Bali packs a lot into a little Island. A single day can bring more sights, adventures and discoveries than a week’s worth of travel elsewhere.
A religious procession brings the tourist-thronged streets at Seminyak to a stop, a dancer trance-like artistry at an Ubud cultural pavilion, a diver is transfixed by an untouched reef, a surfer finds the perfect break, a walker rubs her eyes trying to cope with the lush green beauty of the rice paddies, a jaded tourist is charmed by the unexpected kindness by a local- all of these things are part of a typical day in Bali.
Bali is the destination that rises far above a typical tropical island by virtue of its culture, scenery and people.
Where else will you find intricate little offerings to the gods placed in serene little niches at world class resorts?
Or see a dance performance by villagers who have been perfecting their dance since generations?
Bali has many splendid beaches but it has so much more to offer: world class restaurants and a fancy night life. Hidden villages, where travelers can escape the tourist hub. Spas and holistic treatments centres offer to indulge your every senses and wholesale shopping of international or local products to fill your suitcase!
And all is wrapped up in a rich and intriguing culture you can find nowhere else.
Bali has an amazing diversity of regions crowded across the island. If you are tired of an area, you just move on to another one which might be something completely different.
KUTA/LEGIAN is the original tourist hub, it’s very name causes some shudder with delight or with horror. Yet a quick stroll along the beach leads you to SEMINYAK AND OBERROI which couldn’t be any more different thanks to its posh hotels, world-class restuarants and designer boutiques.
South of the airport, the BUKIT AREA is the barren alternative to that Balinese vision of endless rice fields. This area is also famous for its legendary surf breaks around Uluwatu. GO east to NUSA DUA and BENOA and you will find excellent reef-protected beaches and more world-class surf breaks.
Across the channel and up the coast, SANUR serenely steers the middle ground, offering a little bit of everything.
Move up the hillside and you will discover the heart of Balinese Art, UBUD.
Head East and you can almost lose yourself in sinuous roads wandering through lush valleys, palm-topped hills and often wild and untamed coasts.
Within a drive of an hour or two, you can enjoy several Bali’s. Choose your favorites but enjoy several.
