If you haven’t read Part 1 of our Things to See and Do in Bali, you might like to start there. Here is the continuation of a very long list!

6) Festivals and Ceremonies
Religion plays a central role in the life of every Balinese. The island has hundreds of temples, for which each and every one has a temple anniversary, called Odalan. On this day, the villagers visit the temple for prayers and socializing. It can be considered a community event to bring the villagers together. With the Balinese Hindu religion comes many daily practices. One of the more noticeable practices is placing offerings such as trays of flowers called Canang Sari in temples, shrines and symbolic locations to ward off evil and to please the Gods.

The Balinese New Year, Nyepi Day is a time which many tourists like to visit Bali to witness the noisy and colourful Ogoh-Ogoh procession or simply see them being built during the days preceding Nyepi. Galungan is another major festival for the Balinese which at the end of 10 days is marked by Kuningan Day. This festival occurs every six months so you will have the opportunity to see it in another half year if you miss the first round. During this time you will see the Barong Dance procession which goes through the village performing in front of shops and houses as an act of purification. Cremations are another village affair where the entire family and friends of the deceased are involved. The body is carried from the home grounds through the village to the cremation site where it is placed in a towering sarcophagus and burnt to the ground.

7) Diving and Snorkelling
Bali has some of the most colourful and interesting sea life you will ever see. Well known dive sites are located in Amed and Tulamben where there are ship wrecks, in Menjangan Island in the North West, and Pandang Bai and Lembongan Island in the East to name a few. Nusa Dua and Sanur are ideal for snorkeling but there are many other areas as well.

8 ) Fly like a bird or travel to higher altitudes
Paragliding is a sport not many are familiar with but with the beautiful coastal scenery, this sport is becoming more and more popular. If flying free like a bird is not your cup of tea, another option is a helicopter tour of Bali’s coastline. You can book a heli transfer to your hotel for a view of the terrain along the way. The cost of heli tours are not for the average tourist but if you want to try something different, viewing Bali from this perspective is very exciting and you will get to see places no one else will see, not even the locals, such as the very top of Mt Agung, coastal scenery that is difficult to reach and much more.

Indonesia has hundreds of volcanoes and Bali has some of its own famous ones as well. Kintamani town is where you will see the 2800m high Mount Batur, a popular tourist destination in Bali. The volcano has a large caldera lake and it is possible to go on a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Batur if you can wake up early enough! Mount Agung, the location of Bali’s largest and most sacred temple, Puri Besakih, is Bali’s highest and most sacred mountain at 3142m high. Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple is where Bali’s most important ceremonies are held and worth visiting if you have the opportunity to go on a East Bali tour especially in April when the temple has it’s anniversary.

9) Land Adventure Activities
Apart from the southern tourist towns, Bali is an island still very much in it’s natural state compared to other tourist destinations. You will soon realise that there are many locations that provide the ideal terrain for exciting adventure activities. The rivers, mountains and jungles are all places where you can experience Bali away from the tourist crowds. White water rafting down the scenic Ayung River or down the heart stopping Telaga River rapids is one of the more popular activities for tourists who come to Bali. Mountain cycling in Bali through the padi fields and villages from Kintamani is another leisurely activity for families and individuals alike. How about an Bali Elephant Safari? Bali is home to the world famous Taro Elephant Park, complete with accommodation, activities and fun for all ages. You can ride an elephant through the jungle, marvel at their intelligence and let them make you laugh when you visit the Taro Elephant safari park in Bali. Nowadays we have quad/buggy driving and even canyon tubing where you sit in a floating tube and coast down a river through the jungle. Horseriding and camel riding are other fun activities you can enjoy. A new attraction, the Bali Safari and Marine Park is a unique blend of wildlife conservation and culture. You can purchase a Bali Safari package which includes lunch.

10) Shop till you drop
And of course there is shopping and more shopping to do. You have Kuta Center, Galeria Nusa Dua, Matahari in Legian and Ubud Market where you will find bargains of all sorts. The Balinese are well known for their creative and artistic skills evident in the numerous arts and crafts found throughout the island. Many craft factories are found in Tegallalang and the surrounding area. In Celuk, you will find skilled silversmiths who sell their creations in eclectic shops in Ubud. Sukawati Art Market is where you will find many of the fabrics used in Balinese clothing as well as hand made crafts such as woven baskets at bargain prices. Crafts and statues are made from natural products found on Bali such as coconut wood, bamboo and volcanic sand stone. Masks and puppets make interesting gift items. You will also find many earthy coloured home decor items such as table runners, lamp shades and wall decorations to give your home a touch of Bali style. Furniture items are often available at attractive prices compared to if you were to purchase them from outside of Bali.

So there you are, a list of many things you can do in Bali. Relax, get fit, have fun, gain new experiences and most of all, a memorable holiday. This will give you enough excitement for a 3 to 7 day trip to this wonderful and magical island of the Gods.

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