Ringing in the New Year at Bali

Looks like I will ring in the New Year about 2.5 hours earlier than friends and family! I had initially planned a quiet New Year weekend with the family at the Leela in Goa or at the Le Meridian in Mauritius. But finally, we are going to the Laguna Resort & Spa at Bali.
The resort is part of Starwood Hotels' Luxury Collection and promises to be a great experience. I have always wanted to vacation at Bali since it is off the beaten path of most Indian tourists (who tend to travel to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore).
Bali has an unusual history and a lot of things going for it as a destination of choice, but on the downside, the two terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005 have made this destination less popular with western tourists in recent times.
While I am not planning sight-seeing tours during this visit, I may try to see one of their many Hindu temples. Hinduism arrived in Bali around 100 BC (refered to as Balidweepa in ancient inscriptions); however, the religion evolved independently after that and therefore has its own distinct identity. Bali has also been ruled by the Dutch and Japanese before becoming part of Indonesia. Watch this space for more when I get back... Wish you all a Very Happy New Year!

Other Bali posts from this trip: Indonesia, Islands of the Gods, Gourmet in Bali, The Laguna Spa & Resort