the island of bali lies in the center of theindonesian archipelago, between the islands, of java and lombok. but to the balinese people, their island is considered the center of thespiritual universe. bali has a population of around 4 millionpeople,
best resorts in bali, and is home to indonesia's hindu population. the balinese practice the concept of tri hitakarana, which seeks to balance the human, naturaland spirit worlds. and it is this sense of harmony
which makes bali more than just a physicaldestination, but a complete state of mind. most first time visitors are drawn to thesouth of bali, a region blessed with incredible beaches andworld class surf. kuta was discovered by the flower childrenand surfers of the 1960's. just a short drive from bali's internationalairport, and renowned for it's nightlife and shopping, it's hard to imagine this was once a sleepyfishing village. yet kuta's crescent shaped beach still retainsa magical quality,
casting a spell over sun worshippers fromall over the world. from kuta, grab your sarong and follow thebeach north, to the beaches of legian, double six and seminyak, where things really mellow out. step from the sand of seminyak and into petitengettemple. the temple was built centuries ago, around a simple shrine built to appease troublesomespirits who haunted the area. today, seminyak is a tranquil place,
known for its great restaurants and fashionboutiques. bali has come a long way since it's days asjust a backpacker destination. head south from kuta to the bukit penninsula where you'll find the luxury resort enclaveof nusa dua, a name synonymous with seclusion and style. on the peninsula's west side is one of bali'sfinest beaches, jimbaran. towards the end of the day, pull up a chair at one of the seafood restaurants, and experience an incredible spectacle,
as bali's gods hurl paint across the heavens.â a little further south, and jutting out intothe java sea is the rock at lands end ~ uluwatu. follow the cliff-top pathways to one of bali'smost important temples, then grab your board and paddle out into uluwatu'slegendary swells. discovering more of bali is a breeze. hire a van with driver for the day, or if you're feeling more adventurous renta scooter. not far from the island's capital, denpasar,
is the bali bird park, a sanctuary to over1000 birds from all over indonesia and beyond. nearby at the bali zoo, see bali from up high, on the back of a sumatran elephant.â but it's even higher, in the foothills, where the true spirit of bali awaits. only an hours drive from denpassar is bali'scultural capital, ubud. here the streets are lined with stalls andgalleries selling the works of local artisans.
to deepen your appreciation of balinese art, spend a few hours at the neka art and purilukisan museums. or take a tour through the fabulous privatecollection of the arma museum. don't miss the flamboyant home of painterantonio blanco ~ the dali of bali ~ who's life's work wasa tribute to the female form. ubud is one of bali's most popular touristdestinations, but serenity is never more than a few stepsaway. you'll find some of ubud's most popular residents under the cool canopy of the sacred monkeyforest.
a few kilometers away, step through the mouth of a demon into theelephant caves of goa gajah. ubud is surrounded by bali's rural heartland, where, apart from the motor scooters, lifehas changed little for centuries. as the altitude rises the highlands offera cool haven. it is here, among the volcanic mountain mistsof kintamani and beyond, that the island's most revered gods reside.â down below, the rest of bali awaits, as well as nearby treasures like lombok's,gilli islands.
indonesia has thousands of islands to explore. but few others in this archipelago, or indeed the rest of the world, can match the culture, natural beauty andspirit of bali.
the island of bali lies in the center of theindonesian archipelago, between the islands, of java and lombok. but to the balinese people, their island is considered the center of thespiritual universe. bali has a population of around 4 millionpeople,
best resorts in bali, and is home to indonesia's hindu population. the balinese practice the concept of tri hitakarana, which seeks to balance the human, naturaland spirit worlds. and it is this sense of harmony
which makes bali more than just a physicaldestination, but a complete state of mind. most first time visitors are drawn to thesouth of bali, a region blessed with incredible beaches andworld class surf. kuta was discovered by the flower childrenand surfers of the 1960's. just a short drive from bali's internationalairport, and renowned for it's nightlife and shopping, it's hard to imagine this was once a sleepyfishing village. yet kuta's crescent shaped beach still retainsa magical quality,
casting a spell over sun worshippers fromall over the world. from kuta, grab your sarong and follow thebeach north, to the beaches of legian, double six and seminyak, where things really mellow out. step from the sand of seminyak and into petitengettemple. the temple was built centuries ago, around a simple shrine built to appease troublesomespirits who haunted the area. today, seminyak is a tranquil place,
known for its great restaurants and fashionboutiques. bali has come a long way since it's days asjust a backpacker destination. head south from kuta to the bukit penninsula where you'll find the luxury resort enclaveof nusa dua, a name synonymous with seclusion and style. on the peninsula's west side is one of bali'sfinest beaches, jimbaran. towards the end of the day, pull up a chair at one of the seafood restaurants, and experience an incredible spectacle,
as bali's gods hurl paint across the heavens.â a little further south, and jutting out intothe java sea is the rock at lands end ~ uluwatu. follow the cliff-top pathways to one of bali'smost important temples, then grab your board and paddle out into uluwatu'slegendary swells. discovering more of bali is a breeze. hire a van with driver for the day, or if you're feeling more adventurous renta scooter. not far from the island's capital, denpasar,
is the bali bird park, a sanctuary to over1000 birds from all over indonesia and beyond. nearby at the bali zoo, see bali from up high, on the back of a sumatran elephant.â but it's even higher, in the foothills, where the true spirit of bali awaits. only an hours drive from denpassar is bali'scultural capital, ubud. here the streets are lined with stalls andgalleries selling the works of local artisans.
to deepen your appreciation of balinese art, spend a few hours at the neka art and purilukisan museums. or take a tour through the fabulous privatecollection of the arma museum. don't miss the flamboyant home of painterantonio blanco ~ the dali of bali ~ who's life's work wasa tribute to the female form. ubud is one of bali's most popular touristdestinations, but serenity is never more than a few stepsaway. you'll find some of ubud's most popular residents under the cool canopy of the sacred monkeyforest.
a few kilometers away, step through the mouth of a demon into theelephant caves of goa gajah. ubud is surrounded by bali's rural heartland, where, apart from the motor scooters, lifehas changed little for centuries. as the altitude rises the highlands offera cool haven. it is here, among the volcanic mountain mistsof kintamani and beyond, that the island's most revered gods reside.â down below, the rest of bali awaits, as well as nearby treasures like lombok's,gilli islands.
indonesia has thousands of islands to explore. but few others in this archipelago, or indeed the rest of the world, can match the culture, natural beauty andspirit of bali.