Bali!

CEBU, Philippines – Got a few days to spare?

Then head off to Bali for a quick yet leisurely break, the one that you think about whenever you’ve almost reached breaking point at work.

Located only a few kilometers away from Java, this island has long been a popular destination for a diverse crowd, including Aussie beach bums, the Jakarta elite, divers and art lovers.  Tourists from all over flock to this destination, and given the natural wonders and cultural riches that Bali has been blessed with, there’s no wondering why.

Denpasar Airport is where one lands, and unlike Jakarta, this port of call prioritizes ASEAN nationals by giving them a VIP lane to be able to breeze through immigration.  That should be good news for seasoned travelers weary of the extra scrutiny that the West bestows upon Filipinos.  No more sour-graping about the second-class treatment we get from “First World” countries!

After swiftly clearing immigration, it’s time to party!  Head off for any of the thousands of private villas or resort hotels that abound on the island, slip on those flip-flops, and belly-flop on that beach mat! I had the privilege of staying at Seminyak beach, which is a huge stretch of sandy freedom about half an hour from the airport. While it’s not a white beach like Kuta or Sanur, Seminyak beach has isolated portions where one can avoid boisterous crowds and revel in solitude.  Enjoy the unparalleled vista of turbulent ocean waves and dramatic sunsets, whether on a beach jog or a slow leisurely stroll.  Either way, there’s plenty of uninterrupted beachfront to enjoy.

If, however, partying is the order of the day, then the beach boasts of quite a few famous bars and restaurants.  Ku De Ta is quite a happening, but I headed over to Potato Head, where my friends had ensconced themselves in communal deck chairs.  Apparently, this bar is so popular that reservations for its prime sunset viewing spots have to be made well in advance.

I entered a deceivingly modest entrance and made my way down a passageway decorated with multiple doors. The passage winds down into the heart of the establishment, and gradually, electronic beats carried over high tech synthesizers steadily grew louder.  Then, the climax.  A huge lawn filled with pools, bars, and most importantly, beautiful people.

Heads-up: the crowd is a bit dressier and more moneyed than most bars on the island, so if you feel like sashaying in your newly acquired dazzling white sundress paired with golden sandals and tiara, this is the perfect place to glam out.  (Travel tip: some establishments enforce strict dress codes, so do check before heading out in slippers and nasty short shorts).

Or, show the abs you’ve been working on all year, as the party pool invites you to take a dip and the lounge chairs tempt you to tan.  Order cocktails of lurid colors and exotic flavors to while the time while you look at the gorgeous people around you.  Have another shrimp hors d’oeuvres to complement the liqueur and complete the experience.  Ah, Bali does make all the senses come alive.

During the day, one can pick from a variety of experiences.  There are quaint shops that sell Balinese trinkets and herbal concoctions.  One shop I entered into sold tiny but heavy cast-iron piggy banks - they were exquisite!  True enough, the one I purchased for myself was commandeered by a good friend two minutes after I posted its photo.  I also got myself a couple of red wooden roosters that had been fashioned a la shabby chic mode, from another store.  And if I had the cash, I would have bought solid steel spiral sculptures we saw being sold at a local art gallery.

Speaking of art, make the trip to Ubud if you wish to indulge in paintings.  Hiring a car is easy, and the journey of a couple of hours goes by quickly if one is with friends.  In Ubud, there are a few centers that showcase Balinese artists, and both contemporary and tribal representative samples can be purchased by the discerning tourist.  One can go high brow (like the Tony Raka Gallery) or craftsy (such as the Ubud Art Market, referred to as Pasar Seni Ubud).

And guess what – here, Filipinos can appreciate the art of Antonio Blanco in his very own museum.  While Blanco was born to Spanish parents, he was born in Manila and could speak Tagalog, so there’s a definite connection there.  To my regret, the afternoon we allocated for Ubud was simply not enough to get a fair sampling of the available art, and I had to promise myself to stop by the Don Antonio Blanco museum on some other trip.

Along the way, we came across a Hindu sanctuary for monkeys, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Aside from being a tourist attraction, the primate spot is a research and conservation center.  Tourists can feed the macaques with bananas, but warning: don’t pull the food back once you’ve offered it to an interested monkey, or you’re going to get one seriously upset chimp.

Take a hike among rice fields and delight in roadside restaurants. We stumbled across a vegetarian outpost in the middle of nowhere, and ventured to try their grilled veggies and baked creations. We washed all of those down with coconut juice, and hoped that the hygiene wouldn’t give us the dreaded Bali belly.

There are also mountain resorts here, where secluded pools and lush greenery can offer sanctuary to secret lovers.  Komaneka resort boasts of beautiful rooms, private jacuzzis and fantastic art pieces scattered around. Alas, the prices are Western, so if you’re on a budget, skip this one and grab another Ubud hideaway.  There are plenty to choose from!

As for food, Bali boasts of plenty of restaurants to tempt the palate.  Javanese, vegetarian, Western and other specialties abound. There’s great Italian food at La Finca, and amazing tapas can be found in Spanish outlets.  Of course, nasi goreng can be found anywhere here, but other travelers swear by the roast duck that is the island’s specialty.  I’m a pork person myself though, so I went traipsing about for porcine pleasures.  While Indonesia is a Muslim country, there’s no stopping the Balinese from enjoying their suckling pig!  Called “babi guling” in the dialect, many websites have proclaimed Pak Malen as the best.  (I’ll leave that for you to find out for yourselves.)

Meanwhile, desserts and coffee can tide you over.  Check out Watercress Cafe, where I saw a baked mango and passion fruit cheese cake lying in wait.  So much for my diet, I thought, as I washed it down with my cappuccino.

To top off the experience, one must try the Balinese massage.  Spas can be found left and right, and foot massages can be had for a song.  One tempting alternative I saw from the options offered was the “four hands” massage, where one can book two therapists, but that option was a bit too intimidating for me.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the beach weather.  Don’t be stressed about the traffic (Cebu has worse, although Bali has its moments) and avoid the forest fire season (yes, the palm oil plantations affect even Bali’s blue skies).  This isle should be a great recipe for a vacation – it’s now up to you to concoct the perfect Bali creation!