Bali evokes images of a tropical paradise. Wide sandy beaches fringed by towering palms are brushed the surf of the South China Sea. Lush jungles crowd a simmering volcano. Signs of the peaceful Hindu culture are everywhere. There are more temples than homes in Bali. Every village has temples. Every home has a small temple. Small baskets of fruits and flowers dot sidewalks in front of homes and businesses to honor good spirits and placate bad spirits.
Bali is a society of villages and you can see most of the island with day trips. The Ngurah Rai Airport is located in the south of Bali. Denpasar, the capital of Bali, is a bustling, noisy city with several important attractions. The Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali houses an intriguing collection of paintings, carving and costumes of the Balinese culture. Next door, Pura Jagatnatha is Bali’s state temple and the site of many festivals and celebrations. Nearby, the Taman Wedhi Budaya Arts Centre is a showplace for Balinese dance. Kuta, known for surfing beaches and nightlife, is the primary tourism area in south Bali. Kuta is crowded and commercial. Hundreds of motorbikes, laden huge baskets filled with produce, laundry and everything imaginable, careen wildly down narrow streets. Visit Kuta Beach, watch a glorious sunset, take a surfing lesson and head inland to see the heart of Bali.
Time turns back in the Bali countryside. Wizened men struggle, as they have for generations, to plow fertile rice paddies with oxen. There are an abundance of intriguing temples to explore. Temple etiquette requires that both men and women wear a sarong to visit. Sarongs can be rented at each temple or purchase your own for around 10,000 -20,000 rupiah (around $3.00). Sarongs are great souvenirs and gifts. Stop at coconut, mango and jackfruit roadside stands for samples of fresh fruit. Markets and woodcarving stalls offer tempting pieces of Bali. (Practice your bargaining skills. Aggressive sellers expect to bargain. It’s part of the game.) The villages of Batur and Kintamani sit in the shadow of Mount Batur, the island’s largest volcano. Ubud is the center of cultural tourism on Bali. Visit the Elephant Cave dating back to the 11th century as a place of worship. Flirt with precocious monkeys at the Monkey Forest Sanctuary. On the west side of Bali, Tanah Lot is located on a rocky islet and is accessible only at low tide. Situated against the sky at sunset, Tanah Lot is a breathtaking sight. There are many memorable moments on this peaceful island; stay a while and appreciate all the beauty Bali.
Written by: Lynne Christen
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