Head out of Kuta Beach for a taste of Bali’s freshest new offerings

WORDS SOPHIE DIGBY

Bali’s emerald rice paddies, as seen with Waka Land Cruise

If you think Bali begins and ends at Kuta Beach, think again. Over the last few years it’s the chic and glowingly metrosexual Seminyak, north of Kuta, that has captured the heads, hearts and wallets of new and old Bali-lovers. Jalan Raya Seminyak – the road that continues north of the well-known Jalan Legian – has become something of a Rodeo Drive for interior design, trendy threads and reasonably priced restaurants. Not lagging far behind is Ubud, increasingly popular with the eco-cultural and culinary tourist; and then there’s Tuban, a tourist-friendly area sandwiched between Kuta and the airport. Strap on your sandals as we take you off the well-trodden footpath to sample some new island delights.

THRILLSEEKERS

Waka’s bamboo rainforest restaurantLeave your comfort zone behind and book yourself an adventure with a cruise along the coastline or a trip inland to experience a side of Bali most travellers don’t see.

Inland, Waka Land Cruise’s full-day Land Rover tour is one of the best ways to discover the “secret soul of Bali”. See rocks being carved from a riverbed and water buffaloes ploughing rice paddies, travel the trails of the hinterland, eat some of the best traditional

Indonesian cuisine on the island in Waka’s bamboo rainforest restaurant in the foothills of dormant volcanoes, and then finish off your experience with a coffee and a cognac – landcruising has never been this good. US$83 (AU$104) including pick up/drop off, coffee break and lunch.

Have a dolphin day with Bali Hai CruiseIf the water beckons, catch Bali Hai Cruises’ early boat and head out for an exhilarating day of high-speed ocean rafting and dolphin spotting, cruising along the southern tip of Bali to frolic with Bali’s two species of acrobatic dolphins, Spinners and Spotters. The dolphin-to-dolphin encounters – as separate groups form one huge pod after their deep-sea midnight feasts – make for an experience like no other. Bali Hai’s staff work alongside marine protection agents and are great sources of information about these magnificent creatures. But please note: ocean rafting is not suitable for children under 10 years old, pregnant women or people with back or heart problems. All cruises include return hotel transfers and tea/coffee, fruit juice and pastries prior to departure. US$49 (AU$60) per adult and US$33 (AU$40) for children 10–16 years.

Relive Easy Rider with a Harley-
Davidson tourA ride on a Harley-Davidson motorbike – is there anything it can’t do for your ego? You don’t need a licence to rent the real thing and ride, with a jockey, for four fabulous hours – for as little as IDR 1,100,000 (AU$143) including petrol. Take a trip up to the mountain lakes in Bedugul or ride around the back lanes of Uluwatu, south Bali, and catch the sunset with a cocktail in your hand at Breeze at The Samaya resort in Seminyak.

BAG A BARGAIN

There’s a definite series of steps for shopping in Bali. Step one has to be a visit to the island’s beachside mega-mall, Discovery Shopping Mall on Kartika Plaza Street in Tuban, open from 10am to 11pm. There are souvenirs and sarongs, Marks and Spencer’s and Centro, branded and (ahem) “branded” goods, and bargains, bargains everywhere. Throw in the kids’ bouncy castle park on the seafront and fast-food outlets and it’s not hard to make a day of it – top off the day at one of the bars serving really ice-cold beer!

Jalan Laksmana, Seminyak,
is rich with gorgeous treasuresOur step two is less well known, but shopping at factory outlets for a fraction of the retail price is a pleasure worth making an effort for. Numerous labels are manufactured here so take advantage of seriously great prices at Pura Vida, which makes Italian-designed fashion; Animale, for layered wool and cotton fashion for the larger man and woman; and cool surfer gear from Surf Factory Outlet. If it’s manufactured in Indonesia, it’ll be here and a bargain!

For a serious fashion rush guaranteed to leave you spinning, take step three: a walk down both sides of Jalan Raya Seminyak and Jalan Laksmana, a smaller street that branches off towards the beach and is now known as Boutique Street. This is grand central for super-cool resortwear and party threads.

HANDS UP

Learn the art of Balinese massage
at Jari MenariCarry something of Bali with you wherever you go by taking a comprehensive one-day massage workshop at Jari Menari, Bali’s most respected spa consultant and massage centre. Courses range from US$170 (AU$207) for face-down lessons to US$220 (AU$268) for face-up and face-down, and include a light healthy lunch and a workshop booklet. Classes start at 9am.

Cozy is a name synonymous with blissing out in Bali – at a fraction of the price of five-star spas. Treatments at Cozy include reflexology (90 minutes for AU$9); Take Me to the Moon, a body massage treatment using lime blossom oils that includes the signature Cozy head massage and foot reflexology (two hours for AU$20); and the Cozy You Feel (two hours for AU$22) which is a deeply relaxing massage followed by a body scrub. Cozy is extremely popular with expats and locals alike so bookings are a must!

Diana Shearin, principal of DiSh Public Relations in Sydney and Bali as well weekly columnist of The Dish on Bali for The Bali Times English newspaper, recommends: “Breeze at The Samaya resort on Seminyak Beach. Fabulous sunsets, glamorous venue, great drinks and delicious food – you could almost say that they have staged a coup d’etat on Ku De Ta!”

MENU MAGIC

Ku De Ta bar and restaurant
satisfies all the sensesKu De Ta is Bali’s equivalent of Sydney’s Guillaume at Bennelong. A cocktail, wine or beer here is a must if you wish to say you actually “know” Bali. However, the best value for money at the swish “Ku” is breakfast. For IDR 60,000 (AU$8), plus tax and service charges, have a fresh fruit juice, fresh fruit plate, and eggs any style (we love the Benedict) with lashings of mushrooms, baked beans and bacon, all washed down with a tea or coffee and a sea view that’s been created for VIPs – at these prices, that includes you!

Australian-born Marie Hewson opened Grocer and Grind in order to bring true Aussie-style café culture to Bali. This part-deli-part-café has become part and parcel of Seminyak’s breakfast, lunch and dinner scene. The Supper Club menu flounces Australian rib eye fillet with spinach, portobello’s and potato rosti while the Red Carpet Breakfast swishes a hot and spicy Bloody Mary over smoked salmon on poached eggs with an English muffin plus tea or coffee. To cap it all there’s free WiFi internet connection… some people just stay all day!

GARDEN OF EDEN

Soak up the verdant luxury of the
Botanic Garden of Ubud
Photo: Don Jensen Founded in June 2006, the Botanic Garden Ubud is a fabulous showcase for tropical flora that just keeps on growing! The five hectares of tropical gardens have been divided into ponds, groves, fountain and mazes with names such as Heliconia Hill, Fern Forest, and Lily and Lotus Pond, and feature collections of succulents, fruit orchards and even bromeliads. This is Bali’s very best picnic spot! A day-pass costs IDR 50,000 (AU$7).

For all your travel choices, go to jetstar.com

FIND IT:

Waka Land Cruise
tel: +62 (361) 426 972
Bali Hai Cruises
Benoa Harbour, tel: +62 (361) 720 331
Harley-Davidson Tours
tel: +62 (361) 764 272 ext. Rentals
Discovery Shopping Mall
Kartika Plaza St, Tuban, tel: +62 (361) 755 522
Pura Vida
#38B, Jln Raya Seminyak, tel: +62 (361) 736 563
Animale
Jln Raya Kuta, Tuban, tel: +62 (361) 766 728
Surf Factory Outlet
#417B, Jln Raya By Pass Ngurah Rai, tel: +62 (361) 766 646
Jari Menari
#47 Jln Raya Basangkasa, tel: +62 (361) 736 740
Cozy
Jln Sunset Blk A/3, Kuta, tel: +62 (361) 766 762/743
Ku De Ta
Jln Laksmana, Seminyak, tel: +62 (361) 736 969
Grocer and Grind
Jl. Kayu Jati # 3X, Petitenget Beach, Seminyak, tel: +62 (361) 730 418
Breeze
The Samaya Bali Jln Laksmana, Seminyak Beach, tel: +62 (361) 731 149
Botanic Garden Ubud
Jln Kutuh Kaja, Ubud, tel: +62 (361) 970 951