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Thursday, June 5, 2008
Saturday, November 24, 2007
BALI RESORT VILLAS
Resort villas are getting more popular in Bali nowadays. Although many of them still adopt hotel-like service, there is no exact standardization of this. Some may provide half-day staff service, other may provide full day staff with cook and butler service.
Please keep in mind that there are not too many villas available in each compound or resort and often booked serveral month in advance. Therefore, early reservation is very recommended!
IMPORTANT:
Be always careful when booking over the Internet. The joy of saving a few dollars is rather short-lived compared to the memories of a spoilt vacation.
Here are some hints on how to protect yourself from misleading promises, unreliable Internet companies, and how to avoid disappointment.
The Samaya Resort Villas & Spa
Seminyak, 8 kms from airport.
24 beach front villas with resort's restaurant.
Rates start from US$392nett
Resort Villas The Dusun
Seminyak, 11 km/6 miles from airport, 150 meters from beach.
14 exquisite private villas with private pool.
Benefits: free airport transfer, daily breakfast, welcome drink, etc.
Rates start from US$228nett.
Resort Villas The Ulin
Seminyak, 8 km/5 miles from airport.
14 villas with private pool, restaurant and spa center.
Benefits: welcome drink, welcome foot spa ritual, welcome fruit basket, daily ABF, daily afternoon tea, complimentary minibar item.
Rates start from US$236nett.
Resort Villas The Banjar
Kerobokan, 15 km/9 miles from airport.
10 villas, spa, broadband internet access, etc.
Benefits: free 15 min welcome massage, welcome drink, daily breakfast, daily afternoon tea
Rates start from US$259nett.
The Dreamland Resort Villas
Jimbaran, 14 km/9 miles from airport.
49 beach front villas and beach club facilities, Aromatherapy massage, The Dream Spa esthetic, business center with wireless connection, etc.
Rates start from US$324nett.
Resort Villas Heliconia
Kerobokan, 8 km/5 miles from airport.
8 villas with plunge pool, each has private garden, kitchen and living area.
Rates start from US$138nett.
Resort Villa The Bale
Nusa Dua, 18 km/10 miles from airport.
20 private pavilions, a giant size lap pool, lounge pool, gymnasium, restaurant, spa, etc.
Rates start from US$408.00.
INTRODUCTION TO BALI, INDONESIA
WHERE IS BALI?
The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.
GEOGRAPHY:
The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.
Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.
FLORA:
The wide variety of tropical plants is surprising. You'll see huge banyan trees in villages and temple grounds, tamarind trees in the North, clove trees in the highlands, acacia trees, flame trees, and mangroves in the South. In Bali grow a dozen species of coconut palms and even more varieties of bamboo.
And there are flowers, flowers everywhere. You'll see (and smell the fragrance of) hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, and water lilies. Magnolia, frangipani, and a variety of orchids are found in many front yards and gardens, along roads, and in temple grounds. Flowers are also used as decorations in temples, on statues, as offerings for the gods, and during prayers. Dancers wear blossoms in their crowns, and even the flower behind the ear of your waitress seems natural in Bali.
FAUNA:
Elephants and tigers don't exist any more in Bali since early this century. Wildlife, however, includes various species of monkeys, civets, barking deer and mouse deer, and 300 species of birds including wild fowl, dollar birds, blue kingfishers, sea eagles, sandpipers, white herons and egrets, cuckoos, wood swallows, sparrows, and starlings. You can watch schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candi Dasa, and Padangbai. Divers will see many colorful coral fish and small reef fish, moray eels, and plankton eating whale sharks as well as crustaceans, sponges, and colorful coral along the east coast and around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk.
CLIMATE:
You can expect pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. From December to March, the West monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you'll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas.
Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. On the other hand, in Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or "Bali" mention showers and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.
POPULATION:
Bali's population has grown to over 3 million people the overwhelming majority of which are Hindus. However, the number of Muslims is steadily increasing through immigration of people from Java, Lombok and other areas of Indonesia who seek work in Bali.
Most people live in the coastal areas in the South, and the island's largest town and administrative center is fast growing Denpasar with a population of now over 370,000. The villages between the town of Ubud and Denpasar, Kuta (including Jimbaran, Tuban, and Legian, Seminyak, Basangkasa, etc), Sanur, and Nusa Dua are spreading rapidly in all directions, and before long the whole area from Ubud in the North to Sanur in the East, Berawa/Canggu in the West, and Nusa Dua in the South will be urbanized.
ECONOMY:
This southern part of Bali is where most jobs are to be found, either in the hotel and tourist industry, the textile and garment industry, and in many small scale and home industries producing handicrafts and souvenirs. Textiles, garments, and handicrafts have become the backbone of Bali's economy providing 300,000 jobs, and exports have been increasing by around 15% per year to over US$400 million. Textiles and garments contribute about 45%, and wood products including statues, furniture and other handicrafts 22% to the province's total income from exports. Silver work is ranked third (4.65%) with 5,000 workers employed. Main buyers are the US and Europe with 38% each, and Japan with 9%.
Important agricultural products besides rice are tea, coffee, tobacco, cacao, copra, vanilla, soy beans, chilies, fruit, and vegetable (there are now even vineyards near the northwest coast). Bali's fishing industry and seaweed farming provide other products which are important exports.
The new free-trade regulations will create some problems for Bali's exporters as they do not allow to employ children. Most children here work for their parents, and this is part of the process of acquiring professional skills and kind of an informal education which has been very important in the Balinese society for centuries.
WHAT MAKES BALI SO SPECIAL:
There is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, the year-round pleasant climate, and the absence of security problems. And then there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain.
As soon as you step off the plane you might sense the difference. In the villages you'll notice the quietness and wisdom in old people's faces, and the interest and respect in the young's. Old men sit at the road side caressing their fighting cocks. Beautifully dressed women walk proudly through rice fields and forests carrying offerings on their heads to the next temple. There is the smell of flowers, and in the distance you hear the sound of gamelan music.
Gods and spirits have been an important part of Bali's daily life for hundreds of years. Gunung Agung – Bali's holy mountain – is internationally regarded as one of the eight "Chakra" points of the world. This may be more than an coincident. Watch out, the moment you feel the magic of this island, you're addicted for the rest of your life.
The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.
GEOGRAPHY:
The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.
Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.
FLORA:
The wide variety of tropical plants is surprising. You'll see huge banyan trees in villages and temple grounds, tamarind trees in the North, clove trees in the highlands, acacia trees, flame trees, and mangroves in the South. In Bali grow a dozen species of coconut palms and even more varieties of bamboo.
And there are flowers, flowers everywhere. You'll see (and smell the fragrance of) hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, and water lilies. Magnolia, frangipani, and a variety of orchids are found in many front yards and gardens, along roads, and in temple grounds. Flowers are also used as decorations in temples, on statues, as offerings for the gods, and during prayers. Dancers wear blossoms in their crowns, and even the flower behind the ear of your waitress seems natural in Bali.
FAUNA:
Elephants and tigers don't exist any more in Bali since early this century. Wildlife, however, includes various species of monkeys, civets, barking deer and mouse deer, and 300 species of birds including wild fowl, dollar birds, blue kingfishers, sea eagles, sandpipers, white herons and egrets, cuckoos, wood swallows, sparrows, and starlings. You can watch schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candi Dasa, and Padangbai. Divers will see many colorful coral fish and small reef fish, moray eels, and plankton eating whale sharks as well as crustaceans, sponges, and colorful coral along the east coast and around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk.
CLIMATE:
You can expect pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. From December to March, the West monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you'll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas.
Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. On the other hand, in Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or "Bali" mention showers and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.
POPULATION:
Bali's population has grown to over 3 million people the overwhelming majority of which are Hindus. However, the number of Muslims is steadily increasing through immigration of people from Java, Lombok and other areas of Indonesia who seek work in Bali.
Most people live in the coastal areas in the South, and the island's largest town and administrative center is fast growing Denpasar with a population of now over 370,000. The villages between the town of Ubud and Denpasar, Kuta (including Jimbaran, Tuban, and Legian, Seminyak, Basangkasa, etc), Sanur, and Nusa Dua are spreading rapidly in all directions, and before long the whole area from Ubud in the North to Sanur in the East, Berawa/Canggu in the West, and Nusa Dua in the South will be urbanized.
ECONOMY:
This southern part of Bali is where most jobs are to be found, either in the hotel and tourist industry, the textile and garment industry, and in many small scale and home industries producing handicrafts and souvenirs. Textiles, garments, and handicrafts have become the backbone of Bali's economy providing 300,000 jobs, and exports have been increasing by around 15% per year to over US$400 million. Textiles and garments contribute about 45%, and wood products including statues, furniture and other handicrafts 22% to the province's total income from exports. Silver work is ranked third (4.65%) with 5,000 workers employed. Main buyers are the US and Europe with 38% each, and Japan with 9%.
Important agricultural products besides rice are tea, coffee, tobacco, cacao, copra, vanilla, soy beans, chilies, fruit, and vegetable (there are now even vineyards near the northwest coast). Bali's fishing industry and seaweed farming provide other products which are important exports.
The new free-trade regulations will create some problems for Bali's exporters as they do not allow to employ children. Most children here work for their parents, and this is part of the process of acquiring professional skills and kind of an informal education which has been very important in the Balinese society for centuries.
WHAT MAKES BALI SO SPECIAL:
There is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, the year-round pleasant climate, and the absence of security problems. And then there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain.
As soon as you step off the plane you might sense the difference. In the villages you'll notice the quietness and wisdom in old people's faces, and the interest and respect in the young's. Old men sit at the road side caressing their fighting cocks. Beautifully dressed women walk proudly through rice fields and forests carrying offerings on their heads to the next temple. There is the smell of flowers, and in the distance you hear the sound of gamelan music.
Gods and spirits have been an important part of Bali's daily life for hundreds of years. Gunung Agung – Bali's holy mountain – is internationally regarded as one of the eight "Chakra" points of the world. This may be more than an coincident. Watch out, the moment you feel the magic of this island, you're addicted for the rest of your life.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Bali Museums
Agung Rai Museum of ArtBali has all what it takes to offer you a splendid vacation in an exotic location. Besides the natural beauty, the visitors will be surprised to know of the superior art form of Bali which is displayed in the Bali Museums. The magical island is also the melting pot of the different cultures and traditions and it is mainly owing to the numerous influences that the island also has a vast repository of the myriad art forms. One notable museum which finds its significant mention in the Bali Travel Guide also features fantastic array of paintings of Balinese art form is Agung Rai Museum of Art in Bali.
The artistes and the painters in Bali took inspiration from the natural beauty and the diverse life forms and developed important art forms. Some of the highly developed art forms can be found in the Agung Rai Museum of Art in Bali. Besides being one of the great places for Sightseeing in Bali, it is also home to the remarkable collected works by the different set of people who visited and ruled Bali from time to time like the Balinese, Javanese and foreign artists.
Agung Rai Museum of Art in Bali is also famously called ARMA museum in Bali and is one of the great tourist attractions in Bali. The museum spreads over a beautiful stretch of six hectares. It was built on the basis of the concept of a "living museum". It exhibits fabulous paintings and organizes stage presentations for a variety of superior art forms to infuse in the future generation the significant elements of the art and culture of Bali. The museum comes inclusive with an arts library and book gallery and make it an ideal base for the art lovers to spend days on end here. It also features a hotel, restaurant, cafe, and coffee shop. One of the museums' specialties is its marvelous vistas of Ubud which is the center of art and painting. The view from the museum is splendid with rice fields and trenches integrated into part of the museum.
Museum Negeri Propinsi
Bali, the paradise land of Indonesia attracts a lot of tourists because of its natural scenic beauty and other important interests. Apart from Sightseeing in Bali you can also engage yourself in exploring the other interesting locations of the isle. Tourist Attractions in Bali include everything from zoo to temples, parks, caves, lakes, museums and so forth. The Museum Negeri Propinsi in Bali is one such attractive tourist location in Bali.
The Museum Negeri Propinsi in Bali is the Provincial State Museum of the province. One of the finest among the Bali Museums, the Museum Negeri Propinsi was originally erected in 1910 by the Dutch to conserve the cultural artifacts. This was primarily because in those colonial days quite a number of artifacts were exported to Netherlands and given to museums. It was again rebuilt in 1917 after an earthquake. This historical building stands on Jalan Let Kol Wisnu near alun alun in Denpasar close to South Bali.
Bali's Museum Negeri Propinsi features 4 buildings reflecting various architectural styles of the ancient times of the country. Prehistoric objects and traditional artifacts like traditional calendars, dance costumes, religious artifacts and textiles find their abode in this historical establishment.
The buildings of the Museum Negeri Propinsi in Bali in Indonesia is encompassed by lush green courtyards with tropical plants and dotted with colorful flowers. Divided into separate courtyards with one building each, the total complex reflects the amalgamation of a pura and a puri style meaning temple and palace respectively.
The Museum Negeri Propinsi in Bali is generally open from 8 am to 3.30 pm daily for the tourists to take a look at the ancient style and artifacts of Indonesia.
Museum Puri Lukisan
Bali is truly the place to be if you are looking for a perfect and complete holiday experience. For an enriching experience of the magical island of Indonesia do take a visit to the Bali Museums. Bali's long history of one of the top tourist destination in the world and its glorious past also means the existence of a few remarkable museums. Most of Bali museums and art galleries are located in Ubud. One of the most notable museums is the Museum Puri Lukisan in Bali.
Museum Puri Lukisan in Bali throws enough light on the rich culture and glorious history of Bali. It is strategically located in the centre of Ubud. It has a fine collection of the drawings and paintings of Bali. It was founded by Rudolf Bonnet and Cokorda Gde Agung Sukawati. It is one of the first museums of fine arts in Bali which has a collection of 150 paintings and 62 pieces of sculptures. The Bali Travel Guide is incomplete without the mention of this first fine art in Bali. Being the first of the notable museums, it is a superb place to start off your Sightseeing in Bali.
Museum Puri Lukisan in Bali has the collection of developing art and paintings which were developed at the time of the Pita Maha. It is home to the paintings of the1930's and the fabulous art forms done by the great artists of that time. Pita Maha was among the great artistes to form the developing fine art style. The museum also showcases the fine collection of the paintings by the Bali's greatest artiste, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad. With a fine array of sculpture and fantastic compilation of the paintings and the drawings of the great artistes of that time, the Museum Puri Lukisan in Bali is one of the great tourist attractions in Bali.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Bali Festivals and Events
Galungan Holiday
Religious ceremonies, temple festivals and celebrations are the most important part of everyday Balinese life. And there are many festivals.
Besides our western calendar, the Balinese use two others; the saka and the wuku calendars. The wuku calendar defines all the festivals and religious ceremonies. This short calendar has only 210 days but has many more ceremonies than our international calendar.
Galungan holiday is the biggest ceremony of the Balinese calendar year and honours the creator Sang Hyang Widhi. During this time, Sang Hyang Widhi resides on earth together with other Gods and ancestral spirits.
Besides our western calendar, the Balinese use two others; the saka and the wuku calendars. The wuku calendar defines all the festivals and religious ceremonies. This short calendar has only 210 days but has many more ceremonies than our international calendar.
Galungan holiday is the biggest ceremony of the Balinese calendar year and honours the creator Sang Hyang Widhi. During this time, Sang Hyang Widhi resides on earth together with other Gods and ancestral spirits.
Blossoms and fruits offerings Festive decorated road
In their honour houses, roads and paths are decorated and temples and shrines are filled with offerings. Several days before this special day, a Penjor is arranged and composed with lots of love and skill and set up in front of the entrance to each family compound.
Other skilfully made ornaments and decorations, little handmade baskets, small bowls and trays, are woven out of young coconut leaves and strategically placed on altars and sanctuaries for the enjoyment of these Gods and ancestral spirits.
Ibu Tantra ..... displaying her Galungan offerings
The Penjor is made from a strong bamboo pole decorated with young coconut palm leaves and rice stalks.
The Sangah a small altar to put offerings on, is made from bamboo and woven palm leaves. In every rice field you will find these small holy places used to put offerings like flowers, cooked rice and fruits.
Penjor with Sanggah at Sanggah with offerings
the entrance door
Kuningan, the celebration of the Gods and ancestral spirits departure from earth, falls 1o days after Galungan. With rich offerings and a lot of flowers, the Gods and the ancestors are well prepared for their long journey back to Nirvana.
In special places around the family houses and compound, small offerings are placed to appease the earth ghosts. This is done to put the ghosts in a favourable mood and to avert any danger that may come to family members.
These small offerings are always placed near dangerous places such as a pool, car or motorbike (remembering the way people drive here in Bali).
Other skilfully made ornaments and decorations, little handmade baskets, small bowls and trays, are woven out of young coconut leaves and strategically placed on altars and sanctuaries for the enjoyment of these Gods and ancestral spirits.
Ibu Tantra ..... displaying her Galungan offerings
The Penjor is made from a strong bamboo pole decorated with young coconut palm leaves and rice stalks.
The Sangah a small altar to put offerings on, is made from bamboo and woven palm leaves. In every rice field you will find these small holy places used to put offerings like flowers, cooked rice and fruits.
Penjor with Sanggah at Sanggah with offerings
the entrance door
Kuningan, the celebration of the Gods and ancestral spirits departure from earth, falls 1o days after Galungan. With rich offerings and a lot of flowers, the Gods and the ancestors are well prepared for their long journey back to Nirvana.
In special places around the family houses and compound, small offerings are placed to appease the earth ghosts. This is done to put the ghosts in a favourable mood and to avert any danger that may come to family members.
These small offerings are always placed near dangerous places such as a pool, car or motorbike (remembering the way people drive here in Bali).
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Interesting Places In Bali
Bali Island
Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.
Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.
Kuta
Once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort, popular mainly among the young. It is a beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coast guards, however, are on constant duty during the day. Kuta faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets.
Accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, locals as well as visitors from abroad.
West Bali National Park
West Bali National Park is situated in two regencies: Jembrana and Buleleng. The entrance on the Jembrana side of the park is at Melaya on the Denpasar - Gilimanuk road. Visit this place if you are looking for pristine tropical nature. The park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak Putih, fewer than fifty are believed to be left in the wild, where they are threatened by poaching. The park also home to banteng and deer-like Menjangan. The National Park contains a broad rang of natural environments, from magrove coastal forests to savana and rainforest shelters.
To enter Bali National Park one must go to the park office in Cekik. Accommodation is available in basic huts but you must bring your own bedding and untensils.
Uluwatu Temple
South Bali on Bukit Badung. This cliff top temple, dedicated to the spirits of the sea, has spectacular views and is popular for viewing sunsets. The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural marvel situated on headland at the western tip to the plateau. According to local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century, In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state. The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali. The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone have withstood time well.
Goa Gajah Temple
The Elephant cave is carved in to rock face and reached by a flight of steps. It probably dates back to the 9-12th centuries and shows elements of both Hindu and Buddhist. You can enter the cave through the huge mouth of a demon. In front of the cave are two bathing pools with spring water gushing from spouts help by female figures.
A kilometer from Goa Gajah is Yeh Pulu. After a short walk through rice terraces, you will arrive at an ancient rock carving dating from the 14th century. The carving depicts various scenes of everyday life and the figures of elephant-headed Ganesha indicating a close relationship between the two sites.
Denpasar City
The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples called "Pura". One is the Museum called Pura Jagatnatha which is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world.
The Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, whereas its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government supervised "Sanggraha Kriya Asta" has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The "Werdi Budaya" presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest and so on.
Tanah Lot Temple
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One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot is built a top a huge rock which is surrounded by the sea. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali from Java in the 16th century, its rituals include the paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea.
Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruder. The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.
Kintamani
The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, make this region a must to visit. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere on the island. Lake Batur also provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain.
The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali, dating from the tenth century. The evenings get cool up here but it's well worth the stay overnight to climb the volcano and watch the sunrise. Many cheap losmens are available here.
Bedugul
The mountain resort of Bedugul, 18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent golf course. Located beside Lake Bratan, it is surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful sight is the "Ulun Danu" temple which seems to rise out of the lake. The area offers good-walks. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are available for hire. The Bali Handara country club has bungalows for rent and a restaurant.
When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape to Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea level.
Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine forests seem to create a freshness in the air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruits , vegetables and flowers.
Besakih Temple
Known as the "Mother Temple of Bali", the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings.
Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration or "Odalan". The sight of the temple against the background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals, colored banners add a touch of gaiety.
Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.
Kuta
Once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort, popular mainly among the young. It is a beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coast guards, however, are on constant duty during the day. Kuta faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets.
Accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, locals as well as visitors from abroad.
West Bali National Park
West Bali National Park is situated in two regencies: Jembrana and Buleleng. The entrance on the Jembrana side of the park is at Melaya on the Denpasar - Gilimanuk road. Visit this place if you are looking for pristine tropical nature. The park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak Putih, fewer than fifty are believed to be left in the wild, where they are threatened by poaching. The park also home to banteng and deer-like Menjangan. The National Park contains a broad rang of natural environments, from magrove coastal forests to savana and rainforest shelters.
To enter Bali National Park one must go to the park office in Cekik. Accommodation is available in basic huts but you must bring your own bedding and untensils.
Uluwatu Temple
South Bali on Bukit Badung. This cliff top temple, dedicated to the spirits of the sea, has spectacular views and is popular for viewing sunsets. The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural marvel situated on headland at the western tip to the plateau. According to local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century, In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state. The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali. The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone have withstood time well.
Goa Gajah Temple
The Elephant cave is carved in to rock face and reached by a flight of steps. It probably dates back to the 9-12th centuries and shows elements of both Hindu and Buddhist. You can enter the cave through the huge mouth of a demon. In front of the cave are two bathing pools with spring water gushing from spouts help by female figures.
A kilometer from Goa Gajah is Yeh Pulu. After a short walk through rice terraces, you will arrive at an ancient rock carving dating from the 14th century. The carving depicts various scenes of everyday life and the figures of elephant-headed Ganesha indicating a close relationship between the two sites.
Denpasar City
The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples called "Pura". One is the Museum called Pura Jagatnatha which is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world.
The Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, whereas its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government supervised "Sanggraha Kriya Asta" has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The "Werdi Budaya" presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest and so on.
Tanah Lot Temple
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One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot is built a top a huge rock which is surrounded by the sea. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali from Java in the 16th century, its rituals include the paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea.
Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruder. The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.
Kintamani
The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, make this region a must to visit. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere on the island. Lake Batur also provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain.
The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali, dating from the tenth century. The evenings get cool up here but it's well worth the stay overnight to climb the volcano and watch the sunrise. Many cheap losmens are available here.
Bedugul
The mountain resort of Bedugul, 18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent golf course. Located beside Lake Bratan, it is surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful sight is the "Ulun Danu" temple which seems to rise out of the lake. The area offers good-walks. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are available for hire. The Bali Handara country club has bungalows for rent and a restaurant.
When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape to Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea level.
Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine forests seem to create a freshness in the air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruits , vegetables and flowers.
Besakih Temple
Known as the "Mother Temple of Bali", the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings.
Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration or "Odalan". The sight of the temple against the background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals, colored banners add a touch of gaiety.
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