Bali Encounter

Bali packs a lot into a little island. A single day can bring more sights, adventures and discoveries than a weeks worth of travel elsewhere.

A religious procession brings the tourist-thronged streets of Seminyak to a stop, a dancer displays trance-like artistry at an Ubud cultural pavilion, a diver is transfixed by an untouched reef, a surfer finds the perfect break, a walker rubs her eyes trying to cope with the lush green beauty of the surrounding rice paddies, a jaded tourist is charmed by an unexpected act of kindness by a local all of these things are part of a typical day in Bali. This is a destination that rises far above a typical tropical island destination by virtue of its culture, scenery and people.

Where else will you find intricate little offerings to the gods placed in serene little niches at world-class resorts? Or see a dance show with movements and music performed by a village dance troupe that has been perfecting their act for generations? And amid myriad palms and other lush growth, where else can you find sinuous ribbons of rice growing on green terraces wrapping around the hills?

Yes, Bali has many splendid beaches but it has so much more, from the world-class restaurants and nightlife of south Bali to hidden villages where travellers can escape the tourist hubbub and much of modern life as well. And its all wrapped up in a rich and intriguing culture youll find nowhere else.

Its also affordable in Bali. World-class meals and lodgings and an exhausting nightlife can be enjoyed by everyone; stay an extra day! Its no matter if youre on a surfer budget or willing to leave the bills to the little people, a day of delights in Bali wont have you singing the blues when you go home. Rather, you might just find yourself humming a gamelan tune, remembering your days in paradise.

The much-photographed temple complex of Pura Tanah Lot
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Name another tropical resort where a busy street will suddenly close and a parade of extravagantly dressed people will go zipping by. Many will be carrying huge pyramids of showroom-quality fruit or elaborate woven baskets filled with offerings. Maybe two men will march past hoisting an entire roast pig. And then, as quickly as it started, the crowd is past and traffic resumes, leaving a few slack-jawed tourists pondering the images on their cameras.

OK, many places have parades for special occasions or holidays, but in Bali a procession can happen at any time. And happen they do, daily. The Balinese are deeply spiritual and much of their daily life is devoted to religious matters. But these arent the Youre damned and going to hell spoilsports of some faiths; rather, Balis version of Hinduism is an all-pervasive effort to bring out the best in the gods and spirits. Turn a corner in even the crappiest part of Kuta and there will be an exquisite little offering sitting serenely, a ribbon of smoke still trailing up from the incense. Meaning is everywhere. Those enormous, artful kites you see overhead in South Bali? They are a way to get the ear of the gods to suggest that a bountiful harvest would be a very nice thing. That little shrine with a carved statue wearing a black-and-white checked sarong (it symbolises good and evil) that otherwise seems forgotten? Well, its not. On its appointed day the streets will suddenly close and a merry mob will appear to show respect.

Although modern life continues to transform life in Bali, the devotion of the people is impressive. As expat business owners often grouse, they have to hire twice as many people as they need because half the staff are always off for a ceremony. But skip your obligations to earn more money? Its not even a consideration. Young girls still take Balinese dance lessons and boys learn to play the gamelan, and even if most of the paying audiences are tourists, look behind the curtains at a performance in Ubud and youll see a small crowd enjoying the show. Walk down a street and youll hear ceremonial bands wildly practising. Turn up on Nyepi () and youll see the entire island turn off.

Temple offerings, banten tegeh, at Pura Samuan Tiga Bedulu
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Bali is ringed with beaches, which is one of the reasons all those planes keep landing at the airport. None are as stunning as those youll find in places like the Caribbean or even the coast of New South Wales, but they come in so many forms that theres virtually a beach for everyone. Theres a reason that tourism started in Kuta: just look at that pick-up football and volleyball games mix visitors with locals.

Go as far as sheltering in tiny coves below the cliffs. Coming closest to the white-sand clich, these remote idylls are good for watching the world-class surfing offshore amid beautiful surrounds.

Meanwhile, in Tanjung Benoa and Sanur families frolic on mellow beaches picked clean daily. Walkways follow the strands allowing for relaxed strolling from one resort to the next. Things get wild again going east. , where a long strip of sand brings together surfers, divers, locals and travellers in a scene thats among the best in Bali.

Sailboard on Jimbaran Bay Beach Inter-Continental resort
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Fortify yourself with a coffee or juice, then start your walk east along Jl Oberoi and prepare for the delights ahead. This street, one of Balis best shopping strips (broken pavement and all), never ceases to delight. For one theres always a new surprise; yesterdays hot designer has seemingly evaporated, replaced by a new sensation. Eavesdrop on a table of designers at the and you might get the scoop. Continue around on Jl Raya Seminyak and theres a lot more than just fashion. Oddball beads, museum-quality baskets and a glam purse worthy of Rihanna are among the finds. At Jl Double Six hang a right and head to the beach, passing a panoply of fab fabric wholesalers and bikini-makers. Just another shopping trip in Bali.

Lily Jean boutique
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