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Bali

Travel Guide to Bali

The sights, the hotels, the restaurants and a couple of monkeys

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Contents

Introduction • Map of Bali  • The Balinese Culture  • Nusa Dua  •  Hotels in Nusa Dua • Shopping in Nusa Dua  •  Restaurants in Nusa Dua • Seminyak  •  Hotels in Seminyak • The Seminyak Beach  •  Shopping in Seminyak  •  Restaurants in Seminyak and Kuta  •  Clubs •  Yoga  •  Horseback riding •  Kuta Beach  • Snorkeling in Padangbai  •  Uluwatu Temple  •  Ubud • Tegalalang Rice Terrace  •  Art Gallery De Wa Putu Toris  •  Monkey Forest •  Facts about Bali

Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Introduction

To get the best out of Bali I would recommend you to stay in two different places at least. We spent one week in Nusa Dua on Bali’s east coast – and one week in Seminyak, on Bali’s west coast, quite close to Kuta.

Kuta is the number one tourist area in Bali; it is busy, crowded and loud.

The pace of daily-life in Seminyak and Legian is much calmer and more sophisticated.

When in Bali do not miss:

  • Visit a temple, for example Uluwatu,
  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace,
  • a beach of your choise,
  • and Monkey Forest.
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Map of Bali

The Balinese Culture

Balinese Hinduism has elements of Buddhism as well as mythology, and the moral principals of non-violense and karma permeate every aspect of life.

The Balinese are religious and offer flowers and rice to the Gods three times a day.

You see the offerings everywhere: the taxi driver has a small basket on the dashboard, women carry them on their heads on their way to the temple, on the street outside a hotel, a shop or one’s home so be careful when you are walking around.

The daily rituals are important.

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Most often, the offering includes rice, flowers, a cigarette and a mint.

The gift symbolizes one’s gratitude towards life and the Gods who have given you all the good you have in your life. These gifts are also a way to appease the anger of the Gods so that your family will receive wealth and good health even in the future.

Another element of the Balinese culture that you most definitely will not miss is the Barong dance, shown in many restaurants. The traditional dance depicts the fight between Barong, king of all the spirits and Gods, and Rangda, the devil queen: in other words a fight between the good and the evil.

Nusa Dua and Southeastern Bali

Nusa Dua is perfect if you just want to wind down after an intensive period at work and would appreciate a quiet start of your vacation. Nusa Dua has not so much more to offer but the white sand beaches which, however, are impeccable. Not too shabby, right?

Are you a golfer? The best golf course on Bali is in Nusa Dua: Bali National Golf Club.

To get into Nusa Dua, you have to pass a security check where the guards check both who is in the car and that there are no bombs under the car. They do this even when you enter a hotel area or a shopping center.

Hotels in Nusa Dua

The Balé

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I really loved the Balé and so did my husband. The only problem that I can think of is that you don’t want to leave it at all.

The Balé has 26 villas with a garden and an infinity pool and a couple of restaurants. Read a full revue on the Balé here.

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Grand Mirage Resort 

Our friends who we were travelling with chose another hotel since they had their 8 year old son with them. They were happy with the Grand Mirage Resort, and I guess that if you prefer a child friendly all-inclusive resort this might be a good option. The rooms were nice. But what is the thing with the Balinese floors? They are so slippery that you can easily break your neck.

Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Awarta Nusa Dua

Awarta Nusa Dua was selected as the world’s best boutique hotel 2018 (The Boutique Hotel Awards)

Shopping in Nusa Dua

Nope. We visited the mall The Bali Collection, but you might as well skip it. I bought a couple of Polo tops but other than that? Not so much.

Restaurants in Nusa Dua (dinner)

  • Sakala.  Fine Dining. The service is impeccable, the food is fantastic, the restaurant itself is stunning. Dress up. But, I was just thinking – what is the point of flying to the other side of the globe (I am from Sweden) just to drink French wines and have a French meal? Anyway, you will not be disapponted if this is your cup of tea.
  • BumbuBali.  Authentic and tasty Balinese food with entertainment.
  • Jimbaran Beach. Choose one of the great fish and seafood restaurants that line up next to each other on the beach and run your toes in the sand while sharing a fantastic lobster with your partner. While gazing over the horizon. Magic! Just check the restaurant in advance since not all of them are top notch.

Seminyak, Western Bali

Seminyak is both a little more exclusive and more calm than Kuta. Even though you might have a hard time crossing the street before you get the hang of it…

Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Hotels in Seminyak

We stayed at Luna 2 in Seminyak but the hotel is today permanently closed. However, I definitely would recommend a stay somewhere at the beach. It truly is so beautiful.

The Seminyak Beach

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Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Shopping in Seminyak

Restaurants in Seminyak (dinner)

  • Chandi.  Organic and locally produced food (except for the red meat). Lots of vegetarian dishes. I had a typical Balinese dessert Ceremonial Black Rice Pudding with Fresh Coconut Sorbet which was divine. Don’t miss.
  • Made’s Warung.  Indonesian, great garden, casual. Don’t miss the local saké (hah hah!).
  • Ryoshi. Japanese, trendy, delicious food.
  • In Kuta: Fat Chow.  A cool place serving great food (however, no vegetarians dishes). Don’t miss the restrooms.

Looking for a more flashy spots? Try Potatohead  or Ku De Ta.

See also The Bali Bible.

Clubs in Seminyak

Yoga in Seminyak

Prana Yoga

I joined a vinasa class which was great. However, there is no air conditioning so be prepared for a real bikram class. It says on their home page that all levels are wellcome but I would not recommend this one for a total beginner.

Desa Seni  has, according to many, the best yoga classes.

Horseback riding in Seminyak

Bali Equestrian Centre

Kuta Beach

Kuta is larger than Seminyak and has a wide range of anything possible. I prefer Seminyak but our friends who stayed at Hard Rock Hotel thought both the hotel and Kuta were great.

Kuta Beach is the most famous beach on Bali and a really crowded one. If you want to learn how to surf this is a place for you. Those who are looking for mega waves head to Uluwatu, PadangPadang or Impossibles.

Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Even the taxi driver has a sacrificial gift in his car for luck.

Snorkeling in Padangbai, Eastern Bali

Bali is surrounded by coral reefs and especially the East Coast is suited for snorkeling and scuba diving, like Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.

While we were in Bali the currents were too strong in both Nusa Penida and Nusa Lempongan so we decided to go snorkeling in Padangbai with Aquamarine diving. It was great and actually like swimming in a big aquarium – so many fish, one more colourful than the other.

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If you have time, why not head to Komodo National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving guaranteed!

Seen on our way to Padangbai

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Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Uluwatu Temple, Southern Bali

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Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

According to popular belief, the good deities recide in the mountains and the evil ones in the ocean. This is why many Balinese cannot swim.

Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu  Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu  Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

The sunset is supposed to be especially stunning from this point. And stunning, yes, it most certainly is.

Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu Nusa Dua Seminyak uluwatu  © www.resorochaventyr.se

Neither demons nor other monster can walk up the stairs which means that the temple area is a safe place.

Uluwatu Bali tips Indonesia Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Monkeys everywhere.
Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Temple etiquette

1. Always wear a sarong.

2. Do not walk in front of people who are praying.

3. Do not take photographs of the priest.

4. Do not stand or sit higher than the priest or the offerings.

5. Women are not allowed to enter the temple while menstruating.

Bali tips Indonesia uluwatu Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Even if Uluwatu might not be the most spectacular temple area in Bali it really is interesting and beautiful with all the cliffs and the Indian Ocean embracing it all.

If you are in Uluwatu you might want to check out the Finns Beach Club for a drink. Or you could also go snorkeling, kayaking or SUP.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural and spiritual centre.

Capella Ubud, the hotel of the year in 2018, will take your breath away.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace

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The largest and most beautiful rice field in Bali,  Tegalalang Rice Terrace,  is located north of Ubud (c. 20 minutes by car). Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The area is a popular tourist attraction and so well worth a visit. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes if you want to walk through the fields because it gets rather steep at times and there are a lot of stairs.

The irrigation system follows a 1000 years old tradition. The villagers cooperate to keep it running.

Bali tips Indonesia tegalalan Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia tegalalan Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Art Gallery De Wa Putu Toris, Ubud

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De Wa Putu Toris is a large art gallery that offers both tacky paintings and beautiful pieces of work of art on the more minimalist side. We bought two graphic prints which still are hanging in our kitchen, highly admired.

Bali tips Indonesia tegalalan Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia tegalalan Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud

I can honestly say that I am not a monkey person. Even so, I trully recommend a visit at the Monkey Forest. The monkeys are actually fun to watch and the whole place is so magical – just to walk around and take in the sacred forest and the holy trees.

There is also an amphitheater, a temple, a “Holy Pool” and a lots of deers.

The Monkey Forest is also an ecological reserve and a primate research center.

Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Don’t miss the tiny monkey baby who also wants a bite of the banana.

Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

If you don’t want the monkeys climbing on you don’t bring any bananas with you – if they see you don’t have any thay will leave you alone.

Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se
Bali tips Indonesia sacred monkey forest Nusa Dua Seminyak © www.resorochaventyr.se

The Monkey Forest has 115 different kinds of trees.

Facts about Bali


  • Capital: Denpasar
  • Inhabitants: 4,2 million
  • Population: Hindus 84 % (as opposed to Indonesia as a whole where Muslims make up the largest religious group with approximately 87 %)
  • Currency: Rupiah (IDR)
  • Temperature:  28-29 degrees all year around.
  • Language: Balinese or Indonesian. Most people do speak English.
  • Visa on Arrival: c. 35 USD. Make sure to bring cash because card is not accepted. Even though you might have read that no visa is required you still need one upon arrival.
  • Airport tax: Make sure it is included in your air fare.
  • Rent a car? Don’t bother. The roads are bad and the traffic – even worse. It is cheap to take a taxi, or to hire a private chauffeur. You could ask your hotel to fix one for you or you could crab one on the streets. Just note that the driver gets paid to bring customers to certain restaurants and the restaurant might not be the best one in the area.
  • Shopping: Batik, silver jewellery, wooden sculptures, arts and crafts. You may also buy the most expensive coffee in the world in Bali: Kopi Luwak .

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