The mere mention of the “Island of the Gods,” Bali,
transfers one to its gorgeous beaches.
However,
there is much more to it than meets the eye.
Bali had a side only a few know of.
People often assume that this island is all about the open ocean,
white sandy beaches,
and luxury resorts.
Well, that’s just half the story!
Before you set out for a trip to this beautiful place,
why don’t you get familiar with its unconventional side first?
Five offbeat things to do in Bali
Want to have the time of your life while in Bali?
Then step out of the confines
of the usual beach activities into lesser explored areas.
We have listed the top five offbeat things
you can do in Bali to experience an unforgettable trip.
Slide down a waterfall: Aling-Aling
Image Copyright: Things To Do In Bali
Have you ever considered jumping from a high cliff and slide down a waterfall?
No, we are not trying to get you killed!
You can now experience what it feels like to slide down a natural waterslide,
all thanks to the Aling-Aling waterfall.
Experience the thrill of a lifetime
by taking the leap of faith into its gushing waters.
Lifejackets will be provided to you for
extra precautionary measures,
so you needn’t be paranoid.
Reach:
You can reach here by hiring a ride to Sambangan Village.
Pass a rice field and climb over 400 stairs
before being rewarded with an experience you can never forget.
Get down and dirty in the mud: Mepantigan
Image Copyright: Justgola
Revisit your childhood by play-wrestling in the mud.
Commonly known as Mepantigan,
this is one of the most popular cultural games of Bali.
This unique mud game involves people getting down to play in the rice fields.
It includes several activities like horse riding,
frog catching,
tug of wars,
pillow fighting,
and massages, all in the mud!
After the games come to an end,
you can plunge into the nearby river to clean yourself of the muck.
Reach: Get to Ubud for an experience of traditional Balinese martial arts.
Unveil the mysteries of the Underwater Temple Garden
Image Copyright: Sea Rovers
Dive in the deep waters of Pemuteran Bay
and explore the Underwater Temple Garden.
The plethora of statues of the Buddha and the ancient Hindu temple deep
in the sea were constructed to promote and preserve the growth of coral reefs.
The amalgamation of nature and art in the depths of this sea is mesmerizing.
What’s more?
You get to
play a role in the coral conservation by sponsoring one yourself!
After going through the procedures for the same,
your name will be formed out of wire to be placed in the garden,
so that the corals have a base to grow on.
There is more to Bali than the ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ experience.
Hike and dine
Feel like a bit of a physical challenge?
Set out for a hiking adventure to the summit of Mount Batur.
The challenging climb up the mountain
will lead you to Madu Sari Mountain Restaurant.
Not only will you get to taste the delicious food served here,
but you can do so while enjoying the gorgeous panoramic view.
If you don’t want to miss the stunning sunrise of Bali,
set out for the trek late in the night with guided tour groups.
After taking in the mesmerizing mountainscape for a while,
you can go off to explore the recent lava flows and the craters.
Reach: Many trekking companies conduct regular tours of Mount Batur.
We highly recommend Intrepid Travel.
Dare to drop by the Village of the Dead
Image Copyright: Wonderful Bali
Longing for some more adventure?
Well, we have the ideal one.
After dining at Mount Batur,
travel across Lake Batur on a boat to reach Trunyan Village.
This village is best known for keeping deceased bodies
out in the open instead of cremating or burning them.
People leave these bodies to decay inside bamboo cages under a sacred banyan tree.
The morbid sight of bodies wasting away while their bones and skulls
come into view might make you uneasy,
but with the banyan tree emitting
a fragrant smell that masks the stench of the deceased,
you have one less thing to worry about.
You can read more about this unusual ritual here.
Though people have always known
Bali as an island paradise with nothing but sandy shores,
do not hesitate to explore its quirky side.
Step into the road not taken
and get acquainted with the lesser known side of Bali.
We have a few offbeat tours of Bali that you could check out as well!
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