Bali, affordable paradise.
Selamat datang !
My last trip to Bali was in May 2009, it had been quite some time since our last visit and it was great to be back.
Arriving at Denpasar airport already painted the picture of change. The airport was much bigger than I remembered. The smiling faces were, however, the same, much to our delight.
I had pre-arranged VIP customs clearance which meant that our visas were processed faster, avoiding long queues. Highly recommended as this 'on arrival' process can be quite tedious.
We were sipping cold bottled water in an air-conditioned car in no time at all heading towards our destination, a village approximately half an hour north of Seminyak. This time we had opted for a private villa, which offered everything a luxury resort offers but is more secluded and peaceful.
During the drive to the village of Cepaka, changes and progress were quite noticeable, the infrastructure somewhat improved, but although the city was very busy with the hustle and bustle of heavy traffic and lots of tourists, it was great to see the buzz and to know that tourism in Bali is thriving. They deserve to make a living from tourism.
The balmy weather is conducive to slowing down and makes it easy to adapt to a slower pace, so a secluded villa paradise is just the place to get you into a relaxed state of mind ready to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as swimming, reading, eating, drinking and being pampered with spa treatments which in Bali as so affordable.
Bali offers many activities as well as many different types of accommodation choices, something here for every taste and budget and all ages. It feels safe and friendly. People are happy and there is a festive atmosphere, and everyone is smiling.
Another great advantage is how affordable Bali is, from airfares to accommodation as well as food and drinks, and of course there is shopping, for everything you want to buy from fashion to jewellery as well as furniture or even real estate. There are outdoor markets as well as stylish boutiques and departments stores, only a short flight away from Australia.
Among the many activities and water sports that resorts have to offer, Bali has many activities for the more adventurous and energetic visitors. We did a great cycling tour on mountain bikes downhill from the volcano, riding through a couple of out of the way villages where things have not changed much over the decades. This trip finished up at the Elephant Safari Sanctuary where we were able to play with the two new baby elephants as well as had photos taken and touched the adult elephants, later going on an elephant safari ride, followed by a great 4 course dinner and then the elephant show. This park also had a lodge where nature lovers can stay. The park is owned by an Australian and is truly of world standard, quite impressive and certainly as close as you will ever get to these amazing creatures.
We also went white water rafting, a great fun experience for the whole family to enjoy, a great, professional set up which ensures a fun, safe experience.
Another place to visit, even worthy of a few nights stay is Ubud, a mountain village, again it has seen many changes since we were last there, the evidence that tourism is thriving in Bali. Here again there are many things to do, a visit to the Monkey Forest for instance can be a fun for the whole family. There are many art galleries as Ubud is the cultural centre, as well as many great hotels, resorts and spas of all levels, again affordable for everyone.
Here people come together from all over the world and sit back to enjoy the culture and the friendliness of the Balinese. Again there are many restaurants and cafes as well as many shops. Ubud has a different more zen like feel to it and makes a nice change from the more hectic Kuta and Legian areas.
We had an amazing holiday in Bali and I don’t hesitate to recommend it as a destination for anyone wanting a break in a tropical paradise, the warmth of the place does not only come from the weather, but also from the lovely Balinese people who make you feel very welcome.
If you are interested in experiencing Bali don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.
Veronica