Balinese massage or hike up a volcanic mountain? (Bali)

Member Name: genmil

Product:	Bali
Date:	26/03/09 (241 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful place, lovely people, magical atmosphere

Disadvantages: mini bus driver may be overly persuasive

Bali is well known as a paradise island with beautiful stretches of sandy beach and mountainous landscape.

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 although 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.

I was invited to join a friend in Bali a few years ago. She works for Club Med and was given free accommodation in Bali Club Med resort. All I need to do was to get my own air ticket.

Club Med Bali itself is impressive; the resort is designed with Balinese influenced. The room need a special mention. The layout of a singles room is great, each bed have their own enclosure, it's like a two bedroom flat except it's smaller and have standard hotel facilities. You have your own private space especially when you have to share the room with another person. Club Med is a all inclusive resort, it has two swimming pool and lots of outdoor activities like sailing, snorkelling, archery and golfing. It has a relaxed atmosphere and it is a great place for couples as it is not very crowded.

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 be 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. Take this opportunity to admire the beautiful beach front hotels especially the Hard Rock Hotel. The hotel is spread over 3 hectares of land and have all the resort facilities. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful hotel in the world. As we were drawn by the majestic, lighted architecture, we couldn't help ourselves but to walk into the hotel ground to take a look. It is simply stunning. Hard Rock Cafe is situated beside the hotel too, if you fancy another drink.

Beside the beaches, you should also visit the mountainous region of 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 jewellery. There is also a following for Balinese style of teak furniture, mainly 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.

There are several street markets around Bali where you can buy Balinese artefacts. One of my favourite buy is sarong. The selection of sarong is big and there are many colours and designs. I bought 4 sarongs which I am still using today.

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. Unless you do not know where to go, be insistent with your destination as they will try to recommend other 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.

Summary: A paradise island, should visit at least once in your lifetime.