a looming mount Agung makes fabulous backdrop.
Padang Bai
PADANG BAI is the harbor, where the boats from Lombok take off, but also lovely and laid back fishing village with a few losmens for accommodation. A short walk over the headland to the headland to the north will take you to intimate white sand beach.
CANDI DASA is the gateway to east Bali. The beach here has been mostly washed away die to the heavy coral picking that used to provide a livelihood for locals. This has now been a stopped and tidal walls have been erected in an effort to restore the beach. Slowly the coral is returning, and Candi Dasa is developing as popular tourist destination.
Amankila at Candi Dasa has a lovely lovely beach club which tourists can visit for a daily fee – use the beach and the pool and enjoy delicious food at their restaurant.
Amed And Tulamben
AMED and TULAMBEN are alternative destinations in East Bali. Amed is a resort town that harks back to the early days in Kuta. Simple losmens and a couple of good, small hotels sit along the shady, Grey sand beach. Bartenders tell not-so-good jokes and boys with guitars roll off standards as entertainment in the evenings.
Snorkeling is popular in Amed. Tulumban is even quieter, but a favorite with local divers. A shipwreck and a drop off, that are accessible from the beach, offer easy access to a colorful underwater world. Dive courses for all levels are often conducted at Tulamben, and the single resort, Mimpi's, has wonderful facilities for anyone who wants to be based here
Lovina, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem, Pulau Menjangan.
Between Singaraja and Seririt on Bali's wild north coast, is a busy stretch of losmen and hotels and some decent reef, but the low dark sea makes this far from the most inspiring stretch of beach in Bali.
A number of coves offer tranquil, protected waters and Lovina is one of them. Although the sand is gray, it is quiet, peaceful, and popular among those who shun the glitzier beach resorts of the south- Dophins Play in water off Lovina.
Diving off Pulau Menjangan, part of the Barat national park, is generally regarded as the best in Bali.
The WEST COAST of Bali is very beautiful and wild. The rice fields of Tabanan are the most fertile in all of Bali, and from the wet areas, flat, stony livers dump into a thundering sea filled with treacherous rips much feared by the Balinese. Some surfing is done in this area, but is not recommended for the beginners.
The beaches around Tanah Lot is great for horse riding and watching dramatic sunsets, but for safe swimming, try one of the Other beach areas described earlier.
Bali's beaches are a wonderful asset and provide hours and days of entertainment for young and old. Watch for caution flags, as there are sometimes rips, particularly in the surf beaches, and make sure you have Protection - the Bali sun is very hot. And most important of all, enjoy yourself!
WHERE IS BALI?
The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East.
Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.
GEOGRAPHY:
The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West.
Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.
Located only two kilometers east of Java, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour.
The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east.
There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens.
The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.
FLORA:
The wide variety of tropical plants is surprising. You'll see huge banyan trees in villages and temple grounds, tamarind trees in the North, clove trees in the highlands, acacia trees, flame trees, and mangroves in the South.
And there are flowers, flowers everywhere. You'll see (and smell the fragrance of) hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, and water lilies. Magnolia, frangipani, and a variety of orchids are found in many front yards and gardens, along roads, and in temple grounds.
Flowers are also used as decorations in temples, on statues, as offerings for the gods, and during prayers. Dancers wear blossoms in their crowns, and even the flower behind the ear of your waitress seems natural in Bali.
FAUNA:
Elephants and tigers don't exist any more in Bali since early this century. Wildlife, however, includes various species of monkeys, civets, barking deer and mouse deer, and 300 species of birds including wild fowl, dollar birds, blue kingfishers, sea eagles, sandpipers, white herons and egrets, cuckoos, wood swallows, sparrows, and starlings.
You can watch schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candi Dasa, and Padangbai. Divers will see many colorful coral fish and small reef fish, moray eels, and plankton eating whale sharks as well as crustaceans, sponges, and colorful coral along the east coast and around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk.
CLIMATE:
You can expect pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
From December to March, the West monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you'll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas.
Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. On the other hand, in Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or "Bali" mention showers and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.
POPULATION:
Bali's population has grown to over 3 million people the overwhelming majority of which are Hindus. However, the number of Muslims is steadily increasing through immigration of people from Java, Lombok and other areas of Indonesia who seek work in Bali.
Most people live in the coastal areas in the South, and the island's largest town and administrative center is fast growing Denpasar with a population of now over 370,000.
The villages between the town of Ubud and Denpasar, Kuta (including Jimbaran, Tuban, and Legian, Seminyak, Basangkasa, etc), Sanur, and Nusa Dua are spreading rapidly in all directions, and before long the whole area from Ubud in the North to Sanur in the East, Berawa/Canggu in the West, and Nusa Dua in the South will be urbanized.
ECONOMY:
This southern part of Bali is where most jobs are to be found, either in the hotel and tourist industry, the textile and garment industry, and in many small scale and home industries producing handicrafts and souvenirs.
Textiles, garments, and handicrafts have become the backbone of Bali's economy providing 300,000 jobs, and exports have been increasing by around 15% per year to over US$400 million. Textiles and garments contribute about 45%, and wood products including statues, furniture and other handicrafts 22% to the province's total income from exports. Silver work is ranked third (4.65%) with 5,000 workers employed. Main buyers are the US and Europe with 38% each, and Japan with 9%.
Important agricultural products besides rice are tea, coffee, tobacco, cacao, copra, vanilla, soy beans, chilies, fruit, and vegetable (there are now even vineyards near the northwest coast). Bali's fishing industry and seaweed farming provide other products which are important exports.
WHAT MAKES BALI SO SPECIAL:
There is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, the year-round pleasant climate, and the absence of security problems.
And then there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain.
As soon as you step off the plane you might sense the difference. In the villages you'll notice the quietness and wisdom in old people's faces, and the interest and respect in the young's.
Old men sit at the road side caressing their fighting cocks. Beautifully dressed women walk proudly through rice fields and forests carrying offerings on their heads to the next temple.
There is the smell of flowers, and in the distance you hear the sound of gamelan music.
Gods and spirits have been an important part of Bali's daily life for hundreds of years. Gunung Agung – Bali's holy mountain – is internationally regarded as one of the eight "Chakra" points of the world.
Watch out, the moment you feel the magic of this island, you're addicted for the rest of your life.
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