Bali is less than three and a half hours flying time from Perth where we live and is a very popular tourist destination for all Australians. There are so many reasons we go to Bali every year. I’ve only listed ten of them!
1. THE PEOPLE
The Balinese people are so welcoming and friendly. They are very tolerant and hospitable and we feel so comfortable and pleased to spend some time amongst them. Many people in Bali are Hindus and their architecturally intricate and attractive temples are an integral part of Balinese life.
2. THE ACCOMODATION
Bali offers rooms in houses plus hostels, hotels and villas. Most villas have private pools. Many hotels and resorts have amazing pool complexes and gardens. Bali offers everything from modest to truly luxurious. We stay at the same resort, Kamuela Villas in Seminyak, every year. We love the people, the villa, our pool, the serenity and closeness to restaurants, spas for reflexology, pedicures and facials, cafes and shops. We use their shuttle service for short trips plus hire their car and driver for traveling greater distances.
3. FOOD
Back to our favourite cafes and restaurants for consistently fabulous food plus we found some new, great places, too. Beautifully presented, wonderfully tasty, healthy food made from fresh ingredients and reasonably priced. You can enjoy every possible cuisine and style. A foodie wonderland!
4.COOKING SCHOOLS
My son and I spent six hours doing a Spice Mixing Course in Nusa Dua. Not all that time was cooking, there was a lot of eating and chatting, too! There were twelve of us on the course and we all helped make a few dishes each, plus lots of demonstrations and information and a detailed takeaway package of recipes and resources. Our session was in an open air kitchen surrounded by lush gardens. The instructors were very good and we left well fed and well informed!
There are also schools to master surfing, SUP boarding, white water rafting and so many other things, especially yoga classes and retreats. Search online.
5. PERFUME MAKING
I spent two hours at L’ Atelier Parfums & Creations defining my preferred scents and then selecting the top, middle and bottom notes I wanted to incorporate in my personal perfume. My instructor was Vemi and I was the only one in this session and probably benefited from the personal instruction. I learnt a lot about the common ingredients used in perfume making, their origins, their staying power and how they blend together. The final product, my personal perfume, is very pretty. It was a fun and interesting activity.
5. SHOPPING
We are not really shoppers on holidays but in all the years we’ve been going to Bali I’d only been to one shopping centre and that was a brief visit. Looking online I discovered there are several new, big shopping centres so we set off for one in Kuta. Wandering through the SOGO Department Store we saw the shoes my husband wears a lot and, jokingly, asked if they had his size (13 mens, hard to find) and they did have them so now he has them and is very pleased!
I also bought another basket. They are so useful with their drawstring linings and I use them instead of plastic bags when I go shopping. Bali is the home of desirable baskets in every shape, size and colour.
6. PEDICURES, MANICURES and FACIALS
This is the lovely Evelyn giving me a pedicure. The best pedicure although I had to re-apply the fake tan after the leg scrub! There are spas to suit every price point and treatments to suit every skin type. So relaxing.
7. REFLEXOLOGY
Love a good foot rub and after all the walking we do this is a lovely way to cool down and relax. We always feel great after really good reflexology. There are no set methods in Bali and you might get a gentle, soothing foot and leg rub or you might get a methodical and strong work out but every session has its benefits and is so affordable.
8. BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, LUSH TROPICAL GARDENS
Flowers, especially orchids, green, cool gardens and my favourite, red heliconias. There are many variations in Bali but this red one is my absolute favourite! Everywhere you look there’s greenery.
9. SERENITY
Step outside your accommodation and you’ll find chaos; scooters, bikes, general traffic and crowded footpaths, but within your room, suite or villa it will be cool and quiet. After dinner, back at our villa, we often marvel at the peace and tranquillity.
The outer areas of Bali can offer totally peaceful villas and hotel rooms surrounded by lush gardens and jungle.
10. Bali is not just sun, surf, food and fun but also beautiful countryside. Visit the rice terraces, the Botanic Garden, lakes and temples and coffee plantations. Admire the mountains and Agung volcano, which erupted hours after we flew out.
Sad to leave Bali but flew back to Perth and this beautiful sunset as we landed.
Thursday was Learn About Composting Day. I would love to make nutrient rich compost from kitchen and garden waste but despite trying several different “fail proof” methods all I have ever made is evil smelling mush.
I hope you make wonderful compost!