Bali Holiday

Mystical Island

Tapestry of beauty and charm

Bali is well known as a mystical island with stretches of sandy beach and mountainous landscape. Bali is a popular holiday destination not only for people looking for sun, sea and sand, the friendly locals and Bali vibrant nightlife are also major attractions.   

Bali is an Indonesian island located in the eastern part of Indonesia, lying between Java and Lombok. Majority of the people in Bali are Hindus though Indonesia is primarily a Muslim country. The capital city of Bali is Denpasar and though Bali was a Dutch colony, the Balinese culture has a strong Indian and Chinese influence.

We stayed in Club Med in our travel to Bali. Club Med Bali is an all inclusive resort designed with Balinese influence. It has two swimming pool and lots of outdoor activities like sailing, snorkelling, archery and golfing. With a relaxed atmosphere, it is a great place to stay for those who want to get away from crowds. 

Whilst Club Med is situated in Nusa Dua, a quieter part of Bali, the main activities lies along Kuta Beach. In the day, Kuta beach is filled with people wind surfing, swimming or just sunbathing. You can have a Balinese massage on the beach, which is an added relaxation factor or have your hair pleated with colourful beads.  

In the night, Kuta beach comes alive with bright lights, music and pub crawlers. It is very vibrant, you will get drawn to the party atmosphere, you wouldn’t want to stay away, and it’s magical. After a night of thumping music and booze, take a walk on Kuta beach and enjoy the sound of waves lapping on the shore and the rustling of coconut leaves. The Hard Rock Hotel, one of the magnificent hotels lined along the beachfront is a sight not to be missed. The hotel is spread over 3 hectares of land and have all the resort facilities. As the twinkling light from the hotel glimmer in the night sky. Hard Rock Hotel is indisputably one of the most beautiful hotel in the world. There is even a Hard Rock Cafe situated beside the hotel if you fancy another drink. 

Beside the beaches, you can also stay in the mountain resort in Bali. The mountains of Bali are volcanic and the highest peak is Gunung Agung in East Bali. It is quite a strenuous hike up the mountain and it takes from 5-7 hours to reach the top. The hike is free and you can hire guides for your journey.

As you travel through different areas in Bali, there is one common sight and that is padi fields. Rice is grown in the padi fields and most are formed on slopes. The various stages of growth, from a tapestry of green to shades of golden brown, is a sight to behold. I remember having coffee in a Balinese coffee hut, and the padi field was right in front of the hut, it was pleasant and serene. 

Bali is famous for its art, sculpture, paintings and silver. There is a following for Balinese handicraft and Balinese style of teak furniture, dark wooden frame with white cushions around the world. While in Bali, you must listen to the Balinese percussion orchestra music, known as gamelan, which highly developed and varied. Famous Balinese dances like pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, gong keybar, and kecak, portray stories from Hindu epics with Balinese influence. These dances are often performed in Balinese restaurants for diners to enjoy after their meal. 

English is a third language in Bali and most locals understand and speak some English. It is not difficult to get around in Bali. You can either hire a taxi or a mini bus. If you are in a group of 4 or more, it is a good idea to hire a mini bus. Always agree on the price with the driver before using them. Not unless you do not know where to go, be insistent with your destination as they will try to recommend places to you. 

Though there were some problems a few years ago, Bali have never lost its reputation as a paradise island. It’s probably because the Balinese people are generally hospitable and friendly, a virtue that will always be there regardless of any situation.