CRAFTS

Some of the TOP Hotels in Bali

Bali's most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast. The island's other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud , a still charming but undeniably commercialized overgrown village, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa : The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury property strategically located only 15 kilometers away from the... Nusa Dua
Aston Bali Resort & Spa : The Aston Bali Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel located on the waterfront facing golden sandy beaches... Tanjung Benoa
Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel : Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel is situated in the coastal village of Sanur, an ideal location from which to explore... Sanur
Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites : The Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites is located in Sanur Village just two kilometers from the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel....Grand Bali Beach Hotel also is a nice hotel in Sanur.
Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga : The Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga is a deluxe property strategically located only 20 kilometers northeast from the Ngurah Rai... Nusa Dua
Grand Hyatt Bali Hotels located in Nusa Dua and The Oberoi Bali located in Seminyak, Maya Ubud located in Ubud, The Alilia Ubud, Chedi, Hard Rock Hotel Bali located in Kuta beach, Melia Bali located in Nusa Dua and Padma Bali located in Kuta

Due to the extravagant amounts package-tourists have paid for Balinese artifacts, prices have become ludicrously high and the Balinese have developed a pathetically inflated notion of the true value of their crafts. Clothing, woodcarvings, bonework, and batik are much cheaper in India and other countries, and often better quality. Although Bali's silversmiths are more inventive, silverwork is usually cheaper in Yogya. On Bali, the first asking price in a local market or by a peddler is not necessarily lower than that of the exclusive shop. They both start out at an equally escalated price. If you're trading clothes for good bargains, there's a glut of AMCO and Levi jeans now and you can seldom trade them for anything anymore. For other fashionable clothes you don't usually get the whole amount in cash but rather its value in painting or carving. From MarchJune, crafts are about Y4 to ' the usual price.French tourists start raining down around mid-year and the Aussies overrun the island during X-mas holidays. But during these four months, a small Garuda carving, for example, is down to Rp500 (sometimes up to Rp15,000 in the tourist season(; full length kaftans in Ubud go for 3 for Rp3500 (other months they cost Rp3000 each); Rp12,500 paintings are only Rp2500; small wall-hangings only Rp500 (down from Rp2000 and up). There are mass produced handicrafts all over the island now so if you don't like it or can't afford it say vehemently, 'Sing ngeleh pipisl' (Balinese for, 'I'm dead brokel'). If you let a guide take you into a crafts shop, he gets a commission of 20% or more; that's what you have to pay extra for each item. North Bali (such as Singaraja) has cheaper crafts than in more touristy South Bali. For handicrafts at their cheapest, and for the widest range, go to different villages.

Nusa Lembongan is situated 12 miles south east of Bali. It is one hour traveling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef, which hosts a myriad of marine life, The waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco-system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. The local people farm seaweed. This seaweed is cultivated, harvested then exported all over the world for use in cosmetics, food stabilizers and medicines. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato, and fishing.Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island, thirty years ago.Although the island is small there are many things to do. Fishing, diving, surfing, mangrove exploring, discovering natural fresh water springs, underground cave house exploring, cycling around the island. A visit to the bat caves on a nearby island, or a picnic at dream beach. Try catching mud cabs in the mangrove area at the back of the island. There is something for every one at Nusa Lembongan.