Hitting the Beach at Bali
The white sandy beaches, the blue clear water and swaying palm trees are the first things that most tourists see. There are countless beaches and some of them are less inhabited too for the traveler who wants to just relax under the sun and let the waves lap up those tired legs. Just hire a beach chair, get a massage done or drink some beer and you are sure to return home completely rejuvenated.
But Bali offers something for the adventure loving traveler too. At Kuta Beach and at Bukit you can do some serious surfing – there are professional instructors to guide you. Then there are some sleepy coves and lagoons that you may also like to explore and get away from the crowds.
Bali Art and Culture
If you are here for the art and culture, then you must surely check out the Balinese art, the music and dance and the famous kite festival. The Arts Festival is held over a month when performances are held daily. There are dance performances and handicraft exhibitions offering you a wonderful opportunity to check out the local culture. There are both traditional performances as well as choreography. You will experience a thriving culture that is both modern as well as traditional. Performing troupes even from the other islands take part in the festival.
No festival is complete without some good food and drinks, and this one is also no exception. You should never miss out the local delicacies.
Sports in Bali
There are quite a few sporting options that range from golfing to tennis to paragliding and white water rafting.
Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is the most famous destination for golfing as the nature is really rich here. But there are other courses too such as the Nirwana Bali Golf Club, the one at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and the Bali Golf & Country Club that is close to the Hilton.
There are some wonderful tennis and squash courts (both indoor and outdoor) that are spread over the island and many of them come complete with fitness facilities as well. Not an expert in the games? Not a problem! You can hire a trainer who will show you the basics.
Paragliding is a fascinating way to see the rugged coastline of the island. It is a great adventure sport too as you try to negotiate the winds. But do make a booking in advance – call up 703-060, to confirm your 20 minutes of adventure. There are professional instructors who will accompany you when you are up there.
Bungy jumping and horse back riding are some other sporting activities at Bali . There are some wonderful deserted beaches that you can explore on the horse.
White Water Rafting in Bali
This needs a special mention as you should never miss this when you are at Bali . White water rafting is a great way to check out some of the remote villages of the island and slowly drift through the calm waters and the picturesque rice and paddy fields. But the entire stretch may not be as smooth as you have to pass through deep sided gorges, volcanic cliffs and waterfalls. The tours will make you pass through grade 4 rapids.
Bali Scuba Diving
If you want to get closer to the under sea world, you may want to book your seat in one of the diving tours. Take a dip at Candi Dasa, Tulamben, Nusa Penida and at Amed in the east coast. You can see a lot of colorful fish, sharks, corals and even some ship wrecks too. PADI certified divers are there to help you at all times.
Fishing at Bali
This is another activity you can do while you are at Bali . There are basically two options – you can either book a yacht that will cost you US$ 500 for a day or smaller boats that cost US$ 40 for an hour. Some of these vessels even come with sonar and satellite navigation facilities that let you locate the spools of fish. Your catch may include Coral Trout, Mackerel, Tuna, Mai-Mai, Snapper and Wahoo.
Spa, Beauty Treatment and Wellness Care at Bali
Bali offers some wonderful packages that include a range of treatment options both for the luxury traveler and for the one who is looking for budget alternatives. The ones that are famous are located at The Legian, the Nusa Dua Beach Resort and at the Kirana. Feel refreshed after a great massage and therapy at the spa or the wellness club.
Off-Roading
The lush tropical rainforests and off road tracks found in Bali make it the perfect place for off-roading – a hobby that is increasing throughout the whole of Indonesia. This can either take place in a Land Rover type vehicle or on something more akin to a quad bike, but whatever type of trip you choose, there will be plenty of fun – not to mention a lot of mess as well! The best place to find this type of activity is without doubt the area around Batu Karo, as there are rice paddies, small streams and rainforests in the immediate surrounding area – perfect to test your skills at this activity!
Horse Riding
Horse riding isn’t something that most people would associate with Bali, but it is the perfect place for this activity. Whether you want a calm and sedate ride down the beautiful beaches in the region, or a long and arduous hack through the jungle, there are companies that can easily provide this. Even if you are a novice to the world of equine activity, there are plenty of experienced riders on the island willing to teach you. In all honesty, there is no “best place” to ride in Bali – every single area has its own highlights!
Walking/Hiking
Hiking is something that is extremely popular in Bali and there are a number of trails specifically designed for this purpose. While some are only recommended for the fittest of travellers – such as the hike to the base of Gunung Agung – others are more sedate and can be completed by everyone. Perhaps the most pleasurable walk to take is in the West Bali National Park, which has trails that range from anywhere from 2 hours through to 7 hours. There are a number of different sights to see here, as well as a huge amount of animals and birds, such as macaques, iguana, deer and the Bali starling.
Another fantastic hiking trail is located around the lakes that surround Danau Bratan - a hike that encompasses spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful mist covered lakes and a plethora of wildlife. Many people also like to stop around the lake for something to eat or, for the more adventurous, to participate in the watersports that occur on the larger lakes. It is also close to the world famous Pura Ulun Danu Bratan.
Scuba Diving
The tropical waters of South East Asia have long been a draw for scuba divers from throughout the world, although most tend to head to the waters near Thailand and Vietnam. This is changing though, as more and more people realize the amazing diving that is to be had in this island paradise. Perhaps the most famous dive site on the island is Tulamben, which is located in one of the richest areas of marine life in the world. This means that all kinds of fish, sea creatures and sea mammals can be seen here – mainly due to the fact that the waters are virtually untouched by human interference.
For those just learning to dive, the best location on the island has to be Amed, which is found on the northern shores of Bali. It is great for novices because the currents are known to be gentle, therefore meaning that there is no chance of feeling like you are being swept away! Once you have mastered the basics, then there are a vast number of other sites available to you throughout the world!
Cycling
Using a bicycle to travel around is an extremely popular past time in Bali, as it is in many other less developed countries. This means that there is ample opportunity for you to jump in the saddle and ride off to wherever your heart takes you! Whether you fancy a quick pedal into the closest village or a full on excursion through one of the island’s many national parks, the bicycle is a fantastic way to take in everything that this country has to offer. Most bikes can be rented by the day and can always be rented at a very low price indeed.
