Bali – The Island of the Gods
Bali captivates with its breathtaking natural splendor, which includes towering volcanoes and verdant terraced rice terraces that radiate tranquility. It is renowned as a surfers’ paradise as well! Bali is charming with its vibrant ceremonies and dramatic dances, as well as its arts and crafts, opulent beach resorts, and vibrant nightlife.
Bali also referred to as the “Island of the Gods,” is deeply rooted in Hinduism and ancient animism, shaping its unique culture. The Balinese people honor powerful deities through daily offerings, ceremonies, and festivals. Bali’s spiritual essence is reflected in its many temples, such as Uluwatu and Besakih, where locals and visitors alike experience deep reverence and tranquility.
Geographical location
Bali is a province in Indonesia that is westernmost on the Lesser Sunda Islands. It comprises the island of Bali and a few other islands off the coast. The most populated city in the Lesser Sunda Islands and the second-largest in Eastern Indonesia, after Makassar, is Denpasar, the province’s capital. Denpasar is close to the southern coast.
It is home to about 748,400 people. Located on the north coast, Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, is home to about 150,000 people and is the island’s second-largest city as of 2020.
History of Bali
Austronesian people first came to Bali around 2000 BC, having migrated across Maritime Southeast Asia from the island of Taiwan to Southeast Asia and Oceania. The Balinese share language and cultural traits with the inhabitants of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Oceania. Since the first century AD, Indian, Chinese, and especially Hindu cultures had a significant influence on Balinese culture. During World War II, the Japanese conquered Bali. Dutch and Indonesian revolutionary forces engaged in combat in 1946 at Marga, in western Bali. In 1950, the island joined the Republic of Indonesia.
Experiences in Bali
1. Sunrise hike up Mount Batur
Enjoy a sunrise trek atop Mount Batur for some of Bali’s most magnificent morning vistas. It’s a fantastic way to start the day. It takes a few hours to reach the peak, but since it’s not a very taxing trek, many people can complete the hike. Enjoy the breathtaking view of a sea of clouds 1,717 meters above sea level when you reach the summit; the skies are gorgeous at this time of day. Morning trekking trips atop Mount Batur include breakfast at the top of the peak.
For the ideal conditions, hiking Mount Batur is advised from April through September.
2. Diving with USAT Liberty wreck
Originating in New York during the First World War, the USS Liberty, Hog Island Hull No. 517 ship, is a native of the United States. Utilized during World War II, the vessel was assaulted by a Japanese submarine in 1942 and ultimately found itself on the Indonesian coast, namely Bali. The USAT Liberty was abandoned and allowed to rust away in 1963 when a nearby volcano on the island erupted, carrying the ship into the water. It has stayed 30 meters below the surface ever since and has grown to be a major diving destination. The proximity of the USAT Liberty Wreck to the shoreline contributes to its appeal. The vessel is 120 meters in length, and its interiors have been occupied.
Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, and the enormous green humphead parrotfish, which may grow up to 1.5 meters in length! All year long, you may expect excellent visibility, but be aware that during the months with a lot of rain, the waters become less clear and visibility only extends down to a depth of around 15 meters.
3. Quad tour in Bali
Get on an ATV bike and explore muddy trails, cross creeks, and go through fields of rainforest to waterfalls. You can choose to steer the quadcopter by yourself or go on the back and let one of the drivers take the wheel during a Bali quad tour. There’s more than simply waterfall chasing to select from when it comes to ATV tours. Experience a thrilling rally drive in the jungle, covering 4.5 kilometers around a specially marked quad track. Cruise through the nearby towns and rainforest landscapes in the early morning, then ascend Mount Batur to see a natural spring. Make a quick stop at a coffee farm to round off. Speed past traditional villages, rice fields, and woods.
4. Dolphin watching in Lovina
Spotting the Bottlenose dolphins that live in these areas of Bali’s waters is the most popular leisure activity and the main draw for tourists. The area is lined with little beaches and local towns. Less common than bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins can also occasionally be seen.
Take a boat ride in the vicinity as dawn breaks from Lovina Beach to see a school of these incredibly smart marine creatures. Arrive before sunrise for the best chance of seeing dolphins during a dolphin-watching excursion in Bali.
When visiting this island region, make a day out of it and explore Lovina and the nearby areas on Bali’s northside. Despite its tiny size, Lovina is made up of four distinct local settlements that together form the town.
5. Visit Uluwatu Temple
One of the most well-known sights in the area is the Uluwatu Temple, which is perched 70 meters above sea level on a cliff with a view of the ocean. This sacred site is thought to have endured since the tenth century, making it one of Bali’s six spiritual pillars.
Examine traces of its past from a few temple artifacts that are from this era, like a stone gate leading to the inner courtyard. Take in the views from the worship grounds as you meander among the various courtyards.
While visiting Uluwatu, have a cocktail at Sundays Beach Club, catch some air at Uluwatu Beach and discover hidden surf places.
UcL Tip: Do make time to take in a traditional fire dance performance as the sun sets.
6. Canyoning in Bali
With so many waterfalls throughout Bali, it makes sense that one of the top activities for thrill-seekers in Bali is canyoning, which offers some incredible experiences. Owing to its richness, there are many different kinds of canyoning experiences to pick from, including ones that fit different skill levels in various settings.
Experience the thrilling abseils and leaps of the Maboya Canyon in northern Bali. This course is best suited for more seasoned canyon abseilers. Samba Canyon near Ubud is another ravine ideal for experienced canyoners, however it is a little trickier than Maboya Canyon. Make reservations for an Alam Canyon canyoning visit if this is your first time working with ropes.
A lecture and quick instruction on how to navigate the canyon and the ropes, along with helpful hand signals that could be needed throughout the adventure, are included in every canyoning tour.
7. Coffee plantation tour
Pick the coffee tour that best fits your needs from among the several plantations in Bali. The tropical atmosphere of the island makes the surrounding areas exceptionally lush, which is perfect for planting and growing coffee! Its association with coffee goes much further back than you might think—back to the 18th century. Some of the first coffee plantations in Bali were established by the Dutch colonial settlers, who brought premium coffee cherries with them for planting.
The two most widely grown varieties of coffee in Bali nowadays are arabica and robusta. Learn about the process of producing their organic coffee beans by spending a few hours at the Balu Pulina Coffee Plantation. Taste the various coffee items they produce while you’re there.
Visit the Kintamani Coffee Plantation in Bali’s highlands for coffee (and perhaps tea) samples.
Seasons
Because Bali sits 8 degrees south of the equator, it has a year-round tropical climate with two distinct seasons: the Dry Season and the Rainy Season. The climate is warm and humid. Numerous peaks in several of the regions surrounding Bali’s central mountains—volcanoes—are more than 3,000 meters above sea level. Compared to coastal locations, the temperatures are significantly lower and there is a greater amount of rainfall in this area.
Bali, the forested paradise that has captured the fascination of travelers, is a mysterious island waiting to be unraveled. Discover a world where spirituality and nature intertwine, offering an unforgettable journey through this enchanting paradise.
Looking to travel and experience the culture, food, and nature or soak in adventure; explore curated Journeys with UnCrushedLeaves now.
