ABOUT BALI

*Where is Bali?
The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.

The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.
Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.

*What makes Bali so special?
There is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, the year-round pleasant climate, and the absence of security problems. And then there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain.
As soon as you step off the plane you might sense the difference. In the villages you'll notice the quietness and wisdom in old people's faces, and the interest and respect in the young's. Old men sit at the road side caressing their fighting cocks. Beautifully dressed women walk proudly through rice fields and forests carrying offerings on their heads to the next temple. There is the smell of flowers, and in the distance you hear the sound of gamelan music.
Gods and spirits have been an important part of Bali's daily life for hundreds of years. Gunung Agung – Bali's holy mountain – is internationally regarded as one of the eight "Chakra" points of the world. This may be more than an coincident. Watch out, the moment you feel the magic of this island, you're addicted for the rest of your life.

Where to go to Bali?

• Batubulan : Daily Barong Dance performance, fine stone carvings, furniture.
• Mount Batukau :-Virgin forests, serenity,temple.
• Bedagal :Highland retreat by the lake, crater, watersports, quality fruits and vegetables.
• Besakih Temple :Mother Temple on Mount Agong, huge complex of shrines, majestic.
• Candi Dasa :Quiet newest resort area, snorkelling, diving, beach.
• Celuk :Silver and gold jewellery.
• Denpasar : rebuilt ancient city, art centre, museum, government offices.
• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): 8th century archaelogical mystery, Buddhist inscriptions and carvings, elephant head entrance.
• Goa Lawah (Bat Cave)1000 year old Shiva Temple, millions of bats cover ceiling.
• Jimbaran : Southwest of Bali, fishermen village, beach, sunset, offshore reefs.
• Kintaman : Mountainous, spectacular view by Lake Batur, sunrise at peak of Mount Batur.
• Kuta : Surfing, beaches, sunsets, night life, shops at Legian street.
• Lovina:- North of Bali near Singaraja, still waters, dolphin watch.
• Negara : West of Bali, water buffalo races (July to October).
• Nusa Dua :Luxurious resorts, diving and surfing, beaches, gold cours e, shops.
• Nusa lembongan : Bali's sister island, coral and sand beaches, crystal clear water, surfing.
• Sangeh : Monkey Forest, tall nutmeg trees, aggressive monkeys.
• Sanur : First resort of Bali, beaches, black and white magic.
• Singaraja:North of Bali, beaches, quiet, culturally distinctive.
• Tabanan : Mountains, rice field terraces, black sand beaches, rain forests.
• Wood carving, Sukarno's Palace, Tirta Empul temple and sacred spring water.
• Tanah Lot : Dramatic ocean front temple, spectacular sunset, snake filled cave.
• Tenganan: East of Bali, village of Bali Aga, wonderful fabrics.
• Ubud : haven for the arts,paintings, lush rice fields, museums, galleries, dances, spectacular temple on a cliff.

Link to Bali

Find Flight, type Denpasar, Bali as your destination air port: Click Here

Accomodation in Bali: Click here.

KUTA BEACH

Kuta Beach bustles with tourists vendors and locals. It's the most popular beach in Bali and the island's number one party zone.
Rapid development and an influx of visitors hasn't kept the surfers away and Kuta still remains one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy the beach life.
While the surfers are still part of the Kuta scene, it's the shopping, nightlife and party vibes that attracts thousands of visitors. There's a huge choice of accommodation, restaurants and entertainment; so if you want to be within walking distance of a cool beach lifestyle by day and party by night - this is place.

TERRACE RICE FIELD

Visit the busy flower, fruit and spice market in Candikuning where most of Bali's vegetables come from. Drive back through small country roads, villages and rice fields, with a stop in an artisan village specializing in gold threaded textiles (Ikat) worn during important ceremonies.

PURA TANAH LOT

Monkey Forest & Tanah Lot Tour: Visit the royal Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi (built in 1624), the holy monkey forest near Sangeh, and famous Tanah Lot. This picturesque Balinese temple was built in the 16th. Century on a huge rock 100 yards off Bali's West coast and is surrounded by the sea during high tides. Spectacular sight, however, spoiled by thousands of tourists visiting every day during sunset. To avoid these, enjoy the view from the lobby of the nearby Le Meridien Nirvana Resort.

BEDUGUL

After a stop in Sangeh to visit its holy forest inhabited by wild monkeys, drive up into the mountains to Lake Bratan (1,200 meters above sea level) and the picturesque water temple Ulun Danu. Visit the busy flower, fruit and spice market in Candikuning where most of Bali's vegetables come from. Drive back through small country roads, villages and rice fields, with a stop in an artisan village specializing in gold threaded textiles (Ikat) worn during important ceremonies.

KINTAMANI

Kintamani Volcano Tour: The first stop is often in the village of Batubulan to watch a performance of the Barong and Kris Dance. Afterwards you visit the villages of Celuk (silver jewelry) and Mas (wood carving) to see Balinese artisans at work. Ubud, Bali's cultural center, has grown to a busy town with numerous Balinese art galleries and shops. A scenic drive over small roads overlooking beautiful rice terraces brings you to the mountain village of Kintamani (about 5,000 feet above the sea) which offers spectacular views of Lake Batur and the volcano. You can cross the crater lake below the still active Mount Batur and visit the "Bali Aga" village of Trunyan. Return through traditional villages with stops in Tampaksiring to visit the temple of Tirta Empul, and to visit the Elephant Cave "Goa Gajah", a hermitage from the 11th. century used by both Buddhists and Hindus.