Bali is Still Worth a Visit

Very often many thing become reality inspired by a dream. For example if one wants to have a very memorable holiday he will choose a place which have everything to fulfill his needs or his requests sometimes begin with a sweet dream. If a dream tells about beautiful island lies under the equator and have a nice weather all year round, an oasis of undying culture and quiet beauty, if so, Bali has it all.

Bali is a beautiful island situated within Indonesian Archipelago and one of the best tourist destinations in Asia. In 1930th some of the foreign writers and artists arrived in Bali and stayed on, thoroughly seduced and inspired by the island’s breathtaking physical beauty and cultural complexity. They were also deeply impressed by the warmth and the hospitality of the Balinese, and the amazing breadth of artistic expression that pervaded daily life.

Since 1970th Bali performed his high quality in tourism industry, and attracted many bona fide tour operators and airlines companies to bring their clients to enjoy this enchanting island. The island boast a Bali International Airport, luxuries 5 star Bali hotels, best built Bali villas, luxury and typical secluded resorts ad even hundreds of budget hotels.

The development in tourism industry continues in progress for years, and the visitors of Bali can learn and explore more its unique places of interest, various typical local cultures, enjoy the hospitality of the people, as well as other tourist attractions such as diving, snorkeling, para-gliding, cruising, rafting and even sports. Besides, Bali Island is also an ideal place for having MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) and honeymoon. Tourism actually has been becoming a massive industry and the main source of Bali’s income.

In October 2002 and again in October 2005 Bali was frightened by a violence terrorist’s attack, the boom blast that devastated the island of Bali and the international community. More than 200 lives were lost and hundreds more were injured. It need months for recoveries and the Balinese people is still working hard to rebuild the image of the island and we look forward to a brighter and promising future for the Balinese and our tourism industry.

The Balinese have their own way to respond the terrorist attack not by physical violence but by peaceful means; performing major cleansing ceremonies, prayer and hopes, establishing a memorial for the lost lives, because the Balinese believe that the true and utmost prayer have a magic power to face up to evil. The Balinese doctrine Ruwa Bineda tells that all nature is eternally divided into pairs – high and low, right and left, day and night, strong and weak, healthy and sick, clean and unclean; in general: good and evil, life and death. Each illuminates the other within the scope of creation, and the Balinese ritual strives always to maintain a middle ground – a harmony between two poles. So wherever one goes, be a wise man and beware of any possible dangers and put oneself on guard, because the good and the bad are everywhere in this world.

All the appropriate efforts has been performed by Indonesian Government and the Balinese people and also by the world in order to keep the island peaceful. For the Balinese after performing major ceremonies, it is now time to move ahead and leave the incident behind us. Bali Loves Peace is our motto, peace for everyone, and peace for the world. Many of the visitors have been proved the peace of the island after the incident and leaved Bali with a memorable stay.

So if you plan a vacation do not doubt to put Bali at your top list for your next holiday destination. Bali is still worth a visit after the boom tragedy, because the situation is well in hand now. The easiest way to book your preferred Bali Hotels is go online and visit a hotel reservation website. Do a search for the city or island you are traveling to (Indonesia-Bali) and you will be presented with a list of available Bali hotels/Bali Villas in that area. Or you can search a local reliable Bali Tour Operator and contact him by e-mail for further information.

Bali Tour Guide – What to Look For to Find the Right One

Finding the right Bali Tour Guide can make the difference between a good holiday and a great one.

There are many good guides in Bali. But for every good one, there is a dud. When you are planning your trip to Bali, you obviously want to get the best value for your money, and will want someone who can help you make the most of your visit.

Finding a good guide can make an amazing impression on your holiday. A bad guide could certainly leave you wondering what might have been.

Some guides will have bomb cars, while others have late model cars. The difference between sitting in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for 8 hours versus one without A/C and a broken seat is obvious. Pick someone with a good car.

It is important that your Bali Tour Guide has a good knowledge of the Island. That is fairly obvious. It is fair to assume that someone who is driving for a living would know Bali, but don’t take it for granted. It is the hidden treasures of Bali that are sometimes the best. Only experience will find those special places.

Your guide should have a good grasp on your spoken language. Communication is the key. I am assuming that you will want someone who speaks English if you are reading this. They don’t have to be fluent, but you need to easily understand each other. Trying to tell your guide that you need a toilet stop by sign language could be embarrassing.

You definitely don’t want someone who is receiving “kick backs” from manufacturers or retailers. Most Balinese are honest hard working people, but a rare few are unethical. You do not want to be going to the most expensive silver manufacturer in Teluk, and being told they are the cheapest, only to discover your guide is pocketing 20% of the sale. Or similarly being taken to a “great restaurant” where the food was very ordinary, but the driver receives a commission.

The last quality of a good Tour Guide is his character. The last thing you will need on a long day trip is a driver who wants to talk all day, and thinks he is a comedian. Almost as bad is someone with no personality that only mumbles seven words for the entire day. A guide who can communicate on an intelligent level is ideal.

Check out the guide you intend to use carefully, and then sit back and enjoy the ride.

Top Sights To See During Bali Holidays

It is well known that Bali holidays bring travellers to one of the most famous and exotic island destinations in all the world. Long beloved by holidaymakers for its beautiful beaches and cloud covered mountain peaks that make it appear as something out of a dream, this tropical paradise offers much to do and see. The problem for many is trying to figure out what not to miss whilst visiting Bali.

Although holidaymakers might find themselves unable to take in all the sights that make Bali holidays so revered, there are some major stops that are worth considering for a “must-see” list. They include:

* The Tanah Lot – This destination offers holidaymakers a chance to take in some of the most famous sights in all of Bali. It is often included as a destination in Bali tours. The Tanah Lot is found just outside Tabanan City and is known for its sandy beach, the temple Pura Tanah Lot and its spectacular sunsets.

* Lake Batur – This lake was created more than 30,000 years ago after an eruption of Mount Batur and is a favourite destination for holidaymakers because of its incredible beauty. The lake is often covered in a mist and features the temple of Pura Danu Batur, or the Goddess of the Lake.

* Mount Agung – This stunning, but active, volcanic mountain towers over Bali. It is also known as Gunung Agung and is sometimes called the “navel of the world.” The mountain is sacred to the Balinese and is said to have been erected by the Gods. It was thought to give them a focal point from which to view the world. Holidaymakers who make the trek to the mountain will find the temple Pura Besakih is located here, dedicated more than 1,000 years ago to Vishnu, Brahma and Agung. The temple complex also houses a number of other temples dedicated to various Hindu gods.

* Gunung Batur – This active volcanic mountain is the “female” to Mount Agung’s “Male.”

* Klungkung Royal Palace – Whilst the original palace, built in 1710, was ruin by the Dutch in 1908, a recreation now exists that pays homage to Bali’s past. Today those on Bali holidays will find a destination that offers a beautiful blending of nature and architecture.

* The beaches – Bali has many beaches that call to visitors with their pristine white sands and beautiful turquoise waters. Those on holiday in Bali will discover the beaches are distinct, but equally welcoming.

* Jalan Monkey Forest – Located in Ubud, this forest is known to be a home to three separate troops of gray monkeys. Those on Bali holidays are free to purchase food to feed the monkeys and they can also explore the Temple of the Dead, or Pura Dalem, whilst taking in this attraction.

Bali holidays offer visitors a wide variety of things to do and places to explore. From the natural splendours of Mount Agung and Lake Batur to the royal palace and beyond, the island will entrance holidaymakers with one breathtaking sight after another.

Luxury Destination Villa in Bali

The island of Bali is famous for it’s extraordinary beauty and unique culture. Bali has been voted the # 1 top island for six consecutive years by prestigious New York based TRAVEL + LEISURE magazine. Visitors to Bali are always impressed by its cultural and natural beauty. Explore its unique places of interest and attractions bali has to offer you.

One of Bali regency is Tabanan. Tabanan is the name of a district in west Bali and also the largest town in the district. Tabanan is an area surrounded by a rich landscape of rice terraces. Tabanan is located next to the main east-west road leading to Java. One of Tabanan main tourism attractions is Tanah Lot. Tanah Lot is One of Bali's most revered Hindu shrines, dominates the coastline here and dates back to the 16th century. The temple is perched on a rocky islet and is dedicated to the spirit of the sea and the sheer beauty of the environment. An 18-hole championship golf course is also within the immediate vicinity.

With all those facilities available in Tanah Lot-Tabanan makes several Bali villas development company choose this area to build their property. One such property is The Lotus Residence. This luxury villa is just 10 kilometers from Bali Nirwana Golf Course or Tanah Lot temple. This Luxury villa set amidst in the lush Paddy Fields, Tropical Balinese Garden and Lotus Ponds in the ancient village of Pandak Bandung in Kediri-Tabanan near Tanah Lot on Bali’s West Coast, perched on the ridge of the Laing river valley facing to the east.

Lotus luxury villa was designed and built by a Balinese Architect on 12000 sqm land with a distinctively Balinese flavor design used an alang-alang thatched roof, Balinese entrance gate ‘Angkul’ constructed of brick, natural white paras stone work, timber and traditional structure which has been creating a natural atmosphere blends with modern interior design in harmony with the tranquil garden and idyllic lotus pond.

The whole resident composed of four thatched structure consist of 2 of Two-Bedroom Pavilion and 2 of One-Bedroom Pavilion, Spacious semi open air living and dining area overlooking Lotus Pond with water fountain where guest could enjoy the breezy wind from the valley & paddy fields and a 8 x 20 sqm main swimming pool with Balinese open air garden gazebo ideal for relaxation.

Fully equipped kitchen, a separate staff quarter and full household of staff are also available to look after during your stay. Lotus Residence could comfortably accommodate large families or small groups of golfers and is an ideal setting for hosting intimate gathering or wedding venues. Guest may choose to rent an entire residence or an individual free standing Guest Bedroom within villa.

Traveling With Essential Oils

You have been cooped up inside your house all winter long. Your cabin fever is so high you feel like you are burning up. Spring break is almost here and you can’t wait to get away for a week or two. You have been planing this trip for weeks now and your itinerary is all laid out. Why not let essential oils help you deal with any glitches in your travel plans. They will help in making your vacation go smoothly. 

The Excitement Builds: The closer you get to the day of departure the more excited you become. This is especially evident when you have children. Using geranium and lavender essential oils in your child’s bath will help in keeping anxiety levels at a minimum before and during your trip. 

The Drive: Travel sickness is a problem many people struggle with. Peppermint oil is excellent for calming an uneasy stomach. Before you leave place a drop of peppermint oil in a warm glass of water with one half teaspoon of honey and sip. This will keep your stomach settled for a long time and can be used for children and adults alike. Another option would be to bring a small bag of sugar cubes. Place a single drop of peppermint oil on each cube. If you start to feel a little nauseous, take one of your sugar cubes and suck on it. A nifty device for your drive is an essential oil car diffuser. These little units plug into your cigarette lighter and work extremely well. A good car diffuser is very inexpensive. Only about 10 to 15 dollars and are well worth the price.

Ginger is another essential oil you should take along for the ride. Although it is better known for treating seasickness, it also works well in alleviating other types of travel sickness. If you do not have a car diffuser yet, you can place a couple of drops on a cotton ball or tissue and place them on the front and rear dashboards. In more extreme cases mix 4 drops ginger with 1 teaspoon carrier oil and rub over your abdomen. 

Traffic jams can be very frustrating and set you on edge. Keep you and your passengers cool and calm by placing 1 drop of lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil on a tissue or cotton ball and putting them on the front and rear dashboards. These oils will sooth your nerves and keep them from fraying. Under these conditions these essential oils will not make you sleepy! You will be able to stay on a more even keel, relaxed yet more aware. With a car diffuser you will not have to use tissue and cotton balls. 

Exhaust fumes can cause nausea. If that traffic jam has you choking and gaging place eucalyptus on cotton balls or tissue around the inside of your car. This will help to counteract the smell from the exhaust. 

The Flight: Flying presents us with an entirely new set of problems to deal with. The pressurized air is dry and can cause dehydration, swollen feet and ankles, cramps, dry skin and headaches. Then you are always bumping your knees on the seat in front of you. 

Before you flight drink a cup of peppermint tea using 1 drop of peppermint oil and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water. This will keep your stomach settled and help to keep it from feeling bloated or extended. Gases in your abdomen tend to expand during flights and peppermint oil will help alleviate these problems. 

If you are anxious or nervous about flying you need to take preemptive measures. Before your flight place1 drop of lavender and 1 drop of geranium essential oil on a tissue. Put this tissue in a zip lock bag. When you begin to feel uneasy , pull the tissue out of the bag and take 4 or 5 deep breaths. Now lie back, close your eyes and relax. This will also work should you find yourself becoming irritable during your flight. 

Children on long flights can become fidgety and irritable. Have ready a small bottle with 15 drops chamomile in 2 tablespoons of coconut or almond oil. Before things get out of control, massage this mix on their legs and feet. They will soon settle down. You and those around you will have a much more pleasant flight. Plus you will have plenty of this mix left should you need it later during your vacation. 

For swollen feet and ankles mix 5 drops lavender or eucalyptus oil into a teaspoon of almond oil. Massage on feet and ankles in an upward motion toward the bottom of the calf. This will work wonders at reducing the swelling. 

Are you prone to leg cramps. Have a compress made up before you take flight. Get a clean handkerchief, wet it so it is just damp. Place 5 drops of geranium on the cloth and store in a zip lock bag. When you feel a cramp coming on, take out your compress and place it over the affected area. 

If you are over 5' 8" tall your knees are going to bump the seat in front of you. If your knees get bumped and sore use a compress as mentioned above. With this compress however, use 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Rub this compress all over your knees. This will relax the muscles and reduce the bruising from being bumped around. 

Your Arrival: Once you reach your destination there are a couple of things you should do to ensure your stay is a pleasant one. Even though there are clean sheets on your bed there are also thousands of dust mites that feed off dead skin cells which we are constantly shedding. A precautionary measure to take especially where young children are concerned. Pull back the bed cloths. Then with a tissue that you have placed a few drops of thyme, lavender and lemongrass, wipe the mattress. Very few microorganisms can escape this combination of essential oils exterminating effects. Another method that works well is to place your blend of thyme, lavender and lemongrass in a spritz bottle with a half once of water. Spray this combination over the bed cloths and allow to dry before climbing into bed for the night. 

It is never easy to rest when you are in a strange bed or new environment. The bed isn’t as soft or firm as you are used to. There is a mass of new sounds that you haven’t heard at home. Other hotel guest coming and going. The ice machine at the end of the hall. The elevator whirring up and down and sirens from police cars and ambulances. All these sounds can interrupt your sleep if your not used to them. Use scents that you have been using at home. This will bring about a feeling of familiarity helping you to relax and allowing you a more restful sleep. 

Reality Check: All the excitement and fun you have had over the last week or two has come to an end. Now comes the shock of having to return to those classes or your career. Getting back into your routine can be tough. Placing 2 drops each of peppermint and geranium essential oils on a tissue and taking an occasional whiff will help get you over the shock of reality. The peppermint will keep you alert while the geranium will calm your stress levels while you readjust to your routine.

How to Save Money for Traveling

There are a lot of ways that you can save yourself a lot of money on travel. Many people are traveling less these days because it can get quite costly and expensive, especially for a whole family. Traveling with the whole family is important to do, because it is an opportunity in our busy lives to spend time together and have fun. Our lives could become so hectic that this doesn’t happen often. 

Saving money on travel is all about planning and preparation. The more time you take to plan your vacation, the more time and research you can put into finding a good deal on your dream vacation. You will need to have access to a computer with an internet connection, as most of the great travel deals are found online. You can have a travel agent do the searching for you, but you will have to pay them a fee. 

Decide on a destination that you would like to travel to. Most major destinations have peak and off peak time, and if you travel there in a non peak season, you can typically get a cheaper hotel rate, as well as discounted admission to any parks or admission you might want to see and do. There are also many tips about travel and finance at http://www.fidetips.com for you to read. 

You can find a lot of inexpensive travel deals if you have flexible travel dates. If you can alter your vacation a day or two, you can save yourself a lot of money. You should research on travel websites online to find the best deals. It can be quite expensive to travel on weekends and holidays, but less in the middle of the week. You may skip an airline flight and take the time to drive to your destination, or taking a bus. 

Whenever you plan to travel, you can also save yourself some money by bringing snacks, drink and food on your vacation. This will eliminate eating out so much, which can be really expensive. You may also take advantage and stay at places which have free continental breakfast, which will save you the cost of one meal a day. 

You may also like to travel in a large group that will give you the availability of getting a discount for the larger group. If you are traveling for a wedding or other occasions, ask the hotel in advance if you can set a block on a few rooms, they typically will give you a lower price. 

There are a lot of ways you can save money on travel, making the vacation dream that is affordable an actual reality. You just need to have the time to plan, prepare and search for the best deals. 

Eco Friendly Tourism, St Lucia

More and more savvy travellers are doing their research and choosing ecologically and socially responsible vacation destinations. The surge of the eco-friendly holiday has made responsible tourism trendy while effecting good in the communities which offer the option. St Lucia in the Caribbean has emerged as one of the more preferred eco-friendly destinations, located as it is in the dense rainforest belt of the Caribbean archipelago and boasting a natural beauty that has garnered the attention of international publications like Condè Nast and several tourism industry award bodies.

St Lucia’s lush vegetation and tropical rain forest, which lends itself to hiking, bird watching, camping, and a whole host of nature-related activities, has long made it a favourite of those who are seeking a quieter, more environmentally friendly tourism experience. That is not to say that there isn’t a fair amount for the thrill seeker as well. St Lucia’s dramatic coast is the playground for sailing, diving, snorkelling, wind and kite surfing, all activities which guarantee maximum recreational enjoyment with minimal environmental impact.

The new environmentally conscious traveller is looking for accommodation that subscribes to an eco-friendly ethos, and St Lucia’s hotels and bed and breakfasts have responded to the demand by examining the sources of energy they employ, sustainability of growth and conscientious waste management practices, and by forging relationships with the communities that host them. This is particularly so in Soufriere, St Lucia’s former capital under the French, and breadbasket of the island.

Situated as it is in some of the most fertile land on the island, Soufriere is leading the way in insisting on low air mile produce. Hotels and restaurants are provisioned with the freshest local ingredients grown right in the heart of this remarkable town. And when a resort or restaurant grows their own produce or sources from local farmers and markets, you are guaranteed a great dining experience.

The town of Soufriere, referred to by American personality Oprah Winfrey as one of the top ten places to see before you die, is uniquely placed in its claim to eco-tourism. The coastal town which rises dramatically into some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the island, is home to the iconic Pitons, the sulphur springs, several waterfalls and a botanical garden and constitutes an environmentally and culturally protected area as a World Heritage site. The UNESCO appointed epithet assures the visitor that certain standards are being maintained with regard to the actual upkeep of the site, and the efforts at ecological and architectural preservation and conservation.

St Lucia’s picturesque town of Soufriere is increasingly appearing on the radar of ecologically conscious travellers who want an environmentally friendly holiday with their pina coladas. (Both pineapples and coconuts are locally harvested!).