Bali: Simply the World's Best Island

Bali: Simply the World's Best Island

Probably the most famous island in Indonesia, and probably is more well known for its beautiful beaches. 

Bali has been awarded the World's Best Island 2009 by Travel & Leisure Magazine (www.travelandleisure.com)

Bali is also called the Land of the Gods, due to its sheer beauty and miraculous sceneries. Bali will appeal to both urbanites and suburbanites, for this exotic island has many things to offer, from sophisticated dining and meeting experience to exhilarating treks in the wild. Indeed, this relatively small island contains lots of miracles.

A miracle indeed, for after all these years, Bali still can amaze both local and international visitors. You can find interesting variety of people here, from the ones who prefer to surf in the beaches of Kuta, Sanur, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Dreamland, Nusa Dua and others, to people who love the serene view of the mountains and lakes in Batur, Kintamani, and Beratan Lake in Bedugul. People continue to flock to Bali, for it serves as a beacon of good time filled with magical moments.

Getting There

With the increasing number of direct flight to Bali from some other parts of the world, it makes it easier to go to Bali. From Bali, flight to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours, with various airlines offering their services.

Just make sure you look for "Denpasar (DPS)" instead of "Bali" in airline time tables. It is the capital of Bali. And the international airport's name is Ngurah Rai.

Another way to reach the island is by ferry, crossing from Banyuwangi, East Java for 30 to 45 minutes to Ketapang. From Bali, you can also reach Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara through Padang Bay seaport with transit at Lembar seaport for a total of 4 hours of travel.

Of course, you can always check your travel agents for more travel arrangements.

Getting Around

There are many modes of transport to help you get around in Bali. A variety of excellent half day, full day and overnight tour packages are available from your hotel desk or any of the numerous travel agents and tour operators which abound in Bali. Or you can find a car and driver who will also act as your guide.

 Whilst walking about, you will be barraged with constant questions of "Transport, transport?". Competition is tight and many drivers know several languages. Tell the driver your desired route and negotiate a fee.

An important virtue to have while on the road in Bali is patience! Although the road system in the heavily populated areas is quite reasonable (condition wise) in comparison to other developing countries, it can be heavily congested at peak periods. Ceremonial processions often overtake the whole road so if you're caught behind a procession, enjoy the colorful experience.

In less populated areas, roads may not be sealed and the famous "gang" (very small road just big enough to accommodate one car, but very often two-way) is ever present no matter what area you may be in.

Walking is still one of the best ways to see Bali. You'll be close to the action. Don't forget a sun hat and bottle of water. If you're walking in Kuta be wary of the undulating footpaths and open access holes placed every meter or so in the footpath. Every so often, the access holes are left open or the lid is broken, which can result in a nasty fall especially at night.

The public transport system in Bali can virtually take you anywhere you want to go but slowly. Buses and bemos are often over-crowded and hot and are recommended for short trips only. Wait by the side of the road and one will inevitably pass by for you to flag down to stop. Get out where you want, by loudly saying "STOP!" Metered taxis are readily available at very reasonable prices.

Bicycles are available but bear in mind heavy traffic in Kuta, Legian and Denpasar. Bicycles are ideal in Ubud and the countryside if you're fit. A few companies offer mountain biking excursions.

If you're feeling brave, hire cars and motorbikes are the thing for you. You will need your license from your home country and an international driving license for renting a car and a special permit available at police stations for renting a motorbike. The rental company can help you obtain this, but it can take half a day of your precious holiday time. Types of cars available are usually small jeeps or Kijangs (larger car with room for 6 people).

One way to beat the traffic is to go by air! Air Bali can provide helicopters and seaplanes for joy rides or charter. Or go by boat. One ingenious individual who wanted to avoid the flooded and traffic jammed by-passed it by chartering a boat from Benoa Harbor to Nusa Dua. It's all possible in Bali!

To Do

Too many to mention. You'll realize it soon after arriving. Part of the miracle of Bali is that, even in modern life, most Balinese still adhere to their unique traditions, especially the Hindu ones. Spirits are respected and sometimes worshipped, and rituals have integrated themselves into the daily lives of the local people. Many artists consider Bali both as a haven and heaven. Too many people have tried to capture the spirit of Bali into paintings, sculptures, even writings and more will continue to do so. Bali provides endless fascination and inspiration. Hence international, annual event like Ubud Readers and Writers Festival.  

But enough about inspiration. How about perspiration? 

A number of beaches in this island are the favorite resorts for surfers. While some others offer variety of water sports or family recreation, such as banana boats, parasailing or jetskiing.

In the northern part of Bali, there are Kuta Beach, Sanur, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Dreamland, and Nusa Dua, to name a few. While on the other side there are the attractive Lovina, Amed, and Tulamben beach. For mountainous nuance, devotees will find Batur Lake at Kintamani and Beratan Lake at Bedugul to their liking.

Other than Bali, there are number of small islands nearby like Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. Both small beautiful islands also have nature fascinating sceneries.

To Stay

Many beautiful resorts offer fine lodgings. Most of the starred hotels are located near the beach. Otherwise, they usually have their own private spots at certain beaches. You can find them easily at popular spots like Kuta or Sanur.

If you're in a serene highland like Ubud, forget starred hotels. You're there to embrace the atmosphere. Just pick one of the small lodgings lining up the streets. And even the smallest one's ready to make you feel welcome.

During the 2007 Ubud Readers and Writers Festival, a man in a wheelchair checked in at a small inn on Monkey Forest. He had some difficulties in navigating through the stairs to his bungalow. He then left for the Festival. When he returned at night, the owner had already paved an ascending lane to his bungalow. That's a typical Balinese hospitality.

When you've already picked a certain destination in Bali, just check out our Travel Directory. See what options are near.

To Eat

Like the food of other regions in Indonesia, Balinese staple food is rice, served with small portions of spicy, pungent vegetables, fish or meat and served almost always with sambal or chili paste. Bali is a few of the regions in Indonesia whose majority of its people are non Muslims, thus babi guling or roasted suckling pig is a specialty, as is bebek betutu, smoked stuffed duck wrapped in bamboo leaves.

In Jimbaran area, for instance, you can sample seafood dishes while sitting on the beach. Visit this place in the evening, the cool atmosphere and caressing breeze will make your dining experience remarkable.

You might want to try these:

KEBAB PALACE
Jl.Kartika Plaza Kuta Center, Kuta - Bali

AYAM BAKAR WONG SOLO
Jl.Raya Kuta no.87, Kuta - Bali
Jl. Merdeka no.18, Denpasar - Bali

RAJA'S BALINESE RESTAURANT

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel&Spa, Nusa Dua - Bali

ANIKA BALINESE COOKING
Jl.Elang No.3, Tuban, Kuta - Bali

DEPOT LA TANSA
Jl.Diponegoro No. 240 A, Sanglah, Denpasar - Bali

BATUR INDAH
Panelokan Kintamani, Bangli

BENGAWAN SOLO & BAR
Jalan Imam Bonjol 386, Denpasar

CAFE DAHANDE
Jalan Raya Seminyak, Kuta

PUALAN INT'L RESTAURANT
Jalan Sanur Beach 37, Sanur

ULAM
Jalan Pantai Mengiat, Nusa Dua

PLAZA BALI SEAFOOD
Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai, Kuta

BUNGA KELAPA RESTAURANT
Alam Kul Kul
Jl.Pantai Kuta, Legian - Bali

SELERA KURING
Jl.Sunset Road (Dewi Sri) No.88, Seminyak, Kuta - Bali

For Muslims, don't worry about not getting 'halal' food in Bali, because there are also many food stalls and food center that are safe to be consumed by Moslem believers. Start from green beans, ketupat tahu (rice boiled in a rhombus shaped packet plaited young coconut leaves mixed with tofu), bakso (meatball), satay, rujak (spicy mixed fruit), satay lilit (usually fish twisted on a stick), pepes (burned/steamed wrapped fish), ikan bakar (roasted fish), and many others. These kind of food are very suitable to be served with pelecing kangkung (a hot spicy leafy vegetable), and hot sambal. Various kinds of traditional snacks are also tempting to be tested such as bubuh injin, laklak, jaja uli and many others.

The safest tips to choose restaurant, certainly is asking the restaurant officers. Must be noticed for Muslims that most restaurant in the hotels serve international menu which are often unavoidable in using pork.

To Buy

There are thousands of giftshops in Bali. For the information click this link:

http://www.balitourismboard.org/mall_and_traditional-market.html

Tips

Here are some tips if you're driving on your own.

Remember to "hoot" your horn when going around curves on mountainous roads as it is very common to drive in the middle of the road here. There are a lot of one way roads in Bali. If you miss your turn off you may have to drive quite a distance before being able to turn back. Be alert!

We highly recommend you fill up at any of the numerous government owned petrol stations. In more remote areas at stalls by the side of the road sell bottles of clear liquid. The quality may not be as good as at the petrol station and could cause damage to the rental car.
http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/73/bali