Bali in every direction

Beaches, mountains, volcanoes, jungles and more on this Indonesian island

Of all the more exotic destinations in Asia, the one that seems best able to combine its spirituality with modern life is Bali, one of 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago.

Your mobile phone works, the roads are improving, and the tourism infrastructure is in step with demands for luxury, but it has not changed the island in the sense of its mystery and alluring exoticism.

With a hospitable people and natural beauty, as well as attractive cultural traditions, Bali is always at the top of many people’s lists of Asian destinations.

Bali is the most distinctive of the Indonesian islands. It has remained steadfastly Hindu ever since trade from India brought the faith to this tropical island, and hundreds of years later, Bali has developed a particularly colorful and unique version of Hinduism. It has given Bali a culture rich in craftsmanship and beauty, and the people are a warm and gentle result of their beliefs.
Beaches, mountains, volcanoes, jungle and ocean surf — Bali has it all, presented in an exotic manner that has drawn fascinated visitors since Dutch colonial times and earlier.

The pure attraction of Balinese culture can still be experienced in the spiritual core of Ubud, located at the center of the island, but the people’s open-minded demeanor is also very well-suited to the racier parts of the island, such as the beaches of Seminyak and Nusa Dua in the south.

In the heart of the island, Ubud is green and jungly and, above all, very spiritual. The northern coast is separated from the rest of Bali by a string of volcanoes. The west coast has the best surfing, restaurants and shopping. Seminyak, a beach town on the southwest tip, is for people who like a little action with their tradition, as it’s where you’ll find all the clubs, bars, boutiques and restaurants, including Ku De Ta, which is a must for eating and drinking right on the beach (www.kudeta.net).

On the southeastern tip, you’ll find Nusa Dua, which has beaches, but the east coast is still the most tropical and pristine. Gangga, on the west coast, has black volcanic sand and coral reef surfs.

There is tremendous variety, but there is a definite must-do list for Bali. In Ubud, check out a temple ceremony. And for the more active traveler, try rafting down the Ayung River, which provides an up-close view of the extraordinary jungle landscape. A drive from Ubud to Pemuteran in the north takes you through Bali’s dormant volcanoes and a countryside that looks more like Switzerland, ultimately descending down to the black volcanic sand beaches of Bali’s northern coast.