BALI THE ISLAND OF GOD
Bali The Island of Thousand Temples Bali island is known by Indonesia people as pulau Dewata (The Island of God). Located only 2km east Java, Bali is famous for its beautiful landscape. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terrace 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. The island of Bali has an area of only 5.632 square kilometers. Actually Bali is small island, but it has everything tourist need, from traditional indigenous culture to modern activities. It is always a paradise for visitor.
BALI CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
The Balinese are Hindu yet their religion is very different from the Indian variety. They do have a caste system, but there are no untouchables and occupation governed by caste. In fact the only thing that reflect the caste system is the language which has 3 tiers, 95% of all the Balinese are Hindu
Dharma. The Balinese worship the Hindu trinity Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, who are seen as manifestations of the supreme God Sanhyang Widhi Wasa. Balinese believe strongly in magic and the power of spirit and much of their religion is based upon this. They believe that good spirit dwell in the mountains and that the seas are home to demons and ogres. Most villages have at least 3 main temples; one the Pura Puseh or temple of origin, faces the mountains and is dedicated to the village founders, another the Pura Desa or village temple, is normally found in the center and dedicated to the welfare of the village, the last, the Pura Dalem, is aligned with the sea and is dedicated to the spirits of the dead. Aside from these "village" temples, almost every house has its own shrine and you can also find monuments dedicated to the spirits of agriculture, art and all other aspects of life. Offering play a significant role in Balinese life as they appease the spirits and thus bring prosperity and good health to the family. Every day small offering trays (Canang sari) containing symbolic food, flowers, cigarettes and money, are placed on shrines, in temples, outside houses and shop.
BALI PLACE OF INTEREST
TANAH LOT TEMPLE,
situated at southwest Bali, Tabanan regency, built on a large rock, cut off from the Bali mainland at high tide, this is one of Bali's most spectacular sunset sights. Tanah lot is simply designed, but dramatically located temple on the coast. Tanah Lot temple is like Uluwatu, in the temple we have a use sarong and dress accordingly. it is said the temple is guarded by poisonous snakes.
BALI MUSEUM
Museum Negeri Province Bali, Located in Denpasar, capital of Bali. This museum was established in 1932. Archeological artifacts, dance mask, handicraft, painting as well as architectural illustrations of the various Balinese temple.
BALI PLACE OF ATTRACTION
UBUD BALI
Is area where many modern artist live today. Art museum in Ubud usually open at08.00 am and many remain open on demand through the evening. You can found Neka Museum, museum Rudaha, museum Puri Lukisan, Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) Etc
Ubud Hotel
Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK)
Garuda Wisnu Kencana is the newest statue in Bali, but still in progress. situated at southwest Bali. with it immense size, the GWK is expected to draw the attention of potential visitor within a wide area of sight. this area will be developed into a cultural park besides creating an alternative tourist facility with a many various attraction.
Sanur Beach
Sanur is center of wind surfing, parasailing and other water sports in Bali. Visitors go to Sanur beach for its calm and quite lagoon area.
Sanur Hotel Bali
Nusa Dua Bali
Is another Bali beach resort that shows swaying coconut trees and clear blue sea, some of the famous resort hotel can be found here. Near Nusa Dua Bali you can found Tanjung Benoa. this beach also beautiful and kind for water sport can be enjoyed here.>> Hotel in Nusa Dua Bali
Pura Besakih Bali
Pura Besakih is situated at Karang Asem regency in northeast Bali. This is most important temple in Bali with great view on Mt.Agung. The Temple complex houses over 80 Shrines to various gods and spirits. Pura Besakih is mother temple in Bali.
Goa Gajah,(Elephant Cave)
Situated near Teges, Gianjar regency,Bali. Dated from the 11th century, there are conflicting opinions in Bali as to whether this cave was originally a Buddhist or Hindu Heritage. although not very large. it boast some interesting carvings.
Tampak Siring Temple in Bali
Tampak Siring Temple in Bali is used to be the center for the Hindu religion in Bali and has within its borders two of the most sacred temples and relics on the island, and Gunung Kawi, this are is a part of Gianyar Bali district and located 40 km from Denpasar, capital of Bali and 14 km northeast of Ubud along a road leading all the way to the Batur Mountain. Gunung Kawi is 2 km south of the city center, while Tirta Empul is 1 km north. in Tampak siring you can buy carved items made by ivory, coconut, shells and bone. these souvenir are sold on places like the parking lot outside Tirta Empul.
Kintamani Bali
Kintamani Bali is perched on the rim of a vast crater, overlooked the lake crater and its bubbling hot springs. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali. it provides water for underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain. The evening can get cool but an overnight stay is well worth it. to climb the mountain and watch the sunrise or just to take midnight dip in one of the springs.
Bedugul Bali
Bedugul Bali is a highland retreat, tucked into the crater of an extict volcano, 1400 meters above sea level. the three lakes of the area provide water for the field. river and spring on the plains below. lush pine forest made the air clean and fresh. the area is renowned for its fruit and vegetables in Bali.
Mount Batur
Mount Batur Bali is one of 129 historically active volcanoes in Indonesia and certainly among the most spectacular. Batur occurs as a wide caldera or volcanic depression, in the north of Indonesia's famous island of Bali. if you need different experience you could cross the lake Batur by boat to Bali Aga Village called Trunyan. Trunyan people leave the dead bodies to decompose naturally
Singaraja Bali
Singaraja Bali was main Bali' port during the Dutch occupation. But now the traffic has moved south Bali, leaving the area in peace clean, quite and culturally distinctive, Singaraja retains a colonial feel to its streetscape. west of Singaraja on Bali's northern coast is a beach resort spread across four adjacent villages. in special cemetery. This is an interesting culture in Bali
Lovina Beach (North Bali)
Lovina Bali is for those who are not fussy about the color of the beach, you may even encounter some local dolphins. Many cheap losmen are situated right on the beach. From here you can also visit the GitGit Waterfall. Bali highest waterfall
Bali Tourist Information
Business Hours: many government offices have converted to a 5 days work week and are open Monday to Friday, 08.00 am to 04.00 pm, but if you want to get anything done, be there by 11.00 am. Some government offices still open daily at 08.00 am except Sunday, Closing Monday to Thursday around 3 pm, Friday at 11.30 am and Saturday at 02 pm. Shops in smaller town close for a siesta around 1pm to 6pm and re-open in the evening until 9pm. In the tourist area they are open 9.00am to 09.00m. Banking hours vary, state bank are open 8.00am to 3pm. Monday to Friday, and Saturday till 11am.
Electricity, in most places in Bali 220 volts 50 cycles with two pin plugs but check before using your appliances; some 110 volt system are still around.
Time: Bali is on Central Indonesia Time, the same as Singapore, 8hours ahead of GMT and 4 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Tours and Travellers Agents: A number of travel agents offer a variety of tours with knowledgeable. multi lingual guides. A halfday trip to Ubud or Sangeh / Mengwi may cost USD 15, while day long tours including lunch and visit to shops and temples. with perhaps a barong dance at Batubulan, will cost around USD 20-30.
Tipping : this is not a general practice in Bali, in the larger hotels a service charge is already included. In smaller hotel and restourant tips are not expected. However if the service has been good, a token would be appreciated.
Tax and Service Charge: Tax and service charge amount up to 21% on top of hotel, food and beverage bills. Check if your hotel rate include the tax.
Passport Loss : always keep photo copy of your passport and driver license some where separate as proof to the consulate who you are in case of theft of loss. In the even of theft, report the police who make out a report for your consulate. Verification of identity and citizenship take about three weeks and involves going to the immigration office in Denpasar of the airport.
Changing Money: Quick and easy in the major tourist centers such as Kuta, Sanur and Ubud, where money changers offer better rate the the bank. Be warned: foreign bank note are often refused it too crumpled, folded or stained. Some money changers have security lockers for storing valuable. Away from the tourist area changing money can be an expensive hassle.
Visa Cash Advance : is available at the location indicated on the town maps and at the following Bank Central Asia branches. Gianyar: Jl Ngurahray 52B, Klungkung jl Dipenogoro 40, Negara Jl Ngurah Ray 83, Tabanan Jl Gajah Mada 91 and Jalan Tanah Lot.
Getting Around Bali
Taxis: The airport taxi service goes to Kuta Beach for around USD 4, to Sanur, Denpasar and Nusa Dua for between USD 5-8. price are fixed and posted pay the cashier at the desk in the airport and give the coupunto the driver. around thhe touts hanging around the airport, unless your bargaining skills are wel horned.
Public Bemos / Buses: the cheapest and most efficient forms of transport on Bali are ubiquitous Bemo (short for becak-mobil) and inter-island buses. Bemos may be chatered for almost any kind of trip, or for the day by simply asking the driver. expect to pay USD20 -30 aday. Denpasar has three main bus / bemo terminals, for trips to different parts of the island. Tegal terminal is in the southwest and serves points south. Ubung terminal (northwest) serves point west, and Batubulan Terminal (east) serves point East. To go north from the southern beaches you have to change in Denpasar. From Sanur you can go direct to batubulan. but from Kuta or Nusa Dua you have to go first to Tegal, hop onto a 3 wheeled city bemo headed for Ubung or Batubulan, and change again.
Private Minibus: families or small groups can chater a private minibus with driver at about USD 30 - 40 per day with AC, excluding fuel. stopover and side trip can be planned with this is an ideal way to experience bali at your own pace. Going to and from Java with a number of people this way costs about the same as flying, but you get to see a lot more.
Self Drive: driving in Bali is not for the faint - hearted, traffic can be horrendous on the main highways, but its a great ways to see the island. Drive slowly and carefully and try not to drive at night if possible; road construction project have few markings and cyclist rarely have reflectors or lights.
Check your fuel regularly as gas stations are few and far between. little roadside fuel shop with battered oil drums in front sell gasoline for bit more than Pertamina, Small jeeps are very popular and cost aroung usd 25-30 aday. Always bargain if you rent for long periods of in the low tourist season. The gas station in Jl Puputan in Renor, Denpasar is the only 24 hours stations. There are hire companies all over Bali.
Bali Culture
Bali is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Balinese percussion orchestra music, known as gamelan, is highly developed and varied. Balinese dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana but with heavy Balinese influence. Famous Balinese dances include Pendet, Legong, Baris, Topeng, barong, and Kecak (the monkey dance).
The Hindu New Year, Nyepi, is celebrated in the spring by a day of silence. On this day everyone stays at home and tourists are encouraged to remain in their hotels. On the preceding day large, colorful sculptures of Ogoh-Ogoh monsters are paraded and finally burned in the evening to drive away evil spirits. Other festivals throughout the year are specified by the Balinese pawukon calendrical system.
National education programs, mass media and tourism continue to change Balinese culture. Immigration from other parts of Indonesia, especially Java, is changing the ethnic composition of Bali's population.
The Balinese eat with their right hand, as the left is impure, a common belief throughout Indonesia. The Balinese do not hand or receive things with their left hand and would not wave at anyone with their left hand.
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