Bali

Where is Bali, what is the culture like, where should I stay, what can I do, where should I go in Bali?

How do you begin to introduce an island like Bali?

So many words come to mind to describe Bali, the “Island of the Gods

Like most places you travel, you find what you seek, and the most rewarding of times are those when you find yourself attracted by something that you were not looking for – and so a love affair begins that can last forever. Many people we know here have been coming back for over 30 years, with most people coming back 2 or 3 times in their life. Many people arrive and never leave, while others are happy to have traveled here, and have no great intention of coming back. Why? Bali has so many dimensions that you don't really notice until you really are ready and seek them out.

Bali appeals in so many ways, to so many people.

It is spiritual and hedonistic, practical and sensual, cultural and trashy. It is extroverted and introverted. And for this reason it appeals to so many, in so many different ways.

Ask 10 people what they enjoy about Bali and you will get 10 different answers.

So what is Bali like?

To begin to answer this question we should know about the basics of Bali – the who, what, how and where of the island and its people.

So let us introduce you to Bali:

Where in the world is Bali? It's near Singapore, right? It's in the tropics I think? What is the best way to get there? Surprisingly, a lot of people do not know where Bali is. Find out where Bali is in our Bali Island section. And getting here is easy, there are many Flights to Bali leaving from all major European, Asian and American cities.

What does the island of Bali look like, how big is it, can I travel around it in a day?  It is always a good idea to look at a map of where you are going before you leave. You can gain an overview of the size of our island in our Bali Map section.

What is the weather like in Bali? Do you have tropical cyclones? Do I need to bring wet weather gear? Find out why Bali is regarded as having one of the most beautiful year round climatic conditions in the world, in our Bali Weather section.

What are the Balinese people like? Are they friendly? Where do they come from? What language do they speak? The Balinese people are one of the warmest and friendliest peoples in the world, and in fact, what makes someone"Balinese" has more to do with culture than race. The Balinese speak both Indonesian, and their own special Balinese Language. Indonesian is easy to learn, developed in 1945. But Balinese is not written down, and can take more time to master.

What is the culture of the Balinese people like? Is it the same as Indian? What is their religion? What is the society like? Unique. Different. Adaptable. Religious. Find out just what the Balinese culture is like in our Bali Culture section.

Where should I stay when I get to Bali? What is the best type of holiday accommodation available? Where can I get great service, privacy, and great prices in my holiday accommodation? Simple. Stay in a Bali villa. Bali villas are an affordable and great alternative to a hotel. Villas are luxurious and private, but have all the services of a hotel. Find out all about Bali Villas in our Bali Villas section.

What can I buy in Bali? What sort of products are made in Bali? Bali has some of the most beautifully handcrafted products in the world. Find out what you can buy in our Products from Bali section.

What can I do when I am in Bali? What sort of attractions and activities are there to do? Bali provides a diverse array of things to do, both on land and in the water. Find out everything that you can do on your holiday in our Bali Holidays section.

So what does Bali look like? Do you have any photos to look at? Check out a Bali Pictures section for a large number of photos of Bali.

What are the beaches like? Can I surf? Where are the best beaches to go? Bali has some of the best beaches in the world, and you can find many types of different beaches here: all the way from surf beaches to gentle shore breaks, and white sand to black sand beaches. Find more information bout our Bali beaches in our Bali Beaches section.

I have heard the Balinese are great dancers. What sort of dances do they do? What do they wear? The Balinese have a rich, ornate and intricate socio-religious life, based around music and dance. Their dances are based on old Hindu epic tales, and have been passed on from generation to generation. Find our every thing there is to know about dancing in Bali in our Balinese Dance section.

Where are the best places to shop in Bali? Do you have shopping malls? Why are there no prices on things for sale? You can get real bargains when shopping in Bali, but you need to know how to shop, and where best to shop to get the best bargains. Better still, go on a guided shopping tour. Find out more in our Bali Shopping page of this web site.

I would like to buy some furniture? What is the furniture from Bali like? What is it made out of? Bali has some of the finest teak, rattan and bamboo furniture in the world. It is the best because it is handmade. Find out everything about Bali furniture in our Bali Furniture section. Bali is also renowned for making and building Gazebos, small outdoor open sided pavilion structures made from wood, with roofs made of straw or wooden shingles.

I am told Bali is the best place in the world to source and buy beautiful Bali silver beads for Jewelry? Do they have silver beads in Bali? Where can I get them? Bali is the number one place to buy beautiful silver beads at wholesale prices. Find out more information about Bali beads in our Bali Beads Wholesale section.

Bali is also a great place to buy silver Jewelry? How do I know it is pure silver I am buying? Who is making the best designs? Where can I buy great Jewelry at cheap prices? Our Bali Silver Jewelry section details all of the beautifully handcrafted designs in men's and women's silver Jewelry.

What do the Balinese people eat? What is the food like? Is it like Indian food, or Thai food? The Balinese have their own special food types rich in sauces and spices. Westerner's can also find a variety of international cuisine, and Bali boasts some of the worlds best restaurants. We even have an "Eat Street" full of restaurants. Check out our Bali Foods section for more details.

I have seen Balinese music on TV. What sort of music do they play, and what are all those instruments? Balinese music is a rich expression of the stories from the ancient Hindu epics that guide much of the life of the Balinese. Gamelans are collections of wood and percussion instruments played generally to support dances or plays. Don't miss out on seeing a demonstration of both music and dance, especially the famous Kecak Dance.

Where can I find traditional Bali masks and puppets? Bali masks are very distinctive, and along with Bali Puppets, are strong symbols of Bali, and keenly sort out by travellers. Like masks from Japan, the style of Bali masks are very ornate, and are worn during dances and rituals to represent good and evil, and certain characters. Puppets in Bali are used in plays to communicate ancient teachings from the Indian epics, and also to satire and comment on current political and social events. Puppets are of two types – wooden and from cow skin.

What handicrafts does Bali make? I have heard that the Balinese are very good craftsmen, is this true? The Balinese culture is one that supports and depends on handmade master skills being passed on from generation to generation. Look into any Balinese compound and you will see families sitting around engaged in making something with their hands. Families in Bali specialize in handmaking products from wood, metal, silver, iron, coconuts, bamboo etc. Our Handicrafts section on this website will give you more information about this, and show you a catalogue of the handicraft products available.

So where can I find more up to date information and news on Bali? Simply check out our Bali News section for all the latest information and news making the headlines.

No site can cover everything about Bali - although we try. If you have any questions at all about Bali, please email us via our Contact Us form and we will be only too happy to answer.

Remember, there are no silly questions - as we live here in Bali, there are many non-conscious assumptions we make - so please do not feel that your question is too small or trivial for us about making your holiday a special experience.

Overseas buyers, guests, and visitors are always welcome to drop in to see us, so if you are in Bali please feel free to come and visit.

You have found the best place to find the best information about what to do, see, buy and where to stay in Bali.

We hope that as you browse this information you find everything that you need to know to make your trip to Bali an enjoyable and memorable holiday experience.

We would love to have you visit our site again but more importantly we would love to see you and introduce you to this beautiful Island paradise we call home