What To See In Bali by James S.

Bali, one of the most beautiful places in the world, holds an unparalleled mystique for any lover of the south pacific. Filled with incredible scenery and colorful culture, a visit to Bali is an experience you will never forget. Especially if you pick up a souvenir or two, and snap some good photos.

Rather then simply wandering about alone, it is a good idea to get a guided tour of the island. The local people will obviously have a much better idea of where the good sites to see are, as well as hopefully knowing how to avoid the rush of other tourists. Here are a few of the major scenes you may want to look at, so be sure to tell your guide you want to visit them.

The Ubud Monkey Park

If you are a fan of monkeys and other wildlife, then the monkey park is for you. You can buy small fruits such as bananas right at the entrance, to feed to the monkeys, or just wander around watching them. Remember though, that although they might seem quite human at times they are still just monkeys, and you need to be careful. Nevertheless, the scenery is gorgeous, and the habitats are excellently done.

The Pura Luhur Uluwatu

A "directional temple", the Uluwatu temple was created to defend Bali from evil spirits that might attack from the south west. It has a great deal of importance in local festivals and rituals, and is surrounded by a number of other ornate and beautiful temples. The temple itself was founded in the 1100s, although the surrounding temples weren't built until the seventeenth century.

The Batur Volcano Complex

This amazing volcano is a must-see in Bali. Still active, this volcano is one of the most popular attractions in Bali. The caldera alone is over 10 kilometers wide and approximately 450 meters deep. Much legend and lore surrounds the volcano, and it is said to be Goddess Danu's throne.

Barong Dance

The phrase "Barong Dance" is often used just to refer to a dance where the dancers where animal masks, however the original meaning of the word is quite different. Barong was a character in Balinese mythology, the king of good spirits. Although each region represents Barong by a different animal, and he is most commonly shown as a lion, it is unclear what exactly the original, mythical Barong actually was.

I'm sure you'll form your own opinions of the best places in Bali, but remember that as in any popular tourist spot, there are people out there to take advantage of you. Take care, make sure you know what you're doing, and you shouldn't have any nasty surprises. Oh, and turn down anything offered for free- it very rarely really is.