About Bali
The Bali island is part of the Republic of Indonesian that is a relatively small member of the vast Indonesian archipelago, which comprises well over 13,000 islands. It is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and to Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours. 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.
The island of Bali is famous with the name of The Island of God. It is the only Hindu province and the rich blend of tradition and culture has produced an awe inspiring result. Bali encapsulates much of the spirit and national identity of Indonesia yet it has evolved into a unique culture of it’s own, making it a very special place. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape includes miles of sandy beaches, rice terraces, tropical rainforest fringe the mountain, rice terraces, fertile vegetable and fruit gardens, a number of different river, beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand. Bali enjoys a consistently warm climate, which particularly mild in the dry season, and the mountains ensure that there is regular and steady rainfall to cool down the island throughout the rainy season.
In Bali society they have a combination of life from real life to unreal life. The unreal life is the strong Bali spirit that is call ” magic ” which is difficult to explain and hard to believe. As soon as you step off the plane and 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.
Drink only distilled or mineral water, or water that has been boiled, do not drink water from the water tap for your belly safety. Try to get used to the local food and it’s sometimes unusual flavours. Street hawkers and warung are where the true flavour of Balinese food can be found. There are also definitely plenty of excellent restaurants serving both local and international dishes.
Bali Languages
The Balinese have their own language called “Balinese Languages”, but almost all Balinese people speak Indonesian language. English is also widely used throughout the island, but certainly helps to know a few words or phrases in Indonesian.
Some common Words that may useful for you while you are in Bali :
ENGLISH INDONESIAN BALINESE
Good Morning Selamat Pagi Rahajeng Semeng
Good afternoon Selamat Siang Rahajeng Tengai
Good Afternoon (3-6pm) Selamat Sore Rahajeng sore
Good evening/Good night Selamat Malam Rahajeng Wengi
How are you Apa Kabar? Sapunapi Gatrane?
I am fine Baik Baik saja Becik Becik
Excuse me Maaf / Permisi Nawegan
Thank you Terima kasih Matur Suksma
You’re welcome Kembali /sama sama Suksma mewali
Sit down please Silahkan duduk Rarisan melinggih
Comem in please Silahkan masuk Rarisan ngeranjing
What Is your name Siapa nama anda? Sira wastane?
My name is…… Nama saya….. Wastan titiange…..
I want to drink a water Saya mau minum air Titiang ngayunang toya
Where are you from? Anda dari mana? Ragane saking napi?
Tradition & Religion of Bali
The essence of Bali lies in its traditional villages known as desa adat which function as important religious and social institutions. The layout of a typical Balinese village follows a set pattern that achieves harmony between man and nature. In particular, spatial arrangement of the components of a village such as temples, rice fields and cemeteries are made with refrence to the two important points of kaja (towards the mountain) and kelod (towards the sea).
All married Balinese men are expected to belong to the neighbourhood association, called the banjar,and it is here that all major decision affecting the village are made. The Balinese desa adapt is typically host a three set village temples called Kahyangan tiga. These three temples are specifically defined as to function and location.The temples are Pura Puseh where the tutelary gods of the village and its founders are worshipped, Pura Dalem where the forces of death and the unpurified souls are worshipped and the cemetery will always be nearby, Pura Desa where the Lord of the territory.
Balinese has two sets of island-wide festival that correspond to the new years of the two Balinese calendars; The Nyepi of the lunar-solar Saka year and The Galungan of the 210- day Pawukon calendar. On the Nyepi day (a silent day) do not expect to be able to do anything. You will have to stay in the hotel/home. The airport is closed, no traffic allowed on the streets except emergency case, not even pedestrians, no fire, no lights, radio and TV’s turned down and it will start from 6 am till 6 am the next day. Hence the mandatory religious prohibitions of Mati Lelangon (no pleasure), mati lelungan ( no journey), mati geni ( no fire) and mati pekaryan (no work). The Silent day is symbolic replay of these philosophical priciples. At the beginning of the year the world is clean.
The Galungan Festival
Amomg the many holidays in the Balinese 210 day calendar the most prominent are undoubtedly those of Galungan and Kuningan; the former on the Wednesday of the Dungulan week and the latter on the Saturday on The Kuningan week. Galungan and kuningan occur roughly once every seven Gregories months. Between Penampahan Galungan (the day for the slaughter of the pigs that precedes Galungan) and Manis Galungan (the day following it) and on the Friday preceding kuningan, all government offices will be closed. People go back to their village of origin to present the offerings to their ancestors and temples.
Bali Regencies
Bali Island has 9 regencies that are Badung, kotamadya Denpasar, Gianyar, Klungkung, Karangasem, Bangli, Singaraja, Jembrana, Tabanan.
DENPASAR
From population of just 15,000 sixty years ago, the city has expanded dramatically. Now Denpasar is became the capital of Bali in 1958, replacing Singaraja as the capital of the former Province of the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Hidden behind the harsh rows of Chinese shops along Jalan Gajah Mada in th eold city centre are traditional compounds with much of their original architecture preserved such as kori gates and temples. In this area we can find the City art Market called ” Kumbasari” and Balinese market compounds.
In the heart of city was built Jagatnatha Temple in year 1970’s, an open monument to Modern Balinese Hinduism. It’s main Padmasana shrine or seat of the Supreme Siwa, embodies the new importance given to the concept of the one God of Balinese religion. Just about two hundreds meters east of this temple, a Bali museum we can visit it’s a must, It has the finest collection of Balinese antiquities, especially the stylistic simplicity of the items in it’s 300s collection.
Denpasar is also displays it’s modern image. The Taman Budaya, the Arts Centre to the east of the city, is a complex dedicated to the preservation of Balinese culture. It contain Ksirarnawa, an indoor theatre, and the museum with an important collection of paintings and sculptures from the period of Balinese Renewal, but no contemporary art.
Sopping centres, restaurant and food centres is also offered as a modern metropolis of Denpasar city such as Matahari Department Store, Robinson, Ramayana, Tiara Dewata, Sudirman Mall, Teuku Umar restaurant complex.
Sanur is a part of Denpasar city which has a white sands, coconut trees and some of the best international hotels. Tourism in Sanur began in the 1930’s. Expatriates, writers and other luminaries had bungalow beach there. Le Mayeur Museum also ca be visited near Grand Bali Beach Hotel , owned by a dutch painter who lived and married with one of the best Balinese dancers named ” Ni Polok”.
BADUNG
Badung is most densely populated region. It is the southernmost part of Bali where the city of Denpasar, the island’s capital and bustling metropolis,thrives and where Bali world-famous beach resorts are the stars of tourism industry. The area streches from the central highlands in the north through an isthmus to the Nusa dua Peninsula, also known as Bukit badung. Kuta and Jimbaran are situated in the east and the famous Nusa Dua resort area is on the the eastern tip of the Peninsula.
In Badung area is the point centres where private villa developments have been growth very quickly time by time. From Jimbaran, Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Canggu and to Mengwi area. Further west in the little town of Mengwi, stands Taman Ayun temple built around 1740 AD. It is the grandest temple on the island and until the end of the 19th century, Mengwi was one of the main island kingdoms. Pura Taman Ayun is a water garden temple, symbolizing the cosmic union of segara gunung (sea and mountain). The architectural structure has three parts representing the order of the cosmos : nista (impure/demonic), madia (middle/human), and utama (godly) corresponding to the three successive courts. Most sacred (utama) is the inner court. The shrines are made and decorated in the finest traditions of Balinese carving.
In the north of Mengwi is the famous Monkey forest at Sangeh, set in the heart of the only primary forest in southern Bali. The monkeys living here are considered sacred, an association from The Ramayana epic, where in Prince Rama allied himself with the monkey hero, Hanuman to attack Rahwana.
BULELENG
An umbrella like shape covering almost Bali’s entire northern coast, the district of Buleleng is walled out by the sea of Bali on the north. This historical regency is isolated from the rest of Bali, it has developed distinct social and cultural features and continues to attract tourist each year with it’s breathtaking natural scenery and unique history. In 1849 Buleleng district became the first region to be colonized by the Dutch who went on to conquer the rest of the island. The area still full with building of the Dutch architecture.
On the way to Singaraja there is Bali’s highest waterfall, Gitgit where the inviting cool waters of the river below are worth dipping into. And step further can head 6 miles west further from Singaraja along stretch of beach with some hotels and bungalows called Lovina beach. The black sand beach is safe and a perfect place for swimming an dsnorkelling. It’s also offer dolphin watching at sunrise. Another six miles west from Lovina. The coastal road passes through the small towns of Banjar and Seririt who has the hot springs that is visited by local peoples and foreign tourist.
There is also West Bali National Park that is located in Pemuteran village is an ideal place to plan excursions, comprising the nature reserve of menjangan island and the uplands in the west. Menjangan island has the most beautiful coral reef in Bali.
GIANYAR
Gianyar is the second most populated region of bali, is the cultural heart of the island. The high land town of Ubud, in particular has acquired a reputation as a centre of art after several foreigner artist settled there in 1920s,1930s and 1950s.
When you travel from Denpasar to Ubud the first village that you can reach is Batubulan, a small village famous for it’s river stone carvings. These works are displayed all along the main road. Just after Batubulan, Celuk and nearby Singapadu are the centres for Balinese goldsmiths and silversmiths. More than 40 jewellery shops are located along the road from Batu bulan to Celuk. After Celuk the main road heads Sukawati, famous for it’s art market and puppeteers. The two floor market sells everything from statues to dance costumes; all at reasonable price. Further along the road towards to Ubud is the Village of Mas. It’s famous for woodcarving, myriad of wooden items. Mas is also of historical significance to Bali’s history as it was here that the great priest Nirarta had his hermitage in the Pura Taman pule. Then left from Mas now you will enter Ubud, often regarded as the cultural heart of Bali likes Museum of Fine Arts Established in the 1950s,1930s. Left from Ubud the road will be passed the Elephant Cave, Pejeng and Gianyar. The Presidential Palace of Tampak siring is founded in here just next to Pura Tirta Empul that has a popular natural springs and beautiful modern architecture.
TABANAN
The main attraction in Tabanan is Tanah Lot, a famous seaside temple, though many black-sand beaches are also being developed for tourism. As a palace for viewing spectacular sunsets in Asia, Tanah Lot has a few equals. Everyday at dusk tourists flood the area to witness the wonderful silhouette of the temple against the glowing horizon. Tabanan is also the birthplace of I Mario, a dancer-choreographer who revolutionized Balinese dance in the 1930th with his kebyar and kebyar trompong dances and is commemorated by The Mario Theatre. Another attraction in Tabanan is The Subak Museum that displays exhibits relating to agriculture and in particular methods of irrigation.
In the south west of Tabanan is Kerambitan, noted for its tektekan perforamances. It is not a dance but a ritual, performed by men with bells and huge clappers around their necks. Tabanan highlands mostly consist of volcanic area, with Mount Batukaru (2275m), Mount Sanghyang, Lake Beratan one of the three lake that make up the Bedugul resort area. The area has a botanical gardens of KEBUN RAYA EKA KARYA BEDUGUL are home to 650 species of trees and a unique collection of ferns and orchids. Others area that is part of Tabanan are Pacung, Baturiti, Belayu, Marga and the monkey forest of Alas Kedaton.
KARANGASEM
The main town an dcapital of the Karangasem district is Amlapura. Puri Agung, Karangasem palace is an impressive reminder of the time when Karangasem was a kingdom. It has a three level gate and beautiful panels of stone relief on the outside. Covering 861 square kilometers, the district of Karangasem is wellknown for its breathtaking landscape formed by lava flows from Agung Mountain, the sacred mountain of Bali. Gunung Agung made disaster on 17th March 1963 when its crater exploded, spewing rivers of lava and hot volcanic mud down its slopes and into the sea. The villages of Sorga and Lebih situated high on the slopes of Agung, were totally destroyed. As if by miracle, Besakih Temple just six kilometers from the crater, suffered little damage. Many people are interesting in climbing the Agung mountain but must get permission from the temple authorities, as no one should stand higher than the temple when ceremony is being held.
Padang bay is the port for the ferry service to Lembar in the island of Lombok. It is quiet fishermen’s village situated in a perfectly sheltered bay. The beach is picturesque and quaint with a long sweep of sand, where boats with colorful sails are drawn up on the beach. From padang bay the road follows a beautiful stretch inland and turns off at the mountain village of Tenganan, a Bali Aga village, and one of the few Balinese communities to resist the Majapahit invasion of 1343. It is famous with the Geringsing Fabric, a type of Ikat produced. On the coastal road, 13 kilometers from Tenganan is the once quite fishing village of Candi Dasa. You can expect to find plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, souvenirs shops and some nightlife here.
KLUNGKUNG
Klungkung means “Happiness” or “beauty” is Bali’s smallest regency. It is situated on the south-eastern coast of Bali and includes the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. The great Unda rivers flows through Klungkung and passes through many beautiful villages. The town named ” Semarapura”. Bat cave we can find in this regency. The cave is part of a temple that is said to connect with the underground tunnel which leads all the way to Besakih Temple.
Nusa Penida island has unfortunately acquired a somewhat notorious reputation, as it was once the place of exile for criminals and undesirable from Kingdom of Klungkung. The island does have some interesting temples, including the very spooky Pura Ped near the market town of Toya pakeh and Pura Batukuning, a huge limestone cave named Goa Karangsari. Toya pakeh also has a ferry crossing to Nusa Lembongan.
Nusa Lembongan is now became a tourist place destination, the water around lembongan are crystal clear, white sandy beach and the swallow coves are brimming with colourfull coral and sea life, making it an ideal location for snorkeling. Nusa ceningan is the smallest of the three island and rarely visited.
JEMBRANA
Jembrana is the least populated area of Bali was home of the new -extinct Bali tiger. Although the area has only basic tourist facilities, many attractions make this place worth visiting. The most exciting event is “Makepung”, the traditional buffalo race. Ussually held between August and October, its originally part of the harvest festivities. The Makepung is consists of a race between two carts, pulled by team of colourfully decorated water buffaloes along two kilometers course.
There is a small village called Perancak which has a small temple of white stones to commemorate the landing of god ” Nirartha”. Surround forrest displays a zoo of crocodiles, tigers, the rare jalak putih, the phoenix bird of paradise and other animal. The West Bali National Park is spreading over more than 76,000 hectares land, situated in two districts that are Jembrana and Buleleng. The entrance on Jembrana side of the park is at Melaya on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk road.
BANGLI
The regency Bangli is colored with its spread of volcanic highlands with bubbling hot springs and verdant rice fields. The famous temple in Bangli district is Pura Kehen. This temple is founded in 1204 AD in the sleepy administrative centre Bangli town. The most prominent among the palaces is the puri Denpasar, the palace of the last king of bangli who died three decades ago, and pavilion of the puri has been remodeled into a small hotel. Beside the palace, pura kehen is one of the most beautiful temples in the whole of Bali, is considered land mark of Bangli. They are 8 eight terraces built into the forested slope of a hill. The first five terraces are the outer courtyards, the sixth, the lower middle court, the seventh- the upper middle court and the eight is the inner jeroan. Overlooking the gate is the threatening of Kala, guardian of the underworld.
Two kilometers awaya from Pura Kehen we will find the traditional Balinese Village named ” Penglipuran Village”, is a small village restored by the local government to represent a typical Balinese Village. The houses is old but some of them has been done renovated. Each house has a different style of house made from stone, and originally made from soil. This small village complex has a village temple on the top and grave temple.
There are also Mount Batur and Lake Beratan with hot springs and lodgings in Toya Bungkah. The adventurous traveler may even wish to climb Mount Batur itself. From Bangli eastwards it is a beautiful drive towards Karangasem and the Besakih mother temple.
