For centuries, some of the islands that form the present-day Republic of Indonesia have been places where different cultures have met and mixed. One of these islands that show how much of a cultural blending has been going on in that region is Bali. Located just to the east of Java, its history was colored by Indian/Hindu, Chinese/Buddhist, and Dutch/Christian influences. But nowadays, we know Bali more as a top international tourism destination, with its industry in that vein experiencing a phenomenal growth since the 1980s. You can’t argue with its “Top Travel Destination” designation by TripAdvisor as of 2017.
And who could not agree once they see Bali with their own eyes? The sea area that the island is situated on is in the so-called Coral Triangle, a large area inhabited by reef-building corals that is home to one of the world’s greatest marine biodiversity concentrations, perfect for underwater exploration. On land, Bali is a lush green tropical paradise with three rivers and a forested interior alive with exotic wildlife. It feels as if the local Balinese Hindu sect has it right; Bali can be considered as the Island of the Gods. Now that makes a great tourism tagline.
But how do we get to the Island
of the Gods? Thank goodness for Bali being a major global destination then, as
they have an airport in Ngurah Rai International that receives direct flights
from major countries in Asia as well as Australia. For instance, Philippine
Airlines has a Manila-Bali route. Passengers of these flights are easily
treated to a magnificent sight as they touch down on the airport, located on
the “neck” part of the southern peninsula of Bali Island, southwest of the
provincial capital of Denpasar. And that is just a teaser for more sights and
experiences afterward.
Once there, the first instinct
would be to go and see one the primary reasons why Bali is a magnet for world
tourists: the beach. Thanks to being surrounded by coral reefs, the island is
home to pristine seashores allowing for a wide variety of activities. Depending
on your beach location, you could enjoy swimming, surfing, island hopping or
underwater diving. The first names in Bali for this sort of fun would be Seminyak,
Kuta, Legian and Nusa Dua. White sands are the norm in the south and east of
the island, while northern and western Bali has black-sand beaches.
Now would be a good time to
remind you that Bali is merely an Indonesian island but a province, and their
provincial territory includes three smaller offshore islands not far to its
southeast. The main one, Nusa Penida, is a popular tour spot, featuring various
nature attractions like a bird sanctuary. Here, efforts by a private
organization and the Indonesian government have resulted in a secure habitat
for birds endemic to the country, where they could bounce back from critical
endangerment. Like the big island, there are also several dive spots where the
region’s marine biodiversity is in full display.
If you’ve had your fill of Bali
nature, then it’s time to explore their culture. And there’s no better place to
start this journey than at the town of Ubud, further inland and north of
Denpasar. It has a number of museums that showcase the history and art of the
inhabitants of Bali, as affected by its multicultural atmosphere of centuries.
Several preserved historical locations can also be found not so far away, like
the Gunung Kawi Temple with its tombs of Balinese kings. More famous old
temples are in the Ubud Monkey Forest, so-called because they’re now monkey
habitats.
More unbelievable vistas can be
found the further inland one explores in Bali. Despite the heavy tourism
development on the coastal areas, the interior is still pure tropical forest
with more old structures dotting the landscape. This is thanks to the number of
rivers like the Ayung and Ho that help to nourish the surrounding vegetation.
Even this area has seen the inroads of tourism, with resorts like the Hanging
Gardens of Bali occupying the vantage-point slopes of the inner highlands. Bali
also has its fair share of mountains and volcanoes like the active Mount Agung,
the island’s highest point.
Mere words at times cannot seem
to adequately describe the wonders one would encounter on Bali. Whether it is
the stunning geographical features, the multitude of exotic creatures and sea
life, the lush vegetation, the highly hospitable people, and their vibrant
history of culture and faiths co-existing in peace, there is no question that
Bali is a truly international destination, having had experience playing host
to regional and global summits and beauty pageants. Not even terrorist
extremism and the potential for natural disaster have dampened interest in
going there. We highly recommend it. This is Bali, Island of the Gods.
We recommend trying to beat the
beach crowds by going closer to nature in the Bali rainforest, which can be
experienced in luxurious comfort at the Hanging Gardens Resort, just to the
north of Ubud. Learn more about them at their official website here: hanginggardensofbali.com
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