Kuta, Bali.

This must be one of the most recognizable pictures of Kuta in recent years -- the Ground Zero Memorial. It was October 2002 when a bomb blast killed more than 200 people (locals and tourists alike) and hundreds of others got injured in the tourist district of Kuta. We visited the site when we had the chance. We said our prayers, took pictures, and hoped that nothing so violent would ever happen again to this place (or anywhere else for that matter).


Browsing through all my Bali pictures, I just realized that the two trips we made to Kuta were all at night. That means, I did not see Kuta in broad daylight! It was because we spent most of our time in Seminyak since there were too many things to do and places to see there.

And even at night, Kuta was bustling with people. The traffic was bad the first night we went, it reminded me so much of Colon (the oldest street in the country), pre-*CITOM days. Still, it was a fascinating sight for me. Then again, I easily get fascinated by many things, big and small. :D


I loved the energy in Kuta. Everyone seemed to be so alive and happy it almost felt like people were celebrating something. People were laughing and talking and shopping and eating.

Kuta has endless rows of shops and restos and clubs and spas. There is no idle time in this part of the island.

Things to do in Kuta

• Surf!
• Or if you do not know how to surf yet, get a Bali Surfing Lesson.
• Get a massage from any spa in the island!
• Have fun at Waterbom Waterpark (the kids will enjoy!).
• Go to Slingshot Bali (and scream your lungs out!).
• Visit Ulu Watu, a temple located on the edge of a cliff dedicated to the gods who guard the sea.
• Wait for the sunset.
• Try balinese cuisine.
• Shop, shop, shop!
• Grab some gelato (I know! I know!)
• Sign up for a Bali Adventure Tour.
• Or just relax, breathe, slow down.

My friends and I did a little pasalubong shopping in Kuta and had massages two nights in a row. We also checked out Kuta Beach, tried balinese cuisine, grabbed some gelato, and had great conversations in between.

We tried Lazumba and Made's Wadung, two highly recommended restos in the island. I will blog about these restos in the coming days.

You will never go hungry in Kuta. It is swarming with so many restaurants and clubs.

Here's a list of restaurants in Kuta you might want to check out.


When to Go
Bali has two distinct seasons: Wet (October to March) and Dry (September to April). And although it is okay to go there anytime, it is still best to visit Bali during the dry season.

The peak season in Bali is July, August, and September. The island is crowded at this time, so you may want to travel to Bali in April, May, and June. The weather is as pleasant and the island is less crowded.

What to Wear
Wear light clothing -- shorts, tank tops, sun dresses. And don't forget your swimsuits and sunblock!

Important thing to Remember
Only go to legitimate money changers.

. . . . .

* CITOM: Traffic enforcement arm of the city of Cebu.