Learning How To Travel On A Trip To Bali

F*ck you!" she heard as she hurried off in anger. I was with my mom in Bali and as I ran to catch up with her, I again wondered what I had gotten myself into.

I had come to Bali with my family a few days earlier. My cousin had just gotten married and for their honeymoon they decided to travel to Southeast Asia, visiting the places of his childhood. Rejected from graduate school and "between jobs" (read: unemployed), I decided to accept their invite and serve as their translator, porter, honeymoon photographer and all around handyman -- my own indentured servitude. Adrift in my own sea of uncertainty, I joined my family on a journey to a land known for its beaches and beauty.

Most our days in Bali followed a similar pattern: touristy sites, then beaches and fabulous dinner -- a routine that forced me up early each morning for a workout lest my beach body paranoia lose its daily battle to my "I'm-on-vacation" eating mindset. The pattern was comforting, but after a few days, sitting and sipping cocktails was just losing its charm. Shouldn't I be doing something productive?

There was a Hard Rock Bali and a Planet Hollywood Bali. I don't think I traveled across an ocean to eat a Hollywood Burger or a New York Strip. After awhile a beach is a beach, a bar is a bar and hotel pools are just hotel pools. Don't get me wrong, these things are amazingly fun, but why spend your entire time just doing the same things you can do anywhere? Where is the soul of a place that makes the journey worthwhile?

Bali is beautiful. I have everything here’

Getting there: There are no direct flights from India to Denpasar, Bali. Stopover in either Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore

Visa: Visa on arrival. Only USD or Rupiah accepted

Where to sleep: There are hotels for everyone – from backpackers to luxury seekers. The only tip is all hotels can negotiate to include either breakfast or airport transfers or guided tours, but book early

Getting around: There are plenty of taxis, but my personal preference would be to hire a two-wheeler for the day. If you do plan on doing that please ensure you get your International Drivers License and a personal Insurance policy

Eating: There are plenty of options in Bali when it comes to restaurants, but if you are a vegetarian, ask the waiter about the ingredients as sometimes they do tend to add fish sauce to vegetarian dishes

Not to miss: If you love to surf, head to Padang Padang near the famous Uluwatu Temple. If you are looking to get away for some quiet time on the beach, don't head south to Kuta where the milling crowds are. Instead, head north to Lovina

Bali Update

Bali Provincial Government Prepares to Issue Third and Final Warning Letter to PT Bali Sunrise Beach – Owners of Beach World Complex at Nusa Dua.

AirAsia extends daily Perth-Bali service

Leading low-cost airline AirAsia will add an extra daily service between Perth and Bali as the popular route continues to flourish.
From 1 July 2011, AirAsia will ramp up its frequencies to Bali from three to four flights daily in response to increased passenger demand, with weekly services to rise from 21 to 28.
“Due to high demand for our low fares and West Australians’ desire to travel to Bali for less, AirAsia is adding a fourth daily flight over the peak period from 1 July to 29 October 2011,” AirAsia X Head of Commercial Darren Wright said.
“People are continuing to choose AirAsia over other airlines and we’ve seen tremendous support for our Perth-Bali route since launching in 2009. Bali is very popular and a relatively short, easy flight from Perth, which is why our low cost travel model is such a popular option.
“The extra flight will help more travellers get to Bali for school and university holidays and escape winter here at home. The extra capacity also means more lower fares will be available.”

BALI TRAVEL GUIDE

Nature lovers and adventures will have no shortage of things to do on Bali, as just some of the activities available include nature walks, surfing, diving, horseback riding, bungee jumping and even white water rafting. Those with a love of all things floral won't want to miss the Bali Orchid Garden, where orchids grow exceedingly well in the fertile, volcanic soil.
Sightseers won't be disappointed either, with a trek to Gunung Kawi, one of the largest ancient monuments found on Bali. The Museum Le Mayeur commemorates the Belgian artist who arrived on the island in 1932, and his paintings, done during his world travels. Those with an interest in Bali's spiritual side won't want to miss the Hindu-Buddhist temple Pura Ulun Dan Bratan, founded in the seventeenth century, or the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which is home to three temples