Candi Dasa Gets More Attention as Bali Destination Worth Exploring

candi-dasaCandi Dasa is just a small resort on the eastern coastline. It’s often overlooked because it doesn’t get the attention of some of the heavier populated Bali areas. According to Indo, recently it has been getting more attention as more people discover that it offers an escape from all the hassles that are often found in the heavier populated tourist areas. There’s all kinds of things you can do. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Tenganan – located near Candi Dasa this is considered the village of the original Balinese people. They still live based on their ancient traditions. They are well known for their palm leaf calendars and ikat weaving. Go early in the day and avoid the busloads of tourists that come later in the day.

Tirta Gangga – Just north of Amplapura is this ancient water palace. It was destroyed by an earthquake but it remains the best-preserved water palace in all of Bali. Enjoy the beautiful garden and you can even swim in the royal pools, a once in a lifetime experience.

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Kuta Bali Turns from Hippy Destination to All Round Destination

Kuta-BaliAccording to the Jakarta Post, which was once a hippy destination, is now one of the most popular places in Bali to visit. During the 1960s and 1970s apart from the Grand Inna, which was owned by the government there were no other hotels to stay at and only the wealthier could afford to stay here, so others had to be more adventurous and stay in tent.

Tenters soon connected with local villagers and began to rent floor space in their homes. Fast forward to the 1990’s when suddenly the entire world became aware of Kuta and the sleepy village where hippies hung out became one of them most popular Bali destinations.

Today there are plenty of places to stay. Hotels have exploded all over Kuta, and there are beautiful Kuta villas to rent for those that prefer a more private, relaxed atmosphere with a little more space to call their own.

So what can you see and do in Kuta? Plenty!

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Enjoy Surf Camp Canggu Bali

surf-campAccording to Kima Surf, Canggu is the perfect Bali location to enjoy surf camp. There are tons of surf spots on the island and one of the perks to surf camp is getting the opportunity to explore many of these places. But Canggu is a great place for beginners to get their wave on and learn the basics before heading into more difficult waters.

Maybe not everyone in your group wants to learn how to surf, that’s okay because Canggu has plenty to offer. Enjoy some time at a local spa and get pampered, maybe after a day out on the waves.

Perhaps a day tour on a mountain bike is more your style. There are various tour packages you can choose from and it certainly offers a different way to see the countryside.  If you like, horse riding you can enjoy a fabulous adventure with experienced tour guides. Don’t worry they even offer riding lessons.

There are a number of different beaches to enjoy. Canggu beach is away from the bustle of tourists so it’s a nice quiet fun place to spend an afternoon. Pantai Batu Mejan, also called Echo beach is hard to find but you’ll never forget it with its dark sand. It’s popular with surfers. Make sure to spend some time there.

Come to Canggu and enjoy this magical place!

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Batu Belig Mozaic Beach Club Enjoying Success After July Opening

Batu-Belig-Mozaic-Beach-ClubThe loss of a number of restaurants in Batu Belig made news, but when Hotelier Indonesia reported on the opening of the Mozaic Beach Club in July 2012, people took notice, so it should be no surprise that its popularity continues to grow. Chef Chris Salans is the brain child behind Mozaic Beach Club.

The Mozaic Beach Club offers lunch on deck, poolside chill-out tapas, evening dining a la carte, private dining room, tasting menus, as well as a fine dining restaurant. It is the perfect place to be mesmerized by a stunning sunset. You can see why this is such a hit.

There is nothing that can be said about the food other than ‘superb.’ Fear not – for it truly will tantalize your taste buds no matter it is you decide to enjoy. Chef Ephraim has been around, but for the last four years, he’s been at the Ubud Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique so he truly has an understanding of the local cuisine along with all the flavours he brings from his background. He really does have a love affair with fresh ingredients and seeks to use what’s available at the time.

If you are anywhere near Batu Belig you really should make sure that you put a stop here on your to-do list. Besides, while here make sure to visit Tempel Taman Ayun, and take a walk through Butterfly Park. There is also the Bali Museum that is definitely worth a stop. This is a community that you won’t want to miss on your Bali travels. Enjoy the local culture, pamper yourself a little, and be sure to stop by the Mozaic Beach Club.

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This Summer, Take A Love Tour In Bali

sanur1Since the Bali tourism industry is so happening, they can manage to provide something for everyone. And of course, what could be a better plan for sweethearts than a Bali Love Tour, featuring excursion packages with a lovey-dovey theme.

What kind of romantic setting should you have in mind? You could match it to your personal fantasy. Are you the rugged, daring, Indiana Jones / Lara Croft type? Tell us the “Royal Temple” in the “Monkey Forest” doesn’t sound like it’s full of adventure. How about the respectable gourmet diner who woos their love by the plateful? That’s the “Jimbaran Seafood Dinner and Spa”. Throw in a relaxing, pampered massage and spoiling yourself with a luxury weekend, and that’s the “Hot Spring Kecak and Dinner” tour.

You people go ahead, we’re going for the “Rafting Kintamani Volcano” tour because we live on adrenalin and bile.

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Bali Film Industry News – Oliver Stone Wraps “Savages”

savages-logoGuess what just got done filming on the island of Bali? Savages, a film directed by Oliver Stone set in Mexico but filmed in Bali. Bali Film Center has cast shots and behind-the-scenes pics.

How exciting is it that this film just finished wrapping in the tropical paradise of Bali? Who wouldn’t be sorry to have missed vacationing this time of year there and catching a glimpse of the shoot? How amazing is it that John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Salma Hayek – Quentin Tarantino regulars, all – were a part of this picture? If you were to come back from swimming off the beach just in time to catch sizzling sexy Salma Hayek looking at you all “well hello there”, would that not top every vacation you’d ever taken?

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Seven Amazing Sights Of Bali Tourism

7-wonder-in-baliWhile you’re planning your vacation at a luxury villa in Bali, you might want to just check out some of the amazing things to see and do there. Here’s a few images we’ve rounded up from odd corners of the web:

  • A hanging swimming pool in Ubud. We don’t even know how to explain it. It seems to defy physical laws.
  • A Balinese wedding chapel. Where do they get these architects?
  • Terraced rice paddies. There’s miles of these around the central Bali area.
  • A scene from a vacation villa. This is in Uluwatu. Again, an amazing feat of innovative architecture and beautiful scenery.
  • Yet another ocean-side villa. Seriously, how is architecture like this even possible?
  • Suluban beach in Uluwatu. Did anybody say they like exploring tidepools?
  • A dramatic seaside cliff. This is just west of Benoa.

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Famous Restaurants in Bali

MetisBali is famous destination for many tourists around the globe. It is the place where most people go to enjoy their holidays.

People go there with their families. It is also famous because there are so many restaurants which offer variety of foods to their tourists. Restaurants offer many different types of cuisine, from traditional to European style pizzerias and Chinese foods. Tourists can easily find the food of their choice. Bali serves up the best of international cuisine that you could get at the restaurant close to your house.

Top restaurants in Bali

Metis Restaurant and Gallery
(JL Petitenget 6 KerobokanKelod, Kuta)
Open: 11:00-16:00, 18:00-23:00

Metis offers four different menus (lunch, dinner, foiegras and lounge) and also an extensive wine list. It has seating capacity of 350. Accent is on French cuisine using international ingredients prepared by a French Chef and his talented team. Dine al fresco in a courtyard or in the lounge. (Last orders)

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A Little Practical Advice For Dealing With Persistent Street Vendors

vendorAnywhere in the world, any area that sees a lot of tourists generally will attract street vendors, beggars, and hustlers of all kinds.

Southeast Asia is no different, but the local customs and culture are somewhat more permissive towards street vendors. It is, after all, a thriving capitalism. Here is some very level-headed advice about dealing with persistent hucksters, which you’ll soon realize pose no real hindrance to you.

Balinese authorities are of course very sensitive to issues that affect their tourist trade, so most package tours and upscale villas have strict policies about keeping the dregs of the street trades at bay. Really, it’s nothing more than you’d expect to encounter in Baghdad, Singapore, or Las Vegas.

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Sights To See In Bali – The Beach

Sights-To-See-In-BaliBali is home to some of the most rocking beaches in the world. Legendary for their either pale white sand or dark black ‘Volcanic’ sand – and native palm trees.

These beaches include Nusa Dua, Kuta Beach, Legian Beach and Canggu Beach, which are all popular for surfing and extreme water sports of all kinds.

Sanur beach, with calmer waters that invite you to relax in the sun and meditate on how lucky you are to be there. A great activity to partake in if you are over ‘Sanur’ way is to go diving or snorkeling with Atlantis International Dive Centre. They can take you to dive with Manta rays and Sun fish (if you’re lucky) and then finish the day with the incredible ‘drift diving’ down the coast of Nusa Lembongan.

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