Bali Attractions.
AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION:
The Class 1 WADD/DPSS international and domestic airport
is NGURAH RAI. It is 13 km from the city of Kota Denpasar,
in the south of the island. Available transport from the
airport includes taxis, city transportation, and rental
cars. It has general services – bank, restaurants,
cafeteria, Duty free and general shopping.
ISLAND TRANSPORTATION:
Colourful local buses and bemos, taxis, motorbike &
cycle hire are available, together with local tour buses,
and rental cars. Hourly and day hire of car with driver
is very common.
LOCAL CURRENCY: Local exchange rates are quoted daily by
BII – Bank Indonesia International.
ACCOMMODATION:
BALI offers a vast range of various accommodation possibilities
to suit everyone’s tastes and pockets.
From the exclusive resorts, 5 star hotels, package hotel
tours, villas, apartments, local Balinese style accommodation,
hostels, camping, and even the possibility of staying with
a local Balinese family.
Including: the 5 Star Nusa Dua Beach Resort & Spa,
Inna Grand Bali Beach Resort & Spa in Sanur, The Hard
Rock Hotel in Kuta (yes, THE HARD ROCK chain in here), Kuta
Seaview Cottages, The Villas – Private Villa –
Seminak area, Bali Hilton International Hotel, Nusa Dua,
the boutique Tjampuhan Hotel, Ubud, Bali Padma Hotel Legian,
Kuta Paradiso, Hotel Imperial Bali, and 4/3 star hotels
such as The Bounty Hotel, Bali Garden Hotel Bungalows, Natur
Kuta Beach Hotel, Ramayana Resort (great location) ..and
many, many more. Ritz Carlton, Hilton, Sheraton, Ramada,
Hyatt, Radisson etc. are all present.
Excellent complete packages are available. For instance,
you can fly from the US to Bail with a stop over in Singapore
on Singapore Airlines, with 5 star hotel accommodation,
daily breakfast, free car with driver. With one single booking.
Prices vary according to seasons.
SEASONS:
The best time to visit Bali is between April to October.
It is the dry season, and is generally cooler. As in all
tropical climates, heat, humidity and monsoon rains are
present in the November – February months.
FESTIVALS: EVENTS:
Many of the festivals and celebrations in Bali are inked
to religious and ancient ceremonial rites and festivities.
For instance, the Balinese New Year falls in either March
or April, depending on the actual new moon! The day after
the new moon is spent in Silence – no vehicles on
the roads, music, radios, TV etc. All Balinese stay at home,
however, exceptions are made for the tourists, even though
it is asked that the principal of the New Year be respected.
However, the day after is spent by the Balinese visiting
family and friends, and celebrating.
Each area, town and village having its very own customs
and calendars, so apart from the general feasts and festivals,
the traveler should ask for local information.
SPECIAL INTEREST ATTRACTIONS:
Karangasem, a very conservative area in the eastern part
of the island is somewhat special and differs from the rest
of the island. It features the towering Mt. Agung volcano,
the island’s most sacred and highest volcano, which
creates spectacular surrounding landscapes. Also the great
Mother Temple of Besakih.
Candi Dasa is a get-away seaside resort which is fairly
new, but becoming increasingly popular. Different, because
it is situated on the black sand coast of the Karangasem
Regency area. Temples, rice growing terraces and fishing
villages.
Tenganan continues the rites and religious codes from ancient
times. It prides itself on being able to trace its origins
back to a holy book known as the Usana Bali. Tenganan maintains
the concept of territorial and body purity and carries out
many rituals for purifications and exorcisms.
Amlapura area was once the seat of the Karangasem court,
and is a sleepy market town. It offers superb scenery, traditional
villages and has traditional palaces and temples.
Tirtagangga has the famous cool, spring-fed natural water
pools ideal for a dip and a little meditation. A son of
the last king of Karangasem operates a small home stay and
there are small lodgings on a nearby hill. Excellent treks
in this area also.
One of the most scenic routes in Bali is the road leading
from Amlapura up to Rendang and on to Besakih, Bali’s
“Mother Temple”.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES:
Many levels of museums, galleries and exhibitions present
multi-faceted artists work. Street exhibitions offer a large
range of Balinese artifacts.
Amongst these: the Agung RAi Museum of Art in Ubud houses
a collection of works by Balinese, Javanese and foreign
artists.
The Megalit Viewing Stones Gallery in Kuta is worth a visit.
Featuring wonderful crystal, suiseki, fossils and semi-precious
stones.
The Museum Puri Lukisan also in Ubud is a private collection
featuring leading Balinese art.
The Neka Art Museum displays a government registered collection
of works on natural beauty, life and culture of Bali.
MUSIC: Diverse cultural Balinese music mixes with the latest
Western sounds in the discos, clubs, cafes, bars, karoke
and streetside booths.
ARCHITECTURE: Architectural statements featuring copies
of the shapes, woods, bamboos, reeds, stones, and finishes
abound in the architectural projects worldwide. The peace
and serenity radiating from the pagoda like roofs, thatching
and woven fabrics represent all that is Bali.
CULTURE: Los Angeles is very much a “City of the
World”. Language. Apart from the American accented
English, of course Spanish is now the second language of
America. With its’ large population of Mexicans and
South Americans, the Latino influence is very apparent.
Other groups are also well represented – apart from
Chinatown; there is Koreatown, Little Armenia, Little Tokyo,
Thai Town, Little Ethiopia, and Filipinotown. L.A. is vastly
diversified with regard to many differing religions. Churches
of all denominations, Buddhist temples and Self Realization
Centres, Scientology Centres and Kabbalah Centres reflect
the open society found here.
SPORTS:
Top world surfing venue, Bali is a true sports and leisure
paradise. Bali offers 3 top line golf courses, and prides
itself on top diving sites, sailing, game fishing, windsurfing,
paragliding, river rafting, hiking, jetskiing and hiking
& trekking .. And simply terrific scenic enjoyment of
cultural, floral and fauna interest.
CUISINE: ELEGANT CUISINE, SPECIAL INTEREST & THEME
RESTAURANTS, CAFÉ’S, COFFEE SHOPS, ICE CREAM
PARLOURS, KIOSKS,LOCAL STREET DELIGHTS.
Bali is situated in one of the most exciting cusine areas
of the world. From the very best of elegant menus to the
local, ‘fusion’ of exciting biting, the inclusion
of fruit, coconut, lime and island spices, light and piqued
curries or hot and heavy, depending on your individual taste,
eating is part of the adventure.
BALI NIGHTLIFE: Hip restaurants, clubs, bars, discos, karoke
bars, hangouts, and beach spots offer a vast range of venues
to choose from. Incorporating Bali themes, hot nights and
long lists of cocktail concoctions make the nights (and
days) zing! Remember, like Spain, people enjoy their days,
work, relax, sleep and then start their nightlife late!
Midnight sees the influx of people and by 1.00 a.m. it is
crowded and happening, even in popular Kuta!
Bali is well-known for its spicy nightlife and entertainment.
Some of the popular places:
Sanur & Nusa Dua: Borneo Pub, The Trophy Pub, The Jazz
Grille, Kafe Wayang (popular for its live music and jam
sessions with foreign guest artists), and Jangur, which
is the only disco in this area.
The “Kuta” area, where action and fun abound:
Several places such as Casablanca, down market open-air
pubs and very noisy discos. Peanuts Disco, the Bounty Ship,
Paddy’s Reloaded, Mamas (open till sunrise).
For a more civilized evening out, dinner and a couple of
drinks at TJs or Kori in Kuta, Poco Loco in Legian, Nero,
Aromas Restaurant, Maccaron Club, Made’s Warung or
the trendy HU’U Bar & Lounge, LA Luciola and The
Living Room.
More outrageous is the Hulu Café, a gay bar with
drag shows.
The Hard Rock Café has live music or the Center
Stage at the Hard Rock Resort.
Other popular night spots are Spy Bar, Liquid, Q Bar, Antique
Bar, Space, The Globe and “A” Bar. New bars
and “Chill-Out Lounges” are opening all the
time.
Party time at the Paparazzi Lounge and Double Six, a large
open-air disco with several bars, big dance floor andy man
tables.
Also, watch out for notices and small posters announcing
special events.
The Ubud area: Not as popular or frequented as Kuta, however
frequently mentioned places include the Putra Bar, Magic
Bar, Jazz Caafe, Exile Bar and Funky Monkey.
SHOPPING:
Handicraft Shops: These abound and make for interesting
and fun times for the light or heavy shopper!
DUTY FREE: Airport and downtown centers provide a vast assortment
of goods for the shopper.
BALI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM:
Be sure to pick up your Bali and Indonesian island maps
and guide books.
ENTRY VISA REQUIREMENT FOR BALI: Visa on Arrival (VOA):
This facility is available for nationals of Great Britain,
E.U. countries – other nationalities should check.
Available for either 7 or 30 day upon arrival by air in
Bali, costs are approx. US$10 and 30 day approx. US$25.
Links: check out www.baliguide.com
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