bali: how to do a bali road trip

While Bali is one of Southeast Asia's top tourist destinations, so much of it remains virgin tourist territory. Why is this so? Let’s just say, Bali isn’t exactly known for its excellent public transportation. Trying to catch a bus on the island paradise is a stressful chore most tourists tend to avoid. As an alternative, a Bali road trip is a popular option for those with the gusto and the courage to give it a go on their own – just you, your friends, a roadmap, and a trusty rental car.

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worldwide club guide: full moon parties

One of the biggest NYE parties this 09/10 took place on a tiny Thai island called Koh Pha Ngan. The year changed on the very night there was a full moon – and if you know clubbing at all, you know that Koh Pha Ngan is famous for its wild full moon parties – so this was a truly cosmic coincidence. Over 50,000 locals and travelers converged on the beautiful Haad Rin beach to dance in moonlight and welcome the first dawn of 2010.

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worldwide club guide: bali

Bali is Indonesia’s party island and the night life generally starts late, meaning around midnight, and continues on until dawn in some venues. Most of the after-dark action occurs in the Kuta, Legian and Seminyak areas and while most of the party-goers are tourists there are music, clubs and bars to suit all tastes.

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Where's the best place to surf in Asia?

Serious surfers may not think of Southeast Asia as the surfing destination of choice because of the general lack of decent-sized waves along the coastlines. Indonesia, though, is one exception. Unlike other beach destinations in SE Asia that have somewhat unreliable wave formations, this country of many islands boasts over a hundred plus excellent breaks, and is ranked in the top ten of the best surf sites in the world.

Professional and elite surfers flock to this popular destination, especially to the holiday islands of Kuta, Bali and the Mentawai Islands, to experience some of the best waves around. These areas, especially Bali, often see consistent waves up to four meters high from April to November.

For the more advanced, G-land (Grajagan) in East Java is an internationally-famed surf spot and an excellent stomping ground for those wanting to ride the world’s longest and fastest reef-breaks. Wave-hunters seeking awesome left-waves (waves breaking from right to left) will not be disappointed here.  Padang is another recommended site, with waves coming in from almost every direction, making it an attractive venue to find breaks with offshore conditions. The best time to visit is from March to October, while those looking for the biggest swells should head out there from June to September.

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life's a beach: kuta beach

A deserted, palm-fringed beach; warm, clear water; perfect waves peeling off the headlands at either end of the bay – it’s paradise and it’s all yours! The trouble is, you’re 30 years late! Now every surfboard-toting traveler, package tourist, vacationing family, impoverished backpacker, and yes, even busloads of Japanese tourists, have all been to Kuta Beach!

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