Buzzing Bali
By Radhika Mimani
Pix by Abhishek Mimani

If holiday is on your agenda and adventure excites you, shopping lures you, spas rejuvenate you and beaches invite you than Bali is the destination for you. Bali Island is in the southern part of Indonesia. The tropical island has a charm and fascination of its own. It grows on you like the vintage wine and classic melody.
Our six-day trip gave us the opportunity to relax and rewind on the shores of Nusa Dua and Kuta. We landed at Bali's Denpasar airport and thence began the hullabaloo. A 45-minute drive through the town took us to Nusa Dua. The transition into the manicured enclave of Nusa Dua is picturesque. The continuous stream of resorts along this area constitutes a beautifully landscaped estate. It is truly scenic and simply serene to stroll on these paths.
As we reached our resort, we were struck by the sheer expanse of it. The Ayodya Resort on Nusa Dua beach is incredibly sprawling. After a refreshing siesta, we spent the evening on the beach and just enjoyed the sun going down over the blue horizon and fading into the orange of the sky. Tranquil vistas have their own way of calming your nerves. But if you feel up to sports, beach volleyball and football is always an option. For us, the night arrived soon and we tucked ourselves for an early slumber.
Taste of Adventure
The next morning we geared up for an action-packed day. Flipping through the brochures we had collected at the airport, we decided on our choice of water sports. There are tour operators who organize various water sports in different packages or you could organize the same through your hotel which is slightly more expensive. Nusa Dua is a rather calm beach, more suited for sea bathing. Tanjong Benoa is the hub of all water sports. It is a 15-20 minute drive from Nusa Dua. On the way we crossed scores of souvenir and local artefacts shops. The colourful shell and bead trinkets are too tempting for any female to resist; however I resisted them for another day.
Reaching the water sports centre, we were completely charged up for the ensuing adventure. Parasailing was our first indulgence. It is such an exhilarating feeling to be up there in the open blue sky and looking down at the green water. The 10-minute round is liberating. Coming back to the shore we picked up our snorkeling kit and set off in a speed boat towards a coral reef. The tour guys take you to better spots teeming with marine life. We lowered ourselves into the waters of Tanjong Benoa and were greeted by a mesmerizing and vibrant aquatic world. The school of exotic colourful fishes that surround you, is an extraordinary experience. After an hour of snorkeling, our tired bodies headed back to the shore. But a round of refreshments and we were ready for more excitement. Fly Fish was our next and novel adventure. We were strapped onto an inflatable raft horizontally, which was then pulled by a speed boat. The boat accelerates its speed so high that the raft takes off vertically in the air and you stand against it. It is totally thrilling !
Song of Dusk and Lyrics of Dawn
The day was well-spent loaded with activity. Evenings are quite enchanting in Bali. “Bali Collection” in Nusa Dua is an interesting place to hang out. It is actually a square of restaurants, boutiques and showrooms. The lighting, live bands, traditional dance show all..... add up to a very delightful atmosphere while you mingle with the crowd or grab a bite at an eatery. There is scrumptious variety for sea-food lovers but vegetarians too can conveniently sail through.
The next day was a sun-filled languorous morning where the flavours of hot waffles and maple syrup were lingering in the breakfast air. Later, a game of table tennis under the shade of frangipani was amusing. Then as our lethargy subsided we decided to explore the nearby Bualu Village. It is a traditional market with good options of pubs and restaurants as well. As we walked down, we suddenly heard cheers of “Shah Rukh Khan”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Rahul” hailed at us from the locals. That was an interesting welcome for us Indians. More so, it was amazing to see the far-flung reach of our own Bollywood and the stupendous fan following that SRK enjoys.
The Bualu Village is full of interesting quaint shops selling beachwear and trinkets. Bikes and cars can also be easily rented here; though do not forget to bargain. We hired bikes and went around Nusa Dua and Tanjong Benoa feeling the humid Bali air behind us. Bali is also famous for its rejuvenating spas and massages. However, beware lest you end up in a cheap beauty saloon, because every second place along Tanjong Benoa prides itself as a spa.
Our next destination in Bali was the glitzy Kuta and Legion region. Hotel Padma Bali is a beautiful property on the Kuta beach. The beach here is cleaner and the sand feels like muslin, very fine and soft. You could hire jet scooters or enjoy the splash of water with the body boards. For the more daring, surfing is an excellent option here. In fact, there are also teaching sessions held for amateurs. After riding over the waves, we settled for a relaxed evening in the hotel's lounge. We were in for another surprise there. The lead singer of the hotel's live band, recognizing us as Indians, started singing “Tum Paas Aaye” from King Khan's flick. We cheered along though she was clueless of the song's meaning.
Swing to the Music
For the nocturnal creatures, this place has much to offer. The Legion area abounds in night clubs, discotheques and pubs. The night life is very vivacious and gets in full swing only past midnight continuing till the wee hours. Numerous night clubs are clustered together which transform the whole place into a dazzling world of glamour and razzmatazz. The music and mood sway you to its own beat. The atmosphere here is a paradox between being electrifying and chilled out. We had a great night out letting our hair down.
Bali is not over yet, for the shopaholics will have a treat at Seminyak Street. An array of upmarket boutiques of clothes, footwear, handbags and silver jewellery await you. The stuff there is indeed trendy, though with no apparent cost advantage. The more active and spirited souls can plan a number of day-trips to other parts of Bali like Kintamani, Mount Batur, Ayung River, Gitgit Waterfalls, Ubud and others. But we opted for a rather laid back holiday and stuck to the blue oceans of Bali.

All in all, the Island is inviting for any traveller and pleasing for every guest on its land. It has the romance of the old world, the charm of youth and the chutzpah of the new age. Rekindle your heart and invigorate your mind as you look at the majestic horizon of the azure sky meeting the emerald water.

The Legion area abounds in night clubs, discotheques and pubs. The night life is very vivacious and gets in full swing only past midnight continuing till the wee hours.
Numerous night clubs are clustered together there.

Bali Collection in Nusa Dua is an interesting place to hang out. It is actually a square of restaurants, boutiques and showrooms. The lighting, live bands, traditional dance show..... all add up to a very delightful atmosphere while you mingle with the crowd or
grab a bite at an eatery.

Fact File
Getting There: There is no direct flight from India. One can fly via Bangkok, Malaysia or Singapore

Best Time to Visit: July to Mid-September and Mid November to January. Bali has tropical climate round the year.

Accommodation: There are various options from luxurious to comfortable beach resorts and hotels. Beautiful Villas with private pool and personal car are also a good option if planning a family holiday.