For me, the islands of Indonesia have an inexpressible power of attraction. For example, let’s take the most popular island of Bali, where it is better to go in late summer and late fall – it is the driest and coolest season, there is no exhausting heat and you can walk for hours on end.
It’s not that you shouldn’t go to Bali just like that, but my advice to you is to prepare yourself well, this island is worth it! You will not spend hours lying on the beach or by the pool at the hotel…. You just won’t have time for that! There are so many different locations, and each neighborhood is different not only in climate and vegetation, but also in energy.
Each neighborhood has its own activities and here anyone can find hobbies and activities to suit their tastes: surfing, fishing, diving and snorkeling, trekking and hiking to volcanoes, yoga and dancing, massage and spa, cooking classes and workshops, bike trips through the rice fields, shopping and partying, extreme – horseback riding along the coast, elephants, buffalo, ATV buggy rides, rafting, motocross, excursions to neighboring islands and just riding a scooter around the districts.
A favorite place for the Chinese in Bali is Jimbaran
- Fish market and candlelit dinner by the ocean.
- Vishnu Garuda Park
Beaches:
- Jimbaran(4 seasons hotel);
- Balangan;
- Dreamland;
- Bingin and Imposibles.
Uluwatu
The neighborhood itself seems pretty deserted during the day, it’s mostly a surfing area and all the people are on the beaches. Raoin is one street with cafes and accommodation. It is preferably better to rent a villa on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The beaches here are amazing, but with powerful waves.
What to see:
- Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple.
Beaches:
- Uluwatu;
- Padang-Padang;
- Tamas;
- Nyang-Nyang;
- Nungallan.
Ubud – A place worth visiting
This area of Bali is not worth visiting for 1-2 days, but for at least a week. This is the place to go for relaxation, solitude, yoga, spiritual practices and relaxation in the numerous spas. Ubud is the heart of the island, its cultural part, there is a lot of green pleasant to the eye, local color and temples, different events and exhibitions. There is a special atmosphere here and you need to catch it, it is important to be unhurried and measured. It’s also a vegan’s paradise – the cafes are amazing in their design and healthy organic food. Get used to a lot of walking (there are many scenic paths) and scooter rides – either way you’ll find something to do.
What to visit first?
- Artists’ Trail (Champukhan Hill from Pura Gunung Lebah Temple to the village);
- Sari Organic Trail;
- Kajeng Trail (street with inscriptions on the sidewalk tiles leading to the rice fields);
- Lukisan Trail;
- Penestanyan Trail (many views of Agung Volcano);
- Master Street Jalan Raya Andong;
- Monkey Forest;
- Elephant Park;
- Bird Park;
- Luwak coffee plantations (coffee made from poop);
- Big Tree Farms chocolate bamboo factory;
- House from the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”(it can be found on airbnb and booked!);
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces.
Temples:
- Goa Gajah elephant cave;
- The royal tombs of Gunung Kawi;
- the holy springs of Tirtha Empul;
- Goddess Saraswati Temple;
- Yeh Pulu Temple.
Waterfalls:
- Kanto Lampo;
- Tukad Chepung;
- Tibumana;
- Dusun Kuning.
