Monday, February 23, 2009

Easy Way To Discover Appropriate Bali Resorts Away From Bustling City

People are traveling with diverse desire one want to do business, to meet relatives or for holiday and total relaxation. If you are on vacation alone, couple or with your family and may be boring with the glint and the glamorous of the big hotel or the bustling city, why don’t you choose a place away from the beaten track?

Since few years ago villas or small resort became the popular choice to those who desire and insist to find fully relaxation for body and mind. Bali is a small island in Indonesia Archipelago the ultimate holiday island in Asia famed for its cultures, arts and the beauty of its breathtaking nature prepare you a lot of choice of luxury villas and small resort for self retreat with its best massage and spa treatments using either local ingredients or imported luxurious range of products.

You will be pampered by seaside or mountains breeze during massages and treatments offer exclusive service and expertise of Balinese hands. The superior ingredients and efficacy are used in combination with specially developed techniques to nourish, firm and hydrate the skin while enhancing the serenity and alleviating stress.

Understanding that beauty is not merely skin-deep. The resort usually offer yoga, meditation and stretching just ask to the manager. You can select hotel or small resort situated on the beach facing the ocean or beautiful resort in the countryside near the mountains.

The quickest and easiest way to find hotels or resort or villas at your destination is to go online and visit a hotel reservation or travel agent website. Do a search for the country, island and city you are traveling to and you will be presented with a list of available hotels/resorts in that area. As the wide choice can be confusing – especially for the first-time visitors and it’s sometimes difficult to select the right Bali Resort. So just let your travel agent knows (by e-mail) your personal needs and your preferences that he can recommend those resorts he feels will suit you best.

For short information I try to present you with some of the nicest and pleasant place to retreat in Bali.

Waka di Ume Resort & Spa.


Boutique Resort is situated at Jalan Sweta, Sambahan Village Ubud about 3 minutes by car from the center of Ubud and 45 minutes from international airport “Ngurah Rai” Bali. The resort offers very friendly ambience and situated within lush tropical garden and surrounded by a verdant terraces rice field. A real rural atmosphere.

The resort is built in traditional Balinese style using most of local materials like teak and coconut palm wood, stones, the elegant grass thatch roofs (alang-alang) and soft local fabrics. It is combined with all the modern amenities to complete your conveniences. The Resort offers excellent service of room, restaurant and spa.

Waka Gangga Resort & Spa.


The resort offers a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean and the most beautiful sunset (weather permitted). It is located at Sudimara Village Tabanan about one our drive from Bali International Airport "Ngurah Rai" after passing Kuta the way offer the road through an infinity panorama of verdant and fertile rice field. A truly place away from crowd.

The resort built in typical Balinese bungalows within the terraces rice field with the view of the thunderous of the Indian Ocean’s waves at the front and the spectacular view of the Mount Batukaru at the far back. For the total comport the room are furnished with local materials and modern amenities accompanied by smiling Balinese staffs with their most cordial services.

So for everyone who is reading this article and has chosen / will make Bali their preferred holiday destination; my thanks a lot; I am sure you will have the memorable holiday of a lifetime here.

Bali: What To Do And Where To Go

There is a large group of travellers that is self-sufficient while having a pleasant time on the island. They know already where to find beach activities, the secrets of going shopping Bali style, and generally know where to find a good time while avoiding too much sweat.

There is a equally large group that cannot get enough of new activities, latest tour programs and all sorts of organized adventure.

Today I would like to give an overview of popular island tours and tropic activities such as rafting, trekking, cycling, elephant safaris, horse riding, skydiving, paragliding, sailing and other beach and marine sports.

If you are staying at a 4 or 5 stars Bali hotel, you will already have the advantage to be introduced to daily domestic activities available to hotel guests. Such can be gymnastic and jogging exercises, local bicycle tours, cooking classes and all sorts of beach games.

The next step on the activity level are Volley ball - Outrigger sailing - Table tennis - Tennis at Tennis courts - Badminton - Snorkeling - Windsurfing - Fishing - Parasailing that are in most cases all directly available or bookable from the tour desk at your hotel in Bali.

If this is not available at your hotel, or you would rather "go and explore" the island, it is time to consider the tour options offered by virtually 100's of tour providers. Here you can join large groups using large busses, or small individual groups, down to the size of hiring a personal tour guide for only the 2 of you.

Rafting and Kayaking trips enjoy a strong following and are increasingly popular. The beauty of the Ayung river valley and Melangit river are popular destinations. It looks to be more a sport for adventures types on photos, but it is completely safe and also recommended for younger children.

Sightseeing tours is another Bali favorite, see and explore all temples and monuments of Balinese history on trips to Besakih, Tanah Lot, Tampak Siring, Uluwatu, Kintamani and others.

Increasingly in demand is another "sweat exercise", cycling tours to villages and mountain trails. This is not recommended for younger children because they will have a hard time to catch up with the group. For families it is better to just rent the bicycles and maybe a private tour guide, if needed.

Elephant safaris is one of the family trips in Bali, provided by many tour operators venturing yet in another field of activity. To completely feel like Indiana Jones the next step would be to go on a off-road Land Rover land cruise, to discover some hidden tracks of the green jungle.

Since Bali is an island what comes naturally to mind is a day cruise or sunset cruise to Lembongan island. Two of the providers are Bali Hai and Island Explorer Cruises both offering a wide range of cruises and water activities.

Surfers are attracted by south Bali's waves, and not only Balinese enjoy that activity also lots of Australians are coming to Bali only for one purpose: The Waves, also hot among surfers from Hawaii, statements like "Definitely one of The spots to go surfing" from global surfers. If these waves scare you and you just want to practice a bit you can rent a board in Kuta directly on the beach for a few hours.

Divers are attracted by several locations in Bali, all easily reachable with dive instructors that will pick you up at your hotel and take you for a dive at a destination of your choice. If you need more above sea level action there is also Bungy jumping, ski diving and paragliding.

Bali is a mountainious volcanic island that will catch the attention of mountaineers interested in mountain climbing. Mt. Agung the highest peak at 3142 metres and Mount Batur can be climbed in a few hours. Use a local guide for safety reasons and to find the best routes.

Another interesting encounter with nature is possible at the Bali Barat National Park in the north of the island. It is a protected reserve on an area of over 750 square km. The park is home to wild buffalo, monkeys, wild deer and civet.

Most suitable for families with kids are theme or adventure parks and attractions. Popular with kids are the Waterbom park in Tuban with their huge water slides, Bali Bird Park in Batubulan has a 100's of exotic birds, and the Bali Reptile Park next door invites with Lizard Komodo Dragons.

Again most tours and adventures are easily bookable from your hotel, or you can call Bali1.com anytime while in Bali to arrange a tour for you. From airport pick ups to bringing you safely back to personal meetings at your hotel to book anything from a short Ubud roundtrip to a multiple days Flores tour or visiting Komodo island and their live dragons.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Bali Vertical Blinds

Bali vertical blinds are an excellent buy as they are generally cheaper than similar brands. The quality of the product is also very good, which is what you want in a window covering. This company stands behind their product, which is the true sign of a quality company. These products are also quite easy to install, as anyone who has installed them can attest.

Many people do not like installing blinds; however, you may find that Bali vertical blinds are one of the easiest window coverings you will ever come across. They are also available in many different colors, this is a great feature as it allows the consumer to select the exact color they want in a window covering, giving them something to match the décor of the specific room.

Bali vertical blinds come with a limited lifetime guarantee. What this means is that as long as there was not any unnatural abuse to the blinds they would honor the guarantee. These blinds are some of the most durable on the market so you will likely not need to worry about having to return them.

To clean Bali vertical blinds all you need is windex or any window cleaner along with a damp cloth and they will clean up nicely. Another way to clean them is to use a vacuum with a long hose and brush. They also come with a choice of a light duty track or a heavy-duty track. The heavy-duty track is a little more expensive though. Besides vinyl and aluminum, you can also find them in a softer fabric style. They are not as easy to clean however as the PVC type. Nevertheless, they still look fantastic.

If you happen to have a ceiling fan in the same room as your Bali vertical blinds then the circulated air will cause your blinds to dance around in a cool pattern. They are available in a mini blind style besides the standard size as well. In addition, they are available in vertical and horizontal styles. You can also purchase them in custom sizes depending on the size of your windows. You need to take measurements of the size required and then either have them ordered or cut for you in the store.

Bali vertical blind slats are one inch wide. The horizontal slats are two inches wide. Most of their blinds come with a light blocking head rail but they do not have a valance. Some people will install a cloth valance over the top of the blind. You should be able to purchase this product at any window covering store, home center or home improvement location.

Bali Travel Offers Adventure, Wonder and History

The world is chock full of destinations that are all worthy of consideration when it's time to make holiday plans. There are not many places, however, that can compare to a particular island in the Indonesian archipelago. Bali travel melds adventure, history and wonder into a single experience that is virtually certain to create memories to last a lifetime.

Located only a few hours away from Australia by plane, this unusual destination packs a great deal of fun into 5,632 square kilometers. Here holidaymakers will find weather that is perfect practically year round. With warm tropical temperatures ranging between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius no matter the time of year, visitors to Bali are often surprised to find sunny days dominate even in the thick of the rainy season.

When Bali travel is under consideration, potential holidaymakers will find these reasons tend to draw travelers from all over the world like moths to a flame:

- The outdoor splendor - Bali is famous for its breathtaking geography. The island is surrounded by warm turquoise waters that lap at white sandy beaches. From quiet lagoons just right for swimming and snorkeling to more "active" beaches that call to surfers and adventure sports lovers, the waters here are ideal for year round fun. Whilst the beaches are certainly a draw, they are not the only outdoor wonder that awaits those planning Bali travel. This island is also famous for its lush tropical forests, active volcanoes, tiered rice paddies and incredible lakes and waterfalls.

- The history - Bali has a history that dates back thousands of years. Evidence of its most early inhabitants can be found in a variety of sites all over the island. From the temples in the Mount Agung complex to the wonderment of the Tanah Lot, visitors here will learn much about the peoples and cultures that have touched Bali throughout the ages. With its strong ties to the Hindu religion, holidaymakers will discover that many of the island's most splendid outdoor attractions have also served as places connected deeply to religion through the ages.

- The culture - Balinese culture is known for its distinct arts, form of dance and cuisine. Those who plan Bali travel will find themselves arriving on a island that is known the world over for its welcoming hospitality and unique traditions.

- The adventures - Bali is one of the few places in the world where people can get up close and personal with gray monkeys, elephants and a variety of other tropical creatures all on a single vacation. If fauna doesn't appeal, those on Bali tours will find that plenty of other adventures await. Bali tours can unlock adventures that are found nowhere else in the world. From Odyssey Submarine trips that take holidaymakers into the depths that surround the island to a trip to the 11th century Elephant Cave, there is no shortage of opportunities to do and see things that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

When an experience like nothing else is desired, Bali travel will deliver. Combining adventure, wonder and history, this legendary island offers holidaymakers an opportunity to explore paradise on earth.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A Powerful Celebration in Bali

Even though it happened about six years ago, my trip to Bali impacts my life to date. I saw people gather together in a way that I had never seen in the States. Or anywhere else. The man being cremated had died the year before. Because they believe that we are reborn to the same community that we lived in, they believe in throwing a huge party for the people therein. There was much celebration, with music, offerings of colorful clothing and bountiful fruit, and a generous party of food and drink. The reason the ceremony happened a year after the man's death was because the family needed to save enough money to provide this party for the community. An infant was also cremated at that time. The people grieved for both, but in a spirit of celebration at the same time. The bodies were cremated along with the offerings. Two elegant elderly women then sifted through the doused ashes to remove any larger fragments of bone, which were gently wrapped and put aside. The cremains were placed in a large, wide bowl and set atop a tall ornately decorated structure that rode on two long poles. Family members (and friends?) lifted the whole thing onto their shoulders and took off down the road to the river. Because they did not want the deceased to be stuck here or come back too soon, they twirled and swayed as they walked to confuse the deceased. And because they had been enjoying the drinking portion of the ceremony, I was afraid it all was going to come crashing down as their swaying and weaving on the road became more and more exagerated.

Now what I took away from all this was a profound sense of community coming together in support of the family, and the family's joy in providing such a wonderful celebration. They had had time to grieve the man's departure, but also present was the fresh grief for the infant. It was all there. Grief, comraderie, celebration, amidst tears and laughter. All there on one afternoon. I want more of that.

There's oftentimes such a sterility in our funeral services. People not showing much emotion in the services I've been present in in my past...wouldn't it be wonderful to have permission to weep and laugh, sing and cheer, sob and sway?! And without fear of seeming odd or uncouth! Just to let it all hang out. I know other cultures allow this as well. I would love a ceremony where my friends and family and community at large could congragate in such a way as to allow whatever feelings are present to express. What a gift!