Tag: Seminyak

Echo Beach in Seminyak

Echo Beach is known as one of Bali’s most recently christened surf spots. The name comes from its local name ‘Pantai Batu Mejan’, named after a significant Balinese Hindu sea temple on site. It shares the tranquil rice field-landscaped region of Canggu with other wave-riding landscapes such as Berawa, Seseh and Pererenan. Echo Beach has become quite popular due to its advanced reef breaks, 180-degree seascape & sunsets and array of delicious seafood restaurants placed on a high vantage point from where you can enjoy the beauty of it all. Among the many lodging places available around Echo Beach are some fine Seminyak Bali villas such as Samaja Villas Beachside.

The ever popular black-sand beach is approximately 35km northwest of Kuta and Seminyak, and another few kilometres drive west from the provincial capital of Denpasar. The journey further west would bring you to Canggu’s green expanses of paddies which remain well-kept and tended to by local villagers. Echo Beach is at the end of Jalan Pantai Batu Mejan, the road originally named after its temple, but now carrying more signposts bearing its new nickname. There are plenty of rows of shacks with surfboards for rent, ding repairs, and a motorcycle parking spot for the convenience of tourists.
The paved alley left of the gate is lined up with sunset dining spots starting with Sticky Fingers Osteria Italiana, then Sate Bali, Dian Café, and the Echo Beach House. Most open during the day but quite a few are opened up towards the evening with barbecues and unique boat-shaped buffets at sunset. At the far end of the cafes you are able to see the outline of the centuries-old temple. The temple and the cafes sit on a small cliff overlooking the surf, and the black-sand beach is accessible down a few steps to the right of the gate. A hundred metres along the coastline nestled on the low-lying rocks is Sand Bar, parasols and colourful beanbags await you for great chill-out sessions. Echo Beach is a wonderful locality that serves as one of the island’s best surf spots, and a great place to chill with a laid-back vibe, great views, and delicious seafood.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
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A day out at the Elephant Safari Park

Bali, the Indonesian Island is one of the most magical places on earth that one would come across. The island is rich with natural beauty, culture, historical importance and bright and vibrant life styles. The charming town of Ubud, is part and parcel of this beautiful island. This area holds a variety of attractions that would lure any visitor to revisit. Ubud Monkey Forest is a sacred place while fascinating, temples, monuments and much more can be found while exploring this beautiful town. The Elephant Safari Park is the other amazing place that one could visit while in Ubud.

Elephants are fascinating and magnificent animals that are the largest animals to roam on earth, but they are nearing towards extinction. All countries who own these giant creatures put huge efforts to protect them. The same can be witnessed at the Elephant Safari Park at Ubud where visitors get the opportunity to enjoy a complete experience with these animals. The park has been home to the elephants for more than a decade, and still is well maintained and clean. Visitors get the opportunity to just stroll on the walkway and experience the lifestyle patterns of these mammals while they eat, bathe sleep and do various other activities in their natural habitats.

Built closer and similar to their natural habitats you would come across elephants walking down the paths that you do, without even a second glance to the passersby. Elephants painting their own masterpieces would be a sight that anyone would definitely want to witness. To add more colour to your trip take a ride on one of these gentle animals which has been the vehicle for many kings for thousands of years. The teak wood chair is comfortable and safe and will help you enjoy the cool forest surroundings around you. There are stalls that sell souvenirs, gifts, elephant paintings, carvings, clothing and much more, so that you could do a bit of shopping to take home some sweet memories.

After visiting these great and gentle creatures, go back and relax at one of the magnificent accommodation facilities in the area. Hotels in Seminyak are varied but W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak is one of the best. This 5 star hotel Seminyak is modern, elegant and would pamper you throughout your stay with its great hospitality, modern amenities and much more.

Trekking in Gunung Agung

Trekking in Gunung Agung is an experience no traveller in Bali should miss; not only does this volcano hold an incredible spiritual significance to the locals, it also is the highest point on this beautiful island offering a spectacular view to anyone willing to take on the excitement filled hike to the rim of the volcano. If you’re a true thrill seeker, the six-hour hike to the peak which allows you breathtakingly beautiful views is well worth the while.
The shorter, more straightforward hike starts off at the car park of Pura Pasar Agung, where there are plenty of guides waiting. At the gates, one can join the guide in an offering to the gods, asking for protection and a safe return while lighting incense sticks for one of the shrines. After this the true hike begins; including a trek through dense alpine rainforest, followed by a steep climb on the first rocky surface, where the forest has thinned and offers a taste of the view at the rim. The last part of the trek is steep and slippery, but it is truly worth it, because at this point the view begins unfolding in every direction. Ahead of you stands the peak of Gunung Agung while on one side the are the mountain ranges of Bali. On the other, two thirds of the island including the beautiful coastline can be seen unfolding before your eyes. The trek may be tiring, but the beautiful view awaiting you at the rim is worth the trouble.
Although the shorter hike is less tiring, the longer hike is well worth the extra trouble. It takes about six hours in total, and if you want to make it to the peak to witness the sunrise you will have to start the climb at around midnight. The hike starts off at Pura Besakih, which is a vast collection of temples on the mountainside. After a walk of an hour or so, a strong torch will come very much in handy as you navigate the dense rainforest without the light of the moon. Following this is the tough, slippery walk straight up the mountain, 2,622km up. After a short rest at this ‘base camp,’ you take on the most dangerous part of the climb, where it is important to be wary of the cliffs. Once this part of the hike is done, you are rewarded with a view of a beautiful tropical sunrise in a way that only those who take on the mountain can truly enjoy.
Trekking in Gunung Agung is an experience that no television screen or photograph can truly describe. The tough trek is a small price to pay for the view, and if one decides to experience this climb, it is important to go prepared. A strong torch, or better yet a head torch is necessary for the rainforest trek, proper shoes; especially for the walk on the volcanic rock, don’t forget water, snacks, a warm jacket and a few other things necessary for the hike. Last but not the least, a thirst for adventure as well as plenty of determination.
There are plenty of hotels in Seminyak to relax in after an exhausting hike, but to truly pamper yourself, a 5 star hotel Seminyak such as the luxurious W Retreat & Spa Bali Seminyak should be at the top of your list.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.Google+