February is the worst. I've been over winter since the 3rd Jan, but the cold just keeps dragging on. Bloody Dorris wouldn't let us forget it this week. And to top it off, Euwan is only round the bleedin' corner. However, as it's the first of March, Spring is here (sort of), so there's no more excuses to be bluesy. SO. To help beat it... in comes Bali. This is one of my favourite destinations EVER. And I could go on about it for days. But for now, let's just chat about enough of it to whet that appetite of yours.
Here are my top ten things, that you need to come home from Bali with seeing.
Ubud:
Everyone will tell you to go to Ubud... and they're right. Actually pronounced oo-bood, this place is considered the cultural capital. Go take it in and hang out for the day. If you fancy it, go by the monkey forest while you're there, it will be overloaded with tourists but it's pretty fun, but make sure you hang onto everything you own!
A Temple:
Bali is a multi-religious country; Balinese Hinduism, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian, so it's got many places of worship, each more beautiful than the last one. Pura Luhur Uluwatu was one of my favourites temples. A unique and unforgettable Balinese sea temple, in believe it or not... Uluwatu. Green Bowl Beach is only half an hour away, and every evening at the temple a Kecak Fire Dance is performed, so it's worth tying those into your visit.
The Islands:
Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, The Gilis.
Now I didn't get time to head out this way as like I mentioned, I wasn't on that sort of trip, but I've hear just one good thing after another. If you want somewhere less touristy, Lombok is just that of Bali, and if you've gone that far, you should totally do the last stretch to the Gili Islands. Don't forget your snorkel though...
A Paddy Field:
To me, the paddy fields are the iconic images of Bali. They're all over the place, but if you've read some of my earlier posts, you'll know I do love a UNESCO site... if you do to, add Jatiluwih Green Land to your list. (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194)
Canggu:
If you're not backpacking, Canggu is a great place to base yourself. It's on the coast, near civilisation, but also slightly in the sticks (depending on where you stay in the area of course!) You've got the surf, shops, yoga, food, and nightlife. You're stones throw from Seminyak which has the more chicy restaurants and shopping, you're near to Kuta if that's your kettle of fish too. PLUS, you're a tad further north so near the other good stuff. We booked an amazing Air BnB, for very little money for what we were getting!! (LINK)
A Spa:
High or low price tag, its got to be done. I haven't been on many 'luxurious' trips, but Bali is a country where they really look after their tourists. I'm not a frequent spa go'er but given that the service was impeccable value, I thought I'd be a fool to turn it down, and it's true. If you've got some money left, go treat yourself to a massage. You'll remember if for a long time!
Spend Time with a Local:
Although Bali is only small, it's still a job to get around. I would really recommend getting a driver... it sounds so snobby, but it's so cheap to have someone look after your transport for a whole day and my family and I had such a positive experience! We hired Nyoman to drive us around the island for a few days, and he truly couldn't do enough for us. He showed us his home village, the school his children go to school, his temple, and the best beaches and restaurants. His knowledge was invaluable and he totally added to our trip.
Java:
Only a couple hours bus and boat ride away, is Java. It's the Ijen crater which is a sulphurous volcano and if you go in the crater at night you can see the blue flames and the miners mining sulphur. I didn't have a chance to go and see this place myself, but if you have enough days, you should totally go. Fabi who spent months over there, still says this place was one of her favourites. What more of a reason do you need.
A Balinese Dance:
Traditional Balinese Dance is something worth seeing. You can see it all over the place, so have a research depending on where you're staying and what you're seeing. It's got beautiful costume, delicate gestures, and often tell a story.
Echo Beach:
My family fell in love with this beach, if goes on forever so makes for a really nice walk, and has some beautiful sunsets. The surf is popular too. What more could you ask for, Bali has it all.
Bali is definitely a place that should see sooner rather than later. It's getting more and more popular and therefore it's developing fast to keep up with the tourism. Go there, see these ten things, and then, and only then, can you chill with a Bintang.
(Only joking... you can always chill with a Bintang.)
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