Bali+recommendations


 * Here are a few of the things I like in Bali:**

**South Bali** >> Bali Buda (also in Ubud) **Ubud (art capital of Bali) **
 * Yoga & Lunch at Desa Seni
 * Afternoon visit to the Bukit & Uluwata Temple (buy tickets for the Kecak dance upon arrival)
 * Beach barbecue at Jimbaran Bay - Menaga Cafe (killer King Prawns!!)
 * Jogging barefoot on the beach in the early morning
 * Surfing lessons at Double 6 beach. Great beginner waves. Echo/Tugu Beach is good for intermediates and head to Dreamland or Padang-Padang if you're an expert.
 * Day Trip to Besakih temple
 * Visit Tanah Lot temple for sunset
 * Sunset drinks at La Lucciola restaurant
 * Waterbom
 * Massages - Body Works
 * Stay @ Hotel Vila Lumbung - affordable and authentic Balinese feel.
 * Build a bamboo bike at EWABI.
 * Restaurants we like:
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Breakfast:<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Watercress, Sea Circus, Peloton
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Lunch: Earth Cafe, La Luciola, Watercress, Sea Circus, Biku, Trattoria, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Peloton ,<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Taco Casa <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;">,
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Dinner: Sarong, Urchin Grill & Raw Bar, Kilo, Bambu, [|Alila Seminyak]
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Ubud Electric Bamboo Biking Adventure with Bali Eco Tours
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Biking from Mt. Batur caldera to Ubud
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Ubud (shopping, restaurants, meandering)
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Threads of Life - Hidden Bali experiences from an amazing <span style="font-family: Arvo,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">fair trade business that uses culture and conservation to alleviate poverty in rural Indonesia.
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">See a Kecak Dance. This is the traditional fire/trance dance
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Stay @ Bambu Indah - a radically distinctive boutique hotel in Ubud, carefully curated by designers and long term residents of Bali, John & Cynthia Hardy. <span style="color: #545454; font-family: Roboto,arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Visit the Green School
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Visit the Big Tree bamboo chocolate factory
 * Visit Five Elements holistic healing center
 * Trash Walk with John Hardy - contact <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Karla,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">team@greenbyjohn.com. It starts at the spectacular Bambu Indah eco resort.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Karla,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kul Kul Farm - the run regular permaculture courses and Bamboo U building courses in conjunction with Ibuku.
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Rafting
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Restaurants we like: Locavore, Casa Luna, Sari Organics, Cafe Wayan, Kafe, Earth Cafe/Paridiso, Bali Buda, Taco Casa

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">**Central & Northern Bali**
 * Sunrise climb at Mt. Batur - stay in the town of Toya Bungkah - arrive the night before the climb. Arlina's is very basic and cheap. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The Ayu <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;"> is a bit cleaner, fancier and pricier.
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Tree climbing at the Bali Tree Tops in Bedugal
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Snorkelling/Diving in Pemuteran, North Bali (stay @ Taman Sari in the beachside bungalows, Frog, Turtle, Dolphin, etc.) - take a boat to Menjangan Island for diving and snorkeling.
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hiking in Munduk (stay @ Puri Lumbung Cottages)
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Eco day tour at the Bali Teak farms
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bali Silent Retreat


 * East Bali**
 * Amed / Tulamben - great diving. Stay at Mimpi, Villa Markisa or Scuba Seraya.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">**Other Places To Explore** <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">**Other Notes**
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">If you have time there are literally thousands of other amazing places to explore around Indonesia. Here are just a few:
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Nearby Islands - All can be reached by ferry or speed boats. The crossing can be very rough in is best done in the morning.
 * Gili Islands
 * Nusa Lembongan (eat at the Beach Club)
 * Lombok - explore the island. If you are adventuresome and fit, climb Mt. Rinjani but give yourself 4 days. It is a strenuous climb.
 * Flores / Komodo National Park - you can fly there or charter a boat and sail their round-trip from Bali. The Komodo dragons are amazing. Go snorkeling at the red sand beach. See the flying foxes at sunset.
 * My friend Arnaz Mehta (arnazmehta@gmail.com) has traveled extensively in Asia. She has a business helping people put together amazing and unique trips and can help put together an itinerary for Bali or many of the other spectacular areas in the region.\
 * <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">Random exploring - I have never felt unsafe anywhere in Bali. It is fun to just drive anywhere. It is a small island and hard to get really lost. There are thousands of beautiful temples and the people are super friendly.
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">You can rent a car with a driver for about $50/day. Taxis are also very affordable (always have them run the meter).
 * Mt. Agung - This is a serious climb. Don't do it in the rainy season or try it without a guide. Be prepared with layers to keep you warm up top and enough water.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Only drink bottled water.
 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Don't do or bring any illegal drugs here. There are MAJOR penalties.


 * <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Other Links **
 * Enjoy These Cultural Activities and Attractions in Bali, Indonesia