The Indonesian island of Bali is renowned for its beaches but they form only a part of the Bali experience. The large island offers a range of experiences and visitors can enjoy everything from an active night scene to special Balinese dishes. Tourists in Bali should take the opportunity to sample as many different dishes as possible. One should not only try the fancy restaurants found on the island but also the various street hawkers.
Martabak is one of the most popular dishes on the island and it is quite impossible to visit Bali and not try the dish. Martabak, which when translated (from Arabic) means folded, is a type of pancake that can either be savoury or sweet. Both types can be found at most street vendors selling food. The most common fillings found in savoury martabak are eggs (duck or hen), beef and chicken. The sweet kind usually contains bananas or peanuts. The cooking methods for the different types bear little resemblance to each other.
Other foods to try include babi guling, which is a dish featuring roasted pork and rice; bebek betutu, which is seasoned duck wrapped and roasted in a banana leaf; lawar, which is the general name given to a variety of salads; satey lilit, which is roasted seafood served on skewers. Indonesian cuisine is known for its strong flavours and nowhere does the food taste better than in Bali. While the dishes are technically the same, they are usually given a slight island twist that makes them different from their counterparts.
Public infrastructure in Bali is fairly good. Tourists will be able to get around well enough with buses although taxis are essential to reach some out of the way places. Renting a car or motorbike is another terrific option as the island is pretty big. When it comes to accommodation tourists can have their pick. Accommodation ranges from budget inns to luxury Bali resorts. Travellers looking for the latter can try the Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa. Set on a secluded beach it is one of the best Uluwatu hotels around and guests are sure to enjoy their stay here.