Swasti Prapta Ring Bali ( Welcome to Bali)!!!!!!
Bali conjures up an image created by Elizabeth Gilbert in ” Eat, Pray, Love”, as an island of rice fields and hip beach parties. Thanks to the book and the movie made subsequently, it is now known world over as an island where you rediscover yourself and find love.
We didn’t need to rediscover ourselves or find love when we decided on Bali as our family holiday destination this year. Our agenda was totally different!! The keyword was FAMILY !!!!!
Fact Time:- Bali is called “The Island Of The Gods”. It is the only island in the Indonesian archipelago, which has a Hindu majority. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its dances, temples, artworks including sculptures, paintings and jewellery .
Places to stay:- depending on your budget and agenda, Bali offers various staying options from B&B villas to 5 star hotels and boutique villas. The popular tourist areas are Ubud, Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Amed and Jimbaran Bay.
Here’s my take on what to do in Bali when you are there only for three to four days and with family!!!!!
1. Bali is known as” the island of a thousand temples” and given the fact that one cannot see all in a short span and definitely can’t force the family to go temple exploring, my recommendation is to see just a couple to get the Balinese feel.
A Pura is a Balinese Hindu temple.
Uluwatu Temple is one of the key temples in Bali, known to be built around 10th Century. More than the temple itself, the sunset at Uluwatu is something that takes your breath away! To etch the memory of your Balinese holiday forever, be patient and stay for the famous Kecak dance. Also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant, this form of Balinese dance is performed by a circle of 150 or more performers mostly men, wearing checked cloth around their waists. Their trance like chant provides a mystical background music to the epic battle between Rama and Ravana aided by the monkey army. On that note, be warned that the Uluwatu complex is home to monkeys who can be a little unwelcoming, so be cautious.
If time permits, there are other temples such as Tanah Lot, Besakih Temple( Mother Temple) and Goa Lawah Temple( Bat Cave). You cannot leave Bali without a little dose to culture!!!!
2. A trip to Ubud is a must. With it’s rice paddies and steep ravines, Ubud is one of Bali’s major arts and culture centres. It is also the place where most of the shooting of Eat, Pray, Love took place. The cabbies and guides love to point out that they have caught a glimpse of Julia Roberts cycling her way across the paddy fields!!!! The Ubud Art Market is bursting to the seams with handicrafts and art. Batik shirts and sarongs line the pavements. An ideal place for bargain hunters, who want to carry off little pieces of Bali with them.
The Ubud Monkey Forest is a sacred nature reserve, which houses a temple and approximately 300 Crab-eating Macaque monkeys.
The Ubud Palace and Tegalaland Rice Terraces add to the day trip to Ubud.
3. Why would someone go holidaying on an island if not for the sun, surf and beach fun. Bali offers a wide variety of beach and water fun for the adventurous. From water sports like parasailing, flying fish, jet skiing to surfing the waves and snorkelling and scuba diving. Well trained instructors make the Indian Ocean experience pleasurable and safe for first timers too. Waterbom Park offers a day of fun day for the young and the young at heart with rides to get the adrenalin pumping. The park is located in Kuta. Beach front restaurants all over Bali offer an array of multicultural cuisine. If you are not a beach and water bum, get a nice book or your iPod and lounge on the beach. You also have an option of the famed Balinese foot massage while you chill out. Most hotels have spas to pamper you while in Bali! While in Bali, a Balinese massage is a must!!!
4. Shopping!!!!!! Bali caters to budget shoppers and collectors. Exclusive stores in the hip Bali Collection precinct in Nusa Dua, Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud have specially selected artefacts for shoppers with limitless credit cards. For bargain hunters, there is a large variety of stores and beach front shacks that sell handicrafts, beads, junk jewellery and clothing. As Indonesia is one of the centres for worldwide designer manufacturing, you can find stores specialising in surplus or second grade clothing.
SUKSMA( Thank You)
artikabakshi 