Traveling Away from the World in Bali, Indonesia

Entry #2442, May 21, 2013

If you are planning a vacation, then Bali just has to be one of the places you should be considering! Bali is also known as Island of the Gods! It is a small island which is part of Indonesiaand a former colony of the Dutch Since its independence in 1949, Bali has experienced turbulence in political conflict and many challenges, and it was only until the 1980s that some form of political balance grew on the island.

Bali, Indonesia temple

Image via: Pinterest

Ngurah Rai International Airport is your best option to enter the island by air, while you can always head on by boat from Java. Bali is a tropical island, so expect it to be really hot. Between December to March is the wettest season and you should really avoid this season. June to September is the coolest time on the island and is the best time to visit.

The sanding beaches of Kuta

Image via: Flickr

Kuta is a good place to enjoy your first day. This is the most developed part of the island. The beach front is the best place to relax after a traveling to Bali. The beach is also known as a surfing paradise and if you have are a first timer, no worries; there are plenty of classes to learn surfing. There are also many, many spas in Kuta to enjoy a relaxing massage. Try Villa de Daun, Reborn and Cozy – these are some of the popular ones.

Rock cut architecture at Ubud

Image via: Flickr

If you are searching for the cultural center of the Island, then head to Ubud. You will find many Hindu structures around town. Gunung Kawi is temple where you will find a burial ground of a former King and beautiful rock cut architectures. You can spend a whole day Ubud’s Sacred Monkey forest where you will find a variety of Macaque monkeys and plenty of ancient temple structures hidden in the forest. If you have time and a whim for cooking, drop by Janet de Neefe, a restaurant that offers introductory classes for the island’s cuisine – this is one of my favourites. On the outskirts of the town, a walk through the paddy fields will prove relaxing. If you are searching for something adventurous, there is a variety of rafting, kayaking and mountain cycling that can be done.

Bali Indonesia Beaches

Image via: Things to Do

And finally, there is no better way to escape the world than by making a trip to Lembongan Island. You will find this paradise on the south-east coast of Bali. This island is completely devoid of any hawkers, traffic or crowd. You will discover the white sandy beaches and be tempted to go snorkeling all day long! If you are taking a stroll on the south-east part of the island, prepare to be pleasantly surprised when you discover seaweed farms. There are a few temple structures that you can check out.

Legian is another beach town where you can practice your surfing skills. If you are tired of the slow life of the island, you can hit one of the many nightclubs in town.

You’ll find plenty of offerings on the island

Image via: Flickr

Bali culture is derived from Hinduism, but it is very distinct from what you may see in India. This distinctiveness has bought out a unique mythology you will discover in the ancient structures. Often, you will find offerings of leaf trays called canang sari filled with goodies and incenses. It is best not to stamp on them since it is believed that it brings bad luck. The island has its own music and dance, so watch out for Barong (lion dance) or Kecak (monkey dance). If you arrive during March or April you may catch, Nyepi, or the Hindu New Year which is great festival to enjoy.

If you are a seafood lover, you will love Bali! You must try out the nasi goreng (fried rice), nasi campur (steamed rice with various vegetables and meats), and mie goreng (fried noodles).

While you may be able to travel through Bali in a single day, the tiny island has enough to keep you occupied even if you stayed on for months! Amed, Kintaman and Mount Agung are places that you can also check out if you’re staying for long.

If you are looking for a world away from the world, Bali is the place for you.  Fall in love with it like I did!

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