THE CENTRAL REGION Most of it is villages and hamlets but there is also the longest shopping street in the
world – about 40km long, from Ubud to Danau Batur. There are four roads but only one features workshops and
factories churning out silver and gold ornaments, home décor items, windchimes, masks, wood and stone carvings.
world – about 40km long, from Ubud to Danau Batur. There are four roads but only one features workshops and
factories churning out silver and gold ornaments, home décor items, windchimes, masks, wood and stone carvings.
THE COASTAL ATTRACTIONS Bali island has about 300km of coastline with many stretches of beaches, most
of them with black sand, and a few pristine white, which would invariably be 'owned' by the high-end resorts. There are
plenty of dive and fishing spots, and also dolphins watching locales. The road network is good. Accommodation is easy to
find, and there is a wide range to choose from. The beach-and-surf crowds congregate at Kuta and Sanur.
of them with black sand, and a few pristine white, which would invariably be 'owned' by the high-end resorts. There are
plenty of dive and fishing spots, and also dolphins watching locales. The road network is good. Accommodation is easy to
find, and there is a wide range to choose from. The beach-and-surf crowds congregate at Kuta and Sanur.
THE PEOPLE The majority of Balinese are Hindu Indonesians who
are deeply religious, as manifested by their rituals. Temples, altars and
cemeteries sit prominent among houses. Most live a rural life, engaged in
the planting of maize, flowers and rice, both the lowland and hill varieties.
The people lead an 'organic' life, utilising lots of makeshift items made out
of bamboo, palm strips, coconuts, flowers and plants, for worship and
decorations. There are the occasional signs of wealth, like beautiful
homes with large satellite dishes and new bikes, among more humble
abodes. The touristy places in the mountains are disappointing in their
squalor, and also in the hordes of persistent peddlars.
The people we encountered were extremely friendly, helpful and
welcoming. Being able to speak their language helped a lot.
And we never once felt unsafe, in the most crowded and the most remote.
are deeply religious, as manifested by their rituals. Temples, altars and
cemeteries sit prominent among houses. Most live a rural life, engaged in
the planting of maize, flowers and rice, both the lowland and hill varieties.
The people lead an 'organic' life, utilising lots of makeshift items made out
of bamboo, palm strips, coconuts, flowers and plants, for worship and
decorations. There are the occasional signs of wealth, like beautiful
homes with large satellite dishes and new bikes, among more humble
abodes. The touristy places in the mountains are disappointing in their
squalor, and also in the hordes of persistent peddlars.
The people we encountered were extremely friendly, helpful and
welcoming. Being able to speak their language helped a lot.
And we never once felt unsafe, in the most crowded and the most remote.
The Balinese take their roundabouts very seriously, with
many of them sporting huge statues like this one, which
is easily 30ft tall.
many of them sporting huge statues like this one, which
is easily 30ft tall.