What to see and what to do in Bali?

Bali! What is a great, non-party thing to see or do in Bali?

• We like culture, art, good food, nature and interesting people. Previous trips we have just hung out in Ubud. Want to explore some this time. Not much interested in touristy things or party environments, but open-minded and flexible.

• Answer:

  For a different non-party experience, go to Gunung Batur. This is one of the 3 volcanoes on the island, but the easiest to climb. You can stay in the village Toya Bungkah near the mountain, and arrange for the sunrise climb to the top. For the climb you have to wake up pretty early in the morning, around 4.00am or 4.30am starting the climb. It's a slightly steep but easy climb, and you are with a guide in a group. Make sure that you have your own torches or that you get one from the guide, it will make it easier. Around 6.00am you reach the top and you get some breakfast, while you watch the sunrise from the top crater, which is pretty stunning! After this beautiful sight, you continue the hike going around the craters (gradually descending) and you'll reach back at the village around 10.30 to 11.00am. http://www.99bali.com/update/batur.cfm Go to Lovina beach (north of the island) for dolphin watching. This is not like Kuta, Lovina is a tranquil beach without the partying, the beach is black sand beach. http://www.balilife.com/placeandnature/place/lovina.html Ubud is probably the best place to see the traditional dances and culture, but I guess you have seen that, done that during your previous trips. Also it's nice to go into the country side around Ubud and just get lost to see the little villages and rice terraces. Sanur is a nice place too to stay for a few days, enjoy the white sand beach, do some snorkeling perhaps, and enjoy good food. From there it's easy to charter a transport and visit the Ulu Watu temple. Don't stay at the temple itself, walk along the cliff on the footpath and you'll be out of the crowd with stunning views of the cliffs, the waves down below and the temple. Best time is reach there around 5.30pm and wait for the sun to set. After that on the way back, stop at Jimbaran for great seafood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimbaran Have you visited the Tanah Lot temple, which is also one of the sea temples, this one located on a rock in the sea, reachable only at low tide. Though a bit touristy, it's a must-see place, just make your way through all the tourist shops and then you get the stunning view. Try to go in the morning to avoid the large tour group crowds, who will be there in the afternoon. Other than that, a place that I personally enjoyed a lot is Nusa Lembongan. Staying on the island is very tranquil and it's interesting in the evening to watch the locals doing their seaweed farming. In the mornings the best scuba dive sites are there and you can take classes as well if you are not certified. You can even do a Discover Scuba, which is a 1-day intro into the beautiful underwater world. Some of the dive sites are suitable for snorkeling too and you can arrange this with the dive school, they have gears and all. The restaurant at Pondok Baruna served great food, both local dishes and some Western food too. Saturday night they have a buffet, which is excellent. Do give a call to the dive school if you are planning to go there, they are very helpful in making arrangements for you to get there and away, they can even book good accommodation in Sanur for discounted price and arrange airport pick-up. http://www.world-diving.com/ Well, I can go on and on (I'm also not a party person, and interested in nature, good food, culture, etc.), but I guess I leave it at this. Have a great trip!