Posts Tagged ‘Bali’

Bali Travel Offers Adventure, Wonder And History

The world is chockfull of destinations that are all worthy of consideration when itâ??s time to make holiday plans. There are not many places, however, that can compare to a particular island in the Indonesian archipelago. Bali travel melds adventure, history and wonder into a single experience that is virtually certain to create memories to last a lifetime.

Located only a few hours away from Australia by plane, this unusual destination packs a great deal of fun into 5,632 square kilometers. Here holidaymakers will find weather that is perfect practically year round. With warm tropical temperatures ranging between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius no matter the time of year, visitors to Bali are often surprised to find sunny days dominate even in the thick of the rainy season.

When Bali travel is under consideration, potential holidaymakers will find these reasons tend to draw travellers from all over the world like moths to a flame:

* The outdoor splendour â?? Bali is famous for its breathtaking geography. The island is surrounded by warm turquoise waters that lap at white sandy beaches. From quiet lagoons just right for swimming and snorkeling to more â??activeâ? beaches that call to surfers and adventure sports lovers, the waters here are ideal for year round fun. Whilst the beaches are certainly a draw, they are not the only outdoor wonder that awaits those planning Bali travel. This island is also famous for its lush tropical forests, active volcanoes, tiered rice paddies and incredible lakes and waterfalls.
* The history â?? Bali has a history that dates back thousands of years. Evidence of its most early inhabitants can be found in a variety of sites all over the island. From the temples in the Mount Agung complex to the wonderment of the Tanah Lot, visitors here will learn much about the peoples and cultures that have touched Bali throughout the ages. With its strong ties to the Hindu religion, holidaymakers will discover that many of the islandâ??s most splendid outdoor attractions have also served as places connected deeply to religion through the ages.
* The culture â?? Balinese culture is known for its distinct arts, form of dance and cuisine. Those who plan Bali travel will find themselves arriving on a island that is known the world over for its welcoming hospitality and unique traditions.
* The adventures â?? Bali is one of the few places in the world where people can get up close and personal with gray monkeys, elephants and a variety of other tropical creatures all on a single vacation. If fauna doesnâ??t appeal, those on Bali tours will find that plenty of other adventures await. Bali tours can unlock adventures that are found nowhere else in the world. From Odyssey Submarine trips that take holidaymakers into the depths that surround the island to a trip to the 11th century Elephant Cave, there is no shortage of opportunities to do and see things that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

When an experience like nothing else is desired, Bali travel will deliver. Combining adventure, wonder and history, this legendary island offers holidaymakers an opportunity to explore paradise on earth.

Bali Beaches

There are a wide variety of different types of beaches in Bali from the energetic sports and activities beaches to gentle secluded coves to spend lazy afternoons chilling and enjoying the warm Indian ocean.

Many of the beaches are palm fringed white sands with a tropical feel that you would expect to see in the movies while others are black due to the islands volcanic activity.

Some beaches are within very easy reach and actually make up part of the resort while others are off the beaten track and are a drive away.

Bali has many great beaches – good for swimming, surfing, or just lounging on the sand. Some beach hotels in Bali and villages provide daily clean up and grooming of beaches. Also, the quality of a beach can change drastically between seasons, depending on the location of the beach and the direction it faces.

Bali’s beaches are best during the dry season, roughly April through October. During this period at beaches on the western coastal areas, erosion is minimal and the lack of wind or offshore winds keep the beaches clean and relatively calm.

During the wet season, onshore winds deposits flotsam and garbage on the west facing beaches and constant clean up is needed. In addition heavy rains can deposit run off around the beaches, particularly around run-off streams that flow into the ocean.

The east cost beaches of Sanur and Nusa Dua are less affected by seasonality, although the beach strip from the Melia Hotel to Nusa Dua Beach Hotel  in Nusa Dua experiences seasonal erosion in the winter, resulting in a very narrow strip of sand. The sand returns for the summer months.

The west facing beach from Canggu to Kuta can have rough surf and is known to have many rip currents and strong undertow. Safe swim areas are marked by flags and lifeguards are posted in some places but it is advised to keep an eye on the weak swimmers as the currents often change suddenly.

Mengiat  beach at Nusa Dua and Sanur beach areas are nice because there is an offshore reef that keeps heavy surf away from the beach.

 

Kuta Beach

If  it is an activity beach close to all amenities then Kuta beach is the one to head for as there is a wide variety of water activities available from this beach and surfing being one of the primary ones.

Parking is available all the way along the beach front and there are often extra activities and events held along the long wide walk way.

Parking can get cramped and swimming is dangerous for weaker swimmers as the rip curl and under currents are strong along this section of the shore so be aware of this when planning a day at the beach.

Along the beach front there is a wealth of activity from board and sports rental equipment to five star luxury hotels and sandwiches shops.

You can rent a sun bed and umbrella along certain sections of the beach but make sure that you get a good price for them the normal rate is around 50,000 IDR.

On the west cost of the island the resorts of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are very busy to watch the sun go down.

There are often a wide variety of vendors on the beach offering every thing form a a relaxing massage and pedicure to sellers of beach wear and fresh fruit.

You must be careful along this section of beach as to pick pockets and bag snatches and exercise common sense when swimming and leaving your belongings unattended.

Kuta beach can often become a little crowded in high season and traffic very heavy to get to this part of the island through the bottle neck streets so make sure to leave plenty of time to allow for transit through Kuta and parking.

 

Nusa Dua Beach

The Nusa Dua peninsula is surrounded by some lovely beaches from long golden stretches of palm fringed beaches to more secluded coves at the bottom of cliffs.

Nusa Dua from Geger Temple is known as Mengiat Beach and Geger Beach. The most beautiful blue water, pristine white sand, minimal vendors.

Nusa Dua beach is a wide golden sandy beach stretching some 3 kilo meters from the blow hole and ancient temple at one end to the more secluded cliff at the other end.

As opposed to watching the sun go down on Jimbaran beach why not sip a cocktail and watch the moon rise on Nusa Dua beach or a lovely stroll along in the moon light while the crabs come to life scurrying up and down the beach is a sight not to miss.

Getting here is relatively easy just follow the signs and the surfers via the old wooden bridge and then to the wide flat car park that rolls onto the beach and you are there once you pay the 2000 rupiah to park.

Geger is one of the few beaches at which topless sunbathing is allowed.

There is are toilet facilities and sports hire along this stretch of the beach including hobby cats, canoes, peddle boats, and snorkel equipment.

There are a few beach bars and restaurants where you can get everything from fresh fish and satay to sandwiches and pizzas.

Sun beds and umbrellas are readily available on the beach and cost about 1,500 rupiah, although you will often be asked for more but it is widely acceptable to bargain.

Geger Beach, from Geger Cafe to Geger Temple. This part of the beach is used by seasonal seaweed farmers. At the far end against the hill is the Nusa Dua Beach Cafe, which also has a few rental beach chairs and get a more sheltered day at the beach with the cliff to explore and a shorter paddle out to the reef for the surfers in the party.

The beautiful sands of Mengiat Beach, to the north now has three beach cafes, serving food and beverage, and a currency exchange on the Geger side of the St Regis

It is quieter this side of the beach with fewer bars and activities it makes for a pleasant walk in the evening along to the temple and blow hole to the north.

 

Jimbaran Beach

At Jimbaran you can literally park up at the beach and you are there on the white sand.

It is pretty quiet during early afternoon however the beach springs to life around 4.30 with the restaurants setting up for the evening trade of people watching the sun go down.

The beach is accessible from the many cafes and bars some of which have beach loungers for the day and will allow you to use them free of charge as long as you buy a drink from them.

At the south end of the beach is the Four Seasons, with a private beach club and restaurant.

The beach directly in front of the Four Seasons is rocky and rough, not really suitable for swimming. The beach is more inviting 50 meters away towards the beach BBQ restaurants.

You can get Pizza and ice cream along from the BBQ restaurants and hire body boards and surf boards.

Life guards usually patrol this part of the beach too. It is advisable to bring some form of shoe to wear in the water as the coral washed up makes it difficult sometimes to enter the water.

The barbecue restaurants are great at night for fresh fish, Indonesian style served with local stemed vegetables and boiled rice with an array of different spicy sauces.

During the day the cafes serve drinks and simple Indonesian meals although are now catering more to western taste and you can also get bbq chicken and french fries in some of them.

Some of the big beach hotels groom and cleaned daily the beach in front of the section of their hotel and  provide comfortable chairs and a simple beach cafes.

The beach from the  north to the airport boundary is know as Kedonganan beach and is the the territory of a fishing village, a few fresh fish restaurants, and the local wholesale fish market.

Kedonganan beach is wide and sandy, but as a working beach is not suitable for relaxation. It provides a fascinating site in the morning when the fisherman land their catch and the market is at it is busiest

 

Sanur Beaches

This area is a favorite of many visitors and locals with it is old time feeling it has a seven km paved walkway along the beach front lined with bars restaurants and shops.

This area was one of the first developed tourist areas and is very popular with tourist and residents.

You can find many places renting out bicycles and is an excellent spot to take up an early morning run and walk while watching the sun coming up.

There are plenty of sun beds and places to stop and take a swim as the area has many breakwaters making it safe to swim and enjoy the white tropical sands and clear  blue sea.

A sun bed will cost around 20,000 IDR for the day and you have a choice of bars and restaurants to have a tasty lunch at.

Further along the cost to the Benoa region you will find the Bali yacht club and there is ample parking at this end of the stretch of coast just be careful not to park in the motor bike parking as you will get blocked in by thousands of bikes making it impossible to get out.

 

Benoa Beach Area

Here you will find predominately the sport recreation area and the boats and ferry that takes you to the surrounding islands of  Lombok, Lembongan and the Gilis on one side of the water way and the other home to the many small recreational boats to rent to para-glide, jet ski, dive or a simple banana ride over the crystal blue Indian ocean.

This section of the beach is wide and golden and has a several bars, restaurants and hotels.

This part of the coast runs from the Nusa Dua area and joins the Benoa area in a wide open water way north Nusa Dua beach area that ends eventually at the activity beach at Tanjung Benoa.

Here you can get a trip up the cost to turtle island and see the conservation that takes place of the turtles in Bali who in February are dug up as eggs from Sanur beach and taken to the island to hatch and live out the first months in safety and then released back to the wild in September.

Many of the companies offering the excursions and water sports will also offer a transport service, however parking is simple at the beach side.

The sea here is not really the place you would come to swim as there are many many small speed boats in the water.

 

Seminyak Beach Area

The seminyak area is a great place to go and chill and the beach or enjoy a nice meal while watching the sun go down.

The narrow streets can sometimes get a little crowded at peak times and parking can be difficult so allow time for this.

Stream empties into ocean near Seminyak/Batu Belig. During wet season, the stream is a major river!

Beach around “Kerobokan”, but most know the area as Seminyak. Administrative areas on Bali are gerry mandered, so sometimes the official administrative name does not match the place name most visitors are aware of.

 

“Echo Beach” Canggu

Increased in popularity recently due to the vibe from the restaurants built on a cement seawall facing the ocean. Echo beach really isn’t suitable as a swimming or relaxation beach, but has a solid reputation as a surf beach.

The beach is a bit rocky and the sand is blackish and the seawall on which the restaurants are built is not attractive. The surfing attracts a crowd of surfers and watchers, and it is enjoyable to watch the action from the seawall while enjoying the cuisine from the The Beach House or other warungs. The road to Echo beach has become very pitted and is in need of improvement.

North side of Echo Beach, a bit rocky however it is a great place to come and watch the sun going down and enjoy the early evening jazz.

This is a little bit off the beaten track and can get busy sometimes when surf is up!

 

Dreamland

This is a white sand beach which is very popular with surfers and  now has a  fully developed  hotel.

The old surf beach is gone, replaced with a 15,000 IDR parking lot. Apparently construction on another hotel, the Raffles is on hold due to the global recession.

However the Dreamlands complex has a great bar and pool over looking the beach and you can access the beach via a stair case descending down from the pool area.

On the beach are a few small warungs and bars offering local refreshments and surf hire, sun beds and umbrellas.

The climb down is a little steep but well worth it once you are on the beach with it is tropical white sand.

 

Balangan Beach

Next to Dreamland is Balangan Beach. Popular with surfers and not as well known as Dreamland. The feeling of this beach is almost Hawaiian.

There are a couple of bungalow style accommodations and most of the surf warungs from Dreamland have moved here. Almost no tourists. Access is a bit of a pain from the Nirmala Store intersection on Jl Uluwatu, but the road is paved.

Padang Padang beach follow on across the bay from Dreamlands and  this little beach is paradise on earth. It is both a surf beach and a great place to swim as it is sheltered by a reef so and ideal spot for the surfers and swimmers.

Parking is at the top of the beach and there is quiet a steep staircase down to the beach but the climb is well worth it.

On the beach there are a few warungs offering refreshments and sun beds and at the top is a pizza restaurant offering takeaways.

The shallow waters are ideal to swim and further out on the reef is a surfers paradise.

 

Bukit Beaches

Kutuh Beach access from the village of  Kutuh in the Bukit area through the rock quarries in center. Seaweed farmers are abundant in this area with it is white sand, privacy, and no tourists and is really different. No accommodations and no tourists. This is way Bali was 50 years ago.

“Green Bowl” accessible from the long stairway at the temple next to the closed Bali Cliff  hotel. Surfer beach, caves at the bottom of the stairs and monkeys living around near here. Great scenery and adventure. No accommodations. Really a surf spot.

 

Amed

This is on the north eastern coast of  Bali, is a great place to both swim (as there is no surf) and snorkel directly from the beach.

Some beaches aren’t sand though, they can be coral or pebbles so shoes can be of benefit to get to the water. Amed is approximately a 2-3 hours drive from the south of Bali.

 

Lovina Beach

This beach is a narrow black sand beach with calm water. The beach is lined with a variety of relaxed restaurants. There are very few sun beds on the beach, and the beach is used by fisherman for their jukung.

You can rent a junket to go and see the wild dolphins that live along this section of the cost and it is well worth the early morning call to see the sun rise and watch these magnificent animals play in the wash of the boats.

Most boat owners offer the option to go and have breakfast and then come back to take you oput to the reef to snorkel in the clear blue waters.

The cost of a boat trip is around 50,000- 60,000 IDR per person.

The black sand beaches can feel dirty and the black sand absorbs heat, so its hard and hot on the feet.

Parking is easy at the beach side and access is flat.

However, the views from Lovina beach over to Java are spectacular and it’s worth visiting for this reason alone. Lovina is on the northern coast of Bali and is approx a 3 hour drive from Kuta.

 

Candi Dasa

This is an unspoiled tourist spot on the east cost and is about a one and half hour drive from the airport.

Here the beaches are black and the tide very high at times so that the beach disappears.  A large wall has been constructed to combat the encroaching sea and aid the development of tourist attractions.

This is a place to enjoy a very relaxing, peaceful, romantic holiday. The night life is quiet mainly entailing dinning in the fine restaurants or there is a beer garden and rock cafe with the odd live band.

The shopping in this area is limited and you would be better taking a day trip to Kuta or Ubud.

Snorkeling and diving are very popular here as it is a snorkelers dream. You can rent the  equipment from most hotels.

Bali’s eastern most port from where the ferry to Lombok leaves three times a day. The trip to Lombok takes about three hours and costs approx. 8000 – 12000 IDR..

Becoming a popular little stop over, Padangbai offers a few warung and losmen style accommodation as well as some fine snorkeling.

 

Why A Bali Holiday Is Ideal For A Family

Bali is an island of dreams known for its picturesque natural beauty and romantic backdrops. Whilst it certainly is one of the worldâ??s best destinations for couples, it is also ideal for family vacations. No matter the age of visitors, a Bali holiday will be filled with adventure, breathtaking sights and a chance to take in educational opportunities all along the way.

There are a number of reasons that combine to make Bali vacations an excellent choice for family adventures. When this Indonesian island is the destination, families of all sizes and age compositions will find these factors stand out to make Bali a good selection:

* The weather â?? Whilst there is a monsoon season that runs between December and March, Bali is practically postcard perfect in weather throughout the year. With temperatures that range between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius, there is little reason to fear having to spend days inside Bali hotels to wait out inclement weather. Even during the rainy season, the storms tend to come in the evening hours.

* The outdoor fun â?? Going to Bali without exploring its natural wonders would be like travelling to Americaâ??s Disney World without ever once going on a ride. It just wouldnâ??t make sense. The outdoor activities for families that visit Bali are almost endless. From the pristine white sand beaches to the breathtaking mist-covered mountains, Bali and the great outdoors just go hand-in-hand. Those on a Bali holiday will find they can do such things as swim, water ski, white water raft, hike, bike, horseback ride, golf and even go on tours of volcanoes. There is no end to the potential for outdoor fun when a Bali holiday is on tap.

* The attractions â?? From the monkey forest and the elephant safari to the many museums, shops and restaurants, Bali has no shortage of attractions that are well suited for family adventures. The islandâ??s many attractions are almost all considered very family friendly.

* The accommodations â?? Bali accommodations are designed not only for couples, but also for families. If a little more room is needed than an average hotel might offer, Bali villas and apartments can give families the space they need to spread out.

* The history â?? The islandâ??s history dates back thousands of years into the past. Visitors here will find that temples built over a thousand years ago still stand and that historic sites can be taken in throughout Bali. From the temple Pura Besakih on Mount Agung to the Tanah Lot, young visitors will have plenty of opportunities to learn about the Indonesian culture through the years.

* The pricing â?? A Bali holiday does not have to cost a fortune to be incredibly memorable. Families will find that Bali accommodations are quite reasonable in pricing as are many of the main attractions on the island.

Whilst Bali is an excellent vacation destination for couples, it offers families plenty of excitement. A Bali holiday can suit visitors of all ages who will be blown by the islandâ??s natural beauty, many attractions and history that lives on.

Flights to Bali

Bali is a small tropical island and is one over 20 thousand islands that make up Indonesia. Getting there by plane is fairly easy from any country. Before making a decision to book your flight or Bali hotel, you need to find out what the status is with regards Bali visa requirements for your specific country. If you are coming from an Indonesian country then you don’t need a visa but may need to pay air{port tax as you enter the country, whatever your visa is or the type of ticket you purchased you’ll have to pay an entry and exit tax. Even if your ticket specifies that airport tax has been paid, you’ll still need to pay at the airport before boarding your flight and when you land, so keep some local Indonesian Rupiahs handy.

Most western nationals don’t need to apply for a visa either, but will have to pay up to $30 for a visa when they arrive. The method is fairly quick and there are plenty of manned stations to make it go as speedily as possible. For other countries a visa will have to be got before flying. Wherever you are coming from it is a good idea to find out the newest up to date info from the local Balinese consulate.

When flying into Bali you will arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Often you will find websites that talk about two airports, Ngurah Rai International airport and Denpasar International, but they are one and the same. Ngurah Rai international airport is situated in the southernmost part of Bali on the west coast not very far from the majority of the tourist areas. There are plans to build a new airport near the tip of the west coast at Jembrana with 2012 being the proposed completion date. This is designed to replace Ngurah Rai as the international airport and is going to be an extremely modern, well designed airport. The official name so far is Jembrana City International airport but most people are referring to it as the New Bali International airport.

Ngurah Rai International airport is the main gateway to the remainder of Indonesia and many world destinations. There are more than 20 major airlines that fly out and in of Ngurah Rai International airport. The biggest carriers of international passengers are ; Garuda Indonesia Airline, Jetstar Airline, Virgin Blue Airline, Singapore Airline, Thai Air Airline and Air Asia Airline. The other airlines will service mostly domestic and short haul flights to bordering Indonesian countries.

There are always numerous daily Bali flights from Singapore and a few other Indonesian countries with the longer international hauls flying a few times a week. Flight times and schedules always change so just check with your travel agent when flights go to Bali from your country. The less expensive long haul flights will most probably have one if not two stop over’s before landing in Bali and even some of the first class tickets will involve a stopover depending where you are travelling from.

Bali Volcanoes Helicopter Tour

Bali island in Indonesia is renowned for its natural beauty and as a fabulous tourist attraction. However, the island is also known for its terrorist attacks in recent years. Since then, the people of Bali have recovered and the island is now a hotspot for tourists from all over the world once again, especially for its beach resorts and volcano helicopter tours.

The island’s ecology and geography are greatly influenced by the towering mountain range of volcanoes that dominate the island. These majestic volcanoes created Bali’s stunning mountainous landscape and they occasionally regenerate its soils and help produce heavy rains that provide this resort island with precious fresh water.

The Balinese considered the island’s many volcanoes, lakes and spring as sacred and treat them with respect and awe. If you are a tourist traveling to Bali for your holiday vacation, you will be awestruck with the sheer majesty of the volcanoes. These natural landscapes are major tourist attractions and many tourist go sightseeing the volcanoes on helicopter tours so that they can view the volcanoes in all its splendor and take awesome pictures. The island is still continually being formed by volcanic activities.

Bali is located over a major fault zone where the Indo-Australian plate collides with the Sunda plate. In 1963, a violent eruption on Mount Agung killed thousands of people and utterly destroyed many rice fields and irrigation network.

The dramatic lava flows on the north eastern faces of Mt Agung is the newest landforms, showing what the island may look like in ancient pre-historic time. It is a fascinating sightseeing experience, almost like a scene out of Jurassic Park.

Perhaps, the most popular volcano for tourists to visit and go sightseeing is Mount Batur. This grand old dame of a volcano sits in a giant caldera that contains a lake that is a few miles long and over a mile wide. Mount Batur is actually a very active volcano and can erupt moment as it erupted with great frequency but the eruptions are less violent these days except in a giant eruption in 1917 which claimed thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples and villages.

Hiking up Mount Batur in the wee small hours of the the morning has become something of a “must do” thing for many tourists in Bali. You will need to bring along a sweater as it can get a little chilly at the volcano summit.

There is also a little coffee shop at the rim selling drinks for thirsty hikers and many children and women in flip flops balancing buckets of soft drinks on their heads scampering around trying to earn your tourist dollar. As the sun rises, you will get a picturesque view of Lombok and other surrounding islands.

One very interesting hike on Mt Batur is the climb down the inside of the crater from Penelokan to Kedisan. There are boats at Toya Bungkah Lake to take you across the lake to a village called Trunyan. This village is notorious for its mortuary traditions because instead of cremating or burying their deceased, the Trunyan villagers leave dead human bodies to decompose naturally in a designated cemetery.

Although Bali is known for rice cultivation, its volcanic soil is actually not well suited for such activities. The soil is finely textured and well drained, so water soaks through the soil rapidly and thus precious water is wasted. The solution therefore lies in repeated and vigorous ploughing which make the soil less permeable.

So if you are visiting Bali for your holiday vacations, do not miss out a sightseeing trip to view Bali’s majestic volcanoes, better yet, take a helicopter tour of this spectacular tourist attraction.