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- Bali
Bali
Bali has long been equated with an exotic paradise, a
picturesque vision of green rice fields and plantations, soaring
volcanoes, cool lakes and rushing rivers, lush forests and palm
fringed beaches. It is Indonesia's number one tourist destination
and as a result suffers from commercialisation and overcrowding,
but this is confined to a few main areas. The original charm of the
'Island of the Gods' and its smiling people is still very much in
evidence, especially in the many small rural villages and
fascinating places of the fertile interior.
What makes it distinctive from the rest of Indonesia is the
prevalence in Balinese Hinduism, which incorporates the ancient
Indonesian animist conviction that natural objects are inhabited by
good or bad spirits into every aspect of local life on the island.
Scattered around the island are thousands of Hindu temples and
places of worship. It is evident in their ceremonies, daily rituals
and attitudes, visible in the offerings of flowers and food that
adorn the roadsides, the charms hung inside taxis, and the numerous
vibrant festivals that occur throughout the year. It is perceptible
in their reverence for the Holy Mountain, the soaring volcanic cone
of Gunung Agung, which is the spiritual centre of the Balinese
universe. Art is also an integral part of daily life and every
village has its artists, from the internationally acclaimed painter
to the aspirational young cow herder. Ubud, the cultural centre,
with its streets lined with art and crafts shops, also has
performances of traditional Balinese dance and music. Art, together
with tourism, is an important source of revenue for the island.
With its fine beach, the popular resort of Kuta is the most
visited destination, but there are numerous other beach resorts
around the island, and many more peaceful settings on the east
coast at Candidasa, Sanur and the fishing village of Padang Bai,
and on the northern coast at Lovina. There are a number of good
diving sites and reef snorkelling close by.
Despite the shock of terrorist attacks a few years ago, Bali is
still the tropical paradise of rich culture and beautiful land and
seascapes that has attracted those in search of an idyllic vacation
for so long; however visitors are still advised to contact their
foreign office for the latest travel advice before travelling to
Indonesia, and Bali in particular.
Information & Facts
Climate
Lying just south of the equator, Bali has a tropical monsoon
climate with two distinct seasons: wet (November to March) and dry
(April to October). The dry season has hotter temperatures, but the
humidity levels are much higher during the rainy season. The height
of the summer season also brings cool breezes to temper the hot
weather. The average annual temperature is about 86°F (30°C).
Kids Attractions
Bali is the ideal holiday destination for children, and if you
look beyond the sun-drenched beaches you'll discover there's a
multitude of attractions and activities for kids of all ages to
enjoy in Bali. Take the kids to the Bali Butterfly Park in Tabanan,
or to discover the Ubud Monkey Forest, or for a more exciting
encounter with some of Bali's wildlife, take the kids on an
elephant safari to explore the Bali Elephant Safari Park of Desa
Taro, north of Ubud. The wonderful forest and parks also provide
plenty of open space for kids to let off some steam while the
Waterbom Water Park is also the ideal place for kids to spend the
day cooling off. Or for a seriously lazy day, pack the bucket and
spade and head to any one of Bali's beaches to relax in the
sunshine. On days when outdoor activities are not an option, take
the kids to see a shadow puppet play - an unforgettable and unique
experience.
Language
Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, but many
dialects are spoken. English is widely understood in Jakarta and
tourist resorts.
Money
Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency and is divided into 100
sen. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and
money changers in major tourist destinations; US dollars is the
most accepted currency. Cash often yields a better exchange rate
than travellers cheques, which are not always accepted. It is
recommended that travellers cheques also be in US dollars. Most
major credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and stores
catering to the tourist trade. ATMs are available in main centres.
Small change is often unavailable so keep small denomination notes
and coins for items like bus fares, temple donations and cool
drinks.
Night Life
The nightlife in Bali is mostly centred round the busy resort
town of Kuta, where everything from karaoke bars and pubs to discos
and clubs can be found bustling until the early hours. Enjoy
sundowners at a rustic beach bar followed by dinner and a pub crawl
until the bass lines thump and the party animals start crawling out
of the woodwork around midnight. Hot spots include the Paparazzi
Lounge or Double Six in Kuta, or the Bounty on Legian Road in
Legion Beach area is the place for rockers. Club Peanuts on Legian
features a huge open-air disco and there are events like full-moon
and half-moon parties taking place frequently - just look out for
the flyers. Seminyak also pulsates after dark and countless clubs,
bars and sexy dancers can be found. Head to Sunset on Seminyak or
Hu'u Bar for a great night out.
Lovina, Nusa Dua, Ubud and Sanur offer a more low-key variety of
night time entertainment which is mostly confined to restaurants
and hotels but there is always something happening to keep the
young at heart entertained.
Many travellers like to stop past the Bali bombing memorial site
outside Paddy's Pub, which was destroyed in the 2002 bombings, to
pay their respects to the victims. Paddy's: Reloaded was reopened
further down along Legion Street and sees many travellers from
across the globe coming together for a toast!
Shopping
Shopping in Bali is much like shopping in any south-east Asian
country: there is plenty of fake designer wear and the usual
tourist knock-off goods, and plenty of haggling is necessary. There
are also wonderful local batik designs, plenty of bikinis, swimwear
and surf wear for shoppers to indulge in while in Bali.
In Kuta, the streets are lined with stalls and shops selling
clothing, leather goods, pirated DVDs and handicrafts, as well as
great art shops selling Balinese crafts. Kuta Art Market, next to
Kuta Square, is the place to go for local arts and crafts or for
something more western. Discovery Shopping Mall on Jalan Kartika
Plaza offers fantastic shopping opportunities with its department
stores, cafés, bookshops, home accessories, jewellery and
international brand outlets such as Sogo, Guess and Esprit.
Denpasar's 3-storey Kumbasari Market near the river is a great
place to shop for clothing and spices while Seminyak is the place
to go for trendy boutiques, unique furniture and ethnic chic
couture from the corner of Legian Street to Laksmana Street.
For good local souvenirs such as hand-made jewellery or
traditional wood and stone carvings, head to the surrounding
villages, such as Ubud, where some of the best quality can be
found. The Bukit Mungsu traditional market in Bedugul is a good
place to find dried spices and coffee, which are also popular Bali
souvenirs.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Bali is a somewhat relaxing undertaking, with
many of the island's best attractions centred round the
breathtaking beaches, but step away from the sugary white sands and
warm turquoise waters to the verdant and tropical interior or the
island to discover much more to this popular island than meets the
eye. Kuta beach is without a doubt
thebeach to go for sun and surf, but plenty
others are also worth exploring, such as Legian and Sanur beach,
while Seminyak beach is the place for art lovers to peruse the tiny
shopping galleries. Nature lovers will have a great time exploring
Bali's waterfalls, such as Gitgit and Blahmantung Falls, while the
very fit will love a sunrise climb to the top of Mount Batur, or
one of the other volcanoes that form the island's peaks. After a
long day of exploring, the hot springs of Banjar will rejuvenate
tired muscles. See Bali's wildlife up close at the Sangeh Monkey
Forest near Sangeh, or the Bird Park in Singapadusuch. For
something a little more exciting, book an elephant safari.
Aside from the natural wonders available, Bali has many cultural
gems as well. Every village is required to maintain at least three
Hindu temples, including the largest on the island, the Nine
Directional Temples. Pura Luhur Uluwatu, perched on the cliffs
above Uluwatu, is regarded as the most spectacular. There is also a
wealth of local art, best showcased in Ubud's museums.
Time
Indonesia spans three time zones. GMT +7 (West, including
Java and Sumatra), GMT +8 (Central, including Bali, Sulawesi and
Lombok), GMT +9 (East, including Irian Jaya).