Essential Magazine June 2016

Page 146

h THE LEISURE travel

Bali, Indonesia

Rather larger than the other islands on our itinerary, Bali requires little introduction, for its virtues as a tourist destination are well documented. Even so, few will know that this beautiful corner of South East Asia so popular with Australian, American, European and Far Eastern tourists is in many ways unique within Indonesia. This stems mostly from the fact that the vast majority of the population is Hindu, with an ancient culture that stretches back into classical times. The cultural mix of Bali is therefore an enticing one, blending Indonesian heritage with the kind of temples, festivals and Hindu traditions that you would expect to see in India. Beautiful resorts line the gorgeous coastline, where they cater to tourists alternatively looking for tropical sunshine, water sports, spa retreats, romantic escapes, culture, enlightenment or simply youthful beach-and-club partying. Above all a surfer’s paradise, the importance of Bali’s uniquely rich ecosystem is increasingly recognised by local, national and international government agencies in an effort to protect the environment from overdevelopment in tourism, agriculture and industry, as well as from overpopulation.

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