Probably the best follow up of the Copenhagen climate change conference back in 2009...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVhT7P0lDfI
20 February 2010
15 February 2010
Bali
Despite being one of the hotspot for terrorist attack, Bali is still one of the most popular destinations in South East Asia. Indonesia maybe has the biggest Muslim population in the world, but in Bali Island, 93% of its 3.5 million residents are practicing Hindu.
English is widely spoken in Bali Island, and Japanese & German are also commonly spoken, at least by tour guides.
For lodging, I would recommend a few areas depending on your taste:
The centre of Balinese culture (for tourist). The real Balinese lives in nearby area surrounding Ubud. If you are looking for nature and rice field view, Ubud is the place. Takes about 2 hour drive from the airport. Taxi fare around IDR 250,000 (USD 25), and could be double if you arrive in Bali after midnight.
Nusa Dua
Home of the upscale resorts. Located at the southern tip of the island, it offers jaw dropping view from the cliffs, sunset, and also home for Bvlgari Resort. Takes about 45 minutes drive from the airport.
Kuta
Centre of Bali’s night life and cheap lodging can easily be found here. Takes about 30 minutes drive from the airport.
The whole island of Bali is unique and even the remote places of the island itself has superb scenery, art, culture, food, and lots more. I have been in Bali a few times and even lived here for 1 month, but still can not grasp the whole island yet.
For short time holiday, I would recommend a few places that practically can be done in 1 or 2 days trip;
A well known temple and another famous landmark of Bali. During the high tides, the temple looks like it’s floating on the water.
During the low tides, around 1pm – 4pm, you can walk to a small cave at the foot of the temple to see and even touch the holy snake, “guardian” of the temple.
It’s actually a wild sea snake that somehow always comes to the cave nearby the temple every morning, and yes, sea snakes are poisonous.
Ubud
Personally, I found Ubud has lost its original cultural values due to intensive tourism. If you have visited Sukawati market, you’ll find that Ubud market offers smaller range of goods. But Ubud itself still worth a stroll, especially the Monkey Forest road. Every weekend, there’s a dance performance at Ubud palace.
Monkey Forest Sanctuary - Ubud
A good side trip if you are already in Ubud . Monkeys in Ubud’s Monkey Forest is somehow tamer than the one in Uluwatu or Sangeh.
Suckling Pig
No trip to Bali is complete without a visit to Ubud, and no trip to Ubud is complete without suckling pig (babi guling) Ibu Oka.
Try to arrive before lunch time or else risk to stand in long queue, or even sold out. Believe me, it always sold out every day, leaving some people grumbling.
Sukawati Market
Rather than spending too much time haggling with street vendors in Kuta for souvenirs, I prefer make a trip to Sukawati Market. It has every kind of souvenirs, cloths, sarong, and painting. The price is also much cheaper. As a guide line, I got 1 sarong for IDR 10,000.
Uluwatu Temple
The locations is quite remote but trust me, it’s worth all the effort. The temple itself is located at the tip of Bali’s most southern point, right on top of the cliff.
Be careful of the monkeys though. They are not afraid of people, quite the opposite, in fact.
Kecak Dance
Within the same complex of Uluwatu Temple, but try to arrive before 6 if you want to look around the temple before watching the dance. Spent about 45 minutes wondering around the temple before go to the dance "theater".
The dance may be the same dance as the one they are performing in Ubud palace, but the main difference and the reason why this one is way more famous is because of the sun set scenery. As the performance progress, the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon.
Transportation in Bali
To avoid all the hassle and to see more Bali in short amount of time, I recommend you to sign up with a local travel agent, where you can tailor make your itinerary. I know most of us hate this option, but in Bali, trust me, this can save your time & money.
For me, I know a local guide that I trust. I would call / email him informing my arrival & departure date, and tell him what I where I wanna go in Bali and what I wanna eat. He would then arrange everything for me, including picking up & dropping off at the airport.
He recently built his own website, Bali Personal Tour. He speaks fluent English & German, really experienced in arranging day tour, culinary tour, and photography trip.
Thanks to him, I saw so many Balinese culture that I know I would not be able to if he didn't show me, as it's normally reserved for Balinese only. His price is based on how far & how many places you wanna see in Bali. But, honestly, I can say that his price is below the normal travel agency.
English is widely spoken in Bali Island, and Japanese & German are also commonly spoken, at least by tour guides.
For lodging, I would recommend a few areas depending on your taste:
- Ubud
- Nusa Dua
- Kuta
The centre of Balinese culture (for tourist). The real Balinese lives in nearby area surrounding Ubud. If you are looking for nature and rice field view, Ubud is the place. Takes about 2 hour drive from the airport. Taxi fare around IDR 250,000 (USD 25), and could be double if you arrive in Bali after midnight.
Nusa Dua
Home of the upscale resorts. Located at the southern tip of the island, it offers jaw dropping view from the cliffs, sunset, and also home for Bvlgari Resort. Takes about 45 minutes drive from the airport.
Kuta
Centre of Bali’s night life and cheap lodging can easily be found here. Takes about 30 minutes drive from the airport.
The whole island of Bali is unique and even the remote places of the island itself has superb scenery, art, culture, food, and lots more. I have been in Bali a few times and even lived here for 1 month, but still can not grasp the whole island yet.
For short time holiday, I would recommend a few places that practically can be done in 1 or 2 days trip;
- Tanah Lot temple
- Ubud
- Lunch in Ubud - suckling pig
- Sukawati Market
- Uluwatu temple
- Sunset: watch Kecak dance in Uluwatu
A well known temple and another famous landmark of Bali. During the high tides, the temple looks like it’s floating on the water.
During the low tides, around 1pm – 4pm, you can walk to a small cave at the foot of the temple to see and even touch the holy snake, “guardian” of the temple.
It’s actually a wild sea snake that somehow always comes to the cave nearby the temple every morning, and yes, sea snakes are poisonous.
Ubud
Personally, I found Ubud has lost its original cultural values due to intensive tourism. If you have visited Sukawati market, you’ll find that Ubud market offers smaller range of goods. But Ubud itself still worth a stroll, especially the Monkey Forest road. Every weekend, there’s a dance performance at Ubud palace.
Monkey Forest Sanctuary - Ubud
A good side trip if you are already in Ubud . Monkeys in Ubud’s Monkey Forest is somehow tamer than the one in Uluwatu or Sangeh.
Suckling Pig
No trip to Bali is complete without a visit to Ubud, and no trip to Ubud is complete without suckling pig (babi guling) Ibu Oka.
Try to arrive before lunch time or else risk to stand in long queue, or even sold out. Believe me, it always sold out every day, leaving some people grumbling.
Sukawati Market
Rather than spending too much time haggling with street vendors in Kuta for souvenirs, I prefer make a trip to Sukawati Market. It has every kind of souvenirs, cloths, sarong, and painting. The price is also much cheaper. As a guide line, I got 1 sarong for IDR 10,000.
Uluwatu Temple
The locations is quite remote but trust me, it’s worth all the effort. The temple itself is located at the tip of Bali’s most southern point, right on top of the cliff.
Be careful of the monkeys though. They are not afraid of people, quite the opposite, in fact.
Kecak Dance
Within the same complex of Uluwatu Temple, but try to arrive before 6 if you want to look around the temple before watching the dance. Spent about 45 minutes wondering around the temple before go to the dance "theater".
The dance may be the same dance as the one they are performing in Ubud palace, but the main difference and the reason why this one is way more famous is because of the sun set scenery. As the performance progress, the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon.
Transportation in Bali
To avoid all the hassle and to see more Bali in short amount of time, I recommend you to sign up with a local travel agent, where you can tailor make your itinerary. I know most of us hate this option, but in Bali, trust me, this can save your time & money.
For me, I know a local guide that I trust. I would call / email him informing my arrival & departure date, and tell him what I where I wanna go in Bali and what I wanna eat. He would then arrange everything for me, including picking up & dropping off at the airport.
He recently built his own website, Bali Personal Tour. He speaks fluent English & German, really experienced in arranging day tour, culinary tour, and photography trip.
Thanks to him, I saw so many Balinese culture that I know I would not be able to if he didn't show me, as it's normally reserved for Balinese only. His price is based on how far & how many places you wanna see in Bali. But, honestly, I can say that his price is below the normal travel agency.
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