More From Bali: Water Recreation

The pool at Balangan Beach

Many people go to Bali just for a beach vacation.  We had something different in mind and indeed our favorite things here were exploring the temples, landscapes, art and culture of the interior of the island.  But we did manage to spend some time swimming, snorkeling and lounging by the sea and the pool.

Unfortunately, in several places in south Bali (and especially in Kuta, the island's largest resort area and main tourist draw) the beaches were quite disappointing.  Even in Balangan Beach, a relatively undeveloped and untouristed spot on the Bukit Peninsula far from the crowded bar scene of Kuta, the beach was littered with refuse and flotsam.  That didn't really matter to the kids, since they didn't want to leave the hotel anyway.  It was one of our very favorite lodgings of our journey so far - traditional Balinese thatched huts around a lush garden and gorgeous pool, on a secluded rural road, with an excellent restaurant serving a delicious tomato avocado salad in a ginger dressing along with various Indonesian standards like chicken satay, mi goreng (fried noodles), nasi goreng (fried rice) and fish curry.  At one point, we did pry ourselves off the lounge chairs at the pool (but not for long) to enjoy the scenic clifftop views and rural landscapes nearby.

Jeremy and I chilling in a hut at a beach resort in Pemuteran

The hotel in Balangan Beach was a great place to relax, but our favorite place on the coast was the sleepy town of Pemuteran on the island's northwestern corner.  We spent one day "resort hopping" - going from one fancy coastal resort to the next, alternating between sumptuous pool and tranquil ocean, enjoying a lavish seaside lunch, then heading back in the afternoon to the lovely pool at our own mid-range hotel.  Jeremy and I spent the next day snorkeling off a tiny island about a half hour from Pemuteran by boat.  We saw a large turtle, a shark (fortunately, at some distance), and some very colorful fish.  The scenery above the water was equally impressive.  On our way back to Pemuteran, Jeremy said he can't wait until he's old enough for scuba diving.  The following day we left Pemuteran for the airport, stopping along the way at some hot springs where Talia and I enjoyed a nice warm soak. 

So, that's it for Bali.  All of us really enjoyed Indonesia and the kids have asked several times when we can return.  Our response was "As soon as we can!" See you in Hong Kong!

More from the pool at Balangan Beach (who says you can't swim in the rain?)

Here are some shots of our hotel in Pemuteran

Fishing boats at Pemuteran

At a beach resort in Pemuteran, where we ate lunch and went for a swim

At the beach in Pemuteran

Jeremy is happy - he's about to go snorkeling

Heading back from our snorkeling adventure

Enjoying the coastal scenery on the Bukit Peninsula

At the hot springs near Pemuteran

Our charming (if a bit murky) hotel pool in Ubud

At the hotel in Ubud

Since the theme of this post is water recreation, remember the sacred fish pond?

Jeremy at the pool in Balangan Beach

At a beach resort in Pemuteran

In the ocean at Pemuteran

Lounging by the ocean in Pemuteran

Bye bye Bali!  (From the airplane to Hong Kong)