Happy 2015 to our dearest readers and beloved Bali travellers! With a new year comes fresh beginnings, a change of perspective and, of course, new places to discover and explore. While resolutions are notorious for being broken, we are confident that this Bali Bucket List will provide you with 5 resolutions seriously worth giving a try…
Book your dream villa in advance
This year, plan ahead and reserve that dream villa you’ve had your eye on for the past few months. Between June and August is when things get really booked up in Bali, so beat the masses and schedule your summer holiday now! By staying ahead of the curve, you’ll be better able to research the island and decide which sights are a must and which ones you can skip for now.
Learn a new sport
Always wanted to dive below the ocean’s surface and swim with our underwater friends? What about paddling out in the waves and learning how to stand up on a surf board? 2015 is the time to try out a new sport and take advantage of Bali’s warm, paradisiacal waters. Choose between lessons for scuba diving, surfing, paragliding or stand up paddling for a whole new kind of adrenaline rush, not to mention workout regime!
Give back to the local community
Responsible, eco-tourism is more important than ever in our increasingly populated world. Giving back to the local community while on holiday can be a fulfilling and eye-opening experience for visitors of all ages. Spend a day with rescued Bali dogs, volunteer your time at an orphanage or visit the island’s largest sustainable park and educational center. Whatever program you choose, we are sure your experience will shine a light on a different side of Bali, giving you a new understanding of its people and environment. See here for a more complete list of organisations you can get involved with during your vacation to Bali.
Hike off the beaten track
Beyond the beaches of Bali lies a world of dense rainforest, hidden waterfalls, jungle gorges and volcano peaks. Getting off the beaten track (literally) will allow you to discover the natural beauty of Bali up close and personal. Not afraid of heights? Try propelling yourself down a canyon or hiking to the top of Bali’s highest point, Mount Agung, for exquisite panorama views of the island.
Experience Bali’s New Year Festival
Get a true taste of Bali’s famous culture with one of the most unique celebrations in the world- Nyepi. This holiday celebrates the coming of a new year on the lunar calendar, which falls on 21 March 2015 this year. If you happen to be in Bali during this time, you will experience a vibrant nighttime parade of drums, fire torches and enormous papier-mâché monsters called Ogoh-Ogoh. The next day is one of complete silence; the island halts to a standstill for the first day of the new year and no one is permitted to go outside. The thought behind this loud/silent celebration is that to keep the right balance between evil and good, one must trick the dark spirits into thinking that the island is completely deserted. Definitely a sight to be seen!
Once again, happy new year from the team here at Villa-Bali.com. We look forward to helping you plan your next island getaway in the near future!
