Bali: Island of the Gods

With its fine beaches, pounding surf, emerald-green rice terraces and exceptionally artistic culture, the small volcanic island of Bali - the only Hindu society in Southeast Asia - has long been Indonesia's premier tourist destination. Although it suffers the predictable problems of congestion and commercialization, Bali's original charm is still much in evidence, its stunning temples and spectacular festivals set off by the gorgeously lush landscape of the interior.

Bali's most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast. The island's other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries. In addition, there are numerous elegant Hindu temples to visit, particularly at Tanah Lot, Batukau and Besakih, and a good number of volcano hikes, the most popular being the route up Gunung Batur, with Gunung Agung only for the very fit. Transport to and from Bali is extremely efficient: the island is served by scores of international and domestic flights, which all land at Ngurah Rai airport just south of Kuta beach, as well as round-the-clock ferries to Java, thirty minutes’ west across the sea from Gilimanuk, and frequent ferries to Lombok, two to four hours' east of Padang Bai and Benoa. Several Pelni ferries also call at Benoa harbor. Prices throughout Bali rocket during the peak tourist seasons from mid-June to mid-September and over Christmas, when rooms can be fully booked for days, if not weeks, in advance.

Bali was a more or less independent society of Buddhists and Hindus until the fourteenth century when it was colonized by the strictly Hindu Majapahits from neighboring Java. Despite the subsequent Islamicization of nearly all her neighbors, Bali has remained firmly Hindu ever since. In 1849, the Dutch started to take an interest in Bali, and by January 1909 had wrested control of the whole island. Following a short-lived Japanese occupation in World War 11, and Indonesia's subsequent declaration of independence in 1945, Bali became an autonomous state within the Republic in 1948. But tensions with Java have continued: following the 1965 Gestapo affair in Java, some 100,000 actual or suspected members of the Communist Party on Bali were killed in reprisals. More recently, there has been growing concern about the number of wealthy entrepreneurs from Jakarta who have exploited Bali's considerable attractions for their own ends, with the Balinese starting to lose control of their own homeland.

Things To Do

As for recreation, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing - even bungy jumping and white water rafting - await the adventurous here.

Weather

The weather, the cooler dry season from April to October is the best time to visit Bali. The rest of the year is more humid and cloudier with more rainstorms, but you can still enjoy a holiday.

There are also distinct tourist seasons. The European summer holidays bring the biggest crowds - July, August and early September are especially busy. Accommodation can be tight in these months and prices are higher. From Christmas until the end of January, airfares to and from Bali are higher and most flights are fully booked. Many Indonesians also visit Bali around Christmas. Outside these times Bali has surprisingly few tourists and plenty of hotel rooms and tables in restaurants are available.

Festivals

Balinese festivals, holidays and special celebrations occur throughout the year, so don't worry about timing your visit to coincide with local events. Just make some inquiries when you arrive and be prepared to travel around the island.

Getting Around

Transportation from Ngurah Rai International Airport, 2.5km south of Kuta, is quite simple. Choose from an official taxi counter, where you pay a set price in advance, or walk across the airport car park and hail a metered cab. Another option is to get a taxi from the airport to Bemo Corner in Kuta for a fixed rate and then get a metered taxi or a chartered berno (minibus) to a more distant destination - this should save a few thousand rupiah. Those who prefer to walk can follow the road up to Kuta, although it's a more pleasant stroll along the beach.

The main forms of public transport on Bali are the cheap buses and bemos that run on more or less set routes within or between towns. If you want your own transport, you can charter a bemo or rent a car, motorcycle or bicycle. The Balinese drive on the left, use their horns a lot and give way to traffic pulling onto the road. Tourist shuttle buses, running between the major tourist centres, are more expensive than public transport but are also more comfortable and convenient.

Attractions

Kuta Bay is in southern Bali, about 10km southwest of Denpasar. Including the two beach sites of Kuta and Legian, this area is a major draw Denpasar still retains pleasant, tree-lined streets and gardens, and is very much a part of the 'real' Bali, given that tourists generally give it a wide berth. Situated in the hills 20km north of Denpasar, Ubud is the serene cultural centre of Bali

To its north is Sanur, an up market alternative to Kuta. Nusa Dua to the south of Kuta Bay is an up market alternative to Sanur. Ulu Watu on the southern tip of Bali is the island's most famous surfing spot.

• Museum Negeri
  Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali consists of an attractive series of separate buildings, which are examples of both palace and temple architecture. The exhibits themselves are not always well presented, but there are enough arts and crafts and everyday items displayed to make it worthwhile.
• Taman Wadhi Budaya
  

  The Taman Wadhi Budaya arts centre houses a collection of modern paintings and woodcarvings. Dancing groups and gamelan orchestras perform occasionally, mostly for the benefit of tourists.

Shoppings

hopping is an irresistible lure for most visitors to Bali. For both business and pleasure the island has become a shopping Mecca famous the world over, where an enormous variety of goods represent the arts and crafts of the Indonesian archipelago. Designer goods, cutting edge fashion, surf labels, handicrafts, a huge range of textiles, as well as carvings, products for the home, natural beauty therapies, antique and garden furniture, leather goods and are on offer. For three decades travelers have made Bali a regular stop to make or buy goods that will then be resold in markets flung across the globe. Today's market is becoming increasingly sophisticated and retailers as well as wholesalers are adopting more western methods of attracting customers with attractive shops, fixed prices and a more relaxed sales approach. On the other hand those looking for deals can still head to the traditional markets where a sense of humor and a willingness to enter the bargaining process can result in some wonderful finds at great prices, and perhaps a friend or two along the way.

Bali Surrounding Island
Lombok Island
Medawi Island
Menjangan Island