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