Eyewitness Travel Guide: Bali and Lombok, Indonesia

Traveling to Indonesia is definitely a trip you will never forget.Plan for a long ride to get there, as it is a 31 hour flight from New York. Bali is a wonderful area with an array of fun filled activities to choose from. It is the main tourist area of Indonesia.

The people of Bali are very friendly, and enjoy having visitors come to their area. Many speak English to interact with tourists. They have chosen to preserve their culture for all to see rather than change it to become like other countries. The beaches are a main attraction with surfing being one of the most popular activities. Others enjoy renting a boat for the day to relax on the open waters.

Lodging in Bali ranges from small bungalows to huge fancy hotels, all with basic accommodations to meet the needs of tourists. The view from your hotel will be wonderful because of the rich beauty of the area regardless of where you choose to stay.

The people of Bali are very artistic. They enjoy painting, weaving, carving, basket making, and other arts. Children are taught art from a very early age. They often display their makings to sell to the tourists.

Temples are a main attraction in Bali. They are called Pura. The temples provide an opportunity to explore religion and art of the culture. The people of Bali are still very religious, and it is very important that those visiting the Temples show respect for their religious beliefs.

Art galleries exhibit creative and attractive art work to view. Wildlife and nature reserves are popular in Bali. Many people go to get a glimpse of the very dangerous Komodo Dragon, a large lizard that is found only in the area and is extinct. The rare Java tiger is also displayed.

There are more than 400 volcanoes in Indonesia, 128 are still active. They offer a historical view of this natural creation to observe. Botanic Gardens are also a very popular attraction. Displaying flora and fauna as well as promoting conservation, people are drawn to the beauty of such attractions.

While Indonesia is a beautiful and serene place to visit, it is strongly advised at this time to be cautious with such visits due to the possibility of terrorist attacks. If you do choose to travel to the area do not travel alone and make sure you have registered with the US Embassy.

About the Author:

Criss manages http://www.travelstreet.info (Travel Asia) and

http://www.travelstreet.info/cambodia-angkorwat.html (Angkor Wat).

Criss is also the author of Asia Travel Guide.

Things To Do in Bali

Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
In this unusual place of worship, mischievous simians throng

among sacred temples and lush greenery.
Attraction type: Nature reserve

Pura Tanah Lot, Canggu, Bali
This sacred temple perched on the shore is aptly named,

as "tanah" means earth and "lot" means sea.
Attraction type: Religious site; Landmark/point of interest

Gunung Kawi, Ubud, Bali
Attraction type: Historic site; Landmark/point of interest

West Bali National Park (Taman Nasional Bali Barat), Bali
Over 65,000 acres of land and water provide tourists with

excellent trekking, birdwatching and diving.
Attraction type: National park

Bali Bird Park, Ubud, Bali
A must visit when travelling to Bali. Not only a great selection of

birds from across the region but all in a fantastic garden setting.

And for those photo opportunities a mix of colorful...
Attraction type: Zoo; Wildlife park