Bali Villas For a Perpect Vacation

Highland Terasiring

Bali Villas For a Perfect Vacation

When it comes to a calm place to visit for a perfect vacation, you cannot ignore the visit to Bali. With thousands of tourists from around the planet admitting the fact that Bali is no doubt the 'Island of Gods', this is one of the spots of Earth that every human being have to visit. With the perfect climate, appealing scenery and historic places, Bali is full of eye candy that will bring great relaxation to mind.

As a matter of fact many mind therapists are recommending visits to Bali to keep the mind and soul calm and brisk. Apart from countless

numbers of peaceful places, the accommodation in Bali is one of the aspects that any tourist will love. Unlike the common accommodation in restaurants and hotels in other tourist spots in this planet, the accommodation in Bali is unique. The accommodation spots in Bali will offer ultimate privacy with a very calm environment. These unique accommodation spots are popularly known as the Bali villa. If you are planning your first trip to Bali, this article will be a handy reference for you to choose the best Bali villa.

Privacy is obviously the best aspect of the Bali villa. The privacy offered by these Bali villas can't be explained in simple words, you really have to stay and experience it to what ultimate privacy is. With the ultimate privacy offered by the Bali villas, this clam place in this planet has become a very famous honeymoon destination. What can be more pleasing than the peaceful nature combined with ultimate privacy for the honeymooners to enjoy? The news about the ultimate privacy offered in the Bali villas has not reached many people or else it will be a flow of tourists to this place.
Another great offering of the Bali villas is the great view of the rice fields. The golden glow of the rice fields that will be gentle on the eyes is a sighting that can't be seen anywhere else in any other tourist spot. Researches indicate that the calm view of the rice fields is great options for mind relaxation therapies. Staying the best Bali villas will offer perfect, cool views to the rice fields. However, you should make sure that the Bali villa of your choice is situated near one of Bali's great rice fields.
With the huge competition of the Bali villas, there are many ways you can save your money spent in accommodation during your vacation trip. There are many Bali villa rental packages where everything from accommodation, sightseeing, food and entertainment are included. These Bali villa rental packages come with simply incomparable rates where you can make huge savings.
No matter if it is your first time visit or a regular visit to Bali, it is for sure that you will enjoy your stay in the Bali Villas.

The author of this article is knows all about the tourism in Bali. He has helped many tourists to get the best Bali Villa Rentals. When it comes to the affordable but great Bali Villa, he recommends AlbiaVilla which is one of the best Bali villa rental providers out there.

By Nigel Fine

Practical Bali Travel Tips

Practical Bali Travel Tips When Arriving at Ngurah Rai Airport

If you have just arrived at the Ngurah Rai Airport

then here are some Bali travel tips that might come in handy.

Especially if there is nobody from your hotel waiting for you at the arrivals hall. Because then there is only one option left for you: the airport taxi.

Unlike other airports throughout Indonesia, you won't be approached or followed by dozens of taxi drivers asking you if you need a taxi.

Instead at Nugurah Rai Airport all the taxi drivers are waiting for their customers at a taxi booth,

indicated by a big blue sign. 

HighlandWaterfall In Bali island view

Behind the counter you can see a list of all the major Bali travel destinations with the exact price behind it. After you tell the person where you want to go (hotel name, street name or village) you have to pay immediately.

And that's that, so no need to pay the driver anymore later on.

I did hear, though from other travelers that when you are at the taxi counter you should know your exact destination and in which village your hotel is located.

It seems that the people at the taxi counter sometimes want to confuse you on where your hotel exactly is. Some village boarders are not very clear, especially in Kuta area.

So if you for instance say that you want to go to a specific hotel in Legian, the taxi drivers will claim that that it is located in Seminyak. This village is a bit further away so in the end you pay more then necessary. But from my own experience the taxi drivers are ok.

Do make sure though, that the taxi driver actually drops you off in front of your hotel.

One time our taxi driver did not want to make a detour through Kuta because everything is one-way traffic.

So he said that we could just get out as our hotel was just 1 minute walk away.

But I guess he got minutes confused with kilometers. The prices of the airport taxi are of course a tiny bit more expensive than a regular taxi which cruises around town. But these regular taxis are not allowed to pick up any customers from the airport; they are only allowed to drop them off.

So you have no other choice then to go for the official airport taxi.

Make sure you keep this Bali travel tip in mind when you set foot on the beautiful tropical island after a 12 hour long haul flight. If somebody approaches you with a 'better price', decline it immediately.

I understand that it sounds tempting to go for a cheaper taxi ride, but usually at the end you pay more than expected and you'll have a bad start of your holiday...

And let's face it, if you are coming from Australia, Europe or the United States then a 1 hour drive for about USD 8 isn't what I call expensive.

The airport taxi prices for the major tourist destinations are in Indonesian Rupiah: Kuta: 40.000 Kuta Center: 45.000 Seminyak: 55.000 Sanur and Nusa Dua: 85.000 For hotels further away in Nusa Dua: 95.000 Ubud: 175.000 Candidasa: 300.000 Denpasar (depending on which area): 60.000 - 80.000

If you planning to use the taxi to go to other Bali travel destinations or if you plan head back to the airport then I highly recommend the Blue Bird taxi-company.

Indonesians throughout Indonesia even prefer to hop in a Blue Bird, so you should too.

There are other taxi companies as well but their reputation isn't that good as Blue Bird's. Their drivers are very polite and always on time when you have ordered a taxi by telephone.

That is a good thing to know if you have to catch your plane home at 6am, right?

Matt Verbaan has traveled through Bali on various ways: motor scooter, car rental and private drivers.

Tips about transportation and other useful information on getting around this tropical island can be found on his own Bali travel

by Matt Verbaan

Highland - Temple Lake

Spiritual Tours in Bali - Vacation

Package Tips Not to Miss

Before embarking on a Bali tour it is wise to explore

the wide variety of Bali vacation packages available today.

What are you looking for in your spiritual tour to Bali?

Bali has a strong cultural heritage with amazing temples found throughout the island.

Temple ceremonies occur every day in Bali.

You may have heard it referred to as the "island of 10,000 temples".

This is a reflection of the numerous temples found in Bali - spirituality runs deep and strong in all aspects of life here. If you are looking for a spiritual experience then be sure not to miss visiting these temple ceremonies.
What To Look ForMany Bali vacation packages include accommodation, partial meals and a variety of activities. A spiritual tour should involve some type of spa treatment, meditation and yoga. As far as sight seeing, one shouldn't miss the most beautiful temple in the world - Tanah Lot Temple. Situated high on a cliff over the ocean, the view is absolutely outstanding. Another temple worth mentioning is the Besakih Temple. It has often been referred to as the "Mother of all Balinese Temples". It actually consists of five temples (a sacred Mandala). If you are exploring Bali vacation packages be sure to try and experience the Barong Dance. A Balinese dance portrays how chaos and destruction compete with each other. Make sure to check with your hotel as many hold performances weekly.
Eat Pray LoveIf you have ever read "Eat, Pray, Love." by Elizabeth Gilbert then you know how she experienced the spirituality of Bali to the fullest.

A spiritual tour in Bali that encapsulates her experiences and focuses on changing your life would be essential when looking at Bali vacation packages.

In Elizabeth's book she walks us through her quest for spiritual healing,

allowing us to share her journey along the way.

Where To StayAs for where you want to visit, popular choices in Bali are Ubud and Nusa Dua.

In Ubud you will find many shops and galleries, spiritual dances and the monkey forest (a must see!). Also there are the Botanical Gardens, terraced rice paddies and many crafts and art specialties throughout the Balinese villages.

Nusa Dua Bali is home to several five star resorts and choosing to stay in Nusa Dua is a popular choice among many. If you are budget conscious, then you might prefer to stay in Ubud. Nusa dua hotels and resorts are geared more towards those seeking luxury. Many of the resorts even have their own private beaches. Wherever you end up staying you are sure to experience how beautiful and peaceful Bali truly is.Remember these tips before embarking on your Bali spiritual tour:
* spa treatment, meditation, yoga * temples including Tanah Lot and Besakih * Barong dance * Botanical Gardens and the monkey forest

Be sure to explore the Bali Vacation Packages put together by Spirit Quest Tours, who bring along more than a decade of personal and sacred travel experiences to share with you

By Karen A. Newton

Marriage in Bali

Marriage in Bali

There are three ways of marrying in Bali,

i.e. eloping, by request and by force, Melegandang in the Balinese Language, or kidnapping.

If a man kidnaps a girls he goes into hiding as far away from the girl’s village as possible and as long as possible to have more time to work on the girls to make he agree to marry him.

Kidnapping is dangerous because it is against the law.

If the girl when investigated says that does not like or love the boy and that she were taken by forces the boy she decides on a day to elope. Eloping is usually done right after dark, because in the old days girls very seldom left their compound.Only towards dark could she find an excuse to go outside her compound to buy something for her ready with a kerosene lamp to enter the compound of the girls as soon as she is safely in the hands of the men assigned to take her to the couple’s hiding place.

The only duty of the messengers is to notify the girl’s parents that their daughter has eloped with her lover. Notified this way the parents are not allowed to go after the boy and the girls. They have to wait for another pair of messengers whose duty is to discuss the conditions of the marriage.If the parents of the girl like their son in law they allow them to come 

home after the wedding ceremonies are done in the home of the bridegroom.

If the parents of the girls do not agree to the marriage they forbid the couple to come home, but they can not prevent the wedding ceremony from taking place. on the third day a small ceremony, a purification ceremony takes places in the compound of the family where the young couple is hiding.

This purification is for the young couple as well as for the compound because by hiding there the young couple have polluted the compound and before they leave the compound for their own home they have to purify themselves and compound.

If the parents of the girl approve ot he marriage, on the third day of hiding the young couple, escorted by relatives and friends go to the girl's maiden home with gifts of fruits and cakes for her parents and family as proof of the cordial relatioship between both families.

Marriage by request was previously done mostly by and among the high caste people.

Nowadays since boys and girl go to get an education marriage by request is considered the only proper way to get married.

Marriage by request takes time and a lot of doing.

If a girl agrees to marry a boy the parents of the boy escorted by as many people as possible to impress the parents of the girl nearly never say no, because they know quite well that the boy comes to them on her request.

When everything is agreed up on they look for a propitious day for the wedding. On this appointed day the bridegroom very ornately dressed, escorted by relatives, friends and members of the community, goes back to the bride's home to take her to his home, where the wedding ceremony takes place.

Before the girl leaves her home, she goes to her house temple to pray and take leave from her house temple deities and ancestors. Her husband also goes and prays with her.

At the boy's home she and her husband face the ceremony or mebea kaon" offerings' purification offerings, to rid them of all evil. After the ceremony is over they both go to the same river on stream to take a bath together. Then another cleansing ceremony takes place and in this ceremony the couple symbolically do everything needed to make a living, like farming and trading. Also the young couple plant in the yard of the house temple a plant that easily grows as symbol that the young bride and bridegroom have hopefully and easy life.

Later in the afternoon they again face another set of offerings;this time the offering are laid out on a " Bale Gede " a building specially made for ceremonies.

A high priest officiates and after having recited prayers for this occasion he sprinkless holy water on the newly weds and from this moment they officially become husband and wife.

very often a wedding is combined with tooth filing ceremony.

Highland - Twin lake

In addition

we can enjoy lots of culture in Bali We are in the pampering by the panoramic landscapes of natural bali, cool, and fascinating, we can dispose of relaxation with our fatigue with panoramic mountain view at the sides by lakes that make the scenery more exotic

Highland - Twin lake view two

In addition we can enjoy lots of culture in Bali We are in the pampering by the panoramic landscapes of natural bali, cool, and fascinating, we can dispose of relaxation with our fatigue with panoramic mountain view at the sides by lakes that make the scene even more exotic.let's look at this lake scenery

Highland - Twin lake view one

Let's see this scene

In addition we can enjoy lots of culture in Bali We are in the pampering by the panoramic landscapes of natural bali, cool, and fascinating, we can dispose of relaxation with our fatigue with panoramic mountain view at the sides by lakes that make the scene even more exotic. Let's see this scene And see also the other DAU panorama of this, body aches - sore from his weary fatigue of a busy world, few of our brains become fresh again

Rice Cultivation

RICE CULTIVATION

The origin of the rice 

cultivation has been known is the earlest nine century.

Rice is one of the major agricultural products in Bali. It is also the main diet for them.

The Balinese are Very religious.

Offering are usually used to begin to do something, including to plant rice.

For this purpose a temporary bamboo shrine may be built where “ “DewiSri “ Goddness of agriculture are offered with offering consisting of fruits, rice,

cakes decorated with flowers of many varieties and so on.

Before the field is ploughed and hoed, the grass and rice stubbles are burnt to fertilize the soil. Afterward the field is flooded considerably.
At the same time the farmer has planned rice seeds at the adjacent nursery.

After the seeds about 25 to 40 days of age, then they are transplanted to the field prepared.

The field is flooded regularly and ploughed and hoed again and again till the soil is finely chopped and turned up and down several times. The preparation of the soil is continued.

It is then worked into a smooth mud, being leveled by buffaloes acrpss

the field vice versa for a number of required rotations. A number of men sometimes women too are planting the rice shoots.

Brought from the adjacent nursery, where the seeds have been sprouted.

Without measuring device each seeding is precisely placed next to each other,

neither too close nor too far.

After the rice are planted, the field is carefully weeded ion the first few weeks and throughout the growth of the rice.

After the rice is one or two months of age.

The weeding is formed by using an appropriate tool regularly irrigated and controlled and sprayed with insecticides and pesticides.

This must be seriously done

because se sometimes there are a sudden attach made by rice constructive insects.

As the grain begins to develop heads, the farmer is obliged to install or construct

an elaborate system to keep to birds especial the rice birds away.

The crop is harvested with the spirit of Gotong Royong meaning mutual help of friends,

relatives or the harvesting association known as “ Sekehe Manyi “.

They cut each rice had one by one with a tiny blade. Once all rice is cut and

gathered into bundles.

Then they are carried to the farmer’s rice barn to be sio

Goa Gajah in Bali Island

Tamblingan lake view Panorama

Goa Gajah in Bali Island

Name,

The Name Goa Gajah was derived from Lwa Gajah which was found in an old Transcript called Negara Kertagama written by Empu Prapanca during the glorious perioud of Mojopahit Kingdom in East Java. Originally Lwa Gajah was the name of a river in front of Goa Gajah which is today called river Petanu.

Historical back – ground

Goa Gajah was built in the eleventh century during the reign of king Dharma Udayana Warmadewa together wit his beloved wife, Gunapriya Dharmapadhi. As evidence of this, on the wall at the right – hand side of the entrance gate of the cave is found a style of writing called kediri Kwadrat mentioning KUMON SAHE WANGSA which may be interpreted as “please go in the holy man “ along the river bank in front of the cave, there are some relief’s of stupas – and a relief of a statue of Buddha – which were probably carved around tenth century , the same period of the old transcript of Blanjong in Sanur which dates back to 913 AD.

Travel to Bali

About Bali Island:
The Province of Bali comprise of several islands. Those islands are Bali, it self, the largest of the group, and the smaller islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Serangan island, as well as Menjangan Island. The Province of Bali comprise of several islands. Those islands are Bali, it self, the largest of the group, and the smaller islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan,

Nusa Lembongan, and Serangan island, as well as Menjangan Island. The island of Bali covers an area of 5,632.86 square kilometers with a population of 3,156.392. This averages to 517 inhabitants per km2.
on the southern side of Bali is Indonesian Ocean
on the western side of Bali, separated by the Bali Strait, is the Province of East Jawa
on the eastern side is the island of Lombok, across the Lombok Strait.

Administratively, the Province of Bali is divided into 9 districts (8 regencies and 1 municipality), 51 sub districts, 565 villages, and 79 local political districts. Geographically, the Province of Bali is situated 80-30’-40" to 80-50’-48" south of the Latitude and 1140-25’-53" to 1150-42’-40" east longitude. The relief and topography of Bali has as its main feature a mountain range that transverses the island from West to East. Among those mountains are two of significant size: the volcanoes of Gunung Agung ( 3.140 m ) and Gunung Batur (1.717 m). Besides these features, Bali also has four lakes: Lake Beratan (375,6 Ha), Lake Buyan (336 Ha), Lake Tamblingan (11 Ha) and Lake Batur (1.607,5). Rivers, which have as their source these lakes as well as forests, flow to the southern side of the island. Such rivers are; the River Unda, Petanu River, River Ayung, Pulukan River, Loloan River and many others.

Bali has a tropical climate, influenced by seasonal wind patterns, which alternate every six months. There are two seasons: the dry season from April to October and the rainy season from October to April. Temperatures vary from 24.0 o C to 30.8 o C. Rainfall during the last five years ranged between a low of 893.4 mm and a high of 2,702.6 mm. Humidity averages 90%; during the wet season as high as 100% and in dry season around 60%.

Event: Anniversary Temple at Pura Pasek Gelgel Dated: 26/10/2006
Category: Temple Anniversary Location: Marga, Tabanan
Detail: Temple Anniversary

Event: Anniversary Temple at Pura Puseh & Pura Desa Dated: 26/10/2006
Category: Temple Anniversary Location: Sukawati, Gianyar
Detail: Temple Anniversary

Event: FIA International Event And Rally Awards Dated: 15/12/2006
Category: Sport Location: Pecatu, Badung
Detail: International Event and Rally Award
Find restaurant in Bali

By Tanto Widyanto

Highland - tamblingan lake

Lembogan Beach

Bali Holidays and the Best Bali Surfing Experiences

There's a song that I grew up with in Australia called 'I've been to Bali too'. The lyrics, some that I remember to this day courtesy of over-play by my Dad, include: "And you can't impress me, 'cause I've been to Bali too", which I've always understood to mean that Bali holidays were still beautiful even though they're popular.

I've been on holidays in Indonesia several times. But I haven't been on a Bali holiday. But a lot of people have a lot of nice things to say about it on World Reviewer, where expert Bonnie Pelnar proclaims it: magical, saying "Words and pictures alone can't describe this beautiful little island in the middle of Indonesia.".

So this is the trip I would now take if I was planning a week long Bali holiday.
Bali Classics

There are plenty of options when it comes to how much you'll need to pay for accommodation on your Bali holiday, from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts, but the first places to stay seem to be Legian or Seminyak, which is also where all the good shopping is, and the Jimbaran Bay restaurant, which is one of the best on the island.
Go out in Kuta. Go surfing off Keramas Beach. Go shopping at Denpasar's Markets and get it all out of your system. Then head into the interior to see a more spiritual side of the island.
Bali Culture

The Ulawatu Temple is one of the places I'd include in a Bali holiday itinerary, it sounds fantastic, perched on a 250 foot cliff overlooking the ocean, and part colonised by a bunch of spirited monkeys. The Temple of Pura Besakih is Bali's most famous temple, it has an ancient and impressive pagoda structure, and the Ulun Danu Temple on a tiny island in Lake Bratan below Mount Beretan also sounds interesting and beautiful -- so I'd include them on a Bali holiday itinerary also.

If you want to break up your Bali holiday you might also want to consider staying in Ubud, which is set up as a cultural centre and is a good place to see some traditional Balinese dancing, batik printing and other traditional arts. Ubud is also a good place in your Bali holiday to try out a Balinese spa, and to wander the rice terraces, visiting ancient sanctuaries like Yeh Pulu

Diving, Snorkelling and a tropical island break to finish off you Bali holiday
Pemuteran, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands -- Gili Trawangan being the most popular -- are great for divers and snorkellers, so most Bali holiday itineraries include a few nights at one, or several of these spots.
Bali has more than one beach option. Top of the list are Pemuteran, which offers divers easy access to the marine life living on Napoleon reef; Nusa Lembongan, with snorkeller's dream, glassy watered Crystal Bay and one of Bali's nicest beaches, or the car-free, turtle friendly, small hut resort dotted Gili Islands -- Gili Trawangan being the most popular. All of these options offer soft coral sand beaches, clear water and a tropical island lifestyle.

WorldReviewer.com is an independently reviewed travel website with many pages on Bali Holidays the best Bali surfing experiences and Holidays in Indonesia

by By Bea Metcalfe

Highland - view rose

Highland - at restoran2

Highland - at restoran

Bali Beaches

Bali is one of the most visited vacation hotspots in the world.

Situated in Indonesia, it was once named as the best island destination in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine. It attracts huge number of travelers from all over the world with its fun filled, palm fringed beaches known for having white sand. Bali has a many beaches, all of which are easily reachable from Despansar airport.
The line of beaches on the island of Bali includes Sanur beach, Jimbaran, Soka beach, Nusa Dua, Medewi beach, Lovina beach, Kuta, and Legian beach. Locals and tourists popularly go after Legian beaches, which are famous for their magnificent view of sunset. Surfing is a major activity here and the best waves are a 5 to 10 minute drive from Despansar airport.
Nusa dua beach has a chain of hotels placed on the sandy shores and these hotels provide luxurious swimming experience in protected lagoons, as well as fabulous gourmet food served on site.

Sanur beach is easily reachable from Despansar. Sanur has calm, secluded lagoons, which are favorites for lots of activities like wind surfing, parasailing, and excellent for families.
Between Despansar and Gilimanuk, two wonderful beaches called Soka beach and Mediwi beach are present. Jimbaran attracts many local families and tourists with its beauty and superb seafood restaurants that line along the beaches. Jimbaran is placed on the way from Despansar to Nusa Dua, directly to the south of Despansar airport.
Lovina is the most inspiring beach in Bali that attracts large number of tourists, irrespective of the season. A number of people visit this beach to view schools of dolphins swimming and playing in the waters.
Kuta is home to the whitest beach in Bali, and is just a 5 to 10 minute drive from Despansar. Kuta could be very well called the tourist mecca, because of its shops, pubs, and fully equipped first class hotels. Kuta is famous among skilled swimmers and recognized for its unpredictable underwater currents - novice swimmers should use caution when swimming at this beach.
Bali provides detailed information on Bali, Bali Vacations, Bali Culture, Bali Real Estate and more. Bali is affiliated with Bankok Airfare

by By Eddie Tobey

Going to Ubud - 5 Unique Activities For a Perfect Day

Ubud is one of the most fascinating and picturesque villages in Bali. It seems that the traditional Balinese lifestyle has been able to coincide with the many tourists visiting the little village. While travelers walk around amazed about Ubud's beauty, the local people are still able to do their daily tasks such as placing offerings along the roads and on the paths, or going to the many ceremonies that are held to honor the gods.
I can imagine that once you arrive in this village and you have little time, you will find it difficult to decide what to do; there are just too many sights to see. So to ensure you will experience the wonders that Ubud offers, here are the 5 activities that you can do during a full day there. So go to bed early to prepare for a full day of cultural overdose...
Morning activity: Morning marketFirst of all, a thing that should be seen and experienced is the morning market. Early in the morning local people head to the market to buy the things they need for the day. This can include fruit and vegetables, but also flowers and flower petals for their decorations and offerings. It is even possible to buy a full bag of ready made offerings, so no hassle with that anymore.
To see this colorful spectacle you do need to wake up early. If you are there by 6.30am the market is already out and about, so you will see enough action that will wake you up immediately. At the market you can buy delicious cakes and fruits too. This will be a good addition to your breakfast at the hotel.
The Monkey ForestOnce you have returned to your hotel and have enjoyed your breakfast, head to the Monkey Forest where you can meet the 300 macaque monkeys up close. The forest is located on the south part of Monkey Forest Road. At the entrance you can buy peanuts or bananas for the monkeys. These monkeys will eagerly wait for their treat, so be careful if they jump on you once they have spotted the goodies.
You can walk all around the forest and across an ancient looking bridge supported by a big banyan tree. There are several temples located there as well which are used during cremation ceremonies. Each village in Bali has their own temple of the death. Here it is located in the Monkey forest. Common characteristics of such temples are statues of the Rangda, the goddess of the death. Her statues show Rangda with bulging eyes, sharp fangs, long finger nails and her lolling tongue.
Afternoon activity: ARMA-museumFrom the Monkey Forest you can head over to the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA). This beautifully set museum exhibits a wide range of Balinese paintings from the past till present. Here you are given the opportunity to see the many different styles and their changes through time.
In the past painters made paintings for the temples only. This style is known as Kamasan style and is characterized by long canvases covered with paintings about religious stories and myths. With the influence of foreigners, especially Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet who settled in this inspiring village, the style of painting changed. Balinese started to paint the Balinese daily life. This is known as the Ubud style.
Other influences followed which resulted into the Young Artist style. This style is known for its childish and colorful way of painting.
Rice field walk around Campuan areaIn the Northern part of the village, around the Campuan area you can find the rice fields which Bali is famous for. The best time to see stunning views of the rice fields is in the late afternoon. There is an ideal path to walk on that starts at the end of the narrow road Jln. Kajeng and ends at the Campuan temple.
During the 1.5 hour walk you will be able to see many rice farmers at work, men and women enjoying the shade, children flying the kite and many ducks wobbling along the narrow paths. These animals are part of the scene as their droppings provide fertilizers and they eat the pests found in the fields. You will also notice many shrines standing in the field. These are used by the farmers, who place offerings for the rice-goddess Dewi Sri to ensure a successful rice yield.
Evening activity: PerformancesEvery evening there are many cultural performances. Often, a specific location has another program each day. So if one location does not have the performance planned which you are hoping to see, there are many others that might have it scheduled that day.
The ticket sellers, who are found along the streets all over Ubud, always know when and where the performances are. In their bag they have all the tickets of the performances for that night, so you can just choose on the spot and pay. There are also tickets for sale at the tourist information office at Jalan Raya, who put out signs about the performances every day.
The tickets for the performances are usually Rp.50.000 each but some performance can be slightly more expensive. The performances start at 19.00 and 20.00 at the latest.
The most regular dances that you can choose from are: Legong Dances, Kecak Fire Dance, Women Gamelan and Dance Group, Barong and Keris, Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet) and Jegog (Bamboo Gamelan). One thing that is worth mentioning is that ARMA museum is the only place to see the Topeng Jimat performance. ARMA also has Kecak performances but only during every full moon and new moon making the setting even more appropriate.
Ubud has many restaurants and cafés that are beautifully decorated and some even have an amazing tropical garden. So to finish the day, stroll to one of these many restaurants, sit, relax and recollect all the amazing things of your day.
Matt Verbaan loves to give you practical travel insights and his experiences of traveling to every corner of the beautiful island Bali

by By Matt Verbaan

10 Things to Do in Bali

The amazing choice of different activities available in Bali means that there is indeed something for everyone. Whether you want to throw your self from high altitudes, hurtle down frothing rapids, explore the wonders of the deep or just lie back and take it easy, Bali has perfected the art of keeping its guests happy. The beach is a major factor in any island holiday and Bali has coastline which offers every possible water activity including surfing some of the best waves in the world, swimming with dolphins, cruises, snorkeling, diving, sailing and parasailing.
1. Visit the temple on Lake Beratan. Breathtaking sceneries. Located in the northern part of the island, this important Hindu-Buddhist temple was founded in the 17th century and is actually built on small islands. Cool temperature always covers the area of the temple since it is located around the mountainous area at the altitude of some 1400 meters above sea level.
2. Relax in a hot spring-There are several hot springs on Bali and they are a great way to relax after a long day of surfing.
3. Pamper yourself at a spa- Bali is paradise for spa lovers and all sorts of treatments are widely available, but the Balinese lulur body scrub with herbs and spices is particularly popular.
4. Get married- Balinese wedding have been getting increasingly popular in recent years. The exotic tradition, ceremonies, music customers, and the tropical settings are very appealing. Full wedding services are widely available in Bali and there are about ten wedding chapels in Bali if you want a tropical wedding.
5. Scuba dive/Snorkel- Bali is surrounded by extensive coral reefs and has many amazing dive sites. There are a few wrecks around the islands too. If diving if not your thing, you can always snorkel.
6. Learn to surf- Bali is a surfer's paradise with some of the best waves in the world. People flock to the beaches to hang ten. The southern coast around Kuta and Nusa Dua are the primary draws. Beginners will find the gentle waves on Kuta. You'll find surf instructors lounging around the beach; a one hour lesson will cost you around USD $10.
7. Visit - Waterbom Park & Spa - Exciting water slide slice through 3.5 hectares of landscaped tropical parks providing hours of fun and entertainment for the young and young at heart! An oasis in the heart of Tuban and Kuta.
8. Go White Water Rafting-The Ayung river is Bali's most spectacular and provides 27 sets of challenging and fun filled rapids set to a backdrop of wild unspoiled rainforest, towering gorges and magnificent rice paddy terraces .White Water Rafting tours in Bali are not all the same. Some rivers are situated in various parts of the island and you may be required to spend up to 5 hours on return bus trips, however the Ayung river is located only one hours drive from most tourist centers. All rivers in Bali are class II to III but may rise to class IV in the wet season (Nov-Mar).
9. Do a Bungi-Jump- Bungy jumping is something that has caught on in the last 15 years or so especially in the backpacking scene. The site is located next to the beach and the landing pool is actually in Double Six nightclub. This makes for a really cool atmosphere. You can do jumps and go to the beach, or night time jumps. AJ Hackett also does jumps from 2am-5am on Friday and Saturday nights.
10. Take a Cycle - Seeing Bali by pushbike has become very popular in recent years, and Bali may not seem like a place for a bicycle tour, with its tropical heat, heavy traffic, frequent rain showers and high mountains. However, the breeze as you ride on the level or downhill really moderates the heat, and once you're out of the congested southern region the traffic is relatively light. The main advantage of seeing Bali by bicycle is the quality of the experience. By bicycle you can be totally immersed in the environment, you can hear the wind rustling in the rice paddies.
Bali beckons you for your holiday of a lifetime, with many beautiful places to see, from the Rice Fields to the Volcanoes, the Rivers to the Sea. This is a vacation you won't forget.
To learn much more about traveling to Bali, please visit Bali - Vacation Packages where you'll find this and much more, including Seminyak hotel

By Sofia De Luca

Bali Food - Go Local With Delicious Balinese Dishes

Bali Food is not just suckling pig and rice alone...
When you are going on a holiday in Bali you don't have to worry about eating rice three times a day like the Balinese local people do. With the influence of expatriates in Bali you can buy about anything now, even typical products from your own country.
Restaurants, owned by foreigners, offer a large selection of top cuisine that will have you mouth water by the time you finish checking out the menu. Dishes from every corner of the world are presented, some mixed with an Indonesian or Balinese touch in order to create a sensational new twist.
Fortunately the authentic traditional Balinese and Indonesian food is still very much present on the menu in every restaurant, whether it's owned by foreigners or by the Balinese themselves. But I must admit; the best places for Bali food are the places where you'll find the Balinese crowd eating as well.
So in this case: do as the locals do.
For the real die hard cultural experience you can stroll over to any corner of the street where you will find someone selling all kinds of dishes on the spot. In the wooden crate tied on to the back of his bike, or in the little restaurant on wheels the seller manages to create a real feast with various types of dishes and rice.
You can either eat it on the spot or have it wrapped up in banana leave for you to take home.
You will mostly find these food sellers early in the morning, when the Balinese grab a bite just before work starts or around lunch time along any main road and even on Kuta and Legian beach.
But if this is somewhat too much for you (which I totally understand...you don't want to get the famous "Bali Belly" on your holiday) there are other options as well. There are food Warungs (little Indonesian shops) that sell local delights at a local price.
And to stay on the safe side, there are even Warungs where the menu is in English, so these are the places where it can get really crowded with tourists.
In these types of restaurants you can either choose from the menu or walk over to the counter where dozens of dishes are displayed ranging from fish, chicken, and pork dishes, tofu and tempe prepared in all kinds of styles and vegetables that are often cooked in a creamy coconut sauce that is just great with white rice or nasi goreng (fried rice).
You can try everything you want because at the end you will pay for each dish separately. So you can decide yourself how much you want...or can resist. Great places to try this "warung-way" of eating are in Warung Makan in Poppies II Kuta and in Warung Ocha at Jalan Raya Seminyak.
These local Bali restaurants are influenced by the other Indonesian islands as well. So besides Bali food you can also discover dishes from the other islands as well.
A real Balinese dish is the Satay Lilit, which is mainly made out of snapper filet, prawns, coconut and various kinds of herbs. Many restaurants offer this dish so when you see it on the menu it is definitely worth the try.
Another typical Balinese dish you'll often find on the menu is Bebek Betutu which is roasted duck in banana leaves. Many restaurants offer this on their menu however it takes a couple of hours to prepare so it is better to order it a day in advance.
But if you happen to be in Ubud head over to 'Dirty Duck' which serves this dish every day as it is their specialty.
But what I think is the most famous Balinese dish is Babi Guling, which is roasted suckling pig prepared together with a long list of spices. If you talk with any Balinese about food they are likely to ask if you have tasted Babi Guling already.
If this is not the case yet they will immediately recommend you to go to Ibu Oka in Ubud. She is definitely the most famous person who makes this dish. So go for it...
I could just go on and on about the Indonesian and Balinese food. Just as its culture their cuisine is just as rich. So while spending time in Bali you should definitely grab the opportunity to try their delicious food. "Selamat Makan."

by By Matt Verbaan

Bali For Beginners

I have been travelling to Bali at least annually for the past 20 years. During that time I have seen Bali undergo some massive changes some good and others not so good. I have witnessed the devastation that two bomb attacks left, I have also witnessed the determination of a beautiful race of people not to let such a tragedy overcome them. I love Bali! I love the people, the climate, the beauty, the ugliness and I want to share with you what it is I love about it. In no particular order I recommend the following activities, and eateries. (By the way as a general rule of bartering I recommend you divide the original price you are given by 4 or 5 - but at the end of the day I always say pay what you are prepared to pay Activities
Snorkelling (or diving if your qualified) at Nusa Lembongan - You can either catch a public boat over (about 2 hour trip) or go over with one of the tourist boats(30 - 45 min trip). Be warned the water there can be very cold as three ocean currents converge so if you own a wetsuit I encourage you to take it...otherwise make arrangements in advance to hire one.
Sunset at Tanah Lot - The most famous of Bali's seven sea temples Tanah Lot was reportedly built in the 1500's. The sunset is amazing so best to visit in the late afternoon.
Git Git Falls - Located near Lake Bratan Git Git Falls are one Bali's lesser famous gems.
Barong Dance - This Balinese dance is about a contest between the opposing forces of chaos and destruction ("Rangda") and order (the "Barong"). Most hotels or restaurants perform this dance at least once a week so keep an eye out for signs.
Bali Zoo - The first and only zoo in Bali, the Bali Zoo is famous for getting you up close and personal with a variety of wildlife for Indonesia and it's neighboursEating Out
Whilst it is now very commercialised and heavily over priced (by Balinese standards) I recommend everyone should have seafood at one of the many restaurants located on the sand in Jimbaran Bay. Now everybody will tell you to eat at this place or that place truth be told there isn't a lot of difference between any of the restaurants...so I suggest taking a look at the seafood they have on offer, see if you can get and out door table and if you like it take a seat and enjoy!
If you want to spoil yourself you cannot go past Ku De Ta. Located next to the Oberoi Hotel in Kuta, Ke De Ta boasts tempting seafood and contemporary dishes. It also has an extensive wine list. I especially like the cigar lounge. This is one not to be missed!
Café Jepun - Located in Sanur this is possibly my favourite restaurant. Very reasonably priced and the portions are a good size. I highly recommend the lumpia (spring rolls) followed by the Rendang Sapi (Beef Rendang)
If you are heading to Bali for your first time I hope you enjoy yourself and love the place as much as I do.

by By Scott G Clarke