Why You Should Visit Bali
Bali certainly deserves the attention that it is getting as the most popular destination in Indonesia for tourist. Being awarded as the World’s Best Island in Year 2009, I thought Bali was overrated before embarking on this trip and not worth the visit since is too touristy. However, what I was about to experience on this island is simply mind blowing.
Why is Bali the more popular choice for tourists among many other beautiful Indonesia cities? It was such a beauty to the extent that Bali can be considered as a country alone with so many different types of things to do from adventurous (Mountain Trekking, Water Rafting) to beautiful scenery lined up with sandy beaches.
This island lies in between the Java Island and Lombok. It is easily accessible with the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, located in southern Bali, 13 km south of Denpasar city.
Just a short drive away from the airport, Kuta beach area is the most visited area where you are likely to see more tourists than locals. It is hard to imagine what used to be a quite fishing village have now become a must stay place among tourists heading to Bali. Many hotels/ resorts can be found here, one of the good place to stay in Bali. Below is a shot of my SGD$18 per night hotel room , not too bad after all!
The answer lies between the fact that there are simply many things to do all in one area. The fantastic nightlife with bars/pubs littered throughout the whole stretch of beach, cheap accommodation/ guest houses, coupled with laid back life.
Bali is never short of pristine blue waters. From white sandy beaches at the south like Kuta and Sanur beaches to the black-sand beaches of unearthly beauty to the north and west. Who will say NO to Sun,Sand, Seawater and the huge waves it bring along that makes it ideal for surfers . There are many local hunks who are eager to teach you a trick or two on surfing if you are not an expert in this sport.
Getting Around Bali
Most tourists in Bali uses 2 modes of transport to travel within Bali. Either you rent a scooter
OR you get a car driver who will act as a guide to ferry you around. Most will have already drawn up fix itinerary for you to choose from the various location. Alternatively, you can ask your guide to bring you to various places that you have researched. The general rule is agree on a price with the driver and you can engage his service for 10-12 hours. Anything more than that, you can top up. Remember to tip them too, they deserve it!
Below is the driver engaged. Personal recommendation is that my guide/driver, Mr Nyoman is very experienced. Having worked on board American Cruise Ship, he speak very fluent English and know various Europeans languages such as Spanish, French, Italian. If you have limited time, he will ensure you cover the most beautiful temples, beaches and yet leaving you some time to enjoy your tour. For a start, you can find him on Facebook as seen and message him first on the price & places to explore.
Activities
If you are more into adventure, head down to the Waterbom Bali Park. It’s a crazy fun filled water adventure park, located at Kuta Beach Area.
Water rafting might be another consideration! How about mountain trekking up to the Mount Batur to view the sunrise with the sea of clouds below you?
Image Credit: Lippo Bali Tour
With so many activities, Bali is certainly the tourist choice, suiting all ages, adventure level, seafood lovers and nightlife goers. You couldn’t ask for more, head down to Bali for your next adventure!
Food
With a population size of around 4 million people,most of the people here are Hindus.Having said that, one of the must try food in Bali is the famous Babi Guling as seen below. Its a dish that consists of roasted crispy pork skin with generous amount of pork meat served with rice.
Drink a cup of world famous Kopi Luwak which is known for preventing diseases such as Diabetes. These coffee beans actually go through the body of an Asian palm civet (seen below) before it is reproduced into coffee which is highly priced in the market. A cup of Luwak coffee is priced at around 50,000 Rupiah per cup which is considered reasonably cheap as compare to what one paid for in other countries. MUST TRY!
After a long day of tour in Bali, why not feast along Jimabaran Beach for a night of good food and festive activities. If you are a seafood lover, look no further than dining at the popular tourist area: Jimbaran Beach. This stretch of sea is known as “Beverly Hills of Bali”. However, my recommendation is not to follow the tonnes of tourists who dine at Jimbaran Beach. The food served is not that nice and is expensive too by local standard.
Instead, one can find delicious and cheaper food at the local food center scene where one can enjoy the food commonly cooked in barbecue (BBQ) style. Squid, Crayfish, Lobster, you name it, they have it!
Scenic Places
And if you are looking for nice mountain scenery or like to bring your kids to understand the farming lifestyle, there are tours that caters to it.
Stop by at the floating restaurant for lunch as it offers the view of Mount Batur.
Sanur Beach Water Blowhole:
Tanah Lot Temple:
Soak in the local way of life and admire the beauty of rice terraces.
Some little trek across the various rice terraces bring us to Gunung Kawi Temple.
Tegallalang Waterfall:
Uluwatu Temple:
Beside leading the beach life, Bali is often the center of rich culture. To the Balinese people, their island is considered as the center of the spiritual universe. Enjoy the Kechak Dance whereby male dancers uses fire, chanting and hands to enact the Hindu story. Best watched during sunset, get caught up between the good and evil stories and don’t miss the jaw dropping fire walk! This dance is best witness at Uluwatu Cliff View Temple with the sun setting at the background.
In Bali, one can find the most random thing here. Guess what we spotted? It’s an abandoned plane (Boeing 737) right out of nowhere by the side of a busy road! Look out for Dunkin Donut along Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai from airport towards Nusa Dua. Hint: 500 meters from Benoa Square. 
Image Credit: Imgur
Below is the rough itinerary that I have experienced personally over 3 Days/2 Nights Stay.
Day 1 : Full Day Tour (Kintamani – Ubud Tour) – 10-12 hours:
0900H : Guide met us at the the hotel in Kuta Beach area
0920H : Breakfast
1130H: Explore Ubud – Monkey Forest, Palace (2 hours drive from Kuta)
1230H : Coffee and Spices Plantation (Coffee Luwak)
1350H: Witness the Beautiful Ricefield Terrace along the way
1410H : Head to Kintamani Area: See Mt Batur
1450H : Have lunch at the floating restaurant, lakeside whereby food is much cheaper than at the Buffet Restaurant commonly frequent by tourists
1700H : Visit Gunung Kawi Temple & Tegallalang Waterfall
2000H : Back to hotel
Day 2: Full Day Tour (Bedugul – Tanah Lot – Sunset Tour) – 10 hours: (04 Dec)
0800H : Leave the hotel for breakfast
1000H : Visit Tanah Lot Temple
1200H : Water Sports activities (Bring extra shirt, towel)
1330H : Lunch
1430H : Visit to Sanur Beach & admire the Water Blowhole
1630H : Beraban – Tanah Lot, Ocean view and Sunset
1800H : Kecak Fire Dance (1 hour show)
1930H: Jimbaran Beach – Fresh Seafood Dinner
Day 3: Free & Easy @ Kuta Beach Area
- Discovery Shopping Mall
- Massage Time
- WaterBom Bali Theme Park
- Relaxation, Swimming in the amazing pool side
Bali certainly cast a spell to visitors, with many being repeat visitors. With the recent volcanic ash that strike Bali resulting in flights not able to fly out, one tourist commented: ” Luckily I am in Bali, I wouldn’t mind staying longer here. If this happen in other cities in the world, I would have throw a big fuss on the flight delay” That explains how much charm Bali posses.
Visit Bali soon and if you have already done so, come back for more! It’s never enough!
Categories: Asia Region
Leave a Reply