Travel Guide to Bali

Location

The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East.

Shopping

You can go shopping for fine art and handicrafts such as antique furniture, paintings, delicately crafted gold and silver jewellery, wood and stone carvings, masks, woven and dyed fabrics, etc. in many shops in the Kuta/Legian area, in Sanur, in various handicraft villages and the Sukawati market on the way to Ubud, and in the town of Ubud itself. In most of the shops you can and should bargain for the best price. Be especially careful with the vendors near popular tourist attractions such as Tanah Lot or, for instance, who may sell fake goods for extortionate prices.

The attractive tableware you see in many restaurants, hotels, and the better homes in Bali is made locally by Jenggala Keramik Bali. Beach wear, T-shirts, pants, and other clothing, shoes and leather goods, sea shells, trinkets, etc. are offered at low prices in numerous shops in Kuta and Legian. Popular shopping centers are Kuta Square with many shops and a branch of the Matahari Department Store and Supermarket, and the Galeria Nusa Dua with over 80 specialty shops offering everything a tourist could be interested in.

Geography

The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometres (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometres) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometres) from east to west. Because of this it’s no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.

The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 metres and 3,014 metres high, stretches across the island from east to west. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the south are mostly of white sand, whereas beaches in other parts of the island are covered by grey or black volcanic sand.

History

Hindu Java began to spread its influence into Bali in the first half of the 11th century. The Javanese Singasari dynasty conquered Bali in 1284, but when it collapsed shortly afterwards Bali regained its autonomy and the Pejeng dynasty, centred near modern-day Ubud, rose to great power. The Pejeng king was defeated by the great Majapahit dynasty in 1343 and Bali was brought back under Javanese influence. As Islam took hold in Java in the 15th century, the Majapahit kingdom collapsed and many of its intelligentsia moved to Bali. Javanese artists, dancers and musicians also sought sanctuary in Bali, and the island experienced an explosion of cultural activity.

The first Europeans to set foot on Bali were Dutch seamen in 1597. By the early 1600s the Dutch had established trade treaties with Javanese princes and had wrestled control of the spice trade from the Portuguese. Teaming up with the Sasaks of Lombok to defeat the rajahs of Bali proved a bad tactic when the Sasaks changed their minds and slaughtered the Dutch. This incensed the Dutch so much that they invaded Bali with a heavy military force and severed its control of its smaller neighbour.

Despite the long prelude to colonisation, Dutch rule over Bali was short-lived; Indonesia soon fell to the Japanese in WWII. At the end of WWII, the Indonesian leader Soekarno proclaimed independence, finally recognised by the Dutch in 1949. In 1965, an attempted coup blamed on communists led to Soekarno’s downfall. General Soeharto suppressed the coup and emerged as a major political figure. Soeharto established himself as president, and under his government Indonesia looked to the West for alliances and investments. On Bali, economic growth and dramatic improvements in infrastructure were achieved by hugely expanding the tourist industry.

Climate

You can expect pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. From December to March, the West monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you’ll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas.

Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. On the other hand, in Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or " Bali" mention showers and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you’ll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.

Basic Information

Language
Indonesian and the local Balinese language as well as English are widely spoken.

Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IPR).

Electricity
220V – 240V, 50Hz AC. You will need a plug adaptor with two-pronged, parallel pins

Banks
Banking hours are Mon-Fri 8am-3pm & Sat 8am-1pm, but banks may not handle foreign exchange in the afternoons or at weekends.

Driving
Driving is on the left-hand side

Time Difference
GMT +8 hours.

Tipping
Most hotels and restaurants add 10% service charge - additional tipping is not always expected but it is usually accepted.

Water
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Most hotels provide a flask of purified water in hotel’s room - alternatively, buy bottled water.

Visas
Irish passport holders are eligible for a 30-day visa on arrival at a cost of approx $25 US. Visas on arrival are not extendable. Passport must be valid for at least six months from date of entry.

Tourist Info
www.indonesia-tourism.com

What makes it so special?
Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. This coupled with the unparalleled friendliness of the local people, unique handicraft and artwork and the rich cultural history of the island make it the perfect destination for a holiday at any time of year.

Where to Visit
Climb the volcanic cone of Gunung Batur to see the spectacular sunrise.

Kuta Beach with its fantastic restaurants, bars, shopping and surf.

The cultural capital Ubud with its many galleries, opportunities to experience traitional Balinese music and dancing and nearby Monkey Forest.

Most Popular Tours
Gunung Batur volcano
Ubud and surrounding area
The rock-carved shrines of Gunung Kawi at Pejeng