Bali, A Main Tourist Destination
Bali hotels bali hotel - bali kuta this tropical paradise is a main tourist destination. Bali's rich cultural heritage has been explored and exposed by many Western visitors since 1930s. Among these Westerners were Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet, Carlie Chaplin and Noël Coward. These Westerners contributed largely to the development of paintings and arts in general. Furthermore, they popularized Bali.
Volcanic lakes, white sandy beaches, spectacular rice terracesand the splendour of ancient temples and palaces have enriched Bali. Here you can find many water sports activities (snorkelling, diving, kayaking, etc.), adventurous sports (hiking, climbing, trekking, etc.) and other exciting activities.
Regular temple ceremonies, dance performances and wedding ceremonies can be found easily in Bali. Yet Bali has more than just cultural heritage, travellers will find many enchanting places to explore.
Balinese Favourite Retreat In Bali
Amed, Bali Beaches Little SecretNorth East Of Bali in little known Amed - a string of sleepy fishing villages that stretch along a spectacular hilly coastline looking out over the Lombok Straits and a distant Lombok. This lovely tranquil bali beach is watched over by Bali's holy Mountain, Gunung Agung, the gleaming black sand beaches are filled with lines of bright white jukungs – the small fishing boats that form the backbone of the area's main livelihood.
Amed has been a well kept secret for years– a favorite retreat for alot of Balinese in Bali wanting to escape the mainstream. The long straight road that heads off the main highway ensures that the mainstream comes nowhere near it. And Amed is preserved as alittle backwater of Bali. Passing rice fields and small villages, lontar palms that provide the famous local tuak or palm wine, the hinterland lies in the shadow of the famous mountain. The road comes to an end right at the beach of Amed – and then you turn right – into the other Bali.
The road winds by past more rice fields, a few small villages and a salt farm or two. Glimpses of a bright sea flash by between the buildings. Amed is one of Bali's driest areas and you can rely on sunny weather almost all year. The hot dry sun burns colour into the bright bouganvillea that blossoms along the road, making a startling contrast to the dark blue sea. The frangipani are particularly pungent and life is as intense as it is relaxed.
A string of new Bali hotels and more dive companies, a few villas are appearing although it is still very low key. Dijual (for sale) signs stand in the corn fields and the price of some beach front land is almost as high as in the south. The hilly hinterland land is alive with tiny villages and the bleat of mountain goats.
The beauty of silence may be an aquired taste, but it is a taste that grows on you. At first glance Amed may seem a little boring, a little remote, but there is a subtlety works on the senses and little things start to mean a lot. The lack of crowds, the pleasure of sitting and chatting with a villager or lying on your balcony bed reading a book or even or sitting on the beach eating a plate of fresh grilled prawns - mean an expanded consiousness. Life becomes more of a meditation and the soul becomes refreshed.
It is this very essence that is causing in Amed the first stirrings of a new age consiousness. The first spa, an ayurvedic centre, a place called The Retreat, a Fung Shui Resort, yoga classes on the beach – the early beginnings of an movement which may make it the Koh Samui of Bali – let's see what happens.
One evening we met a friendly fisherman on the beach who invited us to come and watch the local banjar gamelan practice the next morning at 9.00am. Arriving just a little after nine I was astonished to discover that the session was well under way – no rubber time here! The sharp staccato sounds melded, flirting around each other, while held together with the softer base - thrillingly lively and vivacious. These fishermen were playing for their banjar and later, for the gods rather than for a group of tourists and their enthusiasm was catching. The hot dry air seems to affect even the music, making it as vibrant as the vegetation.
During the fishing season, which starts around September, the morning fishing boats come in loaded with baby mackeral – which you can buy straight from the boats – delicious barbequed or fried and eaten with sambal Bali. Fishermen are also very willing to take guests out fishing, or diving, or sightseeing. There is no shortage of boats to choose from.
Snorkeling is popoular with almost every visitor and the diving industry is well established. Divers can experience the shallow waters and easy slopes although experienced divers can enjoy drop off s and current dives nearby. A Japanese shipwreck lies just off the shore and makes for great snorkeling.
The Tulamben wreck is only thirty minutes away. Many companies cater to German groups and the long established Eco-Dive company brings in divers from all over. American director John Huxley is one of the longest staying expats there and besides setting up an excellent dive business and giving dive courses, he is also very involved in helping the local population which is very poor. When a diet of fresh seafood or fried noodles begins to pall, the quality Mediterranean style cuisine of Anda Amed Resort becomes even more appealing. Here at the most stylish small resort on the coast, Kim and her Balinese partner Komang offer exotic fare like fresh chicken liver pate, a delicious white gazpacho, fresh grilled tuna salad nicoise as well as Indonesian favourites. The elevated terraces look out across the bays inducing feelings of well being. But accommodation is plentiful with dozens of choices of all styles. A couple of stylish new private villas are also available for rent further along the road and those needing cheaper digs could try any number of places depending on taste.
Saturday is the big night out at Lipah Beach in the centre of the Amed strip. Wawa Wewe is the local hang out that attracts everyone, whether tourists, local expats and locals. They all come to listen to the band and have fun. Music is the usual mix–reggae, rock and slow stuff and it is a fun night for everyone. Thursday nights have a band at another restaurant and you just never know who will turn up.
The tourist tagline – "Bali the way it used to be" still applies. You can really feel that you are in Bali and a few days there leave you feeling soothed and cosseted. People are mainly farmers and fishermen – tough earthy people wresting a hard living from the sea or the fertile dry earth. The friendly smiles are genuine. Beach vendors barely exist. Boys may come along offering masks and snorkels, conversation and a chance to practise their English but there is no pushiness and no stress.
Not surprisingly, now in Bali people say hati hati ( go carefully) rather than the older, more gracious salamat jalan (may the gods go with you) but in Amed, they still stick to the older style. How nice! I was in Amed last Saturday and Sunday and no doubt it really rejuvenate me and kept me sane :)
Posted by Balinese In Bali - http://BalineseIndonesia.blogspot.com
