Bali's picturesque landscape is truly something to
behold - magnificent rice terraces amid a sweeping range of volcanic
mountains; dense tropical jungles with fast-flowing rivers; long
sandy beaches with wild, crashing surf; exotic coral reefs teeming
with all kinds of exotic fish...
The climate is tropical with two seasons, a wet and a dry. The dry
season, which lasts from April to October, is the most popular time
to visit Bali although, there is a particular beauty about the tropics
in the wet (It is also a way of avoiding the main tourist seasons
of May and December).
Getting around Bali is no problem. A wide range of
day tours are available to the main temples and sightseeing locations
(These can be organised when you arrive from any hotel or tourist
information centre. Besides the local transport system ('bemos'),
an extensive network of tourist coaches operates throughout the
island. If you prefer more independence (and feel you can confront
the local traffic), you can easily hire a car or motorcycle and
travel around at your own pace. (An international driver's licence
is required).
With its world renowned beaches, surf and coral reefs,
Bali is an ideal location for all range of watersports. Besides
surfing and boogie-boarding, water skiing, jet skiing, and parasailing
can be found at various locations along the coast. Snorkeling and
scuba diving are very popular in Bali and there are several day
tours operating to the main dive spots. There are also dive resorts
offering fully registered training courses. If you're the thrill
seeking type, you might even like to try white-water rafting!
Bali is undoubtedly a shopper's paradise. In Bali,
you can practically shop till you drop. In the big department stores,
prices are fixed and credit cards are accepted.
Bargains abound in shops and markets offering an amazing range of
wares including leather goods, clothing in traditional fabrics,
wooden carvings and antiques. The Balinese have always been famous
for their superb craftsmentship in a variety of materials; wood,
stone, silver and bone. They are also famous for their painting
and textiles (including 'ikat' and 'batik'). Craft skills are applied
in a multitude of styles from the purely traditional to the avant
garde. Whether it's a garuda statue or a 'magic' cigarette box,
an antique kris or a fashion leather jacket, you'll marvel at the
skill and creativity which has gone into these products. A full
range of duty free goods can be found at any of the selected duty
free shops throughout the island.
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