3 of the Best Restaurants to Eat at in Ubud Bali

Ibu-Oka-WarungThe Guardian has taken the time to create a list of the top 10 places to eat in Ubud, Bali. It’s an interesting list and with so many restaurants in the area, it’s kind of nice to have a list of what are considered the best by some of the experts in the tourism industry.

The idea of Balinese cuisine is exciting – what a nice surprise after our own diets and you’ll get to taste some of the most delicious meals you’ll ever eat, at a price that will amaze you. Some of these restaurants have been around for years. Of course, you can also enjoy traditional western food if you like but why take bland when you can have Bali?

Let’s look at three of these restaurants, in no particular order. Be sure to check out the other top restaurants.

#1 Ibu Oka Warung

You’ll find the Ibu Oka Warung shanty style café across from what used to be the Royal Palace. You come here to enjoy the Balinese roast suckling pig, which arrive on a motorcycle. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

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Sanur is Popular for Its Yellow Beaches

sanurOn the southern coast of Bali, you will find Sanur. In fact, it’s the main beach resort on the island famous for its yellow sand beaches. The sand from the Sanur beach was actually used in the concrete preparation for the local hotels and restaurants so Sanur actually had to import sand from Nusa Dua.

One of the most significant aspects of this resort is its vast expanse of beach. A trail covering the entire 5km allows visitors to “loiter” and explore the long beach, stopping whenever they want to enjoy a drink or snack in a restaurant located on the beach.

Sanur is actually the oldest upscale resort in the area and even with all the accommodations and restaurants, it remains a nice quiet, relaxing area to spend your time. Sanur is extremely popular with families and middle-aged couples. The Europeans are especially fond of this environment.

Sanur is home to the International Kite Festival, which takes place at Padang Galek beach every July. You will see gigantic traditional Balinese kites flown by teams competing for the various villages. It’s very exciting.

The Le Mayeur Museum is a must see. This was once the home of Adrian Jean Le Mayeur a Belgium impressionist, and today the museum is a dedication to his work.

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Why Kuta Should be Your Bali Destination

KutaOn our visit to Bali, you will want to make sure that Kuta is one of your destinations. There are all kinds of places you’ll want to visit but Kuta has some unique things to offer. It’s a neat mix of Balinese culture, but it’s where the Australian surfers of the 70s call home. This makes it a very interesting place to go.

There are some fabulous temples in Kuta, where the traders still deposit their offerings to the Gods.

Then there is the beautiful beach with the spectacular waves crashing to shore. You can even learn to surf, even if you have never done it before. The small waves and foal are perfect if you want to learn the basic surfing techniques. There are good waves here but they are there before high tide. You can find all kinds of instructors and surfing schools along the beach.

If you want to dive you’ll have to head to the north of the island. Diving’s restricted because there is very little visibility in town.

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Romantic Getaway to Bali

romnticAccording to People Magazine, recently Mila Kunis’s relationship with Ashton Kutcher were seen boarding a plane leaving Bali after a romantic getaway. After a romantic break at one of the local villas both Kucher and Kunis looked relaxed. These two know something so many people aren’t aware of – if you are looking for a romantic getaway; Bali is the place to go.

Bali will seduce your senses! Bali screams romance from the rooftops – the authentic Balinese rooftops with their thatched elephant grass and outdoor showers. The luxurious teak interiors that can be found everywhere. The stunning tropic views that meet the eye just about everywhere you turn – beauty and romance seeps from the very soul of Bali, so it just makes sense that this is the place for a romantic getaway.

Walk along the warm sandy beaches, take a stroll through a temple, spend some quiet private time in your villa…whatever you do you’ll find your stress disappearing, your body unwinding, and your partner the most important thing in your world. One of the most popular spa treatments is the Chocolate Indulgence at Kayumanis Jimbaran. Enjoy a massage, a Chocolate Body Scrub, and a Rich Chocolate Wrap – you’ll feel brand new.

There are a number of amazing spas in Bali and many are designed for couples. Get a little pampering to melt the stress away. Why not take a romantic horse ride in Canggu, go on an elephant safari ride, or take an evening cruise.

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Rent Your Own Private Villa in Umalas

umalasSince the first island of Bali started receiving tourists, the number of visitors has grown incredibly. Tourists flock to the beautiful beaches, enjoy romantic getaways, and take in the Bali culture. Maybe you are planning your first trip to Bali or you’ve been there a dozen times – it doesn’t matter. Why not rent your own in Umalas?

It’s nice being right by the beach, where many hotels are located. Still, the problem is they tend to be overcrowded and constantly busy so finding that peace and tranquillity you desire can sometimes be challenging. Renting a private villa is the perfect thing to do. Some of your alternatives are listed below, based on firsthand knowledge of villa ownership from the specialists at Luxury Villas Bali.

Umalas is also a great place to choose as a jumping off spot. Umalas is close to the Seminyak beach, Berawa beach, or Canggu beach are all popular, so you certainly have choices. Nightlife is only a short distance away in Seminyak. Take in all that the area has to offer while enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Umalas.

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Candi Dasa Gets More Attention as Bali Destination Worth Exploring

candi-dasaCandi Dasa is just a small resort on the eastern coastline. It’s often overlooked because it doesn’t get the attention of some of the heavier populated Bali areas. According to Indo, recently it has been getting more attention as more people discover that it offers an escape from all the hassles that are often found in the heavier populated tourist areas. There’s all kinds of things you can do. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Tenganan – located near Candi Dasa this is considered the village of the original Balinese people. They still live based on their ancient traditions. They are well known for their palm leaf calendars and ikat weaving. Go early in the day and avoid the busloads of tourists that come later in the day.

Tirta Gangga – Just north of Amplapura is this ancient water palace. It was destroyed by an earthquake but it remains the best-preserved water palace in all of Bali. Enjoy the beautiful garden and you can even swim in the royal pools, a once in a lifetime experience.

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Kuta Bali Turns from Hippy Destination to All Round Destination

Kuta-BaliAccording to the Jakarta Post, which was once a hippy destination, is now one of the most popular places in Bali to visit. During the 1960s and 1970s apart from the Grand Inna, which was owned by the government there were no other hotels to stay at and only the wealthier could afford to stay here, so others had to be more adventurous and stay in tent.

Tenters soon connected with local villagers and began to rent floor space in their homes. Fast forward to the 1990’s when suddenly the entire world became aware of Kuta and the sleepy village where hippies hung out became one of them most popular Bali destinations.

Today there are plenty of places to stay. Hotels have exploded all over Kuta, and there are beautiful Kuta villas to rent for those that prefer a more private, relaxed atmosphere with a little more space to call their own.

So what can you see and do in Kuta? Plenty!

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Enjoy Surf Camp Canggu Bali

surf-campAccording to Kima Surf, Canggu is the perfect Bali location to enjoy surf camp. There are tons of surf spots on the island and one of the perks to surf camp is getting the opportunity to explore many of these places. But Canggu is a great place for beginners to get their wave on and learn the basics before heading into more difficult waters.

Maybe not everyone in your group wants to learn how to surf, that’s okay because Canggu has plenty to offer. Enjoy some time at a local spa and get pampered, maybe after a day out on the waves.

Perhaps a day tour on a mountain bike is more your style. There are various tour packages you can choose from and it certainly offers a different way to see the countryside.  If you like, horse riding you can enjoy a fabulous adventure with experienced tour guides. Don’t worry they even offer riding lessons.

There are a number of different beaches to enjoy. Canggu beach is away from the bustle of tourists so it’s a nice quiet fun place to spend an afternoon. Pantai Batu Mejan, also called Echo beach is hard to find but you’ll never forget it with its dark sand. It’s popular with surfers. Make sure to spend some time there.

Come to Canggu and enjoy this magical place!

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Batu Belig Mozaic Beach Club Enjoying Success After July Opening

Batu-Belig-Mozaic-Beach-ClubThe loss of a number of restaurants in Batu Belig made news, but when Hotelier Indonesia reported on the opening of the Mozaic Beach Club in July 2012, people took notice, so it should be no surprise that its popularity continues to grow. Chef Chris Salans is the brain child behind Mozaic Beach Club.

The Mozaic Beach Club offers lunch on deck, poolside chill-out tapas, evening dining a la carte, private dining room, tasting menus, as well as a fine dining restaurant. It is the perfect place to be mesmerized by a stunning sunset. You can see why this is such a hit.

There is nothing that can be said about the food other than ‘superb.’ Fear not – for it truly will tantalize your taste buds no matter it is you decide to enjoy. Chef Ephraim has been around, but for the last four years, he’s been at the Ubud Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique so he truly has an understanding of the local cuisine along with all the flavours he brings from his background. He really does have a love affair with fresh ingredients and seeks to use what’s available at the time.

If you are anywhere near Batu Belig you really should make sure that you put a stop here on your to-do list. Besides, while here make sure to visit Tempel Taman Ayun, and take a walk through Butterfly Park. There is also the Bali Museum that is definitely worth a stop. This is a community that you won’t want to miss on your Bali travels. Enjoy the local culture, pamper yourself a little, and be sure to stop by the Mozaic Beach Club.

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This Summer, Take A Love Tour In Bali

sanur1Since the Bali tourism industry is so happening, they can manage to provide something for everyone. And of course, what could be a better plan for sweethearts than a Bali Love Tour, featuring excursion packages with a lovey-dovey theme.

What kind of romantic setting should you have in mind? You could match it to your personal fantasy. Are you the rugged, daring, Indiana Jones / Lara Croft type? Tell us the “Royal Temple” in the “Monkey Forest” doesn’t sound like it’s full of adventure. How about the respectable gourmet diner who woos their love by the plateful? That’s the “Jimbaran Seafood Dinner and Spa”. Throw in a relaxing, pampered massage and spoiling yourself with a luxury weekend, and that’s the “Hot Spring Kecak and Dinner” tour.

You people go ahead, we’re going for the “Rafting Kintamani Volcano” tour because we live on adrenalin and bile.

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Bali Film Industry News – Oliver Stone Wraps “Savages”

savages-logoGuess what just got done filming on the island of Bali? Savages, a film directed by Oliver Stone set in Mexico but filmed in Bali. Bali Film Center has cast shots and behind-the-scenes pics.

How exciting is it that this film just finished wrapping in the tropical paradise of Bali? Who wouldn’t be sorry to have missed vacationing this time of year there and catching a glimpse of the shoot? How amazing is it that John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Salma Hayek – Quentin Tarantino regulars, all – were a part of this picture? If you were to come back from swimming off the beach just in time to catch sizzling sexy Salma Hayek looking at you all “well hello there”, would that not top every vacation you’d ever taken?

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Seven Amazing Sights Of Bali Tourism

7-wonder-in-baliWhile you’re planning your vacation at a luxury villa in Bali, you might want to just check out some of the amazing things to see and do there. Here’s a few images we’ve rounded up from odd corners of the web:

  • A hanging swimming pool in Ubud. We don’t even know how to explain it. It seems to defy physical laws.
  • A Balinese wedding chapel. Where do they get these architects?
  • Terraced rice paddies. There’s miles of these around the central Bali area.
  • A scene from a vacation villa. This is in Uluwatu. Again, an amazing feat of innovative architecture and beautiful scenery.
  • Yet another ocean-side villa. Seriously, how is architecture like this even possible?
  • Suluban beach in Uluwatu. Did anybody say they like exploring tidepools?
  • A dramatic seaside cliff. This is just west of Benoa.

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Famous Restaurants in Bali

MetisBali is famous destination for many tourists around the globe. It is the place where most people go to enjoy their holidays.

People go there with their families. It is also famous because there are so many restaurants which offer variety of foods to their tourists. Restaurants offer many different types of cuisine, from traditional to European style pizzerias and Chinese foods. Tourists can easily find the food of their choice. Bali serves up the best of international cuisine that you could get at the restaurant close to your house.

Top restaurants in Bali

Metis Restaurant and Gallery
(JL Petitenget 6 KerobokanKelod, Kuta)
Open: 11:00-16:00, 18:00-23:00

Metis offers four different menus (lunch, dinner, foiegras and lounge) and also an extensive wine list. It has seating capacity of 350. Accent is on French cuisine using international ingredients prepared by a French Chef and his talented team. Dine al fresco in a courtyard or in the lounge. (Last orders)

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A Little Practical Advice For Dealing With Persistent Street Vendors

vendorAnywhere in the world, any area that sees a lot of tourists generally will attract street vendors, beggars, and hustlers of all kinds.

Southeast Asia is no different, but the local customs and culture are somewhat more permissive towards street vendors. It is, after all, a thriving capitalism. Here is some very level-headed advice about dealing with persistent hucksters, which you’ll soon realize pose no real hindrance to you.

Balinese authorities are of course very sensitive to issues that affect their tourist trade, so most package tours and upscale villas have strict policies about keeping the dregs of the street trades at bay. Really, it’s nothing more than you’d expect to encounter in Baghdad, Singapore, or Las Vegas.

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Sights To See In Bali – The Beach

Sights-To-See-In-BaliBali is home to some of the most rocking beaches in the world. Legendary for their either pale white sand or dark black ‘Volcanic’ sand – and native palm trees.

These beaches include Nusa Dua, Kuta Beach, Legian Beach and Canggu Beach, which are all popular for surfing and extreme water sports of all kinds.

Sanur beach, with calmer waters that invite you to relax in the sun and meditate on how lucky you are to be there. A great activity to partake in if you are over ‘Sanur’ way is to go diving or snorkeling with Atlantis International Dive Centre. They can take you to dive with Manta rays and Sun fish (if you’re lucky) and then finish the day with the incredible ‘drift diving’ down the coast of Nusa Lembongan.

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Excellent Ideas For Filling Three days In Bali

Excellent-Ideas-For-Filling-Three-days-In-BaliWe loved the suggestions from Bali blog about itinerary ideas for three-day package tours of Bali. All in all, following this plan takes you through the Monkey Forest, the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple, beach side seafood cafes, craft villages going to Sanur, Mount Batur, and Lake Batur – and much more!

That sounds like fun adventure, but not everybody would be up to such a bustling holiday. Luckily, Bali is chock full of luxury villas where you can just drape yourself over the lounge chairs, enjoy an exotic cocktail, and bask in the perfect climate.

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Mount Agung, the Mythical Mountain of Bali

mount-agung-baliWhen participating in tourism in Bali, you’ll be sure not to miss Mount Agung, which is the highest point in Bali and thus should be visible from anywhere around the local area.

It actually qualifies as a stratovolcano, similar to Mount Fuji in Japan. Like Mount Fugi, Mount Agung has its own mythology. Balinese believe it to be “Mount Meru”, an important location in Hindu legend, the center of the Universe and home to Lord Brahma. In Bali, Mount Agung is also the location of Pura Besakih, the most important Hindu temple in Bali.

Mount Agung is so massive that it actually affects the weather. West of the mountain is lush and green, while the east side is more arid. This is because the mountain intercepts the rain clouds. This Bali blog tells you more. Oh, by the way, don’t worry if the volcano should become active again; as you can see from the photos, the Balinese have the sense to build to a respectful distance.

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Arts and Crafts in Ubud

Arts-and-Crafts-in-UbudLike all of Balinese culture, when shopping the many arts and crafts boutiques during your Bali holiday, the two words that will spring to mind will be “exotic” and “ornate”.

The Balinese, it seems, imbue even the merest candle-snuffer or incense holder with its own soul, and usually with its own facial expression as well. The always-intriguing Do Something Different blog has a post on Ubud arts and crafts.

Ubud is a city in the central south of Bali, surrounded by rice paddies and ravine-dotted foothills. In history, the city was originally home to feudal lords under the king of Gianyar, and the citizens crafted art pieces and useful goods as tribute. Later, the spreading arts reputation of Ubud drew artists from Germany and the Netherlands. Ubud is also home to many museums, including Museum Puri Lukisan, Museum Neka and the Agung Rai Museum of Art.

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Bali – Favorite Holiday Destination

holidaysBali is a favorite holiday destination with many tourists. This small island is rich in natural beauty and serene surroundings. This is a place where people looking for great villa holidays take their families as even kids love the beach side and are always up for sandcastle building competition.

There are many hotels available for booking, but in a hotel you will miss many amenities that a private luxury villa offers. These villas are located near resorts that have world class amenities and you can easily make use of these facilities. They do not have hundreds of villas instead they provide villas located at secluded places where you can get complete privacy. It is a more intimate space that you can enjoy with your loved ones away from the busy life that you had and away from hustle and bustle of the city.

If you choose to stay in a private Balinese home you will experience the culture more closely. A private luxury villa in Bali is very comfortable just like being at home, in fact more comfortable than a home. You have access to the beautiful tidal waves and the sweet sound of the ocean can take all your worries and make you feel calm and contented, this is not something that a hotel can offer. Therefore a private villa is a completely different experience from a regular hotel. It is more like a home away from home.

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Batik – A Staple of Balinese Fashion

batikAnybody who’s ever stayed at a luxury Balinese resort will have encountered this exotic, beautiful fabric in the many kinds of clothing, drapes, and textiles sold in Bali boutiques. It rivals the finest woven textures of the world for artistic technique, with its own unique texture thanks to their culturally-prized dying technique. In fact, Bali has done as much to introduce the world to the Indonesian sarong garment as anybody else.

Not only is batik an ideal way to make clothing designs, as well as fabrics for tablecloths, curtains, and many other household accessories, but artists even use the same technique for making batik tapestries. You’ll usually find a few these colorful and unique wall hangings in the home of anyone who has taken a vacation in Bali because you just can’t resist taking one home with you.

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Black Sand, Dolphins, and Coral Reefs – Life in Lovina

black-sandLovina, located on the northern coast of Bali, is yet another different experience when vacationing in Bali.

As the travel resort sites like this one give you an idea, Lovina is a little less about noisy dance festivals and exotic, sacred monkey jungles and more about the ultimate beach-goer’s tropical paradise. It’s also a little more urban than other parts of Bali.

The beaches are famous for the black sand, which is a frequent result of nearby volcanic activity over geologic time. All water sports are popular here, including snorkeling, diving, swimming, and sailing. The main attraction here are the dolphin sighting tours, where hundreds of the friendly and playful sea-going mammals naturally congregate and frolic among the boats which set out at dawn to greet them.

Reports are that July and August are the busiest months, so going in the off-season could be both a money-saver and a way to enjoy more of the local’s attention to yourself. Regardless of when you go, Lovina is a relaxed, slow-paced beach-side resort town that will provide an unforgettable vacation experience.

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Balinese Tourism – A Few Tips For Dodging The Crowds

Balinese-TourismBali is making no idle boast when it calls itself the jewel of Indonesia – it’s one of the most popular resort destinations in the world.

A recent survey of tourism throughout Indonesia found that a whopping 80% of Indonesian tourists visit Bali and Bali alone!

For those of you who prefer a vacation with a more relaxed pace, here’s some tips on getting the most out of your Bali experience:

  • July and August are the peak of tourist season. Pick any other month and enjoy fewer crowds as well as huge discounts for the off-season.
  • Stay at a Bali luxury villa instead of a hotel. Hotels tend to charge jacked-up rates compared to what you get, and are naturally more crowded too.
  • Avoid major holidays for any major country. Christmas and New Year’s bring crowds. School holiday weeks in April, June, and September draw large amounts of Australian visitors.
  • Aim for a quieter destination. Candidasa, Sanur, Amed, and Nusa Dua all tend to be quiet coastal towns that cater to the older travelers. Slower pace and more casual atmosphere.
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All About Balinese Nyepi – The Strangest Holiday You’ve Ever Heard Of

nypeHow do you typically celebrate New Year’s? With fireworks, cheering, horns, loud music, parties, and general hubbub? Well, in Bali, they celebrate Hindu New Year (Saka), which is done just the opposite – it’s called “Nyepi”, the day of absolute silence!

Like some religious holidays on western calendars, Nyepi is observed somewhere in either March or April, so you have to check with a local authority for the exact date. Tourism matters, such as airport activity and stores, will be closed. In fact, the entire island shuts down for the day, with the only activity being for strict emergencies. It’s almost eerie how quiet it is. Even the police enforce this, urging citizens not to play music or bustle about to much.

What on Earth is going on? The idea is that evil spirits come once a year to Bali looking for trouble, but if you fool them into thinking that Bali is entirely uninhabited, they’ll move on to somewhere else and leave Bali alone for another year. No really, that’s the rationale! Tourists should avoid this holiday in most cases, but if you can manage to be there for it, it is one of the most unique cultural experiences you can find. But please be respectful, as this is one of their most important holidays!

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A Short Guide To Traditional Balinese Dances

brongTourists at a Balinese luxury resort will frequently be invited to watch some local live shows.

These take the form of traditional dance ceremonies performed the same way for centuries, all of them having some significance. There’s a good variety of these and they all have their own little cultures.

Here’s a few of the kind you’re most likely to encounter:

Barong – The “lion dance”. It’s kind of a passion play about the fight between good and evil. Done with lion masks and a lot of visual spectacle. Barong dances tend to be performed in just about any tourist stop in Bali, so it’s not hard to find one.

Calonarang – A darker, more spiritual dance about casting out evil spirits. Be respectful when you see this one, because it has significance in Balinese spiritualism. There is a witch-queen character called “Rangda” who figures in the story, so look out for her.

Kecak – The “monkey dance”. As Balinese as the monkey temple itself, this dance goes to the roots of the animism branch of spirituality. Nevertheless, it’s an eye-popping spectacle with up to 250 chanting dancers in concentric circles.

Legong Keraton – The canonical historic dance of Indonesia, this one dates back to the 12th century at least. It is performed by young girls and is about young nymphs in breathtakingly beautiful costumes. Shorter versions are performed specifically for tourists, but treat yourself to a full-length version.

 

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