BALI AS A DESTINATION

Bali, though an island rather small in scope with its 140km distance from east to west and 80km only from north to south, is as diverse as can be.

Some dream it as a tropical paradise, with white sandy beaches, revering and fascinating people and traditions, intricate architecture, great expanse of beautifully terraced rice cultures below grand and towering volcanoes and such a flora, one can only succumbs to its charm. Others simply picture it as the ultimate hedonist's haven.
Well it is both and much much more.

The pages herein are an attempt to share with you our knowledge, likes and perhaps dislikes at times, discoveries and experiences to give you a taste of what makes Bali so dear and wondrous to us…

We sincerely hope that you’ll enjoy to its fullest the retreat, peace and comfort of your chosen holiday home. Should you feel the need to venture out, here are some of our favourite things to do on the island…

Markets

The sooner you pay a visit to a local market…the better you’ll enjoy the rest of your trip
Trust me!
Get up early one morning and venture in the very large and very local markets of Denpasar or Mambal for a colourful immersion within the lively, visual and olfactory traditional Balinese shopping landscape.
When there buy as many fruits as you can and try them. The island produces the most exquisite, bizarre and amazing variety of fruits.
The mangosteen, queen of the fruit, markisa, for passion, salak, the snake fruit, rambutan, sawo(make sure they are ripe…only then do they taste something between figs and honey), star and jack fruits are amongst my favorites.

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Scuba diving and the intriguing north coast of Bali

Permuteran is the place you want to be. Along with the beautiful diversity you will find on the sea bed in the area and most particularly around the outskirts of the Menjengan island, a 15 min boat ride from the shores of Permuteran, give a call to Chris Brown, the colourful owner of the Reef seen aquatics dive centre and Permuteran horse riding stables. Why? For a tailor made dolphin viewing or to play a small part in his protective program and release, in season, a few baby turtles to the wild …magical.
If you like to ride and are a fair cavalier the journeys they take you on within the hills of the national park are wonderful. For easier rides, the beach and village tour is a lovely start.
And last though not least, Wednesdays and Saturdays are dedicated to the practice of traditional Balinese theatre court dancing by a group of children from the village who learn under the supervision of a famous Balinese professional dancer, coming twice a week from Singaraja the main town a few hours away. Though far from being as professional as the ones you may attend in Ubud or elsewhere, performed by professional adult dancers, this is a most wonderful show I have enjoyed countless times.

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Temple festivals

If you have friends of Balinese descendance go with them. Indeed it is much more enjoyable and interesting to go with someone able to illuminate you on the various rituals.
If you don’t know anyone, check the calendar for dates and attend a ceremony nonetheless. They are colorful, surprising and so much a part of the Balinese way of life.
Remember as well to walk the beach on the day before and after the full moon.
Each village in Bali has to bring the gods of it major temples for purification. Villagers reach the beach in processions throughout the day and beach rituals are extremely poetic.

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Waka luka land cruises in Bali

Give them a call and book a day for a magical and most spectacular scenic tour of Bali’s interior, ending with an elegant, typical and delicious Indonesian ‘nasi campur’, meaning mix rice, in a well hidden magical spot at the foot of Mt Batu Karu.
This is something we recommend doing early on in your stay as well. If only for the food, as it will give you confidence to further try the incredible and tasteful variety of Indonesian cooking in less charming warungs though fantastic treat for your tastebuds, such as Warung Kolega recommended in the food section of this site.

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Seafood Barbecue in the beach in Jimbaran

We hope you enjoy eating just as much as we do!
If you don’t want to feel that it is the sole reason why you are venturing around the island, well I have an excuse for you here. Indeed you may be able to link this one with an elegant art opening at the Ganesha gallery set within the grounds of the Four Seasons Resort just up the beach, which often features local or foreign artist residing on the island.
Once you have seen the show and enjoyed a glass of bubbles, do make your way down the beach to the busy seafood restaurants area, loved both by tourist and locals of all backgrounds.
Warung Menega is our recommended choice. Make sure to order plenty of barbecued clams... Yum!

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Bali bird park on the way to Ubud

For a change take for the hills and spend the morning in the fabulous lush and rainforest like botanical gardens of the bird park, home to over 250 different living species of birds.

Once you are up there you may as well keep going all the way to Ubud for a stroll in its quiet yet lively streets.
Consider staying overnight. That will allow you time for a Barong or Gamelan show at the water palace, as well as a wonderful meal at Ary’s warung or the hype and very talked about Mosaic.
For the morning and a little more food book a spot in the cooking classes run by Casa Luna, in the beautiful original compound of their home and neighboring guesthouse.
Before leaving do go check the threads of life gallery for a little more cultural insight.
If you are there longer, well check out the Maisonbulle likes pages.

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Water sports and the Sanur coast

I am not a big fan of Sanur, though always charmed once there. Regardless of this slightly oxymoronic statement, if you are big on water sports and like a little variety within your ‘surf’, get out there and check in Mario Olivieri’s beach club for sky and wind surfing, jet and water skiing as well as snorkeling, diving and more. You’ll definitely have fun.

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Get on a bike!

Once you are starting to ease in the rhythm and flow of the island, this is a must do if you can.
Get on a bike and take of for a few days to discover the island. Circle its periphery and venture in as many directions as you can in its center, as truly this is the way to best enjoy a discovery of Bali.
A motorbike road trip will allow you a greater visual and ‘feel’ experience.
While on the road don’t hesitate so much to stop in the local warungs for food. And if as I, you turn your nose up in the face of strange looking meat dishes, rejoice in the knowledge that the variety of vegetables here is as numerous, if not greater than of the fruits and very well used in warung cooking. More so, the soy cakes varieties known as tempeh and tofu are cooked in endless tasty ways just about everywhere.

All this said don’t ever ingest anything that does not look good to you!

Last but not least…. hang out at the beach

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Quick access:

Markets

Scuba diving and the intriguing north coast of Bali

Temple festivals

Waka luka land cruises in Bali

Seafood Barbecue in the beach in Jimbaran

Bali bird park on the way to Ubud

Water sports and the Sanur coast

Get on a bike!