Discover A New World Of Travel In Bali

With some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world travel to Bali should be on every wondering souls to do list. This small island has much to offer ranging from great diving locations to active volcanoes making this exotic and intriguing place a Mecca for travellers looking for inspiration.

Bali has numerous natural attractions which include beaches which are famous world wide for, not only their breathtaking beauty but, their waves as well. Surfers flock to Bali almost year round to enjoy some of the best surf in the world. Bali is also popular with divers as the Indonesian archipelago boasts over one quarter of the marine life in the world but if you would prefer to keep you feet firmly on solid ground them this diminutive island has much to offer.

Bali is home to more than a dozen species of coconut tree and there are flowers everywhere adding to the beauty and allure of the place. Hibiscus, jasmine and frangipani can be seen and smelt in the front gardens of most Balinese homes inviting you to give in to the exotic nature of the island. Bali also has a string of six volcanoes running from east to west and the evidence of the last eruption in 1963 of Mt Agung can still be seen on its slopes.

Dance is an integral part of the rich Balinese culture and on any given day you can watch one of the many indigenous dances performed by the locals. The Barong Dance which tells the story if the opposing forces of chaos ("Rangda") and order (the "Barong"). A ceremony or colourful festival is always close at hand like the flower festival where people come form all over Indonesia to compete in the flower tournament and watch the flower parade.

Ceremony is also an important part of the Hindu Balinese culture. Ceremonies are performed for almost everything but some are more holy than other. The cremation of deceased loved ones is a very important ritual and it isn't unheard of for villages to have mass cremations to lower the massive cost of this ritual.

Bali is full of exotic wild life and over 300 bird species call this island home. Elephants and Tigers have not roamed these jungles since early last century but there are plenty of monkeys, civets and deer to keep the animal lovers occupied.

Shopping is also a popular part-time in Bali with its plethora of local markets and numerous international branded stores you will need to give the cards a cool down after your trip. Local crafts, art, jewellery and carvings can be found in the Kuta/Legian area and in and around Ubud. Prices are always negotiable and locals will haggle for a good price. Steer clear of duty free shops as they will be much pricier but if well known brands are what you are after head to Kartika Discovery Mall.

You would be hard pressed to not feel relaxed in this exotic and tranquil setting. Whether watching the sunset over an azure blue ocean or hiking through the debris of the last volcanic eruption travellers have found that Bali and the gentle people that live there leave a mark on the soul.