To Paradise And Back (It started in Bali Book 1)

Famous for its turquoise waters, silky sand, and beach fun lifestyle, Bali also has wealth of adventure waiting for you on the other side of the island. Your dream holiday in tropical paradise is just a click away. The seemingly endless stretch of smooth white sand at Kuta Beach put Bali on the global map. The moment international surfers discovered the beauty of Kuta, there was no stopping the rest of the world from curiously journeying over to see what all the fuss was about.

They built gorgeous, tropical styled homes with lush gardens and private pools. As this trend caught on, Kuta started to sparkle with beautiful Bali villas, all of which are within walking distance to the beach. Kuta is the truly original hotspot of Bali. You can walk out of your villa Bali and arrive at a surfer shack, tattoo shop, international restaurant, or even a pumping nightclub within mere seconds.

The comfort and relaxing atmosphere of villas in Bali is particularly vital if you intend on walking around Kuta on a daily basis. For the best range of Kuta Villas click here to see more. This delightful district neighbors Kuta, and you will find that Kuta Beach and the many, quieter beaches of Legian do meet. If you possess an insatiable thirst for shopping, you will absolutely adore the streets of Legian. The main Legian streets are lined with shop after shop; the contents of each varying greatly with stunning products.

Discover designer boutiques with one of a kind dresses, suits, and shoes. Delight in handmade Balinese crafts, colorful sarongs, and scores of eclectic goodies to take back home for your friends and family. Then make your way down to the beach for a groovy sunset session. The villas Bali in Legian are conveniently positioned within walking distance to the beach as well as the many unique stores. For the best range of Legian Villas click here to see more. If you consider yourself a food connoisseur, and have quite the penchant for fine dining, you will want to book your stay in Seminyak villas Bali.

Over the years, this elegant area has developed a reputation for being a nucleus of the most diverse, first-rate restaurants of varying international cuisines. Seminyak exudes tropical luxury and upscale fun, and its Bali villas mirror these very same characteristics. Seminyak Bali villas are perfect for experiencing a chic and glamorous island escape. For the best range of Seminyak Villas click here to see more. Canggu has recently flourished into an ultra-trendy neighborhood. Villas in Bali, in the Canggu area, offer you the chance to stay in a semi-rural area, whilst still with every amenity you could require for the perfect holiday in easy reach..

Amazing coffee shops, splendid cafes boasting all organic ingredients, as well as vegan and vegetarian restaurants have been sprouting up throughout Canggu, and they all come with relaxing rice paddy views. Canggu has some of the best surf breaks on the island, and serve as an international playground for passionate surfers. Your Canggu Bali villa is only a minute drive from Seminyak, providing quick access to the exciting touristy centers while remaining in a calmer, serene environment.

Staying in Bali villas in Canggu will definitely allow you to taste the flavors of local Balinese life. Canggu Bali villas range from cozy, 2 bedroom bungalows fit for a simple surfing trip, to the ultramodern, decadent villas with 20meter long pools and breathtaking rice paddy views. The peaceful, refreshing ambience of Canggu will remain consistent, no matter which type of Bali villa you decide to stay in.

For the best range of Canggu Villas click here to see more. Sanur can be best described as having the scenic similarity of Kuta, but with half as much activity, people, and surf. The south east coastline of Bali offers pretty white sand beaches with gentle, child-friendly waves. The main strip is bejeweled with international restaurants and ice cream shops. Perhaps the most magical moment to be found in Sanur is at 6 in the morning.

Sanur beach holds a marvelous kite festival in the late summer months, creating a wondrous site never to be forgotten. Amed is the usual go-to town for accommodation, but just to its north Tulamben offers a far quieter getaway, and exceptional diving. Getting there There is a road from Candidasa that bypasses the north-eastern tip of Bali and will take you straight to Amed.

However, if you have an hour more, take the scenic coastal road. The views are totally worth it. Just over the hill from Padang Bai fast-boat terminal for the Gili Islands there is a little secret beach surrounded by palm trees, cut off from the rest of the island by volcanic rock headlands.

The white sand is perfect for whiling away hours in the sun, and the beach is edged with trees providing some shade. Coral reaches almost all the way to the beach, so rent snorkelling equipment from one of the beachside warungs and explore the underwater world. When the road splits go left up the hill; where it splits again, turn right into a parking area. The two paths from here lead to the beach. What keeps most beachgoers — and touts — away is likely the half-hour walk and odd steps needed to descend to get there, but the effort is worth it: Take your own food and lots of water, as there is nothing for sale on this beach.

Getting there From the main road to Uluwatu turn onto Jalan Batu Nunggalan and go left where the road forks. From the end of this road follow the path to the cliff top and walk down the steps. When to go High tide is best if you want to swim, as at low tide rocks are exposed.

Lovina is well-known for its dolphin tours: The beach at Lovina is black volcanic sand and the sea very calm; lovely for wallowing. Getting there Lovina is on the north coast of Bali, close to Singaraja. However they have largely given way to metered taxis in the south. Fares on shared bemos can be very cheap, but drivers will often insist that foreign tourists charter the entire vehicle, in which case they will usually ask for a price equivalent to a taxi or even more.

Driving in Bali is on the left-hand side.

Car and motorbike rentals are widely available but you should think very carefully about your ability to handle driving in Bali with its lack of formal traffic rules. Consider hiring a car and driver as you can relax, be safe and not get lost. If you rent a car to drive yourself, a modern four door Toyota Avanza or Daihatsu Xenia should cost Rp ,, per day. If on a tighter budget, you should be able to get an old, rough Suzuki Jimny from about Rp 90, to , per day. Driving in Bali requires an International Driving Permit IDP , plus your own home country of residence's drivers licence Both these documents must correctly match the type and class of vehicle being driven or they are invalid.

Both must be carried and are often required to be presented in roadside police stops. This requirement is actively enforced by the police throughout Bali. If riding a motorbike then a full motor bike endorsement appropriate to that class of motorbike is required on both the IDP and the home country issued drivers licence.

Do not under any circumstances ride a motorbike or drive a car without a proper licence. A car licence alone is not sufficient to ride a motorbike; the licence must clearly permit you to ride a motorbike in the country of issue and the appropriate section of the IDP must be endorsed as well. Insurance is not provided by the motorbike renters so you are responsible for any damage.

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If you do hit a local person, either on foot, on motorcycle, or in a car, you can expect to pay a very large sum of money to make restitution. Street signs are infrequent and ambiguous. If you are not familiar with the road system and comfortable riding a motorbike at home then this may be ill advised and dangerous to learn. Thoroughly check your travel insurance policy to ensure that your cover is still in place whilst operating or riding upon a motor bike or scooter or driving a car. Helmets and headlights Riding a motorbike without a helmet is illegal throughout Indonesia and that requirement is frequently enforced by the local police in Bali.

The road traffic regulations were amended in to require the illumination of head lamp and rear lamp on a motorbike during daylight hours. Police in Bali have initiated a long running information campaign to road users informing them of the requirement. Signs have been placed upon roadways advising of the regulations and the intention to enforce them.

These signs are only provided in Bahasa Indonesian. This is a safety initiative and means that lights must be on at all times when riding a motorbike on any roadway in Bali. Despite the apparent disregard by local road users the use of turn signals is also required. Renting motorcycles or scooters can be a frightening yet fascinating experience. They are typically cc, some with automatic transmissions, and rent for between Rp 40, and , per day for a week or more, cheaper price can be bargained. In areas outside of the tourist enclaves of south Bali, a motorbike is a wonderful way to see the island, but in south Bali, with its crush of traffic, the chances of an accident are greatly increased.

Bali is no place to learn to ride a motorbike. An International Driving Permit IDP is required for vehicle rental, with a motorcycle endorsement if renting a motorbike. The IDP is seldom requested by the person renting you the vehicle but will be required along with the vehicle's registration papers if stopped by the police typically a Rp 50, "fine" will allow you to keep driving and if they ask more write his name down to stop it.

An IDP is easily available from motoring clubs in your home country e. You can rent your car or bike before your arrival at Bali on plenty of websites such as Gotravela, Balibikerental, Baliguider or Balicarfinder with competitive prices and communicative staff with online assistance. Rental car services owned by individuals or companies are easy to find in Bali and this is the best option for first time visitors. Using a rental car with a driver is certainly cheaper than taxis and far more efficient than using other public transportation. The drivers are usually English-speaking and they can also act as informal tourist guides recommending good destinations and restaurants.

Choosing to rent from a large car company is naturally more expensive than sourcing from a private individual. Ask hotel staff to recommend a good individually owned rental car with a knowledgeable driver. Make sure the price includes petrol and driver for the day. Petrol costs, after the removal of some government subsidies in recent years, have escalated dramatically although still very cheap by international standards and the distance travelled is a factor if you have not fixed a daily price.

The day price usually includes any parking fees. There are differing views on whether to offer to buy lunch for your driver. For those on a tight schedule, visiting most of the major tourist destinations in Bali will need about 3 days with a rental car and driver. Commonly driver could accompany you to the tourist destinations in Bali. The places are not well recognized by the public or written down by tourism guiding book. Travel by bicycle is quite possible and provides a very different experience than other means of transport. Bicycles are also widely available for rent and some of the better hotels will even provide them free of charge.

While traffic conditions may appear challenging at first, you will acclimatise after a few days, especially once you escape the chaotic heavy traffic of southern Bali. Bali's best-known attractions are its countless Hindu temples.

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Each village is required by adat customary law to construct and maintain at least three temples: Wealthy villages may well have more than these three obligatory temples, and additionally all family compounds have a temple of some nature. The nine directional temples kayangan jagat are the largest and most prominent. These are located at strategic points across Bali and are designed to protect the island and its inhabitants from dark forces. For the Balinese, the "mother temple" of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung is the most important of all and sits above the nine.

All of these are located on either rugged high ground or at the water's edge, and this is a clear indication of the likely source of dark forces as far as the Balinese are concerned. Balinese temple design is an involved subject and one which baffles many visitors. Local geography has a fundamental effect on design, and two temples are rarely the same. Everything you see, be it decorative or structural, has a specific, well-considered function which may be of an earthly or spiritual nature.

There are, though, general elements which are common to the vast majority of temples, which are always split into three courtyards: The tiered, black-thatched roofs that you see on temples are made from a palm fibre, and this material is not permitted to be used for any roof other than those on temples.

The elegant, pagoda-like tiered structure is itself called a meru named after sacred Mount Meru Mahameru , the home of the gods , and the most dramatic of them can consist of as many as 11 tiers. The number of tiers, though, is always an odd number. The temple entrance is always on the kelod axis point facing away from Mount Agung of the compound and is usually a gateway of some nature.

This leads into the jaba which is the domain of humans and all things earthly. The jaba contains only minor shrines, is where some celebratory dance performances take place, and during special ceremonies is where the foods stalls are set up. Non-Hindu tourists are nearly always allowed to visit this part of a temple.

A gateway called a candi bentar leads into the central courtyard which is called the jaba tengah. This is the intermediary point between our earthly domain and the realm of the Gods, and this is where daily offerings are prepared in an open pavilion called a paon. The jaba tengah also usually contains a large pavilion called a wantilan , which is used for special dance performances. The kori agung gate leads into the jeroan —the inner sacred area. This houses the most important shrines to different Hindu gods and deities and is where serious rituals and prayers take place.

Shrines are many and varied but usually include a padmasana , the throne of the supreme deity Sanghyang Widi Wasa.

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The large pavilion in this section is called a gedong pariman , which is always left completely empty to allow the gods to visit during ceremonies. Sometimes properly dressed visitors will be allowed into the jeroan and at other times not; it depends on the individual temple and the ceremonies that have been, or are about to be, performed. The most common and practical architectural features to be found in virtually all temples are gazebo pavilions called bales. Each has a raised seating section and either an alang-alang grass-thatched or tali duk black palm fibre-thatched roof and has a myriad of social functions.

Bales can serve as a place for the gamelan orchestra to sit, as a village meeting point, host dance performances or simply be a place of rest for worshipers. This part of traditional Balinese temple architecture has been copied by hotels all over the island and in the wider world. The open grass-roofed pavilions you see everywhere in Bali are all derived from this original piece of temple design. To enter any temple you must be appropriately dressed with a sarong and sash. These are always available for rental at the large temples which attract a lot of tourists usually included if you're paying to enter, else a few thousand rupiah per set , but it's better to buy one of each when you arrive and use them throughout your visit.

Temples are a place of worship , it is strictly forbidden to enter a temple, the grounds of a temple or stand on the steps of a Temple unless appropriateley dressed. Most of the coastline of Bali is fringed by beaches of some type, with the exceptions being some important areas of mangrove forest in the southeast, and certain parts of the Bukit Peninsula where high cliffs drop straight to the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. Unsurprisingly, given the volcanic nature of the island, black sand is the norm, but there are also some beaches in the south which have fine-grained white sand.

Beaches that are especially safe for swimming include Jimbaran Bay and virtually all of the north coast. At all times though, visitors should be aware of and obey local swimming safety markers—far too many visitors to Bali drown each year after ignoring these. Bali's popular southern beaches are sometimes not the cleanest you will find. This is particularly true during the height of the wet season December to January , when the heavy rains cause extensive agricultural run-off and garbage to be washed onto the beaches.

Away from the coast, Bali is largely lush, green and fertile, and rice paddies are the dominant agricultural feature of the island. In some areas, paddies take the form of dramatic sculpted terraces which efficiently utilise every available acre of land for cultivation. Especially beautiful examples of terraced paddies can be found in the centre of the island north of Ubud and in east Bali around Tirta Gangga.

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Elsewhere, gently rolling rice fields make for very pleasing rural scenery. All of Bali's mountains are volcanoes , some long dormant and some still active. At 3, metres 10, ft , magnificent Mount Agung dominates the landscape of East Bali and has not erupted since Much more active is Mount Batur , which permanently smolders and periodically produces a large bang and plumes of ashy smoke as pressure is released from within. Taking only two hours to climb, Batur is one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the whole of Indonesia. Art , both traditional and modern, is everywhere in Bali and impossible to miss.

Ubud is the artistic capital of the island with several museums and a variety of informal workshops and retail outlets. Ubud's museums showcase the works of local artists, both living and dead, as well as works by many foreign artists, who either have a strong affinity to Bali or have made the island their permanent home. A sad reminder of the modern world is the Bali Bomb Memorial on Jalan Legian in Kuta , which commemorates the victims of the first Bali Bomb attack in October The site of the former Sari Club, obliterated in one of the blasts, lies adjacent to the monument and has not been redeveloped.

There are several monuments commemorating the puputan suicidal fight to the death of the Balinese against the Dutch colonialists in the early 20th century.

Bali's Hindu culture and history is both extraordinary and unique. Many visitors get so wrapped up in shopping, partying and beach life to miss the opportunity to understand and absorb at least some of this. You cannot fail to see temples, come across ceremonies and witness daily offerings, and those who take the time and effort to understand what is going on around them will find their visit very rewarding. There are several hot springs to be discovered in Bali. One of them, on the north coast of the island near Lovina , is Air Banjar, where stone mouth carvings allow hot water to pass between the pools, which are set in lush gardens.

Another good choice is at Toya Bungkah on the shores of Lake Batur, high in the north eastern mountains. Last but not least, there is also a Bali dive safari which includes both shore and boat diving, and encompasses a wide variety of dives: Bali is a paradise for spa lovers, and all sorts of treatments are widely available. The Balinese lulur body scrub with herbs and spices—traditionally performed before a wedding ceremony—is particularly popular. Balinese massage is usually done with oil and involves long, Swedish-style strokes.

In steep contrast to exorbitant western massage fees, Balinese massage is an incredible value, and visitors should definitely avail themselves of this luxury. In local salons, a one-hour full body massage will cost between Rp 70, and ,, and the 2 hr mandi lulur , which incorporates a body scrub and hydrating yogurt body mask in addition to the massage, will cost about Rp , The curiously named creambath is a relaxing scalp and shoulder massage, usually lasting 45 min, in which a thick conditioning cream is worked through the hair and into the scalp.

A creambath typically costs about Rp 60, Note that these same services in an upscale hotel will cost many times more. Fish spa, where small fish will nibble dead skin off your feet and hands, is an unusual spa treatment that is recommended for the adventurous and is available for around Rp 35, for 15 minutes December prices. Bali is host to some of the finest yoga and well-being centres and retreats in the world. You can find an abundance of amazing yoga classes to suit all levels in most of the tourist areas. Look for the best yoga centres in Ubud and Seminyak.

Bali is also now home to a number of renowned yoga teacher training centres. Weddings in Bali have become very popular in recent years. Many couples who are already legally married choose Bali as the place to renew their vows. Full wedding-organising services are widely available: There are several wedding chapels available that are usually attached to luxury hotels, and the number is growing all the time. There are many professional organisers to handle your wedding in Bali, and these are easily found through the Internet. Destination weddings, featuring all types of religious and presentation arrangements, are becoming increasingly popular, with large private villas being one of the island's many offerings for venues.

An excellent way to get to know and understand more of the country is to do some volunteer work. There are organisations that arrange work for international volunteers in Bali and other places in the region. Volunteers can for example teach English at some non-profit organizations. There are many interesting scuba diving sites around Bali. Particularly popular are the wreck of USAT Liberty at Tulamben in the east, the chilled out coral bommies in Padang Bai , the serene reefs around Menjangan Island in the northwest, and dramatic drift diving off Nusa Penida in the south.

Choose a dive centre operating their own boats on dive sites where strong currents are present in order to increase safety. For those who want their diving to make a difference as well, dive voluntourism has gain a foothold in Bali, such as in Sea Communities in Les Village, Tejakula, where divers could help rebuild coral reefs and learn to catch ornamental fish in a sustainable way.

Freediving Amed and Tulamben are fast becoming recognised as the best place in Bali to learn freediving apnea or breath-hold diving. Several freediving schools exist in this region of Bali. Warm waters, crowds of young backpackers, cheap living and reliable waves keep Bali near the top of world surfing destinations. Expert surfers usually head for the big breaks off the Bukit Peninsula, whilst beginners will find the gentler, sandy areas between Kuta and Legian to be ideal for learning.

There are formal surf schools on Legian beach and Kuta beach. The more adventurous might like to to try informal lessons from one of the many local self-styled surf teachers to be found hanging on any beach in South Bali. Regular surf reports are provided by Baliwaves [48]. The waters of Serangan harbour are protected from big waves and swells by a reef, but open to the winds.

It is an excellent location for the sport of sailing. You can easily drive onto Serangan island as it is connected to Bali by a bridge. When driving to the island you will see a spectacular view of the bay on your left. Many private yachts and magnificent traditional Indonesian Phinisi schooners are moored in the smooth waters of the bay. On the beach front of Serangan you may meet other sailors who come to learn or practice their skills and share their knowledge and experience of yachting in Indonesia. There are a number of reputable white-water rafting operators in the Ubud area, and the rafting is of good quality, especially in the wet season.

If you want to go in non commercial area and feel more sensations you can also do canyoning. The rafting companies usually include pick up and drop off in the ticket price, and include lunch. Sport fishing is an increasingly popular activity with visitors to the island. Trolling, jigging and bottom fishing can all be very rewarding, with large game far from unusual.

Charters are available from many coastal areas but the most popular points with a competitive range of options are Benoa Harbour and nearby Serangan close to Kuta , just to the north in Sanur and Padang Bai on the east coast. Waterbom Park [49] is located At the main street of Kuta , close to several shopping centers, it takes only 5 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and 15 minutes from main tourism destinations of Sanur, Nusa Dua, Seminyak and Jimbaran. Exciting water slides slice through 3.

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The park operates daily from 9am — 6pm. Bali, Indonesia is an unique island with a rich of Hinduism cultural and friendly people. It is probably the best island in Indonesia when you come as a tourist. Bali has beautiful varied of landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing the best and colorful cultural, in deep spiritual that visitors claim as island of paradise.

Bali is paradise for surfing and diving lovers, family travelers, honeymooners including back-packers. Bali has become a famous destination for golfers and there are 5 Golf Courses: Many companies also provide adventure activities such as Paragliding at Nusa Dua , Mountain Cycling in the hills of Ubud or downhill cycling from Bedugul and Kintamani , Jungle Trekking , Bungy Jumping on the beach in Seminyak , Horse Riding in Seminyak and Umalas, and Hiking in the rice fields near Ubud and many other places in the hills.

Many companies run bike tours in the mountains as adventure tours but some will offer more than just a ride, they offer a Cultural experience, visiting traditional villages, school visits etc. Popular and run by local families around Ubud and include a trip to the local market. These make great rainy day activities when you can't get to the beach or hike in the hills.

It is a requirment in Bali to carry an international drivers license to ride a motorbike over cc there are no cc motorbikes in Bali. The death toll for foreigners in for the first 4 months was 95, so be careful on the roads. In addition to various private institutions, there are four public universities in Bali: Originally established as a cultural think tank in , Udayana University has become one of the foremost higher education institutions in Indonesia. The university has approximately 22, students attending 12 undergraduate and 12 postgraduate degree programs.

Most of the international students come from China, Japan, German-speaking countries, Nordic countries and the United States. The interdisciplinary approach complements most degrees. Whether it is simple trinkets, a nice statue or high fashion boutiques that turn you on, Bali is a shopper's paradise. A huge range of very affordable products are offered to the point where shopping can overwhelm a visit if you allow it to! Clothing is a real draw. Popular sportswear brands are available in a multitude of stores in Kuta and Legian for prices approximately thirty to fifty per cent lower than you would pay at home.

If the mass market is not your thing, try the ever-increasing number of chic boutiques in Seminyak and support young local designers. Jalan Laksmana is a good starting point. Bali is an island of artisans, so arts and crafts are always popular. Try to head to the source if you can rather than buying from identikit shops in Kuta or Sanur. You will gain more satisfaction from buying an article direct from the maker and seeing the craftsman in action. Bali has a huge range of locally produced paintings, basketware, stone and wood carvings, silver and shell jewellery, ceramics, natural paper gifts, glassware and much, much more.

Dried spices and coffee are very popular items to take home. Most supermarkets have specially designed gift packages aimed at tourists, or, if you are visiting Bedugul , buy at the Bukit Mungsu traditional market. Whatever you are buying, make sure you are in your best bargaining mode, as these skills will be required except in the higher-end stores that specifically state that their prices are fixed. And of course, bargaining is a lot of fun. For more general shopping, Bali is home to a myriad of small stores and supermarkets and you will not be short of options.

The staff at these always speak English and the product lines they stock are very much aimed at visitors; everything from beer and magazines to western foodstuffs and sun lotion are available around the clock. Bali has a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, serving both Indonesian and international food see Indonesia for a menu reader. You could also find American fast-food chains here, although almost exclusively confined to the southern tourist areas. Interestingly, the menus are often highly adapted to the local tastes, e. Try the smaller local restaurants rather than touristy ones; the food is better and cheaper.

Be sure to try the ubiquitous Indonesian dishes nasi goreng fried rice , nasi campur pronounced nasi champur, steamed rice with various vegetables and meats , and mie goreng fried noodles. These dishes should rarely cost more than Rp 25, and are often considerably cheaper. Balinese Nasi Campur is on a must-try list.

The food is consist of Indonesian food staple: The other Balinese delicacies would be Nasi Ayam. It's chicken and rice with Balinese taste. You can also find the other Indonesian food in most of local restaurants: Nasi goreng sauteed rice with various toppings , Mie Goreng sauteed noodles. The price range for local food is no more than Rp50,,- with iced tea or mineral water.

Some of the most authentic food can be found from roving vendors called kaki lima , which literally means "five legs". This comprises the three legs of the food cart and the vendor's own two legs. Go to the beaches of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak at sunset and find steaming hot bakso pronounced ba-so , a delightful meatball and noodle soup, served up fresh for a very inexpensive Rp 5, You can season it yourself but be forewarned: Indonesian spices can be ferociously hot.

Go easy until you find your heat tolerance level! Padang restaurants are a good choice for both the budget-conscious and those visitors wishing to experience authentic Indonesian but not Balinese cuisine. These are usually marked with a prominent masakan padang sign and serve food from Padang , Sumatra.

The options are usually stacked on plates in the window, you choose what you want and it is served with steamed rice. The most famous Padang speciality is rendang sapi spicy beef coconut curry but there are always a number of chicken, fish, egg and vegetable options. Padang food is always halal. Actual Balinese food is common on the island but it has made few inroads in the rest of the country due to its emphasis on pork , which is anathema to the largely Muslim population in the rest of the country.

Unlike Indian Hindus, virtually all Balinese eat meat, and vegetarianism has traditionally been limited to part-time fasts for some priests. It's thus best to assume that all local food is non-vegetarian unless assurances are given to the contrary. In particular, the Indonesian spice paste sambal is a hot paste of ground red chillies, spices and usually shrimp paste. Always check to see if the sambal being served to you contains shrimp paste—you can find it without at a few places.

Additionally, kerupuk crackers with a spongy appearance contain shrimp or fish. Instead, ask for emping which is a delicious cracker made from a bean paste and is totally meat free—it resembles a fried potato chip in appearance. However, restaurants catering to tourists do nearly always provide some vegetarian options, and in places like Seminyak and Ubud there are even dedicated vegetarian restaurants.

Halal eateries catering to the Muslim minority exist, but may require a little searching for and tend to be downmarket.