When in Bali: Three Balinese Dishes You Should Try

They say you'll never experience a culture unless you try and taste their food. This is, to an extent, true, and one of the exciting things while travelling is getting to taste the different local dishes. Travelling is not only for the wanderlust in you; it's also for the inner foodie that's been clawing its way out of your system.

When in Bali, rice paddies and unheard of yoga classes are not the only curiosities you should try: Balinese food is something to look forward to, too. The Bali Tourism board is the first to say experiencing the gentle nature of the locals should be supplemented with the exciting, complex-flavoured dishes that they serve.

Here are the top three must-try Balinese dishes you should not miss out on:

Babi guling (young, roasted suckling)

The Balinese version of the world-famous whole roasted pig, babi guling is a turmeric-based spiced dish that's both exotic-tasting and down-to-Earth delicious. Doused in Asian lime leaves, black pepper and chillies, it's a melody of flavors, with lemon grass front and centre. What you get is a serving of one of the finest pork dishes in Asia.

Because of the prevalence of the Muslim culture in the area, babi guling is the pork-lovers food stop among the chicken, beef and seafood-centred local cuisine.

Bebek Betutu (slow roasted duck with sauce)

You know it's not Asian unless there's a duck on the table. Bebek Betutu is Bali's answer to the poster boy of duck dishes – the Peking duck. The main struggle when cooking duck meat is its aroma – it has a pungent odour. That is remedied through washing the dish in a sea salt-and-tamarind puree.

After the wash, the bird is stuffed with a mixture of spices, boiled eggs (sometimes even fresh), and a curious addition of cassava leaves. The cooking method involves slow-roasting the duck until the meat falls off the bone.

Warung (rice with mixed dishes)

This quintessential Balinese dish, warung is like a platter you get from a food fight. It's one of the things to do and see in Bali, and definitely one of the items on the checklist to try. For a more authentic feel, order the warung from a genuine local restaurant.

The Hidden Side of Bali: 3 Places Unveiled!

You probably heard your colleagues speaking about an island filled with breathtaking sceneries, enchanting beaches and countless one-of-a-kind destinations. Yes, it's definitely Bali! But maybe, what you've heard from them is just a small piece of what truly this island has.

Tourist attractions in Bali Indonesia have definitely reached the zenith of “travellers' list of must visit places.” But in spite of it, there are still other places lurking in some Balinese' secret list! Why? It's protected! Hence, it's called secret!

But not for today. Here are 3 places in Bali you probably never heard of:

1. The Fortress of Bali Asli

Located in the Karangasem Countryside, Bali Asli – a brilliant cooking school  stands still to offer the most extraordinary experiences for everyone. These experiences aren't the ones that you've probably did before. Guess what?

Bali Asli let their guests experience something they'll never forget like 'A day in the life of a fisherman’ and ‘A day in the life of a Balinese Woman.' These privileges let their people feel an authentic experience of trying what the locals usually do.

For instance, you can learn to plough rice with a cow, prepare Canang traditional flower offerings, or prepare any luscious authentic Balinese meal. Of course, the stunning sceneries like views of volcanoes are also counted!

2. Off to “Menjangan Island!”

In North West Bali, lies an astonishing underwater paradise – Menjangan Island. Menjangan means “Deer” in Indonesia. The name was given due to the herd of wild deer swimming to the island every spring.

Most tourists claim that the water here is serene, making it a perfect place for those who want tranquility. To surprise you more, Menjangan is also considered an ideal spot for snorkeling! So, if you're heading to this hidden paradise, prepare for some snorkeling adventure!

Menjangan is also a significant part of Bali Barat National Park.

3. See the Dolphins at the Black Sand “Lovina Beach!”

Lovina beach became popular due to the volcanic black sand covering. It's not like any other Bali beaches where you can spend your night partying. Here, it's more into serenity and natural beauty.

But what others probably don't know are the “dolphins!” You can take a boat ride out to witness a breathtaking view of them. Watching these creatures swim and frolic in the seas is surely a pleasure for everyone.

What do you think?

These places are some of Bali's hidden treasures. They're usually underrated, maybe because of other numerous popular places in Bali. But here in Bali Tourism Board, as long it's in Bali, you'll find it here!

Balinese Dances – What You Can Do And See In Indonesia

Bali is touted to be a traveler’s paradise here on earth. As one of the prime tourist destinations in the world, this extraordinary island boasts of award winning resorts, accommodations, and its unique blend of cuisine. On top of it, is its one-of-a-kind culture and the natural hospitality of the Balinese people, that holiday makers should get to experience.

These are just a few of the exciting tourist attractions in Bali Indonesia. But wait, there’s more to it than just meets the eye. Unbelievably, they were able to preserve their culture, most prominently their traditional dances. You can never say your holiday is complete without ever experiencing the dances that Bali is famous for, the world over.

Theirs is a totally different way of living in comparison to the rest of Indonesia. The locals have retained a unique lifestyle that is marked by their religious traditions, social and cultural rights. Their culture is their identity, and so are their dances, music and art. They have discovered that tourists are more attracted to their dances, thus, the dance became the best way to entertain any guest.

Dances are common during celebrations of festivals but, they are done not just for the sake of entertainment, but also with religious ceremonies. The purposes of which are to distract and to amuse the spirits. When in Indonesia, make sure to watch the popular performances in such dances as Bedaya, Serimpi, Dance of Fire, Monkey Dance, Legong, Barong Dance, and many, many others.

Aside from dances, their paintings are not to be missed. There’s a fabulous collection of paintings from Agung Rai, some of which date back to the early century up to the contemporary times. This collection gives you an idea of how Balinese painting has evolved over time and the wide extent of modern art across the entire Indonesia.

To prove that arts and culture is still deeply embedded in Balinese life, there still exists today the cultural arts community and literacy in different regions. This way, their local cultural arts are protected while they continue to build awareness about their tradition through literacy.

As a traveler, you’ll never be wanting of thrilling things to do and see in Bali, since the government has greatly supported the efforts of the local tourism industry. They make sure that tourists will get more value for their money even when staying for only a few days.

5 Popular Items To Take Home From Bali

Bali, the so called island of the gods, is a perfect getaway for couples, friends, and family travelers. Aside from its beautiful landscapes, amazing beaches, and rich culture, tourists also love shopping for exotic handicrafts. You get to choose from a wide variety of gift items.

Your trip to Bali wouldn't be worth it without taking home something to preserve your memory of the spectacular destination. What's more, because of bargains, you can also bring some for your friends!  Check the following Bali travel tips and advice in choosing a souvenir.

1. Surf board. Because beaches in the island are great for surfing, affordable lessons are available for tourists. That said, you can also get pretty good deals on boards. Even if you haven't learned anything at all, you can buy one to take home with you and look like you can!

2. Sarongs. Well-known for its many uses, sarongs is definitely worth buying. You may use it to cover your head when entering temples, wear it as a dress, tie it around your waist, and even as a beach towel. They have countless colors that you can choose from!

3. Wooden crafts. Cute wooden handicrafts are famous among tourists, as well as a variety of room decorations. These products are a mainstay for local Balinese. You can choose from photo frames, key chains, sandals, and other wooden accessories, in affordable prices.

4. Fashion items. The island is also sought-after for its unique fashion jewelries and accessories, with creative designs. Balinese traders even use high quality metals to make them. You can take home belts, bracelets, purses, sequined bags, and earring to name a few.

5. Food items. There are numerous good quality food items you can carry with you back home. Bean Bali, Koro and salted peanuts known as ‘rempeyek’, are popular among tourists. What about Bali spice sauces, which are made using natural ingredients with no preservatives?

As much as there are a lot of things to do and see in Bali, there are also lots of areas where tourists can shop for gifts and souvenirs of their choice. Make gift and souvenir shopping in Bali an enjoyable experience! Bag tons of worth it bargains!