As the fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia is a behemoth of a country and one that is often overlooked as a holiday destination hotspot – except, of course, for those in the know.

With 206 million people spread across almost 18,000 islands, there is a great degree of diversity throughout the country and this is perhaps best exemplified with the tiny island of Bali, which is one of Indonesia’s 33 provinces.

Although Indonesia has the world’s largest population of Muslims, Bali goes against the grain by being a largely Hindu region, though they coexist peacefully with the 7% of the island’s population that follow Islam.

Bali is the largest tourist destination in the whole of Indonesia and on arrival at Denpasar Airport it’s easy to see why. While many of the island’s visitors head straight for the hedonistic heartbeat in the town of Kuta, for those seeking a more tranquil time, Bali is unparalleled in the whole of Asia and perhaps further afield for relaxation opportunities.

So rule number one on any cultural visit to Bali should be to avoid Kuta – though it’s perhaps pencilling in a night there at the very end if you fancy a little party action. So where to start in this tiny island paradise?

Well, first thing to remember is that the island is very small and it’s easy to drive around. It’s also very cheap for those earning in pounds or Euros, meaning you can hire a taxi for a whole day to take you around the main sights. First thing’s first though: on arrival at Denpasar, make a beeline straight for Sanur which is a 30 minute drive from the airport.

A couple of nights in this quiet little beach resort village will help you recover from your flight, ready to take on some of the island’s splendid sights. Of course, whilst staying in Sanur, it’s probably worth getting up early one of the mornings to catch the spectacular sunrise.

Next, head up through the middle of the island to Ubud, which is the island’s cultural heartbeat, with fine art, dance and music in abundance. It also has ancient temples, palaces and perhaps the region’s biggest draw, the Ubud Monkey Forest, which is a sacred nature reserve that his home to – yes, you guessed it – more than 300 Macaque monkeys.

Then, head up to the Besakih Temple, which is the biggest and holiest of all the temples on the island. Known as ‘The Mother Temple of Bali’, it is over a thousand years old and is set in a stunning mountainside location just a short drive from Ubud.

For more coastal tranquillity, head to the north coast of the island to the Lovina Beach area, which contains a cluster of small villages and is a most stunning place to unwind after sampling the sights of Bali.

Bali holidays will suit people of all inclinations. Beach lovers, mountain hikers, culture vultures and party animals are all catered for on this tiny Indonesian island paradise…so love it and live the dream!

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The traditional homes of the country of Bali are very different to the types of houses we are generally used to in colder climates and have been heavily influenced by Indian culture and architectural traditions.

Bali homes are generally made up of several smaller compounds or a small cluster of open plan and open air buildings.  These small clusters can contain separate areas for kitchens, bathrooms, sleeping accommodation and everyday living spaces.

In the main these constructions are made from wood and timber frames and panels.  Often bamboo or similar woods such as those derived from coconut trees are used for internal walls and sectional dividers.  Hard wooded floors are common in many traditional homes and can be kept clean and swept free of dust and debris.

Due to the warmer temperatures experiences in this country, many of the floors in Bali villas are elevated or raised from the ground.  This ensures that cooling breezes can be allowed to drift into the homes to freshen up the space and to regulate the temperature of the structures of the house so as to prevent it from becoming too hot.

Thanks to the regular tropical showers that occur on a regular basis in Bali, the roof spaces usually contain deep overhanging eaves to quickly drain away rain water and keep the buildings dry.  Many modern Bali villas have roofs made from terracotta.

At Villa Joty we have an opportunity for holiday makers to enjoy a Bali holiday in luxurious surroundings in the shape of a villa which reflects all of the best aspects of top of the range and ultimate Bali villas.  With the traditional styling of Balinese homes our Bali villa can offer a visitor a real taste of traditional home life in this country whilst retaining the sumptuous elements demanded by the discerning traveller.

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Nestled amidst a scattering of islands that makes up Indonesia, Bali is a green jewel rich in flora and fauna. With an area of only 5,632 square kilometres, you can drive around the edge of Bali in a day, but the multitude of delights that await within its borders mean you can stay for weeks and never feel bored.

Bali’s unique landscape is made up of a chain of six volcanoes that straddle the island. These volcanoes measure from 1,350 metres up to an astonishing 3,014 and are responsible for creating the oddly intriguing black sands that swathe parts of the islands coastline. The Batur volcano is the most active on the island and has had a number of small eruptions over the years.

The lush forests of Bali are home to a plethora of flora and fauna, though some of the island’s native animals such as leopards, elephants and the Bali tiger can no longer be found, and in the tigers case is extinct. However, there is still plenty to see for the avid nature explorer with various types of monkey, deer and over 300 species of birds to be found on the island, including the extremely rare Bali starling. Bali is also surrounded by warm waters that are home to a whole host of aquatic life. Dolphins, fish, sponges and whale sharks are just a few of the species that inhabit the coasts of Bali making it perfect for divers.

A variety of tropical plants coats the island in rich green and creates welcoming pools of shade to escape the midday sun. Great banyan trees feature in most villages and temples, joined by tamarind trees in the North, clove trees in the highlands and acacia trees and mangroves in the South. A wash of colour covers the ground beneath these great trees, flowers are a big part of Bali and you’ll find them tucked behind ears, through button holes and used to decorate temples, statues and as adornments during traditional dance. The air is sweet in Bali, with the scents of frangipani, jasmine, hibiscus and bougainvillea drifting lazily on gentle sea breezes.

The island’s cultural heritage is visible everywhere, from the stunning temples scattered throughout the island, to the many festivals and ceremonies. Some notable events in the Bali calendar include Pagerwesi in August, which is a day put aside for special meditation to enhance the balance of the world, and the Indonesia Independence Day on the 17th of August. Art and dance play a big part in traditional Balinese festivities, with masks and decorative costumes used to re-tell folklore and are a true visual spectacle.

Bali holidays are perfect for those who want a varied holiday filled with memorable experiences, including lounging on black beaches, exploring lush forest and gazing up at awe-inspiring volcanoes with a handful of other Indonesian island hovering on the horizon.

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