Bali
is
the
best
for
a
short
break
from
the
hectic
city
life,
Sophie
Choudry
found
out
after
visiting
the
Indonesian
island
recently.
Pampering
massages,
sumptuous
seafood,
festive
fervour
and
the
best
bargains,
Bali
offers
it
all.
I
have
been
fortunate
enough
to
get
the
opportunity
to
travel
across
the
world.
London
and
Paris
where
I
grew
up,
New
York,
Singapore,
Thailand
and
Florence
are
some
of
my
favourite
destinations.
My
most
recent
vacation
was
in
the
very
beautiful
Bali.
And
I
want
to
tell
you
all
about
this
amazing
tourist
place.
Bali
is
located
in
the
westernmost
part
of
the
Lesser
Sunda
Islands,
with
Java
in
the
west
and
Lombok
in
the
east.
It
is
one
of
the
33
provinces
in
the
country.
The
provincial
capital
is
Denpasar,
towards
the
south
of
the
island.
Bali
is
home
to
the
bulk
of
Indonesia's
small
Hindu
minority.
It
is
also
the
largest
tourist
destination
of
the
country
and
is
famous
for
its
highly
developed
art
forms,
including
dance,
sculpture,
painting,
leather,
metalworking
and
music.
The
beaches
are
simply
beautiful
and
perfect
for
water
sports,
something
I
adore.
I
absolutely
hate
swimming
in
a
pool
but
a
sea
shore
is
a
different
experience
altogether!
My
first
visit
to
Bali
was
in
December
for
a
Bollywood
show.
But
we
didn't
even
get
a
chance
to
step
out
of
our
hotel
then.
However,
I
went
back
again
last
week
and
stayed
at
the
lovely
Conrad
Resort
and
Spa.
This
time
I
managed
to
venture
out
a
bit
more.
The
place
was
perfect
for
a
five-day
break,
to
relax,
unwind
and
just
have
fun.
My
favorite
spots
were
the
beach
at
Conrad
and
the
Mandara
Spa.
I
loved
pampering
myself
indulging
in
massages
there.
Then
there
were
fresh
fruit,
salads
and
seafood
to
satisfy
the
taste
buds.
We
ate
at
a
restaurant
called
Spice,
overlooking
the
sea.
The
cuisine
is
a
blend
of
oriental
and
Mediterranean.
Beetroot
soup
with
cumin
was
a
hit
on
my
dinner
table,
as
was
duck
with
pancakes.
Mahi
Mahi
fish
marinated
in
interesting
spices
and
pepper
prawns
were
also
delicious.
Another
restaurant
worth
stopping
by
for
snacks
is
Ku-de-ta.
Bali's
street
markets
are
great
for
buying
artefacts
and
interior
d'cor
items.
Be
careful
when
you
go
shopping
for
clothes,
the
place
is
full
of
fake
designer
clothes
and
bags.
Nonetheless,
you
can
pick
up
gorgeous
swimsuits,
resort
wear
and
some
cute
stuff
in
stores
like
Body
and
Soul
and
Surfer
Girl.
Although
luxury
hotels
are
always
more
expensive
it's
still
worth
it
because
I
found
gorgeous
swimwear
and
sarongs
in
my
hotel.
The
hardest
thing
to
get
used
to
in
Bali
is
their
currency.
All
the
price
tags
are
in
thousands
or
millions.
It
was
so
funny
that
I
spent
20
lakh
Balinese
rupaiya
in
15
minutes,
buying
a
couple
of
shirts
for
my
brother
and
coffee
from
Star
Bucks.
Effectively,
that's
not
even
Rs
9,000
in
Indian
currency.
But
believe
me,
you
get
a
small
shock
when
you
have
to
pay
4
lakh
Balinese
rupaiya
for
coffee!
I
really
want
to
go
back
to
the
island
once
again
to
witness
the
Balinese
New
Year
celebrations
on
Nyepe
Day
(pronounced
n-yipee).
The
locals
party
throughout
New
Year's
Day,
but
the
very
next
day
the
island
is
plunged
into
silence
and
darkness.
People
don't
talk,
the
supply
of
power
is
cut
off
and
one
is
supposed
to
spend
time
at
home
resting
and
meditating.
Now,
that
would
be
a
fascinating
experience!
I
would
definitely
recommend
Bali
to
all
who
want
a
quick
break
far
from
their
daily
hectic
schedules.
Unless
you
are
Shah
Rukh
Khan,
you
could
probably
enjoy
anonymity
there
even
if
you
are
a
celebrity.
It's
peaceful,
yet
fun
with
lovely
restaurants
and
a
happening
nightlife.
Check
out
Club
66,
Hard
Rock
Cafe
and
do
visit
spots
like
Semiyak,
Kuta
and
Ubud.
Language
can
be
a
barrier,
despite
some
Americanization
of
the
place.
The
local
populace
still
doesn't
speak
English
fluently.
Just
keep
your
language
simple
and
don't
lose
your
patience!
Remember
to
bargain
hard
while
shopping
on
the
roadside
and
save
some
money
for
the
airport
tax
on
your
way
back.
Let
me
warn
you
that
the
Balinese
airport
is
not
a
place
you
would
like
to
be
stuck
in!