Kute beach bali: Bali holiday

Showing posts with label Bali holiday. Show all posts

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bali Travel Guide With Attractions In Bali For Bali Newbie

Bali Travel Guide Advice And Attactions In Bali For First Time Visitors To Bali

So When Should You Travel To Bali?

I will always recommend all my friends, colleagues and associates to visit Bali during the dry season in May-July, the best period to visit Bali in terms of weather. However, preferences may differ depending on the type of tourist you are, surfers like it bright and sunny while explorers and newly-weds prefer the weather to be cool. During May-July, the beaches in the western part of Bali is known to have beautiful waves which surfers like! My best recommendation is to check on the weather forecast for the days when you'll be visiting Bali and plan accordingly. I noticed that most Aussies travel to Bali during Christmas and May-August during their school breaks. Europeans normally in June-July. However, no matter who you are and where you're from always remember to book your flight tickets and accomodation early so that you can get better prices. Do visit BALI HOTELS REVIEW to get UNBIASED &HONEST hotel reviews in Bali.

With the mentally spiritual destination in Bali lying in the mountains, the tourist heart of the island lies in the south, where major tourist destinations in Bali are located. They are Kuta, Legian, Sanur and Nusa Dua. This is the main destination or at least the embarking point for the majority of visitors, especially those arriving by air. Those staying in any of the above-mentioned areas will find it quite easy to make day trips to most of the popular tourist destinations, including Gunung Agung and Besakih temple, Kintamani, Lovina Beach, Candidasa, and Ubud, the main art hub in Bali and for the Balinese. However... Please do make sure that you allocate at least 2 days for UBUD, to get a real feel of the Balinese culture, arts and attractions. Ubud is the main cultural heart for Bali.

Bali's timezone is +8 hours, same as Singapore, Bangkok and Malaysia's timezone and 1 hour ahead of Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. Bali's main currency is Ruppiah (IDR) with denomination notes of Ruppiah 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 denominations. USD or United States Dollar $ is also widely acceptable in Bali. Normal changing rate is IDR 10,000 for USD $1.

What Should I Do In Bali?

I say.. you MUST watch the Balinese Dance, a pillar and famous Balinese Culture. Balinese Dances have historically played an important role in Balinese society. Through this art, people learn about the tales of the Ramayana, Mahabarata and other epic stories from Balinese history. Balinese dance never fails to awe the audience including myself, a native Balinese and they never fail to put a smile on my face :) A place i'll recommend is Lotus Pond Restaurant in Ubud. The settings of the garden in Lotus Pond Restaurant (Jalan Raya, Ubud) is a beautiful environment where you can watch TRADITIONAL & ORIGINAL Balinese Dance. The Thursday night performance by Balinese kids from the age of 9-18 is DEFINITELY charming and enchanting. Entrance fee is Rp 50,000 for a 75mins dance show which starts normally at 7.30pm. The only problem is during the rainy season when a sudden downpour may mean they dash up to perform in a hall at the back – but trust me, that’s interesting itself and you still get to experience the beautiful Balinese Dance.

Next on the list, I normally bring my visiting friends and associates for some monkeying around in Bali's Monkey Forest - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal, Ubud; 62-361-971304; www.monkeyforestubud.com). The monkeys, being Ubud's most beloved residents, live in a dense forest to the south of Ubud, complete with their own temple. If you go to the Monkey Forest, just be careful, particularly with regards to your children. The monkeys go for 'bright' - glasses, cameras, watches, jewellery and can rip bags of peanuts out of your or your child's hand. Not to forget.. leave your bananas and never buy bananas on your way to the Monkey Forest. While this can be amusing for your kids, it can also be distressing if the monkey escapes with your goods or worst still, an experience that my own brother will never forget whereby he got attacked by the playful but fierce Monkeys which leave his arm torn and bleeding badly. He ended up getting 12 stitches on his arms and vow that he'll never bring banana's again, even if it's for the monkeys.. Hehehe... Admission is 10,000 rupiah, or about $1 at 10,000 rupiah to the dollar.

My favourite activity in Ubud itself is to experience Ayung River.. Wanna know why most of the expensive luxury hotels in Ubud are built along this river? Just one answer and that is, THE VIEWS ARE SIMPLY AWE-INSPIRING AND GORGEOUS!!! See it for yourself and click on that cameras so that you can boast to your friends and family that will definitely make them wanna visit Bali! Don't forget to get yourself wet in these naturally beautiful clean river in Ubud which will definitely gives you good memories of Ubud! Hehe.. Do climb aboard a rubber raft while you're in Ayung River and watch the waterfalls with thick vines along the low-flying swallows go by. Bali Adventure Tours (0361-721480, www.baliadventuretours.com) runs 90-minute trips down the river starting at $60 for a morning trip that includes a basic lunch of rice and egg rolls.

After some monkeying around and getting wet in the rivers of Ubud, you should pamper yourself with a Balinese Massage (Do read What Is Balinese Massage to get an idea of a Balinese Massage) Don't worry, it won't burn a hole in your pockets.. My elders always remind me that four hands beat two hand :) so why not book a four-handed massage at Spa Hati (Jln Raya Andong no. 14, Peliatan, Ubud; 0361-977-578), a massage salon with stone and thatched-roof compound at the edge of Ubud. I recommend you to try the four-handed massage packet with "Lulur", a traditional Javanese body scrub using blends of rice flour and secret herbs — 90minutes massage packet for only Rp 225,000. After the massage, the unhurried staff lets you relax for as long as you want in the hot tub, listening to little frogs make big noises in the rice paddy next door. And about that cheap labor: spa profits help support the Bali Hati Foundation, a non-profit organization that runs community programs and help the needy Balinese, including building a school for the local less-privileged kids.

Now, for the best show in town guys! Head for Seminyak beach, to the north of Kuta by 5.30pm so that you can get the best front-row seats in "Breeze" an elegant and sleek beachside bar & restaurant at the Samaya Hotel in Jalan Laksmana(Seminyak), for the MOST DAZZLING ROMANTIC SUNSET in BALI and Indonesia!!! Don't forget to order yourself a glass, or if you must, a bottle of WINE. The decks are so close to the surfs that you can almost feel the foam from the breakers!

Besides witnessing the Sunset in Bali, you should experience the beaches in Bali. Bali have many beautiful beaches that is good for swimming, surfing, or just reading and chilling on the sand. Some hotels and villages groom the beaches and ensure their cleanliness. Also, the quality of a beach can change drastically between seasons, depending on the location of the beach and the direction it faces. To be sure and get more useful insights into the beaches in Bali, do visit Bali Beaches Guide.

Bali is not complete if you don't have a night out in the club :) Night life in Bali starts late, which means around midnight. Tourists normally wonder why the expats and locals only start partying at around 1am – even in Kuta where most of the top clubs are, clubs only start getting crowded after midnight. Do visit Ku De Ta, a modern and trendy spot that faces the surf where young Balinese adults especially the beautifully-flashin

g babes hangs out (Jalan Laksmana 9, Seminyak; KuDeTa). It's a shockingly sceney — a DVD is sold showing highlights of the high season. Get yourself seats by the beach with sights of the beautiful waves crashing in, illuminated with the help of floodlights from the club. After Ku De Ta, head on to Double Six Club (Jln Double Six Blue Ocean Boulevard, Seminyak; 0361-733067 - www.doublesixclub.com; Ruppiah 70,000 for admission), with a gigantic dance floor and bungee jumping, YES you heard me right - bungee jumping, on weekend nights. But don't show up before 3 a.m. For more information on Bali Nightlife do read Bali Nightlife - Bali After Dark

After you're done with having fun and getting a feel of Bali and Balinese cultures... it's time to do some shopping for souvenirs and more! You can go shopping for handicrafts and arts such as antique furnitures, balinese paintings, delicately crafted Balinese gold and silver, wood and stone carvings, masks, woven and dyed fabrics and etc. in many shops in the Kuta/Legian area, in Sanur, in various handicraft villages and the Sukawati market on the way to Ubud and in Ubud itself.

Please forget the idea of DUTY FREE SHOPS and do not visit them by all means! Local-made goods are over-priced and sold at ridiculous prices in DFS. Imagine, just one bottle of HATTEN Rose wine which is made in Sanur costs US$11 in DFS outlets. That is way more expensive than in most local restaurants! It's worst if you're looking for a beautiful French made blouse, a designer handbag, some jewellry or a dress watch for your partner to wear at a special occasion in Bali, you'll totally waste your time and MONEY!

PLEASE DO BARGAIN ON THE PRICES NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE AND WHETHER YOU HAVE LOTS OF CASH OR NOT!

Bali is the best place to master the "Bargaining Art". Unless the product is price-tagged, bargaining is a must and you shouldn't be ashamed of it! Trust me, it's gonna be fun and bargaining is an exciting thing to do! If you have never bargained before, the bargaining masters will find it exhilarating, especially when a good deal was struck. Many come to Bali with a 'shop until you drop' attitude, so you would probably end up buying a few things anyhow. There are numerous western-style department stores and shopping centers in Denpasar, Kuta-Legian, Sanur and Nusa Dua that offer a range of clothing, shoes, leather goods, sports gear, and toys. The service is generally good, and the low value of the rupiah ensures excellent prices. Balinese arts and crafts are the most popular purchases but you can also get value-for-money goods such as clothing, music, musical instruments and watches.

I've specially made my own youtube video on the beautiful sites in Bali. Do watch it to visualize the beautiful Bali Islands.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Bali Holiday Kit - Travel To Bali Guide

Bali Starter Kit - Essential information for your trip to Bali.

IPB Image

Greetings from Bali

I hope this starter kit will be useful to those heading to Bali. Do PM me or reply if you have any further questions. I'll try to update this as often as possible alright

Visa

Visa-Free
For those who belong to the following 11 countries, you do not have to get any Visa to visit Bali, or Indonesia. You'll be entitled to a visa-free 30days permit free-of-charge (note: your passport have to be valid for a minimum of 6months at the time of entry)
Visa-free: Singapore, Vietnam, Philipines, Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru and Thailand.

Visa On Arrival
Visa on arrival is where you're eligible to obtain visa on your arrival to Indonesia either by sea or air. There's 2 types of VOA, which is 7-days visa which is for US $10 or 30-days which is for US $25. The visa can't be extended once you have chosen the type (7-day or 30-day). You'll have to leave Indonesia and re-enter Indonesia the next day if you want to have a new valid visa. Please do note that your passport have to be at least 6-months valid and you have to prove that you're able to fund your stay in Indonesia or Bali in particular.
Visa On Arrival:Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People's Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

What if you're not eligible for VOA or Visa-Free?
Citizens of countries neither on the VoA nor Visa-Free lists are required to apply for a visa overseas before travelling to Indonesia. Please visit the Indonesian Embassy in your country to apply for one.

DO TAKE NOTE: Nationals of ALL countries planning to stay for more than 30 days in Indonesia also have to apply for the appropriate visa (tourist, business, social-cultural, etc.) at an overseas Indonesian Consulate or Foreign Mission before departing for Indonesia.

Currency:
Bali's main currency is Ruppiah (IDR) with denomination notes of Ruppiah 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2000, 1,000 denominations. USD or United States Dollar is also widely acceptable in Bali. Normal changing rate is IDR 10,000 for USD $1. Australian Dollar is also acceptable in most hotels.

PLEASE EXCHANGE YOUR MONEY IN LICENSED MONEY-CHANGERS. Although this is rare, however there have been a few reports where tourists got cheated with FAKE Ruppiah notes. It's easy to spot a licensed money-changer, they will have a "Izin Assosiasi Pedagang Valas" license, if you do not spot any license, do ask them to show it. All the money-changers in Bali's airport, NGURAH RAI AIRPORT, are licensed money-changers.

Where is Bali and Bali's Timezone:
Bali's timezone is +8 hours, same as the timezone in Singapore, Bangkok and Malaysia. Do take note that Bali is one of the few state in Indonesia whereby it is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta, Indonesia's capital.

Bali Island is part of Indonesia and is located 8-9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor Leste) in the East.

Flying to Jakarta is about 1 1/2 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2 1/2 - 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4 1/2 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5 1/2 - 6 hours. Unfortunately

, there is no direct flight from USA to Bali. If you travel from New York the best option is to fly to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific or American Airlines and then transfer on a flight with Hong Kong Express Airways straight to Bali. This ‘fast’ option will take approximately 22 hour.

Weather & Climate:
Bali's temperatures are in between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit. From December to March, the "monsoon season", Bali may rain heavily with high humidity, but usually it only rains in the early morning or early afternoon. So do not worry as you still have alot of "sunny time" to explore Bali

From June to September the humidity is low. Evenings and afternoon can be cooling. For example now, Bali's "rainy period" is over and we rarely have any heavy raining.

Population:
Bali's population has grown to over 3 million people. The majority of them are Hindus, who are really pious. With the recent migration of Javenese and other Indonesians to seek work or do business in Bali, the number of Muslims is steadily increasing with more "Masjid" or mosque being build. Do not worry though as these group of Muslims are not fanatic and they are definitely NOT TERRORISTS! I'm a Christian though, however I must be fair and dismiss "myths" that Muslims in Indonesia are terrorists. The Muslims in Indonesia are certainly not TERRORISTS and they are very friendly and welcoming people. Do read up more on the "terrorists activities" in Indonesia and you'll realise that the terrorist leaders are actually "MALAYSIANS".

Most people live in the South coastal areas, and the island's largest town and administrative center is Denpasar with a population of over 400,000. The villages between the town of Ubud and Denpasar, Kuta which includes Legian, Tuban, Jimbaran, Seminyak, Basangkasa), Sanur, and Nusa Dua are spreading rapidly, and it won't be long before the whole area from Ubud to Sanur, Berawa, Canggu, and Nusa Dua will be fully urbanized.

Is Bali Safe?
Yes! You can bank on that! It is even safer then your hometown

Ever since the bombings in 2001, Bali's security level have really been beef up. Don't be shock even you, a tourist, may be politely stopped by the police for a random check. There are frequently-held spot checks, roadblocks and more being conducted by the police to prevent terrorist activities. What about political demonstrations? Don't worry about that. Bali is different from Jakarta. We, Balinese are fun-loving and peace-loving people and I'm proud to say there's only a 0.01 % chance of demonstrations being held in Bali

Transportation:
The best way to explore Bali is by renting a car or bike. Bring along a GPS or map, trust me, it's not that hard to explore Bali. Even if you get lost, you can count on the locals to guide you or help you with directions. If you must get a guide, don't engage tour guides or rent taxis in the airport or from your hotel, they are REALLY EXPENSIVE. If you must rent a car, rent it from "transport rentals" in Denpasar. For a decent sedan such as Toyota Camry, it cost only Rp 300,000-Rp 400,000 or US$30 - US$40 a day as compared to taxis or car rentals in airport, which cost at least USD $60? You can rent bikes at only USD $8 - USD $10 a day.

Food:
Food is really cheap in Bali. Skip those fancy restaurants and eat in "warungs" if you really want to get a feel of the Balinese culture and lifestyle. "Warungs" are small eateries by the roadside. Trust me, you'll get hooked. Nasi Goreng, Ayam Penyet, Bakso, Soto, Babi Guling, Satay and more! It costs only Rp 8000 - Rp 15000 for a meal with Ice Tea. I've never had any friends or colleagues from other countries who get sick or dislike eating in "warungs" In fact they got hooked and asked me to bring them to "warungs" instead of fancy expensive over-hyped restaurants.

Contact and Communication with your friends or family:
Internet access: They are many "warnet" or cybercafes spread all over Bali, especially in Kuta. You can practically spot cybercafes all over Kuta! It cost about Rp 4000 - Rp 7000 an hour. Most hotels in Bali also have free wifi hotspots.

Handphone: Buy yourself a "kartu perdana" or sim cards. You can find it in "counter pulsa" or small handphone shops. They are all over Bali too. Get yourself "Simpati Telkomsel". They have the best signals. To call overseas, please use 01017 + country code + area code(if applicable) + phone number you're calling to. International call charge to USA is Rp.3,100 per minute; to Australia is Rp. 3,500 per minute, to New Zealand is Rp. 4,980 per minute, to Europe from Rp.5,000 to Rp. 7,000 per minute. Long distance call to Jakarta is around Rp 500 a minute. For additional information, most hotels add a surcharge of 200% or more. Local calls cost Rupiah 180 per minute (most hotels charge Rupiah 1,000 and more). So skip the hotel lines and just get a local sim card which will save you alot.

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This is about it for now, I'll constantly update on this as often as possible. If you have questions that is not answered here, you can reply in this thread or just PM me or email me at purebalinese@yahoo.com and I'll try my best to answer you ASAP!

Happy Bali-ing and god bless!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

10 Reason To Travel To Bali Durings It's Rainy Season

Bali is raining, so should you visit Bali?

So it's the rainy season in Bali and I get alot of questions from friends and associates whether they should come to Bali during it's rainy season. Although the monsoon season have a bad reputation, trust me, and you'll be amazed at how fun it is to be in Bali during it's rainy period.

Here are 10 reasons why you should travel to Bali during it's monsoon season..

It don't rain all day long: Normally it only rains in the early afternoons! You still have mornings, late afternoons and evenings to explore Bali! Even if it rains in the afternoon, it's OK to get unwind and get wet ain't it? Don't you miss playing in the rain while you are still a young kid?
Better pictures: the lightnings with dramatic colour changes, dark stormy clouds - these are the known secrets for taking stunning photos which are way cooler than those with white clouds and blue skies!
Cooler temperatures: in most of the Asian countries, the rain drops the mercury and it provides some sweet and much needed relief from the blazing heat! Come on, at most you may get wet, but you won’t be melting!
Lesser crowds: you don’t always get a chance to feel alone in Asia. If space and fresh air is what you’re looking for, the rainy period is your only best bet for it.
Better savings: Let the rain splash as much as it wants as long as it means lesser splashing of your cash! "Lesser demands for hotels and services" + "Fewer tourists" = CHEAP BALI HOLIDAY
Greener greenery: every little cliché you’ve ever heard from fellow tourists and friends about the lush greens of the tropics is true! And you haven’t seen REAL GREEN TROPICS until you’ve seen the beautiful Bali greens in it's tropical monsoon season.
Easier storm-chasing: Hehe.. there is actually no chasing of the storms to be done. Just get a spot somewhere dry with a good view. Let nature work her magic while you relax and watch the beautiful panorama of mother nature. I recommend the bars for that. Believe me, watching tropical storms with a glass of beer is really amazing and spectacular.
More excuses to start a conversation: If you get caught in the rain and get stuck somewhere while the rain hits, you'll definitely won't be alone stucked in the rain. So why not make full use of it and start engaging in a conversation with the locals or even tourists. Starting with the weather is a good excuse to have a good conversation!
Great excuse to really unwind and relax: There’s nothing like a bit of the tropical rain for an excuse to just relax and do nothing! Stay in your hotel, lie on the bed with your partner and just listen to the rain. You can also experience the rain better and watch it while sitting under a deck. Play Cards. Read or just sleep! Enjoy and really be on holiday! It's ok if you can't explore the tourists attractions for that day such as Pura Tanah Lot Temple, trust me you'll always have the chance to explore Bali.
Sightings that make you smile: Just sit back and people-watch. Admire those who don’t let the rain ruin their lifestyles parade; school kids clad in plastic ponchos balancing umbrellas on their bicycles; hundreds of brollie-wielding pedestrians passing one another in the street without causing injury and definitely more!

So relax and don't worry about the rain alright? Bali is truly amazing even while it's raining. Lovely sights, cooler weather, lesser crowds, cheaper prices and more? Do you need anymore reassuring now? :)

Do you have your own opinion or reasons why you will visit Bali during it's rainy season? Do share your reasons and comments ok?

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Amed Bali Beach Travel

Amed, Bali

Towards the north 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. 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

It is a favorite retreat for alot of Balinese in Bali wanting to escape the mainstream and busy towns such as Kuta and Denpasar.Amed is also naturally-preserved as a "little backwater of Bali". Padi fields with small villages, "lontar" palms that is used to make 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 bypass more Padi fields with a few small villages and a salt farm or two. Sights of a beautiful sea flash by in-between the short buildings. Amed is by far, Bali's lesser humid area and you can bet on a bright weather in Amed throughout the year. The frangipani are particularly pungent and life is as intense as it is relaxed. The hot bright sun burns colour into the lively bouganvillea that blossoms along the road, making it a startling contrast to the dark blue sea.

A string of hotels and dive companies have been set up in Amed with a few privately-owned villas for rent appearing although it is still very low key. "Di-jual" (for sale) signs stand right in the middle of 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.

On one of the evenings, we met a "welcoming local fisherman" on the beach who invited us over to experience the local banjar gamelan practice which is during the next day 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 humid 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.

Snorkelling is a must for almost all the tourists and the diving industry is well established and earning. Divers can experience the beautiful shallow waters and easy slopes although experienced snorkellers can enjoy deeper waters and current dives nearby. One beautiful sight to explore is the site where a Japanese shipwreck lies which makes a great spot for snorkeling.

The Tulamben wreck is about 30mins away. Many dive-tours providers cater to German groups and the long established Eco-Dive company brings in divers from all over. Well-known American movie director, John Huxley, is one of the longest staying expat there. Besides starting an excellent dive business and giving dive courses, he is also a philanthophist who helps the local poor population. 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.

Wawa Wewe is the local hang out that everyone seems to enjoy, be it whether the visitors, local expats or the locals themselves. Wawa Wewe is located in Lipah Beach and saturdays are normally the "big night out" at Lipah Beach in the centre of the Amed strip. 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.
amed

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.
Don't me taken aback if the locals in Amed says "selamat jalan"(have a safe trip) when others in Bali now says "hati hati"(take care). Just for your information, in the older days, saying "selamat jalan" is a better and pleasant way to tell someone before they leave. That's one example how Amed and their residents still stick to the older style and roots. It was really pleasant! I was in Amed last Saturday and Sunday and no doubt it really rejuvenate me and kept me sane :)