Full confession: I have never visited Bali. But everything I’ve heard about the Indonesian island province shouts ‘perfect’ for relaxing, sunny, culture-packed breaks.

That’s why The Local Answer editor Lois and husband Jack chose it for their honeymoon last July. I asked them what made the archipelago just south of the Equator so amazing for their trip.

Genuine friendliness

As long as I can remember, Bali has been renowned for its welcoming people and chilled ambience. Twenty years after 2002’s tragedy, and a couple since Covid-19 hammered global travel, it was the Balinese people’s kindness, as they rebuild visitor confidence, that most impressed Lois and Jack.

“All you’ve ever heard about Bali is true. Everyone’s genuine friendliness and welcome was incredible”, says Lois, recalling an idyllic holiday villa with its ‘amazing private pool’ near the town of Ubud. Tegallalang’s breathtaking rice terraces and the many temples visited during their stay also wowed the couple.

Then there were Bali’s wonderful restaurants, most of which catered really well for vegetarians and vegans. “Our favourite was a romantic beach-front meal at Seasalt during a night away in Seminyak. The food and service were amazing! We also loved Casa Luna in Ubud so much that we ate there three times!”

Not all beaches and cocktails

On an island with something for every holidaymaker, it wasn’t all beaches and cocktails. The couple thoroughly enjoyed some fast-paced activities, including e-bike touring and jungle quad biking. It was the perfect mix of high-octane fun and peaceful relaxation.

The trip was Lois’s introduction to South-east Asia. The culture shock – in a good way – compared to earlier holidays was profound. Jack, who had previously visited Laos and Cambodia, seconds this: “Many Balinese practise hybrid Hindu-Buddhist beliefs. Seeing rituals like roadside funeral pyres for the first time only highlights how different Balinese life is to our western experience.”

An idyllic sunseeker’s experience

With an average July temperature of 26.5°C and around 10 hours of sunshine daily, the couple began married life with an idyllic sunseeker’s experience and wonderful honeymoon.

Struggling to find any negatives, Lois concedes that getting to and from Bali can be long and tiring. With hindsight, she recommends stopping over somewhere like Kuala Lumpur or Singapore on the way. “But,” she adds, “it’s worth the journey for the landscapes, weather, food and, above all, the lovely Balinese people.”

Bali was clearly a resounding success. Whether you’re getting hitched like Lois and Jack, or simply want a hot, sunny, Asian escape, put it on your shortlist today!