| As they say, ‘one trip to Bali is never enough'. | | | | life-time experience! Spectacular views over Bali |
| Vast, seemingly endless beaches, beautiful tropical | | | | even Lombok. Take in the gentle rice terraces |
| landscapes, the fascinating culture, amazingly | | | | from the best vantage point, or get up close and |
| hospitable people and shopping for local crafts | | | | personal with a volcano! Not cheap, but certainly |
| continue to attract repeat visitors to Bali, time | | | | an experience never to forget. (Air Bali) 13) Horse |
| and time again. | | | | Riding Enjoy one of the equestrian centres at |
| However, as I have been discovering in my | | | | your doorstep! Selection of horses, with courses |
| recent trips, there is more to this tropical paradise | | | | for the beginners. Wonderful escorted tours |
| than meets the eye. | | | | through the rice terraces and tide permitting |
| Today you can also add to my list above, the | | | | down the beach. (Umalas or Saba Bay Stables) |
| attraction of a myriad of activities catering to | | | | 14) Kite Boarding Some great wind and lift, as well |
| both the action oriented holiday maker and the | | | | as the equipment for rental is available at Nusa |
| more staid. | | | | Dua beaches. But make sure you have a great |
| Here is a starter list of 25 new things you may | | | | story lined up for your insurance company! Keep |
| want to try when you are next in Bali: 1) Bird | | | | in mind, this really is an Extreme Sport. |
| Park You don't need to be a bird watcher to | | | | 15) Monkey Watching Experience mischievous |
| enjoy this colourful park. Take a morning off, and | | | | macaques in full action! Also, some good |
| discover the beauty of an array of tropical birds | | | | restaurants and eateries nearby. However, be |
| Bali has to offer. Even better, arrive later in the | | | | careful of your cameras, glasses and the like! |
| afternoon, and enjoy some amazing sun-set | | | | (The Sacred Monkey Forest - Ubud) |
| melodies. A great choice for enthusiasts and | | | | 16) Mountain Cycling If you like cycling, why not |
| families. (located at Taman Burung - open 08:00 - | | | | enjoy a leisurely cycle with views of the Batur |
| 18:00 daily) | | | | volcano! Lots to see, lots to learn, all on two |
| 2) Cruising Pick a boat of your choice, and head | | | | wheels with an experienced guide. (Bali Adventure |
| for the high seas! Nowadays Bali has a great | | | | Tours) |
| selection of safe boats to choose from. Go for a | | | | 17) Paragliding Throw yourself off the sheer cliff |
| fun filled family outing or go more adventurous | | | | faces of Uluwatu into the Indian Ocean! As a |
| with some of the latest cutting edge crafts which | | | | beginner you can enjoy great tandem jumps with |
| deliver the speed. (Bali Hai Cruises, Sea Safari | | | | well qualified professionals with great safety |
| Cruises, Bounty Cruises) | | | | records. |
| 3) Dance Performances Be enthralled by unique | | | | 18) Slingshot (Reverse Bungee) Defy gravity Bali |
| Balinese dances! Try to catch one of each of: | | | | style, with some spectacular 50m views! (That is, |
| Kecak, Legong and Fire Dances, at least. There | | | | if you remember to open your eyes!) Not for the |
| are dozens of different troupes to choose from, | | | | faint-hearted. Organisers follow international safety |
| each with their own following. Keep in mind, shows | | | | standards. |
| in hotels and tourist restaurants offer vanilla | | | | 19) Surfing If you've come with your board you'll |
| flavour, and sometimes mechanical re-creations of | | | | know where to go! If you are keen to learn, |
| the real thing. Head out to some of the villages, | | | | there are many schools to choose from, just |
| and you will be handsomely rewarded with the | | | | head for the beach! Whilst Kuta is a good all |
| authentic fare. | | | | rounder, Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, and Balangan |
| 4) Designer Shopping No, I am not talking about | | | | can provide some great tubes to test the more |
| the ‘fake originals' that litter the streets of | | | | experienced. (some offer surfing lessons for ages |
| many other Asian locations. In the recent years, | | | | 5+, so the whole family can enjoy surfing all |
| Bali has attracted some of the most talented | | | | together) |
| original designers, and artists from around the | | | | 20) Temple Ceremonies Few visitors to Bali |
| world (both the East and the West). This coupled | | | | realise that in most instances you will be |
| with the inherent artistic capabilities of the | | | | welcomed to attend local ceremonies as an |
| Balinese, means that Bali today enjoys a large | | | | observer. The great thing is, there is a temple |
| number of original designer shops. You can find | | | | ceremony every single day of the year in Bali, |
| anything from post-modern lighting installations, to | | | | just ask around to find the nearest one during |
| Imperial Chinese style sideboards, and from | | | | your stay. If you are lucky enough, you may be |
| original water fountain designs to some of the | | | | able to catch one of the Full Moon or Dark Moon |
| best jewelry designed and manufactured | | | | ceremonies which attract devotees from far a |
| anywhere in the world. | | | | field and are some of the most colourful events |
| 5) Diving Put your PADI license to use, or if you | | | | on the island. Please remember that a sensible |
| are a diving newbie, just do it, and get your PADI | | | | dress code, and polite/respectful behaviour are |
| certificate in Bali! A range of dive organizers for | | | | essential for continued hospitality towards foreign |
| the experienced, and dive schools for the new | | | | guests. (Also, please note that women are not |
| comers are available to choose from. Some offer | | | | allowed in the temples during their menstrual |
| PADI ‘Youth Scuba' courses for ages 5+. | | | | period.) |
| 6) Dolphin Watching Enjoy these all-time | | | | 21) Tennis Choose from one of many open or |
| favourites in their natural habitat. They are at | | | | some covered courts! Whilst most better tennis |
| their best first thing in the morning. Also, the soft | | | | courts are located at major hotels, you can use |
| hues of the sun-rise provide amazing colours for | | | | these facilities on a pay-per-use basis. Many will |
| the photography enthusiasts. However, you will | | | | provide a partner to match your skills. |
| need to plan ahead for this one, since Lovina is in | | | | 22) Wake Boarding (or Knee Boarding) Have a go |
| the North of the island, and you will more than | | | | at that double flip, or just learn to stand up! Whilst |
| likely be staying in a hotel or a rental villa in the | | | | most beaches are more suitable for surfing, you |
| south. 7) Fishing Go after that marlin or try your | | | | can enjoy wakeboarding at the Condrad Bali |
| hand at yellow fin tuna! Most boats provide full | | | | Resort, and surrounds. |
| tackle, bait and a running commentary, a friendly, | | | | 23) Waterbom Park Water slides and rides galore, |
| giggly banter which makes the day out that much | | | | both kids and adults will have a blast! World class |
| more enjoyable. (fishing boats from Benoa | | | | park, with well trained staff. Go early to make the |
| Harbour or Sanur) | | | | most of your day! (open 09:00 - 18:00 daily) |
| 8) Elephant Safari Park Arguably, one of the best | | | | 24) Wind Surfing Maximise the almost continuous |
| in South East Asia! Great location and landscaped | | | | winds found in Nusa Dua or Sanur. You can rent a |
| gardens. Don't forget to do the elephant safari | | | | board, and head out, or take one of the courses |
| ride. | | | | designed for beginners. |
| 9) Jet Skiing Re-create those favourite Baywatch | | | | 25) White Water Rafting A thrilling experience |
| moments! Due to their environmental impact, only | | | | through 8 kilometers of rapids! (believe it or not, |
| available at some selected beaches across the | | | | still suitable for ages 5+) Organisers follow |
| island. (available at Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua). | | | | international safety standards. (Bali Adventure |
| 10) Go-Karting Only for those who get withdrawal | | | | Tours) |
| symptoms from being away from the hustle and | | | | Like me, if you manage to fit in five of these |
| bustle of big-city life! All the noise, thrills and | | | | activities into your schedule, every time you visit |
| danger of the real thing! Choice of single or double | | | | Bali, you will still want to come back for more. |
| carts. | | | | Because, at the end of the day, it is the people |
| 11) Golfing A number of 18 hole courses are | | | | of Bali, with their welcoming smiles, and willingness |
| available across Bali. As you would expect, each | | | | to help, which will make mere adventures into |
| more beautiful than the other. Relax on an easy | | | | even more precious memories. |
| course, or challenge yourself to one of the more | | | | One final thought. If you are attempting |
| demanding courses designed by professionals. | | | | something new, or slightly dangerous, please |
| Either way, don't miss the spectacular views over | | | | make sure to check that you are fit/suitable |
| the Indian Ocean or one of Bali's great volcanoes. | | | | enough for the adventure ahead, and that the |
| Most courses in Bali are to international standards, | | | | organisers have the necessary experience/safety |
| and many offer clubhouses and recreational | | | | record so as not to spoil your wonderful Bali |
| facilities for the rest of the family. 12) Helicopter | | | | adventure. |
| Tours Go on, splash out for that once in a | | | | Many happy returns to the Island of the Gods! |