"Bali Hai!!" Bali by paradisedreamer


Bali Travel Guide: 7,014 reviews and 14,827 photos

A little history of Indonesia and Bali

The first Europeans to set foot in Bali were Dutch seamen in 1597. By the early 1600s the Dutch had established trade treaties with Javanese princes and had gained control of the spice trade from the Portuguese.
In the 18th century the entire island came under Dutch control and became part of the Dutch East Indies. Indonesia then fell to the Japanese during WWII.

At the end of the war Indonesian leader Sukarno proclaimed independence but it took 4 more years to persuade the Dutch that they were not going ot get their colony back. There was a coup in 1965 and General Suharto emerged as a major political figure

Our Trip

We started in Kuta and hated it so we soon moved off to Ubud which was brilliant. Kuta was far too busy whereas Ubud was a lovely calm retreat. I could imagine myself staying there for a long time……..
Ubud has become known worldwide as a center for the arts and is located 25 Kilometers from Denpasar. It is set among lush rice paddies and the stunning hillsides of central Bali.
We had lots of long lazy lunches and enjoyed the cultural side of Bali in the evenings. We were there over Ramadan which I can highly recommend as you see the people in traditional dress and preparing for the feast.
Ubud is an ideal place to see Balinese dance. Legong, Ramayana, Kecak, and the fire dance can be seen every night in or around the Ubud area
We found the tourist office extremely helpful when it came to booking tours and seeing traditional dances, their prices are also very reasonable.

We were in Bali during the rainy season. It is quite difficult on a round the world trip to make sure that the weather is good in each place. In Bali it was not a problem as it would rain in the afternoons and then be clear in the evenings. We would do sightseeing in the morning, come back and read on the balcony with the heavy rain coming down and then go out in the evening which was much cooler due to the rain. Perfect!

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Culture, temples, people
  • Cons:Nothing really, maybe too many postcard sellers, but hey they have to make a living!
  • In a nutshell:Lush, green, tropical land, colourful people rich in culture
  • Last visit to Bali: Jan 1999
  • Intro Updated Aug 9, 2003
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Reviews (30)

Comments (25)

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  • kyoub's Profile Photo
    kyoub Nov 5, 2007 at 12:08 PM Report Abuse

    Excellent tips. Your pages brought back fond memories.

  • chiara76's Profile Photo
    chiara76 Jul 3, 2005 at 1:15 PM Report Abuse

    Very , very nice page about this wonderful place. You are lucky that you could be there and see it your own eyes! Greetings from Poland.

  • aussirose's Profile Photo
    aussirose Feb 11, 2005 at 7:46 PM Report Abuse

    Hi Sarah. Hopefully we might get there this year. Looks like you stayed in a nice spot. Nice restaurant tip too. Cheers, Ann :o)

  • windsorgirl's Profile Photo
    windsorgirl Jan 9, 2005 at 10:05 AM Report Abuse

    Bali is another of my dream destinations, it seems like you've been everywhere! Great pages, thanks for sharing.

  • Jim_Eliason's Profile Photo
    Jim_Eliason Nov 21, 2004 at 3:00 PM Report Abuse

    fantastic photos!

  • csutiluca's Profile Photo
    csutiluca Sep 29, 2004 at 10:32 PM Report Abuse

    Hi, I was lucky enough to stay a week in Bali and travell ig by bemos around. I am planning to go back, and it was a great help from you . Thanks from Hungary.

  • mrdreameruk's Profile Photo
    mrdreameruk Jun 14, 2004 at 11:52 AM Report Abuse

    Hi I have been lucky enough to go there and saw Ubud like you, I was lucky enough to drive around the island and saw an awful lot, I found ur pages a delight to read.Clive

  • italianmygirl's Profile Photo
    italianmygirl Apr 8, 2004 at 2:00 AM Report Abuse

    i am planning a trip to Bali. Your pages tell me that it will be wonderful.

  • Paul2001's Profile Photo
    Paul2001 Nov 13, 2003 at 12:36 PM Report Abuse

    I have heard that about Kuta. Not the real Bali so to speak. Excellent tips and photos. I have got to go someday.

  • tiganeasca's Profile Photo
    tiganeasca Nov 4, 2003 at 5:49 AM Report Abuse

    Thanks for making an unusual destination come to life. The pictures and your insights made it a "real" place--and, of course, now it has to be added to the "must-see" list!

paradisedreamer

“Life is what happens while you are planning for the future. Live for today!”

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