Rejuvenating Tropical Getaway Vacation to Bali

Bali is an island of mystique and charm, beauty, and passion. Beaches glow with white sand and indigo waters as jungle canopies shimmer with blossoming orchids and oleanders. Cafes offer prominent views to the shoreline and old temples stand atop soaring cliffs and secluded plateaus. Your flight will arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival. Make your way along the brilliance of the lush rainforest landscape that borders the path between the airport and entrance gate to the Nusa Dua community.

The Garuda and other iconic Balinese characters adorn the gates and adhere to the traditional styles of island life. Your hotel stands at the edge of the shoreline and provides stunning views of the Indian Ocean as it splashes at the powdery white sands of the Nusa Dua beaches. Surfers catch waves at Geger Beach as fishers fling their nets onto the water and use techniques that have been passed down through the generations to catch an abundance of fish. Palm trees cast sporadic shade over the walkways and the coastline as the fronds rustle in the sea breeze, and the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the splendors of your resort and Nusa Dua.

Restaurants fill the air with buttery and spiced seafood as cafes entice passersby with aromas of coffee and sweet guava jam to accompany fresh pastries. Make your way to Puja Mandala, a unique complex that consists of religious centers dedicated to the five main religions of Indonesia. The site encompasses nearly five acres of a hilltop terrace with Buddhist and Hindu temples, along with Catholic and Protestant churches, and an Islamic mosque, connoting religious harmony on the island. The complex offers insight into the island’s history with religions and the importance of tradition in Bali.

Surfers return to the morning waters along Geger Beach in search of the perfect wave. Australians introduced the sport to the island in the 1970s after visiting the idyllic cresting waters found beyond the edges of the fringing reefs. The shoreline offers an average of five-foot tall waves as fishing boats line the white sand, each painted with elaborate colors that are visible from the shoreline when out along the open sea, adhering to a tradition of having vessels draped in lucky colors. At breakfast, the scent of banana pancakes will blend with the refreshing fragrance of roasted coffee beans. Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby after your meal and escort you to the sands of Tanah Lot temple. The edifice was erected atop a stunning boulder that rises out of the sapphire hues of the Indian Ocean.

At low tide, you can walk on the soft, wet sand as it brushes against the base of the small island. At high tide, the water will surround the island, making it reachable only by boat. A canopy of trees decorates the silver plateau with emerald leaves. The traditional thatched spire soars above the surrounding sand more than 320 feet offshore, and the temple has a history more than 500 years old. Legend states that mythical snakes guard the temple from hidden demons. You continue to the nearby royal temple of Mengwi, which was constructed in the 17th century. The beautiful regal architecture rises above reflective moats, making the shrines appear as though they float on the water.

The sunrise will spread light over the indigo waters as they brush against the shoreline. In the distance, the ocean shimmers with cobalt and sapphire layers. You will take to the sand to meet your private surf instructor as the tropical sun will warm the beach beneath your feet. The water will splash against the powdery white sand, and you will learn the basics of popping up onto the board, taking your time to practice balance and learn one of the island’s newer traditions.

Your instructor will explain the dynamics of surfing before accompanying you into the water. The warm water will feel inviting, and you will stay in an area with gentle waves and average depths in order to practice until you feel comfortable. Lay on the board to feel the waves form beneath your fingertips as the water ebbs and flows beneath the board. Your instructor will tell you to paddle as the sea begins to crest and you will pop up on the board, balancing with your weight in your heels. The water will splash against your toes as you ride the wave back to shore.

After breakfast, you will wipe away the salt crystals that have formed on your shoulders and make your way to Ubud. En route, you can stop in Tegenungan Village to visit with local farmers and children before making your way along the jungle trail. You can hear the thundering crash of waterfall as it echoes through the canopy. Tegenungan Waterfall will splash down into the waiting pool with cool waters and heavy flow as the tropical warmth fades beneath the refreshing mist that rises from the whitewater. An enticing tranquil ambiance will emanate from the secluded riverbanks and hidden viewpoints of the cascade.

The morning air of the central highlands will remain cool amongst the trees. The sunlight will pour over the emerald strands of the rice fields that spread against the edges of Ubud. Long-tailed macaques are most active in the cooler hours of the day and linger on the bridges and hidden trails of Monkey Forest. Today you will venture into the countryside to meet with villagers and traverse the variety of farms that thrive in the tropical climate. In the afternoon, you will reach a private plantation to learn the techniques and the importance of cultivating coffee in the region. The estate also produces vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate. Traders from the island of Lombok brought the first coffee plants to Bali in the early 20th century, utilizing the rich volcanic soil and climate to produce the crops rapidly.

The steep slopes contain bushels of coffee plants, and the berries glow red against the jade leaves. A breeze will blow through the mountainside as you squeeze a berry between your fingers to feel the smooth texture of the fruit before it has fully ripened. Near the homestead, your guide will point out the various ways the harvesters dry peel the fruit and dry the beans to produce the browned grain you have seen many times before. The scent of roasted coffee beans emanates from a pan, utilizing the heat to release the natural, flavorful oils. Your guide will offer you a sample of the coffee produced on the plantation and call your attention to the subtle aroma of caramel and a hint of chocolate that lingers on your palate.

Today you will wake before dawn and venture out into the quiet night. The jungle canopy will open to glimpses of the lingering starlight as it spreads across the sky. The cool air builds across the mountains in layers as you reach a village in the hilltops and turn on your flashlight to follow your guide along the dark trail. The dull moonlight helps lead you up the mountain as you cross the final ridge to discover a plateau that overlooks the eastern edges of Mount Batur’s caldera. Sip a refreshing, hot cup of coffee and snack on a delicious banana as the sun begins to glow faintly across the horizon. The long-tailed macaques on the plateau call out to one another along the precipitous cliffs.

The sun crests and will cast shades of luminescent pink and orange over the sky, shifting to red and purple before returning to the usual blue. You will go back to the village from which you started and continue onward to Tirta Empul temple, which was erected in 10th century. After a morning of brilliant color and enchanting scenery, the temple brings insight into the historical culture of Bali through the act of ritual purification. The grounds feature two pools and 30 showers fed by the natural mountain spring as gilded dragonheads decorate the spouts, and the cool water helps refresh your body after ascending the rugged slopes.

In the morning, the scent of coconut and coffee will swirl through the dining room of your resort. The Water Blow at the edges of Nusa Dua and erupts like an ocean volcano. Farmers return to the fields to sow rice and cultivate cardamom as the scent of tarragon and cinnamon emanates from the morning market in the heart of Ubud. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and lead you to the eastern seaboard where you can board the ferry bound for the Gili Islands. The sea breeze carries sporadic spray over the boat as you search in the distance for dolphin pods or whales as they breach in the water.

You will stop at Gili Meno and make your way to your gorgeous resort-style hotel nestled among the trees of the jungle with views to the calm water. The remainder of the day is yours to discover the treasures of island life on the island that cover nearly 20 acres. Horse-drawn carriages travel the trails between along the east coast and make you feel as though you have stepped back in time. The serene greenery sweeps between the remarkable coastline and the shores of the hidden saltwater lake and you can hear birds twittering amongst the canopy, hiding from the tropical warmth. Mangrove trees dig their roots into the saltwater lake, and palms rise above the canopy as egrets graze on the shore and blue kingfishers swoop down in attempts to snag fish from the water.

In the morning, the fragrant scent of the ocean air will surround your resort, accompanied by the sweet aromas of freshly made pineapple and orange juices. The day is yours to enjoy the pleasures of the Gili Islands at your preferred pace to take to the waters on a snorkeling excursion or venture on land to Gili T to reach the summit of Treasure Hill. You could also wander the walkways of the Gili Meno Bird Park Resort in search of scarlet macaw and barking deer. In the early morning hours the Gili Komodo dragon, a relative of the Komodo dragon found on the islands off the islands of Flores and Komodo emerges from its nest. After breakfast, make your way to the Turtle Sanctuary to visit the hatchlings and recuperating turtles housed in saltwater tanks.

Local and international volunteers help to make up the staff needed to attend to the turtles. The tanks look like large above grounds swimming pools, filled with cool salt water. Green and loggerhead turtles can grow to a diameter of nearly five feet. The hatchlings remain at the sanctuary for eight months and average an age of 50 years while in the wild. In the afternoon, you can take to the water to explore the fringing reefs and don a snorkel and fins in search of rainbow coral, clown fish, and wild green turtles.  After that, take to a private kitchen with a celebrated chef to learn the art of Balinese cuisine.

In the morning, you can hear the horse-drawn carts clomping down the road beneath the jungle canopy. The waves lap against the white sand beaches as fishers set out in their colorful boats in search of the perfect catch beyond the reef. Peacocks display their bright feathers, and wild pheasants graze on the underbrush beneath the passing rainbow lorikeets. At breakfast, you can sample the exotic flavors of a mangosteen and custard apples before making your way to the ferry bound for Lombok Island. You will have witnessed a mixture of enticing history and enchanting landscape that has helped to shape the culture of Bali and the Gili Islands over time. Once on the island, your private transfer will greet you at the shore and escort you to the Lombok International Airport for your flight home.