Bali, aptly nicknamed as the island of the Gods, is a small island province that has been Indonesia’s main tourist destination for ages. Its exotic flavor is highly punctuated by the wonderful natural landscape; exhibitions of artworks particularly in dance, music, painting and sculpture; and promotions of handicrafts like leather and metalworking. And let us not forget the aromatic, colorful and glorious food that everyone falls in love with.

For starters, you really won’t have any problem with hotels and rides in Bali. Accommodations are rather inexpensive and so are taxi fares. And this tiny island province has been welcoming tourists for a long time, so the atmosphere towards visitors is very much relaxed. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that most hotel staffs and those in the tourism business speak English and 8 or 9 other languages with great proficiency.

If nature tripping rocks your boat, you may want to put on your bathing suits and bask under the mid-morning sun light. At the south side of Bali, the sands are pristinely white. However, on the north and west side, glossy and heavy black sands line the beaches. If you want to experience both, then Padangbai beach in the south east would be right for you. However, this is a very popular beach and can get quite crowded at times (do not even dare think about the peak months of the summer / tourist season,) we recommend the tranquil settings of Pasut Beach; which by the way, is only accessible via a sampan (a flat bottomed wooden boat.)

If you have kids with you, you may want to take them into the very wonderful Bali Barat National Park, which is home to the critically endangered Bali Starling. There are also other indigenous animals to see here, particularly the common muntjac (barking deer,) the leaf monkey and the magnificent leopard cat.

Some other parts of Bali you may want to experience are: the Bali Orchid Garden, the mountain trails of Gunung Kawi, the Hindu-Buddhist temple of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Food is pretty much abundant; if you are particularly brave (and your stomach has a 4 inch lining) you may want to try the local street foods, particularly from those tiny stalls that open only when night time comes. Barbequed skewers can be seen in almost every corner, and you can try some of the most mouth watering lot. But if you prefer a more formal atmosphere, you may seek a few eating establishments that cater only to native Indonesia style of cooking. We highly recommend Ku De Ta (yes, you can note the word play here) which serves the famous Indonesia-style seafood dishes. Other popular restaurants that offer eclectic menus are Café Lotus, Mango Bar and Restaurant, and Papa’s Café.

If nightlife is what you are after, then you will not find Bali lacking. For one thing, when Happy Hour hits some bars in the region, it means complimentary drinks all around. Now, that gives a whole new meaning to “Happy Hour,” indeed. The preferred spot is actually the Kuta-Legian Seminyak strip, which hosts all manner of eating establishments as well as bars and pubs. Backpackers are seen predominantly in this region because of the party-‘til-you-drop atmosphere. However, if you prefer a less crowded beer joint, we recommend Lovina Beach and the Singaraja.

If you would rather prefer a less predictable night scene, you can always engage in: midnight dipping (which is prevalent on beaches, particularly on the weekends); watching the Kecak or the Monkey Dance; and watching the Wayang Kulit or shadow puppet show.

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