Bali offers extreme sports for the adventurous

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): People who watch MTV's It's My Life all choose Bali for their holidays, because they think what local George Rumate did there was very cool and would love to do the same.

What did he do? River rafting, bungee jumping, sky surfing and many other activities: All of which are available in Bali for both tourists and local people.

River rafting has become extremely popular in Bali for both the consumers and the businessmen behind it. From only one company in 1989, there are now 12 companies. Sobek Bali Utama is one of them.

Their most popular trip is down the Ayung River through some very spectacular scenery, with jungle and rice paddies on either side. It includes some thrilling fast rides.

The ride takes two hours, and on every boat is a skilled guide who paddles along with you. It ends with a delicious lunch in their restaurant by the riverbank, and you also have an opportunity to shower before heading home.

Skysurfing was originally developed by the U.S. Military as a training exercise for pilots. It combines the thrills of roller coasting, paragliding and surfing. To skysurf you, and one or two other people, are put into a full-body paragliding harness.

You are then lifted to a height of 40 meters, and the rope is then tugged. Don't worry, you are still safely attached to another rope that acts like a pendulum and swings you back and forth up to 120 kms an hour. Akin to the experience of flying like a bird.

Bungee jumping is somewhat similar to skysurfing, and has been popular for a few years. However, bungee jumping differs from skysurfing as it involves a vertical jump, not a swing. There are three places where you can treat yourself to this yo-yo-like sport: Bali Bungy, on Jl Pura Puseh Kuta, A.J. Hacket in Seminyak and Adrenaline Park in the center of Kuta.

For a less alarming activity, try a mountain cycling trip organized by Bali Adventure Tours. It's about seeing the Balinese countryside up close in a uniquely intimate way, while enjoying the fruits of the earth, the warmth of the sun and the smell of fresh air of the highlands of Bali.

A 25km trip takes two and a half hours on a 16-speed mountain bike. This type of bicycle will make the trip, which is mostly downhill anyway, an easy ride. The route starts in the village of Mayungan and winds its way through Petang, where you encounter friendly people and shy children who greet you in very limited English.

The scenery is made up of breathtaking vistas of terraced hillsides, valleys and wide open landscapes. After lunch different kind of villages will be seen, those of the farming communities near Mumbul lake. The trip finishes at the village of Sangeh, famous for its forest full of monkeys.

The two companies that offer cycling tours are Bali Adventure Tours and Sobek Bali Utama.

A different land based activity is offered by Wakalouka Land cruises. Using a customized Landrover, their trips give those who have seen the popular sights an opportunity to experience another, more sedate, side of Bali. An all day trip, with a maximum of six passengers and an expert guide, takes one to Gunung Batukaru at the center of the island.

Traverse through rainforests and see where coffee, tea, vanilla and cocoa are grown. Rice terraces and stone quarries, which are still worked traditionally and whose stone is used for building the temples of the island, are just a few of the sights on this trip.

Enjoy a delicious Balinese lunch served in a bamboo restaurant in a spot of utmost tranquility. After lunch its time for the off-road adventure, before arriving home at sunset.

For those who love trekking up mountains, Waka Tangga, another experience offered by Wakalouka, specializes in just that.

Thirty minutes out of Ubud, the trek begins taking one through villages, rice paddies and some of the oldest temples to be found on Bali.

The mountain climbers are in for a very special treat. A climb up Puncak Tedung mountain is where age-old temples can be seen. An ideal spot for quiet reflection. Waka Tangga provides all the equipment needed, you just wear a good pair of shoes and a hat.

Waterbom Park is the only waterpark in Bali catering for all ages. Opened in 1993, the park has attracted nearly one million people and is a favorite of both domestic and foreign visitors, regardless of their swimming ability. Eight different attractions are available at Waterbom Park, offering a safe challenge for all visitors.

Adrenalin freaks can choose from various water slides while those looking for romance can take a ride down Lazy River.

For information on other activities, Bali Adventure Tours provide a very informative and complete brochure which is widely available in Bali. It contains up to date information on white water river rafting, jungle trekking, elephant safari rides, tandem paragliding and other activities, such as the Bali Bird Park.

There is good news for tennis lovers, Nikko Bali Resort & Spa has 3 covered tennis courts managed by Peter Burwash International. These courts were built to attract guests specifically wishing to improve their games, rather than those treating the courts as just an other amenity.

Drawing on their experience in 29 countries, Peter Burwash International offers an exciting program, with a variety of tennis activities for both veterans and novices.

For those wishing to play squash, hotels such as the Grand Hyatt, Sheraton Lagoon, Sheraton Nusa Indah, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Melia Benoa provide courts of an international standard.