Indonesia Tour Destination

As the largest continent on earth, Asia offers travellers a huge variety of spots to visit, things to do &, cultures to view. Asia is a charming mix of historical locales and modern cities. Asia has something to suit the taste of everyone in the family, there are historical monuments as well as great malls, beautiful virgin forests to pristine beaches, exotic festivals to exotic food, Asia has it all.

The Top 10 Asian Holiday Spots

Indonesia

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: “Indos” meaning Indian and “Nesos” which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental. The main islands are Sumatra Kalimantan), Sulawesi Irian Jaya), and last but not least Java. The nation’s capital, Jakarta, has a fascinating and significant history

Climate– Indonesia’s climate is definitely tropical. The main seasons are summer, winter and monsoon; it is devoid of autumn and spring.

Culture– Indonesia is rich in art and culture which are intertwined with religion and age-old traditions. The basic principles which guide life include the concepts of mutual assistance or “gotong royong”. Religious influences on the community are varied from island to island. Indonesia is rich with culture with 250 – 300 ethnic groups live here.

From graceful court and temple dances to charming folk dances and boisterous play, the performing arts of Indonesia offer an astounding range of types and styles, shadow puppeteer is famous.

Cuisine– Fish features prominently in the diet as fresh, salted, dried, smoked or a paste. Coconut is found everywhere. The staple food traditionally ranges from rice corn, sago, cassava to sweet potatoes.

Hot spots—Indonesia is a mix of beaches, forests and cities- Amlapura, Bali Barat National Park, Irian Jaya, , Java, , Jakarta, Baluran National Park, Karimunjawa Islands, Kalimantan (Borneo), Gili Islands, Gunung Rinjani (Mount Rinjani), Kuta, , Pulau Bunaken, Rantepao, Tanatoraja, , Sumatra, , Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park), Harau Valley, Jangga Village, Kerinci-Seblat National Park, Lingga Village, Medan, Mentawai Islands, Ngalau Indah Caves, Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon), Padang, Pandaan Beach, Pandi Sikat, Parapat, Samosir Island, Siberut Island, Sipiso-piso Waterfall, Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta, and more.

Malaysia

The Malay Peninsula has thrived from its central position in the maritime trade routes between China, India and the Middle East. It is shown on early map with a label that translates as “Golden Chersonese”; the Straits of Malacca were referred to as “Sinus Sabaricus”. The two distinct parts of Malaysia, separated from each other by the South China Sea, share a largely similar landscape in that both West and East Malaysia feature coastal plains rising to often densely forested hills and mountains. Putrajaya is the newly created administrative capital whereas the capital city is Kuala Lumpur. Georgetown, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Alor Star, Malacca Town, and Klang are the major cities.

Climate– It’s hot and humid year-round in Malaysia .

Culture– Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society, consisting of 52% Malays and other indigenous tribes. With Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by sideThe music, art, food, dance, architecture and general day to day living are influenced by all three to some degree, creating some of Asia’s most fascinating sounds, sights and tastes. Malaysian traditional music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms, it is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes other percussion instruments. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat (a stylised martial art).

Cuisine– There is a great variety; spicy Malay Food, a seemingly endless variety of Chinese food, exotic cuisine from North and South India, as well as Nyonya and Portuguese Food.

Hot spots– Malaysia’s love of Western-style is abundantly clear in its big cities, Kuala Lumpur, Penang etc. Malaysia boasts some of the most superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia. Cameron Highlands, Batu Caves, Lake Gardens ,Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Taman Negara National Park

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Bali. When mentioned, people conjure up images of killer waves, busy night clubs and overcrowded beaches running rampant with young suntanned partiers. But look beyond the surface and you will witness a land rich with tradition, superstition and a people whose dedication to their beliefs has helped the island to maintain their centuries old customs. Enduring the onslaught of tourists who invade their beaches each year, the Balinese continue to live their lives of deep rooted religion, important family values and respect for the spirits of the dead. Devout Hindus , the Balinese put out offerings each morning resembling works of art. Fruit and flowers beautifully arranged in palm leaves displayed in front of their shops with rich incense burning to bring good luck and to appease the spirits. Great care is taken to preserve their tradition and young and old alike continue to practice these beliefs. Everyday you will see a ceremony occur. Whether it be a wedding a birthday or an elaborate cremation, the Balinese enjoy a life full of festivities. Just a short ride out of the main tourist destination of Kuta beach is the peaceful town of Ubud. This picturesque village situated in Bali’s interior, among lush rice terraces is a place where time stands still. Farmers tend their paddy fields by hand as their flocks of painted ducks waddle on their land. When walking through a peaceful path, you may be stopped by a local boy who will climb a tree to offer you a fresh coconut. Skillful artists sell their masterpieces to the casual buyer or to the serious collector and handmade treasures of masks and statues can be bought in the many family run shops. Or you can find a real bargain at the colourful market in the centre of town, selling sarongs and t-shirts to crafts and paintings. It is famous for its traditional dance performed each night in one of many ornate temples. . Masked performers dressed in colourful costumes telling stories of their history and folklore in the outdoor theatres under the canopy sky. Great dedication is given to the study of this difficult craft and a highly skilled Balinese Dancer is revered throughout the land. Quiet cafes line the road leading to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a protected portion of jungle containing long tail macaques. Unlike other sanctuary’s I have visited in south East Asia, this one does not encourage the monkeys to fend for themselves. Vendors sell bananas and peanuts for profit so that visiting tourists can feed these feisty creatures. They come to expect their treats regularly causing fights among the monkeys and tourists alike. Enjoy a luxurious massage at one of the many spas. For the reasonable price of $12 you will enjoy one and a half hours of pure heaven. Skilled masseurs work out your travel weary muscles with ancient old techniques, finishing with an herbal body scrub and hot floral bath. Pure decadence. Choosing a meal at one of the many eateries can be a difficult task. With food ranging from traditional Indonesian babi guling (suckling pig roasted on a spit and must be ordered a day in advance. ) to Italian pasta and pizza or roasted duck. It is a playground for the taste buds and eating in the candle lit setting while Balinese music plays softly in the background gives a feeling of tranquility. You relax while drinking a Bintang beer and think that you may never leave this tropical paradise. Ubud is well travelled on many peoples routes in Bali, but its laid back atmosphere dedicated tradition and a thriving artist community give it the facade of being the “real” Bali. Many will say that the real Bali no longer exists, that it has been taken over by tourism and western influence. But I see it thriving in the everyday lives of the local people and the real Bali exists in their hearts.

When traveling to Bali for a holiday, it is never a case of what are you going to find to do on your vacation, but rather how many weeks vacation are you able to take to enjoy all that Bali has to give. Many folks think about beaches and white sand when thinking about Bali and associate it as being principally a beach vacation. Though there are plenty of resorts along the beachfront to relax at, this is only a small part of all the Bali tours and activities available. The top-rated hotels will all offer you the opportunity to do some touring of the island as an in house service, even if they do not offer it they’ll arrange everything that you might need to do wherever it may be situated on the island. For tourists staying in more budget accommodations that have limited services, there will still be lots to do though the leisure activities may only include beach activities. These hotels would also be ready to arrange things for you to do, but a slow cruise around the fringes of your hotel and you will come across many tour operators which will be ready to help you. There is very little that you will not find to do in Bali when you think about a tropical island paradise. The beach is definitely extremely popular, but it is when you head into the water that you begin to really experience all that Bali has to offer . Tours around the island will include more popular stuff like snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing trips, but there are some more surprising underwater activities available. Marine walking is very popular on the small island of Lembongan, just off the coast, where you wear a helmet with an oxygen hose connected to the surface so that you can walk around the ocean floor without the bulky tanks and other gear you need when scuba diving. Another highly popular water activity in Bali is whitewater rafting that offers tours for youngsters of 5 years old and all the firms are very well set up and adhere to international safety standards. Apart from the water sports, there are more inland tours that are just as exciting and will get your heart racing. Touring the volcanoes that stretch from the east coast to the west coast can be stirring, especially when you have reached the peak and jump off with your paraglider. Many paragliding tours are in operation as a result of the abundant areas that are available to launch from. If flying thru the air is not for you, visit the elephant safari park famous as the best one in the world. They offer short rides for youngsters as well as long treks through the Balinese countryside sitting on the back of your own massive elephant. It might not appear as much fun as some of the other activities, but once you climb up on top of a seven foot elephant, your heart will definitely skip a beat or two. If all these activities appear too much then you can take your own tour at your own pace and do a Bali shopping tour that will be as thrilling as anything else. One of the great things about Bali is that it never disappoints, there’s always something that will leave you awestruck and left with memories for a whole life.

If like me, you have been bitten by the ‘Holiday Villa Bug’, you will already know that no hotel can match the privacy and luxury of a good Villa Holiday. The great news is that today there are even more villa rental options out there than ever before. Not to mention the fact that if you know how to choose the right holiday rental villa you will be saving a lot of money in comparison to the same level of service in a comparable quality hotel.
It seems that no where in the world has seen as big an explosion of luxury fully serviced holiday villas, as the island of Bali in Indonesia.
OK, I happen to be blessed with a great line of work, as a Travel Writer, and have been lucky enough to stay in some of the best tropical resorts around the world, especially in Asia. But still for me, nothing compares to the peace, luxury and delights (not to mention the cost effectiveness) of staying in a good serviced villa in Bali.
So, what makes a ‘good holiday villa’?
Like everyone else, I have learned how to choose the perfect villa through luck, some mistakes and sheer experience.
Here are my top tips for choosing the right villa in Bali for your next Bali holiday.
Location-Location-Location
This sounds obvious, but it is not always easy to make the right location decision when we are sat at home, far away from our holiday destination.
Like every other world-class holiday destination, Bali offers a range of options, from ‘central’ locations, to those which offer ‘absolute tranquility’.
I personally like a balance between the two. On a Bali villa holiday, the last thing one needs is to be sooo central that you feel like you are an extension of a night club’s base unit till wee hours of the morning. On the other hand, I really don’t want to be more than 15-20 minutes away from where the restaurants, shops and the action is. I like my villa to be certainly quiet, preferably amongst rice fields, but at the same time accessible (within 30 minutes of the airport, and a few minutes from the action).
The great thing is that Bali caters for all of these tastes.
Those seeking a central location, with a lively night life may want to look into Legian and Seminyak, (I exclude Kuta area from this list, as there are hardly any proper rental villas left in this bustling tourist centre).
Those who don’t mind a bit of a trek, and don’t want to go out and about much during their holiday, may opt for areas such as Uluwatu or Canggu and beyond.
For me the perfect choice is Kerobokan and Umalas areas. Quiet rural environment, surrounded by rice terraces and real villagers going about their real daily routines (instead of trying to push you a handicraft (Kuta) or pull you into a restaurant you really couldn’t care for (Seminyak)).
Quality and Availability of Service

Now this is an area where villas differ from each other immensely. In Bali most villas proclaim to be ‘fully serviced’. However, how ‘fully’ and how ‘serviced’ range from the most basic to being totally pampered.
A good villa should provide a guest to total staff ratio of nearly 1 to 1, or at least 1. 5 to 1. So, if you are a group of 8 you should be looking at, at least, 5-6 full time staff, or for a group of 4 at least 3-4 full time staff. Sounds ostentatiously high? It really isn’t once you consider the effort it takes to keep a holiday villa, its gardens, and the pool in a tip-top shape.
Of course, quantity is never the only answer. The staff needs to be full-time and fully-trained at a professional level. There are too many villas out there, which are run by ‘part-time’ managers and staff who actually have other full time jobs elsewhere!
Your Own Chef
One of the great pleasures of traveling to a foreign destination is to experiment with and experience the local cuisine. And what better place to experience this, than in the comfort of your own villa!
So, make sure that your villa comes with its own Chef. Once you have tasted the delights of enjoying home cooking in your own villa, you will probably not want to venture out to restaurants at all. The best thing is, having your own private villa Chef in Bali, is substantially cheaper than eating out.
However, make sure to check how the Chef arrangement works.
Ideally, the Chef cost should be included in your rental rate. In this case all you have to pay for are the cost of the ingredients which are purchased for you, typically at the local market/supermarket prices, with no mark-up. So, financials of eating at your own villa becomes just like eating at home, but without lifting a finger, and at substantially lower Bali prices.
Some villas claim to offer a Chef service, but charge restaurant/hotel prices for each dish that the chef prepares for you. I prefer to avoid these, as I can always pop out to a restaurant if I so wished anyway.
So, check to make sure that the Chef is part of your villa team, and that you will not be charged incrementally for food on a per item basis.
Your Villa Manager
A professional Villa Manager makes a huge difference to your enjoyment of your holiday. Even if you have been to Bali many times before, a good Villa Manager can be a much valued life-line, a great source of shopping tips, and a problem solver. A good villa manager can provide a wealth of directions/advice, from where to eat, to which river to choose for your white-water rafting adventure in which season, or where the cheapest golf courses are, to which temples to visit to see which local ceremonies.
Needless to say, they should also be managing the villa team, and making sure that the quality of service and cleanliness are never compromised.
Before I book a villa in Bali, I always check to see what the Villa Manager arrangement is like, and that there is a full time Villa Manager on site at the villa I am planning to rent. Typically, for good villas, you can expect to have your own dedicated Villa Manager, or have a Villa Manager who is working at 2-3 adjacent villas. However, if a Villa Manager is expected to look after 5-6+ villas, then you are most likely not going to see him for more than a few minutes a day, only during his courtesy visits (at best), so you loose out on the real benefits of having the inside-track.
Villa Quality & Upkeep
Be very, very weary of any rental villas which can not provide you with more than at least 20 recent photos of the property. These photos should show you not only the outside of the buildings, but also the living/dining areas, as well as insides of bedrooms.
If you are not provided with a sufficient number of photos giving you a clear idea of the property, then it is quite likely that there is something substantially wrong with the property, such as a building overlooking it, an abattoir next door, or at the least peeling paintwork or missing fixtures/furniture.
Remember, not all villas are created equal. But additionally, not all villas are kept and maintained equally well. It is your right to request and see these photos of the property.
Mod-Cons
OK, you are planning to stay on a tiny island, in the middle of the tropics. What mod-cons should you expect?

From own experience, I would suggest that even in the middle of the tropics, good Bali villas should be able to provide at least the following mod-cons:
Air-conditioning in all bedrooms
Clean, Western style kitchen -fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, electric kettle, and a coffee maker, as well as sufficient crockery and cutlery
Safe deposit box – at least one for your private villa use, and preferably one in each bedroom
TV/Satellite/DVD Player – as there will always be someone who wants to catch the news, or children who will need entertaining
Telephone – whilst many of us live attached to our mobile/cellular phones, it is important that there is a permanent phone connection at the villa, in case of emergencies
En-suite bathrooms – if you are looking at going as a family or a group of friends, you really don’t want to spend your holiday in Bali queuing for the next available slot at shared facilities!
Enjoying a fully staffed and serviced villa with your own Chef may seem like an un-attainable dream in most other parts of the world. However, renting a Villa in Bali is by far one of the most cost effective ways of enjoying this beautiful island and the company of its hospitable people.
Now armed with this check-list you are ready to plan you next dream holiday in a Villa in Bali.

Like me, you will probably never want to leave, and go back to reality!
Many happy returns. . .

Park information:Located between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa Island. Covers an area of between 1,875 and 2,321 square kilometers. Consist of three main Islands: Komodo, Rinca and PadarFamous for its pre-historic and Komodo ‘’Dragons’’ – found only in this area of the world. Home to one of the richest marine environments in the world. Excellent coral reefs. Outstanding diving spots. FacilitiesRangers’ house, restaurant and information centers are located on both Komodo and Rinca IslandCurrently the best way to stay overnight at the park is to rent a local excursion boat and sleep on deck. Anchored just off shore from the park, this will allow an early morning trek in the reserve. How to get thereLabuan Bajo (West Flores) is the starting point to explore the Komodo National Park. Regular flights operate from Bali (Denpasar) to Labuan Bajo, or travel overland from Bali by private vehicle or public bus and inter-island ferries. The travel time from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island is 4 hours by boat, and 2 hours from Labuan Bajo to Rinca Island. Overnight accommodation is possible either at the rangers’ house or on the deck of a local excursion boatsArrangement for accommodation at the Park can be with Travel Agents,� West Flores guides or directly with the local boat owners. Local excursion boat.

Komodo IslandLoh Liang is the main landing point to see Komodo ‘’dragons’’ on Komodo Island. Komodos are often seen at the dry river bed Banu Nggulung, a half-hour walk from Loh Liang. When komodos were still fed before park visitors (a practice discontinued many years ago), Banu Nggulung was the traditional feeding ground. You are also likely to spot dragons looking for food around the Rangers’ camp in Loh Liang. Hiking around the Island is possible with a local guide. A round-trip climb up the slopes of Gunung Ara (580m) takes around 3. 5 hours. Or, consider hiking to Poreng Valley, located 5. 5km from Loh Liang. Along the way you may encounter komodos as well as buffaloes, wild boar, and a wide variety of bird species. Visit Komodo village, a friendly, Muslim Buginese village only a half-hour walk from Loh Liang. Snorkeling and relaxing at Pantai Merah (Red Beach) or Pulau Lasa is on the ‘’must do’’ list for Komodo Park visitors.

Rinca IslandLoh Buaya is the access point to see Komodo ‘’dragons’’ on Rinca Island. You may see the dragon around the camp at Loh Buaya. Local guides generally know the spots where the komodos sun themselves. On a hiking tour you may also see long-tailed macaques, wild water buffaloes, Timor deer, wild horses, boars, and rare megapode birds. Marine Ecosystem:

The three main marine ecosystems found at the Komodo National Park:Sea grass bedsCoral reefsMangrove forests. � Marine Fauna:

Komodo National Park has one of the richest marine environments in the word. Forams, cnidaria, sponges, ascidians, marine worms, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous, bony� fishes, marine reptiles, marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs), sea cucumbers (Holothuria), napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and groupers are major sub-sea fauna found at Komodo National Park. Marine Flora:

The three major coastal marine plants:AlgaeSea grassesMangrove trees. Terrestrial Ecosystem:Long dry season (April to October) with high temperatures and low rainfall. A transition zone shared between Australian and Asian flora and fauna. Open grass-woodland savannas, tropical deciduous (monsoon) forests and quasi-cloud forests. A shared trait among many of the park’s terrestrial plants species is that they are xerophytes, capable of obtaining and retaining water to survive the cyclical drought period. Terrestrial plants includes: grasses, shrubs, orchids, and trees. �

Important food trees include Jatropha curkas, Zizyphus sp. , Opuntia sp. , Tamarindus indicus, Borassus flabellifer, Sterculia foetida, Ficus sp. , Cicus sp. , ‘Kedongdong hutan’ (Saruga floribunda), and ‘Kesambi’ (Schleichera oleosa). Terrestrial Fauna

Many mammals found at the park are Asiatic in origin – deer, pigs, macaques, civets. Other mammals include Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), wild horses (Equus sp. ), water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis), wild boars (Sus scrofa vittatus), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus lehmanni), the endemic Rinca rat (Rattus rintjanus), fruit bats, goats, feral dogs and domestic cats. �

Several bird species are Australian in origin – orange-footed scrubfowl, the lesser sulpher-crested cockatoo and the nosy friarbird. 27 species observed in the park’s savanna area include: Geopelia striata and Streptopelia chinensis. � Philemon buceroides, Ducula aenea, and Zosterops chloris are observed in the mixed deciduous habitat� that is home to 28 bird species.

Reptiles at the park include, of course, the legendary Komodo ‘’Dragon,’’ 12 snake species� including the cobra (Naja naja sputatrix), Russel’s pit viper (Vipera russeli), and the green tree vipers (Trimeresurus albolabris). Lesser lizards include 9 skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae), limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and the monitor lizards (Varanidae). � Frogs species include the Asian Bullfrog (Kaloula baleata), Oreophyne jeffersoniana and Oreophyne darewskyi.

Balinese Castes

The Balinese Hindu religion regards a traditional caste system though it has never been as divisive as its Indian ascendent. This is for the most part due to the fact that over 90% of Balinese belong to the lowest ‘Sudra’ caste, and in India would have been considered ‘untouchable’. Given their dominance such mental attitudes in Bali would not be realistic. Notwithstanding these facts, inter-marriage persists to be uncommon and discouraged.

The three upper castes are together recognized as the ‘Triwangsa’ (‘three peoples’) constituting Brahmana, Kesayatria and Wesia. Caste is specified by birth but is rarely reflected in a person’s occupation, although only a Brahmana can be suited to be a Pedanda high priest, and only Brahmana may take the task of recreating masks from the ‘Barong’ dance as they harbour the ability to protect themselves from the evil spirits.

Balinese Names

Upon learning a Balinese friends name, you can establish some elements of his or her background. First Of All, the name will often indicate the cast to which they belong. For illustration, if you meet someone named Ida Bagus, you recognize they belong to the highest Brahmana caste or, if they are addressed as Gusti, they will almost surely belong to the Wesia caste. The Balinese also distinguish their children in order of birth. Together with a personal name, unique in the family, a Balinese child will be awarded a more common name. The firstborn is often Wayan or Putu while the second born generally carries the name of Made or Kadek. The third child usually is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is always Ketut; with the birth of a fifth child, the naming cycle starts again.

Children

The Balinese dote on their children, a devotion that no doubt leads to the calm and relaxed demeanour of the island’s population. At birth the baby’s umbilical cord is buried with oblations to protect them throughout their lives. Until the child reaches three months of age, they are permanently carried as it is regarded as unclean and disrespectful if they should touch the ground before that age. Balinese children are discouraged from crawling, believed to be only the actions of an animal, and learn to walk at a very young age. Upon reaching 105 days, the baby will be ornamented with bracelets and anklets. A further 105 days later, a ceremony is held to signify their entry into adulthood. The passage through puberty is celebrated with a tooth filing ceremony, aimed to flatten any pointed teeth that may represent evil and designed to restrict sinful emotions and actions such as greed, anger, jealousy, stupidity, and adultery.

Everyday, there are many temple ceremonies all over Bali. Some are held at a single village temple while others are island-wide. One common ceremony is the ‘odelan’, held every 210 days to celebrate a temple’s anniversary. Another is held every time there is a full moon. The day of Saraswati heralds a ceremony celebrating knowledge, learning and the arts. Ceremonies on this day are held in relation to schools and primarily involve students. Some important days occur very rarely such as the ‘Eka Dasa Rudra’, held only once every 100 years at Besakih Temple. .

Religion

Bali is a predominantly Hindu Island, surviving in an Islamic nation. Minority populations of Muslims, Christians and Buddhists are also found on the island.

Little is known of the introduction of Hinduism in Bali though it doubtlessly involved the Indian traders who came to these parts for the spice trade over two thousand years ago. Given its physical isolation from the ancestral religion, Balinese Hinduism has since developed into a unique version of the ancient faith. Although the fundamentals remain the same, many of the gods revered on Bali are unknown in India and vice versa. Vast Hindu kingdoms were also found in neighbouring islands but they disappeared soon after the Arabs became interested in the archipelago, bringing with them Islam to Indonesia’s shores. Bali held little interest for the Arab traders so it was largely left alone. Throughout Indonesia, traditional beliefs in mysticism and the spiritual world remain strong, despite the common practice of imported faiths that forbid such strong beliefs.

While the impact this has had on the Islamic faith is often controversial, for the Balinese, the two have merely blend to create the distinctive religion they follow today.

to be continued. . . . .

 
Bali, a huge conglomeration of 13,000 islands, tempts the travelers all around the world with its richness ranging from mountains to long coastlines and hillsides to sandy beaches. The beach lovers throng in at Bali throughout the year and thus number of Bali Beach Hotels has multiplied in the recent years. Couples, families and even the corporate individuals make frequent visits to spend a nice vacation near the Bali beaches.
 
Since the island of Bali covers a huge area you find plenty of Bali beach hotels situated at every corner of the region. While Southern part of Bali has the major concentration of hotels you can still count on a number of star category hotels located in other parts of Bali. After you fly down at Ngurah Rai international airport in Denpasar you can easily get connected with your chosen hotel.
 
Accommodation
 
If you are planning to go for a trip to North Bali you can select from a number of quality Bali beach hotels. Apart from the luxury hotels like, Matahari Beach Resort & Spa, Damai Lovina Villas and Puri Bagus Lovina, you can also check-in at the mid-range hotels like Saranam Eco Resort. This beautiful region of Indonesia touches the heart of millions of travelers every year and these beach hotels in Bali offer you the dose of relaxation.
 
Candi Dasa, a noted tourist destination in the East of Bali is also gifted with a number of world class hotels. Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa and Alila Manggis Bali are among the luxury beach hotels in Bali while Puri Bagus Candidasa and Puri Bagus Manggis are the noted mid-range accommodations. You expect to receive exclusive comfort in the form of elegant rooms, elaborate arrangement of dining and wining and endless list of recreational facilities.
 
Coming down to the south of Bali will let you explore the blessed regions like, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Tuban, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua. There is a wide range of Bali beach hotels in these popular destinations. The luxury hotels like Kuta Seaview Cottage, Mercure Kuta Bali, Ramayana Resort & Spa, and White Rose Hotel & Spa await your coming and welcome you with sheer hospitality. Be it the night-life or the beach activities, staying in these Bali hotels give you a free ticket to entertainment.
 
 
Nusa Dua, considered to be a posh region in Bali, has the major concentration of 5-star hotels. If you can afford luxury the Bali beach hotels in Nusa Dua like, Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, Novotel Nusa Dua Bali Hotel & Residences, and Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, are ready to offer you a grand treatment. Like other luxury hotels in Indonesia, these beach hotels in Bali offer you extensive range of recreational facilities including spa, swimming pool and water sports in the nearby beaches.

If the time has come for your vacation or a holiday getaway, read this article before making your plans. There are many places of great beauty and interest to be seen in the USA and Europe. But, whether transportation, touring, theme park, or food and lodging, it is expensive. This article is written for every traveler, whether a backpacker on a budget, or a first class – five star traveler.

Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the door to different cultural experiences. Planning can be for a short holiday, an extended stay, or choices of laying the groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make money using the Internet it is not out of the question to “retire” early.

Medical Tourism in Asia growing in popularity. It is high quality and affordable. Just one of International standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 international patients annually, In the USA cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000. At a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It is possible to have quality medical care, and an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost of the same procedure in the USA.

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand – Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India – Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world’s most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos – Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia – the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam – is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos – savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal – Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama. .

Indonesia – Jakarta, the capital city of the world’s fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia’s main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of “Gillis” that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines – An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country’s past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces

are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore – Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore’s most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There’s more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan – Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor’s Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article. .

Taiwan – Taipei, the country’s booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong – the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you’re in Hong Kong with the little ones, they’ll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you’re in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there’s plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.

While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our part of the world in Bali, Indonesia, you can apply a lot of the advice to holidays anywhere in the world. One of the great attractions of bali is that it is cheap. The Tourism Authority of bali can carry on pushing their vision of bali as a millionaire’s playground for as long as they want but still the majority of visitors will be people who have a limited budget. Its simple tips to help you make your money go further. We are not talking about the sort of penny-pinching measures that backpackers use to make their tiny budget stretch a year. We are not going to suggest you eat noodles every day. After all, you are on holiday and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. However, most people have worked hard for their two-week holiday in the land of smiles and there is no reason why they should not get the best from their money. Here are a few simple tips to make the money go a bit further. AccommodationIf you want budget accommodation then usually you can find good deals just by walking in off the street. Walk around the side streets of any of Kuta’s beach resorts and you will find guesthouses. During peak high-season (Xmas & January) it is better to book in advance as there may not be any rooms available. Whatever you do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a recommendation. They will just take you somewhere that pays them commission. If you want mid to high range accommodation then you should book in advance. If you walk in off the street, you will pay more for your room. It may seem strange but it is cheaper to book in advance through a travel agent or internet-booking site. The internet booking sites have the best rates. An excellent tool for finding the best rates is Get Bali villas. This Bali based website does a price comparison across 30 internet-booking sites and finds the cheapest available offline rates. Money ExchangeDo not change money in your home country before coming to Bali. You will get a much better rate of exchange in Bali. Bring an ATM card or travelers cheques. In fact, it is nice to have two sources of money in case of problems so why not bring both. Do not exchange your money at hotels. They give bad rates. Exchange booths at airports also give poor rates. The best way to get money when you first arrive is to use an ATM at the airportToursThe tour prices in Kuta are generally very competitive. These organised tours are a convenient and reasonably priced way to see Kuta’s tourist attractions. There are many tour shops and lots of tours so the competition keeps the prices down. Just go to any tour shop and you are likely to find some good deals. The only problem with booking tours is you do not know the quality of the tour service. The price may be competitive but if the experience is poor then you will still be disappointed. Most of the tour organisers provide a good service but there are also a few stinkers. TippingTipping was never really a part of Bali culture. It is a custom that we visiting westerners have introduced and which Bali customers have now taken up. Most western visitors over-tip. The normal tip in Bali at restaurants or bars is USD 1. That may seem like a derisory sum to leave by western standards but in Bali they do not expect any more. You are not being tightfisted by leaving so little. In fact, some claim that westerners who come here and tip big are actually causing problems for everybody else. They are creating an expectancy of big tips from westerners that never used to exist.

Famous for it’s coloured crater lakes, Kelimutu National Park also gain it’s cool climate and panoramic view. It is still a puzzle for both scientists and locals how the lakes gained it’s color and eventually change from time-to-time. The color of the three lakes are red, blue and white which eventually turns into black-brown, light green and black. The former red and blue lakes where separated by 200 centimeters wall of earth and located side-by-side while the former white lake is located to the west. Declared as a national park on Feb. 26, 1992, this 1,051,000 square meter area not only consists of lakes but also mountains. It has Mount Kelibara as the highest peak and the whole area is located at East Nusa Tenggara, in the island of Flores, Indonesia. Rich in nature’s diversity, the park became the haven of various species of birds, plants and endangered animals. This park is not only rich in natural resources but also in their cultural heritage as evidently showed in the local’s traditional houses, weaving and dances. Local folklore tells that the three lakes are gateways to different kinds of spirits. The first, having the name Tiwu Ata Mbupu is for the old people’s spirit. The second, named as Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai is intended for the spirits of young people. The third, intended for evil sprits and fortune tellers is called Tiwu Ata Polo. The best time to visit the lakes is between the months of July to September or in spring time. Pack your bags now and head way to Indonesia to see another nature’s wonder and asian destination.