Bali is one of the best known islands in Indonesia, and without a doubt the most popular with Western tourists. It's combination of beautiful scenery, culture, and beaches attracts a vast number of people every year, not to mention the surfing community which head here for some of the best surfing outside Hawaii. The island caters for all tastes from the quieter north shore to the temples and rice paddies of central Bali, to the hectic pace of life in luxury resorts in and around Kuta on the southern beaches. Ubud is a village near the centre of Bali, and is commonly referred to as the cultural centre of Bali. Surrounded by lush rice paddies, it's also conveniently close to the Mother Temple at Basikeh, and includes many options for days out including walks, cycle rides, traditional dancing, and the intriguing Monkey Forest. The latter is inhabited by a large colony of long tailed Macaque monkeys, who instead of being shy are all used to the daily visits from tourists. They are more than happy to climb around the visitors and will take any food that you have with you, so beware! Within the Monkey Forest are a couple of temples which are well worth a visit early in the morning as the sunlight streaming through the trees creates an extraordinary atmosphere. When I first visited Bali, we stayed in a little town on the north shore called Lovina. The apartments we stayed in were set in lovely landscapes gardens, with a superb pool with bar, and just metres from the beach. Lovina is much quieter compared to the southern resorts, but still makes a good base for exploring the island. Kuta on the other hand is package holiday heaven (or hell depending on your perspective) - large, white sandy beaches, good surf, and with no shortage of restaurants, bars and clubs open till the early hours. The spectacular Tanah Lot temple is only a 45 minute drive from Kuta and is well worth seeing for its dramatic setting on the edge of the sea.
