Bali offers extreme sports for the adventurous

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.