About Bali, Indonesia

Bali is truly a beautiful place. A dramatic volcanic landscape with deep valleys, lush vegetation, padi fields and, of course, its famous beaches. The tourist industry has had its effects on Bali and parts of it are commercialised but the place still retains a charm, especially if you can avoid the major tourist traps of places like Kuta.

The only Hindu society in the region, the Balinese have created a culture based on spritualism and animism which relies heavily on interdependence on one another. They are also very well aware of the importance of tourism to their economy and consequently the island has been less affected than other parts of Indonesia by the political upheavals and riots that have plagued islands like Java and even Lombok.

Bali’s most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast.

The island’s other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud, a charming but relatively commercialised town, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries.

There are numerous elegant Hindu temples to visit, particularly at Tanah Lot and Besakih - - one of the most impressive temple complexes in the world.

The volcanoes are outstanding sights and popular trekking destinations. Gunung Agung is for the very fit and can be risky. The most popular is Gunung Batur, a picture postcard location, relatively easy to climb but marred by the greed and disingenuousness of the locals who are both cynical and potentially aggressive depending on what they get out of you; this is completely at odds with most Balinese who are generally helpful and friendly.

Transport to and from and around Bali is pretty goodt: the island is served by scores of international and domestic flights, which all land at Ngurah Rai Airport just south of Kuta beach, as well as round-the-clock ferries to Java, thirty minutes’ west across the sea from Gilimanuk, and frequent ferries to Lombok, two- to four hours’ east of Padang Bai and Benoa. The Pelni ferry KM Dibonsolo also calls fortnightly at Benoa Harbour . Prices throughout Bali rocket during the peak tourist seasons from mid-June to mid-September and over Christmas, when rooms can be fully booked for days, if not weeks, in advance.