About Bali

Located in Indonesia is the beautiful island of Bali. A tourist destination, Bali has every right to attract millions of visitors from all over the world. Its majesty includes breathtaking mountain scenery, inviting beaches, extremely rich culture, large biodiversity, and a warm community of friendly people. If you are looking for a living postcard, Bali is definitely one that you shouldn’t miss.

What to See in Bali

The water world of Bali is simply exquisite. Expect to see high quality reefs in the area because the island is actually surrounded by coral reefs. Lovers of the ocean will find the beaches in Bali to be exceptional. White sand beaches are in the north while you can find black sand in the west.

Their land is as rich as their aquatic resources. Lovers of the wild can find delight in the several large mammals native to Bali like the endemic Bali tiger, leopard, Javan rusa deer, wild boar and the wild banteng. The Ubud Monkey Forest, of course, is never to be forgotten. Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud features scenic rice fields that are worth a Polaroid shot. Mount Batur in Kintamani is an active volcano that showcases a majestic landscape.

Of course, the fabrics of Indonesia are truly gorgeous. The ikat and batik prints are everywhere and fabrics in these patterns are used to create unique and wonderful scarves, rugs, table runners, wall decors and the like. Incense sticks, soaps and essential oils are also among Bali’s bestselling products.

Your visit to Bali won’t be complete without spending time in the beach. Swim with the dolphins, dive and see Bali’s abundant coral garden, and surf the waves.

The main tourist location in Bali is the Kuta town and its beach. The outer suburb Seminyak and the east coast town of Sanur in Ubud are new developments that are quickly gaining tourists’ attention.  Although the tourism industry is more active in the south, you can still find significant attractions in other parts of Bali.

What to Do in Bali

The Agung Rai Museum of Art in Ubud is a nice place to visit. The hidden gem called Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets in Sukawati is also a place you should include in your itinerary. The Bali Shell Museum, Buddha Gallery, and the Museum Puri Lukisan are also worth visiting.

Apart from immersing yourself with Balinese culture, you can also spend a day for the Bali Reef Cruise.  Go see the majestic Besakih Temple or the mother temple sitting at the slopes of Mount Agung. Go diving and see what Bali dive sites have to offer. Visit Bali’s largest animal theme park which is the Bali Safari and Marine Park and don’t forget to ride in an elephant at Elephant Safari Park of Desa Taro.

When it comes to retail therapy, Bali has several things to offer. There are art shops and roadside stalls along the road of Tegallalang and there you will find interesting items that you can only buy in Bali. The Ubud Art Market is open daily and here you can shop for beautiful scarves, handmade baskets and woven bags and hats, kites, statues and many other handcrafted goods.

For those who value their nightlife, My Bar in Legian Beach, Skygarden and Round Bar Café are among the top three bars with active night scene.

And if you want to bring home some culinary skills, enrol in cooking classes that teach authentic Balinese recipes. Enjoy an authentic Balinese culinary experience and learn the secrets of Indonesian food.

Where and What to Eat in Bali

Balinese cuisine is characterized by the use of a variety of spices blended with meat, fish and vegetables. Because majority of Bali’s residents are Hindu, expect to see culinary traditions like food offerings and communal celebrations. People gather to celebrate and eat together. Pork satay is commonly prepared for communal religious ceremonies.

Rice is a staple food in Bali and in other regions in Indonesia. This is commonly served together with small portions of spicy vegetables, meat or fish plus chili paste or sambal.  Basa gede or basa rajang is a spice paste that is a common ingredient in most Balinese dishes. It includes garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, cumin, red chili pepper, shrimp paste and Indonesian bay leaf. The thin soy sauce called tabia lala manis is a popular condiment.

There are few Muslims in Bali so roasted suckling pig and smoked stuffed duck wrapped in bamboo leaves are special dishes in the area. Seafood dishes are also commonly served particularly in beach resorts. Beef, however, is rarely served. Lawar or pork or chicken meat with blood, coconut, garlic and chili is a popular Balinese dish. Nasi Bali or mixed rice with tuna, tofu, spinach, chili sauce, cucumber and corn is commonly sold by street vendors.

Kopi Bali is Balinese coffee and their tea is commonly served with sugar and condensed milk. Fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, jackfruit, pineapple, snake fruit, white mango, melon, durian and coconut can be found in Bali.

There are so many good restaurants in Bali. Cooking schools are also a plenty as well as night markets and food stands or warungs.

Things You’ll Love in Bali

Bali or the Land of the Gods has that natural beauty that is simply irresistible. If you are looking into having a relaxing vacation, Bali is a nice place to find peace and serenity. This exotic island has so much to offer, no wonder many tourists like to celebrate special occasions in this magical place. Bali is a great place to hold weddings and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. You don’t have to worry about locating reliable suppliers for your celebration because Bali has a complete directory of suppliers and service providers who can help you. Oriental Blooms Bali, for one, is ready to take your flower arrangement orders. If you need to send flowers as presents to loved ones or if you need special floral arrangements for big and small occasions, you can depend on the talented local florists at Oriental Blooms Bali.