Of all the tropical paradise islands in Indonesia, Bali is the most beloved. It is halfway around the world but seems to be on everyone’s bucket list. For decades it was a beacon for backpackers, surfers, spiritual journeyers, and Southeast Asia travelers. A predominantly Hindu island in a Muslim country, Bali is known for its Gamelan music and varied Balinese dances, as much as its five-star resorts and techno-bumping nightclubs. The towns are very touristy, especially on the beaches. However, natural beauty abounds on land, where the active volcano Agung is known as “the Mother Mountain,” and offshore, where surrounding reefs nurture amazing marine life in Padang Bay, Menjangan Island, and Pemuteran. The main tourist areas in Bali are Kuta Beach and Nusa Dua, but the foothill town of Ubud is where artistic types gravitate.