Pristine beach and multi-cultural attractions in Kuta

The once pristine Kuta, just five kilometers from Nusa Dua resort complex, is currently Bali's busiest tourist centers.

Kuta has been growing tremendously from a slave port in the late l7th century into the glittering tourist hub with dozens of hotels, pubs, restaurants, arts shops, branded boutiques, moneychangers, and banks to department stores.

Long before the Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Cafi on the beachfront of the Kuta Boulevard was operated here, an American couple, Bob and Louise Koke, were mesmerized by the beauty of the sunset at the Kuta beach.

The white sand and rolling waves had made Kuta a haven for the Western couple. They sniffed great tourist potential by establishing the first hotel in Kuta in l936. The site of their historical hotel is now the Natour Kuta Beach Hotel.

Almost seventy years from then, every inch of land in Kuta is filled with buildings, tourist and public facilities. Visitors could hardly take their breath in the narrow and crowded streets of Legian, Kerobokan and Seminyak, which form the famous Kuta tourist center.

The beach of Kuta is still perfect for swimming, sunbathing and surfing.

Dozens of surfers are seen everyday on the beach. A number of "Baywatch" team are keeping their eyes on the surfers and swimmers and warn them of possible any danger. A lot of visitors were too brave to fight the waves, which were sometimes very powerful. If you bring your children, please be careful not to swim in dangerous areas signed by red flags.

If you are on the alert, you can still enjoy the leisure life of the Kuta beach. Balinese women offering massage or body scrubbing are hanging around at the beach. The others are working with their guests' nails painted them in colors.

Painting washable tattoos is another attraction for those who do not have the courage to create the real ones with sharp needles.

Surfing and sports shops like Bilabong are numerous along Kuta streets selling various surfing equipment, fashion and accessories. Branded fashion items are also sold in several opulent boutiques. If you like jewelry, batik, ikat woven textile, embroidery clothes, just stroll down along the streets, you may find the low-quality items at small kiosks and the best ones in local boutiques.

Animale, Uluwatu, Surfing Girl are among the best shops for clothes.

It will be better if you just walk than driving a car along the streets of Kuta expect for Kerobokan and Seminyak areas.

For dining and nightlife, Kuta has an ample of choices. Poppies restaurant, Kopi Pot cafes are among the recommended places to eat. Mexican food is best served at Poco Loco and TJ's. Greek cuisine is served at Pantarei.

Kafe Warisan serving French cuisine, Made's Warung in Seminyak area are a must-to-go place.

There are many other attractive places to visit in Kuta. This place is designed for those who like spending their holidays in the crowded beach, shopping centers, bars, cafes and hustle- bustle nightlife. -- Rita A Widiadana