Bali is a fabulous location, so much colour, a must see for any travel enthusiast. Made famous by the book and movie Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud is also the epicenter of Balinese art and culture. This is where the modern Balinese art movement was born, with the surrounding royal palaces and temples acting as the main patrons. Today, several excellent local museums and galleries celebrate its evolution and traditions. Art gazing is particularly rewarding here, as many collections are housed in traditional Balinese buildings surrounded by serene tropical gardens. For an overview of Balinese art, your first stops should be Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) and the Neka Art Museum, which lie within a short stroll of the Ubud Monkey Forest. Both span traditional to contemporary works, including kris (ceremonial daggers), photography, and classical wayang (puppet-figure) paintings. Other worthwhile art galleries and museums in the Ubud area include Setia Darma House of Masks & Puppets featuring ceremonial masks from Asia and beyond; Museum Puri Lukisan, spanning a range of Balinese artistic styles; and the Don Antonio Blanco Museum, at the artist’s former home and studio.
Lombok, a large island to the east of Bali, has a lot going for it. There’s Mount Rinjani, the highest mountain / volcano in Indonesia, some stunning waterfalls and a few quiet but up and coming beach towns. I haven’t spent much time on Lombok but I enjoyed the short trip I did there recently. It seems like a more adventurous / off the beaten path place to travel than Bali and you could easily spend a couple of weeks exploring the island. We stayed in Kuta and stayed at an awesome resort on our recent Bali honeymoon – it was an awesome experience! See more info on Boat to Nusa Penida.
Set within the lush Bali Botanical Garden, Bali Treetop Adventure Park offers fun for people of all ages. Old and young alike can complete various challenges in the trees, with different courses available. There are seven circuits at different heights; yellow is for smaller kids while black offers the most adrenaline-inducing fun. All safety equipment is provided. The views from the ropewalks and high activities are beautiful too, and you can take time to relax in the scenic surroundings. There are more than 70 exciting challenges, ranging from nets and swings to balancing blocks and jumps. The ziplines let you admire the views as you soar through the air.
Nusa Dua is known for being one of the most expensive parts of the island but if your budget allows for a little luxury then make your way to this upscale enclave. Here you will find a dedicated tourist area with manicured lawns and private beaches and all of the big name resorts like the Marriott are located here. It’s a great place to relax for a few days away from the crowds and you can spend time sunbathing or enjoying a spa treatment.
Gili Ferries is a ‘hassle free’ online booking system for fast boat tickets from Bali to Gili, Bali to Nusa Penida and Bali to Nusa Lembongan. Because we work directly with the fast boat companies we can offer the best price and issue instant e-tickets. All our prices are inclusive of free hotel transfer in Bali (terms apply). Source: https://giliferries.com/.
