Literary Digest LITERARY DIGEST MAY 2020 | Page 11

complete harmony. The main tourist locations
are the towns of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur,
Jimbaran, Ubud and the newer development of
Nusa Dua.
Some of the cleanest and most attractive
beaches that Bali has on offer are best seen in the
months starting from August through to March.
Nusa Dua, in a peninsula in the South of Bali,
about 20 kms from Denpasar and Bali's
fountainhead, is the most stylish and spectacular
address to stay in. Laced with hotels right from
the Grand Hyatt to the Ayodhya, the beaches here
are the vantage points for witnessing spectacular
sunsets. Nusa Dua, in fact, is like a township on
its own. One enters through a huge gate with all
the security checks in place. But once inside, one
is accosted with a heavenly sight. The majestic
light poles, impeccable roads and forever freshly
washed and probably the greenest plants that one
has ever seen. These roads make for an enjoyable
walk to the Nusa Dua beach which is crisscrossed
by a number of shacks offering the most
delectable array of yummy Indonesian food to
choose from.
The famous surfing beaches here attract
Australian tourists as well as surfers from all
over the world. Nusa Dua also offers a large
variety to the shopaholics as one can find the
local handicrafts with as much ease as one can a
high-end luxury brand boutique.
About thirty minutes drive from here one
can reach the sleepier and probably the quietest
fishing village and tourist resort of Bali –
Jimbaran. Again lined with a number of hotels
like the Four Seasons resort, the majestic Inter
Continental and best of all the Jimbaran Hills
resort, exquisitely perched on the top of a
hillock, this road takes one to the Jimbaran
beach. Here the seafood kiosks that litter the
beach are put together as if they were not
separate entities at all and where the diners
select the seafood live that they wish to eat and
which is thereafter cooked immediately.
This makes a perfect beach for not only
the adventure sport enthusiasts but also for
those purely looking at a leisurely stroll. The
Hotels, almost all of them, offer the cultural face
of Bali by holding cultural events in their
premises every evening. Right from the
Indonesian Mask dance to the Bamboo
instruments display. Jimbaran, today, is also
increasingly becoming popular for the foreigners
who want to build their villas here.
Active volcanoes, culture, shopping,
nature parks, rocking nightlife, handicrafts, a
currency weaker than our Indian rupee,
affordable yet plush hotels, tropical weather,
friendly people, cheap transport, sumptuous
Baby Guling or the Suckling Pig ( a delicacy of
Balinese cuisine) and the fact that you are only
another three hours away from Perth in
Australia, are only a few reasons as to why Bali
today is emerging as one of the hottest holiday
destinations in the world. My advise – go
discover the untouched and absolutely raw
beauty of this virgin island – for Bali beckons!
A travelogue by
Saguna Jain