Why You Should Add Bali to Your Round the World Trip

by aseper | December 21st, 2011   Tweet

The entire region of Southeast Asia is a hotbed for backpackers and those on long-term trips, and Bali is at or near the top of the list. And why wouldn’t it be? The beaches, the rice terraces, the temples, the food, the drinks, and the super cheap prices have travelers coming back for more. No matter what type of trip you’re on, adding an island paradise is always a good idea. If you are planning a RTW trip, then it makes perfect sense to add Bali to your itinerary.

While Bali is definitely the most touristy part of Indonesia, there’s a reason for that. Unfortunately because of the popularity, there are those travelers who leave Bali off their list. Long-term, RTW travelers love to find new and off-the-beaten-path locations, and even if you are not the type who likes super touristy destinations, there are plenty of ways to experience the Indonesian culture in a place like Bali.

Our sister site over on BootsnAll has been putting together city guides that focus on long-term, RTW travel. They have been updating, revamping, and adding tips and advice for getting the most indie experience out of a trip to any city. If you are thinking about adding Bali to a RTW trip, then it’s a good idea to head on over to Boots and see what they have to say.

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5 Foods You Should Try in Bali [Sponsored Post]

by BootsnAll | July 6th, 2011   Tweet

This post is brought to you by Flight Centre Australia. For more information on sponsored posts read here.

There are several memories you will bring back from your Bali holiday — the sights of the varied and stunning terrain, the smiles of the warm and welcoming people, and the sounds of the waves crashing against the shoreline. One thing you may not anticipate is the distinctive and exciting cuisine. There are several fascinating Balinese foods you should try during your stay. Here are the top 5:

This is a uniquely Indonesian dish which is essentially a vegetable mixture covered in a peanut sauce. This is an incredibly common menu item from hawkers or stalls on the side of the road. While you can try this meal in Indonesian restaurants around the world, it is unique in Bali for its plethora of sauce. Not just a light dressing, the sauce covers and coats each single ingredient. The sauce is so common, in fact, that you can buy blocks of the paste in grocery stores and simply add hot water to make. Purchase a block as a souvenir to create your own Gado Gado when you return home!

This is a traditional dessert from Bali, and is a rice porridge. What make it different from Western rice porridges is that it is made from a local black rice. Coconut milk is also a major ingredient, making the entire dish incredibly rich and creamy. This is certainly the most popular dessert dish among visitors to Bali, and if you have a sweet tooth you absolutely must try it.

You may not be able to tell what Godoh Gedang is until you take a bite. After that first taste, however, it’s impossible not to know that you’re eating a delicious fried banana. It is a very common snack sold by food vendors in Bali, as well as other Indonesian and Singaporean locations. This battered and then fried banana was introduced to the area in the 16th century by the Portuguese, and it has caught on to become almost a national dish. Try it covered with cinnamon sugar or fresh cream for a filling and sweet afternoon snack.

Although you might not ever even consume this fruit while you are in Bali, you will most certainly smell it. Known as the “king of fruits,” durian has a powerful odour that is most often described by visitors as highly unpleasant. However, locals consider it a delicacy, and the potent fruit has been said to have a nutty or custardy flavour. Bali holiday packages that include local day tours often include a fresh market stop where you can purchase the fruit. Try it if you dare!

This is a must-try food for every visitor to Bali. Many tourist restaurants and hotels will offer a special night complete with a roasted suckling pig, but for a true Balinese experience try it in a local restaurant instead (and save quite a bit of money, while you’re at it). The pig roasts on a spit for around 5 hours, and then in carried into the restaurant. Act quickly, because it may be gone within the hour–locals flock to the best places to fill up early!

What’s your favorite Indonesian food?

Photo by: Kazue Asano

A Few Things You Should Bring to Bali

by Barrie | February 18th, 2011   Tweet

Bali is a crazy strange place for first-time arrivals and besides being overwhelming [that includes starting at the airport] it is a full-on experience. For those of us who have years under-our-belts it’s a bit of the ‘ol ho-hum usual. There are several things new travellers to Bali could bring with them that would be helpful during their stay on the island.

Of course good common sense and sometimes logic helps but of course it is a matter of letting-go and stop ‘thinking western’ and expecting everything to be just like home because it just isn’t. If you can let yourself go and immerse yourself into the fascinating culture then an awesome experience awaits you. However, it is the material things that help when you visit Bali (besides money!].

First Aid Kit: Without a doubt the first thing you should throw into your suitcase or backpack, and, make sure it is up-to-date. Suggested medications to include in your first aid kit are analgesics (Tylenol, ASA, codeine), antimalarials (discuss with medical professional), antidiarrheal (Imodium, Pepto-Bismol); antibiotic such as Cipro, Zithromax), rehydration salts (Gastrolyte), antihistamine (Benadryl), sunscreen and the usual prescription and non-prescription medications used regularly. Others to be included in your kit should bandaids, tensor bandage, tweezers, Swiss Army knife, insect repellent. Or, if you don’t want to make up your own then simply buy one from any Red Cross store.

Guidebook and Balinese / Indonesian Phrase Book: There is a literal plethora of these in any bookshop in the city where you live. It’s best to purchase these at home as they can be expensive in Indonesia. Before you leave for Bali, browse through the guidebook and obtain some idea of the paces you want to visit. Learn from the phrasebook even if it’s only the usual greetings etc. A few words of the local lingo will unlock many social encounters.

As far as guidebooks are concerned, I prefer using Rough Guides because they are very nuts & bolts oriented, listing guest houses, places to eat, festivals and good all round information.

International Driving Licence: It is very true that your mode of transportation is one of the main factors that will affect your trip to Bali. So, if you fancy taking on the crazed road skills of the local drivers and the terrain then having an International Driving Licence will allow you to rent cars and motorbikes. Make sure to obtain insurance when you rent the mode of transport you choose.

Laptop or Notebook: I wouldn’t leave home without mine! Besides being handy for detailing the events of the day, they are also a great for downloading all your images from your digital camera. Most internet cafes on the tourist strip accommodate for laptop use. The size is up to you but a 15” like the one I use is excellent. They are also for recording all the special people you meet and names of cool places you encounter.

Ear plugs: These are easily purchased at any chemist or camping store. The reason I have added earplugs to this list is because they are useful if you wind up in a hotel on a busy street. Also, most of the 5 star hotels have ‘theme nights’ and these can be quite rowdy through until the early hours.