Resorts Island

Bali – Paradise of Indonesia

“Glorious Bali Island” – that’s the official motto of this paradise island, well known to the entire world since World War II. Bali is the most famous tourist destination of Indonesia and preferred location for sun lovers from the west, so undoubtedly the next choice of www.travelonguide.com had to be Bali.

Beach lovers can have a wonderful time in Bali, since day time they could enjoy the sun and at night enjoy the dances and cultural shows on the beach. On a full moon day the Balinese people organize special beach games…. and guess what even a funeral is a procession and an event where people enjoy themselves. Opt for a candle light beach dinner and we guarantee you that the experience will be something that you will cherish throughout your life, the Balinese dancers and singers will add icing to this special moment.

If you are planning your trip to Bali, then its best to have some information about its climatic conditions. Since Bali has a tropical climate, the temperature throughout the year is not more than 26 degrees Celsius. The dry season starts from April till September and the wet season from October till March, and the best time to be there is from May to August, when the sun shines bright and the uninvited drizzle keeps the climate cool.

Water sport lovers, just should miss this place. Bali offers world class scuba diving experience, there are special schools where one could learn scuba diving. The coral reefs are purely untouched and display a wide range of sea life, never seen before even on Discovery Channel. If you like to see the corals, then make sure that you take a trip to Nusa Penida. This beach also offers various other water sports options. For people who are more adventurous, can go rafting in the Ayung river or try some mountain cycling. Walking in rice paddies is also a wonderful experience.

Bali is one of very few places of Indonesia dominated by the Hindus, who celebrate all Hindu festivals and have retained all Hindu traditions. Coming to the food options, Bali offers all cuisine right from Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Moroccan and even Mexican. One should not forget to try the sumptuous Grilled Lobsters specially served with a typical Balinese sauce.

For those who are not so adventurous type and like being spoilt and pampered, then Bali is where you should head to. Apart from the beautiful resorts like any other beach destination, you will also find beach villas. These villas are well equipped, some with private pool, trained cooks, maids and house boys, who just don’t leave any effort to pamper you. Hiring a private villa could be a much cheaper and cozier experience for those who are on a honeymoon and need some intimacy. Just like Mauritius and Maldives, getting married in Bali is also possible.

We hope that we have truly tried to inspire our readers to pack their bags and head to Bali, and if you indeed enjoyed reading about Bali, then make sure to log on to www.travelonguide.com for more exotic locations.

In 1982 I worked as an English speaking tour guide, but during my free time I learned Italian language by my own method autodidact using English – Italian; Italian – English dictionary and grammar book.. I spent about 2 hours a day to learn it, sometime early in morning, in the afternoon and sometime late at night. I succeeded to keep in my mind 2 words a day but I found much difficulty in learning the grammar because it is very different with my mother language Balinese and Indonesian, but I insisted to meet with success. Day by day, week by week and month by month, and ….. finally I got it.

In October 1982 one of my friend who run a travel agent in Bali asked me to handle his clients, they were Italian and speak a little English. That was my first time to practice my Italian tongue. When I met them at Bali International Airport, the first question I must answer was “where is the best place to dive”. With honesty actually I didn’t know the answer, but I promised them for the good news the day after.

I visited my friend’s house and meet Bli Monyoh, a fisherman live in Sanur the village on the southeast coast of Bali. I knew he was a good fisherman and very smart in shooting fish, diving with his own talent using very simple dive equipment.

We talked about diving places and he told me that in order to discover most enjoyable dive, must visit 2 o 3 different places of the fascinating underwater world among the coral reefs. Mr. Bli Monyoh looked at his Balinese calendar to see a good day to go to the sea. My clients were crazy about dive.

The first day he brought us to Semawang at Sanur by his outrigger sail boat. Located in front of Sanur Tourist Beach. Dives at a few meters depth was rewarded by beautiful underwater panoramas, table and trophy shaped coral and sponges, a thousand of colorful fishes swim by in kaleidoscopic profusions. I am not a swimmer or a diver, I just sit on the boat and prepared the needs when they go up. Was a wonderful day.

The second day Bli Monyoh brought his companion a smart diver named Agung Toya, together with them some gun (exactly an arrow) unwound by a strong rubber band made of tire. Before living Sanur, Bli Monyoh laid an offering and perfumed incense in front of a temple and prayed to God. Along the road about one and a half our drive, he stopped several times for praying where there are temples for God’s blessing, safety and luck. Even before touching the water he did so.

When we arrived at Buitan was a very traditional fishing village, located at the district of Manggis Karangasem eastern Bali near Candidasa, I was amazed by the beauty of the nature, a spectacular panorama or the terraces ricefield, rural ambience and the Majestic Mount Agung at the far back, for Bali it is the place of the Supreme God “The Navel of the World”. The sea was magnificent, clear blue water, remained untouched by modern influences, seduce everyone especially beach and dive lovers. Now Buitan boast a luxury 5 stars hotel and some small accommodations in Balinese style bungalow.

When we were preparing everything for dive a cordial local man came close to us and gave his own wooden boat used for free in the hope of us catching a lot of fish. We sailed at 09.00 a.m in calm sea. About 50 m from the beach we arrived on the coral reef where the wave breaks itself. Under very good weather we could see a wonderful underwater world among the coral reefs.

My Italian clients brought their own dive equipments because they were the holder of PADI license. While the native divers used their own talent. Wow, wow, wow, what a great day, we fished a lot (only selected fish), one thing surprised me that Bli Monyoh got 4 king lobsters. At 11.00 a.m. we finished our adventure and the local man was waiting us on the beach ready with his woods fire, chili, onions, garlic, salt and coconut oil. We grilled our fish in relax atmosphere on the beach with nice breeze of the ocean, than enjoyed a delicious gala lunch in cowboy style. Wow amazing, we really celebrated and enjoyed a great day.

Now in Bali there are some exciting and fascinating, world renowned dive sites: Nusa Dua, Sanur, Padang Bay, Gili Tapekong, Tulamben, Amed, Nusa Penida and Lembongan and Menjangan Island.

So if you are a sea and dive lover why don’t you choose Bali for your next destination, this enchanting island is waiting for you with its fascinating underwater world. Plan your travel and book your preferred hotel or contact your travel agent. The quickest and the easiest way is, go online and choose Bali Dive. One of the most reliable dive center on the island now is Ena Dive Center (www.enadive.co.id).

What can be a more adventurous and fulfilling scuba diving vacation experience than liveaboard luxury yacht cruising and scuba diving in the tropical islands of Bali?

Contrary to what many scuba divers think, liveaboard scuba diving may not be as expensive as you think. In fact if planned properly, live on board diving vacations may even save you money and inconveniences. Firstly, you will on transportation time and costs traveling to your dive operator’s boat and then after your dive, returning to your hotel or resort lugging your cumbersome scuba diving gear with you and repeating the same process for the next couple of days during your vacation in Bali.

Next, you save money on hotel or resort accommodation because since that you are living on the dive boats, there will be no need for hotel or resort bookings. Furthermore, you do not need to hunt for expensive meals in your hotel or resort since all liveaboard scuba diving packages will include delicious meals which will also mean that you will be probably having very fresh and delectable sea food caught by the crew while you are enjoying your cruise or are scuba diving.

The highlight of your liveaboard Bali vacation is that you can dive in many exotic dive locations instead of only the dive spots near where you stay. This is because since that you need not return to your resort or hotel to retire for the day, the liveaboard dive yachts will cruise away to far flung scuba diving locations while you are sleeping. This again saves you time and best of all, you get to save more money by diving in more places for the same price.

Here is a typical example of a liveaboard Bali scuba diving itinerary. It is a 7 days Bali scuba diving excursion.

Day One – Visit one of Bali’s most interesting street on the way to Pemuteran & Menjangan North West Bali which will also include a stopover in View Point Restaurant Sanda. You will scuba dive in Pemuteran House Reef & Reef Project or Secret Bay in Gilimanuk

Day Two – Your liveaboard boat will cruise to Menjangan Island. You will be diving at the National Park, Walls, Anker Wreck, Coral Garden, buffet lunch on the white powdery sandy beach of the island. The boat will then land and send you to the north coast and visit a well kept secret Waterfall and a hot spring.

Day Three – Scuba diving activities will be at Amed Tulamben or Secret Spot, Drop Off, Liberty Wreck Dive (American battle ship sunk during WW2) & some wall diving.

Day Four – Some land excursion to enjoy the view of Bali’s world famous terraced rice fields in the morning. Then your liveaboard yatcht will take you diving at the Blue Lagoon & White Beach. There will also be a night dive at the Blue Lagoon.

Day Five – Continue your Bali vacation by cruising to Gili Mimpang & Gili Tepekong or Gili Biaha for fantastic dive sites.

Day Six – More scuba diving activities at Gili Biaha or Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. The sea at these diving locations could be rough at times, so the dives would very much be dependant on the weather. However, if the weather allow, you will be scuba diving in one of the most breath taking underwater scenery in the world.

Day Seven – More scuba diving at the Blue Lagoon, White Beach and the Channel and then off to Bali airport to your next scuba diving adventure.

So if you want to save time and money during your Bali scuba diving vacation, why not try liveaboard luxury boats instead?

Bali, a beautiful island paradise in the Indonesian archipelago made international news when the island was rocked by suicide bombings in 2002 and 2005. However, the island is better known as an excellent vacation holiday destination and a major tourist attraction.

Tourists who have visited this South East Asian island will tell you that Bali exudes a certain magical charm and that is why, some people call Bali, the Island of Gods. After all, gods live in paradise don’t they?

You will be pleasantly impressed by the many stunningly beautiful tourist attractions and the charming local people. If you are a scuba diver, you will be pleased to know that Bali is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world.

Bali presents itself as a modern paradox because its ancient and traditional culture is still very much alive amidst modern living. While the basic conservatism of the Balinese people has enabled them to preserve many of their ancient customs, culture and religion, it has never hindered the acceptance of the new and innovative modern technological advancement.

The island is indeed a feast for the eye for tourists on holiday vacation in Indonesia. As the island is situated near the equator, it has almost equal amount of time for rain and sunshine making its environment very suitable for human inhabitation and as a result, Bali has been inhabited and civilized since ancient times.

Bali is also the only island in “middle Indonesia” that has more or less uninterrupted cultural continuity for hundreds of years. It is of this reason, Bali is the only part of Indonesia that remains “Hindu” and is still retaining elements of fusion of ethnic and Hindu cultures of more than a thousand years of cultural tradition.

When the island was colonized by the Dutch at the beginning of last century, the Dutch colonial masters were so impressed by the traditions of the Balinese that a concerted effort was made to preserve the island’s mystical culture.

The Balinese society is a strong and cohesive one because the local people promote communal and family values. Feelings of alienation from parents and friends which are common in the western world are almost unheard of in Bali.

Children are carried everywhere or strapped to their mother’s back until they are at least three months old. Religious rituals are performed regularly to keep the children safe, healthy and to protect them from harmful spirits. Every aspect of village life is organized in such detail that the individual’s responsibilities and rights are meticulously defined by the Balinese tradition.

The Balinese are emotionally strong people and take the unfortunate incidents in their stride. The people are eternal optimists and believe that their Island of Gods enjoys a special place in the grander scheme of things. This is another reason why the local population can bounce back from the tragic terrorist attacks so quickly. Want to visit paradise? Then include Bali as your next holiday vacation destination for its many tourists attractions.

Dear Reader,

One says that traveling is not an exact science, to combine between their cultures, traditions, countries and different languages sometimes are not easy. Trust an expert, contact your reputable travel agent may be important.

Most people come to Bali want to see and enjoy its arts and cultures, its fabulous nature’s views, its nice beaches, its friendly people, for pure relaxation and some for business and stay on. Whatever is one’s aim, the accommodation is one of the most important aspects in order to get the comforts and memorable holiday.

There are a myriad of accommodations to choose from in Bali, from five-star luxury Bali hotels or Bali Villas to budget one just a few dollars a night. The main tourist hub is in the southern triangle formed by Sanur, Kuta and Dusa Dua. For those who prefer the comforts of home and the relaxation of the beach, this is a good starting place. Other beach areas are Lovina in the north, Candi Dasa in the east and Canggu and Yeh Gangga in the west.

If you are a sun’s lover, then stay at Kuta (a wild and crazy kind of place) or its quieter sister beaches Legian and Seminyak up the road, Candi Dasa on the east coast, Sanur and Nusa Dua in the south or Lovina in the north. If you are a culture’s lover, then stay in Ubud in central Bali.

Thus for your accommodation what do you prefer Bali Hotels or Bali Villas? Both hotels and villas shall give you some advantages. For those who want a hotel that has a nice beach front or hotel by the sea or a room that facing the ocean, Bali Hotel is an easier choice, because most of luxury Bali Hotels that line the coast of Bali. There are plentiful of hotels either in building style or in Balinese style bungalow, both offer modern comports and excellent service, but without maximum privacy. Most Bali Hotels have one or more restaurants and bars that offer a wide range of local and international cuisines. Also sports and Spa facilities are usually available like tennis, billiards, squash, fitness center, games room, and some with golf course.

For those who want to enjoy a total privacy and perhaps a perfect Balinese lifestyle, stay at a private villa is a right choice. One can enjoy the luxury of a beautiful private villa with air-conditioned bedrooms and tropical bathrooms to dream about, spacious living and dining areas and spacious terraces, a lush tropical garden with your own private swimming pool, and well-trained house staff to take care of everything around the clock. And you’ll appreciate the comfort and informality you can only experience in a private home.

Instead of staying in hotel rooms (bed, two chairs, dressing table, TV set and telephone, wardrobe, small bathroom), your family will enjoy this truly Balinese experience. And you have much more space, more informality, more privacy, and more personal service than even the best hotel can provide.

You can even save up to 50% – 70% of meals and drinks if you stay at a private villa with full furnished kitchen if you decide a self-service vacation. Order your groceries, favorite snacks and drinks to be brought for you at the local supermarket or wine wholesaler. You’ll be surprised at the low cost when you pay the same prices as locals do. Or just ask the villa manager to do so, and a trained cook (with reasonable extra cost) to prepare you delicious meals or any special diet. And also Bali’s 21% tax & service charge and airport transfer is included on villa rental.

There are numbers of luxury villas at Bali’s hotels & resorts. If you prefer a hotel environment and services and don’t mind to pay inflated prices for accommodation and food & beverages, you can also book some villa-like accommodation at one of luxury Bali’s hotels through a reliable travel agent and still enjoy savings and extra benefits.

So, do not hesitate to choose the island of Bali in Indonesia for your memorable holiday. Bali is the most enchanting travel destination in the world, its year-round pleasant climate, its friendly people; its fabulous nature’s views, its nice beach and the absence of major criminal activities guarantee a completely relaxing stay. Because of the physical beauty of the island and its wide variety of attractions, Bali has become for many experienced travelers the “ultimate island”.

Go online and search your preferred Bali hotels or Bali villas or contact your reliable travel agent. The wide choice can be confusing especially for first time visitors, and it’s sometimes difficult to select the right Bali Hotels or Bali Villas. So just let your travel agent knows your personal needs and preferences that he can recommend those hotels or villas it feels will suit you best.

Thanks you reader and have a nice day.

There is a large group of travellers that is self-sufficient while having a pleasant time on the island. They know already where to find beach activities, the secrets of going shopping Bali style, and generally know where to find a good time while avoiding too much sweat.

There is a equally large group that cannot get enough of new activities, latest tour programs and all sorts of organized adventure.

Today I would like to give an overview of popular island tours and tropic activities such as rafting, trekking, cycling, elephant safaris, horse riding, skydiving, paragliding, sailing and other beach and marine sports.

If you are staying at a 4 or 5 stars Bali hotel, you will already have the advantage to be introduced to daily domestic activities available to hotel guests. Such can be gymnastic and jogging exercises, local bicycle tours, cooking classes and all sorts of beach games.

The next step on the activity level are Volley ball – Outrigger sailing – Table tennis – Tennis at Tennis courts – Badminton – Snorkeling – Windsurfing – Fishing – Parasailing that are in most cases all directly available or bookable from the tour desk at your hotel in Bali.

If this is not available at your hotel, or you would rather “go and explore” the island, it is time to consider the tour options offered by virtually 100’s of tour providers. Here you can join large groups using large busses, or small individual groups, down to the size of hiring a personal tour guide for only the 2 of you.

Rafting and Kayaking trips enjoy a strong following and are increasingly popular. The beauty of the Ayung river valley and Melangit river are popular destinations. It looks to be more a sport for adventures types on photos, but it is completely safe and also recommended for younger children.

Sightseeing tours is another Bali favorite, see and explore all temples and monuments of Balinese history on trips to Besakih, Tanah Lot, Tampak Siring, Uluwatu, Kintamani and others.

Increasingly in demand is another “sweat exercise”, cycling tours to villages and mountain trails. This is not recommended for younger children because they will have a hard time to catch up with the group. For families it is better to just rent the bicycles and maybe a private tour guide, if needed.

Elephant safaris is one of the family trips in Bali, provided by many tour operators venturing yet in another field of activity. To completely feel like Indiana Jones the next step would be to go on a off-road Land Rover land cruise, to discover some hidden tracks of the green jungle.

Since Bali is an island what comes naturally to mind is a day cruise or sunset cruise to Lembongan island. Two of the providers are Bali Hai and Island Explorer Cruises both offering a wide range of cruises and water activities.

Surfers are attracted by south Bali’s waves, and not only Balinese enjoy that activity also lots of Australians are coming to Bali only for one purpose: The Waves, also hot among surfers from Hawaii, statements like “Definitely one of The spots to go surfing” from global surfers. If these waves scare you and you just want to practice a bit you can rent a board in Kuta directly on the beach for a few hours.

Divers are attracted by several locations in Bali, all easily reachable with dive instructors that will pick you up at your hotel and take you for a dive at a destination of your choice. If you need more above sea level action there is also Bungy jumping, ski diving and paragliding.

Bali is a mountainious volcanic island that will catch the attention of mountaineers interested in mountain climbing. Mt. Agung the highest peak at 3142 metres and Mount Batur can be climbed in a few hours. Use a local guide for safety reasons and to find the best routes.

Another interesting encounter with nature is possible at the Bali Barat National Park in the north of the island. It is a protected reserve on an area of over 750 square km. The park is home to wild buffalo, monkeys, wild deer and civet.

Most suitable for families with kids are theme or adventure parks and attractions. Popular with kids are the Waterbom park in Tuban with their huge water slides, Bali Bird Park in Batubulan has a 100’s of exotic birds, and the Bali Reptile Park next door invites with Lizard Komodo Dragons.

Again most tours and adventures are easily bookable from your hotel, or you can call Bali1.com anytime while in Bali to arrange a tour for you. From airport pick ups to bringing you safely back to personal meetings at your hotel to book anything from a short Ubud roundtrip to a multiple days Flores tour or visiting Komodo island and their live dragons.