Bali, a beautiful island paradise in the Indonesian archipelago made international news when the island was rocked by suicide bombings in 2002 and 2005. However, the island is better known as an excellent vacation holiday destination and a major tourist attraction.

Tourists who have visited this South East Asian island will tell you that Bali exudes a certain magical charm and that is why, some people call Bali, the Island of Gods. After all, gods live in paradise don't they?

You will be pleasantly impressed by the many stunningly beautiful tourist attractions and the charming local people. If you are a scuba diver, you will be pleased to know that Bali is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world.

Bali presents itself as a modern paradox because its ancient and traditional culture is still very much alive amidst modern living. While the basic conservatism of the Balinese people has enabled them to preserve many of their ancient customs, culture and religion, it has never hindered the acceptance of the new and innovative modern technological advancement.

The island is indeed a feast for the eye for tourists on holiday vacation in Indonesia. As the island is situated near the equator, it has almost equal amount of time for rain and sunshine making its environment very suitable for human inhabitation and as a result, Bali has been inhabited and civilized since ancient times.

Bali is also the only island in "middle Indonesia" that has more or less uninterrupted cultural continuity for hundreds of years. It is of this reason, Bali is the only part of Indonesia that remains "Hindu" and is still retaining elements of fusion of ethnic and Hindu cultures of more than a thousand years of cultural tradition.

When the island was colonized by the Dutch at the beginning of last century, the Dutch colonial masters were so impressed by the traditions of the Balinese that a concerted effort was made to preserve the island's mystical culture.

The Balinese society is a strong and cohesive one because the local people promote communal and family values. Feelings of alienation from parents and friends which are common in the western world are almost unheard of in Bali.

Children are carried everywhere or strapped to their mother's back until they are at least three months old. Religious rituals are performed regularly to keep the children safe, healthy and to protect them from harmful spirits. Every aspect of village life is organized in such detail that the individual's responsibilities and rights are meticulously defined by the Balinese tradition.

The Balinese are emotionally strong people and take the unfortunate incidents in their stride. The people are eternal optimists and believe that their Island of Gods enjoys a special place in the grander scheme of things. This is another reason why the local population can bounce back from the tragic terrorist attacks so quickly. Want to visit paradise? Then include Bali as your next holiday vacation destination for its many tourists attractions.

About the Author

Chris Chew is a frequent traveler. Read more travel articles at his site Bali Volcanoes and Thailand tourist attractions

For a luxury ski holiday to remember Méribel ticks all the right boxes. In the heart of the Alps, in the middle of the Trois Vallées stands the first class ski resort of Méribel. A classic Wintersports destination Méribel offers the largest ski area in the world. As part of the Trois Vallées there are over 600km of runs for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Couchevel, les Menuires, Val Thorens, La Tania and St Martin are all linked to the resort and each other whilst the Méribel ski area alone consists of 9 different sections.

Méribel is the only ski resort to have 15 high capacity gondalifts and the resort also boasts 14 drag-lifts and 19 chair-lifts. There is a massive 150km of groomed runs, 9 black 23 red, 36 blue and 8 green, offering versatility to suit all skiing abilities. Intermediates have a variety of red runs to choose from while beginners will appreciate the easy runs and gentle slopes. Advanced skiers can take full advantage of the glacier skiing and soft powder runs and picturesque descents through the forest. The area is naturally blessed with good snow cover however thanks to the snow making facilities on the upper and lower slopes, lack of snow is rarely ever an issue and getting around the resort is easy. Ideally located, Méribel is home to an impressive 2 Olympic runs, 2 slalom stadiums and also has 2 snowboard areas. Not to be missed try the women’s downhill of the 1992 Olympics from Roc de Fer or the runs from the top of Saulire down to Méribel or the two sweeping runs and off piste of Mont Vallon.

11 ski and snowboard schools are on hand for those that feel they would benefit from lessons, whether you are a beginner or experienced skier. Off piste excursions to the Gebrolaz Glacier & Heliskiing in Italy and Switzerland can also be arranged through the Méribel Mountain Guides office. Aside from skiing Méribel is number one when it comes to a lively après ski culture. There are a wide array of restaurants serving gourmet cuisine, bars and popular nightclubs in the resort. Hot spots include Rond Point above Méribel 1600 and Jacks Bar in the main town. During the day the pretty and traditional style of resort can also be enjoyed off the slopes with a whole host of other activities such as swimming, rock climbing. biking, paragliding and shopping. A walkers pass is situated at the top of the mountains and restaurants delivering a wonderful view of the entire resort. A luxury ski holiday in Méribel offers everything your heart could possibly desire…

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