Discovering Bali

Photo: a typical Balinese dance

Eveline, a member of the marketing agency Growth Agency knows the island of Bali very well. She takes us there and gives us some interesting tips.

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Bali: the island of gods and demons

Bali, also known as the "island of the gods", is best known for its many temples, countless rice fields, magnificent waterfalls, active volcanoes and white beaches surrounded by beautiful coral reefs.

Bali is a relatively small island of 5,780 km² (around 153 km long by 112 km wide). The centre of the island is dominated by a mountainous landscape (peaks up to 2,000 m) with active volcanoes. The coast is lined with coral reefs. The south has white sand beaches, while the north and west have black sand beaches.
The largest city is Denpasar, in the south of the island, with more than 491,500 inhabitants.

The local population is very welcoming, always ready for a chat and to explain local customs to you.
Unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is predominantly Islamic, Bali is largely Hindu. This is reflected in the many large temples scattered across the island and the smaller temples found at the entrance of every house. Worshippers honour the gods three times a day with ritual ceremonies and offerings of incense and flower petals. Many temples are open to tourists. Balinese people believe very strongly in karma and life after death. I think this is one of the reasons why Bali is such a safe island.

Balinese people are very proud of their culture, and rightly so.
Watching a traditional dance is really worth it, it's a true art form. You can easily book a dance performance.

Passport and visa

You obviously need a valid passport to travel to Bali. For a trip lasting no more than 30 days, you don't need a visa. At the airport, you'll receive a free "visa on arrival".

A flight to Bali

A flight to Bali from Belgium always has a stopover. This stopover is usually in the Middle East, in Dubai or Doha. But there are also flights with a stopover in Hong Kong.

The flight takes at least 17 hours, and you'll often travel with Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar or KLM. Such a journey is quite long, but long-haul planes are fairly comfortable, and on board there are plenty of entertainment options in the form of films and series. Some flights offer free WIFI, and other perks are available for a fee. A plane ticket, however, isn't cheap. It costs at least €500, but often around €1000 for a round trip.

A hot and humid climate

An example of a daily ritual offering to thank the gods. © Artem Beliaikin – pexels.com

Bali is located on the equator. Temperatures there are fairly constant throughout the year (around 30°C and 85% humidity). At higher elevations, the temperature can be much lower. Bali has a rainy season from November to March. This period isn't so bad in itself; you just need to be able to cope with 1 or 2 heavy hour-long downpours, after which you'll have sunny weather again. Exceptionally, it can rain for a few days in a row. So the climate is quite humid, especially in areas close to the jungle, such as Ubud.

How to travel around Bali?

Getting around Bali can be quite chaotic! Most locals get around by moped, which is by far the easiest way to explore the island. But be careful: it takes experience. There's a lot of traffic and not everyone follows the rules.
Travelling by taxi is of course also possible. For around 30 euros, you can book a taxi for a whole day. Not all towns are easy to get around on foot. So Bali isn't ideal for people who have difficulty walking.

The roads are generally in fairly good condition. If you go to the smaller islands around Bali, such as Nusa Penida, you'll need to take less well-paved roads. Footpaths are not very accessible and are often used as shortcuts for mopeds. Most towns aren't very walkable.

Methods of payment

Bali's currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), which you can easily get from the ATMs found on almost every street corner. 1 euro is worth 15 to 16 thousand IDR. There are also currency exchange offices, which are often official. The exchange rate varies a lot from day to day, so if you need to change a lot of money, it's best to wait until the rate is favourable.

In general, you can pay with a Mastercard almost anywhere, but keep a bit of pocket money for small purchases. At the local corner shop or in a local bar, it's easier to pay cash. Sometimes the machine that accepts card payments doesn't work, so it's always useful to have some cash on you.

A plate of Nasi Goreng, with a view over Padang Bay, a small port town in eastern Bali.

Where to stay?

Bali is an ideal destination for budget travellers. You'll find a nice hotel with a pool, and often breakfast too, for around 5 euros a night. But those looking for more luxurious accommodation will also find what they're after, as there's plenty of choice. It's easy to book a private villa with a pool for the same price as a small hotel room in Europe. And if you're travelling with a larger group, this option is often the cheapest. Bali is undoubtedly also the ideal destination for a honeymoon, thanks to its many luxury beach resorts.

Bali: an island of many discoveries

Spending a few days in Bali?
The island has a lot to offer. Here are a few ideas for original visits and discoveries:

• A visit to the Monkey Forest in Ubud
• Surfing in Canggu
• A day at a spa with a massage and pedicure for just a few euros
• Doing sunrise yoga at the Yoga Barn in Ubud
• A weekend on the Gili Islands to go snorkelling.
• A day full of waterfalls: I recommend GitGit, Tegenungan and Aling Aling.
• A sunrise hike up Mount Batur
• Sample Balinese cuisine cheaply in one of the many Warungs

Bali's culinary delights

A smoothie bowl for breakfast at "Skinni Pizza" in Ubud.

Bali has a surprisingly varied vegetarian cuisine. Tofu and tempeh are made with local soybeans. Most local restaurants will offer you dishes with these ingredients. Plus, there's of course also a wide choice of fish and seafood. A grilled mahi-mahi fillet (or dolphinfish) and a tuna steak or tuna tataki are among the highly recommended dishes!

Coconuts are also widely available in Bali. Make sure to drink the milk of a fresh coconut on the beach, and don't forget to eat the flesh too. Coconut ice cream and other coconut desserts are often found in local shops, and they're all more delicious than the last.

Of course, rice can't be missing from the menu. Ordering a Nasi goreng for breakfast in Bali isn't strange at all!

Another must-try dish is pumpkin soup with ginger and coconut cream. It's not really a dish you'd imagine on a tropical island, but it's excellent. Smoothie bowls are also very popular in Bali. Mixed servings of fresh fruit, combined with nuts and seeds, are not only colourful to look at, but delicious too!

A few good restaurants in Bali

• Warung Pondok Madu in Ubud: known for its pork ribs, but you'll also find tuna steaks, Balinese tapas and pasta. Affordable prices.
• Maona Fish Eatery in Canggu: Hawaiian-inspired restaurant with poke bowls on the menu.
• Jimbaran Bay Seafood in Jimbaran: Near the fish market, grilled fish fillets with coconut, langoustines and clams. An ideal restaurant at sunset.
• Tapas in Nusa Dua: An Asian and European tapas bar, often with a live band. Beautiful architecture.
• Twist in Ubud: A small establishment with delicious cocktails and very high-quality dishes at low prices.

Put Bali on your travel list

If you dream of a mix of culture, spirituality, adventure, culinary delights and natural spots, Bali is a top destination. It's not for nothing that this island of a thousand facets is the most-featured place in the world on Instagram!

Cover photo: © Aditya Agarwal - Pexels.com
Other photos: © Eveline Smet