Bali

There are no clichés to be found in Bali. Instead, the usual tourist traps in the area have an untamed atmosphere that is generated by the spectacular backdrops of startling natural landscapes, rice terraces and throbbing nightlife. Pieces of the western world can be found in Indonesia, but they are delivered in true Balinese style, always with a hint of cultural flare. The night life in Bali is renowned throughout the world, attracting the most talented international DJs to the high class clubs in Legian. As a result, holidays in Bali, Indonesia are quickly replacing trips to Ibiza for those seeking a steady beat and the blink of strobe lights. The shallower portions of the clubbing district attract trendy crowds with the usual glamorous frills, but those on the hunt for a grittier scene find the lesser known clubs that play local music and attract outrageous crowds.  Kuta attracts sophisticated visitors in search of air conditioning and house music, whilst Sanur delivers a richer local experience through traditional Balinese dancing and beach side pubs.

The rice paddies seem to cover the rising landscape in a lush green maze that is dotted with tropical palms. Rice is considered to be a sacred grain, and it forms a foundation for the spiritual practices of the locals. The paddies follow the form of Bali's diverse landscape, covering mountain curves, hills and flooded regions in emerald pathways. Rice is more than a religious offering, but also a foundation for the lifestyles, economy and communal integration of the locals. Paddies are cultivated reciprocally by rice farmers so that individual 'subaks' help to cultivate neighbouring fields. To gain a thorough understanding of Balinese spirituality, its collection of temples should be visited by those on holiday in Bali, Indonesia. Besakih Temple nestles treacherously on a volcano, which was responsible for 1700 deaths in the Sixties. The more prominent Tanah Lot temple hovers over the ocean on a rock near the coast. Inland shrines such as Pura Tirta Empul allow visitors view traditional rites performed by locals and to immerse themselves in the sacred waters surrounding the structure. Many Bali, Indonesia hotels take their design inspiration from the architectural styles of these sacrosanct structures.

Bali is perched almost on top of the equator, which lends it a subtropical climate. Its temperatures peak at 31 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Showers are possible in all seasons, but the months between May and September are the most arid. Thick cloud cover is enjoyed between December and February when rainfall climbs to its highest levels. Between June and August the weather is refreshed by gentle winds. On the most intolerably hot and humid days, shelter can be found in the central mountain zones. Night time temperatures drop slightly, allowing a break from the stifling heat of midsummer.

March and April are merry months that bring celebration, sacred ceremonies and sparse tourism to Bali. Gastronomers in search of authentic feasts can't do better than the Hindu Galungan festival, which hosts a ten day celbration in honour of the gods. Floral wreaths and food are offered to the spirits,  with each dish bearing its own symbolic value. Before the ten day ritual is launched, a feast of meats such as spicy pork and satay are served. The Dance of the Barong forms part of an exorcism in which a protective figure moves through houses restoring balance. The streets become flooded with women dressed in vividly coloured clothes offering traditional meals as accompaniments to religious rites. The dry season ends in October, leaving those taking a holiday to Bali, Indonesia with plenty of room to enjoy the region whilst it is absent of touring hordes.

Between May and September, Bali's dry months unveil a little of its lesser known character through arts festivals, bull races and temple celebrations. These rare examples of potent Indonesian culture fill this breezy season with some of the most unadulterated examples of Balinese culture and ideology. The Negara bull races are a colourful spectacle that enthrals onlookers throughout the season. Traditional dancers participate in processions that celebrate Bali's independence each August, whilst September places the locals' focus on spirituality through the temple celebrations at Juta, Ubud, Sanur and Denspasar. The art festival brings flamboyant presentations to the streets and stages scattered through the region. Local dress, traditional dance and musical performances are rich in local flavour and history. Bali is not a static artistic hub, so contemporary displays offer a modern perspective of Bali's character.

The Rainy Season

Between December and February, Bali's rainy season brings cooler, more atmospheric weather to the region. There is no bad month to book into hotels in Bali, Indonesia: Even the wettest months come with comfortable warmth and rains rare enough to leave you without limitations. Many travellers favour monsoon season for Bali, Indonesia holidays. The dramatic palettes and shadows brought on by the storm clouds cover the landscapes in an eerie vibrancy. This is the premier season to become acquainted with Bali's natural wonderlands, because the lush foliage is painted more brightly than in any other season. Adventurous hikers take on the rugged volcanoes by foot. Rinca's lush plantations and desolate volcanic summits are home to some of the world's most impressive creatures: komodo dragons. Their presence lends an element of danger to treks through the Eastern Java forests. Borobudur's Buddhist temple should form a central part of any Bali, Indonesia holiday. The ancient structure has a series of pyramid bases which link with a chain of walls, terraces and platforms. The superstructure is silently observed by 72 Buddhas, representing the philosophies of desire, attachment and worship. Few UNESCO heritage sites symbolise philosophies as stoically as those of Borubudur, which embodies the pursuit of Nirvana.

Coastal Climates

Bali was the first Asian country to embrace surfing culture, and since then it has added a vast array of water sports to its inventory. When staying at a Bali, Indonesia hotel between October and December, the choppiest waters can be confronted on eastern beaches. The western coastline offers amped up breaks and funky hangouts during the remainder of the year. Desert point is a surfer's paradise, offering seemingly infinite tubes that gather momentum as they progress. Extreme rollers take surfers deep into the Indian Ocean and over shallow reefs. Scuba divers find their grandest pleasures at Tulamben, where a reef wall and sunken ship wreck create an ecosystem that is teeming with gilled and finned creatures. Sanur offers calm snorkelling for beginners, whilst thrill seeking divers prefer the renowned 30 metre drop at Palau Menjangen's marine wall.  Divers prefer their hotel in Bali, Indonesia to be located in Sanur, because its coastal proximity allows for lengthier scuba trips.