Knopf Guide: Bali (Knopf Guides)

"Jammed-to-its-endpapers with gorgeous white, gray, gold and silver pages; hundreds of full-color, sepia-toned, black-and-white and black-on-silver photographs, and pull-outs showing detailed drawings." -- San Francisco ChronicleA volcanic island just off the coast of Java (between the Java Sea and the Indian ocean), Bali is one of the world's most exotic and enchanting destinations. With its volcanic peaks, rice-field terraces, and some of the world's most stunning beaches, Bali's natural wonders and unique island culture have made this a destination for sun-worshippers and adventure-seekers (not to mention the rich and famous) for generations.Witness the glorious sunsets from the pagoda temple of Tanah Lot, watch a traditional dance, and explore the sacred Goa Gajah or "Elephant Cave" temple. Discover Balinese culture in the island's family compounds, traditional pavilions and palaces, and tour exotic temples such as Pura Luhur Uluwatu, situated on a dramatic limestone escarpment 825-feet above the Indian Ocean. Learn about Bali's customs and beliefs as well as its traditional medicine and rites of passage. A variety of iteneraries, including special tours for four- or ten-day stays, will show you the best of the island, from the bustle of Denpasar in the south to the raw beauty of the West Bali National Park to Gitgit waterfall in the north to the floating place and royal bathing pools in the east.