Bali Tourism News

Athletes curious where to have fun in Bali

October 29th, 2008

Millions of domestic and overseas tourists flock to the most frequented island of Bali throughout the year to indulge at beaches, temples, restaurants, art shops, markets and nightclubs.

But for some Asian Beach Games athletes, finding the right place to relax and take a break from the energy-sapping competitions posed a difficulty because they lacked reliable tourist guides.

Sri Lankan beach volleyball players Sampath Peiris and Wasantha Rathnapala said they labored to locate a nightclub.

“We’d like to go to a nightclub to relax. But we don’t know where, do you?” Sampath said in a short conversation with The Jakarta Post.

Wasantha said he and his teammate sought massage treatments or just swim at their hotel after their games at Sanur Beach.

“We mostly go out for shopping in our spare time. But we actually have time at night and want to go to a fun place,” Sampath said while showing the sleeveless sport T-shirt and shorts he just bought.

He once went to Kuta Beach to surf the famous waves of the most visited tourist island, but regretted his failure to watch the Asian Beach Games surfing competition.

Pakistani beach handball athlete Muhammad Sohaib is probably different to the regular tourist visiting Bali for the first time. He refrains from leisure outings.

“After the competition, we just take a bath, eat and go to the mosque to pray. After that, we have a complete rest, which is sleeping,” Sohaib said Friday. He and teammates were about to perform their evening prayer at Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel.

He said the Pakistan team flew thousands of miles to Bali and tried to focus on the competition. The island, however, is irresistible, as the team plans to go for shopping before their return back home, he added.

Sohaib wonders, the places he and his friends should visit in Bali.

“Where should we visit? What is the best place in Bali?” he repeatedly asked.

The Games’ organizers have not arranged a recreation plan for participating athletes and officials because they believe the athletes can manage it themselves.

“We believe Bali is ready to serve the athletes. In hotels, all of the staff members are ready to provide information on places they can visit in Bali and how,” Sony Subrata, Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee marketing and public relations manager, said. He said such information was available on the Games website, which the athletes can easily access.

He said some athletes preferred to explore the island themselves, with some of them spotted visiting tourist resorts.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Entry Filed under: Bali Tourism News