Bali Journey Guide

You can smell the surf from the instant you contact down in Denpasar with Bali’s seashores boasting consistent swells, tender sand and colourful outriggers adorning the beaches of fishing villages. Swap surfboard for snorkel and head north or east for coral reefs and WW2 wrecks; or overlook the beach and discover the artistry of Ubud in addition to the UNESCO rice terraces that wash over the valuable highlands to provide cooler options.

Bali buzzes with beaches, rice terraces, Hinduism, and lively volcanoes set against multicoloured sunsets and Indian Ocean waves folding over coral reefs, brilliantly biodiverse.

Bali Aga villages, Trunyan and Tenganan, invite a feel of indigenous Bali before Dutch trading ships arrived, whilst, inside the distance the volcanoes Batur and Agung simmer and silhouette contrary the equally energetic Mount Rinjani, throughout the Lombok Strait. Way out west, the marine reserves and mangroves of Bali Barat National Park permit awesome trekking and snorkelling and probably the first-rate vicinity to find out the actual Bali, just as nature intended.

Bali is…

as various on land as it is beneath the sea waves

Bali is not…

pretty much rice terraces and Hindu temples, even though they are an excellent place to start.

Our Bali Holidays

What we charge & what we don’t

Homestays

Being invited right into a neighborhood domestic for espresso may be a simply memorable second and although the host may not talk English, a nod and a grin is all that’s required to experience nicely and sincerely welcome. Homestays will let you benefit an excellent deeper knowledge of Balinese lifestyles, with work and play sporting on regardless as you discover cultural traditions with out feeling voyeuristic.

Munduk

Rather like the British in India, the Dutch in Bali were not massive lovers of the heat. Villages like Munduk, in Bali’s critical highlands, made the proper hillside retreat with cooler conditions surrounded by using tropical forests also perfect for spice and espresso plantations to thrive. Set out on trails through terraced rice paddies en route to the local waterfall before locating the exceptional spot in Bali for dawn and sundown.

Bali Barat National Park

Occupying Bali’s northwest, Bali Barat National Park offers included habitat for macaques, muntjacs and the significantly endangered Bali myna chicken, among an exceptionally numerous variety of tropical woodland, mangrove and coastal habitats. Nature trails and mountain treks absorb a few serious scenery at the same time as Menjangan Island, simply offshore, gives a number of Indonesia’s nice snorkelling.

North Coast

In between Singaraja and Lovina there is a sequence of fishing villages hugging slender strips of volcanic sand, which invite travellers to experience a pace of lifestyles it’s the polar contrary to the south. Water visibility is top notch, lodging and meals are low cost, and local attractions, which includes Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery and the thermal springs at Banjar, offer enough alternatives to the beach.

Rice terraces

20 minutes north of Ubud, the rice terraces of Tegalalang offer plenty of excuses to go for a wander or discover with the aid of motorcycle with respectable paved roads main through rice paddies, from one village to the following, flanked by using sweeping hillsides dotted with coconut fingers. Sit lower back and soak up the scenes as you spare a concept for the employees and contemplate the charge of rice.

Ubud

Bali’s artisan capital has an abundance of artwork galleries, weaving workshops and handicraft stalls tempting guests to shop for a larger rucksack. Explore outside of Ubud and you may find smaller villages, like Nyuh Kuning, wherein wooden carvers, religion healers and yoga ashrams sit side by using side as smiling Balinese mingle with similarly glad guests.

Bukit Peninsula

Head 45 minutes south of Kuta, as quickly as feasible, and you’ll locate what should nearly be a separate island. It’s now not, however; it’s the Bukit Peninsula that boasts, possibly, some of Bali’s first-class beaches. Laid back and sandy fine describes Bukit in which beers at the beach at sundown are about as wild as things tend to get other than the hearth dances that are held every night around Uluwatu temple.

Snorkelling

All that volcanic sand nearly guarantees crystal sharp visibility with manta rays, clown fish, and barracuda all recognized to inhabit the coral gardens and the WW2 damage just off the northeast coast. On the northwest coast, snorkelling websites round Menjangan Island are just exceptional with included shallow reefs attracting white tipped reef sharks, eagle rays and sea turtles.

Elephant rides

Elephants aren’t indigenous to Bali so all of the elephants you will discover on the island had been brought there to be held in captivity and used for paintings or enjoyment. Don’t even think about visiting one of the elephant parks around Ubud or Denpasar as they’re designed for humans to take benefit of imprisoned animals regardless of how much you would possibly listen to the contrary.

Stripping off

It may be hot however baring too much flesh is totally disrespectful so assume skinny cotton, long sleeves and trousers if you need to step out with cultural self assurance. Although Bali is one of the extra liberal islands in Indonesia, be sensible when journeying temples and rural areas if you’re keen to appreciate local etiquette and keep away from any unwanted attention. When doubtful, wear comparable apparel to nearby humans.

Kuta

Although Kuta can also have started off lifestyles as, arguably, the great beach in Bali, it is grow to be extra comparable to an Aussie version of Ibiza with fast-meals chains, purchasing department stores and poorly conceived hotel complexes placing ever-increasing strain on insufficient infrastructure. Kuta’s much less a haven for surfers looking for the next wave, it is rapid becoming more like an ugly blight on Bali’s butt.

Zoos

Bali capabilities several zoos, including the safari and marine park out of doors of Ubud, in which animals are handled as performers to indulge ignorant gawping crowds who choose to ignore the chains and obvious signs and symptoms of misery. If you need to look wild animals in Bali, head west into the forested hillsides and mangroves of Bali Barat National Park or dive into the water around Menjangan Island.

If you want to talk approximately Bali or want assist finding a vacation to fit your needs we are very satisfied to help.

Eating & consuming in Bali

Balinese food is based around a combination of spices instead of warm chillies with Chinese, Hindu and Indian affects acting in bird, red meat, seafood and veg dishes, commonly with rice.

Try pepes ikan (steamed fish in banana leaf), nasi campur (Bali’s solution to tapas), gado gado (boiled veg and satay sauce) and bubur injun (black rice pudding with creamed coconut).

Warungs are small, lower priced, own family-run cafes/restaurants/shops located all over the island. Note which warung draws the most local humans as this may commonly sell the satisfactory meals or tastiest fresh juice.

When traveling a Hindu temple or rite make sure you don’t take a seat higher than the plant life, rice and fruit services and don’t stroll in the front of all of us praying.

People & language

Bahasa Indonesia is the legitimate language and broadly spoken on Bali, although round a third of the population speaks Balinese, unique to the island. Although English is extensively spoken – regularly with an Aussie accessory – getting to know a chunk of Balinese is constantly an amazing idea even though, task an agnihotra fireplace rite at dawn or purifying your soul at a Balinese water temple, which includes Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring, can acquire equal benefits.

Rahajeng semeng = Good morningSuksma = Thank youWastan tiang… = My name is…Sing ken-ken = No hassleTidak terima kasih = No thanks

Gifts & buying

Ubud is an artisan epicentre, with Sukawati artwork market awash with art work, carvings, and ikat and batik sarongs, scarves and throws. The foremost marketplace, opposite the palace, is filled with stalls promoting locally made and imported souvenirs – read labels carefully.