For centuries, the Balinese have incorporated arts and crafts into their religious rituals. The earliest examples of Balinese paintings date as far back as the mid-1400s. As European artists began flocking to Bali in the 1930s, Western influences were gradually introduced. The concept of art for art's sake began to appear in the works of some artists who turned from the more usual, religiously inspired images. Collectible art can be found in galleries located mostly in Ubud. A seemingly endless collection of traditional crafts such as weavings, carvings, pottery and attractive souvenir paintings are available in virtually every village and hamlet throughout the island.
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West of Ubud, Blanco's House was the home of the late Spanish painter Antonio Blanco, who married a Balinese woman. Blanco's works can be found in Bali and around the world in art galleries and private collections. His beautiful house is now a gallery devoted to his work.

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With a focus on the artist's vision of Bali, the Ganesha Gallery exhibits a different local or international artist each month.

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Wood carving, a skill dominated by clerical families, is passed from generation to generation. The talent and tradition of master carver IB Njana is continued today by his son, Tilem. Wood carvings of the finest quality are displayed in his gallery.

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Nyoman Gunarsa Museum showcases the work of a living Balinese master who combines the ancient Balinese wayang, or puppet shape, with more abstract strokes.

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The Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud showcases the work of local artists from the 1930s. Works are arranged chronologically, to illustrate the transition from formal religious art to more natural, realistic depictions.

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The Rudana Museum and Rudana Fine Art Gallery features an outstanding collection of Balinese art in classical, traditional and native styles, along with contemporary Indonesian paintings.

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The works of local and international female painters are exhibited in this gallery.

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Bali Bird Park is home to more than 1,000 species of birds, including 250 rare and exotic species. Resident biologists guide tours through walk-in aviaries in the spectacular rainforest. The Reptile Park houses Asia's most extensive collection of reptiles, including the famous Komodo dragons.

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A small village where stone statues of fanged demons, noble warriors and animals of all shapes and sizes are left displayed under shady trees. Young boys and old men are accomplished stone carvers in Batubulan and can be seen plying their craft by the roadside. Batubulan is also famous for the daily performance of the Barong Dance from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. More like a drama than a dance, the Barong story depicts the age-old struggle between the good and the righteous (the Balinese call it the path of Dharma, or Right-Doing) and the agents of destruction.

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Batur Temple is one of Bali's four primary sacred temples. It is located in the spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani, which features a deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs.

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The Elephant Safari Park offers a chance to feed and interact with native Sumatra elephants in a natural setting. Visitors may take a 30-minute elephant safari ride, and even bathe with the elephants in the cool waters of the lake.

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Gunung Kawi (Mountain of Poets) is an 11th century sanctuary with gurgling springs and rock-cut memorials to long-dead kings.

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Mas and Kemenuh Villages are located on the way to Ubud. Most of Bali's prominent wood carvers live in the village of Mas, producing elaborate wood carvings and teaching the younger generation to carve. The nearby village of Kemenuh is also known for its polished wood carvings. The Njana Tilem Gallery has a collection of very fine quality wood carvings.

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Located in Ubud, the Monkey Forest is a small nature preserve that is home to hundreds of Balinese macaques.

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In the town of Tampaksiring in central Bali, the temple at the sacred spring of Tirta Empul is a major pilgrimage point. Its bathing pools have been considered holy since the 10th century.

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A popular tourist spot, the rice terraces in Tegalalang areas are widely considered to be the most beautiful terraces in Bali.

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Waterbom Park offers everything from water slides to a leisurely voyage down a lazy river and a racetrack where speeds reach up to 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour.
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Nearly every family in Celuk is involved in producing the village's trademark gold and silver jewellery. The neighbouring village of Singapadu is known for its gong saron and gong gede music.

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World famous for decades as an artistic community, Ubud has its own magic. Set in a particularly beautiful natural setting, Ubud's gracious way of life has drawn celebrities and artists from all over the world, some of whom have adopted it as their own home. The small villages surrounding Ubud are fascinating venues featuring a variety of arts, crafts, music and dance.

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Escorted bicycle trips can be arranged with Bali Adventure Tours: From the resort, follow the Ubud trails through rice paddies and terraces; ride to Uluwatu; visit Jimbaran village; enjoy a 1.5-hour bike ride to Penestanan Village through rice fields and past villages and temples on small, local roads. Off-site tours can be organised with Sobek: Full-day trips generally last around seven hours including breakfast, lunch and driving time.

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Located on the beach at Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Enjoy complimentary use of the Resort water sports equipment on the beach of the Jimbaran Bay Resort. Hobie cats, boogie boards, catamarans, windsurfers, lasers, paddle skis, and snorkelling equipment are available as well as aqua shoes for protection. No motorised water sports occur in Jimbaran Bay.

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Experience the thrills and adventure of a lifetime as you steer yourself down the Ayung River in a canoe, kayak or raft. Instructors are on hand to lead you through the more than 25 sets of challenging and fun-filled rapids. Full instruction is given before you start by highly trained experts. The river is rated Class II to Class III so it is suitable for most people even if they have never rafted or kayaked before.

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Cruises and sailboats can be booked easily.

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Padang-Padang Beach (30 minute drive)
Next break down from Ulu. Park your car or leave your bike at the top of beach or take the path from Ulu. A very hollow left made more dangerous by proximity to cliff. Hati-hati! A lost board usually means the end. Needs a big swell to show. Very dangerous below mid-tide.

Bingin Beach (30 minute drive)
Next channel down from Padang. A clean, fun, hollow left good up to 7. Best at low to medium tides. Kick out before the inside ledge starts to suck out. Usually crowded with surfers who want a break from Ulu.

Uluwatu Beach (30 minute drive)
Home of the world famous left, with three main areas depending on the tide. The Peak is a high-tide break, peeling down to the inside past the cave. It handles small and large swells from the right direction. Race track, at mid-tide, starts in front of the cave, peeling down the line past big rock. Use your discretion on length of ride. Breaks best up to 8, with straight-line swells. Outside corner is a low-tide wave and anything over 12 you might want to paddle out from the next beach. If you can't fight the current and get into the safety of the cave, swim down to the beach.

Suluban Beach (30 minute drive)
A favourite playground for surfers, the Annual Surf Championships are partly staged here. Jimbaran, around the corner, is good for swimming.

Canggu Beach (45 minute drive)
Lave ledge, with a left and right, the best break being determined by size and swell direction. Take a left turn at Kerobokan village, north of Legian.

NyangNyang Beach (30 minute drive)
Horrendous climb down steep cliff, but worth it. Several selections off goat channel have left and right. The right in front of goat track is good on SW swell. These break best up to 6.

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This exhilarating tour, led by Sobek's Whitewater Rafting, explores the magnificent Ayung River. The Ayung is a fast-flowing river that carves its way through soft volcanic rock to produce a series of exciting Class II rapids like Snake, Montok and Pinball. Journey through narrow, deep-sided gorges, past tranquil rice paddies and stunning jungle scenery while observing rural Balinese life from the river. Sobek is located in Begawan Village.

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The Bali Butterfly Park is the only one in Indonesia, and is home to close to 200 colourful species from Bali and all over Indonesia.

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Penelokan is a study in contrasts. Ribbons of black lava ripple down Mount Batur, the still active 1,717-metre (5,633-foot) volcano, which towers over the serene waters of Lake Batur. It is located in the spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani, which features a deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs.

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Bali Golf and Country Club in the Nusa Dua area is only a 6.5-kilometre (4-mile) drive from the resort. The course is a world class 18-hole championship golf course designed by Rodney Wright and Robin Nelson of Hawaii. Special features include elegant Balinese architectural elements, terraced hills and scenic views of the Indian Ocean.

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Bali Handara Golf Course is considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The scenery is spectacular with trees and colourful blooms lining the fairways and greens. The course was designed by Peter Thompson of Thompson, Wolveridge and Fream. Bali Handara is located 1,142 metres (1,249 yards) above sea level where temperatures are cool, comfortable and constant, hovering between 16-20°C (60-68°F). Facilities include clubhouse, pro shop, fitness centre, sauna and restaurant.

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Nirwana Bali Golf Club is the island first members' club. With only 500 memberships available worldwide, Nirwana Bali Golf Club is dedicated to those who truly appreciate the best game has to offer. Designed by Greg Norman and set against a scenic ocean backdrop, the golf course has been built with an unwavering sensitivity to every environmental concern. It is a visual masterpiece of dramatic white sand bunkers, fresh water creeks, lush green grasses and trees and surrounding rice terraces.

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More like a drama than a dance, the Barong story depicts the age-old struggle between what is good and righteous (the Balinese call it the path of Dharma, or Right-Doing) and the agents of destruction. The Barong is a mystical lion-dragon creature played by two men. A benevolent fellow, the whiskers of his beard are believed to hold healing powers. Performed in Batubulan Village and Puri Sared, Ubud.

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In the Kecak Dance as many as 100 men simulate the orchestration of the gamelan, with its Kecak or "cha-a-chak" sounds. The chorus acts as a unit conquering the individual ego and attains an ecstatic trance. This sound represents the chattering of monkeys - Hanuman and his allies - but the chorus also emits a long hissing sound when the menacing Rawana leaps into the centre of the stage. The unfolding drama represents the search for balance between positive and negative. Performed in Padang Tegal, Ubud and Puri Peliatan.

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The Legong Dance is performed by three female dancers and is an abbreviation of one of the oldest traditional Balinese dances performed during temple ceremonies. It is a study in female grace and exquisite style. Performed in Puir Saren, Ubud on Monday and Saturday.

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Among all of Bali's lively dramatic arts, the shadow theatre is perhaps the most enduring, the most popular and the most revealing of Balinese concepts of this world and the next. Wayang means "shadow," and kulit means "skin." The procession of lace, lamplit puppet shadows and profusion of voices - speaking, shouting, singing and chanting - are all performed by one man working non-stop behind a white cotton screen. Performed at the Oka Kartini Theatre on Sunday and Wednesday.

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