ESCAPES

Words Akanksha Maker

The Indonesian government recently announced the opening of the country for international travel - and this has hailed nothing but good news for Bali.

As per booking platform Agoda, Bali was one of the most searched beach destinations of the destinations recently. Not surprisingly, within Indonesia too, this region was the one that received the most search hits. Indians are looking at Bali more than ever; Indonesia is in the top four countries that we are looking at, for travelling.

Because of geography, Australia and Singapore remain as top origin markets for Bali; as per Agoda, Australia has seen the biggest upward traction of outgoing visits post the pandemic, with Singapore following a close second.

On April 6, Indonesia updated its border and quarantine guidelines, allowing fully vaccinated tourists to visit the country without having to quarantine rst. However, the guests would have to present a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before the departure as of end of May when this article was written. Upon presenting this test, though, they are allowed to roam around and explore other parts of Indonesia without needing any additional tests. Besides this, all international visitors would also be required to present a proof of health insurance, which must cover medical treatment for the virus.

Indonesia has also granted visa on arrival facility to travellers holding passports of 43 countries, including India. ese 43 countries also include 14 other countries in the APAC region. Following this good news, a number of Indian travellers have shown interest in travelling to Bali. We tell you about various things to do in this Indonesian region and also follow it up with hotels to stay at.

Pura Tanah Lot

is is regarded as one of the most iconic temples of Bali. Pura (means temple in Balinese) Tanah Lot has a spectacular seaside setting on a quaint island that’s surrounded by the thrashing waves. Built at the beginning of the 16th century, the temple is thought to be inspired by the priest Nirartha, who asked local shermen to build a temple here a er spending the night on the rock outcrop. While foreigners can’t enter any of the temples in the complex, one can walk across to the main temple at low tide. Wander along the paths soak in the beauty of this temple.

Ubud Monkey Forest

Known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, visiting the Monkey Forest is one of the top things to do in Ubud, Bali. is forest is just a ten minutes walk from the town centre of Ubud. A huge element of the appeal is the vivid jungle setting where the monkeys roam free. ese troops of grey long-tailed macaques are quite entertaining to say the least. Embodying an almost mystical feel, paved pathways lead through thick jungles of giant banyan and nutmeg trees. Walk though moss-covered statues and ancient temples as you navigate through the dense foliage. Intended to represent the harmonious coexistence between humans and animals, the forest conserves rare plants and is used as a macaque behaviour, particularly their social interaction.

Nusa Dua Beach

Escape Bali’s urban buzz at the Nusa Dua Beach. Listen to the gentle sound of the waves as you relax on recliners sipping on cooling cocktails. Considered as one of the most sought a er beaches in Bali, a number of luxury beach resorts preside over this sweeping stretch of sand and sea. Stroll for miles along the shore, swim, surf, parasail, and sunbathe — but remember that you might need to pay a fee or eat at one of the resorts to use their sun loungers. You can also sign up for some pampering at a posh resort spa or browse the chic shops at Bali Collection, an open-air shopping mall.

Tegallalang And Jatiluwih Rice Terraces In Bali

Tegallalang Rice Terraces is about a 30-minute drive north of Ubud and is one of the most famous areas to photograph these iconic landscapes. An ideal way to enjoy the lush landscapes is at one of the many restaurants and cafes overlooking the elds. Jatiluwih rice terraces is about a 90-minute drive from Ubud and sprawls more than 600 hectares of rice elds along the hillsides of the Batukaru mountain range and tend to be less crowded than Tegallalang. Both of these locations use the traditional water management cooperative called “subak” which is a UNESCOrecognised irrigation system that dates to the ninth century.

Island Hopping

Made up of lush jungle, volcanic peaks, myriad wildlife, and some of the world’s most biodiverse diving sites, Indonesia is home to over 17,000 islands. Island hopping when in Bali is an experience you must de nitely add to your list – and fortunately, some of these are just hop, skip and a short boat ride away. You can y to Kuta Lombok, Sumba, Flores for a slightly further adventure. is is situated on the southern tip of Java. Here you can swim with turtles, relax about on turquoise beaches or surf on waves. For something closer — just 40 minutes from Bali’s mainland you’ll nd Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida, and e Gili Islands.

Mount Batur

For another unmissable adventure, we recommend keeping one day to hike up to Mount Batur. It is an active volcano located at the centre of two concentric calderas north west of Mount Agung on the island of Bali, Indonesia. e hike that starts at 3am is not too di cult and takes a few hours to complete. Expect the most spectacular views from the top of the mountain. e di culty level of this trek is just medium that means most of us can trek to the mountain quite easily.

Where To Stay In Bali

Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay

Situated on the scenic coast of Jimbaran Village, nestled in a sea of glittering yellow sand for nearly 5 km, lies the Four Seasons Resort. With 14 hectares of tropical gardens reaching down to the ocean, the hotel is conveniently located just twenty minutes away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Artfully designed to provide the authentic feel of a Balinese village, each villa is curated to provide stunning views. Choose between the Premier Ocean villa, four bedroom Residence villa with sun terraces, the Jimbaran Bay villa, and others. e Imperial Villa includes a private chef, a butler, an exclusive gym, and in nity pool. Unwind at the Healing Village Spa at the hotel. Undergo colour therapy healing in Bali’s First surround sound spa suite, e Illume room. Indulge in Balinese seafood BBQ at Sundara. Await a spread of Asian and Western delicacies at Taman Wantilan, or enjoy a Buddha bowl by the poolside at Alu, the hotel’s healthy cafe. fourseasons.com

Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort

Situated in downtown Kuta, Sheraton Bali Kuta combines the best of nature and culture. e hotel is right by the Beachwalk mall, with 200 luxury shops to choose from. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Kuta beach, complete with glittering sand and coconut trees. Choose from 203 hotel rooms and suites, with each room o ering an exclusive balcony with stunning views. Feast on Italian fare on the terrace, at the poolside restaurant Bene Italian Kitchen. Sip on a cocktail upon the background of a technicolour sunset at Sundowner Roo op. Unwind in the lounge with a Kuta Reef a ernoon tea and an unrivalled view of the Indian Ocean. Head over to the hotel’s Shine Spa, a haven of relaxation treatments and massages. Don’t miss out on a few laps in the outdoor in nity pool, or a quick workout at the hotel’s tness centre. marriott.com

THE ST. REGIS BALI RESORT

Located at Kawasan Pariwisata, e St. Regis Bali Resort directly overlooks the Nusa Dua beach; with villas providing immediate access to pristine ocean waters and glittering golden sand, St. Regis is ideal for beach-lovers. With three restaurants and two bars, the hotel provides a range of culinary options to engage your tastebuds. Indulge in Pan-Aisan cuisine at Kayuputi, Balinese fare in Dulang, and continental delicacies at Gourmand Deli. Sip a cocktail at King Cole Bar or Vista Bar, taking in the delightful beach location of the latter. Head over to the resort’s grand staircase a er dinner to conclude your day with an authentic Balinese Fire Dance Ritual. Take a dip in the hotel’s swimming pool that is designed as a lagoon. Immerse yourself in relaxation at the Iridium Spa with a variety of treatments like Champagne and Tea Treatment, and Aqua Vitale Sea Salt Bath erapy. marriott.com

THE RITZ-CARLTON, BALI

Overlooking the Indian Ocean from the Nusa Dua beach, this cli side resort combines luxury with tradition. Select a villa from an enticing range of options, which have private pools: the Pavilion VIlla which o ers pool access, Garden Villa, Cli villas, Sky villas, and a stunning Oceanfront Villa. Feast on seafood by the beachfront at the Beach Grill, where you can also have a romantic candle-light dinner in the evening. Enjoy Indonesian cuisine at Bejana, the hotel’s cli op restaurant. Breakfast at Senses on a variety of local and international dishes. Sip on a cocktail with the ocean in the background and so music playing at the Ritz-Carlton Lounge and Bar. Unwind a er a long day at the hotel’s spa with treatments that make use of pearls, seaweed, hydrotherapy stations, and luxurious bathing pools in this tropical haven. ritzcarlton.com

W BALI - SEMINYAK

Located in the heart of Seminyak, W Bali is at the hub of Bali’s nightlife, fashion, and gastronomy. Choose between garden and ocean views from your hotel rooms, and private pool views from your villa. e hotel provides amenities in each room that thrust you into the lap of luxury, like terrazzo bathtubs and 350 thread-count bed covers. Don’t miss out on a gastronomic experience of a lifetime at Fire, the hotel’s restaurant that serves meat boards including dry-aged ribeye and kiwami wagyu. Relax by the beach at Star sh Bloo whilst trying out PanAisan cuisine and seafood. Let your hair down to DJ’s beats at Woobar Bali with a cocktail in hand, or lie down on a deck chair to enjoy the sunset in the evenings. Look out for the exceptional Balinese inspired architecture like the rice terrace inspired Wet Pool, and the chandeliers in the lobby that pay homage to the traditional temple roofs. marriott.com

Hilton Bali Resort

Overlooking the Sawangan Beach and the Indian Ocean, Hilton Bali is a tropical paradise. e hotel keeps in tune with the beach vibe with four pools, a sand lagoon, and a 30m water slide. When you are not sunbathing at the beach, play a quick game of tennis on one of the multiple courts present in the hotel premises, or grab a workout at the tness centre. Choose from the cli tower pool view, ocean view, lagoon, and pool villa for your stay. Get breakfast with co ees at the hotel’s Deli. Indulge in all-day dining with an open kitchen at Grain. Paon Bali resto and Bar is a must-visit for its tradition-inspired interiors, Balinese delicacies like Babi Guling, and interactive live kitchen stations. Have a drink and Mediterranean cuisine at the open air roo op Shore Restaurant and Bar. A er a long day, lie back in the hotel’s spa for a massage that soothes the mind and body. hilton.com BTI