Bali is a paradisiacal island located in Indonesia. Adorned with flower petals and ornate temple ceremonies, forested volcanic mountains, beaches and coral reefs, this Hindu enclave has its own distinct and unique culture that differs from the rest of Indonesia. For an experience like none other imbued with spirit, yoga, volcanoes, nightlife and shopping, visit this magical island.
Spirit
Bali is one of the most spiritual places on earth. Often referred to as “the island of the Gods,” the Hindu society here is the only one left in Southeast Asia and is significantly different from Indian Hinduism. With a strong focus on animism and a belief in omnipresent good and bad spirit forces, religiosity permeates every nook of Balinese life and one-third of the social calendar.
The ‘Island of a Thousand Temples’ has approximately 20,000 temples and each holds an annual festival to entertain the gods with processions, offerings, traditional dances, and cockfights. Festivals and ceremonies abound. Centuries-old temples lie at the base of lush hillsides or atop verdant mountains such as the holiest “Mother Temple” some 3,000 feet up the revered Gunung Agung.’Canang sari’ or offerings are everywhere. In the temples, personal homes or on the ground, banana leaves for the gods appear every morning as do garlands arching over the roads pointing towards Gunung Agung.
Healing & Spas
Yoga and meditation are a way of life in Bali. Particularly in Ubud, a spiritual hill town with a nearby monkey preserve. In Bali, you get to do your morning flow before stunning rice field and jungle vistas. Augment your healing by visiting a traditional Balian energy healer to treat malaise with massage and focused spiritual healing.
Bali offers an elaborate plush choice of resorts and spas. Massage is considered a routine staple of everyday life in local culture. Balinese massage incorporates traditional Indian and Chinese techniques to relax pressure points, stimulate nerve endings, and rejuvenate tired muscles with long mid pressure strokes. Modern spas combine massage with traditional Indonesian beauty rituals that take their roots in traditional medicine known as jamu. Whether you’re looking for the royal treatment or a quick rub-down, Bali’s spa options are seemingly infinite. Indulgent travelers could easily craft a full itinerary around day spas and find themselves floating from oiled-up acupressure massage to flower petal baths and mani-pedis.
Volcanoes
If you love the mystique of lush volcanoes, Bali will not disappoint! For novices, trek up Gunung Batur with a local guide. For a more active volcano with the largest crater-lake in Bali, enjoy Mt. Batur. This advanced hike comprises off-road trails and rocky terrain with an optional sunrise trek that ends with an egg breakfast cooked on lava-heated rocks. For the most advanced trekkers, Gunung Agung is your choice.
Nightlife
Welcome to party central. Bali is infamous for its late night clubbing. Its relative proximity to Australia, Japan, and Singapore make it a top nightlife destination. Curfew-free, clubs, and discos stay open till late, with the music sometimes playing at sunrise. Although the real parties and action happen after midnight, going out begins as early as happy hour, available in many restaurants, bars, and clubs. Sunset drinks are a daily pastime whether in a luxurious beachside lounge in Seminyak or on a bench by the waves in Kuta. Don’t miss Legian, with an option of elegant and welcoming restaurants or fine nightclubs to suit any temperament.
Beaches & Water Sports
Due to its geology, Bali sits on the active Ring of Fire so most of the island’s beaches have beautiful silver or deep grey sand. The sand color on the island ranges from white to black tones. Black sand beaches are found on the north coast. The romantic beaches of Jimbaran and Karma, serve sunset dinners on the sand and nighttime films under the stars. Hotels, bars, and restaurants usually sit atop white sand beaches. Just over the hill from Padang Bai, you can find white sand beaches and turquoise waters. For more seclusion and beautiful waters, try Mengiat, Geger or Nusa Dua Beaches.
Surfers travel from all over the world to challenging their skills. Bali can be surfed practically all year round with advantages to each season. For die-hards, Balangan Beach’s waters can get so rough that non-surfers are often advised to stay near the shore. The nearby cliffs offer a breathtaking view and some of the most sought-after surf breaks feature the breath-taking scenery of the ornate temples, picturesque country villages, and calming rice fields. Try Bingin for waves, the Southern tip, Padang Padang, and Uluwatu.
Scuba Divers enjoy elaborate coral reefs and sea life. The best beginner sites are around Amed, Padang Bay, and Pulau Menjangan which have very light or often no current at all. Bali offers even more opportunities to those advanced divers, with many drift dives such as around Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Candidasa. Macro Lovers and critter hunters will be delighted to dive in Secret Bay and Seraya Secret. Secret Bay’s location close to the mouth of the main bay and the intense currents of the Bali Strait create distinct conditions for a plethora of marine life to be found there. For snorkeling, head to the East Coast from Padang Bay to Amed. The visibility is usually very good and ranges from 10 to 50 meters.
Shop & Eat
From painted batiks at a local market to designer ware in air-conditioned malls, shopaholics are sure to find their fix in Bali. Whimsical island fashion, jewelry, homeware, dream catchers, fine art, handicrafts, dyed fabrics, antiques, and eco gifts, are just some of the remarkable finds in Bali’s treasure trove. Bargaining in markets, shops and art galleries is normal practice and getting a good price depends largely on one’s bargaining prowess. Bring your cash and good humor. The best shops in Bali open late into the night. Similar items are normally grouped making comparison easy.
Walk along Jalan Batu Balong after sunset, a complex of restaurants, bars, and shops, decorated with fairy lights, a joyful vibe, and party dwellers. Take the entire evening to browse the 150 stalls at Old Man’s in Canggu which is essentially one big party. Bali is known for sumptuous food from healthy organic to elegant-chic restaurants. There is a vast selection of food choices from classic European to traditional Javanese fare. And the settings will totally delight you! Enjoy fresh exotic cuisine amidst jungle treetops, romantic dining by the river or sea, and fine dining resorts.
Soak up this warm, generous culture and enjoy terrace views. Admire Balinese paintings, watch a traditional dance, practice yoga then move on to a relaxing massage. Trek jungles and volcanoes as well as experience a traditional Southeastern Asian Hindu festival. If that doesn’t sound like a perfect vacation, I don’t know what does. For personal answers to your questions about Bali from travelers & locals, chat with them on TriplnR!
