Barong Bali

Barong is a character in the mythology of Bali. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda in the mythological traditions of Bali. Banas Pati Rajah is the fourth "brother" or spirit child that accompanies a child throughout life. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit which animates Barong. A protector spirit, he is often represented by a lion, and traditional performances of his struggles against Rangda are popular parts of Balinese culture.

The lion barong is one of five traditional Barong. In Bali each region of the island has its own protective spirit for its forests and lands. Each Barong for each region is modeled after a different animal. There is a boar, a tiger, a dragon (or serpent) and the traditional lion. The lion is the popular one as it comes from the Gianyar region where Ubud (the home of tourist viewed ritual) is located. Within the calonarong, the dance drama in which the Barong appears, the barong responds to Rangda's use of magic to control and kill her to restore balance.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Bali Travel Tips

The following list has been compiled to help you make the most of your travel in Bali.

The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, April to September. Humidity is down and nights can be cool. Australians visit in droves at christmas and during May-August school holidays

General travelling tips that you
should or shouldn't do...

Bali Travel Tips that you should DO:

√ ...change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel's) calculator before changing!
√...put on loads of High Factor Waterproof Sun Cream (especially if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water).
√...drink a lot of bottled water and eat a lot of fresh fruit - do your body a favor.
...be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe and wear your bag across your shoulders!
√...try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
√...respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don't honk!
√...haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods.)
√...buy 'Immodium' to relieve bouts of Bali belly.
√...have a great holiday!

Bali Travel Tips that you should not DO:

×...forget to take your passport (or a photocopy of your ID), with you at all times
×...swim outside designated swimming areas on the beach, currents can be very strong. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
×...do drugs! It can carry the death penalty, and there are enough foreigners residing in Bali courtesy of the Govt. prison service!
×...touch people's heads - it is very offensive to Hindus.
×...enter a temple during menstruation. Sorry Ladies!
×...forget to put salt on your food & drink water - you will probably sweat a lot.
×...worry too much about the ice - it's government-quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
×...forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
×..forget to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to flying. Airport Departure Tax is:
International = Rp. 100,000 Domestic = Rp. 20,000

Passports and Visas

Bali Visa. Important change to Indonesia's Visa Policy for Traveller.

Please read carefully as there have been changes to Indonesia visa policy. This affects all arrivals to Indonesia after February 1, 2004, are subject to new visa regulations

It is important to also note the following:

• The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into a different visa.
• The Visa purchasing system will take approximately 3-5 minutes per applicant.
• There are 6 payment counters, a bank and a money changer set up to process payments
• Once you have paid for and received your visa you will need to proceed to Immigration where your visa will be processed

Citizens of countries not on the visa on arrival or visa free lists will be required to apply for a visa before entering Indonesia.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfill both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country

Currency
The Rupiah. Notes 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000. Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000.

Bali Time
Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

Bali Electricity
Most hotels use 220 volts, 50 cycles and a round, two-pronged slim plug. Bathroom shaver plugs usually have a transformer switch. We suggest taking an adaptor for your appliance.

Getting Around Bali
You will find a range of chauffeur driven limousines, self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis are not metered so it's wise to negotiate the fare before you climb aboard. Bemos are a unique form of transport. They are a mini-van masquerading as a communal bus. You simply hail the driver and negotiate the fare that suits you both. Motorcycles can also be hired in many places but special care should be exercised at all times as road and traffic conditions can be somewhat hazardous in certain locations. Traveling around Bali is made all the easier because everywhere you go you'll find friendly people only too happy to give you advice and directions on how to get where you want to go.

Driver's License
If you wish to hire a car you must be over 115 years of age and posses an International Driver's License or license from ASEAN countries.

Clothing
Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions. Waist sashes should be worn when visiting temples.

A Word of Advice from Bali Travel Tips:

Bali Travel Fact : Attending Ceremonies
remember these are serious occasions and should be treated as such. Religious guidelines:

1. Always wear a sarong and sash.
2. Do not walk in front of people praying.
3. Do not use flash camera or push your camera into the priest's face!
4. Never sit higher than the priest or the offerings.
5. At cremations, do not get in the way of the attendees - however important that photographic opportunity is!
6. Women are not allowed to enter temples during menstruation.

Bali Travel Fact : Dangerous Sports
make sure you either have personal insurance or travel insurance that will cover any accidents.

Bali Travel Fact : Bali Driving
In Bali always expects the unexpected; always keep your eyes open and your mind on driving. Beware of motorbikes! It is best to rent a car with a full insurance as this will save time and money if you are involved in an accident. Enjoy Bali more with our Bali Car Rental.

Bali Travel Fact : Money Changer
be very careful when changing your money. Always check the rate of exchange and commission (if any) the money changer is taking. Most importantly, always count your money before you leave the premises and if you can, bring your own calculator, as the ones used by some places can be "a little inaccurate".

Bali Travel Fact : Petty Crime

1. There have been a few cases of handbags being snatched after tourists have cashed money at Banks or Money Changers! Put your money away in your 'bum-bag' or hold onto your handbag tightly!!!
2. When changing large amounts of money please check each note carefully as there are a number of (noticeably) fake notes in circulation.
3. When trying on garments do not take your jeweler off and leave it lying round - give it to a friend or leave it in the hotel safe.

Bali Travel Fact : Swimming in the sea
Current underflows can be strong, always swim between the red and yellow flags, don't swim too far out! Do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.

N.B. When attending Special Ceremonies or Anniversary Celebrations as a guest or onlooker, small donations are gratefully received. Your donations will help in paying for the offerings and upkeep of the temple.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Bali Holidays For Families

Bali is a perfect place to take your kids. They'll love the natural surroundings, and there is no problem whatsoever to find a baby-sitter or somebody to take care of them wherever you go. All Balinese adore kids !

Here you will find information about everything that you need to know about a Bali holiday for your family: where to stay, what to do and where to eat.

WHERE TO STAY IN BALI, INDONESIA, FOR FAMILIES

A Bali holiday for families begins and ends with suitable accommodation. There are variety of Bali hotels, resorts and villas to choose from, when planning your Bali holiday.Things to consider in selecting your Bali accommodation for a family group are:

• Location - try to choose a location that is popular and close to family oriented attractions i.e. near the beach, shops, restaurants and amusements.
• Facilities - make sure your accommodation choice is suitable for kids, it has a children's pool, connecting doors, play ground etc. Some venues are unsuitable for family groups.
• Pricing - does your accommodation choice offer discounts for children under a certain age?
• Transport - when you travel with a family in Bali, it will be much more convenient if you use private transport. Check with your accommodation venue if they provide private transport as part of the holiday package.

Below you will find links to a variety of Bali hotels, resorts, villas and Bali holiday packages

	Bali Hotel & Resort Bargain Finder
	Many Bali hotels and resorts offer family rooms or children discounts. Find the GUARANTEED lowest rates for famous luxury resorts and budget hotels in all parts of Bali, Indonesia. Reserve on-line to save 70% and more.
	Private Vacation Villas in Bali
	Many families choose to spend a Bali holiday in a private villa. You can rent a private villa with two to seven bedrooms, tropical garden and swimming pool, all amenities, private car and driver and trained house staff. This is an attractive alternative to spending your vacation in a hotel or resort for many families.

BALI TOURS - WHAT YOU CAN SEE AND DO IN BALI

Bali is a paradise for children. Just about every attraction on the island is children "friendly" - which makes Bali an ideal destination for parents as well.

Children's attractions in Bali vary from surf, sand and beach activities; cultural activities such as dancing, temple visits, and traditional Balinese life style experiences; adventure activities such as rafting, cycling, bungee jumping and elephant rides; and theme parks such as Bali Bird Park, Waterbom, Butterfly Park, etc.

	Popular Bali Tours
	A full list of the most popular Bali tours, ranging from volcano tours to handicraft tours.
	Balinese Dances
	Balinese Dances are vivid and stylized performances. Most Balinese dances are dramatizations of stories and legends from the Hindu "Ramayana" and "Mahabaratha" or Balinese historical events. Here is an excerpt from the International Herald Tribune, April 26th, 1996 on Balinese Dances: "Dancing The Night Away Balinese culture is almost ready made for kids, especially the traditional dances with their colorful costumes and lively music. Girls tend to like the graceful movements of the Legong, which is often performed by young Balinese dancers. Boys are attracted to the Ramayana epic, with its dashing warriors or the famous Barong & Kris dance that features a mortal duel between the forces of good and evil. Most of the big hotels feature dance performances each evening, often on outdoor stages adjacent to the pool. The new Galleria Nusa Dua shopping center features a different dance performance each night. Farther afield is the village of Batubulan, where the Barong & Kris dance is performed several times each day in an outdoor venue reminiscent of a Balinese temple." If you wish your family to experience any of the above dances during your Bali holiday, find the full listing of all the above Balinese dances, and many more, with locations and times, by clicking here.
	Popular Bali Activities
	Every popular family activity you can imagine can be found in Bali; from the water to the sky, there is something for everyone. Another excerpt from the International Herald Tribune, April 26th, 1996 on adventure activities: "Young Adventurers Adventure sports activities have become increasingly popular in Bali in recent years, and many of these are also ideal for children. Anyone seven years of age and older can raft along the Ayung river, a two-hour journey through rain forests and rice terraces along a churning white water course that tumbles down 25 rapids. Mountain bike excursions (including a volcano trip), jungle treks and open-ocean kayak journeys are offered by the same adventure outfitters. Another adrenaline pumper is bungee jumping on the beach at Kuta under the auspices of A.J. Hackett, the New Zealand company that invented the sport. Bali is also fertile ground for special theme attractions like Waterbom Park in Kuta and the new Taman Burung Bird Park in Batubulan. Waterbom features numerous swimming pools and water slides in a lush tropical setting with restaurants, bars and shops. Taman Burung showcases the fabulous tropical birds of Indonesia, with more than 250 species, including birds of paradise, kingfishers, hornbills, parrots and pheasants." If you wish your family to experience any of the above activities during your Bali holiday, please see the full listing at Bali Activities.

EATING OUT IN BALI

One of the greatest experiences of a Bali holiday for many families is eating out. Bali is simply like no other place in the world for the many different restaurants and cuisines on offer, the low cost for meals, the quality of food, and the exotic or romantic settings.

You should note that Hotel Restaurants are more expensive than local restaurants. The standard of hygiene is usually high, but always tell the restaurant staff to not make the food spicy hot when ordering for children.

	What you should know about eating in Bali
	There is a lot to know about eating out in Bali for families. There is a wide variety of cuisines to choose from with many restaurants specializing in simple dishes suitable for children. Also find out where the most popular Western fast food outlets are in case your children experience withdrawal symptoms.
	Where to eat in Bali
	We have listed what we consider to be the best restaurants in Bali. These restaurants range from cheap eateries to restaurants serving excellent cuisine. We have listed all restaurants by area so you can easily find the best restaurants closest to your accommodation. Bon Appetite!

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Where to Stay in Bali

BALI ACCOMMODATION LOCATOR

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa & the Bukit (Southern peninsula)
Bali's southern peninsula is where you find today most of the island's international 4- and 5-star Bali Hotels and Resorts - set in Nusa Dua's manicured and not very Balinese garden environment. Nice beach with shallow water, no high waves. All kinds of water sports, 18-hole golf course. Nusa Dua Galleria center with a variety of rather expensive restaurants, shops, and department stores. Some more reasonably priced restaurants are located in adjacent Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village. No night life to speak of. About 12 km/7.5 miles from the airport.

An increasing number of private villas is being built on the Bukit, the hill South of the airport. Many of these offer spectacular views of the sea, Kuta, Denpasar, Sanur and Bali's mountains. The climate is much cooler and much more dry – even if it rains in most parts of Bali you can expect sunny days here.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Hilton 5*, Grand Hyatt Bali 5*, Grand Mirage 3*, Inna Putri Bali 5*, Nikko Bali Hotel 5* and an increasing number of beautiful, fully staffed Private Villas.

Jimbaran Beach (West coast, South of the airport)
Probably Bali's best beach with decent hotels and accommodation: nearly white sand, waves not too high for swimming, wind surfing, and sailing (no motorized water sports activities); not too many tourists, and no beach vendors (yet). A few up-market hotels and resorts, and a fast increasing number of unpretentious but good seafood restaurants right on the water front. Highly recommended for watching Bali's famous sunsets. Located just a few miles south of the airport.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Inter-Continental Resort 5*, Four Seasons Resort 5*, Ritz Carlton 5*.

Tuban, Kuta (West coast, North of the airport)
An increasingly busy area with many hotels and resorts of all categories right on or near the beach (powerful waves, strong currents). Many restaurants and shops along the main road. Located between Kuta and Bali's international airport.
Recommended Accommodation: Kuta Paradiso 4*, Ramada Bintang Bali 5*.

Kuta Beach & Legian (West coast, South Bali)
Crowded beach (many vendors, masseuses, beach boys, etc, high waves, strong currents) lined by numerous hotels and resorts, mostly in the 2- to 4-star categories. In early 2000 the beach road from the Hard Rock Resort to the Bali Intan Hotel has been extended to the "DOUBLE SIX" disco, and many hotels such as the Legian Beach, Bali Mandira, Bali Padma, Jayakarta Hotel and others have lost their direct beach access and a large part of their garden.
Kuta and Legian (grown into one township during the past decade and spreading further north every month) are the centers of Bali's night life with a great number of restaurants, pubs, open bars, discos, and all kinds of super markets, department stores, and shops selling casual wear and beach fashions, antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs. Daily traffic jams and many, sometimes quite insistent hawkers have made this very untypical and rather ugly part of Bali a nightmare for many visitors.
Recommended if you are looking for action, excitement, or just for a night out, but certainly not for a family vacation or romantic honeymoon.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Padma Hotel 5*, Hard Rock 4*, Inna Kuta Beach 4*, Jayakarta 3*.

Seminyak to Batubelig and Tanah Lot (West coast, South Bali)
Until recently this used to be a rather rural, mostly residential area, stretching a few miles north from Legian. Good, off-white, sandy beach with powerful waves and some strong currents, and getting less crowded the further you move to the North. Fast increasing number of hotels and villas, good but reasonably priced restaurants and Bali's most interesting pubs and discos as well as shops selling casual wear, furniture, antiques, decorative items and handicrafts.
Recommended for visitors who wish to be somewhat away from the tourist crowds but appreciate easy access to the restaurants and shops of Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. Access to other parts of the island is equally good as you don't have to pass through crowded Kuta. Between Seminyak and Batubelig, and in the beautiful, still rural area stretching further North to Canggu and up to Tanah Lot you'll also find some of Bali's most attractive vacation villas.
Recommended Accommodation: Le Meridien 5*, Royal Seminyak (Bali Imperial) 5*, The Oberoi 5* and a good choice of fully staffed Private Vacation Villas.

Sanur Beach (East coast, South Bali)
This is where you'd find 25 years ago all of Bali's international standard hotels although the beach was never outstanding. Today the beach has further deteriorated, and Sanur has become rather quiet compared to Kuta and Nusa Dua but is still popular with old-time visitors and some foreign residents.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Hyatt 5*, Inna Grand Bali Beach 5*, Inna Shindu Beach * and some Private Vacation Villas.

Ubud and Surroundings, Central Bali
The town of Ubud is to Bali what Jogyakarta is to Java - culturally speaking. Ubud is where most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians, carvers and weavers live and work, and there are a number of very good museums and art galleries. Because of its location at the base of the mountains (about 19 miles or 30 kilometers north of Denpasar) temperatures are slightly lower than in the lowlands, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation.
The town itself has developed rapidly during the past decade, and today the main roads are lined with art shops, handicraft and souvenir shops, as well as many restaurants and cafes. Until late afternoon tourist groups and other day-visitors are roaming shops and eateries. After sunset, Ubud becomes more quiet.
Accommodation ranges from very cheap, very basic "losmens", quite expensive but equally basic "losmens", to some of Bali's best-known and most expensive boutique hotels and beautiful private villas. Most of these are located in Sayan a few miles away overlooking the picturesque Ayung river valley.
Recommended Accommodation: Alila (Chedi) Ubud 5*, Four Seasons Sayan 5*, Kori Ubud Resort & Spa 1* and a few very attractive Private Vacation Villas.

Candidasa & Lovina, East & North Bali
These two tourist centers in the East and North of Bali have become popular meeting places for all those visitors wanting to get away from the tourists. Both offer a number of often quite simple but adequate hotels and restaurants. Beaches around Candi Dasa, however, have kind of disappeared during the last decade after most coral reefs in the area were destroyed, and many visitors do not like the black sand covering most beaches in the North of Bali.
Recommended Accommodation: Kubu Bali, Mimpi Resort Tulamben 5*, Puri Bagus Candidasa 5*, Mimpi Resort Menjangan 5*, Sol Inn Lovina 5*.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Getting Married in Bali

Making Your Dream Wedding Come True

Planning your wedding in Bali can be challenging, considering the constraints on your time and the multitude of choices available. Imagine saying "I Do" in one of our exclusive private villas overlooking the Indian Ocean, during a ride on a majestic elephant or during an exotic Royal Balinese wedding. We can handle everything from start to finish as we work to create an event that reflects your style.

With over 10 years of experience, our highly qualified staff have been trained to cater to your every need and to ensure all your wedding arrangements are well-organized. We treat every wedding as if it were our own!

With an abundance of planning ahead and a budget to adhere to, we understand how important it is to seamlessly turn your vision into a wonderful reality by having the wedding of your dreams; stress-free and memorable. Remember, all you have to do is relax and enjoy this special moment. We will take care of the rest.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

What You Can See & Do in Bali

Bali's natural attractions include miles of sandy beaches (many are well-known amongst surfers), picturesque rice terraces, towering active volcanoes over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) high, fast flowing rivers, deep ravines, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves, and lush tropical forests full of exotic wildlife.

The island's rich cultural heritage is visible everywhere - in over 20,000 temples and palaces, in many colorful festivals and ceremonies (including tooth filings and cremations), in drama, music, and dance.

You can experience Bali on many different excursions and guided tours by coach, private car or "Big Bike", by boat or by air plane: seeing Bali's beaches and rice terraces, the famous Besakih Temple on the slopes of holy Mount Agung, Lake Batur and it's active volcano, Ubud, Legian, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and the temples of Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu from a helicopter is a really special experience. For helicopter tours and private charters (3 to 6 passengers) please contact the Balivillas.com Service Center at 703-060 as soon as you arrive.

Most full day tours by car (about 8 to 10 hours) cost about US$30 to US$40 per person, half day tours US$20 to US$25. These prices include a multi-lingual guide and transport in an air-conditioned private car, all entrance fees, but no meals. Which guide and driver you choose can make or break your day: be warned that those who offer very low prices tend to waste your time by showing you hardly any more than those shops which pay them a commission on your purchases.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

The Most Recomended Area in Bali

The picture of Bali Dancer

Bali area reference:
- South Bali: Nusadua, Jimbaran, Tuban, Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Canggu, Sanur
- Central Bali: Ubud, Bedugul, Kintamani, Tabanan
- North Bali: Singaraja, Lovina
- East Bali: Candi Dasa, Karangasem
- West Bali: Menjangan

This page is intended for the minimalist among you. It lists the places of interest with a one line executive summary of what it has to offer. Print this page, take it with you, and once you are there, glance it quickly to determine where you should go next. Let us know if this is useful.

• Batubulan: Daily barong dance performance, fine stone
carvings, furniture, terracotta pots.
• Mount Batukau: off the beaten path, virgin rainforests,
mossy shade of Pura Luhur temple, serenity.
• Bedugul: highland retreat by the lake, crater,
watersports, quality fruits and vegetables.
• Besakih Temple: Mother Temple on Mount Agung, huge
complex of shrines, majestic.
• Candi Dasa: quiet newest resort area, snorkeling, diving,
beach.
• Celuk: silver and gold jewelry.
• Denpasar: rebuilt ancient city, art center, museum,
government offices.
• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave): 8th century archaelogical
mystery, Buddhist inscriptions and carvings, elephant head
at entrance.
• Goa Lawah (Bat Cave): One-thousand year old Shiva
temple, millions of fruit bats cover the ceiling.
• Jimbaran: Southwest Bali, fisherman village, beach,
sunset,offshore reefs.
• Kintamani: Mountainous, spectacular view by Lake Batur,
sunrise at peak of Mount Batur.
• Klungkung: Old Palaces, Kertha Gosa Hall of Justice
(painted ceiling a la Sistine Chapel).
• Kuta: surfing, beaches, sunsets, night life, shops of
Legian.
• Lovina: North near Singaraja, still waters, dolphin watch.
• Negara: West Bali, water buffalo races (Jul - Oct).
• Nusa Dua : luxurious resorts, diving and surfing, beaches,
golf course, shops
• Nusa Lembongan: Bali's sister island, coral and sand
beaches, crystal clear water, surfing.
• Sangeh: Monkey Forest, tall nutmeg trees, aggressive
monkeys.
• Sanur: First resort of Bali, beaches, black and white
magic.
• Singaraja: North Bali, main port during colonial time,
quiet, culturally distinctive.
• Tabanan: mountains, rice field terraces, black sand
beaches, rain forests.
• Tampaksiring: wood carving, Tirta Empul temple and
sacred spring water, Sukarno's Palace.
• Tanah Lot: Dramatic ocean front temple,
spectacular sunset, snake filled cave.
• Tenganan: East Bali, village of Bali Aga, wonderful fabrics
(Gringsing double-ikat).
• Tirta Gangga: East Bali, water palace bathing place.
• Trunyan: Lake Batur village, accessible only by boat,
Bali Aga, the dead by a sacred tree.
• Ubud: Haven for the arts, paintings, lush rice fields,
museums, galleries, dances.
• Uluwatu: Spectacular temple on a cliff, real challenging
surf below.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Location of Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island located at 8°25′23″S, 115°14′55″ECoordinates: 8°25′23″S, 115°14′55″E, the western most of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island. The island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.

Motto: Bali Dwipa Jaya ("Glorious Bali Island")
Capital	Denpasar
Governor	Dewa Made Beratha
Area	5,632.86 km² (2,175 sq mi)
Population	3,150,000 (2000)
Density	559.2 /km² (1,448 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Balinese (89%), Javanese (7%), Baliaga (1%), Madurese (1%)[1]
Religion	Hindu (93.18%), Muslim (4.79%), Christian (1.38%), Buddhist (0.64%)
Languages	Indonesian (official), Balinese
Time zone	UTC+8
Web site	www.baliprov.go.id

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

History of Bali

Bali has been inhabited since early prehistoric times firstly by descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated through mainland Asia to the Indonesian archipelago, thought to have first settled in Bali around 3000 BC.^{[citation needed]} Stone tools dating from this time have been found near the village of Cekik in the island's west.

Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Indian, and particularly Sanskrit culture, in a process beginning around the 1st century AD. The name Balidwipa has been discovered from various inscriptions, including the Blanjong charter issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD and mentioning Walidwipa. It was during this time that the complex irrigation system subak was developed to grow rice. Some religious and cultural traditions still in existence today can be traced back to this period. The Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) on eastern Java founded a Balinese colony in 1343. When the empire declined, there was an exodus of intellectuals, artists, priests and musicians from Java to Bali in the 15th century.

The First European contact with Bali is thought to have been when Dutch explorer Cornelis de Houtman arrived in 1597, though a Portuguese ship had foundered off the Bukit Peninsula as early as 1585.^{[citation needed]} Dutch rule over Bali came later, was more aggressively fought for, and was never as well established as in other parts of Indonesia such as Java and Maluku.

In the 1840s, a presence in Bali was established, first in the island's north, by playing various distrustful Balinese realms against each other. The Dutch mounted large naval and ground assaults first against the Sanur region and then Denpasar. The Balinese were hopelessly overwhelmed in number and armament, but rather than face the humiliation of surrender, they mounted a final defensive but suicidal assault, or puputan. Despite Dutch demands for surrender, an estimated 4,000 Balinese marched to their death against the invaders. Afterwards the Dutch governors were able to exercise little influence over the island, and local control over religion and culture generally remained intact.

Japan occupied Bali during World War II during which time a Balinese military officer, Gusti Ngurah Rai, formed a Balinese 'freedom army'. Following Japan's Pacific surrender in August 1945, the Dutch promptly returned to Indonesia, including Bali, immediately to reinstate their pre-war colonial administration. This was resisted by the Balinese rebels now using Japanese weapons.

On 20 November 1946, the Battle of Marga was fought in Tabanan in central Bali. Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai, 29 years old, finally rallied his forces in east Bali at Marga Rana, where they made a suicide attack on the heavily armed Dutch. The Balinese battalion was entirely wiped out, breaking the last thread of Balinese military resistance. In 1946 the Dutch constituted Bali as one of the 13 administrative districts of the newly-proclaimed Republic of East Indonesia, a rival state to the Republic of Indonesia which was proclaimed and headed by Sukarno and Hatta. Bali was included in the "Republic of the United States of Indonesia" when the Netherlands recognised Indonesian independence on 29 December 1949. In 1950 Bali officially renounced the Dutch union and legally became a province within the Republic of Indonesia.

The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung killed thousands, created economic havoc and forced many displaced Balinese to be transmigrated to other parts of Indonesia.

In 1965, after a failed coup d'etat in Jakarta against the national government of Indonesia, Bali, along with other regions of Indonesia most notably Java, was the scene of widespread killings of (often falsely-accused) members and sympathizers of the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) by right-wing General Suharto-sponsored militias. Possibly more than 100,000 Balinese were killed although the exact numbers are unknown to date and the events remain legally undisclosed.^[2] Many unmarked but well known mass graves of victims are located around the island^{[citation needed]}.

On October 12, 2002, a car bomb attack in the tourist resort of Kuta killed 202 people, largely foreign tourists and injured a further 209. Further bombings occurred three years later in Kuta and nearby Jimbaran Bay.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Geography

Topography of the island

Bali lies 3.2 km east of Java and approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to west, the island is approximately 153 km wide and 112 km north to south (95 by 69 miles, respectively), with a surface area of 5,632 km². The highest point is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover centre to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the easternmost peak. Mount Batur (1,717 m) is also still active. About 30,000 years ago it experienced a catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth.

In the south the land descends to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, drier in the dry season and overflowing during periods of heavy rain.

The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, and the present provincial capital and largest city, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud (north of Denpasar), with its art market, museums and galleries, is arguably the cultural center of Bali.

There are major coastal roads and roads that cross the island mainly north-south. Due to the mountainous terrain in the island's center, the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains. There are no railway lines.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the south east has both: the main beach and the secret beach have white sand and the south beach and the blue lagoon have much darker sand. Pasut Beach, near Ho River and Pura Segara, is a quiet beach 14 km southwest of Tabanan. The Ho River is navigable by small sampan. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot, this is not yet a tourist area.

To the east, the Lombok Strait that separates Bali from Lombok marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia that is known as the Wallace Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major biomes. When sea levels dropped during the Pleistocene ice age, Bali was connected to Java and Sumatra and to the mainland of Asia and shared the Asian fauna, but the deep water of the Lombok Strait continued to keep Lombok and the Lesser Sunda archipelago isolated.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Economy

Three decades ago, the Balinese economy was largely agriculture-based in terms of both output and employment. Tourism is now the largest single industry; and as a result, Bali is one of Indonesia’s wealthiest regions. The economy, however, has suffered significantly as a result of the terrorist bombings of 2002 and 2005.

Although in terms of output, tourism is the economy’s largest industry, agriculture is still the island’s biggest employer^{[citation needed]}, most notably rice cultivation. Crops grown in smaller amounts include fruit, vegetables and other cash and subsistence crops.^{[citation needed]} A significant number of Balinese are also fishermen. Bali is also famous for its artisans who produce batik and ikat cloth and clothing, wooden carvings, stone carvings and silverware.

Although significant tourism exists in the north, centre and east of the island, the tourist industry is overwhelmingly focused in the south. The main tourist locations are the town of Kuta (with its beach), and its outer suburbs (which were once independent townships) of Legian and Seminyak, Sanur, Jimbaran, Ubud, and the newer development of Nusa Dua. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is located near Jimbaran, on the isthmus joining the southernmost part of the island to the main part of the island. Another increasingly important source of income for Bali is what is called "Congress Tourism" from the frequent international conferences held on the island, especially after the terrorist bombings of 2002; ostensibly to resurrect Bali's damaged tourism industry as well as its tarnished image.

Bali's tourism brand is Bali Shanti Shanti Shanti.^[3] Where Shanti derived from Sanskrit "Çantih" meaning peace.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Religion

Unlike most of Muslim-majority Indonesia, about 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, formed as a combination of existing local beliefs and Hindu influences from mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia. Minority religions include Islam (4.79%), Christianity (1.38%), and Buddhism (0.64%). These official statistical figures do not include immigrants from other parts of Indonesia.

Bali consists of about three million people, nearly all of whom practice the Balinese Hindu religion, a heterogeneous amalgam in which gods and demigods are worshipped together with Buddhist heroes, with the spirits of ancestors and with indigenous deities associated with agriculture and with places considered sacred. Religion as it is practiced in Bali is a composite belief system that embraces not only theology, philosophy, and mythology, but ancestor worship, animism and magic. It pervades every aspect of traditional life.

Bali Hinduism, which has roots in Indian Hinduism and in Buddhism, adopted the animistic traditions of the indigenes, which inhabited the island around the first millennium BCE. This influence strengthened the belief that the gods and goddesses are present in all things. Every element of nature, therefore, possesses its own power, which reflects the power of the gods. A rock, tree, dagger, or woven cloth is a potential home for spirits whose energy can be directed for good or evil. Balinese Hinduism is deeply interwoven with art and ritual, and is less closely preoccupied with scripture, law, and belief than Islam in Indonesia. Ritualizing states of self-control are a notable feature of religious expression among the people, who for this reason have become famous for their graceful and decorous behavior.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Language

Balinese and Indonesian are the most widely spoken languages in Bali, and like most Indonesians, the vast majority of Balinese people are bilingual or trilingual. There are several indigenous Balinese languages, but most Balinese can also use the most widely spoken option: modern common Balinese. The usage of different Balinese languages was traditionally determined by the Balinese caste system and by clan membership, but this tradition is diminishing.

English is a common third language (and the primary foreign language) of many Balinese, owing to the requirements of the large tourism industry. Staff working in Bali's tourist centres are often, by necessity, multilingual to some degree, speaking as many as 8 or 9 different languages to an often surprising level of competence.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Culture of Bali

Bali is renowned 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.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...

Environment and wildlife

Bali has around 280 species of birds, including the critically endangered Bali Starling. The only endemic mammal of the island, the Bali tiger, became extinct in the 1930s. The Bali Barat National Park is a refuge for wildlife such as the pangolin, common muntjac, chevrotain, leopard cat, black giant squirrel, macaque and leaf monkey.

[+/-] Read More Article...

[+/-] Summary...