The Natural Guide to Bali

The Natural Guide to Bali is an alternative style guidebook that attempts to show a more personal side of Bali. A co-publication of Bumi Kita Foundation and Equinox Publishing, Jakarta, The Natural Guide to Bali makes extra effort to point out businesses that make an effort to be enjoyable for tourists attracted by nature and authenticity, Nature-friendly and community-friendly. In its own words “Enjoy nature, meet the people, make a difference.”

The Natural Guide to Bali is written by local teams, telling the hidden life behind the landscapes, guiding travellers to responsible hotels, restaurants, dive shops or trekking guides. They also
conduct capacity building activities with local enterprises, NGOS and communities to help them find practical ways of developing tourism in a way which is enjoyable and profitable for everyone, while preserving our beautiful planet for the coming generations.

Responsible Tourism is key to guide book’s style. Tourism is among the largest and fastest growing industries in the world, providing jobs to more than 200 millions of people worldwide. Yet in most cases, 80% of the income from tourism is made far from the travel destination – by foreign tour operators, international hotel chains, and the providers of imported products consumed by tourists. The local people are left with low-paid jobs, a higher cost of living, and degraded natural resources.

The Paradise Paradox
Tourism can destroy the very things that attract travellers – white beaches and lush vegetation; friendly, exotic cultures. Soon, we end up with polluted seashores, rows of buildings, and acculturated people selling cheap knick-knacks – or their own bodies. Then the most well-off tourists leave for more pristine destinations, and the local tourism economy starts to drop.

A Virtuous Circle?
Responsible ecotourism aims for a virtuous circle. It starts with considering local people as our
hosts, and show some interest in their culture. It means learning to understand the fragile
ecosystems we step in, and appreciate them in a respectful way. It means a journey of discovery, respect and love. It is more fun for everyone – including ourselves.

The Natural Guide to Bali leads you from the busy beaches and tourist traps to exquisite rice paddies and pristine seashores. Discover the best of Bali’s diving, surfing, sailing, hiking and bird watching. Meet the people of Bali at work and play in their own villages. Learn the secrets of Balinese dancing, gong playing, painting and cooking.

Packed with stunning photos, maps and essays by some of the most well-known Bali insiders, The Natural Guide to Bali reveals:
• Treks to mysterious temples, hidden waterfalls and active volcanoes
• The lives of Balinese painters, punks and gigolos
• Balinese views on women’s rights, child labour and fair trade
• The relentless battle to save Bali’s corals, turtles and birds

Featuring:
• 25 full-page travel maps, with 3D views of the island’s volcanoes
• Detailed descriptions of over 300 hotels and restaurants, from family homestays to eco-lodges, luxury boutique resorts, friendly side road cafés or gourmet restaurants
• A unique eco-rating system leading you to great hotels, restaurants, dive centres, trekking guides and craft shops doing their best to preserve Bali’s nature and culture and benefit its vibrant communities.

Main writers: Titiek Pratiwi, Godeliva D. Sari, Degung Santikarma, Bodrek Arsana, Jean-Marie Bompard, Leslie Dwyer. Main photographers: Ulung Wicaksono, Iskandar, Leonard Lueras, Djuna Ivereigh, Dominique Clarisse, Fadil Aziz, Gilles Guérard.

The Natural Guide to Bali has a Foreward by Ary Suhardi, Executive Director of the Indonesia Ecotourism Network.

The book’s 447 glossy pages contain great photos and some funny cartoons about tourism in Bali. The first 99 pages are broken down into: A Natural Way of Travelling, Bali in a Nutshell, Getting There and Around, Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do at Sea, The Hidden Life of Bali, What to do Inland, Cultural Discoveries, More Tips from the Traveller, The Best of Bali.

As far as symbols, The Natural Guide to Bali use a single ‘heart’ to indicate favourites and 2 ‘hearts’ to indicate outstanding favourites that correspond to the ‘traveler-culture-environment-friendly’ description.

Geographically the book is divided into South Bali – Beyond Kuta & Ubud, East Bali – Below the volcanoes, North Bali – The Other Side of Bali and West Bali – A Vision of Abundance. On the whole the Natural Guide to Bali attempts to steer people away from package tourism, offering the advice that the cheapest package deals will often get you a room in a tourist trap. The book brings up important points, chiefly that the local population and local environment are paying the price of tourism (trees getting cut down for carvings, ocean water polluted by unregulated villas, temples included on the tour bus route, etc.).

Almost as much of an essay, as a guide book, The Natural Guide to Bali seeks to make a difference in the reader and for those who like some colorful commentary, its an enjoyable read. The fact that out of the way attraction are highlighted makes this guide unique. It’s ‘nuts & bolts’ information isn’t nearly as strong as a the Rough Guide to Bali, but then again it’s intention isn’t to cover everything going on here.

Who is this book good for?
The Natural Guide to Bali is good for people looking to get out of Kuta / Nusa Dua / Ubud and see a more authentic side of Bali in a more personal manner.

Who is this book not good for?
This book is not good for people who just come to surf, people who want the beach and shopping, partiers or folks just looking for a ‘sun-break’.

You can find The Natural Guide to Bali in most good book shops in Bali including the Periplus shops.
Price $25.