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