Search results for

Though it has a silly name, the Potato Head Beach Club on Seminyak beach is a cool spot to spend the day. A collage of antique 18th-century veranda shades surrounds an amphitheater-like space that contains a beach bar, a grassy lawn, and an infinity pool. Three additional restaurants (one homey, one Southeast Asian, one high-end) and a stellar concert lineup make Potato Head a destination, morning ‘til night. A soon-to-open boutique hotel will extend the party even further. Jln. Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia, 62/(0) 361 473 7979.

Just outside Gelgel and Klungkung, which were the seats of the Majapahit Kingdom from the 15th until the second half of the 17th century, is the village of Kamasan. This village was and is still of great cultural importance to the Balinese as it has been the core of Balinese traditional arts for the past 600 years. It is most famous for its painters, who have been painting in the ‘Kamasan style’ for many generations. This style is derived from the Javanese style that came to Bali with the Majapahit Kingdom and is now the basis for all traditional Balinese styles. You can tour the village and chat to the painters in their workshops and also buy directly from them. There are also textile workshops and silversmiths in the village you can visit. Kamasan is about 40 minutes from Ubud or 1 1/2 hours from Kuta or Seminyak.

In Bali, the new year is welcomed on a holiday called Nyepi, a day of reflection and silence when it is illegal to be out on the streets. Everything, including the international airport, is shut down, and hotel guests are forbidden to leave their hotels. But the night before Nyepi—called Ngrupuk—is a different story altogether. The night’s parades feature effigies of demons whose purpose is to scare away spirits so that Nyepi can be spent in peace and the new year begun purely. The effigies, called ogoh-ogoh, come in all shapes and sizes and are carried through the villages at dusk accompanied by traditional gamelan music and the noisy cheering and jeering of spectators. The biggest parades, in Denpasar and Kuta, are a great scene to watch. The date of Nyepi usually falls in March, but it changes each year.

There are a few turtle release projects in Bali, some of which have tainted the reputation of others by not actually doing any conservation or education work, but instead lining their pockets with tourist dollars. However, Serangan island’s Turtle Conservation and Education Center is leading the way in Bali’s attempts to heal the ever-dwindling population of beautiful sea turtles that used to lay their eggs all around the island’s shoreline. Staff at the center are extremely knowledgeable and most speak excellent English and are ready to answer any questions you might have. Children will love the ‘adopt a turtle’ project, which you may have to explain, doesn’t mean taking it home with you, but releasing a turtle into the ocean. Serangan is only about 20 minutes from Kuta by car so is a good half-day trip. Just make sure if you get a driver that they take you to the right place to avoid disappointment.

I’ll be honest, you are going to find mixed reviews from travelers about visiting the Uluwatu Temple on the southern tip of Bali. People are going to complain about the thieving monkeys (for good reason), the lack of luster offered by the temple, the crowds, the trash, the entrance fee, and the fact that the temple is somewhat isolated from the other many attractions on the island. However, I am going to make a hard stance that the Uluwatu Temple is worth the visit and that’s why I’m considering it as one of the highlights of our trip to Bali! I will also make the claim that the Uluwatu Temple is the best place to see the sunset on the island of Bali! Here is my advice for making the Uluwatu Temple a great experience on your trip to Bali: 1) Visit the temple on your own as a part of touring the many amazing beaches located on the southern tip of Bali by scooter (rent a scooter for $6USD for the day in Kuta or Jimbaran). Make a day-trip out of the visit to Uluwatu. 2) Visit the temple at sunset and go for the sunset 3) Carry a stick as you tour the temple to keep the thieving monkeys at bay and heed all warnings that they will steal any lose items off your person in the blink of an eye. Actually I won’t limit items to “lose” items. DO NOT TEST THEM! You will lose, but this is all part of the travel experience! 4) Forget the free dance performance. It is too crowded and there are plenty of other opportunities to see a Balinese dance performance while on the island

Sanur is a beautiful and quaint part of Bali with hotels along the boardwalk that lines the beach. The boardwalk really makes Sanur special, as walking in Bali can be treacherous in most of the towns with narrow streets and tiny sidewalks, but this paved path in Sanur is great for biking and long walks along the beach. Walk to the south end of the boardwalk for a great view of the sunset and find a nice little cafe to have a Bintang (beer) or a Bali kopi (coffee).

In their own words, Dastkar Ranthambhore is a grass root social enterprise dedicated to providing an alternative source of income to women living around the Ranthambhore National Park. Dastkar strongly promotes the survival of some rare traditional crafts, such as the labor intensive block printing (see picture). They provide a safe haven for numerous women to collaborate and work together. It’s a great place to visit, to learn about these almost forgotten crafts and to ‘speak’ with the ladies working there. And, while you’re at it–spend some money. It’s for a great cause. Dastkar Ranthambhore Dastkari Kendra, Opp. Village Kutalpura Maliyan P.O. Khilchipur-Sherpur Distt. Sawai Madhopur –3322001 Rajasthan Ph. (07462) 252051 MOB 9414030486 ujwalajodha@hotemail.com

Tanah Lot Temple is one of the most important and most iconic temples on Bali, which also makes it one of the most visited. It is one of the six cardinal temples, and on a very clear day you can see all the way to Uluwatu Temple on the very southernmost tip of the Bukit Penninsula. The temple’s position, perched on jagged rocks that jut out into the sea, means it can only be reached when the tide is out, but there are plenty of places to sit and have a drink or a snack while you wait for the tide to go out. Have a look for the little black and white sea snakes that are said to protect the temple and live in caves in the rock formations. They are poisonous, though, so don’t try to catch one. Although the temple grounds are very large, it can get extremely crowded around sunset, so arrive early to get a prime spot to snap pictures of the temple with the sun sinking into the sea in the background. Tanah Lot is located about 45 minutes west of Kuta and Seminyak in Tabanan Regency so is an easy half-day trip.

Seafood lovers, rejoice! Moana Fish Eatery is a Polynesian-style restaurant in Canggu where you will find the freshest, most incredible fish dishes without any fussy sauces, pretentious names, or unnecessarily complicated sides. The simple grilled mahi-mahi, poke bowls, fish tacos, and amazing coconut king prawn curry are tasty, filling, and well priced for the quality of the fish. There’s also a deliciously refreshing sugarcane juice that you can enjoy in the chilled-out and cozy atmosphere with friends, family, or a date. Some vegetarian dishes are available, but the selection is quite small since most people come for the fish.

Kim Soo Home, a French-inspired boutique shop in Seminyak, carries everything from Indonesian ethnic pieces to handmade textiles and wooden furniture. If you’re looking to pick up something to remind you of your trip to Bali, you’ll find it here—the shop stocks items from makers throughout the archipelago, along with its own unique, locally made designs. It’s difficult to leave the airy and carefully manicured store, but you can decompress for a bit in the stylish adjoining café before you reenter the harsh world outside.

Set smack bang on the beach at Canggu’s Batu Bolong surf spot, Old Man’s is where surfers rinse off the salt and head in for a beer and a bite to eat. The beer garden’s open and airy atmosphere is enhanced by strings of lights and awesome murals by Australian artist Lucas Grogan. You really can’t go wrong at Old Man’s: Prices are affordable, it’s family- and dog-friendly, and the sunset is spectacular. Drop by and see what the hype is about.

“Cuca” translates to vinegar in Indonesian, but this spot is anything but acidic. The atmosphere is a sweet blend of fine dining with friendly spaces that are stylish and contemporary as well as comfortable. Cuca’s menu concentrates on ingredients like just-caught seafood, fresh tropical fruits, and local vegetables and herbs. This local focus allows the chefs to create delicious, affordable meals while supporting area farmers. The menu is tapas style, with small shareable plates, perfect for leisurely lunches or dinners.