Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago. This is the island that Jawaharlal Nehru referred to as "the morning of the world". There is a certain magic and freshness about Bali (area 5,700 sq km, pop. 3,000,000), with its many exquisite sights and scores of talented and charming people. Bali is an ancient, traditional society that is still incredibly alive and vital. Each year, Bali welcomes over a million tourists to it shores, and total hotel capacity is over 25,000 rooms.Bali boasts the finest beaches in Asia, where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap the white sands of Sanur, Nusa Dua and Kuta.
Bali is the land of 10,000 temples. The pura is the central place for worship, civic, family and social gathering. Dance, drama, ritual and cremation ceremonies are an integral part of Balinese Hindu culture.
Volcano peaks dominate the island, creating its landforms, regenerating its soils, and producing its lie-giving rains. Mt. Agung (3,014 m) experienced a violent eruption in 1963, while Mt. Batur (1,717 m) to the west still simmers with activity. With the fertility of the volcanic soil, rice terraces sculpt the landscape of Bali, and its foothills boast an exceptional range of flora and fauna. A short, hot wet season if from November to March, and a longer, cooler dry season from April to October.
Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.
Bali is a shopper's paradise, particularly for casual and tailored clothing, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artifacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags through to tailor made leather jackets and coats, all at unbelievable prices. In fact, prices are so inexpensive, you're sure to need more room in your suitcase! Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta, Sanur of Nusa Dua or fixed price shopping at a Denpasar department store.
For those that want to stay wet, Bali Island has world class scuba diving, snorkelling and wonderful day trips out to Nusa Penida for beach sports and coral viewing.
When the sun sets, the choices are still hard to make - a quiet romantic moon lit dinner or watch the spectacular Balinese Fire Dance or Kecak Dance. For those that want to party, Bali Island has it all with bars, discos and nightclubs. Visitors are dazzled by its culture performances, traditional dances and wide range of culinary delights to chose from. Bali has it all. As a truly international destination attracting visitors from all over the world, restaurants in Bali are extremely cosmopolitan yet inexpensive. Experience not only local delicacies like Nasi Goreng and Sate Campur but also Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Italian/European Greek, Moroccan and even Mexican cuisine. We must not forget Bali's wonderful seafood - local lobster at such prices that you will want to keep coming back for more.
For those more culturally inclined, Bali can offer the peace and tranquility of Ubud high in the hills; the spectacular Mother Temple at Besakih; the ancient capital of Bali, Singaraja and the floating palace at Ujung near the pretty beach area of Candi Dasa. The Scenery is nothing less than spectacular. Jungle, picturesque hillside rice terraces and the awesome magnificence of Kintamani Volcano.
The more active, wanting a break from the idyllic beaches, can experience wonderful golf courses in the mountains at Bedugul and beachside at Nusa Dua, the thrill of white water rafting or kayaking down the beautiful Ayung River; mountain cycling amid scenery you will never forget and organized rice paddy and jungle treks to see the side of Bali most tourists never encounter.
Bali Island, a truly international destination, offers every standard of accommodation ranging from charming yet modest bungalow style hotels in lush tropical gardens for the budget minded through to arguably amongst the most exclusive and sophisticated hotels in the world.
