| As they say, 'one trip to Bali is never
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| | experience! Spectacular views over Bali
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| enough'. Vast, seemingly endless
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| | even Lombok. Take in the gentle rice
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| beaches, beautiful tropical landscapes,
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| | terraces from the best vantage point, or
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| the fascinating culture, amazingly
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| | get up close and personal with a volcano!
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| hospitable people and shopping for local
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| | Not cheap, but certainly an experience
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| crafts continue to attract repeat
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| | never to forget. (Air Bali) 13) Horse
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| visitors to Bali, time and time again.
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| | Riding Enjoy one of the equestrian
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| However, as I have been discovering in my
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| | centres at your doorstep! Selection of
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| recent trips, there is more to this
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| | horses, with courses for the beginners.
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| tropical paradise than meets the eye.
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| | Wonderful escorted tours through the rice
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| Today you can also add to my list above,
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| | terraces and tide permitting down the
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| the attraction of a myriad of activities
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| | beach. (Umalas or Saba Bay Stables)
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| catering to both the action oriented
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| | 14) Kite Boarding Some great wind and
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| holiday maker and the more staid.
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| | lift, as well as the equipment for rental
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| Here is a starter list of 25 new things
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| | is available at Nusa Dua beaches. But
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| you may want to try when you are next in
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| | make sure you have a great story lined up
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| Bali: 1) Bird Park You don't need to be
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| | for your insurance company! Keep in
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| a bird watcher to enjoy this colourful
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| | mind, this really is an Extreme Sport.
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| park. Take a morning off, and discover
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| | 15) Monkey Watching Experience
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| the beauty of an array of tropical birds
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| | mischievous macaques in full action!
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| Bali has to offer. Even better, arrive
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| | Also, some good restaurants and eateries
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| later in the afternoon, and enjoy some
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| | nearby. However, be careful of your
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| amazing sun-set melodies. A great choice
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| | cameras, glasses and the like! (The
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| for enthusiasts and families. (located at
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| | Sacred Monkey Forest - Ubud)
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| Taman Burung - open 08:00 - 18:00 daily)
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| | 16) Mountain Cycling If you like cycling,
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| 2) Cruising Pick a boat of your choice,
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| | why not enjoy a leisurely cycle with
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| and head for the high seas! Nowadays Bali
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| | views of the Batur volcano! Lots to see,
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| has a great selection of safe boats to
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| | lots to learn, all on two wheels with an
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| choose from. Go for a fun filled family
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| | experienced guide. (Bali Adventure Tours)
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| outing or go more adventurous with some
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| | 17) Paragliding Throw yourself off the
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| of the latest cutting edge crafts which
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| | sheer cliff faces of Uluwatu into the
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| deliver the speed. (Bali Hai Cruises, Sea
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| | Indian Ocean! As a beginner you can enjoy
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| Safari Cruises, Bounty Cruises)
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| | great tandem jumps with well qualified
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| 3) Dance Performances Be enthralled by
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| | professionals with great safety records.
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| unique Balinese dances! Try to catch one
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| | 18) Slingshot (Reverse Bungee) Defy
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| of each of: Kecak, Legong and Fire
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| | gravity Bali style, with some spectacular
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| Dances, at least. There are dozens of
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| | 50m views! (That is, if you remember to
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| different troupes to choose from, each
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| | open your eyes!) Not for the
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| with their own following. Keep in mind,
| |
| | faint-hearted. Organisers follow
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| shows in hotels and tourist restaurants
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| | international safety standards.
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| offer vanilla flavour, and sometimes
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| | 19) Surfing If you've come with your
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| mechanical re-creations of the real
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| | board you'll know where to go! If you are
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| thing. Head out to some of the villages,
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| | keen to learn, there are many schools to
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| and you will be handsomely rewarded with
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| | choose from, just head for the beach!
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| the authentic fare.
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| | Whilst Kuta is a good all rounder,
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| 4) Designer Shopping No, I am not talking
| |
| | Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, and Balangan can
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| about the 'fake originals' that litter
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| | provide some great tubes to test the more
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| the streets of many other Asian
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| | experienced. (some offer surfing lessons
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| locations. In the recent years, Bali has
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| | for ages 5+, so the whole family can
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| attracted some of the most talented
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| | enjoy surfing all together)
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| original designers, and artists from
| |
| | 20) Temple Ceremonies Few visitors to
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| around the world (both the East and the
| |
| | Bali realise that in most instances you
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| West). This coupled with the inherent
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| | will be welcomed to attend local
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| artistic capabilities of the Balinese,
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| | ceremonies as an observer. The great
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| means that Bali today enjoys a large
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| | thing is, there is a temple ceremony
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| number of original designer shops. You
| |
| | every single day of the year in Bali,
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| can find anything from post-modern
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| | just ask around to find the nearest one
|
| lighting installations, to Imperial
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| | during your stay. If you are lucky
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| Chinese style sideboards, and from
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| | enough, you may be able to catch one of
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| original water fountain designs to some
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| | the Full Moon or Dark Moon ceremonies
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| of the best jewelry designed and
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| | which attract devotees from far a field
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| manufactured anywhere in the world.
| |
| | and are some of the most colourful events
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| 5) Diving Put your PADI license to use,
| |
| | on the island. Please remember that a
|
| or if you are a diving newbie, just do
| |
| | sensible dress code, and polite
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| it, and get your PADI certificate in
| |
| | respectful behaviour are essential for
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| Bali! A range of dive organizers for the
| |
| | continued hospitality towards foreign
|
| experienced, and dive schools for the new
| |
| | guests. (Also, please note that women
|
| comers are available to choose from. Some
| |
| | are not allowed in the temples during
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| offer PADI 'Youth Scuba' courses for ages
| |
| | their menstrual period.)
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| 5+.
| |
| | 21) Tennis Choose from one of many open
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| 6) Dolphin Watching Enjoy these all-time
| |
| | or some covered courts! Whilst most
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| favourites in their natural habitat. They
| |
| | better tennis courts are located at major
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| are at their best first thing in the
| |
| | hotels, you can use these facilities on
|
| morning. Also, the soft hues of the
| |
| | a pay-per-use basis. Many will provide a
|
| sun-rise provide amazing colours for the
| |
| | partner to match your skills.
|
| photography enthusiasts. However, you
| |
| | 22) Wake Boarding (or Knee Boarding) Have
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| will need to plan ahead for this one,
| |
| | a go at that double flip, or just learn
|
| since Lovina is in the North of the
| |
| | to stand up! Whilst most beaches are
|
| island, and you will more than likely be
| |
| | more suitable for surfing, you can enjoy
|
| staying in a hotel or a rental villa in
| |
| | wakeboarding at the Condrad Bali Resort,
|
| the south. 7) Fishing Go after that
| |
| | and surrounds.
|
| marlin or try your hand at yellow fin
| |
| | 23) Waterbom Park Water slides and rides
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| tuna! Most boats provide full tackle,
| |
| | galore, both kids and adults will have a
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| bait and a running commentary, a
| |
| | blast! World class park, with well
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| friendly, giggly banter which makes the
| |
| | trained staff. Go early to make the most
|
| day out that much more enjoyable.
| |
| | of your day! (open 09:00 - 18:00 daily)
|
| (fishing boats from Benoa Harbour or
| |
| | 24) Wind Surfing Maximise the almost
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| Sanur)
| |
| | continuous winds found in Nusa Dua or
|
| 8) Elephant Safari Park Arguably, one of
| |
| | Sanur. You can rent a board, and head
|
| the best in South East Asia! Great
| |
| | out, or take one of the courses designed
|
| location and landscaped gardens. Don't
| |
| | for beginners.
|
| forget to do the elephant safari ride.
| |
| | 25) White Water Rafting A thrilling
|
| 9) Jet Skiing Re-create those favourite
| |
| | experience through 8 kilometers of
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| Baywatch moments! Due to their
| |
| | rapids! (believe it or not, still
|
| environmental impact, only available at
| |
| | suitable for ages 5+) Organisers follow
|
| some selected beaches across the island.
| |
| | international safety standards. (Bali
|
| (available at Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua).
| |
| | Adventure Tours)
|
| 10) Go-Karting Only for those who get
| |
| | Like me, if you manage to fit in five of
|
| withdrawal symptoms from being away from
| |
| | these activities into your schedule,
|
| the hustle and bustle of big-city life!
| |
| | every time you visit Bali, you will still
|
| All the noise, thrills and danger of the
| |
| | want to come back for more. Because, at
|
| real thing! Choice of single or double
| |
| | the end of the day, it is the people of
|
| carts.
| |
| | Bali, with their welcoming smiles, and
|
| 11) Golfing A number of 18 hole courses
| |
| | willingness to help, which will make mere
|
| are available across Bali. As you would
| |
| | adventures into even more precious
|
| expect, each more beautiful than the
| |
| | memories.
|
| other. Relax on an easy course, or
| |
| | One final thought. If you are attempting
|
| challenge yourself to one of the more
| |
| | something new, or slightly dangerous,
|
| demanding courses designed by
| |
| | please make sure to check that you are
|
| professionals. Either way, don't miss
| |
| | fit/suitable enough for the adventure
|
| the spectacular views over the Indian
| |
| | ahead, and that the organisers have the
|
| Ocean or one of Bali's great volcanoes.
| |
| | necessary experience/safety record so as
|
| Most courses in Bali are to international
| |
| | not to spoil your wonderful Bali
|
| standards, and many offer clubhouses and
| |
| | adventure.
|
| recreational facilities for the rest of
| |
| | Many happy returns to the Island of the
|
| the family. 12) Helicopter Tours Go on,
| |
| | Gods!
|
| splash out for that once in a life-time
| |
| |
|
