Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Wed, Feb 08, 2012
White Beach - Padang Bai's White
Padang Bai has actually two famous and wonderful beaches: one is the Blue Lagoon Beach, and the other is White Beach, called Bias Tegul Beach. With the public ferry to Lombok you will quickly be able to delight yourself with the wonderful sights unraveling in front of you here at White Beach. Where does its name come from? Certainly from the smooth, immaculate white soft sand that covers the beach of Tegul. There are plenty of sports activities you can be a part of here, but you can also just sit lazily in the sun, take a splash in the water and then relax again. White Beach cannot be compared to the tumultuous beaches of the South where you barely have space to breathe. These are good for when you are in the mood to be surrounded by many people and loud noises, but White Beach is the ultimate place for relaxation.
How to get there?
If you choose you take your refreshments at Bamboo Paradise in Padang Bai, then immediately on the left side from this café you will find the road to White Beach. Just make sure you do not miss the sign saying “Bias Tegul”, which is White Beach. There will be a little bit of climbing up the steep hill; therefore it is a good idea to keep your luggage light, containing only the necessary things. After walking a few meters up the hills, in order to get to this secluded spot, you will also need to go down again. While going down the hill and reaching the beach, Mount Agung will rise opulently in front of your eyes. What scenery!
A wonderful diving site
This is what you are going to find here at White beach- a varied underwater fish life decorating the vividly colored coral reef backdrop. Here you will see pink squat lobsters resting on the sponges, and the pigmy seahorses colored in hues of grey, yellow, red and orange. If you are lucky enough, you can also catch a glimpse of an ocean sunfish (or the mola-mola) that might be wandering the deep seas here at White Beach.
Other activities to enjoy
You can have a nice swim here on White Beach; however, the currents might be strong at times, so you should swim carefully. Given the fact that the sand is so smooth and comfortable here, you could have a nice game of beach volley with your entire family or friends.
The place is also nice for a picnic, and if you haven’t brought your food with you, you can still buy some delicious bites from the warungs that are scattered here and there.
Padang Bai in general offers many interesting tourist activities, and when you had enough of an entire day on the beach you can head towards the wonderful sacred temples in the area. The two tiny and secluded beaches of Padang Bai, the Blue Lagoon and White Beach will definitely mesmerize all your senses. Just explore the wonderful area of Padang Bai!
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Wed, Jan 18, 2012
Nusa Penida - the diver's coral kingdomNusa Penida is an island located in the Eastern part of Bali, and is famous for its wonderful diving spots. Once you arrive in Bali, you should definitely draw up an itinerary for yourself, because there are so many beautiful places you must visit. If you are staying at Mia Villa, Nusa Penida is a two hour trip by boat. You should definitely book an early morning trip, so that you are on the island by 9am or 10am the latest. You will need a full day here if you want to take advantage of the amazing diving spots around this tiny island. Just make sure that you take care of all the details, such as:
- Taking proper diving equipment with you, which you can rent in several places; don’t forget those swimming fins!
- Ask the concierge service to direct you towards a good diving professional team that will guide you through the process.
Even if some of your family or friends are not into scuba diving, they can surely spend a pleasant day on Nusa Penida sunbathing and swimming in the clear blue waters. You also need to pack all the necessaries for the entire day, such as food and refreshments, as Nusa Penida is a less developed tourist-ready spot. You will certainly find a few traditional “warungs” where you can buy local delicacies, but in this part of paradise you are not going to find luxury restaurants.
Actually, Nusa Penida is the biggest of a formation of three islands, the other two being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Diving in Nusa Penida will immerse you into a world of around 300 different species of coral and around 600 species of colorful fish.
Crystal Bay – the perfect beach on Nusa PenidaIf you want a place where you can relax and have a quiet day, just diving, snorkeling, sunbathing and setting up a nice picnic in the afternoon with your family, Crystal Bay is your top choice here on Nusa Penida. To get there, you need to go through Sakti (which is a small traditional village), and take the road to the west from there. Just ask around for directions if you are not on a guided tour, there is no way you can get lost here on Paradise Island.
Later, when you are done scuba diving, you can pack up and go visit the Sebuluh Waterfall, which is not far away from the village of Batu Madeg. Alternatively, you can visit the Puncak Mundi temple which located high up on a cliff, in the Mundi Hill region here in Nusa Penida. The hill is actually the highest point on the island, some 500+ meters above the sea level. Who said there aren’t plenty of amazing things to do and see on a tiny secluded island?
The best diving locations on the island…Well, there is quite a huge selection of amazing diving sites here on Nusa Penida. Some of these include Malibu Point, Toyapakeh, Lembongan Bay, Sampalan Dive, or SD Point and Suana Bay.
There are several well established diving schools available here, one of which is the MM Diving center in Toyapakeh, and the World Diving Centre is actually located on the neighboring island of Nusa Lembongan.
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Tue, Jan 03, 2012
Menjangan Beach - the fantastic Bali experienceMenjangan is an island located not too far away from Pemuteran (you will have to take a short boat trip from Pemuteran to reach Menjangan), you will discover the most special side of Bali. Every corner of the island has something special to offer: temples, coral gardens, caves, an eel garden, a bat cave, and an anchor wreck. There is no way one can get bored on Menjangan Island.
Here are some extra specialties:
- Excellent underwater visibility for divers (25 to 30 meters, sometimes even more!)
- A very diverse marine flora and fauna – both soft and hard coral reefs and sponges; colorful tropical fish and turtle species
- The water currents are generally calm- so any water sport activity can be undertaken even by beginners. Actually, the island in general offers you a very safe atmosphere.
Plenty of activities you can immerse yourself into
The list of activities you can be a part of here at Menjangan beach and West Bali National Park is very diverse, so just take your pick and enjoy:
- Scuba diving sessions – there are around ten different and exciting diving sports around the coast of Menjangan island. The water is very clear, so you will have maximum visibility. Watch the wonderful coral gardens and the colorful and magnificent reef walls that unveil in front of your eyes.
- Snorkeling is a great family activity you will highly enjoy. There are many guided trips, and all you need for a nice snorkeling session is to rent proper equipment – fins and masks for the entire family (around $10 at the most) and delight your eyes in the underwater flora and fauna.
- A little bit of exercise will do good for the entire family – the island is perfect for mountain biking tours –discover the beauties of nature on wheels.
- Horse riding tours – admire the magnificent sunset while on horse back or take a refreshing galloping tour right in the dewy morning. Such a guided tour can cost you between $30 and $75 at the most, depending on how long the tour is.
- Get into the natural habitat of the wonderful birds – go on a bird watching tour and admire the wonderful feathered friends- just to name a few special creatures inhabiting these woods: the Bali starling, the Blue kingfisher, Sunbird, the Jungle Fowl, or the Swiftlet.
- Kayaking & Glass boating tours- just watch the underwater kingdom through the glass floor of a boat. A simply majestic experience!
Immerse into Pampering Sensations with Spa therapies
When you are on your holiday here at Menjangan beach, take some time off and get some spa therapy, you will definitely feel like you are a VIP. After swimming the whole morning in the sea, and after a nice snorkeling tour, it is definitely time to take a nice massage therapy in the afternoon. The Balinese massage will heal those aching muscles at once. Rejuvenate and renew yourself with these amazing Spa therapies at your disposal here at Menjangan.
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Tue, Dec 06, 2011
Sindhu Beach - the quiet and peaceful beachLocated not too far away from the famous and more crowded Sanur beach, Sindhu is the perfect little spot to relax and enjoy a perfectly tranquil day at the beach. The water is perfect for swimming, and the black sand will give that pampering feeling to the soles of your feet.
Certainly, when you come to Bali with friends, you just yearn for the crowded atmosphere, for the beach clubs and bars, for the frantic surfers going up and down the waves and lots of people around you. But you can quickly wish you were on a deserted island, where you can just relax peacefully by listening to waves breaking on the shore while reading your favorite book, or just picking shells. When you arrive at that point, Sindhu beach is the perfect location. If you are staying at the Mia Villa Resort, it will take you around an hour to get there.
If you want sports action…Here at Sindhu beach you can keep fit for sure, because there are several sports activities that are offered to you. You can catch a game of beach volley with your friends, or why not make new friends by joining a game. The sand is perfect for this sport, and afterwards you can relax and have a nice cold drink at one of the beach bars not so far away.
Other than that, you can also find open air tennis courts or you can take golf lessons as well; sports fanatics can definitely find their place at Sindhu beach. Water activities include diving, surfing or even snorkeling.
Families with little childrenYou may already know how it can be traveling with some rucksacks and two little children on crowded beaches full of vendors and tourists. These are no places for when you are with your little ones, especially if you wish to spend a serene day where you can relax too.
Sindhu beach is perfect for a family outing, and if you have little kids, they will feel very joyful here. The waters are quite calm and warm, so you can take them for a nice splash in the ocean. Then, here you can also make up family activities, such as picking shells, building sand castles (the sand is particularly good for that in Sindhu!), or simply tanning in the sun. Don’t forget to rent parasols and have sunscreen for the entire family. You will love the tranquil atmosphere here at Sindhu.
Snorkeling can be yet another activity that the little ones can be engaged in; just make sure to rent or buy proper equipment, and have some shallow water snorkeling fun for the entire family. There are also some very good conditions for fishing at Sindhu; again, an activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family. One such eventful day at the beach, and the kids will get to sleep very quickly; and you can watch the sunset and go for a nice dinner in one of the open terraced restaurants here. What a perfect day!
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Thu, Jul 28, 2011
…true fun for the entire family
If you want to get the best value for your money, then Tuban area is the perfect spot in Bali. Tuban beach offers a wonderful landscape, with crystal clear waters and a white sandy beach stretching beneath your feet. The beach is also acknowledged as being among the best places for family outings, especially where smaller kids are involved. It offers a lot more relaxing atmosphere than overcrowded Kuta, and you and you and your kids will also feel a lot safer here. The city of Tuban offers a wide variety of things to do, from shopping and dining to exclusive nightlife in its famous bars and clubs.
Even if you do not wish to spend an entire day just sitting in the sun and splashing in the deep blue ocean waters, you have still plenty of extra options in the Tuban area.
Children’s paradise in Tuban area
The WaterBom Aquatic Park is a must for children of all ages (yes, we do also mean that inner child in all of us). So after you visit the Tuban beach, you can venture for the rest of the day in this waterslides heaven called WaterBom. Here you can find more than 25 different types of waterslides, some designed for adults, others especially built for smaller kids.
This is a place which has professionally trained lifeguards, so you do not have to worry for a minute; the establishment can even provide you with professional babysitter services if you need to do your shopping in the area without your little ones around.
Several other summer sports facilities can be found here such as water volleyball, table tennis, badminton, or wall climbing. You can enjoy the extremely welcoming open air restaurant that can seat around 80-90 people, and a poolside bar where you can order your refreshment. The Tuban/Kuta area has it all for the perfect family adventure-day!
Where can you shop in the Tuban area?
Well, the huge Centro Discovery Shopping Mall awaits its guests with offerings for all budgets. You can find everything from simple swimwear, up to luxury gifts and items. After a busy day on Tuban’s silvery white sand beach, it is definitely worth a walk to this mall, where you could try out some local delicacies in one of the many restaurants here, or you could engage in a game of bowling as well.
Eating in Tuban area
Some of the most famous restaurants and bars around Tuban include Daddy’s Café, the All Stars Surf Café, Musro, and the Golden Lotus.
If you want a taste of real traditional food, then you should not skip the “warungs” (street and market food establishments, family-owned businesses) that you can find near the beaches or in busier marketplaces in the area.
Visit Katika Plaza in Tuban, more specifically the “Kebab Palace” there, if you want a real taste of traditional Turkish and Greek Cuisine (delicious kebab and souvlaki treats at very reasonable prices).
For a modern restaurant setting, that serves traditional Indonesian food, choose Batan Waru restaurant in Tuban. The fish grilled in banana leaves with peanut sauce seasoned with chili, is a heavenly treat you do not want to miss!
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Mon, Jun 20, 2011
Drifting on the Indian Ocean
What can be more pleasant during your Bali family holiday, than when you all set sail with the Indian Ocean vibe, and just let yourself be cradled by the waves, stop to see the dolphins, and take trips to coral reefs around the island. Sailing tours are among the most popular holiday practices in Bali. Set sail early in the morning from one of the many ports of Bali, and prepare yourself for an extremely interesting adventure out at sea and the nearby secluded lagoons and islands. Among other things you have scheduled during your stay in Bali, definitely book a sai
ling tour as a surprise gift for the entire family. Everybody will be thrilled!
Why are daily sailing tours so popular?
First of all because they are totally inexpensive. A nice day out at sea aboard a huge catamaran, with a stop at Lembongan Island, will cost you around $80 for adults, and around $50 for kids younger than 12.
These tours are also highly popular because they combine many experiences:
- Have fun at harbour (swimming pools, comfortable sun tanning chaise- longue, etc.)
- Feel the cool breeze of the Indian Ocean on board of the vessel
- Watch the wonderful coral reefs
- If the tour starts early enough in the morning, then you can watch the dolphins too
- Drink your cocktail while watching the never-ending azure water
These are all experiences and sensations you cannot live anywhere else. Typically, you can choose from full day cruises (9+ hours), half day cruises (9am to 5pm for example) or even overnight cruises (2 – 5 days). The type of sail cruise you opt for certainly depends on the length of your holiday, and on how much you can afford to spend (modest vs. luxury tour). Good news is that there are sailing tours available for all budgets.
How does an overnight sailing cruise sound?
These tours are typically 2 to 5 days in length, and you would actually be living on the catamaran. Together with a visit the isle of Lombok or the Gilli Islands (two of the most popular overnight cruise spots), everything will be spiced up with thrilling activities:
- Short coral reef trips
- Scuba diving – professionals available to teach you
- Sports fishing – all equipment is usually provided by the cruising company
- Snorkeling – the entire family, little ones too, will be thrilled to try it out- just admire the underwater life for as long as you want.
Certainly living aboard a catamaran means that you will have every comfort available:
- Permanent chef who will take care to prepare food from fresh ingredients, whenever you want
- Fresh water shower options both inside and outside
- All the comfort in your cabin: TV, DVD collections, home cinema, etc.
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Thu, May 19, 2011
Diving around Bali has long been a popular and very rewarding activity. According to news reports, recent marine survey by scientists from Conservation International has identified nearly a thousand fish species across 33 sites around Bali. Of these 9 were identifies as being brand new species, made up of a new coral and 8 new fish species. This is great news for those wishing to dive in Bali, and is a testament to the scale of marine biodiversity still enjoyed around the Indonesian archipelago.
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Thu, Apr 28, 2011
Blue Lagoon Beach - Padang Bai's Jewel
Padang Bai is located in the Eastern part of Bali, and offers many watersport activities for tourists such as: snorkeling or scuba diving, but there are also many tourist spots worth checking out, such as the temples of Pura Dalem, Pura Telagamas or Pura Silaykuti.
Apart from these, there are also plenty of notable places where you can eat or take a refreshing drink. For delicious seafood, you should visit Bamboo Paradise and you are going to be pleasantly surprised that you can listen to live rock music, and even to live local traditional music bands. After your short tour on Padang Bai, you should head off to visit the hidden jewel of the seas, the Blue Lagoon Beach.
How to get there?
From the Mia Villa private villa resort, it is a two hour trip to reach Blue Lagoon on Padang Bai. You can always ask the friendly team at the concierge service to arrange a trip for you and your family, or to direct you towards the most comfortable and advantageous solution on how you should get there on your own. You can head off to the boat with a rented car, driven by a professional chauffeur, or you can also certainly arrange to go on your own by driving the car yourself. Once you reach Padang Bai, you just have to follow the signs on your way towards the eastern part, and you should reach the lagoon quickly and easily by foot.
Blue Lagoon Beach – numer one activity
Padang Bai’s Blue Lagoon is a world famous spot for snorkeling. The animated coral reefs stretch up to the shore, so there are plenty of amazing things to see just as soon as you look underwater. Snorkeling is usually a much loved activity for the entire family, because with just a little guidance, children can enjoy the amazing underwater life as well.
Scuba Diving in Blue Lagoon
There are several diving sites in Padang Bai, but Blue Lagoon is by far the best place to admire the diverse underwater life. Here you can admire the wide stretch of Staghorn corals, and the amazingly diverse fish life. Here you can also catch a glimpse of the huge humphead wrasse, which also goes by the name Napoleon wrasse. It is around 1.5 to 2 meters long, and its huge lips make this fish look quite funny. It is definitely a wonderful adventure to swim along the immense humphead wrasse at the Blue Lagoon.
Some other interesting fish species you can see here are the stargazers, the colorful scorpionfish, the rays and the blue ribbon eel which is categorized as being a very elegant fish due to its soft waving movements and its thin and elongated body shape. There is a true colorful aquarium that you can admire here at the Blue Lagoon.
You will notice many photographers as well, who have come for the amazing sights that this place offers. If you want to be part of a truly amazing experience, then you should book your trip so that you can stay for the night, and try out an organized scuba diving trip at night. It is an experience you will never forget!
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Thu, Mar 31, 2011
Tanjung Benoa Beach - The Ultimate Tourist Paradise Spot
Tanjung Benoa lies only an hour’s distance from Mia Villa, and can be reached very easily. It is a perfect spot, not only for a one-day family beach outing, but also for a friendly get-together at one of the many restaurants you can find there. Years ago, it was nothing more than a beautiful traditional fishing village, and today it has transformed into a very popular beach resort attraction. But even now, you will be able to witness the untouched beauty of its wild nature, by taking a stroll to the western side of the beach.
Coconut trees, silvery carpets and a holy temple
This is the exotic picture that you will get when you visit Tanjung Benoa. Coconut trees shade this little spot of heaven, and they are definitely a huge attraction for little ones and grown ups alike. After sunbathing and having fun splashing in the waves all day; during sunset, you can take a visit to the Buddhist temple nearby. It is a sacred place that will give you a few moments of inner peace.
Benoa peninsula, as the locals like to call it, can be very easily reached wherever you are in Bali. For instance, it will take you no more than 20 minutes to reach it from Kuta, while if you are going over from Sanur, it is merely a half an hour drive.
Famous activities in Tanjung Benoa
Once you come to visit this little tropical paradise spot, you are not allowed to get lazy. There are many sports activities you can try out:
- The Flying Fish – a must-try parasailing kite trick for those who love to feel the adrenaline
- Scuba diving
- Kayaking & boating
- Wind surfing
- Snorkeling & Reef Fishing
The whole family will have tons of fun, and can keep in shape here at Tanjung Benoa. The Bali Golf Club is a very prestigious club that is located very nearby, and if you want to see the world-class golf lessons and facilities, you shouldn’t miss out on a visit.
After an exhausting day on the beach, you need real food
There are several very nice open air restaurants here, where you can try out everything from traditional local delicacies to world cuisine. Just having dinner in a terrace-style restaurant; feeling the breeze and enjoying the flickering light from the beautiful candle arrangements; is an experience that will stay with you for a long long time.
Some of the most favorite restaurants here are the “La Scala” that waits for its clients with delicious international menus, the “Thao” for an authentic taste of Asian cuisine and a wonderful spectacle of candle lights floating on the water of the main pool; and finally, “Spice” is the place for gourmets only, which is the most popular restaurant for an exquisite dinner (you can even try out specialties from as far away Africa!).
Posted by Mia Villa Bali on Mon, Mar 14, 2011
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