Do's and Don't - during enjoy your holiday in Bali

Do take Rupiah with you when traveling especially to the village. Keep small change on hand because it will be needed when riding public transportation or buying a drink in warung.	Don't enter a temple during menstruation. When visiting a temple, always wear a sash or sarong and do not walk in front of people praying.
Do change your money only in banks or authorized money changers. When changing money, always insist on an official receipt at the time of the transaction and take your time to make sure the money received matches the total shown on the receipt.	Don't attempt to swim outside designated areas on the beach. There are red and yellow flags, swim between them. Don't collect of corals or shells or the purchase of any items made from these materials. Also do not purchase any items made from endangered animal product.
Do reconfirm your flight at least 48 hours prior to your next flying. Please consider making a photocopy of your airline tickets and the identifying pages of your passport.	Don't deal in or do drugs. A death penalty could await!
Do leave your important travel documents in your hotel safe and be careful with your belongings at all times. Make a list of all travelers' checks and your credit card details. Store all of this data separately from your wallet. Having these details at hand will speed replacement in the event of loss.	Don't attempt to hire a car or motorbike without full insurance. It is important to have  travel insurance as it will cover you if you are involved in an accident.
Do drink only boiled, distilled or mineral water. Try to get yourself used to the local food, however the flavours sometimes unusual.	Don't attempt to get in the way of the attendees when seeing processions though it's a good chance to take a photograph.
Do respect local customs and traditions when visiting a temple. Please note that this is a land where prayer and religious festivals take center stage.	Don't stand or sit higher than the offerings and the priest when visiting a temple.
Do show respect and avoid honking if you trapped behind the slow pace of local  processions.	Don't attempt to use a flash in your camera in front of the priest or people praying.
Do try to avoid stepping on offerings in the street and  walk around them.	Don't touch people's heads. It is considered offensive.

Bali Beach Hotels: Top Class Retreats Near the Beaches

Bali, a huge conglomeration of 13,000 islands, tempts the travelers all around the world with its richness ranging from mountains to long coastlines and hillsides to sandy beaches. The beach lovers throng in at Bali throughout the year and thus number of Bali Beach Hotels has multiplied in the recent years. Couples, families and even the corporate individuals make frequent visits to spend a nice vacation near the Bali beaches.

 

Since the island of Bali covers a huge area you find plenty of Bali beach hotels situated at every corner of the region. While Southern part of Bali has the major concentration of hotels you can still count on a number of star category hotels located in other parts of Bali. After you fly down at Ngurah Rai international airport in Denpasar you can easily get connected with your chosen hotel.

 

Accommodation

 

If you are planning to go for a trip to North Bali you can select from a number of quality Bali beach hotels. Apart from the luxury hotels like, Matahari Beach Resort & Spa, Damai Lovina Villas and Puri Bagus Lovina, you can also check-in at the mid-range hotels like Saranam Eco Resort. This beautiful region of Indonesia touches the heart of millions of travelers every year and these beach hotels in Bali offer you the dose of relaxation.

 

Candi Dasa, a noted tourist destination in the East of Bali is also gifted with a number of world class hotels. Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa and Alila Manggis Bali are among the luxury beach hotels in Bali while Puri Bagus Candidasa and Puri Bagus Manggis are the noted mid-range accommodations. You expect to receive exclusive comfort in the form of elegant rooms, elaborate arrangement of dining and wining and endless list of recreational facilities.

 

Coming down to the south of Bali will let you explore the blessed regions like, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Tuban, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua. There is a wide range of Bali beach hotels in these popular destinations. The luxury hotels like Kuta Seaview Cottage, Mercure Kuta Bali, Ramayana Resort & Spa, and White Rose Hotel & Spa await your coming and welcome you with sheer hospitality. Be it the night-life or the beach activities, staying in these Bali hotels give you a free ticket to entertainment. 

Nusa Dua, considered to be a posh region in Bali, has the major concentration of 5-star hotels. If you can afford luxury the Bali beach hotels in Nusa Dua like, Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, Novotel Nusa Dua Bali Hotel & Residences, and Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, are ready to offer you a grand treatment. Like other luxury hotels in Indonesia, these beach hotels in Bali offer you extensive range of recreational facilities including spa, swimming pool and water sports in the nearby beaches.

Bali Luxury Hotels

An Indonesian island located near the Indian ocean Bali is the most sort after tourist destination. Considered as a vacationers paradise Bali is the home to the discerning travelers. This beautiful island will take your breath away the moment you land in Bali. The picture perfect scenery, the rice paddies, the volcanoes, the warm water of the sea, the sandy beaches, friendly people-Bali is the perfect painted backdrop island. 

The hospitality of this island can be experienced in the hotels of Bali. It is easy for travelers to find a place to stay in Bali. You have the option to choose from the budget fit hotels to the luxurious hotels in Bali. There are lots of luxury hotels in Bali which offer state of art facilities and excellent service. There are luxury hotels like Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali Hyatt, Grand Hyatt Bali, Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay Bali which are the located here in Bali to offer a comfortable stay. The Bali Luxury Hotels are an epitome of luxury providing excellence in service and facilities.

These luxury hotels in Bali are well facilitated to cater to the needs of its guests. Satellite TV, direct dial telephone, round the clock room service, air conditioned rooms, safe deposit vaults, in house restaurant, conference facilities, swimming pool are just some of the amenities offered in the luxury hotels in Bali. 

The tourist attractions in Bali attract people from near and far to this tropical island. There is lots for tourists to see and enjoy in Bali. There is a beautiful sea temple, Tanah Lot, which stands on a huge rock surrounded by the sea. Another beautiful temple is the thousand years old Pura Besakih which also happens to be the biggest temple here.

Bali also happens to be a shoppers paradise. Here you can bargain for all that you plan to buy. The inexpensive stuff is sure to increase your baggage once you fly back home. Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur are the best market places to shop for for inexpensive shopping.

When in Bali don not forget to taste the lip smacking cuisines offered here. The cosmopolitan restaurants offer delectable food and you have a wide variety of options to choose from the menu cart. The local delicacies -Nasi Goreng, Sate Campur here are a must try apart from the Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican and lots more cuisines.

Bali also has interesting adventure activities to offer to its tourists like scootering, snorkeling, white water rafting and kayaking. The tourists here can go on jungle treks or can enjoy cycling in the mountains. There are lots of hotels in Bali situated in areas which are surrounded by mother nature. In the laps of nature a stay in the luxury Bali hotels is what completes the vacation.

This beautiful island of Bali is an experience in itself. A perfect blend of the rich past and the modern present this island knows how to leave the tourists awestruck.

The Golden Sands Of Tanjung Benoa Beach - A Charming Spot in Bali

Tanjung Benoa is a charming resort area, located to the north of Nusa Dua, in Bali, Indonesia. Also known as Benoa Peninsula, Tanjung Benoa is a magnificent five kilometers long peninsula, which is much famed for its scenic views comprising beautiful coconut groves, white sandy beach, and incredible mountains.

Once a typical seaside village, Tanjung Benoa has now been transformed into a highly developed resort area, dotted with a number of upscale hotels, luxury resorts, world class private villas, superb restaurants, open air cafes, and facilities for enjoying a continuum of water sport activities. In short, in recent years, Tanjung Benoa has become one of the most sought after tourist spots in the country.

Of the attractions in Tanjung Benoa is undoubtedly its beach with calm waves. This beach area serves as a perfect base for enjoying a large number of water sport activities such as parasailing, water sports, wind surfing, jet skiing, banana boat sailing, snorkeling, reef fishing, and much more. Further, to cater to the needs of diving enthusiasts, a plethora of diving centers operate here. Likewise, you can also find an array of shops specializing in providing rental equipments that are required for different water sport activities.

However, things to see and do in Tanjung Benoa are not just confined to beach as well as its activities, but beyond that. The place is also home to such interesting destinations as Batubulan, which is a quaint village much famed for its stone carvings. One can find here thousands of statues displayed in the street starting from Batubulan village to Tegaltamu. Many of the stone statues that are used as the Balinese gate's guards found in the Dewata Island are created by sculptors from Batubulan.

Batubulan is also much famed for its stunning temples, among which perhaps the most popular is Pura Paseh, which is placed about 200 meters from the main road. Pura Paseh is noted for its one of the kind art and architecture. Apart from these, Batubulan is a center for shopping items such as handicraft items, textiles, carved items, and traditional clothing. Besides, you can also see a couple of shops presenting traditional Balinese performances such as Rangda and Barong dances.

Located to the north of Tegaltamu, close to Batubulan village is another popular destination, namely, Taman Burung. Sprawling over an area of about two hectares, this is an incredible bird park with more than 1000 birds of about 250 different species, all of which are collected from different parts of the country. Just few among the specialties found here are African hornbill, birds of paradise, Bali Starling, flamingos, and Blue and Gold Macaw.

A reptile park can also be seen here, with a plenty of amazing reptiles that have been collected from Africa and Indonesia. Some of them are crocodile, piton snake, turtle, komodo, mega snakes, and monitor lizard. The park is also attached with gift shops and a fine restaurant. With these rare bird and reptile species, the park is really worth a visit.

Places of interest in and around Tanjung Benoa also include the Bali Golf and Country Club, which is one of the most renowned golf courses in Asia. Further, it would be a great experience to take a visit to Tanjung Benoa's quiet port, with a village-like atmosphere. Likewise, while your stay at the destination, take a tour to the Chinese Buddhist temple found here.

Attractions nearby Tanjung Benoa include Serangan, also known as Turtle Island. A temple that dates back to 16th century can be seen at this spot. Above all, people touring the destination can also engage in a range of such activities as shopping and savoring seafood delicacies from any of the umpteen restaurants that are spread across the area.

As mentioned earlier, Tanjung Benoa consists of a plenty of upscale hotels and resorts, private villas, and other accommodation options. Some of the premier resorts in the area allow you to choose from a number of high end accommodation options, from deluxe sea view suites to premier hotel rooms replete with high-end amenities. Let it be of any type, an accommodation choice in the place is complete with all comforts that are required to make your stay here memorable as well as enjoyable.

Experience the Serenity of Sanur, Bali

Sanur is a tranquil beach town in Bali Island, and is located about 15 minutes drive from the bustling city of Kuta. A vacation to Bali is considered incomplete without taking a tour to this traditional village. Situated on the opposite side of the island's southern peninsular, near Denpasar, Sanur has a long history dating back to 913 AD, the details of which are inscribed on an ancient stone pillar, namely, Prasasti Blanjong, which in turn is enshrined in a glass case at the rear of Blanjong on Jalan Danau Poso in the south side of the town.

It is at this place where the Dutch forces landed in the beginning of 1900s to begin their quest for Bali. Further, Sanur boasts of the first luxury beach resort in Bali which was built more than 30 years ago. Sanur is now a much preferred destination for comfortable long stays, since it is not as feverish as Kuta or Nusa Dua. It is also a place where ancient Balinese ethnicity and modern comforts exist in harmony.

The major draw of Sanur is undoubtedly its magnificent white soft sandy beaches, stretching south for about six kilometers with gleaming tidal crystal like water and ending in the mangrove marshlands opposite to the Serangan Island. Since it is bordered by a reef-sheltered lagoon, the Sanur beach is considered one of the safest in the island.

An array of activities can be enjoyed in the beaches such as canoeing, paragliding, and jet skiing. Additionally, the placid waters between the reef and the shore make it excellent for such activities as wind surfing, paddle boating, and swimming, particularly during high tide. Certain parts of the reef are filled with fish species, which make it a great spot for snorkeling. One can also enjoy fishing in the area, for which the assistance of local boatmen as well as cruises are available. In times of low tides, the beach appears to be wide due to its natural formations.

In contrast to Kuta beach, the beach in Sanur allows guest to enjoy a range of activities such as volleyball and sun bathing. The beach area also has a paved walkway, which is perfect for activities such as jogging, walking, and cycling. Above all, the beach allows visitors to savor the picturesque views of the surrounding including the magnificent vistas of the sunrise. Also, stunning is the scenic views of the sunset, during which the beach area is dotted with sail boats.

Sanur is an important religious center, the evidence for which is a plenty of temples found here. The village is also home to many colorful ceremonies as well as traditional festivals and dances conducted here. One of the most popular festivals conducted here is the Sanur Festival, during which the place is thronged by large number of people. Further, in order to experience the traditional aspect of Sanur, a variety of options are available in the form of dances such as Barong, Janger, and Kecak and traditional puppet shows with themes taken from such great epics as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Also, a unique cultural art form of Sanur is Tabuh Rah, which in turn is a part of a sacred ceremony.

A not to miss attraction in Sanur is its local art market, where you can see an array of traditional markets selling items such as handicraft specialties, clothing, paintings, ceramic items, and other unique accessories. Above all, the nightlife in Sanur is truly vibrant with a continuum of nightlife bars and clubs.

When comes to accommodation, tourists can choose from a variety of choices including traditional Balinese accommodation and western style luxurious accommodation. Many of the hotels are coupled with high-end facilities and amenities. Additionally, majority of the chic hotels come with excellent restaurants serving a range of cuisines from Asian and western cuisines to Balinese cuisines. Apart from restaurants within the hotels, you can also find a large number of restaurants and eateries along the beachside, from where a variety of sumptuous meals can be tasted. For unique dining experience, Sanur has some superb choices in the form of open air cafes and restaurants.

For those looking for privacy, some excellent accommodation choices are beachside villas and bungalows, each of the designed with luxurious facilities. These accommodation options are also great for those who are vacationing with large group. In addition, many of the service providers in the region provide packages crafted with accommodation, dining, sightseeing, transportation, and facilities to enjoy some of the top activities in the area.

The internet undoubtedly serves as one of the best sources to find the most suitable accommodation option that goes with your needs. Travel magazines, yellow pages, and reviews are the other sources to search for a suitable hotel or resort in the area.

Bali Destination: the Favorite Places Series

Different destination has different atractions, it is true but every destination has a common similar. Yes, all mountain in the world are high, all sea are deep and full of water,

But what is the same? it is the activities. Every mountain in this world is best for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, etc, everybeach is best place for sunbathing, swimming, snorkling, etc. That is the fact. Activities that do in australia`s mountains is same in bali`s, activities that do in cities of europe are similar to bali`s cities. Did you get my points? great.

Then, what are the most visited tourist when travelling to bali. I can guarantee here are the favorite places by its destination:

(1.) Mountains
- Agung Mount
- Batur Mount
- Batukaru Mount

(2.) Beaches
- Kuta Beach
- Dreeamland Beach
- Nusa Dua beach
- Sanur Beach
- Bingin Beach
- Padang Padang Beach
- Medewi Beach

(3.) Lakes
- Beratan Lake
- Buyan Lake
- Tamblingan Lake
- Batur Lake

(4.) Cities
- Kuta city
- Denpasar city
- Ubud
- Nusa Dua
- Uluwatu

(5.) Temples
- Besakih Temple @ Karangasem
- Batur Temple @ Kintamani
- Goa Lawah @ Klungkung
- Uluwatu Temple @ Uluwatu
- Tanah Lot Temple @ Tabanan
- Tirta Empul @ Tampak Siring

Eleven Places You Must See in Bali

Bali is possibly one of the most enchanting island on earth. One of more than 13.000 islands in Indonesia, and Bali is revered as one of the world’s most popular and interesting tourist destination.

Some quick facts: Bali covers an area of 5620 km2, about 140 km from West to East and 80 km from the South to North. The South part consists of lime stone with beautiful soft white sand along the beach, while the East, West and North are mostly volcanic layers with black soft sand beach.

Bali has a tropical climate with the average temperature of about 30 degrees C (80 degrees F) all year. It has only 2 seasons, dry season started from April to October and wet season from October to April. It is always nice and cool in the hillside while though hot around the coastal area but there are still nice breeze all the time. The dry season is always sunny with great view of sunset and sunrise, while the wet season is not too wet because there is still much sun to enjoy during the day time.

Here are eleven things one must see if you are in Bali.

1. Barong Dance – This is approx. 1 hour long religious dance representing the eternal fight between the good - Barong and the evil symbolized by a horrible looking witch called Rangda. The costumes and set are elaborate and nice. The trick is to get there early, so that you get front seats and be close enough to see the facial expressions of the dancers






2. Celuk (Gold & silver smith), Mas (wood carving) and Stone carving villages - You would drive past these 3 villages and see the array of shops selling the gold, wood and stone. As you get into Celuk, all the gold and silver smith shops flank the roads, you can also drop by their factory to take a look at the production process. The same goes for the wood carving and stone carving






3. Mount Batur (Kintamani) – This is the second largest active volcano in Bali. It is 1,717 meters from sea level, and bears the remains of the black lava from it's eruption in 1917 and 1927. There is a nice scenic crater lake there. You can do buffet lunch at one of the restaurant and admire the breath-taking view as you eat. The buffet lunch cost about S$10 and has reasonable spread






4. Trita Empul - Tirta Empul means " bubbling water " and is a holy water temple built in 960 AD. The temple is beautiful temple and has holy water fountains for different purposes of purification and blessing. There were people in the fountains doing their purification when I was there. Further inside the temple area, you can see the source of the water – a spring where water is bubbling up through the black sand. A total make of nature. Legend has it that one of the gods shot an arrow from heaven to look for water, and the spot where the water is bubbling up now is the exact spot where the arrow hit






5. Goa Gajah – Means "elephant cave". Found in 11th century, this cave was dug in the peaceful riverside valley in a hard sand stone. Entering the inside T-Shape cave, there are some niches used by Buddhist Monks for meditation. Among the many historical remains found around this cave is the holy Ganesh Statue (a human body with elephant head) which is believed as the God of Purification and Evil Controller. The cave can be quite claustrophobic for some people but is well worth a quick look inside






6. Sebatu Holy Spring Temple - Is named " Gunung Kawi " in Balinese. It is a very beautiful village temple located in a peaceful valley with its holy spring. Somewhat similar to Trita Empul, there are large fountains outside the temple area, where villagers use to take a bath. However, my driver told me that this place is not as ‘holy’ as Trita Empul






7. Taman Ayun - Is the largest Royal Family Temple Complex built in 1934 in the village of Mengwi, Badung Regency. The area of this temple is surrounded by moat with some water lilies and lotuses. The place is still used during prayer sessions and important ceremonial events






8. Tanah Lot – One of the most famed temple in Bali. Tanah Lot means " the land of ocean" is a fascinating Hindu Temple built on a piece of cliff in Indian Ocean shore. This temple is dedicated to the God of Ocean "Baruna" built by a high Hindu Priest name Dang Hyang Dwijendra in the 16th century. During high tide, the cliff is surrounded by water and the temple looks like it is floating. In the bottom part of the cliff there is a fresh water holy spring while on the beach cave there are some holy snakes that guard the temple. In the South and North part of the temple is absolutely beautiful view and best for watching sunset






9. Uluwatu Temple - Also built by the same Hindu Priest who built Tanah Lot, Uluwatu temple is also another magnificent temple built perched on a cliff. The whole temple stretches across a large area and it is flanked by the fabulous India Ocean. Here, you also see large numbers of monkeys, mostly mischievous ones, who snatches food from visitors






10. Lake Beratan & Pura Ulun Danu - Beratan is a name of the Lake and Village. There is a spectacular floating temple called "Ulun Danu Temple" and is an absolutely interesting sight. The weather at the lake is cool, which is a nice break from the mostly hot sun during my trip. There were people who hired a traditional paddle boat or speed boat to go around the lake, although my driver said there really is nothing much to see around the lake






11. Jatiluweh – A place where you see lots of terraced rice paddy fields. The sights are breathtaking as you see the green terrace, meandering around you. This place is supposed to one of the few in the world that has such nice terraced paddies. Those terraces are probably cut decades ago, and now resulting in the fascinating view today