Best Bali Travel Guides
Lonely Planet. Bali & Lombok is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Stand amongst the clouds on Gunung Rinjani, party all-night in Kuta, or experience the Gili Islands' phenomenal diving scene; all with your trusted travel companion. Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - art, architecture, beaches, festivals, cuisine, water sports and outdoor adventures, history, dance, music, painting, environment, politics Over 50 maps Covers Kuta & Seminyak, Gili Islands, Lombok, North Bali, West Bali, Central Mountains, Ubud, East Bali, South Bali and more. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Found this one a big confusing to navigate, locating the various regions of Ubud for example and the sights that correspond to maps pages apart."
"Left packaging feedback as well as the envelope was completely open when received."
"This book was very informative during my trip to and in Bali."
"Received the book very fast."
"Has sample itineraries for different vacation lengths (1 - 3 weeks)."
Covering the history of Bali from before the Bronze Age to the presidency of Megawati Sukarnoputri, this examination highlights the ethnic dynamics of the island and its place in modern Indonesia. “I cannot welcome this series warmly enough.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Detailed book on Bali."
"While the island's beauty, unique culture, and friendliness cannot be denied, neither can its history...slavery up until the late 1800's, mass suicides in the face of Dutch invasions, the fratricide of the 1960's which resulted in the killing of 1000's - still a taboo subject among the Balinese."
"I spent two weeks diving in the Tulamben region and after touring around a bit I saw the beautiful side of Bali away from the usual scenes of partying, with which I had long associated Bali."
"The book is very thoroughly documented which inevitably led Pringle to Leiden, Holland where the most important sources of Indonesian history are to be found, so apparently he masters the Dutch language which is quite remarkable. For the episode of transition from Sukarno to Suharto and the atrocities that came with it, Pringle relied - as he acknowledges - heavily on Robinson's studies."
"Excellent overview of Balinese history."
"Great condition!"
"I cannot give you much more feedback - but sent promptly and arrived in good condition."
"Robert Pringle writes in a clear, easy style and covers a large sweep in 231 pages - from Java Man 1.5 million years ago (no evidence he made it to Bali) to August 2003, when the first death sentence was passed on Amrozi, one of the terrorists responsible for the Bali bomb. It is not dry and academic - he talks about visits to Bali with his wife and historical sites. He starts by describing the geographical aspects of Bali and places the island in the context of South East Asia (a term not invented until the Second World War). He quotes the anthropologist Clifford Geertz, who called Bali "this snug, little amphitheater." There are stone and copper inscriptions, which give the names of early kings and throw light on their social and political concerns. Bali is famous for its bright colours, vibrant forms and dramatic, emphatic rhythms. We Balinese tend to attribute these to the Majapahit Empire, but Pringle thinks that it is likely that these characteristics, which distinguish us from the Javanese, on the neighbouring island, date back to Old Bali. It was difficult for ordinary people, like me, and 1965-66 was the worst when there was an alleged communist coup, which was brutally suppressed by Suharto, and thousands were killed. For Bali, the story was mostly about tourism and questions surrounding it, like the preservation of Balinese culture. He mentions some things I did not know - which is always interesting - like the fact that Karl Marx said in1853 that Hinduism then being practised in Bali must have been similar to that which supported despotism in India before British rule. He also corrects a common misunderstanding about caste and explains that the term, which is always applied, is arguably inappropriate for what is no more than a status distinction. I am pleased to say that he loves Bali and thinks that there is every reason to believe that we Balinese will surmount our present challenges."
This Smash hit #1 Bestseller that beat out "Lonely Planet" and "Eat, Pray, Love" and is continuously listed in the "Most wished for" lists for Bali books will take you on a tour around the island to explore the quiet, magical parts of Bali, far away from the tourist crowds. a pearl farm that employs only women, an award winning coral restoration project recognized by the United Nations, a winery, turtle and bee conservation projects and so much more.... And, of course, the spectacular volcanic mountain ranges in the Inland regions with massive lakes, luscious rain forest and gorgeous rice terraces - absolutely breath taking! Communication, visa, currency/banking, accommodation, transportation, wifi/mobile usage and much more will be covered in Chapter 1. - or where you can find an organic restaurant in the midst of rice fields with beautiful views and healthy, delicious food? This is the book for you. The writing is informative, simple and interesting, and the pictures complement the text. While Bali is known for its beaches, this book take us away from the loud, tourist-filled beaches and carries us to the quieter and spiritual parts of the island where one can really experience the culture and people." It describes the wonderful specialities wether geographically or culturally in a refreshing way.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great book, the author has explained most of the interesting things in Bali in very soft and easy way."
"I have been to the beaches in southern Bali, but after reading this book I very much want to return to the island to visit Ubud and the other areas Ms. Gabrielle discusses in her book. This book includes helpful information for planning your trip to Bali, including maps, history, cultural and language tips, accommodation, transportation, weather, visa information and much more. All in all, this is an excellent and informative book that introduces us to new and wonderful sights in Bali and helps make it simple to visit these areas with a solid plan and itinerary."
"I used the guide, Gede Lausen, Gundi recommended in this book. Everything Gundi recommended to see is well worth it and those sites touted as somewhat lacking were verified through friends that went to those sites when we split up and went our separate ways a couple of days."
"Great book showing many places to visit in Bali."
"Indulging in the beauty of nature and enjoying those magical places away from the crowds - information that you dont generally read in most travel guides."
"This guidebook lays out the island into sections and offers suggested driving routes with maps."
"This book helped me understand the layout of the island, what makes each region special, and gave me the perfect starting point for making travel plans."
"Beautifully written, packed with practical tips on where to stay, how to get there, and detailed tips on best places to eat, wifi reception, how to get good tour guides and descriptions of best places to visit other than the common tourist destinations."
Best Asian Travel Photography
This Smash hit #1 Bestseller that beat out "Lonely Planet" and "Eat, Pray, Love" and is continuously listed in the "Most wished for" lists for Bali books will take you on a tour around the island to explore the quiet, magical parts of Bali, far away from the tourist crowds. a pearl farm that employs only women, an award winning coral restoration project recognized by the United Nations, a winery, turtle and bee conservation projects and so much more.... And, of course, the spectacular volcanic mountain ranges in the Inland regions with massive lakes, luscious rain forest and gorgeous rice terraces - absolutely breath taking! Communication, visa, currency/banking, accommodation, transportation, wifi/mobile usage and much more will be covered in Chapter 1. - or where you can find an organic restaurant in the midst of rice fields with beautiful views and healthy, delicious food? "A very thoughtful and accessible travel guide for a lesser-known, but no less amazing part of Bali.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great book, the author has explained most of the interesting things in Bali in very soft and easy way."
"I have been to the beaches in southern Bali, but after reading this book I very much want to return to the island to visit Ubud and the other areas Ms. Gabrielle discusses in her book. This book includes helpful information for planning your trip to Bali, including maps, history, cultural and language tips, accommodation, transportation, weather, visa information and much more. All in all, this is an excellent and informative book that introduces us to new and wonderful sights in Bali and helps make it simple to visit these areas with a solid plan and itinerary."
"I used the guide, Gede Lausen, Gundi recommended in this book. Everything Gundi recommended to see is well worth it and those sites touted as somewhat lacking were verified through friends that went to those sites when we split up and went our separate ways a couple of days."
"Great book showing many places to visit in Bali."
"Indulging in the beauty of nature and enjoying those magical places away from the crowds - information that you dont generally read in most travel guides."
"This guidebook lays out the island into sections and offers suggested driving routes with maps."
"This book helped me understand the layout of the island, what makes each region special, and gave me the perfect starting point for making travel plans."
"Beautifully written, packed with practical tips on where to stay, how to get there, and detailed tips on best places to eat, wifi reception, how to get good tour guides and descriptions of best places to visit other than the common tourist destinations."
Best General Indonesia Travel Guides
The 10th anniversary edition of one of the most iconic, beloved, and bestselling books of our time. Sustaining a chatty, conspiratorial tone, Gilbert fully engages readers in the year's cultural and emotional tapestry - conveying rapture with infectious brio, recalling anguish with touching candor - as she details her exotic tableau with history, anecdote and impression. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book (somehow memoir doesn't seem to do justice to what Gilbert has produced) will make you silent in realizing profound and great wisdom before making you blurt sudden laughter upon reading the very next page."
"It motivated me to make my own trip and enjoy life and I liked that."
"Liz Gilbert bares her soul in this book and shows us that there will always be difficulties in life, you will make mistakes and you have to learn to live with them without beating yourself up."
"This is an uplifting story of a woman who puts hectic life on hold, and allows herself to heal after a difficult divorce."
"I ordered this book since I read the book "Eat, Pray, Love" when it was first published (2007), and I was curious to see how other readers were positively influenced by this book (and see if any of the stories were similar to my reactions)."
"This is an inspirational book that will show you spiritual truths through the authors personal journey."
"And Elizabeth Gilbert has a great writing style.....she adds humor into many areas and makes the story so simplistic and so visual that I can almost picture myself eating in Italy or meditating in India."
"Great quality and arrived fast!"
Best Java Travel Guides
The islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali are ecologically one of the richest, most biologically complex areas in the world, sought out by thousands of knowledgeable nature lovers every year for the spectacular variety of wildlife and beautiful vistas. and an essential reference for ornithologists and birders visiting or residing in those islands. "The most complete and comprehensive field guide for the region of the Greater Sundra islands is more than just a field guide. No doubt, this top field guide will be wanted by any birder going to the Greater Sundra islands, as well as by many ornithologists as a general reference. This book, I believe, will supersede all that is in print, and will be a must for birders and naturalists visiting one or more of the islands." -- The Auk "No doubt, this top field guide will be wanted by any birder going to the Greater Sunda islands as well as by many ornithologists as a general reference.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The science of making guides that are actually effective and handy in the field has progressed considerably since this one was published 20+ years ago."
"Still the best book for all serious birdwatchers of the region."
"In this instance, I ordered two different field guides at the same time from the same seller. The book "from Canada" arrived in three days, the Bali book "from England" came about two weeks later."
"Best book on birds of Indonesia I could find."
"This was the book that everyone who seemed to be serious used in Borneo, but if you are going to be out in the bush for more than a few days and make frequent use of field guides, consider having it re-bound before you leave -- many people I passed along the way were finding that the plate pages were starting to fall out."
"Basics: 1993, 491 pages, softcover; 88 good color plates of all 820 species in the region, multiple poses for most birds, short line of ID text next to the plate; 1/3 of text for each bird covers description, voice, distribution, habits; 20 birding sites discussed, no range maps. There are 88 color plates that show most of the birds with multiple poses or plumages, which display gender, age, or seasonal variations when relevant. It should be noted a large percentage of these plates and illustrations are re-used in a later book published in 2010 by the same illustrator, Karen Phillipps, titled "Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo". Although there are now (as of 2010) two books dedicated to just Borneo, this book is still the only one to illustrate all the birds of Sumatra, Java, and Bali which makes this book a "must" for any serious birding done on these islands. I should point out MacKinnon's book "Birds of Java and Bali of 1988" does illustrate all the birds of just those two islands. - (written by Jack at Avian Review / Avian Books, January 2010). I've listed several related books below... 1) Field Guide to Birds of Borneo by Myers. 2) Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo by Phillipps. 3) Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali by MacKinnon. 4) The birds of Borneo by Smythies. 5) Photographic Guide to the Birds of Borneo by Davison/Fook. 6) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo by Nakayasu. 7) Birds of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo by Davison et al. 8) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia by Strange. 9) Photographic Guide to Birds of Java, Sumatra and Bali by Tilford."
"Any serious birder to the listed regions of this book would buy this book."
"Many newer guides have been published about birds of this region, but this book still deserves its place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in birds of South-east Asia."
Best Borneo Travel Guides
Who wouldn’t want to tackle the world’s most dangerous hiking path, tangle with the Vietnamese Mafia, and suffer days in the dreaded Mongolian saddle…? Share their hopes and fears as they battle the wildlife, the elements, and the laws of probability to explore six fascinating and exotic countries. This is a comedy travel memoir, covering Borneo, Vietnam, Mongolia, China, Laos and Cambodia.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Another hilarious adventure by Tony Slater."
"A fantastic book by a very affable young man that has fairly bad luck and a fairly crazy sense of adventure."
"As usual- Tony's new novel doesn't disappoint."
"While a good deal longer than his previous books, "Shave My Spider" is no less entertaining, and is not only a highly enjoyable and hilarious travelogue, but a wonderful portrait of many countries in eastern Asia. Along the way they encounter colorful personalities of all kinds -- an airheaded American on a river tour, a nasty and vengeful Australian expat living in Vietnam who gets back at Tony in a very underhanded way for an unflattering review of his tour experience, a friendly backpacking British couple who give them tips, and various locals who appear quite bemused by Tony and Roo's unabashed goofiness and bad luck -- and explore ancient ruins, wildlife-filled jungles, vast wilderness areas, and the crowded madness of most Asian cities. And before everything is over Tony will have ticked off locals in every country, been chased by the Chinese military, had a nasty run-in with one of the world's most dangerous insects, and come to the conclusion that as much as he loves traveling, he's pretty crap at it."
"I have a tendency to read multiple books at once, switching between them on my Kindle, and every time I’d laugh out loud while reading, various members of my family would ask if I was reading Shave My Spider! There either wasn’t as much swearing in this book compared to his previous ones or I’ve gotten used to it (I’m pretty sure there is less)."
Best Jakarta Travel Guides
Nguyen is in his element as the 'Street Food King', eating and exploring his way through traditional noodle soups and sweet sticky meats, to more adventurous dishes like Stir-fried Embryo Egg with Tamarind and Duck and Banana Blossom Salad. LUKE NGUYEN is one of Australia's best-loved chefs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We have already made several of the recipes and they turned out perfect."
"Love the pictures and the recipes in the book, but I also wish there were far more recipes."
"A recipe book that will give you a better look at Asian street food."
"Great book, filled with all the recipes to try at home all the great food i've been eating for the last 2 months while traveling in Southeast Asia."
"I have all his books there great."
"The recipes that I was most interested in, he did not include actual recipes."
Best Sumatra Travel Guides
The islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali are ecologically one of the richest, most biologically complex areas in the world, sought out by thousands of knowledgeable nature lovers every year for the spectacular variety of wildlife and beautiful vistas. and an essential reference for ornithologists and birders visiting or residing in those islands. "The most complete and comprehensive field guide for the region of the Greater Sundra islands is more than just a field guide. No doubt, this top field guide will be wanted by any birder going to the Greater Sundra islands, as well as by many ornithologists as a general reference. This book, I believe, will supersede all that is in print, and will be a must for birders and naturalists visiting one or more of the islands." -- The Auk "No doubt, this top field guide will be wanted by any birder going to the Greater Sunda islands as well as by many ornithologists as a general reference.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The science of making guides that are actually effective and handy in the field has progressed considerably since this one was published 20+ years ago."
"Still the best book for all serious birdwatchers of the region."
"In this instance, I ordered two different field guides at the same time from the same seller. The book "from Canada" arrived in three days, the Bali book "from England" came about two weeks later."
"Best book on birds of Indonesia I could find."
"This was the book that everyone who seemed to be serious used in Borneo, but if you are going to be out in the bush for more than a few days and make frequent use of field guides, consider having it re-bound before you leave -- many people I passed along the way were finding that the plate pages were starting to fall out."
"Basics: 1993, 491 pages, softcover; 88 good color plates of all 820 species in the region, multiple poses for most birds, short line of ID text next to the plate; 1/3 of text for each bird covers description, voice, distribution, habits; 20 birding sites discussed, no range maps. There are 88 color plates that show most of the birds with multiple poses or plumages, which display gender, age, or seasonal variations when relevant. It should be noted a large percentage of these plates and illustrations are re-used in a later book published in 2010 by the same illustrator, Karen Phillipps, titled "Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo". Although there are now (as of 2010) two books dedicated to just Borneo, this book is still the only one to illustrate all the birds of Sumatra, Java, and Bali which makes this book a "must" for any serious birding done on these islands. I should point out MacKinnon's book "Birds of Java and Bali of 1988" does illustrate all the birds of just those two islands. - (written by Jack at Avian Review / Avian Books, January 2010). I've listed several related books below... 1) Field Guide to Birds of Borneo by Myers. 2) Phillipps' Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo by Phillipps. 3) Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali by MacKinnon. 4) The birds of Borneo by Smythies. 5) Photographic Guide to the Birds of Borneo by Davison/Fook. 6) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo by Nakayasu. 7) Birds of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo by Davison et al. 8) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia by Strange. 9) Photographic Guide to Birds of Java, Sumatra and Bali by Tilford."
"Any serious birder to the listed regions of this book would buy this book."
"Many newer guides have been published about birds of this region, but this book still deserves its place on the bookshelf of anyone interested in birds of South-east Asia."