Bali is back! by Travel Nation's Martin
Lake
For further information and how to include Bali
on your round the world ticket, contact Martin at Travel Nation on 01273
320 572 or martin@travelnation.co.uk
In
the period following the bomb blasts in 2002 and 2005, tourism in Bali
was at an all time low and the locals were struggling to make ends meet.
On my last visit in 2003, restaurants were giving discounts of up to
seventy per cent just to get you through the door. Now, Bali is thriving
once again - and it's still excellent value.
Kuta is probably the best known part of Bali and whilst it can be fun
in small doses, be warned it is not everyones cup of tea ! It
is plagued with heavy traffic, tacky bars. incessant hassle from street
vendors and Australian suburbia on the loose. I would also suggest that
Nusa Dua is relatively uninteresting as it seems to be dominated characterless
resorts.
Instead, head for charming Sanur in the east. I stayed at the Puri
Santrian Resort at the south end of the beach. It's a genuinely Balinese
resort, with a fantastic spa help ease away your aches and pains. There
are three pools, a swim-up bar and large comfy sofas to lounge around
on next to the beach. Sanur itself stretches the length of the beach.
It's full of little shops, bars and restaurants so there's no need to
feel confined to only eating in your resort. It's cheaper too, a three
course meal for two including a couple of beers and some cocktails will
set you back about £12.
A visit to Ubud in the centre of the island is a must. This little
town, set in the forested hills and ringed by Hindu temples, is one
of the best places to shop in Indonesia. The central market is a hub
of noise and colour with everything for sale from smiling Buddhas
to bizarre fruits to . Barter hard though! For a real bargain, head
to Monkey Forest Road. It's full of workshops and stalls selling intricate
woodcarvings, batik prints and brilliantly painted carved masks, something's
bound to catch your eye. Whilst you're in Ubud, take a trip to the Sacred
Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Be warned though, don't take any food with
you, as the monkeys will find it!
An
afternoon and evening in Jimbaran Bay on the west coast is not to be
missed either. This fantastic stretch of beach is a working fishing
village. Watch the brightly coloured wooden boats head out to sea whilst
you kick back sipping your Mai Tai. Fresh lobster, king prawns or red
snapper will be on the menu for your evening meal, served up as you
sit on the beach watching the sunset over the bay.
If you are looking for deserted beaches, Pasir Putih (near Candidasa
in the east ) is gorgeous and untouched. Nearby is un-crowded Jemeluk
which has dark, grey (volcanic) sand and great snorkelling.
In the south, you could check out the magnificent cliff-top temple
of Pura Luhur Uluwatu with its natural amphitheatre to see the spell-binding
Kecak dance, performed each sunset by dozens (sometimes hundreds) of
bare-chested men above the crashing ocean.
Bali's most sacred temple is Pura Luhur Batukau, a spiritual site since
the 11th century. It enjoys a gorgeous location on the lower slopes
of Batukau mountain, where it is surrounded by misty forests. It also
has beautiful garden courtyards and a seven-tiered pagoda.
If you are the active type, make for the village of Toya Bungkah where
you can hike up the mini-cone of the still smouldering Batur Volcano.
Chances are an enterprising local will pop out of nowhere to sell you
an egg that you can cook in a steam vent.
Bali is also a surfers paradise. The most popular surf beaches
are Kuta, Legian and on the Bukit Peninsula
Not bad for an island that is only 80 miles across at its widest point
! Bali is easy to include on any round the world routing, or even if
you just looking for a stopover point en route to Australia or New Zealand.
The best time to visit is between May and October when it's virtually
rain free with unbroken sunshine. So when you're drawing up a list of
possible stops on your trip of a lifetime, you won't be disappointed
with Bali.
Feel free to get in touch with me directly if you are planning a stay
in Bali.
More information about Indonesia
Travel
For further information and how to include Bali
on your round the world ticket, contact Martin at Travel Nation on 01273
320 572 or martin@travelnation.co.uk
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