If you think that Bali is just about sun bathing, you are absolutely wrong! There are so many other things that you can do in Bali, and here are 13 reasons to keep this city in your to-go list if you've not been there.
Why do people visit Bali?
1. Religious sites
The main religion in Indonesia is Islam, but the main religion in Bali is Hinduism. As a result, Bali hosts many beautiful Hindu temple, such as Ulun Danu Beratan, Taman Ayun and Tanah Lot. These temples attracts thousands of tourists each year, whom (like me) are drawn to them by their unique architecture.
We've seen enough of captive dolphins, what about going out to the sea to spot wild dolphins? Catch a boat before sun rise at Lovina, located at the north western side of Bali, to enjoy the trill of spotting dolphins swimming pass you.
3. Volcano
Bali houses 2 active volcanoes - Mount Agung and Mount Batur. There are many sun rise trekking tours to these volcanoes where you can experience watching sun rise on top an active volcano, or alternatively, you can simply take a car up and enjoy the view while having lunch at 1 of the restaurant around the area.
4. Cycling along the rice paddy fields
Due to the volcanic activities, Bali is primarily an agricultural city. Instead of seeing rice paddy fields from a distance, what about cycling pass one to have a close up look at how one of our daily staples is grown?
We took up a cycling package from Bali Eco & Educational Cycling Tour, and spent 1 fruitful and educational morning cycling downhill along rice paddies, enjoying the countryside scenery, visiting plantations and entering a typical Balinese house before ending with a delicious lunch beside a paddy field.
5. Dirty Duck
Although it does not have a fanciful name, people flock to Bebek Bengil for a taste of this famous deep fried duck. The gado-gado is equally delicious; do not miss it out when you visit the restaurant.
6. Babi Guling
The Balinese loves babi guling, essentially suckling pig, and Ibu Oka Babi Guling is probably the most famous babi guling (suckling pig) warung in Bali. Join the locals and tuck in to their favourite food at this road side store on your way to the Ubud Market.
7. Coffee
Visit a coffee plantation in Bali to learn more about coffee and be spoilt for choice by the different kinds of coffee available.
Do not miss out the famous Kopi Luwak! The coffee seeds are actually defecates of Asian palm civets, which feeds on coffee seeds. Although it sounds yucky, its taste is far from being yucky and definitely one of the most aromatic coffee I've ever drank.
8. Cheap massage
There are plenty of cheap Balinese massage available for you to pamper yourself everyday, and on our last day at Bali, we had our spa done at Bali Orchid Spa which I highly recommend due to their good services. Bali Orchid Spa also provide free transport to and fro your hotel if you are staying at certain areas.
In the book / movie Eat, Pray, Love, the main female character went to Bali to seek for spiritual harmony through yoga, and eventually found true love there. If you are tired of urban living and hope to have a few days of peace, stay at Ubud to take up some yoga lessons from The Yoga Barn (http://www.theyogabarn.com/) and seek your spiritual harmony.
10. Markets
Although people criticise the Ubud Market for being just a tourist trap, I enjoyed my trip there, as there is no other places (to my knowledge) that host such a large range of arts and craft works in Bali, and the prices here are cheaper than those sold in Kuta.
11 Beaches
Of course we have to include sun bathing in this recommendation list, which is Bali is famous for. Have fun sun bathing, building sand castle or doing water sports just like everyone else at Padang Padang Beach, Semiyak, Legian, Kuta Beach.
12. Chill out
Other than chilling out at pubs around Kuta and Semiyak, do pay a visit to Rock Bar at Ayana Hotel to enjoy drinking at the top of a cliff with a sun set view. Do make your way there earlier to avoid the queue as this place is super popular.
Having your wedding by the sea is something that most girls (at some point of time) dream of, and Blue Point at Uluwatu can make your dream into a reality (at a cost of course). Even if you cannot fulfil this dream, they are open for visit for you to take a glimpse and get you close to your dreams.
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