The Natural Guide to Bali

The Natural Guide to Bali

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Experience and explore the "Island of the Gods"-naturally. Let The Natural Guide to Bali lead 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, or experience treks to mysterious temples, hidden waterfalls, and active volcanoes. Throughout it all, you will come to know the people of Bali as they work and play in their own villages.

About the Author

Written by a team of ecologists and anthropologists, including contributions by Balinese journalists, sociologists, and artists.

Anne Gouyon has been consulting for organizations like the World Bank, the Nature Conservancy, and the Rainforest Alliance since 1995. She has lived in Bali since 2001.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

"Follow a duck between two rice fields and see where it leads you". That's one of the opening tips of the book. 

Another tip says "do like Balinese: wake up early to catch the glorious mornings; nap during the afternoon heat". 

This is not just another guidebook. It's not just pointing you the direction or tell us what is in a place. It is written by people who love Bali with aim to make you feel the same and why you should feel that way. To get the spirit of the places. 

So the advice is not "you have to go there from here" but instead "use these tips to get started, then close our book and discover by yourself..." This is very refreshing in a time where many guidebooks are written by people with more interest with money than the place itself and surely know little of it, producing book with lack of character, provide little information and only me-too advice. 

The Natural Guide also drives us to think beyond what we usually think as traveler; something we usually just pass, enjoy or take it for granted now have something, like how every tiny terrace gets its share of water? 

After visiting Bali for many times I feel like I've just found it and get my spirit again to discover more, yet it advices me: "don't feel obliged to visit all the recommended temples, lakes and volcanoes"... at the same time I find many off the beaten track trips very exciting and give a very different experience. 

Other thing unique about this book is its support to the environmental issues and local community. This is relevant because the island is posing increasing threat of its natural resources from growing population and tourist industry and on the other hand it has to preserve its charming character and tradition. Thus the hotel owners who work with locals to clean the beaches, dive masters who protect and rehabilitate the coral will be introduced to us in a hope to bring conscious, responsible travelers. 

So just like what I said, this is not jus another guidebook. I highly recommend this book for you who want to have valuable experience of the island and make a difference. By Amali