Bali is Top Asian Holiday Destination

Bali is Top Asian Holiday Destination

The readers of an online travel magazine have named Bali as the top holiday destination in Asia for 2011.

The poll, conducted by Smart Travel Asia, also picked out several Bali resorts as the top places for a relaxing break.

Bali took the top spot from Kerala, India, which was bumped down to No. 4. Phuket, Thailand, and Hong Kong were the runners-up, respectively. 

In terms of top places to stay, a number of Bali resorts were included in the top 25 list, including the Bulgari Resort Bali and the Four Seasons Resort Bali at spots 2 and 3, respectively.

The poll also reported on preferred budget airlines, with AirAsia getting the gold star. Indonesia’s own Lion Air failed to chart.

The poll did not specify the number of voters, but the demographics skewed upscale. According to the magazine, voters took an average of 15.75 air trips over the past year and earned an average annual income of $150,000

read about our Bali hotels and Bali travel information at http://www.itravelindonesia.com/hotel/bali/bali-information.aspx 

 

The Year of the Rabbit. The Chinese New Year begins on Feb 4 this year

The Year of the Rabbit conjures images of fluffy bunnies, but fortunetellers in Asia predict that the coming year on the Asian lunar calendar will be anything but cuddly.



Among key predictions for the new year beginning Feb. 3: terrorist threats, continuing tensions between China and the United States, natural disasters around the world and wobbly global markets.

Even Hollywood celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is not immune from the grim predictions. Both were born in Rabbit years, and one fortuneteller sees their longtime relationship coming under increasing strain as the year wears on.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, Asians from Hanoi to Harbin put great stock in the soothsayers' predictions using feng shui - the traditional practice of foretelling events through dates and classical texts.

In feng shui lore, the Year of the Rabbit is associated with the natural elements of metal and wood. This is a likely recipe for conflict, according to Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant Raymond Lo.

Taipei-based colleague Tsai Shang-chi goes even further.

This year the West will suffer from a vicious energy and will be prone to more terrorist attacks," Tsai said. "The East will also be affected by a negative energy, reflected in ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula."

While Tsai and Malaysian prognosticator Rev Yong offer assurances that the problems between North and South Korea won't escalate into all-out war, Yong is less sanguine about the chances for avoiding an onslaught of natural disasters. He foresees severe flooding around the world, a powerful earthquake in Japan and the emergence of a number of worrisome new diseases.

One of the upshots, he says, will be big problems for the global economy and the possibility of a major stock market plunge toward the middle of the year.

"People think the rabbit is very gentle, but it's not going to be a mild year at all," Yong said. "It won't be a good year. There will be a lot of world conflicts."

www.itravelindonesia.com

Lembongan Island Beach Villas - A Modern Balinese Hotel With Glorious Views Of The Bay Outside

Lembongan island is a small tropical island which has little noise, few cars or hawkers. There is absolutely nothing to disturb the peace of this magical retreat.



This is a modern Balinese hotel with glorious views of the bay outside. Rooms are air conditioned, with modern baths and cable TV! A rarity for hotels on Nusa Lembongan. This resort is an excellent choice if you are traveling with children or with a group. The Lembongan Island Beach Villas are two and three bedroomed villas with large American kitchens, spacious living rooms and balconies with seaviews. Some of the villas have private plunge pools.

Come and experience it for yourself. You are just a click away from sharing our magnificent lifestyle on beautiful Lembongan Island. Have a look at our picture gallery to see your self the place we call Paradise. And surprisingly...it's so accessible. Being the favourite holiday destination for so many people around the world, international flights to Bali are plentiful and economical.

Lembongan Island is only a few minutes further...just 12.5 km off the coast of Sanur across the picturesque Badung Strait...just far enough to keep Bali's hustle and bustle away. But only a 40 minute ferry ride from Sanur beach. You can be on the island in a little under 2 hours from your touchdown on Bali.

ROOMS AND VILLAS

It will be very easy to spend your entire holiday on your balcony, just taking in the spectacular view over the top of the village across Badung Strait...right up to the peak of Mt Agung, the highest mountain in Bali.

Surfers can check out the wind wave and tide conditions from every balcony and watch the surf action continuously, or watch the non stop activity in the bay in front. They are magnificently designed, beautifully furnished and fully equipped with everything you need to make your stay memorable.

• 2 double ensuite bedrooms, each with individually controlled air conditioning
• Quality decor and furnishings
• Overhead fans
• Panoramic views across the Badung Strait to Mt Agung
• Beautiful Horizon Pool with wonderful views
• IDD Phone, wireless broadband internet
• Audio HI-FI system, satellite TV and DVD
• Private plunge pool (some villas)
• Fully equipped kitchen

FACILITIES



The main pool is shady with a pool bar, attentive towel service and friendly staff. The restaurant serves a wide selection of both Western and local food. Disappointingly, there was no live music at the bar. However, neither do all the other places.

The complex includes everything you would expect in a first class resort:

• Spacious overflow swimming pool
• Beach area with gazebo
• Tropical poolside Bar
• Convenience store
• 24-hour wireless broadband internet service
• Snack bar and BBQ area
• Fully serviced villas by friendly and caring staff
• Activities booking centre
• Airport and boat transfers if required
• Australian owned and operated
• Surfboards and watersports equipment for hire at our doorstep
• Excellent restaurants within easy walking distance
• World class views from every villa

LEMBONGAN ISLAND

Diving in front...

Lembongan is surrounded by a spectacularly colourful coral reef. You can snorkel from drifting charter boats or Scuba dive with one of the 3 PADI dive operators on the island. The channel between Lembongan and Penida Islands is a renowned breeding ground for Giant Sunfish, or Mola Mola as they are sometimes called. Divers come from all over the world to witness this marvel of nature.

Dining next door...

Lembongan has a large range of bars and restaurants within walking distance, including 'cheap and cheerful' bistros a short stroll away, to a number of delightful barefoot beach bars and cafes in the village. Or you can experience silver service dining in the luxury resort at Mushroom Bay, just a short distance away. Or you may choose to take a walk down the main street of the charming village of Jungut Batu, right at our front door and sample some of the outstanding Hindu cuisine.

And plenty more to do just around the corner

A Booking Centre is available to help you explore and experience the wonder of this remote area, such as :
• Canoeing.
• Deep sea fishing.
• Diving and snorkeling.
• Surfing.
• Cycle touring.
• Island tours.
• Jungle Trekking.
• Biking.
• Massage.
• Village tours.

SURFING

With prevailing light off shore breezes, Lembongan Bay is home to a number of famous surf breaks which can be 'checked out' from your balcony.

Playgrounds - A left and right peak wave with fifty metre rides, particularly good when over head high and ideal for longboards and beginners.
Lacerations - Although a left and right reef break, it is better known for it's fast and generally right hander. Gets very hollow when the tide is right. A shortboarders heaven.
Shipwrecks - A classic right hander with a beautiful long wall which can get quite hollow in the right tide. Excellent when overhead. For advanced surfers.
Secret Bay - Located on Cenigan Island, Secret Bay is a thirty minute motor bike ride away. A left hand point break, which picks up swell when nothing else is breaking.

LOCATIONS

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