The result is a burgeoning food and beverages industry boasting a wide variety of cuisines and influences. For some unknown reason, the area of Seminyak has become a haven for Italian restaurants and bars, such as Warung Italia, Word of Mouth, Rumours, Ultimo and plenty others. My own personal favorite amongst these is the humble Warung Italia for lunch, while trendy Word of Mouth is a great place for dinner and lounging.

Warung Italia is a humble street-side wooden shop serving freshly made Italian fare. The recipe is simple and straightforward, focusing on great ingredients and full of flavors. My personal favorite is their variety of lasagnas, from beef to vegetarian to chicken. I’m not a big fan of the pizzas, which comes thin-sliced but not crispy enough for my liking. But all in all, this is an excellent place for brunch, and one that is also very affordable.

Word of Mouth is a recent addition to Seminyak’s lane of trend-setting establishments. The space is a combination of art gallery showcasing architecture, furniture and fashion, as well as a shop selling quirky products, and finally, cafe and bar. Fresh is the mantra they swore by, and you’ll find yourself enjoying a uniquely awesome time in this colorful establishment.

Teppanyaki Chef at KO Japanese. Photo by InterContinental Hotel Bali.

Bluefin
Located in the heart of bustling Kuta, Bluefin is an established restaurant serving authentic Japanese food with a touch of contemporary pan-Asian aesthetic. The decor is attractive and luxurious, with impressive wine racks showcased in the front window. Try out their Exotic Funamori, an impressive spread of various Sashimi which can easily feed 2 to 3 people.

Ryoshi
Ryoshi Japanese Restaurant and Bar has long been a part of Bali dining scene, offering authentic Japanese cuisine at an affordable price. Their main branch is located at Jl Raya Seminyak, with several new branches cropping up in Ubud and Kuta. The main branch at Seminyak features down-to-earth decoration and a relaxed atmosphere, and would often get crowded during dinner time – reservation or an early entrance is recommended. Ryoshi offers a wide selection of Japanese cuisine, from sushi and sashimi to tempura and yakiniku. While the food is definitely value for money, you won’t find creative neo-fusion food here, which may be a plus or minus depending on your preference. Expect to spend approximately USD10 to 20 per person.

Sushi Bar Teppanyaki – Tsukiji Tei
True to its name, Sushi Bar Teppanyaki are small boutique eateries serving sushi as its main attraction, as well as several teppanyaki dishes to add some variety. They currently boast several establishments, two in Kuta, one in Nusa Dua and one in Sanur, all boasting small indoor tatami style seating. Without a doubt, the main attraction is the dish on offer, with Chef Yamamoto of the famed Inagiku in Tokyo overseeing the overall operation. Prices are very affordable, with a serving of Salmon Sashimi at just USD5. You can expect to feast on sushi and sashimi and spend approximately USD15 to 25 per person.

Hanabi
Hanabi is another establishment that has long been a part of Bali. Located in Nusa Dua, the restaurant specializes in traditional Japanese cuisine as well as a wide range of Japanese wines and spirits. The restaurant even offers free shuttle services within the Nusa Dua area, which is a great plus for tourists who does not use a personal driver.

KO Japanese
For a touch of luxury, head on towards InterContinental Hotel in Bali. Here, you can find one of Bali’s finest Japanese restaurant in KO. KO boast an impeccable decor, combining Balinese architectural elements with Japanese contemporary aesthetic to create an opulent dining experience for guests. The menu features a host of teppanyaki grilled items, as well as a complete sushi and sashimi list.

Romantic Dinner by the Jetty. Photo by AYANA.

Romantic Dinner by the Jetty
The AYANA Resort and Spa Bali boasts some of the most impressive spots in all of Bali. One such spot stands head over shoulders in terms of romance and privacy. The Romantic Dinner by the Jetty is a dinner package that is available for only one booking each day. The dinner takes place in a private wooden jetty jutting out into the ocean that is situated a distance away from AYANA’s other busier establishments. At the end of the jetty is a small enclave, upon which a table sits for you and your lady. A personal butler will be situated for your convenience, as well as a group of traditional gamelan musicians to add a touch of Bali into your romantic dinner. What better place to pronounce your undying love and pop the ultimate question? If you are looking to book this package, be sure to call early, as the waiting line goes months in advance.

Sunset Sailing
Most sail-boat tour operator will have a package that allows you to enjoy the stunning sunset from the sea. Shop around and ask for a private tour with a smaller boat which can be rented exclusively for you and your lady. Tours usually start out with a short snorkeling trip, followed by sunset viewing and a delicious barbeque dinner. This is a great way to enjoy the sun, sea and the stunning views of Bali. Another plus point is that you will be able to pick your snorkeling spots, which will usually translate to a more enchanting experience. During the stunning sunset, you magical and romantic atmosphere will lend itself to a successful proposal.

The Birdcage
The Birdcage is a contemporary landmark that is the icon of Alila Uluwatu. This luxurious establishment boasts interior design that is minimalist and edgy, with the Birdcage taking center stage in the resorts architectural planning. The venue serves as a lounge / bar for guests of the luxurious Alila Uluwatu, and is a perfect place to ask for your lady’s hand in marriage. Jutting out from the side of the cliff, it gives you perfect view of the surrounding landscape, as well as that breathless feeling of being up in the air. Truly a great spot to declare your undying love.

Klapa Beach Club
The hip beach club of Klapa is crowded and boisterous. Fortunately, there are plenty of spots within the vicinity to get some privacy and enjoy some private moments. The establishment now offers a barbequed dinner spread from the roof of the establishment, which gives you and your lady a stunning view of the setting sun as you dig into your dinner.

Kintamani
High up in the central mountains of Bali is the region of Kintamani. The area is home to a volcanic lake, the Lake Batur and Volcano, which is a great place to unwind and enjoy with your loved one. You’ll need approximately 2 hours from Kuta area to drive up. This is best done with a driver who knows the way. Once you have reached Kintamani, enjoy the cooling breeze at one of the various restaurants overlooking the lake, and then head down towards the bottom of the lake and check into one of the various hot-springs resorts located there. This is an excellent place to spend a quiet, relaxing, romantic night with your loved one.

CenterStage. Photo from bali.hardrockhotels.net

Arguably one of the best live music venue in Kuta area is the very popular Hard Rock Cafe, located right at the edge of Kuta’s beach front. The establishment has just undergone renovation and is now back with a bang, with live music served every day from 11PM to 2AM. If the crowd is still a little too noisy, you can opt to sit on the balcony should the weather permit, or move further in and head to it’s sister establishment, the Center Stage at the Hard Rock Resort. Food and drinks in both outlets are priced at a decent premium, but the quality of music and performers is without a doubt one of the best on the island.

Keep a look out for special events and performances, while other themed nights are often just around the corner. Wednesdays for example, are themed Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, while Mondays are themed Rhythm & Booze, pairing live band performance with fashion show. This past October the establishment runs a Old School Rock performances every Thursdays.

Rio Sidik Jazz Quartet. Photo from www.casalunabali.com

The mountainous region of Ubud is not renowned as a hotbed for nightlife – for the wilder, partying type, you need to try Kuta or Seminyak instead. But what it lacks in one aspect of nightlife, it more than made up by excelling in other aspects. Food for example, is something that visitors can truly enjoy in Ubud, with a wide selection and variety of both local and international delectables.

Another that it excels in is its relaxed and jazzy atmosphere, which lends to a great ambiance for live music performance. Jazz is the toast of the area, and two establishments particularly stood out amongst others – Casa Luna and the Jazz Cafe.

Casa Luna, located right on the main street in Central Ubud, is a great place to hang out and relax. Casa Luna pairs its open-air design and a relaxed tropical atmosphere with fine selection of Balinese and Mediterranean dishes. The highlight of the restaurant however, is usually the smooth jazz that can heard every Wednesday (Brazilian Jazz) and Sunday (Rio Sidik Jazz Quartet).

The Jazz Cafe lays claim as the first live Jazz venue on the island of Bali, and offers a lively and popular spot to enjoy music over a drink or two. The atmosphere is unpretentious and relaxed with a low-key decor. This is a popular place with both locals and tourists.

Photo credit - Thrillseeker

Uluwatu Temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Bali, an important temple set on a majestic cliff bank in the Southern part of Bali. The site is remarkable for its stunning view and location, perched on a steep cliff 70 meters above the Indian Ocean – sunset views over Uluwatu are truly a sight to behold.

The temple is unfortunately infested with wild monkeys and a lot of other animals, who call the forested area around the temple home. As such, tourists need to be careful as they enjoy the sights of Uluwatu. The monkeys would often snatch glittering objects such as earrings, shades or jewelleries. It is best to simply leave these glittering objects behind, but even if the monkeys do grab hold of them, the locals would usually be able to get them back for you by exchanging the item with fruits or foods. You would naturally have to tip the local, approximately between Rp20,000 to Rp50,000 (around USD2 to USD5).

Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali’s nine key directional temples, having been constructed in the 11th century by a Javanese sage. There is a small entrance fee of Rp6,000 (approximately USD0.75) and you will need to be dressed appropriately to enter. Please inquire if your attire is appropriate, or if you’ll need to use the sarongs and sashes (available for free) to cover up before entering.

Photo credit - eGuide Travel

The mountainous area of Ubud is approximately 3 hours drive away from the tourist heartland of Kuta. As such, there are plenty of peace and quiet to be had, and this cultural heartland has quickly became the side of Bali that people rarely know of. During the day, the tourists will flock to the temples and art market, but they will usually do a short day-trip to the area. If you are looking to experience the best of Ubud, pencil in 2 to 3 days here instead, and enjoy all the relaxation and charm of Ubud.

Babi Guling Ibu Oka
To start with, Ubud is home to several uniquely Balinese cuisine, some of which are famed throughout the island and will often be a talking point with other fellow tourists. The Babi Guling (Crispy Suckling Pig) at Ibu Oka is one such cuisine, and you will see plenty of tourists and locals coming from all over the island to enjoy this treat. The restaurant itself is just a simple hut, located in the heart of Ubud next to the market area and the main temple. The dish itself is cheap and straight-forward, with options of various parts of the pig for you to choose from. The skin is crispy and tasty, while the meat succulent and flavorful. If you are not a lover of chili, then be sure to share that preference when ordering. This is the perfect place for lunch, and will cost you approximately USD8.

Ubud Art Market
Right next to Babi Guling Ibu Oka is Ubud’s art market. Here you can find various handcrafted items from all over the island, a great place to hunt for unique bargains and souvenirs. The layout of the market can be confusing and head-spinning, and the area itself is huge, although there are various shops selling similar things. You can easily spend hours here scouring for bargains, but there are plenty other things to do in Ubud, so try to limit yourself to an hour or so and just USD10.

Day Spa
The area of Ubud is home to various day-spas offering relaxing massage treatments and a variety of pampering services. Some include manicure and pedicure, while some others are more limited in options. Look around the area and ask for a good deal, and enjoy an hour or two of fuss-free relaxation as you leave your body to the expert hands of the masseuse. Choose wisely and don’t hesitate to ask questions at the service counter before deciding, or perhaps even asking for a tour of the facilities. A session of 90 minutes will cost you approximately USD17.

Dirty Duck Diner
For dinner, head to the iconic Dirty Duck Diner which is located next to rows upon rows of paddy fields. This restaurant cum cafe is a popular place for both local and foreign tourists to enjoy a relaxing dinner. The popular dish here is the Nasi Campur Bebek (Duck Mixed Rice), which features a mixture of satay, crispy duck meat, and various vegetables on top of flavored rice. A meal here will cost you approximately USD15.

Jusman’s experience includes six years at Sage, a restaurant he founded in 2005 to critical acclaim. The much awarded restaurant was nominated “Best New Restaurant” at the World Gourmet Summit 2008, and awarded one of Singapore’s Best Restaurants by Singapore Tatler in 2010 before being named on the prestigious Miele List. Prior to that, he worked at the Harbour Grill & Oyster Bar at the Hilton Hotel Singapore. He has also been awarded Singapore’s Best Rising Chef at the World Gourmet Summit 2008.

The well-traveled chef is a passionate surfer, a fact which surely help his decision to move to the Island of the Gods. He also pointed to the freedom of creativity and the chance to provide a unique dining experience to guests of DAVA as his reasons for coming over. The new menu at DAVA will feature one of his all-time favorite foie gras creations, sauteed and served on raisin corn bread with a combination of beetroot capellini, dried orange and topped with black grape emulsion.

Other highlights of the menu includes a yellow fin tuna carpaccio with daikon braised in seaweed broth, a roasted grouper fillet served on fennel confit with crumbs and rouille, grilled grain-fed beef tenderloin with potato puree and roasted porcini mushroom, as well as Valrhona chocolate fondant with espresso ice-cream for desserts. This special menu degustation runs at Rp390,000++ per person for 4 courses, and Rp500,000++ per person for 6 courses.

Photo credit - Jo@net

Visit the Temples
The island of the Gods is home to several sensational temples. These temples are full of history and culture, and several are also home to some of the most stunning landscape in the whole of Bali. The Uluwatu Temple is perched atop a jutting cliff on the south-western edge of Bali, a great place to enjoy a magical sunset or sunrise. The area is unfortunately infested with monkeys, so be sure to take extra precautions. The Tanah Lot Temple is located on top of a rock in the sea, which means that one can only walk to it during low-tide. During the high-tide, the swarming sea covers up the pathway leading to the temple, giving rise to one of the most iconic images of Bali – the setting sun at Tanah Lot. Other than these two temples, there are numerous other temples worth visiting. Generally, the temples are free for the public to enter. However, there are several temples in which one must be properly covered to be able to enter. If you are not wearing a proper attire, you may need to rent a sarong to cover up your body.

Go to the Beach
Naturally, going to the beach is without a doubt something that one will do when in Bali. However, there are quite a few beaches in Bali that are worth visiting, instead of the usual tourist center of Kuta and Sanur. The DreamLand beach is simply magical, with powerful waves breaking in perfectly for wake-boarders. The northern-most Lovina beach is home to dolphins and other unique activities. There are also various other beach points each with its own distinct characteristics, be it a great place for surfing to a quiet relaxing beach perfect for honeymooners.

Discover Your Hidden Artist
Bali is home to numerous arts and craftsmen peppered throughout the island. One can spend a good amount of time taking in the view through Bali’s numerous art galleries, where paintings of local artists grace the walls. Sculpture and furniture is also a big industry in Bali, and you can head to various workshops to see for yourself how these artists create a stunning piece from scratch, be it wooden or stone sculpting. Finally, there are also numerous silver and gold workshops which one can visit to hunt for bargains and jewelries.

Photo credit - William Cho

The main language in Indonesia is the Bahasa Indonesia, but this is made a little bit more confusing by the fact that the majority of locals will also speak their own local language. For example, in the island of Java, there are locals that speak Sundanese, Javanese and other local dialects, each of which are different from Bahasa Indonesia! Fortunately, the majority of people will be able to speak basic Indonesian. Here are a few Indonesian phrases that can be useful for tourists

Greetings
Welcome                       Selamat Datang
Good Morning             Selamat Pagi
Good Afternoon           Selamat Sore
Good Night                   Selamat Malam
Bon Appetit                  Selamat Makan
Bon Voyage                   Selamat Jalan
Pleased to meet you    Senang bertemu Anda

In Indonesia, it also common to shorten the greetings as in the English Language. For example, in the morning you may simply greet another person “Morning!” and likewise in Indonesia, you can simply greet them “Pagi!” and so on and so on. However, this does not hold true for Welcome, and you can’t simply greet “Datang!”

Responses
Thank You                       Terima Kasih
Thank You So Much!     Terima Kasih Banyak!
Sorry                                 Maaf
Excuse Me                       Maafkan Saya (to apologize for something)
Permisi (to get pass someone who is blocking the way)

Emergencies
Help!                                Tolong!
Fire!                                  Api! or Kebakaran!
Stop!                                 Berhenti!
Call the police!                Panggil Polisi!
I Don’t Understand        Saya Tidak Mengerti

Directions / Lost
Can You Help Me? I am Lost
Bisa tolong bantu saya? Saya tersesat

Can You Help Give Me Directions to ______?
Bisa tolong bantu saya, saya mau ke ______, bagaimana cara jalannya?

Where’s the toilet?
Di mana kamar mandinya?

Shopping
How Much Is This?
Berapa harganya barang ini?

That’s Too Expensive!
Harganya terlalu mahal!

I am going to buy more, so can you give me a better discount?
Saya mau beli lebih banyak, jadi bisa minta diskon yang bagus?

Thanks, I’ll Think About It
Ok, terima kasih, saya coba pikirkan dulu ya