#Indian restaurant near Kuta Beach

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Discovering the Gastronomic Pleasures of Punjabi Grill: An Adventure Through Authentic Indian Food in Bali

While in Bali, do you have a need for some delectable Indian cuisine? One of the most well-known and authentic Indian restaurants on the island of Bali is Punjabi Grill, so go there instead. Showcasing the rich and varied flavours of traditional Indian food, Punjabi Grill, tucked away in the heart of Bali, offers a gourmet experience unlike any other. Let's take a look at what makes Punjabi Grill a must-visit Bali restaurant for foodies. 

Real Indian Cuisine: Punjabi Grill takes great pleasure in offering meals that are faithful to their origins when it comes to real Indian cuisine. Every dish, including tandoori specialities and classic curries, is made using the best ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Any appetite can be satisfied by Punjabi Grill's selection of delectable biryanis and spicy curries.

Signature Dishes: Snacking on Punjabi Grill's specialities is one of the best parts about eating there. Samosas, or crispy pakoras, are a great way to start a dinner. Try them with butter chicken, lamb curry, or paneer tikka for a main course. For the ideal taste combination, serve your entrée with aromatic basmati rice or freshly baked naan bread. Remember to finish your dinner with some delicious Indian sweets, such as mango kulfi or gulab jamun.

Ambience and Decor: Punjabi Grill not only has delicious food but also a cosy, homely atmosphere that takes patrons to the streets of India. Vibrant colours, traditional Indian artwork, and cosy seating all combine to create the ideal ambience for a wonderful meal experience in the restaurant. Whether you're having dinner with friends or celebrating a particular event, Punjabi Grill offers the perfect setting for a memorable evening. 

Kind Service: From the minute they arrive at Punjabi Grill, patrons can count on prompt, amiable service. The employees are enthusiastic about sharing their love of Indian food and making sure that each customer enjoys a special dining experience. Your requirements and preferences will always be met by the staff at Punjabi Grill, whether you need recommendations on the menu or have dietary restrictions.

Catering and Events: Punjabi Grill provides catering services for special occasions and events in addition to its restaurant offerings. Punjabi Grill can design a menu specifically for your wedding, business function, or private celebration that will wow your guests and make a lasting impression. The skilled staff at Punjabi Grill will take care of all the details for any size occasion so you can unwind and enjoy the celebrations.

Culinary Expertise: The cooks at Punjabi Grill bring years of experience in the kitchen along with a love of Indian food to the table. With extensive knowledge of spices and flavour profiles, coupled with training in traditional cooking methods, they regularly produce dishes that are brimming with real Indian flavours. Every dish is painstakingly made with care and attention to detail, guaranteeing that every mouthful is a sensory experience. 

Range of Choices: Punjabi Grill is distinguished in part by its large menu, which provides a multitude of choices to suit all palates. Everyone may find something they like at Punjabi Grill, regardless of whether they are a meat lover or a vegetarian. The menu features a variety of options to suit a wide range of tastes, from rich vegetable curries to mouthwatering meat meals and everything in between. To ensure that everyone may enjoy a great Indian meal, Punjabi Grill now provides gluten-free choices.

Fresh Ingredients: Punjabi Grill takes great satisfaction in employing only the best and freshest ingredients in all of their recipes. Every component, from quality spices and meats to locally sourced fruit, is meticulously chosen to provide the best possible flavour and freshness. You can taste the difference that using fresh ingredients makes in every bite, whether it's the soft chicken in tandoori dishes or the fragrant spices in curries.

Summing Up 

Punjabi Grill is a Famous Indian restaurant in Bali that honours the tastes and customs of India rather than merely being a restaurant. For those seeking real Indian food in a lively and friendly atmosphere, Punjabi Grill is a must-visit location for both locals and visitors to Bali. Thus, make sure to visit Punjabi Grill the next time you're in Bali for a meal that will entice your taste senses and leave you wanting more.

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Tanjung Benoa Hotels And The Available Activities

Tanjung Benoa is a Bali village situated within the southern region of Bali, not too far from Nusa Dua, right on the tip of a peninsula. Due to its location all of the Tanjung Benoa Hotels cater to the extra rich vacationers, finding price range lodging here is difficult and the ones which are out there will not offer any views value mentioning. Accommodations and villas on this area begin off at medium rates and climb to costly in comparison with many of the other tourist areas around Bali. Although the rates are a lot increased the worth as a overseas vacationer remains to be exceptionally good and the service and high quality that you'll obtain is excellent. Nothing is left to chance in Tanjung Benoa and you will very seldom hear any other tourist’s complaining about anything if they have stayed in one of many inns.

Customary facilities that lodges and villas provide in Tanjung Benoa are excellent air conditioned rooms with up to date décor with a western style. Room service can be available 24 hours in your convenience, and the in house bars restaurants will likely be 5 star affairs. This type of service can be frequent with most of the Tanjung Benoa Hotels even those in the mid range worth bracket. Then the standard will increase once more as you stay in the extra unique resorts and villas.

When selecting one of many prime rated locations to remain you may count on nothing lower than excellent service and services. Many of those institutions supply non-public areas, clearly these are going to be the most expensive, but while you see what they offer you will admit that for the charges they cost it is rather affordable. Not so much the motels, but the personal villas are the places to remain if you're on the lookout for a secluded vacation with out being disturbed. Many of those supply private gardens, landscaped with tropical vegetation that can be separated from every other bungalows or villas, with your individual meandering path leading down to a personal seashore for you to sunbath on. There may even be a non-public pool near your accommodation that's solely for you and your guest’s enjoyment. Aside from that the in home activities which might be provided shall be far too many for you to be able to do in a single go to. The water sports alone that these Tanjung Benoa Lodges provide will hold you entertained your entire vacation.

Advisable Accommodations in Tanjung Benoa

Conrad Bali

The luxurious Conrad Bali is prepared inside 6.8 hectares of manicured, tropical gardens and lagoons full with cascading waterfalls and swimming swimming pools that gracefully descend onto the resort’s huge expanse of seaside and guarded bay. Located on the southern coast of Bali, Conrad Bali is conveniently situated solely ten kilometers (6.5 miles) from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport at Denpasar and subsequent to Bali’s Nusa Dua resort space. Designed in a lovely E-shape construction, Conrad Bali supplies three resort customer wings, an in depth Spa Centre, a retail village and a Convention Centre. The spectacular drive as much as the lodge entrance rises up three ranges to the porte cochère, passing a waterfall flowing from the lodge’s open lobby. Upon coming into the resort foyer, the sunken Foyer Lounge, East, permits spectacular views over the Indian Ocean.

The Bali Khama

Witness Bali’s serene shores and exotic splendor from The Bali Khama. Boasting spacious suites and villas with a semi-open-air marble tub, the five-star, beachfront boutique resort outfitted its accommodations with luxurious facilities, together with high-speed Web entry and a deck/ balcony, to create a regal, tropical ambiance for you. Besides our elegantly styled guestrooms, we also lend tailor-made companies. Butler help, VIP treatment on the airport, cooking lessons, and golf-club privileges are provided. Select from among our Romantic Pool or Honeymoon Suite Pool Villas, or Studio or Deluxe Backyard Suites. Nicely-appointed and boasting Europe-inspired decor, every lodging is air-conditioned, and has a mini-bar, deck/ balcony, private rest room and sizzling & cold shower with bathtub, and protected.

Rising like a vision from the ocean, the Grand Mirage is a refine and refreshing comfortable resort. Located on the tip of Nusa Dua Seaside, in the serene district of Tanjung Benoa, the resort exudes an off the beaten observe environment. Solely 20 minutes from the airport it's shut proximity to the Nusa Dua Convention Center, the Bali Golf and Country Membership.

The locality of Tanjung Benoa is what makes it such a well-liked and up market tourist area. Being positioned on the top of the southern peninsula ensures that there isn't a traffic driving through and the only vehicles that will be there can be those of the vacationers staying at the motels. The charges of the resorts means that there's a more fashionable clientele staying within the area and due to this fact you don’t have the noise and crowded beaches associated with the more funds oriented areas of Bali. This is a nice vacation alternative for couples or for households that want to have a soothing vacation and will not be actually in the night golf equipment and bars of locations like Kuta. The fast 15 minute drive from the airport is one other plus when staying in Tanjung Benoa lodging. It's tough to tell apart between Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua when it comes to quality and services and along the coast of Bali there are very few different areas that may be thought of as desirable as Tanjung Benoa. The whole area has really been developed to an exceptionally customary with hectares of open land being landscaped in attractive tropical vegetation and immaculately kept gardens. The roads are at all times saved in nice condition for you to tour the southern tip of Bali.

One other characteristic that adds to the recognition of staying in one among Tanjung Benoa inns is the pristine white sandy beaches with the clear blue ocean. There are a number of islands close by and the entire area is properly shielded from the robust currents and large waves which are a typical characteristic of the resorts additional up the west coast. This makes Tanjung Benoa a perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling, and at low tide it's possible to stroll across to one of the nearby islands, however just remember to keep watch over the tides so that you don’t get stranded. These islands are un inhabited and don’t have any accommodations or resorts on them so on a quiet day you may be able to wander round all day and by no means see one other tourist.

Tourism Activities in Tanjung Benoa

Parasailing

Parasailing is a incredible activity by hinging the body beneath airborne which is pulled by the velocity boat to overview the superb panorama of the coastal area. It can bring you to fly 95 meters above sea degree and you may enjoy the stunning panorama of Tanjung Benoa and surrounding space. The friendly Parasailing Guide will make sure you with the high security tools and short briefing before flaying off. Your expertise will start from takeoff on the white sandy beach to surround coastal area till touchdown back on the sand. It is one in every of Bali Marine Sport Activities with exciting adventure to be your subsequent expertise throughout vacation in Bali.

Banana Boat

Banana Boat is the thrilling water actions trip on the rubber boat in type of Banana and pulled by the velocity boat. This adventure brings you to the fun state of affairs together with companion or group which can give the memorable experience. The journey ride on the Banana Boat is probably the most spectacular marine actions to discover the attractive seaside of Tanjung Benoa Beach in south a part of Bali. This seaside is featured by the calm seawater that ideally for marine sport actions and Banana Boat is without doubt one of the good decisions to be skilled. Banana Boat using is one of the spectacular water activities to explore the warm and blue seawater within quarter-hour on each trip. The professional boat captain will make sure you to pleasurable on your adventure with security tools and driving. The shock motion on Banana Boat riding is one of the implausible moments and offers you unforgettable reminiscence.

Bali Golf and Country Club

Right here at Bali Golf & Country Membership in Nusa Dua, Bali, we’re all about the golf. We might wax lyrical about the views, the situation, the sea breezes and the tropical paradise setting, and probably will, but when it comes right all the way down to it, when you get out on the golf course it’s all about your sport. That dimpled white ball is king round here, and your scorecard its humble servant. Which is why, at Bali Golf & Country Club, the place we attempt to offer every golfer the very best attainable golfing experience ever, we do all the pieces in our power to make every single day a terrific golfing day.

Bali Yacht Charter

You may select from a range of various charter yachts, sailing boats, and traditional schooners with expert crew and Western tour information for charter cruises from Bali by way of the Lesser Sunda Islands, to Sulawesi, and thru the Moluccas. You may also choose a Bali fishing boats from a fast (25 knots) state-of-the-art BLACKWATCH sport fishing vessel with skilled crew and captain, heavy and light-weight fishing tackle, all electronics, satellite navigation, top-of-the-range fish finder and sonar, and safety gear.

The Tanjung Benoa lodges are among the busiest resorts and resort on the island attributable to its supreme location so it is advisable to e-book your vacation accommodation nicely upfront if you want to stay here. Nearly all of accommodations have a dedicated website which you could select your rooms and dates. The all provide online payment methods and settle for major credit cards. While you do book online, make sure that you receive confirmation by way of electronic mail and verify your credit card to be sure that the right amount has been deducted, the hotel staffs are all extremely trustworthy, however mistakes do happen.

Although you're going to be staying in one of the vital prestigious areas of Bali it's always a good idea to try and get a room that's not situated on the bottom ground. The higher up you're the less noise you'll hear. Vacationers coming and going into the foyer area could be fairly noisy with pleasure. Another advantage is the views it is possible for you to to see when on a higher ground, the upper the floor the more expensive it should probably be, so simply funds what you're able for a more relaxing time. April to September is the busiest time of the year for these motels so guide with that in mind.

It's unlikely that a resort in Tanjung Benoa won't present air con, but ask if you e book simply to make sure particularly as the humidity may be very high and it is nice to relax in a cool hotel room whenever you first arrive and provides yourself an opportunity to acclimatize. Room safes are provided within the prime motels for you to hold your beneficial gadgets in, use them. Don’t be tempted to suppose that's doesn’t matter; the last thing that anybody must lose on vacation is their passport. If possible get a duplicate bank card from your bank and preserve that within the safe as effectively. The resorts that don’t have safes within the rooms offer them within the reception space, pay the extra and keep all essentials safely locked away.

The entire are round Tanjung Benoa is pretty secure and if you are not intending on traveling round much there is not a lot to fret about. It's whenever you determine to journey exterior the resort that it's essential to keep a few things in mind.

Almost everyone that travels to Bali will go to at least one temple out of the thousands that obtainable to explore. When getting into a temple you may be required to wear a sarong or lengthy pants and shirt. With the warmth in Bali it's higher to go for the sarong, each temple presents them for rent or you should buy one on the resort or convey one from dwelling if you happen to favor your own or you are intending on doing a whole lot of temple hoping.

The greatest menace that you will face when touring to temples and other extra rural sites in Bali is not the pickpockets or thieves in human form, but the ones dressed in fur with lengthy tails. The monkeys in Bali are famed for being the fastest little thieves one can find, they will snatch something that's hanging free pondering that it is meals. Over the years they have develop into used to getting food from vacationers and just assume that you have something for them. Keep all loose items securely stored in a bag and maintain it tight. If they do happen to grab one thing throw some meals down and they will drop it, or give one of many temple guides a number of dollars if it is a vital item and they'll retrieve it for you.

Visit those hotels and vacation destinations by using a Bali car rental with driver service.

[truehabtravel]

Top 10 Places to Visit in Bali

To enjoy your vacations with your family we have provided the list of the top 10 Tourist Attractions in Bali. From the majestic temples and historical monuments to adventure sports, there's everything in Bali Packages to offer to the travelers. Indonesia Travel packages help you discover the mustn't miss experience treasures of Bali. It has a wide range of tourist places that even a week-long vacation is less to discover the whole island. There are unlimited choices for sightseeing that especially covers the 10 best places to visit in Bali which are of traveler's interest & gives them beautiful stories to take back home. From scenic beauty to enthralling water sports activities, is what vacations in Bali all about. Explore the island country and give a halt to your curiosity as TrueHAB has penned down the top places to visit in Bali to make your Bali tour worth visiting. Have a look to know what will suit you the best on your tropical vacay for a memorable trip with the best Bali tourist attractions.

 1- Sekumpul Waterfall

Sekumpul Waterfalls is the most beautiful and alluring waterfall in Bali. It is near Niagara Falls Lemukih, at a distance of 2 km. It’s a bit tedious task to reach this place because from the parking, you have to walk quite far away, down dirt road & hundreds of stairs, and cross the river. It is surrounded by 7 waterfalls and green trees that enhance its beauty more. The trek to the Sekumpul Waterfall offers an amazing view of the rainforest to its tourists which is filled with coffee and cocoa trees. It is the most scenic natural waterfall in Bali. It is situated quite close to the Lemukih Waterfall entrance. You can discover the surrounding areas and click photographs.

Things to do: Visit Lemukih Hills, Handara Gate, Bedugul Lake, Handara Gate, go for trekking, swimming.

Opening hours: 24 hours.

Entry fee: INR 142 per head

Location: Sawan, Lemukih, Sudaji, Sekumpul Sekumpul Village, Singaraja 81112 Indonesia

How to reach: Sekumpul is about 72 km from Denpasar International Airport. You can hire a cab to reach the waterfall. if you are going to the waterfall from Ubud, it will take around 2 hours by road.

 2-Nusa Penida

If you are looking for unspoiled nature in Bali, Nusa Penida may just be the perfect destination. An exquisitely beautiful island separated from Bali by Badung Strait, Nusa Penida is one of the best places to visit in Bali whether you are a photographer, explorer, or someone looking for a peaceful beach getaway. It has several Hindu temples and a score of lagoons and limestone formations with the tranquillity of nature. Besides, the high cliffs blanketed by green foliage and surrounded by turquoise waters are visually appealing. Away from the bustle of tourists, the island does not have many choices in terms of accommodations and eatables which is why it is ideal for an uninterrupted rendezvous with nature.

Things to do: Swim at Atuh Beach, Visit Diamond Beach, Teletubbies Hill, Kelingking, the T-Rex, Stay at Rumah Pohon Treehouse

Opening hours: 24 hours

Entry fee: Free Entry

Location: Nusa Penida, Nusa Islands, Klungkung

How to reach: The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes and should cost roughly Rs 808 to drop you to Nusa Penida

 3-Tanah Lot Temple

With a majestic setting of the unique shoreline and the sunset backdrops, this temple attracts a lot of tourists across the globe. With the waves crashing on the shore, this temple is located in the Beraban village of the Tabanan regency. Be it for witnessing the stunning sunset or admiring the temple with its astonishing architecture, Tanah Lot is the best place to visit. Another interesting feature is that one can visit the cultural park and enjoy traditional dance performances. As this temple was built as a part of the Balinese mythology it is said that the temple is guarded by venomous snakes from evil spirits.

Things to do: Stroll along the beach; sunbathe; watch the sunset; dine and experiment with the local cuisine, Surfing, and swimming.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Entry fee: Rs 292 for adults/ Rs 146 for children

Location: Jl. Tanah Lot, Beraban, Kec. Kediri, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali

How to reach: Tanah Lot is about 45 minutes by car. Northwest of the main southern tourist areas of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak is en-route for those heading to West Bali. From Ubud, it can be reached in about 30 to 40 minutes by car.

 4-Pura Luhur Uluwatu

Pura Luhur is built on a steep limestone cliff jutting over the sea. Famous for visits and known for its magnificent location and a stunning view of the sea, this temple has a breathtaking sunset background that is magical. You can marvel at the daily Kecak dance performances and the stunning Balinese architecture that make up the sea temple. It is situated 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean making it an ideal spot for catching stunning sunset views. This temple is the worship place of a Balinese-Hindu deity and only a true Hindu follower can enter the second smaller temple inside.

Things to do: Explore the sunset delight from the cliff, daily Kecak dance performances, explore the traditionally-designed gateways, historic sculptures, and Balinese architecture, Seafood dinner at Jimbaran Beach while the sun melts down at a distance, the anniversary celebration that takes place every six months according to the Balinese 210-day Pawukon cycle.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Entry fee: INR 145 per head

Location: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali

How to reach: It is around 45 minutes distance from the Denpasar airport and Kuta area by road. You can hire a cab and visit the place.

 5-Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan island is where you will find no hawkers, no traffic, turquoise water, and a mushroom-shaped coral offshore that's how they introduce this small island located off the southeastern shores of Bali. It is part of a group of three islands that make up the Nusa Penida district, of which it is the most famous. Quickly becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, this island paradise is a world away from the hassle and hectic pace of South Bali. Another island located close to Bali, Nusa Lembongan is an exotic location with unthinkable scenery laid out before you to witness. The island is famous for its rock formations, rich aquatic life, and virgin beaches. Whether you want to swim in pristine beaches under the warm sun, dive into the crystal clear waters, or capture the top-notch artistry of nature in numerous frames, Nusa Lembongan is a treasure box of vivid experiences. So if you are planning to take a day cruise on your trip, Nusa Lembongan is among the best tourist places in Bali.

Things to do: Surf at Mushroom Bay; go for diving, snorkeling, and/or cruise ride; visit seaweed farms; discover the hidden dream beach, Boat to Mangrove Park and explore the quietude

Opening hours:

Entry fee: Rs 3382 per head

Location: Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

How to reach:

  6-Seminyak

A small town on the southwestern coast of Bali, Seminyak is known for its high-end boutiques and five-star restaurants among Bali tourist attractions. With a treacherous surf, it offers a perfect adventure with a panoramic background. Seminyak sits a little way along the coast from the famous Kuta Beach in Bali and provides a welcome alternative to its brasher and more crowded cousin. Seminyak has beautiful beaches where tourists can love spending their time. It has some good surf & you can rent a board here and ride the waves or just stick to swimming or sunbathing. One of the main reasons to come to Seminyak is to enjoy not only the beach but also the amazing bars and cafes. Here you will find a huge number of choices available which means that you will never go hungry or thirsty.

Things to do: Indulge in a cheap daily massage, watch the gorgeous sunset; shop; chill out at the pool parties; pose at Bali Trick Art Gallery; surf the seas; feel blessed at the Pura Petitenget temple.

Opening hours: 2 hours

Entry fee: Free Entry

Location: Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

How to reach: Seminyak is about 30 minutes from the airport. You can hire a cab to Seminyak.

  7-Mount And Lake Batur

Also known as Kintamani volcano, Mount Batur is one of the most dramatic landscapes for sightseeing in Bali. With the glorious view of its 13 sq km caldera and a beautiful lake that fills the large part of the caldera, it gives a fantastic spectacle to the visitor. From the soft singing of the birds to the visual delight to the eyes with natural wonders, you can witness everything. While you hop up the trail you can push the limits as in the end the ascend gets rocky and is not for the faint-hearted. Also, this is one of the most adrenaline-pumping adventure sports in Bali that one must add in their travel plan.

Things to do: Visit Pura Ulun Danu Batur, and linger around the craters on the mountain, swim in the hot springs, ride a bike through the ancient villages, Trek to the peak before sunrise, soak yourself in the beautiful sunrise and have a breakfast of the eggs boiled in the volcano.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Entry fee: INR 2,300 per head

Location: South Batur, Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, Indonesia

How to reach: The Ngurah Rai International Airport is located nearly 80 kilometers away from Lake Batur. From there you can hire a cab to the lake.

 8-Lovina

Lovina is the largest resort area on the north coast of Bali. The word is derived from the "Love" and "Ina" which is Balinese for "mother." It has Balinese-style villas with a private pool and beautiful ocean views. Its breathtakingly amazing Bedugul mountain range is what allows its tourists and compels them to admire their beauty. You can indulge in various activities like Dolphin watching, trekking to waterfalls, hot springs, and diving or snorkeling around Menjangan island, home to the best-preserved coral reef in Bali.

Things to do: Go snorkeling, scuba diving in the calm sea, take a spa, visit the hot water spring at Banjar.

Opening hours: 24 hours.

Entry fee: Free Entry

Location: Jl. Mas Lovina, Lovina Beach 81151 Indonesia

How to reach: By car, cab, bus. Cabs direct from the airport which cost Rs 2243 and takes about 3 hours. Ubud is a 2-hour car journey over the central highland range.

  9- Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is one of the famous beaches in Bali and is much more than just sand and sea. It has become a commercial and social hub for the tourists. It is well known for its long sandy beach and great waves for surfing. It has a wild nightlife which is enjoyed by many tourists who never miss spending their time in its high concentration of bars, nightclubs, and hotels. It is also one of the best tourist destinations in Bali. You get enough time on the beach to indulge in various activities and to spend time with your family.

Things to do: Swimming, surfing, bathing, picnic, witness 3D trick art at Dream Museum Zone, visit Kuta Sea Turtle Conservation site, & watch Kuta Theater.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Entry fee: Free Entry

Location: Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Badung, Bali, Indonesia

How to reach: If you are coming from Ngurah Rai Airport, then it only takes 20 minutes to reach the Kuta beach. You can hire a taxi outside the airport & head towards the beach. You can reach the beach by bus, car, road, or ferry.

  10- Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Waterfalls may look bizarre, and you will understand it once you visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall on your Bali tour. The waterfall is surrounded by a high pass from 360 degrees, so the experience here feels like witnessing an indoor plunge. Certainly, the sunlight filters through the rocks, illuminating the waterfall and the pool below, making the place look more appealing. This place will sweep you off your feet with its unique features. To avoid crowds it is advised to visit this marvel of nature before 10 am.

Things to do: You can climb to its top and take some great shots, there is a temple to the right of the rock that you can visit.

Opening hours: 6 am - 5 pm

Entry fee: Rs 75 per head

Location: Jalan Tembuku, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali

How to reach: Cab or bike is the option that you can choose from to reach the place.

[thehungrykat1]

Luxurious Bali Vacation at The Patra Bali Resort & Villas

After three exciting and tiring days touring around the scenic island of Bali, Indonesia (Read: My Breathtaking Adventures in the Island of Bali), it was finally time for me to have a little rest and relaxation. Kuta Beach is filled with lots of interesting establishments, from budget hotels all the way to posh resorts. So after exploring the various temples, swings, and Instagram spots around Bali, we decided to spend the next few days enjoying the sunshine and the waters at the luxurious Patra Bali Resort & Villas.

We checked out from The Oasis Kuta Hotel and headed straight to The Patra Bali Resort & Villas. Located in the more private South Kuta Beach, the resort offers serene sophistication and is one of the most popular places to stay in Bali, especially since it is just five minutes away from the Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

We checked in at the bright and spacious lobby and got ready to spend the next three days here with a more relaxed pace. This restful beachfront retreat is set within a serene tropical landscape. The property is the largest of its kind in the Kuta area and has in the past been honored to host an extensive guest list of international dignitaries and heads of state.

Duchess already flew back to Manila the previous night so it was just Ingrid and me staying at The Patra Bali. The tranquil resort boasts of a tropical garden and winding bicycle paths around the resort. We headed to our room located on the garden level.

We booked our Deluxe Room from Agoda for around P7,900 a night. This was the lowest category room type at the resort but they also offer larger rooms and suites. It comes with two pillow-top Queen beds, a separate dresser, a flat screen television with cable channels and free wifi throughout the resort.

The best feature of the Deluxe room is that they are located on the first floor so you get a great view of the gardens from the balcony. The room also provides a mini refrigerator plus coffee and tea making facilities.

After settling in our room, it was time to explore the rest of the resort facilities. Bali is known for its fantastic pools and beaches so it’s time to change into our swimsuits and enjoy the waters.

There are three separate pools inside The Patra Bali, all with their own unique characters and designs. The Kintamani Pool is the main guest pool which offers a gorgeous view of the Indian Ocean. This magnificent pool is the signature backdrop of the resort.

The Kintamani is inspired from the name of the biggest Mountain in Bali. It offers a breathtaking view and features an adult pool and a kids zone.

It also features a swim-up bar called The Kintamani Sunken Bar which offers a delicious selection of light meals and healthy snacks served poolside. The menu features light entrees, fruit mixology, homemade milkshakes, refreshing cocktails, and a children's menu.

I spent my afternoons lounging around the pool and taking advantage of their happy hour selections as well. Guests can also enjoy outdoor activities during such as mini soccer, water polo, volley ball, tennis, and more.

The hotel also has a separate private pool area exclusively for use of Villa and VIP Guests. The Beratan Pool is inspired by the twin lake in Bedugul. This pool offers an exclusive view overlooking the magnificent Indian Ocean.

There are four cozy gazebos here which can be reserved for the afternoon or for special private dinners. There is also another semi-private pool may called the Tamblingan Pool which is located on the left side of the lobby.

Unfortunately, the beach area outside the resort is not exactly conducive for swimming and frolicking. I guess this location in South Kuta Beach is more popular for its resorts instead of its beaches. That area in the distance with the cranes is actually the Bali international airport, so you can see how close and how easy it is to get there from the resort.

The Lobby Lounge is a cozy and stylish venue for retro cocktails and casual fare. It is open 24 hours a day and is beautifully designed with a semi traditional style. Guests may have light snacks and drinks here.

For dinner, we decided to try the hotel’s Tenku Japanese Restaurant which is located at the second level. This cushioned venue features a Teppanyaki Counter, Sushi Counter, Robatayaki Counter, Tatami Room and Dining Area. You can also glimpse the stunning sunset by the window whilst enjoying Japanese food made by well-trained chef.

The restaurant is beautifully designed and furnished completed with Japanese music as background. I ordered my favorite Prawn Katsu which I usually order when I dine at Japanese restaurants.

Guests dining at the hotel can also enjoy musical performances near the pool side. They also have the Rinascimento Italian Restaurant which located just next to the garden.

Our room also comes with daily buffet breakfast for two at The Teratai Coffee Shop from 6:00am to 10:30am. The Teratai Coffee Shop is a cultural diversity, serving international cuisines with its beautiful surroundings. Located on the Lobby Level, it is also open 24 hours and has a Terrace area where you can enjoy the breeze from the seaview Swimming Pool.

The cafe has a wide range of menu selections for the breakfast including Western, Japanese, Oriental, Indonesian, and Indian Food. A special Balinese music performance called Rindik is also featured every morning from 8:00am to 10:00am. In the evening, there are also live performances such as Balinese Dance, Acoustic and Live Band Performances.

There are many other shops and restaurants around Kuta Beach so we spent our remaining time leisurely exploring the area and relaxing at our luxurious resort. We really had fun during our trip to Bali and we went back home with so many beautiful photos and memories to share.

The Patra Bali Resort & Villas

Jl. Ir. H.Juanda, South Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia, 80361

+62 361 935 1161

www.thepatrabali.com

www.facebook.com/thepatrabaliresort

[iamaldonlopez]

By: iamAldonLopez | January 26, 2019

Let me go to the place which located at the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’. This country is literally on fire because of its amazing tourist attractions and action in Bali has to offer. A place that has the most active Volcanoes in the world and it offers gorgeous sunsets, has biggest Buddhist temple, a very popular Bananas in the world, largest coffee producers in the world, the largest Lizard in the world. A place to relax and get a good massage.

“Inside Cebu Pacific whilst I was on my trip to Bali, indonesia.”

This trip, I was lucky enough to experience some of the most beautiful locations and resorts the island has to offer, beginning in Tanah Lot Temple, then to Masakan, Pantai Pandawan, Abian, Subak, and Uluwatu. The thing I love most about Bali is that it offers something for everyone, the amazing wave breaks, some of the beautiful beaches, exotic weather, laidback atmosphere, rich heritage, and food and fantastic restaurants. As a matter of fact, I been here 4 times and looking forward to going back. One of the reasons why I want to keep coming back here because of the 21-famous beaches and of course, the ‘Luwak’ coffee. Aside from the famous beaches in Bali such as Kuta, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. There are still 21- beaches in Bali, but I haven’t been to all of these. I will make sure that next time I would be able to visit these other beaches that I haven’t been into such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Amed Beach, Thomas Beach, Balian Beach, Bingin Beach, White Sand Beach, Suluban Beach, Medewi Beach, Blue Lagoon, Pandang-Pandang Beach, Sundays Beach Club, Keramas Beach, Balangan Beach, Jimbaran Bay, Echo Beach. Now, I will share the other beaches that I been into:  

Dreamland Beach

This is located at Bukit peninsula. I highly recommend this for beachgoers and surfers who enjoy some Bali’s best reef breaks near the shore. This is also a hidden beach in Bali with stretches of white sand sheltered by limestone cliffs.

“Amazing wave breaks at Dreamland beach.”

Gunung Payung

A secret beach was once a very steep road which takes up to 3-1 steps trek up and down. I’m glad now, it has a smooth road carved down the cliff for easy access. You’ll also find plenty of sunbeds, spots for refreshments and umbrellas to keep cool. This one is really worth to visit.

Bali shot

When in Bali. It’s Mandatory. LOL

going down to the beach

overlooking

Karma Beach (formerly known as Nammos Beach Club)

An exclusive beach. However, public guests are also welcome as it’s open for a beach picnic, as well as water sports and beach activities. This place is located at Karma Kandara Resort, Jalan Villa Kandara, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan.

Seminyak Beach

This beach is situated in the heart of Bali’s oceanfront action. A very crowded beach as there are plenty of beach bars, hotels, and restaurants just footsteps from the seashore. This place is for you if you like to enjoy soaking up with the sunshine on a squishy sun bed, flamboyant beanbag at La Plancha.

“I love this very colourful umbrellas.”

Kuta and Legian Beach

This is Bali’s famous beach resort destination. It is just minutes away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Tuban. There are various accomodation options, shopping malls and dining scenes nearby. Most wanderers look forward to visiting Kuta for an entertaining and inexpensive Bali escape.

“Morning shot at Kuta Beach.”

Sanur Beach (Best for cycling and sunrise) – it’s really no doubt that this coastal promenade that extends over 5km long is the best location for wondrous sunrise and cycling. It also has great old villas-built decades ago by the wealthy expats who fell under Bali’s spell. This is definitely good for couples as you can take a romantic stroll with your partner during the morning while watching the spectacular sunrise.

“From Tandjung Sari hotel at Sanur Beach, you can see the Mt. Agung.”

Pandawa Beach

This beach is located at Badung South Kuta. This is known to be one of the regions secret beaches because it is situated behind a mountainous and large carved limestone cliff that reveal wide views to the Indian Ocean. It was officially opened in 2012, fast-gaining popularity among local weekenders and international visitors.

“Splendid natural sea panorama view and white sand in secret beach (Pantai Pandawa).”

On the other hand, you can also learn something new here in Bali, Indonesia. If you are the type of person who likes to go places associated with the temple. This place is for you. Bali, Indonesia has iconic landmarks when it comes to temple. They feature magnificent centuries-old architecture. Each temple is unique and magical.

Uluwatu Temple

This temple is in Uluwatu, South Kuta Badung. This small temple was built at the edge (ulu) of a 70-meter high cliff or rock projecting into the sea was expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th Century. This temple is inhabited by monkeys, who are notorious for snatching visitors’ belongings. Please make sure to keep an eye with your belongings. However, they can be persuaded into trading the items for fruit. When you visit here, don’t forget to bring fruits.

“At the edge of Uluwatu.”

Tanah Lot Temple

This temple features a unique offshore setting. It is on the coast of Beraban village, kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali. This temple is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home to the ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple Pura Tanah Lot, a popular tourist and cultural icon for photography.

“This temple is a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. “

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Pura Ulun Danu Batur

It features around nine majestic temples within its complex. There’s also over 200 different shrines and pavilions inside. This is also one of the important temples in Kintamani, Central Bali.

“An important temple in Kintamani, Central Bali.”

Ground Zero Memorial

On October 2002, there was a bombing attacked wherein 202 people killed and 209 people were injured. They built this permanent memorial site the destroyed Paddy’s Pub on Legian Street. It is a great tribute to a terrible past event.

“Ground Zero Memorial.”

Tegalalang Terrace

This is located at 5km northern part of Ubud village and own the spectacular view of rice terraces. You will enjoy the beautiful panorama of the valley with rice terrace and coconut trees ornament. This is one of the tourist icons in Ubud Bali and expects a lot of tourists every day. You will see the Balinese farmer doing rice field in the oblique area.

Luwak Coffee

This coffee is from The Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxus Hermaphroditus). They feed them with cherries and process it with standard sanitation and hygiene, but they preserve its natural, exotic taste and aroma. Technically, it’s from the poop of Luwak. (LOL) You can include this in your itinerary when you visit Bali in order to see how it’s being done. They have many coffee and tea to choose from such as Mangosteen peel tea, Lemongrass tea, Ginger tea, Lemon tea, Rosella Tea, Red Ginger tea, Ginseng tea, Bali coffee, Cocoa Spices, Vanilla Coffee, Mocca Coffee, and Coconut Coffee.

  The Bali experience is something that can’t be explained, it’s a cultural and spiritual journey that needs to be experienced in order to be understood. Bali is called “The Island of The Gods”, and “The Pacific Rim of Fire”.

If you want to know more about the cheapest hotels and restaurants in Bali, Indonesia. You can visit my reviews in Tripadvisor. 

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Bali is on FIRE!!! By: iamAldonLopez | January 26, 2019 Let me go to the place which located at the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’.

[marianmultimuses-gone-blog]

Romantic Bali & Lembongan Island (6 Nights & 7 Days)

Day 1-  After Arrival at Denpasar, Bali airport, and completing the visa formalities, and luggage collection, you will be picked up from the exit gate by our tour guide, who will be waiting for you with a PLA card, near the Currency exchange counters. The tour Guide will provide you the SIM card and will help you in exchanging the Currency (if required). We will drop you at the hotel.

Day 2- After Breakfast at hotel’s restaurant your day is free for shopping & Exploring till 1300 hrs (01:00 pm)Around 1330 hrs (01:30 pm, our driver will pick you up for Massage Session at Balinese Massage & Spa Centre. The session will last for 01 hour & 15 minutes. After the massage, we will continue to Taman Ayun temple (Mengwi temple). In the evening, we will continue to Tanah Lot Temple. This temple is famous for the scenic view during the Sunset. You can see the silhouette view of the temple during sunset, and it is the most beautiful place to see, in Bali.After the tour, we will drop you back to hotel for good rest. Night Stay will be at the hotel only.

Day 3- Breakfast at hotel’s restaurant, check-out from the hotel. Pick up from the hotel, from the hotel’s Lobby and depart for Benoa Harbour to board catamaran to the island of Lembongan. Tea / Coffee and Little Snacks are served during the 01 Hour Journey to Lembongan. Live Music is also there on the cruise, for enjoyment. After arriving on the Docking point at Lembongan, you can enjoy the water sports, which are already included, like Glass Bottom Boat Reef Tour, Snorkelling (all equipment supplied), Canoeing, Banana Boat Ride, Water Slide etc. BBQ Lunch is served over the cruise only. It is suitable for both Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians. Lembongan is an extremely beautiful island, and it has attracted holiday seekers since 1980s especially sea and beach activities and honeymooners. After the Lunch, and some recreational activities, we will take you to the Lembongan Island, where you can enjoy the beautiful Island for some time, and you can also use its Swimming pool, and restaurant, for your enjoyment.After that, we will take you to the Village tour, on the island. After the village tour is over, you can check in the hotel. Night stay will be at the Lembongan hotel only.Dinner is Included at the Hotel’s Restaurant only.

Day 4- After Breakfast at the restaurant, you can enjoy the island’s scenic beauty, and the optional activities, like cycling, and water sports.Check out from the hotel at 1200 hrs.Pick up around 1500 hrs (03:00 PM), for transfers to the cruise.We will take you back to the cruise. You can enjoy the coffee / Tea, on the Cruise (already included). Around 1630 hrs (04:30 pm), the Cruise will de-board you on the Benoa harbour, from where we will take you back to the hotel. Night stay at the Bali hotel only.On the way, back to the Hotel, Continue to Indian Restaurant for Candle Light Dinner (Indian Candle Light Dinner). After the dinner, we will drop you at the hotel.Rest of the day free. Night stay at the hotel for rest.

Day 5- After breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, you time is free for shopping, and exploring the city on your own, till afternoon 03:00 pm. At 03:00 pm (1500 hrs), we will pick you up from the hotel's lobby for the tour.At Uluwatu Temple area you can a beautiful temple on the cliff of a mountain. The temple itself is built on a steep drop slope of more than 100 meters which is continually under sea water wild abrasion. The view on the sea, temple & Sun during the sunset, is very beautiful.In the evening enjoy Kecak Dance show, known as one of the best dance show in Asian region.After the tour, we will drop you back to the hotel for good rest.Night stay at the hotel/ Villa only.

Day 6- After Breakfast at hotel’s restaurant your day is free for leisure on your own.Today you can enjoy shopping Batik (Clothes), and lots of other things, artifacts, paintings and other famous things in Bali on your own. You can go for shopping in Kuta / Legian Area, enjoy Kuta beach.You can also enjoy night life at Disco's like Sky Garden on Legian Street, on your own.Night stay will be at the Hotel / Villa only.

Day 7-  Breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. Check out from the hotel by 1200 hrs (12:00 pm). Time free for exploring the city on your own till your pick up time. We will transfer you to the Airport for your flight back to home/ next destination.

package of Bali & lembongan island

[queenstandoor-blog]

Local Cuisine: A must-try in Bali

There’s a simple saying, ‘when you’re visiting someplace new, eat like a local!’

Instead of spending hundreds, you can visit the local street joint which has a mouth-watering menu that is waiting for you round the clock. When you’re in Bali, you cannot miss the heavenly cuisine and years-old recipe. Apart from its mesmerizing beaches, surfing turfs, and cultural heritages, Bali is also a food heaven. You cannot miss the Balinese traditional dishes which is almost as old as its culture. Can you believe that!

So, without further ado, let me present you with some of the rich Balinese cuisines especially for first-time visitors:

Balinese Kopi: For all those coffee lovers out there, this is a must-try for them. The coffee or kopi in Bali is not the one which you find in regular coffee shops of your region but serves the top-notch coffee you’ve ever tasted.

Cocktail Bars: Who doesn’t like a good affordable cocktail when they are on a holiday? If you are in Bali for this trip, then you should taste a variety of cocktails that’ll fall in your budget. There’s nothing better than one enjoying their favourite cocktail sitting on a beach in Kuta and enjoying the cold breeze with their partner.

BBQ Sea Food: Now that you’re sitting on a beach sipping your cocktail, don’t miss the barbeque joint near the place. Jimbaran beach is very famous for serving freshly grilled seafood which will be in your budget. You can also find Indian food in Kuta on the menu.

Sambal Matah: There are over 300 varieties of Sambal in Indonesia, interesting isn’t it? It’s their own version of ‘Sambal Matah’ which is being served on the island of Bali. Foodie tip- Eat it with fresh fish or chicken and thank me later!

Satay: Locals call it sate, it is basically grilled chicken, goat, port or beef skewed on sticks. Sate is Bali’s original creation which is made by marinating it in coconut milk and other exotic spices. There is another form of it which is called Sate Lilit (Satay Wrap), which is very popular among the tourists as they like it wrapped rather than skewered.

Betutu: Don’t let the name fool you, it’s the dish of the king’s. According to the legend, a full chicken or duck was chosen as the main ingredient and stuffed with exotic spices and steamed or baked for eight-long hours. Don’t let the waiting time spoil your mood for good food.

Queens: Queens Tandoor has a menu loaded with rich Indian cuisines. It is also the best Indian vegetarian restaurant in Bali which is one of the oldest Indian restaurants of not just Bali but also Jakarta. Start your appetite with seafood cream soup followed by madrasi chicken curry and finger-licking Rogan Josh. For deserts, Queens tandoor offers you pineapple lassi.

Don’t just believe what you read, go and experience it yourself. You’ll discover some of the best exotic cuisines for yourself. Bali has a lot to offer than just good food or cocktails or beaches, Bali offers love and emotions.

#BaliAwaits #IndianFoodInBali #IndianRestaurantsInBali #BaliCuisine #BaliDays

[furiousprogrammer]

Best of Malaysia & Bali

What is Included

Economy class return Airfare (Round trip airfare from Delhi/ Mumbai/ Chennai/ Kolkata/ Hyderabad/ Bengaluru/ Kochi)

All Taxes (GST 4.50 % Included)

Overseas travel / Medical Insurance

Bali Inclusions

English Speaking tour Guide in Bali

Airport to Hotel & hotel to Airport transfers on Private Air Conditioned Vehicle.

03 Nights stay in the hotel selected by your side in Bali

Daily Breakfast at the hotel

Full day Kintamani and Ubud, Monkey Forest tour with Lunch

Kecan Dance show

01 Candle Light Indian Dinner at Local restaurant in Jimbaran near beach OR Indonesian Dinner on Jimbaran Beach

120 minutes Massage & Spa at authentic Balinese massage & spa centre.

Tanah Lot & Mengwi Temple tour

Luggage Handling upon Arrival and Departure

01 complimentary SIM Card in Bali on Arrival

All Sight Seeings and Transfers on Private Basis

All Local Taxes

All the entrance fees and donations for all the sight seeings and places mentioned in the itinerary.

Malaysia Inclusions

02 Nights in Kuala Lumpur with Daily break fast

Half day Kuala Lumpur city tour

Full day Sunway Lagoon 05 Parks Entry tickets (With Transfers) OR Full day Genting Highland tour (One way cable car ride, Snow world ticket, Enroute Batu caves tour)

Airport to Hotel & Hotel to Airport transfers in Kuala Lumour on SIC (Sharing)

English speaking Driver Cum Guide in Malaysia

All Transfers & tours on SIC in Malaysia

All taxes

Hotel Choice

Bali : (03 *) (as per your choice)

The Fontana, Kuta ****

Atanaya, Kuta ***

Swiss Bel Rainforest, Kuta ****

Ibis Style, Legian ****

Kuala Lumpur : (03 Nights)

Grand Continental ***

Citrus Hotel ***

What is Excluded

Anything not mentioned under Inclusions column.

Any personal expenses

Meals other than specified in the itinerary.

Any item of personal nature such as porterage’s, laundry, tips, shopping, and telephone bills etc.

Visa on Arrival for Bali: FREE for Indian Passport Holders

Surcharge, If any

Malaysia Visa Fees – INR 3000

[samanthasroberts]

Bali: Insider Travel Guide

(CNN)Many would argue that Bali is a paradise lost. It isn’t. It’s just evolved.

It now offers as many experiences as the varying hues of green found in a plot of terraced rice paddy.

Whether you’re a hardcore partygoer determined to eat, drink and not sleep your way through Seminyak; a yoga devotee seeking peace and tranquility in Ubud’s tropical rainforest setting; a die-hard surfer whose only agenda is to paddle out and catch the monster swells at Padang Padang; or a curious traveler charmed by Bali’s sacred temples in Manggis — you can do it all (or do nothing at all) in Bali.

The best of Bali has everything, the good, the downright ugly (braided, Bintang tank-top-wearing hordes in insufferable Kuta) and the sublimely beautiful.

Here’s what to do in Bali:

Hotels

W Retreat & Spa Bali — Seminyak

The new rock star on the island, there’s no denying the high-octane glamour that comes with this beachfront property.

It’s large by Bali standards, but exudes its own sense of cool and calm.

A room in the main building gets you close to the action.

Back from the beach are the hotel’s brilliant, and affordable, private villas and pools.

Very useful is the best of Bali AWAY spa, which remains open 24/7.

That’s great news for late-night revelers in need of a foot massage after stumbling in from a night at Woo Bar — Bali’s newest hot spot.

Equally useful is the hidden sliding door that conceals and reveals bathroom and bedroom areas, and the three-tier main swimming pool for ample lounging and photo opportunities.

The hotel is far enough from the main array of hotels to keep the beach quiet, while further north is the even quieter Canggu beach.

The hotel can arrange a motorbike rental for US$5 a day.

The Colony Hotel

There’s one big plus point about staying at The Colony Hotel: no children under the age of 16 allowed.

Another bonus is the on-site Jari Menari massage facility.

Not to be overlooked are the 20 rooms done up in a pretty but minimalist decor.

The junior suite comes with a spacious balcony that overlooks the 16-meter pool.

Amankila

Located on a headland in Candidasa, high heels are not recommended while staying at the Amankila, as there are plenty of stairs to navigate.

Luckily, golf carts are readily available to transport you down to the beach club where a generous strip of black sand beach remains tout-free.

If you’re tired of the sand and wanting to know what to do in Bali come sunset, try watching the changing color of the sky from the hotel’s signature triple-stepped swimming pool.

Early bookers, try to get upgraded to villa 37 — reportedly the resort’s most requested villa — which enjoys the best view of the ocean.

Anantara Resort Seminyak

Bali has a quirky local rule stating that buildings should not be higher than a palm tree.

This five-story property just makes the cut.

Sitting front and center on Seminyak beach, all 59 suites (and one penthouse) come with ocean views.

Penthouse suites come with attached outdoor lounge space and a terrazzo bath, so you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves.

Michi Retreat

Ubud is where artists flock, so if you’re staying here, it makes sense to put up at a property with artistic inclinations.

Michi is a work in progress, and its creator, the septuagenarian Professor Kung, calls himself a nomad.

Hence, the resort near Jukut Paku is an eclectic collection of rooms that are always changing.

Adding another dimension to the experience are mosaic grottos that overlook a particularly spectacular stretch of the River Wos.

Harmony Hotel

Cheap and cheerful, and located just minutes walk from Seminyak beach, this is one of the best values in Seminyak.

The rooms are decent sized and come with Wi-Fi and a TV.

All rooms are located around a common mosaic pool.

Breakfast included.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Away from the coast, amid dense bamboo jungle and perched looking over the sacred Ayung River is this wonderful, peaceful retreat.

Jungle wildlife and the occasional screams of rafters thrusting along the river are the only sounds to intrude upon the privacy of each villa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

All 42 thatched maxi-huts/villas come with an outdoor shower that overlooks the river valley and a plunge pool that releases itself endlessly into the jungle’s steamy abyss.

There are also 18 suites.

You are far from the maddening crowds and if a non-beach stay is what you are looking for, your budget is well spent here.

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali

Since it relaunched in 2009 as AYANA Resort and Spa Bali, this hotel has bagged a whole slew of significant awards for its bar (see below), its accommodations and the spa.

And it is clear why.

Despite the size of the place (there are over 350 rooms, suites and villas — some on the cliff with staggering sunset views) there is still a sense of privacy and space.

The rooms and hotel design are very well done — well appointed without the over the top ‘luxury flourishes.’

The hotel sits high above the Indian Ocean near Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s south-western peninsula so it is a bit of a schlep from the busier Seminyak, Kuta, Legian stretch.

Not a bad thing, but it is harder to pop away should, for some reason, you want to escape.

The above are some of the reasons the hotel is also proving a popular wedding (and honeymoon) destination.

Restaurants

Metis

If you’re wondering what to do in Bali, start with great food.

The charismatic chefs Said and Dou Dou, have taken bits of magic from Warisan — their former haunt — and elevated it at Metis.

The foie gras (all six types) is Bali’s best, and then some.

The kitchen is equally adept at putting out a freshly grilled sole as it is an aromatic plate of fork-tender osso bucco served on a bed of creamy risotto.

The Grand Marnier souffl and passion fruit martini are highly recommended.

After dinner, you can hang out at the lounge overlooking paddy fields.

On Thursday night, there’s live music.

Sardine

More than 120,000 bamboo shingles and 10 types of bamboo were used in the construction of this restaurant.

But you’re not really here to do an architectural survey.

Sardine focuses on fresh produce and organic greens. Brilliant side dishes include smoky miso eggplant and wasabi mash.

The scallops with ravioli and creamy panna cotta are outstanding.

Sari Organik

You’ll break a sweat getting to this restaurant — it’s surrounded by its own farm — where you can pick your own vegetables for the chef to cook.

Take a pre- and post-meal walk through fertile paddy fields — this is a great thing to do in Bali — and revel in a meal of nasi campur crowned with chunks of tempe fried to crisp perfection.

Sarong

We’re not sure which we like better, the spiced Asian fusion with a strong Indonesian slant (the caramelized duck is a hot favorite) or the sexy fleur-de-lis and chandelier setting.

Then there are some of Bali’s best cocktails. Sarong’s extensive cocktail menu is one of the most original we’ve seen.

The Bill & Ben is a gin and pink grapefruit concoction topped with chamomile foam.

The Sarong Cappuccino is made with vodka or brandy, maple syrup, Kahla and espresso.

Mozaic

If there’s one dining destination in Bali, it’s Mozaic.

Part of the Les Grande Tables du Monde, since opening in 2001 the restaurant has had a flurry of global food critics eating out of its hand.

Market cuisine is led by French Laundry-trained chef Chris Salans, who blends French and American culinary techniques with Balinese ingredients.

Salans’ use of black olive Balinese Kluwek sauce is brilliant, and addictive.

Expect to pay up to US$175 per person.

S.O.S Supper Club

If you prefer your sunsets unobstructed, and like to enjoy them without grains of sand stuck in hard-to-reach crevices, S.O.S. is your spot.

The rooftop bar offers one of the best views of the Seminyak sunset slowly melting behind the horizon.

Service is swift and the drinks icy cold.

This is where to be and what to do in Bali come happy hour.

La Plancha

While most other beach bars roll out designer cocktails and fancy finger food, La Plancha keeps it simple with laid-back reggae beats, a selection of beer, oversized beanbags and jugs of potent sangria.

It also helps that the bar has an uninterrupted view of the pink-to-red-to-orange sky.

Bali Joe

There’s rarely any room for women in Bali Joe, except for those that get up on the bar and lip-synch to Beyonc anthems.

The bar is popular for its energetic vibe and nightly drag shows that feature plenty of audience participation.

Performers can be persuaded to extend a few private DIY diva tips.

Rock Bar

Rock Bar’s mixologists pour creative cocktails set to the beats spun from a DJ booth carved into the stone — although some nights are devoted to live music.

Designed by Yasuhiro Koichi of Japan’s Design Studio SPIN, this is one of the best, and most crowded, places to watch the sunset in Bali.

A word of warning: wear suitable clothes.

No board shorts or sleeveless tops for guys. T

hursday to Saturday nights are extremely busy, so be prepared for a long wait.

A scooter from the main Kuta/Seminyak stretch will take 30 minutes-plus to reach the bar.

Ku De Ta

No trip to Bali is complete without catching a sunset at this local institution.

Arrive early or you’ll have to sprawl out on the lawn.

Drinks are pricy, but the mojito, raspberry and lemongrass cocktail and Kuve Margarita made with lemon sorbet is worth the coin.

Potato Head Beach Club

Bali’s newest, hippest beach bar is housed in an impressive geometric facade that you won’t miss.

It’s the best place to be seen drinking and partying.

Celebrity DJs often play weekend gigs.

Other nights see island residents streaming in at sunset for cocktails and tapas.

The kookaburra is a popular order, a curious concoction made of lemongrass gin, passion fruit and mint, and topped by the club’s signature vanilla foam.

6 dishes every Bali visitor needs to try

Shopping / Attractions

Jenggala

There’s plenty of shopping to do in Bali, and few visitors are able to resist the urge to take home a full 24-piece set of Jenggala crockery in pale green jade or plain white.

What started in 1976 as a small, experimental cottage industry has become a global ceramic force.

The high quality, handcrafted ceramic decorated with painstaking detail is a pretty addition — and nicer reminder of Bali — to any home.

Simple Konsep Store

This store is anything but simple.

At this concept space that fuses Bali’s traditional artisan skills with modern European designs, you’ll find everything from origami folding leather bags, Melissa shoes, commissioned ceramics objects by Gaja Gallery, jewelry by local and European designers and unique batik print apparel.

Simple Konsep Store, 40 Jalan Lesmana-Oberoi, Seminyak; +62 361 730393

Mount Agung

What to do in Bali after you’ve seen all the beaches, sampled all the menus and hit all the bars?

Scaling the majestic Mount Agung — at 3,142 meters the highest point on the island — makes for a worthy challenge.

A strato-volcano that last erupted in 1963, locals believe it’s a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe.

There are two routes to the top.

Both take up to four hours.

And while you can scale it without a guide — they can be found lingering at the start of the trek — employing one is highly recommended.

Tanah Lot

Supposedly the work of the 15th-century priest, Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most holy, and touristy, sites.

Located in Tabanan, the sacred Hindu temple sits on a large rock out in the ocean and is said to be guarded by sea snakes.

Head toward the footpath leading to the raised cliff area where the view of the sun setting behind the temple is outstanding.

Only in Bali

Paddy fields

OK, they’re not only in Bali, but terraced rice fields in varying shades of brown, gold and green make for one of Bali’s most calming and beautiful sights.

Keep Walking Tours runs daily excursions, but you can also head off exploring on your own.

Start at Ubud Palace, head west on Jalan Raya Ubud and follow signs that bring you past the River Wos, Campuan Ridge and the village of Penestanan.

Ubud Palace, junction of Jalan Suweta and Jalan Raya Campuan

Balinese avant garde

Balinese art is more than topless women and rice-paddy landscapes.

The artist-run Sika Gallery in Campuan, Ubud, condemns commercial art and seeks to push Bali’s visual arts envelope.

Ask after artist-curator I Wayan Sika and see if you can coax out the story of his artistic journey, during which a coma-like state inspired him to produce some of his best works.

Balinese avant garde, Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Gianyar; +62 36 1975084

Medicine man

Poor Ketut Liyer.

The elderly medicine man has been kept busy all hours of the day since “Eat, Pray, Love” catapulted him to global fame.

Consultations on your life and love prospects don’t come easy or cheap.

Expect all tickets — yes, there’s a docket system — to be snapped up by 9 a.m.

Prices vary, but often start from US$25.

10 minutes’ walk south of Pengoseken, follow the signs; +62 361 974092

Babi guling at Ibu Oka

When in Bali, a meal of babi guling (roast suckling pig) is a must.

It’s essentially a whole roasted pig stuffed with spices, carved up and served with rice and vegetables.

While there are many places to get it around Bali, Ubud’s Ibu Oka is a famed institution serving up platefuls of the stuff daily till mid-afternoon, when the food runs out.

This is a meal that works your jaw.

You’ll need to chew hard till all the flavors are released from the succulent meat.

Around noon, staff usually carve up another pig.

It’s a great photo op.

Jari Menari massage

There are massages and then there’s a Jari Menari massage.

The name means “dancing fingers” and your body parts will be in perfect harmony at the end of the treatment.

The all-male staff employs a mixture of techniques (Swedish, deep tissue, Balinese) and emphasizes the rhythm and movements of your body.

Book well in advance to ensure a spot.

There’s another branch at Nusa Dua, and a one-masseur facility at The Colony Hotel.

Introductory massages classes are held on Tuesdays.

14 of Bali’s best beaches

World’s 100 best beaches

12 crowd-free Asia island escapes

Source: http://allofbeer.com/bali-insider-travel-guide/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2019/02/17/bali-insider-travel-guide/

[adambstingus]

Bali: Insider Travel Guide

(CNN)Many would argue that Bali is a paradise lost. It isn’t. It’s just evolved.

It now offers as many experiences as the varying hues of green found in a plot of terraced rice paddy.

Whether you’re a hardcore partygoer determined to eat, drink and not sleep your way through Seminyak; a yoga devotee seeking peace and tranquility in Ubud’s tropical rainforest setting; a die-hard surfer whose only agenda is to paddle out and catch the monster swells at Padang Padang; or a curious traveler charmed by Bali’s sacred temples in Manggis — you can do it all (or do nothing at all) in Bali.

The best of Bali has everything, the good, the downright ugly (braided, Bintang tank-top-wearing hordes in insufferable Kuta) and the sublimely beautiful.

Here’s what to do in Bali:

Hotels

W Retreat & Spa Bali — Seminyak

The new rock star on the island, there’s no denying the high-octane glamour that comes with this beachfront property.

It’s large by Bali standards, but exudes its own sense of cool and calm.

A room in the main building gets you close to the action.

Back from the beach are the hotel’s brilliant, and affordable, private villas and pools.

Very useful is the best of Bali AWAY spa, which remains open 24/7.

That’s great news for late-night revelers in need of a foot massage after stumbling in from a night at Woo Bar — Bali’s newest hot spot.

Equally useful is the hidden sliding door that conceals and reveals bathroom and bedroom areas, and the three-tier main swimming pool for ample lounging and photo opportunities.

The hotel is far enough from the main array of hotels to keep the beach quiet, while further north is the even quieter Canggu beach.

The hotel can arrange a motorbike rental for US$5 a day.

The Colony Hotel

There’s one big plus point about staying at The Colony Hotel: no children under the age of 16 allowed.

Another bonus is the on-site Jari Menari massage facility.

Not to be overlooked are the 20 rooms done up in a pretty but minimalist decor.

The junior suite comes with a spacious balcony that overlooks the 16-meter pool.

Amankila

Located on a headland in Candidasa, high heels are not recommended while staying at the Amankila, as there are plenty of stairs to navigate.

Luckily, golf carts are readily available to transport you down to the beach club where a generous strip of black sand beach remains tout-free.

If you’re tired of the sand and wanting to know what to do in Bali come sunset, try watching the changing color of the sky from the hotel’s signature triple-stepped swimming pool.

Early bookers, try to get upgraded to villa 37 — reportedly the resort’s most requested villa — which enjoys the best view of the ocean.

Anantara Resort Seminyak

Bali has a quirky local rule stating that buildings should not be higher than a palm tree.

This five-story property just makes the cut.

Sitting front and center on Seminyak beach, all 59 suites (and one penthouse) come with ocean views.

Penthouse suites come with attached outdoor lounge space and a terrazzo bath, so you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves.

Michi Retreat

Ubud is where artists flock, so if you’re staying here, it makes sense to put up at a property with artistic inclinations.

Michi is a work in progress, and its creator, the septuagenarian Professor Kung, calls himself a nomad.

Hence, the resort near Jukut Paku is an eclectic collection of rooms that are always changing.

Adding another dimension to the experience are mosaic grottos that overlook a particularly spectacular stretch of the River Wos.

Harmony Hotel

Cheap and cheerful, and located just minutes walk from Seminyak beach, this is one of the best values in Seminyak.

The rooms are decent sized and come with Wi-Fi and a TV.

All rooms are located around a common mosaic pool.

Breakfast included.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Away from the coast, amid dense bamboo jungle and perched looking over the sacred Ayung River is this wonderful, peaceful retreat.

Jungle wildlife and the occasional screams of rafters thrusting along the river are the only sounds to intrude upon the privacy of each villa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

All 42 thatched maxi-huts/villas come with an outdoor shower that overlooks the river valley and a plunge pool that releases itself endlessly into the jungle’s steamy abyss.

There are also 18 suites.

You are far from the maddening crowds and if a non-beach stay is what you are looking for, your budget is well spent here.

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali

Since it relaunched in 2009 as AYANA Resort and Spa Bali, this hotel has bagged a whole slew of significant awards for its bar (see below), its accommodations and the spa.

And it is clear why.

Despite the size of the place (there are over 350 rooms, suites and villas — some on the cliff with staggering sunset views) there is still a sense of privacy and space.

The rooms and hotel design are very well done — well appointed without the over the top ‘luxury flourishes.’

The hotel sits high above the Indian Ocean near Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s south-western peninsula so it is a bit of a schlep from the busier Seminyak, Kuta, Legian stretch.

Not a bad thing, but it is harder to pop away should, for some reason, you want to escape.

The above are some of the reasons the hotel is also proving a popular wedding (and honeymoon) destination.

Restaurants

Metis

If you’re wondering what to do in Bali, start with great food.

The charismatic chefs Said and Dou Dou, have taken bits of magic from Warisan — their former haunt — and elevated it at Metis.

The foie gras (all six types) is Bali’s best, and then some.

The kitchen is equally adept at putting out a freshly grilled sole as it is an aromatic plate of fork-tender osso bucco served on a bed of creamy risotto.

The Grand Marnier souffl and passion fruit martini are highly recommended.

After dinner, you can hang out at the lounge overlooking paddy fields.

On Thursday night, there’s live music.

Sardine

More than 120,000 bamboo shingles and 10 types of bamboo were used in the construction of this restaurant.

But you’re not really here to do an architectural survey.

Sardine focuses on fresh produce and organic greens. Brilliant side dishes include smoky miso eggplant and wasabi mash.

The scallops with ravioli and creamy panna cotta are outstanding.

Sari Organik

You’ll break a sweat getting to this restaurant — it’s surrounded by its own farm — where you can pick your own vegetables for the chef to cook.

Take a pre- and post-meal walk through fertile paddy fields — this is a great thing to do in Bali — and revel in a meal of nasi campur crowned with chunks of tempe fried to crisp perfection.

Sarong

We’re not sure which we like better, the spiced Asian fusion with a strong Indonesian slant (the caramelized duck is a hot favorite) or the sexy fleur-de-lis and chandelier setting.

Then there are some of Bali’s best cocktails. Sarong’s extensive cocktail menu is one of the most original we’ve seen.

The Bill & Ben is a gin and pink grapefruit concoction topped with chamomile foam.

The Sarong Cappuccino is made with vodka or brandy, maple syrup, Kahla and espresso.

Mozaic

If there’s one dining destination in Bali, it’s Mozaic.

Part of the Les Grande Tables du Monde, since opening in 2001 the restaurant has had a flurry of global food critics eating out of its hand.

Market cuisine is led by French Laundry-trained chef Chris Salans, who blends French and American culinary techniques with Balinese ingredients.

Salans’ use of black olive Balinese Kluwek sauce is brilliant, and addictive.

Expect to pay up to US$175 per person.

S.O.S Supper Club

If you prefer your sunsets unobstructed, and like to enjoy them without grains of sand stuck in hard-to-reach crevices, S.O.S. is your spot.

The rooftop bar offers one of the best views of the Seminyak sunset slowly melting behind the horizon.

Service is swift and the drinks icy cold.

This is where to be and what to do in Bali come happy hour.

La Plancha

While most other beach bars roll out designer cocktails and fancy finger food, La Plancha keeps it simple with laid-back reggae beats, a selection of beer, oversized beanbags and jugs of potent sangria.

It also helps that the bar has an uninterrupted view of the pink-to-red-to-orange sky.

Bali Joe

There’s rarely any room for women in Bali Joe, except for those that get up on the bar and lip-synch to Beyonc anthems.

The bar is popular for its energetic vibe and nightly drag shows that feature plenty of audience participation.

Performers can be persuaded to extend a few private DIY diva tips.

Rock Bar

Rock Bar’s mixologists pour creative cocktails set to the beats spun from a DJ booth carved into the stone — although some nights are devoted to live music.

Designed by Yasuhiro Koichi of Japan’s Design Studio SPIN, this is one of the best, and most crowded, places to watch the sunset in Bali.

A word of warning: wear suitable clothes.

No board shorts or sleeveless tops for guys. T

hursday to Saturday nights are extremely busy, so be prepared for a long wait.

A scooter from the main Kuta/Seminyak stretch will take 30 minutes-plus to reach the bar.

Ku De Ta

No trip to Bali is complete without catching a sunset at this local institution.

Arrive early or you’ll have to sprawl out on the lawn.

Drinks are pricy, but the mojito, raspberry and lemongrass cocktail and Kuve Margarita made with lemon sorbet is worth the coin.

Potato Head Beach Club

Bali’s newest, hippest beach bar is housed in an impressive geometric facade that you won’t miss.

It’s the best place to be seen drinking and partying.

Celebrity DJs often play weekend gigs.

Other nights see island residents streaming in at sunset for cocktails and tapas.

The kookaburra is a popular order, a curious concoction made of lemongrass gin, passion fruit and mint, and topped by the club’s signature vanilla foam.

6 dishes every Bali visitor needs to try

Shopping / Attractions

Jenggala

There’s plenty of shopping to do in Bali, and few visitors are able to resist the urge to take home a full 24-piece set of Jenggala crockery in pale green jade or plain white.

What started in 1976 as a small, experimental cottage industry has become a global ceramic force.

The high quality, handcrafted ceramic decorated with painstaking detail is a pretty addition — and nicer reminder of Bali — to any home.

Simple Konsep Store

This store is anything but simple.

At this concept space that fuses Bali’s traditional artisan skills with modern European designs, you’ll find everything from origami folding leather bags, Melissa shoes, commissioned ceramics objects by Gaja Gallery, jewelry by local and European designers and unique batik print apparel.

Simple Konsep Store, 40 Jalan Lesmana-Oberoi, Seminyak; +62 361 730393

Mount Agung

What to do in Bali after you’ve seen all the beaches, sampled all the menus and hit all the bars?

Scaling the majestic Mount Agung — at 3,142 meters the highest point on the island — makes for a worthy challenge.

A strato-volcano that last erupted in 1963, locals believe it’s a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe.

There are two routes to the top.

Both take up to four hours.

And while you can scale it without a guide — they can be found lingering at the start of the trek — employing one is highly recommended.

Tanah Lot

Supposedly the work of the 15th-century priest, Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most holy, and touristy, sites.

Located in Tabanan, the sacred Hindu temple sits on a large rock out in the ocean and is said to be guarded by sea snakes.

Head toward the footpath leading to the raised cliff area where the view of the sun setting behind the temple is outstanding.

Only in Bali

Paddy fields

OK, they’re not only in Bali, but terraced rice fields in varying shades of brown, gold and green make for one of Bali’s most calming and beautiful sights.

Keep Walking Tours runs daily excursions, but you can also head off exploring on your own.

Start at Ubud Palace, head west on Jalan Raya Ubud and follow signs that bring you past the River Wos, Campuan Ridge and the village of Penestanan.

Ubud Palace, junction of Jalan Suweta and Jalan Raya Campuan

Balinese avant garde

Balinese art is more than topless women and rice-paddy landscapes.

The artist-run Sika Gallery in Campuan, Ubud, condemns commercial art and seeks to push Bali’s visual arts envelope.

Ask after artist-curator I Wayan Sika and see if you can coax out the story of his artistic journey, during which a coma-like state inspired him to produce some of his best works.

Balinese avant garde, Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Gianyar; +62 36 1975084

Medicine man

Poor Ketut Liyer.

The elderly medicine man has been kept busy all hours of the day since “Eat, Pray, Love” catapulted him to global fame.

Consultations on your life and love prospects don’t come easy or cheap.

Expect all tickets — yes, there’s a docket system — to be snapped up by 9 a.m.

Prices vary, but often start from US$25.

10 minutes’ walk south of Pengoseken, follow the signs; +62 361 974092

Babi guling at Ibu Oka

When in Bali, a meal of babi guling (roast suckling pig) is a must.

It’s essentially a whole roasted pig stuffed with spices, carved up and served with rice and vegetables.

While there are many places to get it around Bali, Ubud’s Ibu Oka is a famed institution serving up platefuls of the stuff daily till mid-afternoon, when the food runs out.

This is a meal that works your jaw.

You’ll need to chew hard till all the flavors are released from the succulent meat.

Around noon, staff usually carve up another pig.

It’s a great photo op.

Jari Menari massage

There are massages and then there’s a Jari Menari massage.

The name means “dancing fingers” and your body parts will be in perfect harmony at the end of the treatment.

The all-male staff employs a mixture of techniques (Swedish, deep tissue, Balinese) and emphasizes the rhythm and movements of your body.

Book well in advance to ensure a spot.

There’s another branch at Nusa Dua, and a one-masseur facility at The Colony Hotel.

Introductory massages classes are held on Tuesdays.

14 of Bali’s best beaches

World’s 100 best beaches

12 crowd-free Asia island escapes

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/bali-insider-travel-guide/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/182857376542

[allofbeercom]

Bali: Insider Travel Guide

(CNN)Many would argue that Bali is a paradise lost. It isn’t. It’s just evolved.

It now offers as many experiences as the varying hues of green found in a plot of terraced rice paddy.

Whether you’re a hardcore partygoer determined to eat, drink and not sleep your way through Seminyak; a yoga devotee seeking peace and tranquility in Ubud’s tropical rainforest setting; a die-hard surfer whose only agenda is to paddle out and catch the monster swells at Padang Padang; or a curious traveler charmed by Bali’s sacred temples in Manggis — you can do it all (or do nothing at all) in Bali.

The best of Bali has everything, the good, the downright ugly (braided, Bintang tank-top-wearing hordes in insufferable Kuta) and the sublimely beautiful.

Here’s what to do in Bali:

Hotels

W Retreat & Spa Bali — Seminyak

The new rock star on the island, there’s no denying the high-octane glamour that comes with this beachfront property.

It’s large by Bali standards, but exudes its own sense of cool and calm.

A room in the main building gets you close to the action.

Back from the beach are the hotel’s brilliant, and affordable, private villas and pools.

Very useful is the best of Bali AWAY spa, which remains open 24/7.

That’s great news for late-night revelers in need of a foot massage after stumbling in from a night at Woo Bar — Bali’s newest hot spot.

Equally useful is the hidden sliding door that conceals and reveals bathroom and bedroom areas, and the three-tier main swimming pool for ample lounging and photo opportunities.

The hotel is far enough from the main array of hotels to keep the beach quiet, while further north is the even quieter Canggu beach.

The hotel can arrange a motorbike rental for US$5 a day.

The Colony Hotel

There’s one big plus point about staying at The Colony Hotel: no children under the age of 16 allowed.

Another bonus is the on-site Jari Menari massage facility.

Not to be overlooked are the 20 rooms done up in a pretty but minimalist decor.

The junior suite comes with a spacious balcony that overlooks the 16-meter pool.

Amankila

Located on a headland in Candidasa, high heels are not recommended while staying at the Amankila, as there are plenty of stairs to navigate.

Luckily, golf carts are readily available to transport you down to the beach club where a generous strip of black sand beach remains tout-free.

If you’re tired of the sand and wanting to know what to do in Bali come sunset, try watching the changing color of the sky from the hotel’s signature triple-stepped swimming pool.

Early bookers, try to get upgraded to villa 37 — reportedly the resort’s most requested villa — which enjoys the best view of the ocean.

Anantara Resort Seminyak

Bali has a quirky local rule stating that buildings should not be higher than a palm tree.

This five-story property just makes the cut.

Sitting front and center on Seminyak beach, all 59 suites (and one penthouse) come with ocean views.

Penthouse suites come with attached outdoor lounge space and a terrazzo bath, so you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves.

Michi Retreat

Ubud is where artists flock, so if you’re staying here, it makes sense to put up at a property with artistic inclinations.

Michi is a work in progress, and its creator, the septuagenarian Professor Kung, calls himself a nomad.

Hence, the resort near Jukut Paku is an eclectic collection of rooms that are always changing.

Adding another dimension to the experience are mosaic grottos that overlook a particularly spectacular stretch of the River Wos.

Harmony Hotel

Cheap and cheerful, and located just minutes walk from Seminyak beach, this is one of the best values in Seminyak.

The rooms are decent sized and come with Wi-Fi and a TV.

All rooms are located around a common mosaic pool.

Breakfast included.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Away from the coast, amid dense bamboo jungle and perched looking over the sacred Ayung River is this wonderful, peaceful retreat.

Jungle wildlife and the occasional screams of rafters thrusting along the river are the only sounds to intrude upon the privacy of each villa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

All 42 thatched maxi-huts/villas come with an outdoor shower that overlooks the river valley and a plunge pool that releases itself endlessly into the jungle’s steamy abyss.

There are also 18 suites.

You are far from the maddening crowds and if a non-beach stay is what you are looking for, your budget is well spent here.

AYANA Resort and Spa Bali

Since it relaunched in 2009 as AYANA Resort and Spa Bali, this hotel has bagged a whole slew of significant awards for its bar (see below), its accommodations and the spa.

And it is clear why.

Despite the size of the place (there are over 350 rooms, suites and villas — some on the cliff with staggering sunset views) there is still a sense of privacy and space.

The rooms and hotel design are very well done — well appointed without the over the top ‘luxury flourishes.’

The hotel sits high above the Indian Ocean near Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s south-western peninsula so it is a bit of a schlep from the busier Seminyak, Kuta, Legian stretch.

Not a bad thing, but it is harder to pop away should, for some reason, you want to escape.

The above are some of the reasons the hotel is also proving a popular wedding (and honeymoon) destination.

Restaurants

Metis

If you’re wondering what to do in Bali, start with great food.

The charismatic chefs Said and Dou Dou, have taken bits of magic from Warisan — their former haunt — and elevated it at Metis.

The foie gras (all six types) is Bali’s best, and then some.

The kitchen is equally adept at putting out a freshly grilled sole as it is an aromatic plate of fork-tender osso bucco served on a bed of creamy risotto.

The Grand Marnier souffl and passion fruit martini are highly recommended.

After dinner, you can hang out at the lounge overlooking paddy fields.

On Thursday night, there’s live music.

Sardine

More than 120,000 bamboo shingles and 10 types of bamboo were used in the construction of this restaurant.

But you’re not really here to do an architectural survey.

Sardine focuses on fresh produce and organic greens. Brilliant side dishes include smoky miso eggplant and wasabi mash.

The scallops with ravioli and creamy panna cotta are outstanding.

Sari Organik

You’ll break a sweat getting to this restaurant — it’s surrounded by its own farm — where you can pick your own vegetables for the chef to cook.

Take a pre- and post-meal walk through fertile paddy fields — this is a great thing to do in Bali — and revel in a meal of nasi campur crowned with chunks of tempe fried to crisp perfection.

Sarong

We’re not sure which we like better, the spiced Asian fusion with a strong Indonesian slant (the caramelized duck is a hot favorite) or the sexy fleur-de-lis and chandelier setting.

Then there are some of Bali’s best cocktails. Sarong’s extensive cocktail menu is one of the most original we’ve seen.

The Bill & Ben is a gin and pink grapefruit concoction topped with chamomile foam.

The Sarong Cappuccino is made with vodka or brandy, maple syrup, Kahla and espresso.

Mozaic

If there’s one dining destination in Bali, it’s Mozaic.

Part of the Les Grande Tables du Monde, since opening in 2001 the restaurant has had a flurry of global food critics eating out of its hand.

Market cuisine is led by French Laundry-trained chef Chris Salans, who blends French and American culinary techniques with Balinese ingredients.

Salans’ use of black olive Balinese Kluwek sauce is brilliant, and addictive.

Expect to pay up to US$175 per person.

S.O.S Supper Club

If you prefer your sunsets unobstructed, and like to enjoy them without grains of sand stuck in hard-to-reach crevices, S.O.S. is your spot.

The rooftop bar offers one of the best views of the Seminyak sunset slowly melting behind the horizon.

Service is swift and the drinks icy cold.

This is where to be and what to do in Bali come happy hour.

La Plancha

While most other beach bars roll out designer cocktails and fancy finger food, La Plancha keeps it simple with laid-back reggae beats, a selection of beer, oversized beanbags and jugs of potent sangria.

It also helps that the bar has an uninterrupted view of the pink-to-red-to-orange sky.

Bali Joe

There’s rarely any room for women in Bali Joe, except for those that get up on the bar and lip-synch to Beyonc anthems.

The bar is popular for its energetic vibe and nightly drag shows that feature plenty of audience participation.

Performers can be persuaded to extend a few private DIY diva tips.

Rock Bar

Rock Bar’s mixologists pour creative cocktails set to the beats spun from a DJ booth carved into the stone — although some nights are devoted to live music.

Designed by Yasuhiro Koichi of Japan’s Design Studio SPIN, this is one of the best, and most crowded, places to watch the sunset in Bali.

A word of warning: wear suitable clothes.

No board shorts or sleeveless tops for guys. T

hursday to Saturday nights are extremely busy, so be prepared for a long wait.

A scooter from the main Kuta/Seminyak stretch will take 30 minutes-plus to reach the bar.

Ku De Ta

No trip to Bali is complete without catching a sunset at this local institution.

Arrive early or you’ll have to sprawl out on the lawn.

Drinks are pricy, but the mojito, raspberry and lemongrass cocktail and Kuve Margarita made with lemon sorbet is worth the coin.

Potato Head Beach Club

Bali’s newest, hippest beach bar is housed in an impressive geometric facade that you won’t miss.

It’s the best place to be seen drinking and partying.

Celebrity DJs often play weekend gigs.

Other nights see island residents streaming in at sunset for cocktails and tapas.

The kookaburra is a popular order, a curious concoction made of lemongrass gin, passion fruit and mint, and topped by the club’s signature vanilla foam.

6 dishes every Bali visitor needs to try

Shopping / Attractions

Jenggala

There’s plenty of shopping to do in Bali, and few visitors are able to resist the urge to take home a full 24-piece set of Jenggala crockery in pale green jade or plain white.

What started in 1976 as a small, experimental cottage industry has become a global ceramic force.

The high quality, handcrafted ceramic decorated with painstaking detail is a pretty addition — and nicer reminder of Bali — to any home.

Simple Konsep Store

This store is anything but simple.

At this concept space that fuses Bali’s traditional artisan skills with modern European designs, you’ll find everything from origami folding leather bags, Melissa shoes, commissioned ceramics objects by Gaja Gallery, jewelry by local and European designers and unique batik print apparel.

Simple Konsep Store, 40 Jalan Lesmana-Oberoi, Seminyak; +62 361 730393

Mount Agung

What to do in Bali after you’ve seen all the beaches, sampled all the menus and hit all the bars?

Scaling the majestic Mount Agung — at 3,142 meters the highest point on the island — makes for a worthy challenge.

A strato-volcano that last erupted in 1963, locals believe it’s a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe.

There are two routes to the top.

Both take up to four hours.

And while you can scale it without a guide — they can be found lingering at the start of the trek — employing one is highly recommended.

Tanah Lot

Supposedly the work of the 15th-century priest, Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most holy, and touristy, sites.

Located in Tabanan, the sacred Hindu temple sits on a large rock out in the ocean and is said to be guarded by sea snakes.

Head toward the footpath leading to the raised cliff area where the view of the sun setting behind the temple is outstanding.

Only in Bali

Paddy fields

OK, they’re not only in Bali, but terraced rice fields in varying shades of brown, gold and green make for one of Bali’s most calming and beautiful sights.

Keep Walking Tours runs daily excursions, but you can also head off exploring on your own.

Start at Ubud Palace, head west on Jalan Raya Ubud and follow signs that bring you past the River Wos, Campuan Ridge and the village of Penestanan.

Ubud Palace, junction of Jalan Suweta and Jalan Raya Campuan

Balinese avant garde

Balinese art is more than topless women and rice-paddy landscapes.

The artist-run Sika Gallery in Campuan, Ubud, condemns commercial art and seeks to push Bali’s visual arts envelope.

Ask after artist-curator I Wayan Sika and see if you can coax out the story of his artistic journey, during which a coma-like state inspired him to produce some of his best works.

Balinese avant garde, Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Gianyar; +62 36 1975084

Medicine man

Poor Ketut Liyer.

The elderly medicine man has been kept busy all hours of the day since “Eat, Pray, Love” catapulted him to global fame.

Consultations on your life and love prospects don’t come easy or cheap.

Expect all tickets — yes, there’s a docket system — to be snapped up by 9 a.m.

Prices vary, but often start from US$25.

10 minutes’ walk south of Pengoseken, follow the signs; +62 361 974092

Babi guling at Ibu Oka

When in Bali, a meal of babi guling (roast suckling pig) is a must.

It’s essentially a whole roasted pig stuffed with spices, carved up and served with rice and vegetables.

While there are many places to get it around Bali, Ubud’s Ibu Oka is a famed institution serving up platefuls of the stuff daily till mid-afternoon, when the food runs out.

This is a meal that works your jaw.

You’ll need to chew hard till all the flavors are released from the succulent meat.

Around noon, staff usually carve up another pig.

It’s a great photo op.

Jari Menari massage

There are massages and then there’s a Jari Menari massage.

The name means “dancing fingers” and your body parts will be in perfect harmony at the end of the treatment.

The all-male staff employs a mixture of techniques (Swedish, deep tissue, Balinese) and emphasizes the rhythm and movements of your body.

Book well in advance to ensure a spot.

There’s another branch at Nusa Dua, and a one-masseur facility at The Colony Hotel.

Introductory massages classes are held on Tuesdays.

14 of Bali’s best beaches

World’s 100 best beaches

12 crowd-free Asia island escapes

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/bali-insider-travel-guide/

[punjabigrillbali]

Discover Authentic Punjabi Cuisine at Punjabi Grill

Looking for a delicious Indian restaurant near Kuta Beach? Punjabi Grill is an excellent choice for both locals and tourists seeking to experience the best of Indian cuisine. Our authentic Punjabi cuisine is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. Our menu boasts an array of traditional Punjabi dishes, all made with Indian spices. We are located just a short distance from Kuta Beach. So, come and indulge in the flavors of India at Punjabi Grill - we're eager to serve you. For more details, visit www.punjabigrillbali.com.

[joyfilledwander]

A marketplace is where a community comes together. People gather to buy, sell, eat, drink, laugh, gossip and connect. Around the world, so many family’s livelihoods depend on a thriving market. In America, we don’t really have an equivalent. Farmer’s markets are fun & quirky, but rarely does an entire community do their shopping at one of those. I love living in Asia and regularly experiencing market shopping. The sights, the smells, and the sounds all add to the shopping experience. I’ve been in small markets with just a few sellers and huge overwhelming markets that stretch out for miles. They are each unique to the community they serve. Here’s a few of my favorite markets that I’ve visited while traveling through Asia.

Bali’s Jimbaran Fish Market I probably love this market because it feels like my community market. I lived near it for 2 years, and would shop there regularly. Bali is full of local authentic markets & touristy high priced markets. The Jimbaran Fish Market falls somewhere in between. Jimbaran Beach, located south of Kuta & Seminyak’s famous beaches, is well known for it’s sunsets & it’s seafood. Scores of seafood restaurants line the soft white sand of Jimbaran Beach offering tables in the sand and the freshest seafood around. But the seafood restaurant style dining has never been my thing. It’s always crowded, often over priced, and doesn’t feel authentic. Down the beach from these restaurant rows and towards the airport, you can find the real thing. The Fish Market. Every morning, this is where fisherman bring in their catches from the night before. Giant tuna & massive swordfish can regularly be seen coming out of their boats. These fish are taken into the market where they are sold. Seafood restaurants from all over Bali get their seafood from this market. And so did we. I never ate more seafood than I did when we lived next to this market. But for $2-3 for a fresh tuna fillet, how you could not? We often would go buy fresh filleted seafood caught earlier that morning and cook it up at home as we enjoyed fish tacos or a seafood stir fry. Or we could pay another $1 and let the guys working the giant BBQ grill cook it up for us. The best way to do seafood on Jimbaran Beach is to head down to this market, choose your seafood [from tuna to mahi-mahi to lobster to shrimp to crabs to snapper and more] and grill it up right there at the beach and enjoy your sunset for under $5. With a fresh coconut, of course. This market isn’t just seafood. Fruits & vegetables line the walkways, and at night you can shop for clothes and household items. It really is a gathering spot for the community, and I loved being part of it.

Coconuts

Fish Grills at Jimbaran Fish Market

Jimbaran Fish Market

Fishermen

Fishermen

Jimbaran Fish Market

Qatar’s Souq Waqif We only spent about 24 hours in Doha, Qatar, but had the privilege of staying right in the middle of the most famous marketplace, Souq Waqif. This market is incredible, especially at night when it comes alive. At times I couldn’t tell if it was a local market or a tourist attraction, but then decided it was just both and went with it. I’ve never seen a more diverse market. Looking for local hummus & pita bread? Or how about some spices to cook with at home? Needing a finely woven carpet? Or maybe a pet rabbit or bird? Hoping to find a new outfit for a night out? Wanting to hang out with some falcons or camels? Literally all of these things can be done at Souq Waqif. It’s a massive winding marketplace that is full of cool nooks & crannies to explore. Being able to walk out of the door of our hotel and into this buzzing marketplace was simply fabulous. Even our 4 month old baby was alert with excitement. If I had a week to explore the Souq, it wouldn’t be enough time. Someday I hope to go back to Doha and take in more of it’s beauty, culture and diversity. Also, this is one of the cleanest markets I’ve ever seen in Asia!

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Camels

Singapore’s Tiong Bahru Hawker Center Market Singapore is a unique spot in Asia, so of course my favorite market in Singapore is unique. To start, Singapore is so diverse. It’s a mix of modern efficiency and ancient traditions. The people of Singapore are a mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Indonesian. The food is a mix of all these cultures and more. While Singapore may be small geographically, nothing about the experience of Singapore is small. Most of the best [and cheapest] food in Singapore can be found at a Hawker Center, which is an oversized food court packed full of food sellers making their best dish. And it’s all delicious. However my favorite market [hawker center] is in my favorite neighborhood of Singapore, Tiong Bahru. This out of the way neighborhood is on the fringes of Chinatown, but is distinctly stylish & hipster. The architecture reminds of 1960’s art deco Miami. Independent bookstore and cozy coffee shops are hidden away in the tall apartment buildings of this neighborhood. And the Hawker Center is something special too. It’s unique round shape perfectly fits in with the style of the neighborhood. On the bottom floor, fresh flowers ooze out into the walkways. You can also shop for produce and household items as well. On the top floor, treat yourself to some delicious dumplings or Hainanese Chicken Rice, a particular speciality of the area. The painted wall murals continue the creativity throughout the whole Hawker Center, and there’s even more great street art to be found around Tiong Bahru. When in Singapore, make the effort to get over to Tiong Bahru and experience this Hawker Center. I know I always do!

Tiong Bahru Flowers

Tiong Bahru Food

Tiong Bahru Wall Art

Tiong Bahru Wall Art

Hawker Center in Tiong Bahru

Bali’s Sukawati Art Market Another Bali market makes my list because, of course. This market is unique because it isn’t well known for it’s food or yummy treats, but it’s handicrafts. Ubud has made a name for itself in the art scene, but has really been overcome with tourism. If I am looking for handmade creative items from the Balinese culture, I’ll skip Ubud and head straight to Sukawati. This little spot on the map isn’t too far from Ubud itself, but feels like a different place entirely. The market isn’t limited to one building, but one long street full of shops selling their specific handicraft. From rattan bags to wooden knives to shadow puppets to home decor, Sukawati Art Market is a must see. From what I’ve heard, many sellers in the Ubud markets go to Sukawati to supply their shops, and then hike up the prices! As with most markets in Bali, you’ll still need to bargain down to get the best price [insider tip: start negotiating with half of what they offer]. I love browsing the creativity and artistry of the Balinese people. I am constantly in awe of their skills. Of course, you can still find the colorful sarongs and Bintang tank tops that are unavoidable in Bali, but at the least the experience is a little less touristy.

Beijing’s Street Food Night Market I almost didn’t include this market. But it was so unlike any other market I had ever seen, that I had to include it. Maybe market isn’t the exact right word, because it’s more of a walking street of food vendors. China is full of these. But the one we visited in Beijing truly stood out. It was right in the middle of a bustling downtown shopping area, and the bright lights of nearby billboards and shop windows illuminated the sidewalk all around us. Like most parts of China, it was packed. Stall after stall had lines to buy each dish. We tried delicious dumplings and tasty noodles. I took a million photos of the cutest steamed buns decorated to resemble animals and other objects. And then we appreciated the unknown meats on sticks and scary bugs on sticks. This is about where I stopped trying things! My husband is much more an adventurous eater than I am, so he braved the fried scorpions. While I didn’t try the most extreme items available, I did enjoy seeing how the Chinese people enjoy their street food.

Beijing Street Food Market

Beijing Street Food Market

Beijing Street Food Market

Beijing Street Food Market

Thailand’s Chiang Mai Walking Street Night Market Thailand may do markets, especially night markets, better than anywhere else in Asia. Every night we spent in Thailand, no matter the city, there was always a bustling night market. It was the best place to eat and shop in town, no question. And they aren’t just for tourists, but so many locals were enjoy pad thai right alongside us. A favorite market experience in Thailand is in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Every Sunday night there’s a walking street night market and it’s always packed. There’s loads of vendors selling handicrafts, carts selling food, and even spas doing foot massage right on the street for about $1. It combines so many of favorite things…eating, shopping & massage! Surrounded by Buddhist temples, you can wander through the busy streets and browse everything from beautifully painted paper umbrellas to handmade jewelry. There’s so much beautiful artistry in Thai handicrafts. It’s a fun experience if you find yourself in Chiang Mai on a Sunday night. Maybe it’s on the touristy side of Thai culture, but it’s still a good time.

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Chiang Mai markets

Do you have a favorite market experience? Have you been to any of these? What Asian market should I check out next? Let me know in the comments below!

How much do you love #shopping at markets when #traveling #overseas? Check out this list of my favorite #markets in #Asia! A marketplace is where a community comes together. People gather to buy, sell, eat, drink, laugh, gossip and connect.

[cleopatrarps]

Saving Turtles in Bali, Egg by Precious Egg

LEGIAN, Indonesia — The people of Bali have long been of two minds about endangered sea turtles. Some want to save them. Some want to eat them.

But increasingly, the desire to save the turtle is winning out, especially among younger Balinese.

By day, Legian Beach is crowded with tourists from around the world who come for the sand and surf. By night, when the beach is dark and nearly deserted, it becomes a critical habitat for turtles.

Alex Unwakoly, a volunteer from the Bali Sea Turtle Society, was patrolling a stretch of beach across from a five-star hotel one recent night when he spotted an olive ridley turtle that had crawled up on the sand to lay its eggs.

So began a rapid operation to save the turtle’s offspring.

He and a colleague kept a handful of tourists at a discreet distance while the turtle — classified as a member of a vulnerable species — laid its eggs. Other rescuers arrived. And as the turtle crawled back to the Indian Ocean, they dug up the 136 eggs, each about the size of a Ping-Pong ball, then put them in a bucket and took them away to hatch in a safer spot.

“Every time she lays eggs, she will come back to this place, the place she was born,” Mr. Unwakoly said. That can be several times a year.

The largely volunteer campaign to save Bali’s sea turtles is a rare success story on this popular tourist island, which struggles with environmental challenges, including shoreline trash, eroding beaches and soul-sapping traffic jams.

Turtle eggs left to hatch on their own, as nature intended, face many threats. They can be crushed by beachgoers, swept away at high tide, dug up by wild dogs or stolen by poachers. Turtles laying their eggs on the beach face the risk of being carried off and becoming dinner.

“The most important thing about conservation is how to educate the humans,” said I Wayan Wiradnyana, the founder of the Bali Sea Turtle Society. “The sea turtle belongs to everyone, so everyone should take responsibility.”

Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtle inhabit Indonesia’s waters, and all of them are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

The group’s primary success has been with the olive ridley, which appears to be less affected by the trash, noise and bright lights of modern Bali.

It also is said to have a fishy taste, unlike the green sea turtle that Balinese consider the most delicious.

The plight of sea turtles has improved considerably since 2001, when I came here to investigate the turtle trade. Catching, possessing or eating the animals was banned in 1999, but even so, tens of thousands of turtles were being killed.

Turtles awaiting slaughter were kept in plain sight in bamboo pens on the beach. Turtle meat was served openly at small restaurants and at Hindu ceremonies. Turtle smugglers operated with impunity, at one point burning down a police post in protest of the ban.

The turtles were butchered alive to keep the meat from sticking to the shell. One butcher described the gruesome, 10-minute process for me: He first cut off the flippers, then separated the meat from the shell and at the end removed the heart, still beating.

The authorities on the predominantly Hindu island began to crack down rather than risk a backlash from foreign tourists.

Hindu priests helped protect the turtle by declaring that sacrificing them was not a religious practice.

Today, the turtle trade has been driven underground. Some smugglers and vendors remain in business, though, and last year Indonesia’s marine police in Bali seized more than 1,540 pounds of turtle meat, including more than 400 pounds packed in ice and sent by bus from the nearby island of Lombok.

During the two years before that, the police arrested three smugglers and seized more than 120 live turtles, records show.

In a pre-dawn raid in March on a restaurant in Jimbaran, a popular tourist area, the police arrested a cook in the act of cutting turtle meat. If they had arrived much later, it would have been chopped so finely it would have been indistinguishable from other meat.

“When we got there, the flippers were already chopped up,” said Budi Prasetyo, a marine police officer. “We had to put the puzzle back together.”

In April, the local police arrested a man near Kuta Beach suspected of stealing a woman’s purse. They searched his motorbike and found 97 newly dug-up turtle eggs, Mr. Wiradnyana said. The police handed them over to the hatchery. Two were broken.

Mr. Wiradnyana and I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, known as Agung, began trying to save sea turtles in 2001. They recovered the eggs from a single nest, hatched them and released the babies.

The following year, they recovered eggs from two nests.

Gradually, they raised awareness in the community, attracted volunteers and built a network of lookouts, like taxi drivers and hotel security guards, who report sightings of turtles on the beach.

Last year, the society retrieved eggs from a record 761 nests and released some 70,000 hatchlings. This year, they are on track to rescue and release even more.

But nearly all of them are olive ridleys. Mr. Wiradnyana pointed out that the five other species known to inhabit Balinese waters are not making a similar recovery.

And he worries about many long-term threats: Hotel development, beach erosion and rising sea levels due to climate change all reduce the turtles’ nesting area. Illegal hunting and floating plastic garbage can kill them at sea.

When rescuers recover eggs, they take them to the society’s hatchery at Kuta, one of Bali’s most crowded beaches.

The hatchery, 30 feet long, is built in the shape of a giant green sea turtle. The rescuers bury the eggs in sand and wait. The eggs hatch 45 to 60 days later.

Most of the hatchlings are released within 24 hours in an uplifting, circus-style event that draws hundreds of tourists.

On one recent afternoon, the hatchery prepared to release more than 400 hatchlings. There was little advance notice, but word spread down the beach. By 4 p.m., hundreds of people had assembled.

Mr. Agung grabbed a megaphone and climbed up on a small platform.

“It’s time for action for the baby turtle now,” he announced.

He spoke briefly about the challenges the hatchlings would face to reach adulthood in the open ocean.

“For every 1,000 turtles we release on the beach, how many will survive?” he asked.

“One!” called out several people who had done their homework.

As an afterthought, he mentioned that the society accepts donations. But there was no hard sell. Participation is free.

About 200 people, almost all foreign tourists, lined up, received a baby turtle in a plastic dish and headed down to the beach.

As directed, they stood behind a line in the sand facing the ocean. Mr. Agung stood near the waterline and issued instructions through his bullhorn.

“Are you ready?” he called out. “Everybody squat down! One, two, three, release your turtles!”

The race was on.

The turtles scrambled toward the water but stopped short. The tide was out and the distance considerable.

After the hatchlings got the feel of sand under their flippers, Mr. Agung directed the crowd to walk forward, pick up a turtle and carry it to the surf. Standing knee-deep in the water, they let them go a second time.

Afterward, the participants were enthusiastic about helping to save a threatened species.

“It’s amazing,” said Teagan Hercus, 18, a university student from Australia. “It’s the best thing we have done in Bali.”

Regina Greilich, 26, a teacher from Germany, praised the turtle rescuers and their enthusiasm.

“I really like the fact that they care so much about the environment,” she said. “They do it with so much passion.”

Restidia Putri contributed reporting.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A8 of the New York edition with the headline: On Bali’s Beaches, Saving a Species From Becoming Dinner. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

The post Saving Turtles in Bali, Egg by Precious Egg appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2u0I6TG via News of World

[newestbalance]

Saving Turtles in Bali, Egg by Precious Egg

LEGIAN, Indonesia — The people of Bali have long been of two minds about endangered sea turtles. Some want to save them. Some want to eat them.

But increasingly, the desire to save the turtle is winning out, especially among younger Balinese.

By day, Legian Beach is crowded with tourists from around the world who come for the sand and surf. By night, when the beach is dark and nearly deserted, it becomes a critical habitat for turtles.

Alex Unwakoly, a volunteer from the Bali Sea Turtle Society, was patrolling a stretch of beach across from a five-star hotel one recent night when he spotted an olive ridley turtle that had crawled up on the sand to lay its eggs.

So began a rapid operation to save the turtle’s offspring.

He and a colleague kept a handful of tourists at a discreet distance while the turtle — classified as a member of a vulnerable species — laid its eggs. Other rescuers arrived. And as the turtle crawled back to the Indian Ocean, they dug up the 136 eggs, each about the size of a Ping-Pong ball, then put them in a bucket and took them away to hatch in a safer spot.

“Every time she lays eggs, she will come back to this place, the place she was born,” Mr. Unwakoly said. That can be several times a year.

The largely volunteer campaign to save Bali’s sea turtles is a rare success story on this popular tourist island, which struggles with environmental challenges, including shoreline trash, eroding beaches and soul-sapping traffic jams.

Turtle eggs left to hatch on their own, as nature intended, face many threats. They can be crushed by beachgoers, swept away at high tide, dug up by wild dogs or stolen by poachers. Turtles laying their eggs on the beach face the risk of being carried off and becoming dinner.

“The most important thing about conservation is how to educate the humans,” said I Wayan Wiradnyana, the founder of the Bali Sea Turtle Society. “The sea turtle belongs to everyone, so everyone should take responsibility.”

Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtle inhabit Indonesia’s waters, and all of them are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

The group’s primary success has been with the olive ridley, which appears to be less affected by the trash, noise and bright lights of modern Bali.

It also is said to have a fishy taste, unlike the green sea turtle that Balinese consider the most delicious.

The plight of sea turtles has improved considerably since 2001, when I came here to investigate the turtle trade. Catching, possessing or eating the animals was banned in 1999, but even so, tens of thousands of turtles were being killed.

Turtles awaiting slaughter were kept in plain sight in bamboo pens on the beach. Turtle meat was served openly at small restaurants and at Hindu ceremonies. Turtle smugglers operated with impunity, at one point burning down a police post in protest of the ban.

The turtles were butchered alive to keep the meat from sticking to the shell. One butcher described the gruesome, 10-minute process for me: He first cut off the flippers, then separated the meat from the shell and at the end removed the heart, still beating.

The authorities on the predominantly Hindu island began to crack down rather than risk a backlash from foreign tourists.

Hindu priests helped protect the turtle by declaring that sacrificing them was not a religious practice.

Today, the turtle trade has been driven underground. Some smugglers and vendors remain in business, though, and last year Indonesia’s marine police in Bali seized more than 1,540 pounds of turtle meat, including more than 400 pounds packed in ice and sent by bus from the nearby island of Lombok.

During the two years before that, the police arrested three smugglers and seized more than 120 live turtles, records show.

In a pre-dawn raid in March on a restaurant in Jimbaran, a popular tourist area, the police arrested a cook in the act of cutting turtle meat. If they had arrived much later, it would have been chopped so finely it would have been indistinguishable from other meat.

“When we got there, the flippers were already chopped up,” said Budi Prasetyo, a marine police officer. “We had to put the puzzle back together.”

In April, the local police arrested a man near Kuta Beach suspected of stealing a woman’s purse. They searched his motorbike and found 97 newly dug-up turtle eggs, Mr. Wiradnyana said. The police handed them over to the hatchery. Two were broken.

Mr. Wiradnyana and I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, known as Agung, began trying to save sea turtles in 2001. They recovered the eggs from a single nest, hatched them and released the babies.

The following year, they recovered eggs from two nests.

Gradually, they raised awareness in the community, attracted volunteers and built a network of lookouts, like taxi drivers and hotel security guards, who report sightings of turtles on the beach.

Last year, the society retrieved eggs from a record 761 nests and released some 70,000 hatchlings. This year, they are on track to rescue and release even more.

But nearly all of them are olive ridleys. Mr. Wiradnyana pointed out that the five other species known to inhabit Balinese waters are not making a similar recovery.

And he worries about many long-term threats: Hotel development, beach erosion and rising sea levels due to climate change all reduce the turtles’ nesting area. Illegal hunting and floating plastic garbage can kill them at sea.

When rescuers recover eggs, they take them to the society’s hatchery at Kuta, one of Bali’s most crowded beaches.

The hatchery, 30 feet long, is built in the shape of a giant green sea turtle. The rescuers bury the eggs in sand and wait. The eggs hatch 45 to 60 days later.

Most of the hatchlings are released within 24 hours in an uplifting, circus-style event that draws hundreds of tourists.

On one recent afternoon, the hatchery prepared to release more than 400 hatchlings. There was little advance notice, but word spread down the beach. By 4 p.m., hundreds of people had assembled.

Mr. Agung grabbed a megaphone and climbed up on a small platform.

“It’s time for action for the baby turtle now,” he announced.

He spoke briefly about the challenges the hatchlings would face to reach adulthood in the open ocean.

“For every 1,000 turtles we release on the beach, how many will survive?” he asked.

“One!” called out several people who had done their homework.

As an afterthought, he mentioned that the society accepts donations. But there was no hard sell. Participation is free.

About 200 people, almost all foreign tourists, lined up, received a baby turtle in a plastic dish and headed down to the beach.

As directed, they stood behind a line in the sand facing the ocean. Mr. Agung stood near the waterline and issued instructions through his bullhorn.

“Are you ready?” he called out. “Everybody squat down! One, two, three, release your turtles!”

The race was on.

The turtles scrambled toward the water but stopped short. The tide was out and the distance considerable.

After the hatchlings got the feel of sand under their flippers, Mr. Agung directed the crowd to walk forward, pick up a turtle and carry it to the surf. Standing knee-deep in the water, they let them go a second time.

Afterward, the participants were enthusiastic about helping to save a threatened species.

“It’s amazing,” said Teagan Hercus, 18, a university student from Australia. “It’s the best thing we have done in Bali.”

Regina Greilich, 26, a teacher from Germany, praised the turtle rescuers and their enthusiasm.

“I really like the fact that they care so much about the environment,” she said. “They do it with so much passion.”

Restidia Putri contributed reporting.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A8 of the New York edition with the headline: On Bali’s Beaches, Saving a Species From Becoming Dinner. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

The post Saving Turtles in Bali, Egg by Precious Egg appeared first on World The News.

from World The News https://ift.tt/2u0I6TG via Everyday News

[dani-qrt]

Saving Turtles in Bali, Egg by Precious Egg

LEGIAN, Indonesia — The people of Bali have long been of two minds about endangered sea turtles. Some want to save them. Some want to eat them.

But increasingly, the desire to save the turtle is winning out, especially among younger Balinese.

By day, Legian Beach is crowded with tourists from around the world who come for the sand and surf. By night, when the beach is dark and nearly deserted, it becomes a critical habitat for turtles.

Alex Unwakoly, a volunteer from the Bali Sea Turtle Society, was patrolling a stretch of beach across from a five-star hotel one recent night when he spotted an olive ridley turtle that had crawled up on the sand to lay its eggs.

So began a rapid operation to save the turtle’s offspring.

He and a colleague kept a handful of tourists at a discreet distance while the turtle — classified as a member of a vulnerable species — laid its eggs. Other rescuers arrived. And as the turtle crawled back to the Indian Ocean, they dug up the 136 eggs, each about the size of a Ping-Pong ball, then put them in a bucket and took them away to hatch in a safer spot.

“Every time she lays eggs, she will come back to this place, the place she was born,” Mr. Unwakoly said. That can be several times a year.

The largely volunteer campaign to save Bali’s sea turtles is a rare success story on this popular tourist island, which struggles with environmental challenges, including shoreline trash, eroding beaches and soul-sapping traffic jams.

Turtle eggs left to hatch on their own, as nature intended, face many threats. They can be crushed by beachgoers, swept away at high tide, dug up by wild dogs or stolen by poachers. Turtles laying their eggs on the beach face the risk of being carried off and becoming dinner.

“The most important thing about conservation is how to educate the humans,” said I Wayan Wiradnyana, the founder of the Bali Sea Turtle Society. “The sea turtle belongs to everyone, so everyone should take responsibility.”

Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtle inhabit Indonesia’s waters, and all of them are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

The group’s primary success has been with the olive ridley, which appears to be less affected by the trash, noise and bright lights of modern Bali.

It also is said to have a fishy taste, unlike the green sea turtle that Balinese consider the most delicious.

The plight of sea turtles has improved considerably since 2001, when I came here to investigate the turtle trade. Catching, possessing or eating the animals was banned in 1999, but even so, tens of thousands of turtles were being killed.

Turtles awaiting slaughter were kept in plain sight in bamboo pens on the beach. Turtle meat was served openly at small restaurants and at Hindu ceremonies. Turtle smugglers operated with impunity, at one point burning down a police post in protest of the ban.

The turtles were butchered alive to keep the meat from sticking to the shell. One butcher described the gruesome, 10-minute process for me: He first cut off the flippers, then separated the meat from the shell and at the end removed the heart, still beating.

The authorities on the predominantly Hindu island began to crack down rather than risk a backlash from foreign tourists.

Hindu priests helped protect the turtle by declaring that sacrificing them was not a religious practice.

Today, the turtle trade has been driven underground. Some smugglers and vendors remain in business, though, and last year Indonesia’s marine police in Bali seized more than 1,540 pounds of turtle meat, including more than 400 pounds packed in ice and sent by bus from the nearby island of Lombok.

During the two years before that, the police arrested three smugglers and seized more than 120 live turtles, records show.

In a pre-dawn raid in March on a restaurant in Jimbaran, a popular tourist area, the police arrested a cook in the act of cutting turtle meat. If they had arrived much later, it would have been chopped so finely it would have been indistinguishable from other meat.

“When we got there, the flippers were already chopped up,” said Budi Prasetyo, a marine police officer. “We had to put the puzzle back together.”

In April, the local police arrested a man near Kuta Beach suspected of stealing a woman’s purse. They searched his motorbike and found 97 newly dug-up turtle eggs, Mr. Wiradnyana said. The police handed them over to the hatchery. Two were broken.

Mr. Wiradnyana and I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, known as Agung, began trying to save sea turtles in 2001. They recovered the eggs from a single nest, hatched them and released the babies.

The following year, they recovered eggs from two nests.

Gradually, they raised awareness in the community, attracted volunteers and built a network of lookouts, like taxi drivers and hotel security guards, who report sightings of turtles on the beach.

Last year, the society retrieved eggs from a record 761 nests and released some 70,000 hatchlings. This year, they are on track to rescue and release even more.

But nearly all of them are olive ridleys. Mr. Wiradnyana pointed out that the five other species known to inhabit Balinese waters are not making a similar recovery.

And he worries about many long-term threats: Hotel development, beach erosion and rising sea levels due to climate change all reduce the turtles’ nesting area. Illegal hunting and floating plastic garbage can kill them at sea.

When rescuers recover eggs, they take them to the society’s hatchery at Kuta, one of Bali’s most crowded beaches.

The hatchery, 30 feet long, is built in the shape of a giant green sea turtle. The rescuers bury the eggs in sand and wait. The eggs hatch 45 to 60 days later.

Most of the hatchlings are released within 24 hours in an uplifting, circus-style event that draws hundreds of tourists.

On one recent afternoon, the hatchery prepared to release more than 400 hatchlings. There was little advance notice, but word spread down the beach. By 4 p.m., hundreds of people had assembled.

Mr. Agung grabbed a megaphone and climbed up on a small platform.

“It’s time for action for the baby turtle now,” he announced.

He spoke briefly about the challenges the hatchlings would face to reach adulthood in the open ocean.

“For every 1,000 turtles we release on the beach, how many will survive?” he asked.

“One!” called out several people who had done their homework.

As an afterthought, he mentioned that the society accepts donations. But there was no hard sell. Participation is free.

About 200 people, almost all foreign tourists, lined up, received a baby turtle in a plastic dish and headed down to the beach.

As directed, they stood behind a line in the sand facing the ocean. Mr. Agung stood near the waterline and issued instructions through his bullhorn.

“Are you ready?” he called out. “Everybody squat down! One, two, three, release your turtles!”

The race was on.

The turtles scrambled toward the water but stopped short. The tide was out and the distance considerable.

After the hatchlings got the feel of sand under their flippers, Mr. Agung directed the crowd to walk forward, pick up a turtle and carry it to the surf. Standing knee-deep in the water, they let them go a second time.

Afterward, the participants were enthusiastic about helping to save a threatened species.

“It’s amazing,” said Teagan Hercus, 18, a university student from Australia. “It’s the best thing we have done in Bali.”

Regina Greilich, 26, a teacher from Germany, praised the turtle rescuers and their enthusiasm.

“I really like the fact that they care so much about the environment,” she said. “They do it with so much passion.”

Restidia Putri contributed reporting.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A8 of the New York edition with the headline: On Bali’s Beaches, Saving a Species From Becoming Dinner. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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