3 iconic Bali experiences not to be missed
Bali has long been a favorite destination for those who are looking for a relaxing yet exciting holiday. The island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the famous Nusa Dua with its luxurious resorts and private beaches.
Of course, Bali is also famous for its strong cultural roots. It is the island of the gods – Pulau Dewata in Indonesian – and home to some of the most remarkable experiences. If you are planning a trip to Bali, these are the activities you cannot miss out on.
1. Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple
Spend an afternoon at the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. The temple has an amphitheater where the majestic dance is performed for guests and travelers. Male dancers – more than one hundred of them – perform the Balinese traditional dance.
The dance itself tells the story of Ramayana; the story of how Rama and Sita was separated by Ravana, and how Hanuman came to the aid of Rama with an army of monkeys. The chant that goes with this dance represents the sound of the monkey army.
The Kecak Dance is an epic piece. There is no musical accompaniment, just the “chack” chant of the male dancers creating a beautiful rhythm that sets the pace of the dance. The combination of a beautiful sunset, the fire used in the performance, and the epic performance makes the experience memorable.
2. Island Hopping in Lombok
Bali is beautiful on its own. It also offers a lot of places to visit and activities to try out. However, there are other nearby islands that you can also visit during your trip to Bali, particularly the Gili islands in Lombok. The Gili islands, or Gilis, are three islands with different characteristics. All of them are fascinating to visit.
Gili Trawangan offers a more festive holiday experience. This is the island that gets visited by tourists and travelers the most. Keep in mind that the island is also home to some of the most exciting parties. The sandy beaches are kept clean and the people here are very friendly.
Gili Meno has a more romantic ambience to it. It is the smallest of the three Gilis, but it is also considered to be the most beautiful. White beaches and gorgeous clear water are to be expected, plus plenty of romantic activities to try if you are traveling with a partner.
Gili Air represents a nice balance between the other two Gilis. It is calm and relaxing with a pinch of excitement when needed. There are restaurants and bars in certain parts of the island, and the rest of Gili Air is incredibly soothing.
Visiting the Gili Islands and other nearby islands from Bali is easy. Check out Duck Ferries if you want to do some island hopping without hassle.
3. Go On a Yoga Adventure
As mentioned before, Bali is an island steeped in culture. The cultural roots of the local people can be traced back to around 2000 BC. Traditions and practices that date back to the early days of Bali can still be found today. Practices like traditional Yoga and various breathing techniques can be mastered while you are spending time relaxing on this gorgeous island in Indonesia, in relatively quieter places such as Ubud.
There are many other activities you can try out while visiting Bali. In the meantime, add these iconic experiences to your next Bali travel itinerary and bring back some incredible memories.
*This is a contributed post.
