Bali, Indonesia

BALI BECKONS

One of my favorite exotic places. The beautiful Indonesian island nation is the largest island in the world, encompassing thousands of islands, each with its own unique culture. Naturally, a wealth of travel opportunities abound. Some 17,000 islands make up the Indonesian archipelago, a broken patchwork of rain forests and volcanoes, tropical beaches and near forgotten names. Komodo, Borneo, the Spice Islands. Populated by more than l95 million people, Indonesia is the world’s fourth largest country and home to mankind’s last remaining frontiers. It beckons visitors from far and wide with its diverse landscapes of verdant mountains and teeming coral reefs, white sand beaches, jaw dropping temples – 10,000 - and its genuinely warm and welcoming people. It’s humid and hot all year, so light weight clothing is essential. It is not appropriate to wear shorts or tank tops when visiting temples.

Unity in Diversity is the national motto of Indonesia as there are over 360 separate ethnic groups, all with their own traditions, and music. Their country spans from the western most island of Sumatra, all the way to the eastern most province of Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea. Most individuals do not realize that Indonesia actually comprises more area on the globe than the United States.

These many islands straddle the equator and offer some of the most compelling landscapes available to a voyager. Lowland swamps, immense volcanoes and crater lakes, vibrant waterfalls, tropical rain forests, terraced rice paddies as well as exotic flora and fauna all add to the natural beauty found there. The main islands include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara, which includes famous Komodo, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, the Moluccas and Iran Jaya.

Water sports are always an option in Indonesia and include river rafting, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling and more. There are a lot of sunken ships from World War 11 battles. There are also exciting one of a kind opportunities such as witnessing Komodo Dragons, the world’s largest lizards, feeding an orphaned orangutan, or visiting a traditional Balinese spiritual healer.

What makes Bali particularly special is its one of a kind culture, influenced by Hindu, Chinese and Indian customs. Bali’s sacred traditions place great emphasis on family, community, cuisine, wellness, and on art, from exquisite Balinese woodcarvings to beautiful dances.

A great symbol of Bali’s heritage is in it’s spectacular temples, where the island’s spiritual center is felt most deeply. Most have inner and outer courtyards which set the stage for ancient Balinese dance rituals, many of which include music and drama. One of the island’s most famous temples, the Besakih temple was spared from the lava flow of the l963 Mount Agung eruption by mere inches, a sign that Balinese interpret as a miracle

Of the Gods. Bali also boasts some of the South Pacific’s most distinguished hotels and resorts. At the COMO Shambhala Estate in central Ubud, guests wellness is of the utmost importance. In residence yoga teachers, Ayurvedic doctors and nutritionists

Adopt traditional Balinese treatments to signature massage therapies to provide a holistic approach to healthy living.

At the St. Regis Bali Resort in the secluded Nusa Dua region, rest and relation is encouraged at its immaculate very large spa. You can experience traditional Balinese treatments utilizing silken oils and soothing fragrances. Later, you can unwind in the resort’s stunning private, turquoise colored saltwater lagoon, or opt for a dip in the crystal blue ocean waters along its pristine white sand beaches.

Bali’s cuisine is also not to be missed. Authentic Balinese fare is a rich concoction of fresh spices, peppers, palm sugar and seafood that when combined, produces some of the most fragrant and mouthwatering fishes like the addictive nasi goring, a fried rice unlike any other, made with shrimp paste, sweet palm sugar and coconut rice. Or try the melt in your mouth babi guling – roast suckling pig. Utilizing fresh local ingredients in Bali is highly valued. At Sari Organik, the chef will cook the vegetables that you select from the restaurant’s surrounding farmlands. The island is also home to cutting edge chefs like French Laundry trained Chris Salans who prepares critically acclaimed dishes combing French and American culinary techniques with a heady dose of Balinese ingredients at Mozaic Restaurant.

Must sees are the temples of Bali and Borodudur, and the Candi Kuning Market. The Borobudur temple was buried for centuries under ash from a volcanic eruption and rediscovered in l814. It is celebrated as the largest Buddist monument in the world.

I love to shop in the little town of Ubud, Bali’s cultural center and visit the Monkey Forest. My husband Roy had just bought a new straw hat, and put his expensive Rayban sunglasses bought in Hong Kong inside the hat and put them on a towel on the beach while he went for a swim. A monkey came out of the trees, and took both. Roy was annoyed that I didn’t run after the monkey but I was too busy laughing. We kept looking for a monkey wearing his glasses and new hat.

The festivals are many, and the music is wonderful. Hearing a village Gamelan orchestra is a wonderful and unique experience. The music, never written or recorded, has been passed down from generation to generation purely by memory. Each dance has its own special combination of instruments which are owned by the village, and highly valued. The most popular ones are Legong, Barong, Kecak, and the Rumayana Ballet.

My favorite hotels are the Ubud Hanging Gardens, a haven of peace built in the rainforest, the St. Regis which is on a stunning beach, and the Como Shambhala Estate

which is above the sacred Ayung River, a unique health retreat combing holistic welling with ancient healing in absolutely peaceful bliss. We usually do a few days on the beach, then go stay in the rain forest.

Bali’s extra ordinary range of merchandise makes it a shopper’s paradise and a treasure trove of exciting purchases at reasonable prices. Batik material is fantastic, and the markets have great sports clothes. Art, carvings, and silver jewelry are good things to buy.

Bali and Java would be two places to combine into an itinerary. You could also add Thailand, the Philippines, or Singapore depending on the length of time you want to spend in this part of the world.

A magical place.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Avenue

Menlo Park

650-941-5810

Maureen.jones@Frosch.com