"Bali is one of a kind. And if someone does not acknowledge that, than he must have visited heaven itself." No wonder, Bali is nicknamed as "the Island of Gods" ... With these words, I decided to start this article: by quoting my last thoughts about Bali, on our last day in this ... unique place. Because if paradise on earth exists, than that sure is Bali, in regard to all the aspects a place has to offer: the kindness of its people, the purity and happiness of these souls, the never ending grenery, the wildness of nature in all its beauty, the balinese cuisine, the quality of the offered services, the so-special and unprecious balinese culture and its traditions, the idyllic scenery and so much more which words can simply not describe...
Writing an article about Bali is easy...but finding the right words to describe our experience in Bali turned out to be harder than i thought... the result, being that i am publishing this article, almost 6 months after the whole thing. Why? Because the internet is full of things, recommendations, tips and in general, articles about Bali, but through my extensive research, I found none, that actually is able to send the reader in that small piece of paradise that Bali really is...In this article, I gave my best to make you, the reader, feel and imagine the beauty of the place, even if you could be on the opposite location of the globe.
So, what is so special about Bali and why should you visit it, at least once in a lifetime. What are the things you must-Know before travelling.
1. Bali - the island of Gods, is one of the 18,110 islands of the largest archipelago in the world - Indonesia and the most famous of them all and the most special, I would add. (Side Note: Unbelievable! I know! But Indonesia does have these many islands).
With its capital at Denpasar, Bali is one of the most known tourist destinations worldwide, tourism accounting approx. 80% of the islands economy. An advantage for this, might be the fact that it is situated only 8 degrees south from the equator, which brings an average temperature of 30 degrees during the day, all year round. An important aspects when visiting are Bali's seasons: the dry season lasts between May and mid November, but if you do not really mind short warm shower rains, then Bali is a perfect destination also during the rainy season.
2. The balinese culture and their traditions. I never encountered something more special than the balinese culture.
3. The balinese people and their uniqueness. The island is the home of approx. 4,5 mil. people, balinese accounting 88% of them, 8% being indonesian and only 4% foreigners. The kindness of the balinese people, the island beauty and perfect climate would have determined far more foreign people to live here, if it wasn't that hard to obtain a permanent residence permit. Nevertheless, looking at the bright side of things, the small % of foreigners, has contributed a lot, if not, even determined maintaining the balinese culture and traditions today, as vivid, as they were centuries ago.
4. The rice fields - are one of the island's most iconic and picturesque landscapes, offering a glimpse into the traditional agricultural practices that have sustained the Balinese people for centuries. Walking around exploring the rice fields was one of our favourite activities in Bali...
5. The balinese tempels. One between many things that make Bali special is that, even though, the island is smaller than 6.000 km2, it is the home of more than 20.000 temples, wich is also the reason why Bali is nicknamed "the island of a thousand temples" or "the island of Gods".
6. The balinese cuisine.
Embarking on a gastronomic adventure in Bali means immersing oneself in a rich tapestry of flavors, influenced by centuries of tradition and cultural diversity. Balinese cuisine, renowned for its vibrant spices, fresh ingredients, and intricate preparations, offers a tantalizing journey for the taste buds. Some traditional balinese dishes are:
Nasi Goreng: Nasi Goreng, literally meaning "fried rice," is a staple of Balinese cuisine and a popular choice for breakfast or any meal of the day.
Ayam Betutu: Ayam Betutu is a traditional Balinese dish consisting of whole chicken marinated in a rich blend of spices and herbs, including turmeric, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and shallots. The chicken is then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked for several hours until tender and infused with aromatic flavors
Babi Guling: Babi Guling, or Balinese suckling pig, is a celebrated dish that takes center stage in traditional ceremonies and festive occasions. The pig is seasoned with a blend of turmeric, coriander seeds, lemongrass, and other spices, then slowly roasted on a spit until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown while the meat remains tender and succulent.
7. The waterfalls, the scenery, the never ending grenery and the high mountains. Bali is a vulcanic island, with active volcanoes such as Mount Batur. Bali's highest peak is Mount Agung (3,031 m, 9,944 ft), known as the "mother mountain", which is an active volcano rated as one of the world's most likely sites for a massive eruption within the next 100 years.
8. The high-quality services
Bali's allure extends beyond its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture; it's also renowned for its commitment to providing exceptional services that elevate the travel experience. From luxurious accommodations to personalized tours and impeccable hospitality, Bali sets a high standard for quality services that leave visitors feeling pampered and satisfied. For us, Bali exceeded our expectations and everywhere we were we felt like the quality of their service and dedication was between the highest we ever experienced.
9. The counteless tourist attractions and activities - see my other post https://www.mmtraveltips.com/post/12-days-itinerary-for-bali-and-a-never-to-forget-heavenly-experience
10. The counteless instagramable places
Bali isn't just a destination; it's a visual feast for the senses. From cascading waterfalls and lush rice terraces to turquoise beaches and stunning sunsets, every corner of the island offers countless Instagram-worthy moments.
11. The unbelivable small prices
Last but not least, it is worth mentioning that Bali is a land where, if you come from Europe or the US, you will find everything being unbelivably cheap. From 5* hotels at aprox. €100 / night / room, to normal meals at aprox €5 / pers, or to highend meals in luxurious resorts for €20/pers. these are just few of the prices that shocked us. In addition, the price of a private driver for a full whole day is aprox €50 and in this cost he will prepare you an initinerary and drive you everywhere you want for aprox 8 hours/day TIP! Read our other post https://www.mmtraveltips.com/post/12-days-itinerary-for-bali-and-a-never-to-forget-heavenly-experience to get our recommendation for the driver which we also had! Moreover, 1-hour massage costs for aprox €10 and almost any beauty service you would like to experience costs around that amount. So don't be schocked, just enjoy!
Most of the information in this article was gathered from local balinese people. If you get or got to visit Bali and you think that we missed something, let us know and we will add it to the list! We want our reader the get the most of it!
Safe travels, dear traveler!