Fly To Bali

Can I fly to Bali direct?

The Sunday Times opens its travel clinic on a daily basis to answer your holiday queries. Today: how to travel independently to Indonesia

I want to visit Bali next April, but do it myself, rather than use a tour operator. What's the best and cheapest way to fly there direct? Jamie Bell, London

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Currently, all Indonesian airlines are banned from entering European Union airspace, so there aren't any direct flights from the UK to Bali.

Garuda (0871 222 3313), the national carrier, did used to fly from London to Jakarta, with good connections on to Bali, but for now it is only able to offer flights with Malaysian Airlines to Kuala Lumpur, and then Garuda on to Bali, from about £580.

Holiday Trip

Holidays and carbon footprints: our lust for foreign travel should be quelled

writes Richard Hammond

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon said that "climate change is the moral challenge of our generation" at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.

While many of us are doing our bit for the planet - by insulating our homes, installing low-energy lightbulbs and recycling religiously, our willingness to live a low carbon life is often at odds with how we choose to go on holiday. And social care staff are no different, see www.communitycare.co.uk/Polls/List.aspx

The number of British people travelling abroad has more than tripled over the past 20 years, due largely to the cheaper cost of flying, although there is a heavy carbon cost of jumping on a jet. One return flight from London to Australia emits about four tonnes of carbon dioxide a person and even a short hop from Edinburgh to Malaga emits more than half a tonne of carbon dioxide for each person. With just one short flight you are likely to emit the equivalent of all the carbon dioxide you may have saved in the home throughout the year.

What then are the alternatives? Mile for mile, some cars with one person on board emits similar proportions of carbon dioxide to a plane, although with more passengers this comes right down.

Trains - as long as the line is electrified - emit far less carbon dioxide per person a return train trip from London to Edinburgh emits just 50kg of carbon dioxide, less than three times that produced by driving or flying the same distance.

There are lots of fantastic places you can reach by rail, such as the Scottish highlands, Penzance where you can catch the ferry to the Isles of Scilly, and Holyhead for the ferry to Dublin. And now that Eurostar is plugged into the European high-speed network you can reach many destinations on the Continent in a day. With rail, however, prices vary enormously depending on when you book, in the manner of air travel.

Low-impact holidays, such as camping, have had a renaissance because of the improvement to tent designs as well as the growth of "luxury campsites", such as Feather Down Farm Days in Hampshire and Canvas Chic in France. And there are now greener options available for most types of holidays, from city breaks to summer holidays.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme has certified more than 1,400 tourism businesses in England and Scotland - from B&Bs to five-star hotels that use energy and water more efficiently, send less waste to landfill and source local, seasonal and organic food.

You can do several things on holiday to make it greener. Small actions, such as turning off the lights, air-conditioning and heating when you leave your hotel room, can make a major difference to your holiday's environmental footprint.

So too will using a bike instead of a car. In the UK most people live within a mile of the National Cycle Network. For details of your nearest routes visit the website of the sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

Green places to stay in the UK

● Apex Hotel, Edinburgh (0845 365 0000)

A four-star hotel in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, which has the gold award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme for its commitment to reducing energy and water use and using environmentally friendly chemicals.

● Mossgrove Hotel, Cumbria (01539 435251)

A Victorian mansion in the heart of the Lake District that has been refurbished as a modern, eco-friendly hotel, including beds made from sustainable wood sources and a restaurant that serves fair trade and organic food.

● Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall (01637 860555)

A large, family-friendly hotel on the north Cornish coast that has energy key card readers for the rooms, low-energy lightbulbs and a new eco-friendly spa.

● Ecocabin, Shropshire (01547 530183)

A cosy solar-powered lodge in the Shropshire hills. The cabin is built out of wood, wool, reeds, lime and clay and has everything you need for a week's self-catering, including a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, utility room, lounge and bathroom.

● YHA Midlands (0870 770 8868)

The Youth Hostel Association's newest hostel in the heart of the National Forest has a range of eco-features, including solar water heating and a wood-fuelled boiler that uses sustainable wood chips sourced from the forest.

Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel opens its new Club Floor

Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel launched its new and exclusive Club Floor late last week, featuring 42 Club Rooms and Suites and also the Plaza Club Lounge.

The extensive renovation has seen all the rooms styled with a modern contemporary look and contemporary Balinese furnishings. It also represents a milestone for the hotel industry in Bali, as the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel is the first 4 star resort in Bali to have a Club Lounge and dedicated Club Floors.

The new Club Floor was designed to specifically cater for the Corporate, Government, Meetings and Incentive markets, as well as the leisure traveller.

Kuta House

Get Your Satay on at Kuta House

Mention the word Kuta to a surfer or a globetrotter and the first thing that comes to mind is the Balinese fishing village turned beach resort. The folks behind Kuta Satay House & Wine Bar are looking to get the same name recognition from diners with their new spot on the Lower East Side.

With a menu that gives shoutouts to various Indonesian locales and a dining room decked out with Balinese masks, it's clear where Kuta's heart lies. Like an ambitious Peace Corps worker, Kuta's bill of fare also makes stops in Korea, Thailand, India and Malaysia -- and that's just the satay page.

Gothamist's ordering strategy on our first visit skewed heavily toward the list of a dozen skewers. Peppery chunks of chicken tandoori were super tender, though a sidecar of cucumber relish could have used a bit more zing. Soy-brushed Indonesian chicken madura was good, but couldn't touch the stellar tandoori.

Lombok spicy seafood mix is named for the island that's home to the restaurant's namesake city of Kuta. And what a mix, the combination of chili lemongrass tiger shrimp, scallop and cuttlefish crammed onto the skewer was so good we briefly considered packing our bags and heading to Bali to learn how to surf. The sole disappointment among the satay was the Indonesian beef Madura, bits of tough chewy flank steak slicked with peanut sauce and topped with crispy shallots.

We also tried the Jimbaran crab cake, named after a Balinese city renowned for its fresh seafood. The gigantic disk of crab meat packed was a powerhouse of Indonesian spices and barely needed the chili aioli sauce. We had high hopes for the Kuta burger, but were disappointed. While it was a good burger, the only thing Asian about it was the spicy dipping sauce. If the chef could get the meat to sing with the same flavor as that crab cake then Kuta would have a burger tasty enough to make any surfer shout, "Cowabunga!"

Bali Hotel, Dynasty Resort

Bali Dynasty Resort

Sunday, January 06, 2008

If you are looking for accommodation that combines the beautiful surroundings of Bali with exciting nightlife and local hot spots then look no further than the Bali Dynasty Resort in South Kuta. Situated within beautiful tropical gardens and located near a beach front, this hotel caters for both families and couples.

Bali Dynasty Resort features not only an adult’s only pool and the famous Gracie Kelly pub also a kid’s pool equipped with a 56 metre waterslide and an Enchanted Garden Kids Club. There is also a wide variety of rooms to choose from, with rooms sleeping up to five people.

The hotel also combines a local Balinese architectural feel with international standard décor, giving guests a unique experience with the comforts of the familiar.

Some of the activities within the resort include: an exercise room, kids playground and tree house, a hair braid and tattoo artists and even a professional photographer. Parents can rest assured that their kids will be taken care of with the baby sitting service available and an on call 24 hr doctor service. There is also a list of daily activities that guests can choose from seven days a week. And essential amenities in the hotel include high speed internet access, meeting & banquet facilities for up to 300 people and a same day laundry and valet service.

Guests can choose from a selection of five different restaurants and bars to dine in and have a fun night with friends. Guests can also ease their tensions at the resort’s Dynasty Spa Villa with two “Royal” suits available with a massage bed.

Couples can also book a double massage room to unwind together. A massage bale is also available outside the main spa next to the lazy pool.

The hotel can also cater for your very special wedding day, providing an experienced team of people who will provide a priest and all the ceremony details. Married couples can also choose to renew their special vows at the resort.

This hotel not only features all the essential facilities that you could think of but also adds that extra touch to make your stay all the more special. Whether you are on your honeymoon or taking the family away for the holidays, experience the best that Bali has to offer with Bali Dynasty Resort.

Barong dance

Barong is character in Bali mythology. It is king from souls and also symbolise kindliness. He represent enemy Rangda in Bali mythology. Banas Pati Rajah is soul consorting a child in life. Banas Pati Rajah trusted as soul moving Barong. Sebagai of Protector soul, Barong often be presented as a lion. Folk dance in Bali Depicting encounter of between Barong And Rangda is very famous and often be showed as attraction wisata

Barong Lion is one of the five forming Barong. Di of Bali Island of each;every shares of Bali island have protector soul for land and its forest each. Each Barong from deputizing described as certain district of different animal. There are forest pig, tiger, snake or fragon, and the lion. Form Barong as very popular lion and come from Gianyar. Located here Ubud, representing famous tourism place. In Calonarong or Bali dances, Barong use its witchraft to defeat Rangda.

Barong dance tell a story about kindliness versus badness in the world. When there is a kindliness hence there is also the badness and both always present in human life. By the end of demonstrating there is a extreme attraction, a human being jabed with sword and really the sword is not even a little hurt him.

Nusa Dua Beach And Hotel

This is the Best! You will regret if having the day off to Bali do not visit this coast. Its situation which is in Bali south, and enough far from Kuta, making this coast is silent enough the visitor. Though, beauty of this coast without a parallel

Water which the transparent, calm, joined by white sand, representing most place engross to discharge all tired after job one week

Coast of Nusa Dua have the two isle which nowadays have one with coast. that Coastal second only contain grove and just just grass. Multitudes go to this coast, it is possible that most moment preoccupy. And surely going there both only with your couple..!

In Nusa Dua you can try several water sport, for example banana boat, paraselling, motor boat, diving, etc. At Nusa Dua also built many hotel and restaurant with provide high class services.

Bedugul

Bedugul Wanajaya

Bedugul is a countryside name. But the many people which of opinion other; dissimilar with word Bedugul. A lot of which spell out members That Bedugul is lake name, temple name or even the market name. But in balinese language, bedugul mean "penis", this is strange, right???

That ascription emerge probably because besides as a countryside, Bedugul also is a complex. In a area which more or less have diameter 5 km, there are some kinds of place drawing to be visited. Started from Desa Bedugul itself, Kebon Raya, and Lake Beratan ( second biggest lake in Bali), Pura Ulun Danu, and Traditional Market Candi Kuning

Wide fair to middling Existing Kebon Raya here. Even if according to myself, far flung. From back part to back part of Kebon Raya if we walking can pass the time 20 minute. Here there are hundreds of plant species, start from beautiful for example flower rose till which ’ thormy horo’ and also there.

Lake Beratan according to very attractive me also. Besides its water is fresh, we can rent speed boat which can be brought by self or can also rent guide to usher us. Its own boat are immeasurable. There are rowing boat, boat of machine or motorboat

Traditional Market Candi kuning is a place which suited for buying present especially fruit. Bedugul known as a fruit producer. There are strawberry, maize, markisa, etc. All in one "deh"...

Actually, most matter draw in Bedugul is its air is very chilled. Others its landscape is which can see almost entire/all Bali. If in java, Bedugul possible loo like Puncak (West java, Indonesia)

Bali Guide

GUIDE TO BALI

This BALI GUIDE is maintained and updated regularly by foreign residents living in Bali, usually once a week – sometimes more often. You're invited to visit frequently and to bookmark this page.

You'll find on this site current information on the island of Bali in Indonesia and down-to-earth advice, sometimes biased by personal experiences but never influenced by commercial considerations. (The server space is provided by Balivillas.com/Bali.com Ltd as a free service to all visitors to Bali.)

BALI — THE "ULTIMATE ISLAND"

In spite of many changes caused by the rapid development of Bali's economy, local and international tourism, and communications (television, fax, pagers, GSM hand phones, Internet), the influx of people from other Indonesian islands, and the strong influence of the government and "big business" in Jakarta, the island of Bali in Indonesia is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

Bali's wide variety of attractions, the physical beauty of the island, and the year-round pleasant climate make Bali a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island".

The friendly people and the absence of any serious criminal activities guarantee visitors a totally relaxing stay – which is a very pleasant surprise for guests who repeatedly felt threatened in Barbados, Jamaica, and other "dream islands" in the Caribbean.

Honeymoon destination

Las Vegas, Nevada. The city that never sleeps, Las Vegas's bustling nightlife ensures you'll find something to entertain you and your loved one. With great food, wonderful attractions and entertainment that cannot be found anywhere else, Las Vegas is a supreme honeymoon destination anytime of the year.

The Caribbean. If you truly want to feel pampered, the tropical Caribbean offers everything couples could want for a romantic honeymoon. Beautiful beaches, tropical islands and wonderful shopping will entice and enchant you and your partner at this honeymoon location of a lifetime.

Ireland. A country

rich with history, Ireland offers a truly unique honeymoon experience. Beautiful landscapes, towering cliffs and amazing ocean views are the perfect setting for your romance. Tour an ancient castle, have a picnic on the beach or watch the sun set over the water and you'll truly feel in paradise.

Paris, France. What better place to spend your union as husband and wife? Visit the Eiffel Tower, tour the various historic landmarks and take in the scenery at a sidewalk cafe or bistro. Truly romantic, Paris will delight you and your significant other with fine dining, shopping, tourist attractions and luxury hotels.

Italy. If you enjoy fabulous cuisine, picturesque landscapes and a climate that seems perfect year round, you'll want to visit Italy on your romantic honeymoon. The people are friendly and welcoming, and the shopping cannot be beat. Tour old ruins to understand the country's history or take a seaside walk by a looming medieval castle. You'll definitely remember this honeymoon long after it's over.

No matter where you decide to spend your honeymoon, you'll find the perfect romantic spot is a place that will be special to both of you; a trip you'll remember for the rest of your life.

By Denise Shively