It’s time to stop dreaming and start packing!

Bali isn’t always about beaches, bars and booze. It really just depends on what you are looking for.

Our holiday is coming up fast and, between the packing and the organising, I’m continually taking time out to go through the photos of our last trip to Bali.

Although this is a shorter holiday than before, it will involve a birthday party and lots of friends. Also included will be the hot, tropical sunshine and warm, balmy evenings. Not forgetting the Bintangs and the cocktails as we watch the sun go down over Seminyak Beach.

We might even take a trip to the lakes and temples at Bedugul with its beautiful gardens and great markets.

An early-morning beach walk is another hot favourite, inclusive of a massage and manicure and of course, all for a ‘bloody good price’.

And we will definitely have a night or two in Amed. Now, Amed is the Bali of old, and not as developed as the other touristy areas. The beaches here are dotted with outriggers and fishermen eager to exchange a fishing trip for a few Rupiah. If you go at the right time of day, you may be lucky enough to see the sun go down behind Mount Agung, the stately volcano standing majestically over the area. With the coconut palms waving you back to shore, there is nothing quite so exhilarating.

A bike tour from Kintamani down through the villages and rice paddies is also on the agenda. Breakfast with spectacular views from the top of this mountain is not to be missed. And then, riding through the villages and experiencing the culture of the real Bali is a must. The tour ends with a locally prepared Balinese meal washed down with a couple of cold Bintangs – a perfect end to a perfect day.

And then there’s the retail therapy. I’m thinking of handbags: With Louis Vuitton and there will be another Jimmy Choo for sure. Of course, they are all genuine fakes at the best prices. What isn’t a replica is the range of personally designed boots made to fit. I’ve already drawn pictures of the ones I want. Although they are a bargain, trying to explain to my husband the benefits of having four pairs is priceless. And at the moment, he’s not quite getting it. But he will. And while shopping, I mustn’t forget my favourite dressmaker either. The hardest thing here is selecting the materials as there is such a huge range of modern fabrics to choose from. Shopping in Bali is such a treat and it’s just so easy to get carried away.  ‘Shop ‘til you drop’ definitely comes to mind.

But Bali isn’t always about the shopping. Nor is it about the beaches, bars and booze. For me, it’s more about a beautiful island with beautiful people. It’s about coconut palms gently blowing in the warm tropical breeze. And it’s also about wining and dining amid the beautifully terraced paddy fields or overlooking spectacular sunsets over equally spectacular backdrops. And it’s also about the memories of our last ‘bloody good’ holiday.

Yes! The time has come to stop dreaming and start packing. 

Have you been to Bali? What did you love most about your time there? Tell us in the comments below…