BALI

EXOTIC BALI

Bali is a super popular island – it is everybody's favorite!!

It was sheer luck that brought me to Bali Island.

I was bestowed with a lucky draw prize – Bali Free Accommodation – given by MCA CNY Press Nite 2009.

Without hesitation, I began to make arrangement such as booking the hotel, and purchasing Air Asia tickets - from Singapore to Bali. 

BAKUNG'S BEACH COTTAGES

Upon reaching Bali on October 29, 2009, we took a taxi – check into Bakung's beach Cottages, at Kuta Beach.

Just walk out of my cottage - there is a number of stalls selling souvenir and holiday makers items.

SHOPPING FOR MY FAVORITE KEY CHAIN

Luckily, our hotel is located near the Kuta Beach and town area.

Obviously, the first activity is none other than massage SPA, here.

KUTA BEACH

On our first day, we took a stroll down town and to the Kuta Beach to watch the beautiful sunny day. Here, we found many fisherman's net, fishing equipment and boats fit for photography session.

JIMBARAN SUNSET BEACH DINNER

We had our romantic lunch (my brother, mother and myself) at the Jimbaran Sunset Beach to enjoy the flavor of barbeque seafood dinner that set on the beach. This place has been known for the Terrorist Happening Place.

 

NUSA 2 BEACH

Next day, we went shopping at city centre. We can't get enough of the beautiful Indonesian beaches - we took a cab to Nusa 2 beach (Pantai Gagal) – a beach popular for sunbathing and swimming. At night, had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, Bali.

NUSA 2 BEACH

On the third day, we book a taxi costs about RM100 for around the island tour to Celuk – Batuan – Mas - Kintamani Hill – Samur Beach.

CELUK - GOLD AND SILVER SMITH

First stop is Ubud's Art Villages namely Celuk – the centre of Gold and Silver smith – where they will show you their skills on how to make silver items. 

BATUAN - PAINTINGS

 

ABSOLUTELY CREATIVE ART PIECE OF A WOMAN

Next, is the Batuan – a place of traditional painting – one can view the paintings namely -oil painting, fine art and color painting. Here, artists will show you - their skill on panting any types of art. You can also experience yourself on painting here, with the guidance of the experts.

MAS - WOOD CARVING

Another artisan area – is Mas, where it become the best wood carving in the world – just try your hand on it at wood carving.

KINTAMANI HILL - ACTIVE VOLCANO AT BACKDROP

We then proceed to the “must visit” place called the Kintamani Hill – to watch the beautiful panorama of the most active volcano and the biggest lake in Bali called Batur. Do not missed out taking a photograph of the volcano as the backdrop. Lunch is served here – as visitors sit facing the volcano – one of the best picturesque in Indonesia. 

SRIBATU'S SPICE GARDEN - COFFEE PROCESSING

Another interesting place is the Spice Garden in Sribatu where you can taste the flavor of pure Bali coffee and to see the production of coffee. Here, the owner used the best traditional way of processing coffee in its factory. Coffee is processed from the red coffee berry until it became roasted coffee bean premium special.

CHOICE OF COFFEE !

Drinks offered are – luwak coffee, bali coffee for males, bali coffee for females, ginseng coffee, hot cocoa, ginger tea and lemon grass tea. One cup costs about USD 3 (RP30,000).

TEMPLE BATU

AMAZING CHILDREN AT THE  BATU TEMPLE

I like this next place called the Batu Temple  – where one can get dressed in their religious costume for a photography session. There are activities like cock fighting, children playing and trying out the tray on head balancing act.

Batu Temple is a unique and sacred Hindu temple where all buildings are made from stone situated in Northern Bali. The Temple is also known as Bali Stone Temple.

SANUR BEACH - SUNSET VIEW

As a finale, the driver took us to the Sanur Beach – to view the sunset.

All in all, it is easy getting our way in Bali except the food is pretty expensive as it is a tourist destination. 

GLORIOUS TRADITIONAL FOOD

Difficult to find traditional food in town area, unless you go outskirt such as -

nasi guling campur, nasi ayam betutu, nasi ayam goreng, parsi babi asap and porte satey lilit.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP AT BALI

On the fourth day - shop till you drop at town centre & SPA time.

Finally - bid farewell to Bali. I just gonna missed the SPA and massage only priced at RM30 – one of the best in Asia.

BACKGROUND

Bali is an island where art and religion mingle in the daily lives of people - its culture overflows from its temples and into the streets, where artisans of every kind continued traditional works of handicraft, art and massage that have been passed down for generations. The cultural concentration traced back to the 14th century, when Islam expanded across the nearby island of Java - pushing the Hindu Majapahit across the water to Bali and making it an isolated haven for Indonesian Hinduism.  The most famous of the many Balinese culture are its poetic and ornate dances -employ the highly sophisticated gestural language to narrate traditional legends in a dance. Of course, the beaches of Bali is one of the best in Asia.

OCTOBER 29 - NOV 2, 2009