Denpasar - Of all of the islands around the world, one of the most exquisite and diverse, has to be Bali.
This Indonesian island is famous for its beaches, coral reefs, forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, vibey bars, and yoga and meditation retreats.
Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, which is an area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. You'll find over 500 reef building coral species in this area. To put that into perspective, that is seven times more than what you'll find in the entire Caribbean.
With this much beauty and variety on one island, it really is no wonder why it was the 'Love' protagonist in Elizabeth Gilbert's book-turned mega Hollywood blockbuster, Eat, Pray, Love.
While love might be one factor that leads you to Bali, each person has their own reason and desire for wanting to visit this one-of-a-kind Island delight, and Bali pretty much caters for every single one of those reasons.
If you're a beach bum, Gili Trawangan needs to be on your bucket list. Reputed to be more beautiful than any of the other Gili Islands, its crystal clear waters and pure white sand will have you feeling like you've stepped into a dream. Dine on Indonesian delicacies and watch the sun set from your beach front hotel. If your dream is to dive, snorkel and sun worship to your heart's content, Gili T is ideal. With some of the best diving in all of Indonesia, you'll want to make the most of every minute here.
Gili T also has one of the largest turtle populations in the Indonesian Islands and you'll have the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat. It's important to note that there are no cars or scooters on this island. The only way to get around is by foot, bicycles or on a horse carriage. Tours like Contiki's eight day Bali Island Hopper will take you to Gili T (as well as Seminyak and Senggigi) and show you the best of Bali with an expert guide. The fact that they also provide pre-booked ferries for you to get from island to island, hassle free, is another bonus.
Surfers will revel in delight on Senggigi - an area which is very well known for its beautiful west facing beaches. How about a new kind of adventure in the form of taking a drive down to the southern end of the island to Kuta. For the surfing newbies, you'll be pleased to know that while you're checking out the surf breaks, you'll have the opportunity to pick up some tips from the locals with a surf lesson at one of the pristine beaches or on a reef break where the fishermen paddle you out to the waves - no jet skis here!
For the adrenaline junkies, there is a wide range of dive sites with high quality reefs, all with their own unique attractions. Be careful to not get too lost in Bali's beauty that you forget about safety. Many sites have strong currents and swell, so diving without a knowledgeable guide can be dangerous. If you do travel with Contiki, they have a “Me Time” option where you can opt to do a Diving Day Course (VIP Certified Dive Excursion or Intro Dive Day) or head off on a Snorkelling Day Trip around the Gili Islands. Safety and prep factor, sorted.
Whether you're in search of soul-healing, relaxation, adventure or fun, Bali has got you covered.
IOL, adapted from a press release.