Bali Vacation Guide and Tips

The island of Bali is about 140Km (E-W) and 80Km (N-S). A population with about 3 million, with majority being hindus, and speaking Bahasa Indonesia.

Bali is famous for its beaches and surfs. Come summer (July & August) surfers descend on Bali with their surf boards, sun lovers will be found with their sun tanning lotions and beach towels on the beautiful beaches, and some private beaches on this Bali island. There are other outdoor activities in Bali.

I have been to Bali on three occasions just with my wife. We love the nature, the ocean, beaches...the mingling with many tourists who are there to enjoy a relaxing vacation with their loved ones and friends.

There are 4 specific areas which I love in Bali to understand their culture and and enjoy a good time of lovely memories.

• Kuta
• Jimbaran
• Nusa Dua
• Ubud

Main roads and side roads in Kuta are lined with souvenier shops, restaurants, money changers, boutiques, pubs and accommodations (hotels, motels, villas). You will hardly get bored just moving around in Kuta.

Kuta Beach is beautiful in the evening as one watches the beautiful sunset, while watching also surfers riding the waves and children playing soccer and having fun on the beach. Balinese families come together to have fun flying their kites as the sun begins to set. One prominent hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel faces the ocean, and has full view of the sunset at Kuta.

Having a meal at some of the restaurants in Kuta (Legian area) is very affordable. A good meal of fried rice can be as low as US$3.00 and a more elaborate meal in a very romantic quiet setting at about US$15. When it comes to food, you will be spoilt for choices.

Jimbaran is just next to Kuta area. Many who visit Jimbaran will recommend that you dine on the beach as you watch the sun sets and while you dine, and hearing the crashing of waves onto the shore. Jimbaran is famous for its barbecued seafood. Hundreds of tables and chairs are arranged on the beach. Enjoy your dinner in candle-lit ambience and with the gentle ocean breeze blowing to cool the evening. One other activity I loved when at Jimbaran is at Kedonganan beach where the fishing boats arrive with their catch. The fish market is very near the beach and is a wonderful sight to appreciate.

Jimbaran is a stretch of land where you will find hotels almost near sea level, and rising up to some sitting on top of the cliff. I was privilege to stay at Ayana Resort in Jimbaran, located on a cliff. Beautiful and private place with high security. We were upgraded to a Ocean View Villa and we are ever grateful for the experience of wonderful service from the hotel staff.

If you want to do shopping and massages, Jimbaran is not a place you will want to stay at. This is indeed a place where one can really relax and reflect, and enjoy a good time together as husband and wife.

Situated at the end of Jimbaran area, Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali is one fascinating resort which allows one to enjoy a quiet and relaxing vacation. Ideal for one to spend a romantic time with the love of your life and pampered by the service of butler if you are living in one of the villas. Plenty of space to roam, quiet beaches and outstanding infinity pools which allow you an unblock view of the sea to relax and reflect. This was formerly known as Ritz Carlton, Bali.

Nusa Dua is lined with many touristy attractions and 5-star hotels. Twenty years ago when I was there, along a stretch of the white and sandy beaches it was so private that sunbathers will bathe nude or topless. Today it is dotted with so many hotels, with many beach vendors selling their wares to tourists on the beach.

Compared with Kuta Beach, Nusa Dua is still a much more quieter beach to relax and enjoy the sea, and a good tanning. The waters in Nusa Dua are much cleaner and clearer than that of Kuta.

Further up Nusa Dua, is a stretch of beach (Tanjung Benoa) where one will be able enjoy some water sports like parasailing, flying fish, banana boat, water scooter and snorkelling. We took a boat ride that cost us US$25 to the Turtle Island, where turtle conservation projects are being carried out. They hope to bring back the turtles to Bali again.

This is a place as a tourist you do not want to miss at all. Ubud is one area where you will see the craftsmen and their works. Interestingly Bali is a place where you will find works of Batik, wood carvings, silver jewelries, paintings, furnitures, glasswares, etc...

If you have not seen what rice terrace is, Ubud has one of the most beautiful sight. Other attractions will the Ubud Palace and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Keep your hats, caps, glasses and food if you are entering the monkey forest. The monkeys will snatch away anything that is easy for them to grab and run off with.

I took time to visit the local people's market. It is something you would want to do if you are able to withstand the smell and filth of a wet local market. It is definitely a place I would recommend to visit to understand the Balinese lifestyle. It is situated next to the Ubud Palace.

Ubud is famous for its hotels which are constructed along the river. One of the hotels, I would love to stay in would be the Ubud Hanging Gardens. Villas and hotels are many at Ubud. This is a town and dotted with restaurants and all kinds of shops to take care of your needs in Bali.

To get around in Bali, you will need a reliable and experience guide who can converse with you in the language you are most comfortable with. There are those who speak chinese, japanese, korean and many who speak english. I have used "Ma-de" for the days I stayed in Bali. He converses well in English and importantly knows his way around. Pricing from as low as US$50 he can arrange a special tour of places in Bali. He can seat 7 passengers in his small tourist bus. To discuss with him your itinerary, you can either email him pujayuli_gagi@yahoo.com or text him at +6281999365683.