Bali is one of the most popular island destinations in the world especially for honeymooners.The island's varied landscape of hills and rice terraces, beaches and volcanic sites has made this paradise a perfect holidays to choose.My trip to Bali with my colleagues gave me an answer why people love to spend their holidays here.There are so many things to see and to do in this 'Island of the Gods'.Below I listed down some of the best things to see in Bali that totally based on my personal experience and opinion.

1. Sunset/sunrise

Once in Bali, watching the sunset and sunrise is a must.I believe that everyone who has been to Bali agreed that the sunset and sunrise at Bali offer such a magnificient view if the weather allows.The famous tourist spot to watch the sunset is at the Tanah Lot.I arrived there around 6pm and watched the sun went down and slowly disappeared in front of my eyes.The sky was orange in colour that created a romantic moment and a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding.While for sunrise, i catched it at the Jinbaran Beach nearby the hotel.I didn't regret to wake up very early in the morning just to see the spectacular sunrise moment.

2. Cultural Dances

Bali is renowned for its variety of cultural dances.As majority of the Bali's population adheres to Hinduism, the balinese dances are often influenced from the Hindu epics such as Ramayana.I have the chance to watch two Balinese dances when i was in Bali.Those are the Kecak Dance and the Barong Dance.I really enjoyed the Kecak Dance performance as it was performed by a group of men sitting in circle and repeatedly chant 'kechak cak' where indirectly become a background music of the show.

3. Paddy Terrace

Looking at the lush-greenery of paddy terrace at Tegallalang is actually a good therapy to relax our mind and to exercise our eyes.Surrounded by cool atmosphere due to it's location at the hillside, paddy terrace area in Tegallalang provide a picturesque panorama and fresh air suitable for relaxing.My short break at the area make me feel so calm and peace.This is one common view and one attraction not to be missed when visiting Bali.

4. Volcanic Site

As Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Bali is no exception to experience a series of earthquake and volcanic eruption.Two famous active volcanoes to see in Bali are Mount Agung and Mount Batur.My journey by mini bus to Kintamani, where the Mount Batur lies left an unforgettable memory as it was my first time visiting the volcanic site.The surrounding is cold and awesome with the Mountain stand still seems ready to explode.Having my lunch at the local restaurant facing the mountain was absolutely a perfect day.Later,my visit to Lake Batur that created from the eruption of the mountain just added some sugar to the trip.

5. Beaches

Famous among the tourist, Kuta Beach has become a favourite for everyone who looks for water sport.The beach stretches as far as the eyes can see.The waves are suitable for surfing,that's one of the reason why the beach is always packed with surfers all around the world.I was lucky to stay at the hotel nearby the beach.I love to stroll along the beach watching people playing beach soccer,sunbathers in colourful swimsuit,paragliders in the air, masseurs doing their job..what more i can say.The beach is lively with different of activities.Besides Kuta, some other beaches such as Nusa Dua and Jinbaran offer a different panorama where these area preferred by people seeking for quite environment.

6. Arts & Crafts

Planning to bring something back home, Ubud area, Celuk and Mas village are the right places to go.Ubud is the place to look for amazing and quality painting but cheap in price.While Celuk and Mas village are home to wood carving and silver jewelery that offer variety of hand-made stuff.Watching the locals made the furniture using their own hands was a great experience.It is not an easy stuff but with the skill learned at an early age,the result is superb.

7. Temples

Hinduism is the most dominant religion being practice in Bali.It is no surprise to see countless of temples around the island.Either it is small or big temple,one thing for sure all of them carry the same Balinese architecture with the wall carving influenced from the ancient Hindu era.My visit to Taman Ayun Temple helped me to know about the Balinese culture and tradition even better.I'm impressed to see the multistoried roof and the surrounding of the temple which seems so peace and harmony.

I believe that Bali has a lot more to offer than what in this list. I wish I will have a chance to visit this Island again and explore another part of it.Bali,see you soon..

Friends were appalled when I told them I was traveling in Bali for 10 days :

"You were alone-ah? Traveling alone, good meh?"
"What did you do, having 10 days in Bali?"
"Bali very small island, what can you do there? 10 days, such a long time."

Bali is a big island compared to Pulau Pinang or Singapore. It is almost 19x the size of Penang Island and almost 9x the size of Singapore. You can find practically everything you want for a great holiday escapade in Bali : trekking, nature walks, mountains, temples, volcanoes, art, shopping, temples, food, organic stuff, temples, biking, cycling, temples, padi fields, 7-star spa resorts, temples, surfing, para-sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, temples......really, everything you want for a good time.

I have been to Honolulu, Hawaii and I was in Kuta, Bali. I would say that what Hawaii is to the West, Bali is offering it to the South Pacific, maybe minus a few G-strings and biceps. But at a fraction of the cost for Asians, Bali is always the best choice.

I like this description from one of the website about the island which many Balinese embrace Hinduism : "Bali is a society of hamlets clustered around temples. Bali as a culture organism, the villages are its vital organs, and the network of temples its nervous system."

Where did I go in Bali? You may want to follow these route too.

Kuta - south : beach resort, sun, sea, water sports, thousands of tourists, constantly jam packed with people, action place.

Ubud - central : art town, handicraft, creative stuff, organic foods, spa, spiritual activities, yoga, nature walks, great foods especially Babi Guling, Bebek Betutu and Bebek Bengil.

Mt Batur - north east : temples, Pura Penulisan, Pura Gunung Kawi (Water Temple), mountainous terrain, restaurants on side of cliffs.

Mt Agung - north east : mountain scenery, cool air, Besakih Temple, lunch en route is best.

Amed - east : beachside resorts, azure sea, hardly anyone around, beautiful beach and lovely villagers.

Mt Lempuyang - east : about 3,000 ft above sea level, a sacred Balinese once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage trek up, with more than 1,000 steps to the summit with 6 temples along the way.

Candidassa - east : beach resort, spa resort, small place but lots of beautiful eateries and restaurants.

Tanah Lot - south west : temple in the middle of the ocean, great sunset viewing point.

Uluwatu - south : temple perched on a cliff, beautiful sunset and sunrise viewing point.

Sanur, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua - all beachside resorts.

So many things to do in Bali, all alone to enjoy it. Hmmm....so in touch...

Even having breakfast on the beach under a coconut tree, banana pancake with honey, fried egg and coffee + the breeze from the idyllic sea at 7 on a bright and sunny morning, makes it all worthwhile to live.

To read more of my travelogue, login http://www.lifestyledesigners.blogspot.com

Started from carry the surf boad in the sea.. Tight the string belt on one leg.

keep the board aside to avoid the hit.....Climb up to the boad .. Paddle to the wave..

Push yourself up with two arms when the wave start to hit.
Pass through 2-3 more waves then you will find the right spot to turn. (in this case when instructor start to yell to warn)
Until the right spot...turn around.. paddle.. paddle .. paddle a bit more

!!!!!!!!And when the right wave come !!!!!!!!!!!

Push your hand to the board and raise up with two legs...Try to make balance in the middle of the board...........Stand as long as possible on the wave..

This is what my Surfing Instrctor "Johan" told me what to do........And how to deal with the wave.

......That's sounds so easy eh?

But the fact of pull up all the body and make balance on the board

while the wave is hitting.. is not that easy AT ALL.

.........

I was keeping to fall down.. times after times

Surfing is not that easy for me..

may be after 20 times fall.

Then the magic happened!

I can carry myself up and keep on balancing on the board.

YES! I was riding the wave!?!

Can't help myself for not yelling out lound!!!

Woo hooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Wasn't me in the photo. She's my friend who had longer lesson more than i did.

Bali..who would not love this magnificent Island of The Gods, alternatively known by travellers.
After reading various travel articles and hearing all sorts of wonderful experiences from friends who had travelled to Bali, I told myself that I would not want to miss something worth visiting in my entire life.

So my wife and I decided to travel and experience Bali "The Paradise" for the first time. We were lucky enough to book the RM9.00 promotion flight sometime in February 09 offered by AirAsia and travelled on the 10 May to 13 May 09. The flight took us almost 3 hours to reach Bali and during the flight our hearts pounded with pure excitement of something undiscovered before.

We reached Bali around 2.45pm and the weather was ultra-fine until late in the afternoon, when it rained cats & dogs for almost 20 minutes. Anyway, we enjoyed our quiet stay in our hotel room in Kuta planning the next day trip based on the brochures and flyers collected at Ngurah Rai airport. We also enjoyed the stroll along Poppy's Lane searching for goodies at night eventhough it was drizzling.

Sunrise the next morning, we had the chance to stroll along Kuta beach, also known as 'Surfers Paradise', for a photo session and the view was significantly beautiful.

As time and weather were our greatest enemies, we had to skip the Barong and Keris dances, and headed straight to Kintamani to witness one of the most spectacular volcanic sites on earth.
We were lost in words and most of the time my SLR did most of the action.

Next stop was the temples of Tirta Empul and followed by Tanah Lot. We arrived just on time for the sunset at Tanah Lot but luck was not on our side as it rained lightly and the sun was covered by clouds. We made a deal with the driver cum tour guide to drive us here the next morning as we were extremely dissapointed with the view. Compassionately, Wayan,the tour guide drove us back to Tanah Lot the next morning. Words can't describe how beautiful the view was.

After spending almost 2 hours at Tanah Lot appreciating the view and witnessing a procession, Wayan took us North, to the temple of Bedugul and to the greenest place on earth, rice terraces of Jatiluwih. Again, we were made speechless by the power of nature.

Taman Ayun was the last stop on the third day and we managed to capture a few amazing sights there. On last day before departing back to KL, we managed to work out on our bargaining skills at Kuta Art Market and we were extremely delighted with the lowest price offered by the vendor for the souvenirs.

To sum up, we just hate Bali. We hate Bali for being so enchantingly beautiful. And we hate ourselves for organizing such a short trip and for not exploring the other half of Bali. To us Bali is a total paradise and we would love to come back here again someday....

AirAsia's courtesy of offering low fare flights is very much lauded and it benefits the low income group of people like us. AirAsia, you are the best.

My 2nd time travel to Bali.. I saw a special promotion flight to Bali that time.. RM9.. Amazing!! Grab it and we have a wonderful wedding anniversary at Bali. Some of my travel photo.