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Overview

Introduction

Located 600 mi/965 km east of Jakarta, the island of Bali is among the most popular stops in Indonesia, and it's no wonder why. The island's friendly people, Hindu culture, rhythmic dances, volcanoes, sculptured rice paddies, spectacular beaches, and beautiful jungle and mountain scenery—combined with a wide array of accommodations—make it one of the most fascinating places in the world.

Indonesia's tourism industry is on a rebound fueled in part by strong interest from the Asian and Australian market. Despite past political turmoil, resort traffic is seeing strong business.

Bali Island remains a magical getaway that doesn't seem of this earth, much less part of the troubled country that surrounds it.

Must See or Do

Sights—Sunsets at Tanah Lot and Uluwatu; the Tegalalang Rice Terraces; Lake Batur in Kintamani.

Museums—Bali Provincial State Museum; traditional Balinese paintings at the Neka Art Museum; Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets.

Memorable Meals—Traditional Indonesian crispy duck at Bebik Bengal Ubud; barbecue pork ribs and famous martinis at Naughty Nuri's Warung and Grill; Ibu Oka Warang for roasted suckling pig; fresh grilled seafood served with a seaside view at Menega Cafe.

Late Night—Ku De Ta, a hot beach club with international DJs spinning all night; alfresco drinks at Woo Bar; the eight different clubs, including a sports bar and a disco, inside the Sky Garden Nightclub.

Walks—Campuhan Ridge Walk with its volcano views; exploring the temples in the Sacred Monkey Forest; a full-day guided hike of Mount Agung.

Especially for Kids—Flying kites on the beach in Kuta and Seminyak; Water Bom Park; educational shows and interactive experiences at the Elephant Safari Park.

Potpourri

The three best-known dances in Bali are the barong, the legong and the kecak. The barong is performed to protect the village from evil spirits and sickness. The legong dance was traditionally performed only by young virgin girls. Wrapped in yards of gorgeous fabrics, the girls enact the tale of a princess kidnapped by a rejected suitor. Also known as the monkey dance, the kecak dance features the monkey king, Hanuman, and his monkey army. It is dramatic and visually stunning, especially when performed as originally intended—after dark, lit only by torches.

Nyepi Day is an annual day of silence that marks the New Year. The date rotates every year because it is based on the Balinese Hindu calendar. The entire island shuts down for 24 hours. Hotels still provide services, but no one is allowed on the streets or beach for that period.

The Balinese name their children in the order they are born, so most Balinese people have one of four given names. Wayan is the first born, Made is the second born, Nyoman is the third born and Ketut is the fourth born. There is no difference in the names between boy or girl.

Kopi Luwak coffee is the most expensive coffee in the world and is produced at some coffee plantations on Bali. It is nicknamed "cat-poop coffee" because it is made from coffee beans ingested by the Asian palm civet, who later defecates them out. It is said the bean ferments in the civet's digestive tract, resulting in a smoother flavor.

Location

Shore Excursions

Overview

Introduction

Mahabalipuram, an ancient seaport of India's medieval Pallava dynasty (circa 300-900), lies south of Chennai. The Pallavas left behind an astonishing heritage of Dravidian architecture in the form of huge monuments carved out of solid rock.

The Shore Temple close to the beach is remarkable: a twin-towered structure within a courtyard that's surrounded by a wall topped with rows of sitting bulls.

Equally impressive is Arjuna's Penance and the Descent of the Ganges, a huge bas-relief carved from one enormous monolithic rock between 670 and 715.