Asian Travel Blog

It is said that it is worth visiting Bali simply in order to enjoy the food, and when you’ve tasted the lovely cuisine on offer, it isn’t hard to see why. As in much of Asia, the staple foodstuff is rice, and this comes steamed, boiled and fried. There are loads of accompaniments to go with rice, such as chillis, shallots, garlic, and ginger. Fiery sambal sauces, along with plain rice, form an intergral part of most meals. The steamed rice goes particularly well with the thick stews and rich curries that this part of the world is famous for.

If you want to try several dishes in one meal, try nasi campur or nasi rames, as both of these consist of several small meat and vegetable portions around a scoop of rice. Another way of getting to try a wide variety of Balinese food is to go for what is known as rijsttafel, which means literally “rice table”, which is a full spread of dishes – a bit like a smorgasbord - popularized by the Dutch and still found at many restaurants.

Nasi goreng appears on many menus, and is fried rice with shallots, chillies, soy sauce, and other ingredients such as meat, fish and egg. This popular dish has made its way around the world, and I once came across it in a Swedish restaurant.

You will not find alcohol in any Muslim restaurant, but you will find it otherwise readily available throughout Bali. A particular drink to look out for is the potent rice spirit known as arak, but if less strong drinks are more to your taste, then how about very nice Bali Hai beer?

All in all, there is always something new and different to try if you go to Bali.

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The Indonesian island of Bali has long been a popular tourist destination. The culture of the island has flourished under Chinese and Indian influences, with Buddhism and Hinduism being introduced around about 800BC, and Islam being introduced later on. Bali came under Dutch control in 1909, from when there was a steady stream of European professionals, artists, tourists and intellectuals, and some Dutch influence remains today. By the 1930’s Bali was well-known as an exotic and sophisticated resort.

As well as golden beaches, great food and nightlife, Bali offers exciting attractions such as Goa Gajah Bedulu’s Elephant Cave, which is one of the southern region’s most famous tourist sights. In addition to the caves running through the mountain, the complex above the Petanu River includes temples, statues, pavilions and three pools for bathing. On the outside of the entrance to the cave is the dramatic, carved head of a devil. Once you get inside the cave, it is really dark, so you are well advised to take a flashlight. Inside there is a niche with a statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is the son of Shiva.

The Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, in Batubulan, has more than a thousand birds of both Indonesian and worldwide origin. The park is set in magnificent gardens, with lush tropical plants and beautiful water features. The park is also has an excellent restaurant where you can sit out and eat, enjoying the natural environment and the birds.

Another must-see of Bali is the Gitgit Waterfall, which is the most impressive waterfall on the island, and can be found not far from the town of Singaraja, which is on the north coast of Bali. If you enjoy walking, it is a pleasant walk through the jungle from Singaraja to the waterfall, but don’t forget to wear decent footwear if you want to do this.

In my next post I will tell you a little about the delightful cuisine of this fabulous island.

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