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Why was Bali voted World’s Best Island 2009 by readers of Travel & Leisure? Was it the beaches? The iridescent rice paddies? The influx of high end restaurants, boutiques and resorts perhaps? Or is it all the leisure options on offer? It’s all of the above, plus a little something called culture.
Besides its innumerable physical assets, it is perhaps Bali’s character that makes it really stand out. Bali’s unique stream of Hinduism is shot through with animism and ancestor worship. Adat and agama (culture and religion) are inextricably linked – both are everyday, lived realities, connected with the land and hallowed predecessors as much as the pantheon of Hindu deities. The strength and uniqueness of the Balinese identity and of course the sheer beauty of the island, has seen it absorb numerous influences and develop into a uniquely cosmopolitan and remarkably tolerant place. With the first influx of artists, writers, ethnologists and musicians in the 1930s, it was clear that Bali was always going to have a bohemian character.
The Balinese are very open about their culture and religion. Provided you respect their traditions, you’ll always be welcomed in the banjar (communal units into which all villages are divided) or pura (temple). And of course, the culture is shot through with artistry – from dance to gamelan orchestras, wood and stone carving to martial arts, cooking to puppetry. Both Karma Jimbaran and Karma Kandara are just a short drive away from one of the island’s oldest and most sacred temples. Pura Luhur Uluwatu has foundations dating back to the 11th Century, and is one of Bali’s most important Hindu places of worship. Perched 200 metres above the Indian Ocean at the island’s southern tip, it’s also the site of a dramatic dance performance that takes place at sunset each day – the kecak is a mix of theatre and dance taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana. With the spectacular location, it’s an essential Bali experience.
Then there’s the famous town of Ubud – Bali’s arts and culture hub. Just an hour from Karma’s southern resorts, this picturesque hill town is filled with galleries, restaurants, boutiques, temples and colourful characters.
For those with more active sensibilities, there’s a raft of activities to enjoy – including rafting through a landscape of rice fields and rainforest on the Ayung River. Or ride Sumatran elephants on one of the finest reserves in the world – Tony Blair was a recent visitor. Or try mountain biking, volcano trekking, diving, big game fishing, waterskiing…and let’s not forget that Bali is probably second only to Hawaii when it comes to world-class surf breaks.
Karma is dedicated to making sure you get the most out of your time in Bali – we have selected a portfolio of activities aimed at providing the most memorable experience imaginable. Whether you want to hit the trendy boutiques of Seminyak or explore the wild hinterlands of West Bali, anything is possible. And of course, both Karma Jimbaran and Karma Kandara are worlds of leisure and pleasure in themselves.
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