Living in Bali means a lot of things, including getting used to and appreciating Indonesian food. I enjoy Indonesian food twice a day, just not at 7am and definitely not the greasy kind. There are a coupe of favourite places that I have shared with other friends who have been equally impressed.
Finding places that are affordable, have a good selection, serve tasty food and are reliable is the trick. Its okay finding a cheap nasi goreng, but you’ll get sick of it after a couple of times. The 3 places I’ll mention offer great food for a low price.
•Warung Murah
Jl. Double Six
This place is open daily from around midday through evening. There is a large display case of vegetable, fish, chicken, sate and other items. A set of silver trays contain steaming hot potatoes, sapi rendang (sliced beef in spicy coconut sauce), Balinese chicken and fish. They also have some evil green sambal which will burn a hole in the sole of your boot. A plate usually costs me 16,000rp and its always good.
Locating Warung Murah is easy. Heading towards the beach on Jl. Double Six, go past the left hand turn off and look out for the warung with the large Marlboro sign on the right.
•Warung Kolega
Jl. Petitenget
This warung specializes in lunch. Opening around 11am the best time to go is between then and 12 noon. The crowd rolls in at noon and you’ll have to line up. Food selection features a whole array of vegetables and meats in various sauces, cooked in Javanese style. Great ikan sambal and bbq chicken. A large plate of food might cost 15,000rp.
You can get to Warung Kolega by following Jl. Oberoi round past Hu’u another couple of minutes, or take Jl. Petitenget from the traffic lights in Kerobokan and follow it round for a couple of minutes. Warung Kolega is the busy place with the blue sign.
•Ayam Bakar / Ikan Bakar
Gang Plawa (across from Jl. Dhyana Pura)
This little place is located down the lane between the Sunset Rd and Jl. Seminyak, on the right side. Seating is at low Indonesian style tables, or at the western style table in the middle. The ayam bakar (grilled chicken) is great and the ikan bakar (grilled fish) is fun to get into. Everything is eaten without the aid of cutlery and served with rice and lalapan (raw vegetables) and hot sambal. I took 5 adults and 2 kids in there the other week for dinner. We had 8 ayam bakar, 2 ikan bakar, 2 plates of tempe and tofu, 6 portions of rice and lalapan plus 7 drinks. Total price 135,000rp.
Give these places a try, they are all winners!
Read more...
Bali Arts Festival
The Bali Arts Festival is a full month of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and other related cultural and commercial activities during which literally the whole of Bali comes to the city to present its offerings of dance, music and beauty. On display are trances from remote mountain slopes, forgotten or recently revived village dances, food and offering contests, classical palace dances, stars of Balinese stage, odd musical performances, "kreasi baru" (new creations) from the dance schools of Denpasar, as well as contemporary choreography and dance companies from other islands and from abroad.
It is a month long revelry that perhaps no other place in the world can put up on such a low budget as the Balinese. Not only is their traditional culture alive and well, but they have a tremendous pride in it.
It begins in the villages, where the seka or cultural groups are selected and organized at the regency level, vie with each other to perform the Arts Festival and thus display in front of a large audience the uniqueness of their village of birth and resting place of their ancestors.
The Bali Arts Festival is the Denpasar cultural event of the year, perhaps it would no be too far fetched to suggest that it is the cultural event of Indonesia. The festival is thus a unique opportunity to see local village culture both "live" and at first hand. Tourists are warmly welcomed.
The History of the Bali Arts Festival
When tourism took off after 1965, the Balinese insisted that it followed cultural guidelines: if tourism was to be accepted, it was to be a cultural tourism, or "pariwisata budaya".
As the Balinese put it: "Tourism should be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism." In time, this idea become national policy, as part of a larger revping of regional cultures for national purposes. The policy owes much to the former Director General of Culture (1968-1978) and Governor of Bali (1978-1988), Ida Bagus Mantra, an Indian-educed Balinese. It led, on the one side, to the creation of enclave resorts such as Nusa Dua to limit the direct impact of tourism, and on the other, to a long haul cultural policy aimed at nurturing and preserving the traditional agrarian culture while adapting it to the demands of modernity, and in particular of "cultural tourism".
At the village level, local music groups, dances and other cultural events were inventoried, then supported by a series of contests at the district and regency level. The ensuing competition energized the cultural life of villages, whose "young blood" was already being drained to the city by the process of economic change and urbanization.
Schools of dance and art were created, in particular the Kokar conservatory and the STSI School of Dance and Music. Beside research, these schools replaced the traditional master/disciple relationship by modern methods of teaching; standardized the dance movements, produced new types of Balinese dances for tourism and modern village entertainment. Most important, it enabled former students to return to the villages as teachers, where they diffused, beside the creed of cultural resilience and renewal, new dances and standardized versions of old ones.
Many of the performances are held at the amphitheater which can hold up to 6,000 spectators, in a temple-like stage.
Each year, the Bali Arts Festival, beside the fed classical dances of the island, such as the legong, gambuh, kecak, barong, baris, mask dances and the like, is based on the theme around which new "dance choreography" is produced and old village dances and activities revived. Over the years, the whole range of classical Balinese stories - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sutasoma, Panji - have thus been turned into "colossal" Sendratari Ballets.
The main challenge to the Arts Festival is obviously economic in nature. As village life is increasingly feeling the strains of monetary considerations, dancers, musicians and others cannot be expected to continue participating simply for the sake and the pleasure of it. As costs soar, new sources of financing have to be found. The obvious answer is the private sector and in particular the tourism industry. The greater task then is to convince the hotels, travel agencies and tourist guides to be more participatory in the Arts Festival rather than to their own sponsored events.
Considering the pride the Balinese have in their culture, and the adaptability and dynism they have always demonstrated, this little hurdle can be overcome. Trust the Balinese. They will eventually succeed to transform their tradition into a modern, Balinese culture of their own.
Read more...
It is a month long revelry that perhaps no other place in the world can put up on such a low budget as the Balinese. Not only is their traditional culture alive and well, but they have a tremendous pride in it.
It begins in the villages, where the seka or cultural groups are selected and organized at the regency level, vie with each other to perform the Arts Festival and thus display in front of a large audience the uniqueness of their village of birth and resting place of their ancestors.
The Bali Arts Festival is the Denpasar cultural event of the year, perhaps it would no be too far fetched to suggest that it is the cultural event of Indonesia. The festival is thus a unique opportunity to see local village culture both "live" and at first hand. Tourists are warmly welcomed.
The History of the Bali Arts Festival
When tourism took off after 1965, the Balinese insisted that it followed cultural guidelines: if tourism was to be accepted, it was to be a cultural tourism, or "pariwisata budaya".
As the Balinese put it: "Tourism should be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism." In time, this idea become national policy, as part of a larger revping of regional cultures for national purposes. The policy owes much to the former Director General of Culture (1968-1978) and Governor of Bali (1978-1988), Ida Bagus Mantra, an Indian-educed Balinese. It led, on the one side, to the creation of enclave resorts such as Nusa Dua to limit the direct impact of tourism, and on the other, to a long haul cultural policy aimed at nurturing and preserving the traditional agrarian culture while adapting it to the demands of modernity, and in particular of "cultural tourism".
At the village level, local music groups, dances and other cultural events were inventoried, then supported by a series of contests at the district and regency level. The ensuing competition energized the cultural life of villages, whose "young blood" was already being drained to the city by the process of economic change and urbanization.
Schools of dance and art were created, in particular the Kokar conservatory and the STSI School of Dance and Music. Beside research, these schools replaced the traditional master/disciple relationship by modern methods of teaching; standardized the dance movements, produced new types of Balinese dances for tourism and modern village entertainment. Most important, it enabled former students to return to the villages as teachers, where they diffused, beside the creed of cultural resilience and renewal, new dances and standardized versions of old ones.
Many of the performances are held at the amphitheater which can hold up to 6,000 spectators, in a temple-like stage.
Each year, the Bali Arts Festival, beside the fed classical dances of the island, such as the legong, gambuh, kecak, barong, baris, mask dances and the like, is based on the theme around which new "dance choreography" is produced and old village dances and activities revived. Over the years, the whole range of classical Balinese stories - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sutasoma, Panji - have thus been turned into "colossal" Sendratari Ballets.
The main challenge to the Arts Festival is obviously economic in nature. As village life is increasingly feeling the strains of monetary considerations, dancers, musicians and others cannot be expected to continue participating simply for the sake and the pleasure of it. As costs soar, new sources of financing have to be found. The obvious answer is the private sector and in particular the tourism industry. The greater task then is to convince the hotels, travel agencies and tourist guides to be more participatory in the Arts Festival rather than to their own sponsored events.
Considering the pride the Balinese have in their culture, and the adaptability and dynism they have always demonstrated, this little hurdle can be overcome. Trust the Balinese. They will eventually succeed to transform their tradition into a modern, Balinese culture of their own.
Read more...
Venue of Bali Arts Festival
Bali Art Festival will soon begin; this festivities and feasts of art and culture will last for a month long in a sprawling five hectares complex of Art Center (Taman Werdhi). This Art Center complex, commenced in 1969 and officially opened for used in 1973, is located in Jalan Nusa Indah, Denpasar.
This complex has two entrances, on the left, is “Rinchui Sakura” gate with reminisce of Japanese style architecture. On the right side is a Candi Bentar split gate, the Candi Bentar represents greatness combines with awareness, and it is usually found in temple and palace, at the border of village, district and regency. It can also be found at entry point of Bali such as at Ngurah Rai International Airport.
The Art Center Complex houses various buildings for various purposes. These five traditional Balinese style buildings are masterpieces of talented architect Ida Bagus Tugur. The buildings are connected with a pathway, with ponds, gardens and bridge among them.
Each of the five buildings is respectively known as “Mahudara Mandhara Giri Bhuwana” is used as the main building for art exhibition; “Oncecrawa” is used for occasional workshops and exhibitions; “Amertha Saraswati” is used as a library; “Ardha Candra” is used for open air performances and “Ksirarnawa” is used for indoor performances.
In addition to these five buildings, there is a open air hall known as “wantilan”; it is used to hold performances where intimacy between performances and audience is desired, for example in Joged dance. A floating pavilion (Bale Kambang) is also can be found in this complex. The Bale Kambang is situated on a pond with beautiful views of pond and its surrounding gardens – the garden itself is named Udiyana Ratmala. Three statues are found at the eastern perimeter of the pond; the statue of Bhagawan Gangga flaked by the image of Dewi Gangga Soma, protector of rivers, lakes and seas; and the statue of Dewi Giri Putri, protector of mountains and springs.
There are also several resting places (Bale Bengong) situated on the side of the road that divides the complex into two and parallel with the small river inside the complex. These resting places have excellent views of the gardens, river and the main courtyard.
Lack of parking place especially during Bali Art Festival is no longer a problem. Traditional Youth Organizations (sekaa teruna) of the surrounding hamlets provide and manage several parking places around the Art Center Complex.
Read more...
This complex has two entrances, on the left, is “Rinchui Sakura” gate with reminisce of Japanese style architecture. On the right side is a Candi Bentar split gate, the Candi Bentar represents greatness combines with awareness, and it is usually found in temple and palace, at the border of village, district and regency. It can also be found at entry point of Bali such as at Ngurah Rai International Airport.
The Art Center Complex houses various buildings for various purposes. These five traditional Balinese style buildings are masterpieces of talented architect Ida Bagus Tugur. The buildings are connected with a pathway, with ponds, gardens and bridge among them.
Each of the five buildings is respectively known as “Mahudara Mandhara Giri Bhuwana” is used as the main building for art exhibition; “Oncecrawa” is used for occasional workshops and exhibitions; “Amertha Saraswati” is used as a library; “Ardha Candra” is used for open air performances and “Ksirarnawa” is used for indoor performances.
In addition to these five buildings, there is a open air hall known as “wantilan”; it is used to hold performances where intimacy between performances and audience is desired, for example in Joged dance. A floating pavilion (Bale Kambang) is also can be found in this complex. The Bale Kambang is situated on a pond with beautiful views of pond and its surrounding gardens – the garden itself is named Udiyana Ratmala. Three statues are found at the eastern perimeter of the pond; the statue of Bhagawan Gangga flaked by the image of Dewi Gangga Soma, protector of rivers, lakes and seas; and the statue of Dewi Giri Putri, protector of mountains and springs.
There are also several resting places (Bale Bengong) situated on the side of the road that divides the complex into two and parallel with the small river inside the complex. These resting places have excellent views of the gardens, river and the main courtyard.
Lack of parking place especially during Bali Art Festival is no longer a problem. Traditional Youth Organizations (sekaa teruna) of the surrounding hamlets provide and manage several parking places around the Art Center Complex.
Read more...
Flower and Balinese
Flower, for Balinese, is a primary need. Tons of various kinds of flowers are used for various purposes such as material for offerings, decorations for ceremonies, medium of praying, and accessories for Balinese traditional dress especially the headdress. Flowers are withered easily; it makes the need for flower is a constant need that has to be fulfilled everyday.
To fulfill this huge constant need, a typical Balinese yard or backyard is usually filled with flower plants and they are planted in one way or another, creating a garden of flower. But home planted flower are not enough to fulfill this massive need so Balinese open flower plantations especially for the flower that are needed for offering.
Not all kinds of flower are used, only ones. Sometimes bright colored flower are also used. Some flowers are forbidden to be used, for example flower that grows in the cemetery, or bad-smelled flower. Flower that is used for offering can only be used once since God has take away all their essence when they are offered.
Flower that is used for offering is always the fragrant or the bright colored one; for the decoration, a bright colored one is in demand; flower that is used for medium of praying should be the fragrant one; and for accessories, white colored flower is the preferred one.
Why flower are widely used as an offering in Bali? The reason for using flower is clearly stated by the personality of the Godhead in Bhagavad-Gita: 9:26
patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam asnami prayatatmanah
or in English:
when someone present leaf, flower, fruit, and water with love and devotion. I will accept it.
The beauty and the fragrant scent of the flowers that are used for offering, express the beauty and sweetness of Balinese’s love and devotion to God.
Read more...
To fulfill this huge constant need, a typical Balinese yard or backyard is usually filled with flower plants and they are planted in one way or another, creating a garden of flower. But home planted flower are not enough to fulfill this massive need so Balinese open flower plantations especially for the flower that are needed for offering.
Not all kinds of flower are used, only ones. Sometimes bright colored flower are also used. Some flowers are forbidden to be used, for example flower that grows in the cemetery, or bad-smelled flower. Flower that is used for offering can only be used once since God has take away all their essence when they are offered.
Flower that is used for offering is always the fragrant or the bright colored one; for the decoration, a bright colored one is in demand; flower that is used for medium of praying should be the fragrant one; and for accessories, white colored flower is the preferred one.
Why flower are widely used as an offering in Bali? The reason for using flower is clearly stated by the personality of the Godhead in Bhagavad-Gita: 9:26
patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam asnami prayatatmanah
or in English:
when someone present leaf, flower, fruit, and water with love and devotion. I will accept it.
The beauty and the fragrant scent of the flowers that are used for offering, express the beauty and sweetness of Balinese’s love and devotion to God.
Read more...
Poleng: The Color of Bali
Poleng, or chessboard pattern of alternating black and white squares is surely the most distinguished motif of Balinese cloth. One can hardly miss the presence of a poleng cloth around him due to the striking contrast of colors used in the motif. But poleng is not made for attracting attention of the onlookers, it express Balinese point of view towards life.
Since Poleng is the national color of Bali, it can be found virtually everywhere in the island. Poleng clothes are usually wound round big tree trunks, big rocks, statues and shrines. Banners, flags, and umbrellas that are used in a procession of the ceremony sometimes made of poleng clothes. Poleng clothes are also used by the Balinese traditional security forces (pecalang), poleng cloth is considered to be an obligatory part of pecalang outfits. There is also a warrior dance (baris) which is called Baris Poleng. As its name suggests, the dancers’ apparels consist predominantly of poleng clothes.
Poleng cloth is always associated in a way or another to the realm of netherworld. Shrine that is decorated with poleng cloth is usually the shrine dedicated to the spirit of the place where the shrine located, not for gods. Rangda, the personification of negative force of the universe, queen of evil, wears a poleng shawl and when Rangda mask is kept in the box, it is wrapped with poleng cloth. The giant paper doll, ogoh-ogoh, which depicts the evil spirit, is usually dressed with poleng cloth. Stone temple guardians which stand to the left and right of the entrance door of the temples are also wrapped with poleng clothes.
But, what is the significance of poleng cloth? The chessboard pattern of alternating black and white squares of poleng signifies Balinese concept of rwa bhineda, a Balinese view of mutual dualism that make up the whole world. In other word, it is about two opposite thing that depend on each other to exist, such as day and night, low and high, dry and rainy season, bitter and sweet, black and white, etc. Balinese believe that the balance of this mutual dualism will brings prosperity and peacefulness to the mankind. This concept of balance is expressed perfectly by the poleng cloth – the number of white square is always equal with the black one.
Read more...
Since Poleng is the national color of Bali, it can be found virtually everywhere in the island. Poleng clothes are usually wound round big tree trunks, big rocks, statues and shrines. Banners, flags, and umbrellas that are used in a procession of the ceremony sometimes made of poleng clothes. Poleng clothes are also used by the Balinese traditional security forces (pecalang), poleng cloth is considered to be an obligatory part of pecalang outfits. There is also a warrior dance (baris) which is called Baris Poleng. As its name suggests, the dancers’ apparels consist predominantly of poleng clothes.
Poleng cloth is always associated in a way or another to the realm of netherworld. Shrine that is decorated with poleng cloth is usually the shrine dedicated to the spirit of the place where the shrine located, not for gods. Rangda, the personification of negative force of the universe, queen of evil, wears a poleng shawl and when Rangda mask is kept in the box, it is wrapped with poleng cloth. The giant paper doll, ogoh-ogoh, which depicts the evil spirit, is usually dressed with poleng cloth. Stone temple guardians which stand to the left and right of the entrance door of the temples are also wrapped with poleng clothes.
But, what is the significance of poleng cloth? The chessboard pattern of alternating black and white squares of poleng signifies Balinese concept of rwa bhineda, a Balinese view of mutual dualism that make up the whole world. In other word, it is about two opposite thing that depend on each other to exist, such as day and night, low and high, dry and rainy season, bitter and sweet, black and white, etc. Balinese believe that the balance of this mutual dualism will brings prosperity and peacefulness to the mankind. This concept of balance is expressed perfectly by the poleng cloth – the number of white square is always equal with the black one.
Read more...
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tropical Fruit of Bali
Bali has an abundance of fruit with many varieties that are a lot more interesting than just your average apple or orange. Tropical fruits come in strange colours, shapes and textures, yet each is quite exotic in its own way.
Just about everyone seems to enjoy the mangosteen which has been referred to as the ‘Queen of Fruits’. Slightly smaller than a tennis ball with a deep purple skin, the inside reveals 4-8 pinky-white edible segments that are delicately sweet.
One of the oddest looking tropical fruit in Bali is the rambutan, also known as hairy fruit. This reflects the fruits most unusual skin of soft rubbery spines that are crimson in colour. Inside is a single piece of sweet translucent flesh that surrounds a woody seed. The whole segment is pooped into the mouth and the tangy flesh nibbled off leaving only the inedible seed.
Another unusual fruit is the salak, which is recognized by its teardrop shape and brown scaly snake-like peel. The fruit inside consists of a large segment and one or two smaller lobes that tastes pleasantly crisp with the consistency of a carrot. Salak is not a remarkable tasting fruit, yet it grows abundantly in Bali’s drier regions and is readily available at the local marketplace.
The seasonal fruit called durian is a great favourite within the Asian community and because it is such a delicacy it can be quite expensive. Known for its pungent odour that many Westerners find quite offensive, this controversial fruit is often banned from hotels and restaurants. Durian generally comes in the shape of a coconut, often larger, with a thick pale green outer rind that is covered with sharp thorns. Once cut open with a butcher’s cleaver, the inside reveals sections of creamy pulp that surrounds large seeds.
Banana, mango, papaya, pineapple and coconut are also some of the types of tropical fruits that are plentiful in Bali. A platter of seasonal fresh fruits or a delicious blended juice makes a refreshing holiday breakfast.
Read more...
Just about everyone seems to enjoy the mangosteen which has been referred to as the ‘Queen of Fruits’. Slightly smaller than a tennis ball with a deep purple skin, the inside reveals 4-8 pinky-white edible segments that are delicately sweet.
One of the oddest looking tropical fruit in Bali is the rambutan, also known as hairy fruit. This reflects the fruits most unusual skin of soft rubbery spines that are crimson in colour. Inside is a single piece of sweet translucent flesh that surrounds a woody seed. The whole segment is pooped into the mouth and the tangy flesh nibbled off leaving only the inedible seed.
Another unusual fruit is the salak, which is recognized by its teardrop shape and brown scaly snake-like peel. The fruit inside consists of a large segment and one or two smaller lobes that tastes pleasantly crisp with the consistency of a carrot. Salak is not a remarkable tasting fruit, yet it grows abundantly in Bali’s drier regions and is readily available at the local marketplace.
The seasonal fruit called durian is a great favourite within the Asian community and because it is such a delicacy it can be quite expensive. Known for its pungent odour that many Westerners find quite offensive, this controversial fruit is often banned from hotels and restaurants. Durian generally comes in the shape of a coconut, often larger, with a thick pale green outer rind that is covered with sharp thorns. Once cut open with a butcher’s cleaver, the inside reveals sections of creamy pulp that surrounds large seeds.
Banana, mango, papaya, pineapple and coconut are also some of the types of tropical fruits that are plentiful in Bali. A platter of seasonal fresh fruits or a delicious blended juice makes a refreshing holiday breakfast.
Read more...
Bale Banjar: Hamlet Meeting Hall
Hamlet, or Banjar in Balinese language, is the center of Balinese social and political life. Every Balinese is member of a banjar community, he has an obligation to attend all banjar activities, failure to attend these activities will be punished with fine and constants failure will result exclusion or banishment from the banjar, it means no body will help him when he holds a religious ceremony, especially the big one.
All the banjar’s activities are conducted in the public meeting hall of the banjar, known as bale banjar. The bale banjar is the social center of the hamlet, when there is a temple ceremony has to prepared, the Bale banjar is very much alive with the preparation of the ceremony. Men are busy preparing foods for the feast, women are frantic preparing the offering for the ceremony. Everybody is busy, and the Bale banjar is rock from the bottom to the top. But when there is no banjar activities conducted, the bale banjar is the best place for chatting and resting; people can play ping-pong or chess, watching TV, discuss the village or hamlet affairs while caressing the fighting cock; The bale banjar is like a clubhouse, and people can be seen loitering in the shade there almost any time of the day.
How is bale banjar look like? The bale banjar is usually a large, open structure with a raised concrete floor, and a roof supported by pillars. Some bale banjars is equipped with a stage for performances. Some are large and fancy decorated with carved stone, other are modest but functional. Some bale banjar have conical roofs but most bale banjar in urban area has flat concrete roof that be used as additional space for various activities. The bale banjar normally has a kitchen, where the food is cooked for large feast. There may be a storage room for dance costumes or musical instruments.
The bale banjar always has a signal drum (kulkul) tower; it may be a tower on the bale banjar or in separate structure; it is the used to summon members for various purposes depends on the cadences and rhythms that are beaten out on the drum. The bale banjar also has a temple, it is usually with two or three shrines dedicated to the God and Bhagawan Penyarikan, the secretary of God and the deities of the community welfare.
The bale banjar is easy to recognize; it is usually the biggest structure in the neighborhood; a white board with the name of the banjar written on it is erected in front of the bale banjar, minimize the effort needed to recognize it.
Read more...
All the banjar’s activities are conducted in the public meeting hall of the banjar, known as bale banjar. The bale banjar is the social center of the hamlet, when there is a temple ceremony has to prepared, the Bale banjar is very much alive with the preparation of the ceremony. Men are busy preparing foods for the feast, women are frantic preparing the offering for the ceremony. Everybody is busy, and the Bale banjar is rock from the bottom to the top. But when there is no banjar activities conducted, the bale banjar is the best place for chatting and resting; people can play ping-pong or chess, watching TV, discuss the village or hamlet affairs while caressing the fighting cock; The bale banjar is like a clubhouse, and people can be seen loitering in the shade there almost any time of the day.
How is bale banjar look like? The bale banjar is usually a large, open structure with a raised concrete floor, and a roof supported by pillars. Some bale banjars is equipped with a stage for performances. Some are large and fancy decorated with carved stone, other are modest but functional. Some bale banjar have conical roofs but most bale banjar in urban area has flat concrete roof that be used as additional space for various activities. The bale banjar normally has a kitchen, where the food is cooked for large feast. There may be a storage room for dance costumes or musical instruments.
The bale banjar always has a signal drum (kulkul) tower; it may be a tower on the bale banjar or in separate structure; it is the used to summon members for various purposes depends on the cadences and rhythms that are beaten out on the drum. The bale banjar also has a temple, it is usually with two or three shrines dedicated to the God and Bhagawan Penyarikan, the secretary of God and the deities of the community welfare.
The bale banjar is easy to recognize; it is usually the biggest structure in the neighborhood; a white board with the name of the banjar written on it is erected in front of the bale banjar, minimize the effort needed to recognize it.
Read more...
In Good Hands at the Bali International Triathlon
Bali's Best Massage Practitioners to Provide Complimentary Massages at Finish Line of Bali International Triathlon.
The participants traveling from around the world to participate in the inaugural Bali International Triathlon 2007 have a special treat in store for them when they cross the finish line on Jimbaran beach on June 24, 2007.
Talented masseurs from Bali's internationally renowned massage center - Jari Menari will be on duty providing brief revitalizing massages at a special pavilion near the finish line. "Jari Menari" translates from the Indonesian to "Dancing Fingers," an apt name for the wonderful range of therapies offered by this leading Bali company. Practitioners from "Jari Menari" are trained to let rhythm, flow, and long connective strokes guide the inspiring sessions The mostly male staff is known for massage sessions that offer strong, firm, consistent pressure – and their guests become instant converts to the many therapeutic benefits of massage and frequent visitors.
Harper's Bazaar has labeled Jari Menari home of Bali's Best Male Massage while Vogue place a visit there as one of the things to be included on a "must do" list during a visit to Bali.
Soothing to tired bones and muscle, Jari Menari is also calming to the mind and eye. The Spa on the main road in Seminyak has a zen-like Japanese design engineered by Guy Morgan of GKA Associates which emphasizes simple lines, clean uncluttered spaces, natural light and the sound of falling water.
The inspiration and vision of its founder, Susan Stein, Jari Menari arrived in Bali in 1996 incorporating her professional expertise in a wide range of massage disciplines. Now, nearly 12 years later, Jari Menari consults and trains massage practitioners for a world-wide base of clients.
Jari Menari at the Bali Triathlon
Working from the massage tents at "race central" from early morning on Sunday, June 24th until the close of festivities in the early afternoon, the Jari Menari team will be offering short massages free-of-charge to racers on a space-available basis. Starting from just before 8:00 a.m. – race central will also be home to musical performances, free Häagen-Dazs ice cream, food and beverage tents and tents operated by local companies and organizations.
Join the fun on race day Sunday, June 24, 2007 at the Coconut Grove, adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Races will begin gathering from 7:00 a.m. for the race's start at 8:00 a.m.
Read more...
The participants traveling from around the world to participate in the inaugural Bali International Triathlon 2007 have a special treat in store for them when they cross the finish line on Jimbaran beach on June 24, 2007.
Talented masseurs from Bali's internationally renowned massage center - Jari Menari will be on duty providing brief revitalizing massages at a special pavilion near the finish line. "Jari Menari" translates from the Indonesian to "Dancing Fingers," an apt name for the wonderful range of therapies offered by this leading Bali company. Practitioners from "Jari Menari" are trained to let rhythm, flow, and long connective strokes guide the inspiring sessions The mostly male staff is known for massage sessions that offer strong, firm, consistent pressure – and their guests become instant converts to the many therapeutic benefits of massage and frequent visitors.
Harper's Bazaar has labeled Jari Menari home of Bali's Best Male Massage while Vogue place a visit there as one of the things to be included on a "must do" list during a visit to Bali.
Soothing to tired bones and muscle, Jari Menari is also calming to the mind and eye. The Spa on the main road in Seminyak has a zen-like Japanese design engineered by Guy Morgan of GKA Associates which emphasizes simple lines, clean uncluttered spaces, natural light and the sound of falling water.
The inspiration and vision of its founder, Susan Stein, Jari Menari arrived in Bali in 1996 incorporating her professional expertise in a wide range of massage disciplines. Now, nearly 12 years later, Jari Menari consults and trains massage practitioners for a world-wide base of clients.
Jari Menari at the Bali Triathlon
Working from the massage tents at "race central" from early morning on Sunday, June 24th until the close of festivities in the early afternoon, the Jari Menari team will be offering short massages free-of-charge to racers on a space-available basis. Starting from just before 8:00 a.m. – race central will also be home to musical performances, free Häagen-Dazs ice cream, food and beverage tents and tents operated by local companies and organizations.
Join the fun on race day Sunday, June 24, 2007 at the Coconut Grove, adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Races will begin gathering from 7:00 a.m. for the race's start at 8:00 a.m.
Read more...
We Must Go Down to the Sea Again
Balinese Gather on West Bali's Shoreline to Pray for Cleaner Oceans and Healthier Coral Reefs.
Bali found its own unique way of joining the rest of mankind in celebrating World Environment Day 2007 on June 5th. Tempo Interaktif reports that the residents of West Bali gathered on the beaches near Menjangan Island to participate in a ritualized cleaning of the sea. The devotees, members of the Communication Forum for People Concerned with Coastal Areas (FKMPP), gathered to pray at the shore and toss floral offerings into the surf.
"This was a spiritual complement to efforts to clean our shores and coral reefs, especially from the threat posed by Crown of Thorn Starfish (Acanthaster plancii)," explained the Chairman of FKMPP, Misnawiyanto.
According to members of the Forum, Bali's protective reefs are being damaged by coral bleaching and the over-population of Crown of Thorn Starfish. The FKMPP blames the rapid rise in the destructive Crown of Thorn Starfish population on climate change which has created conditions favorable to the species' proliferation.
The ceremony in West Bali on June 5th was a joint effort of the FKMPP, the West Bali National Park and area dive operators.
World Environment Day
Celebrated every June 5th, World Environment Day is a major vehicle used by the United Nations to raise awareness on environmental issues and galvanize political attention.
The theme for 2007 World Environment Day adopted by the United Nations was "Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?"
Read more...
Bali found its own unique way of joining the rest of mankind in celebrating World Environment Day 2007 on June 5th. Tempo Interaktif reports that the residents of West Bali gathered on the beaches near Menjangan Island to participate in a ritualized cleaning of the sea. The devotees, members of the Communication Forum for People Concerned with Coastal Areas (FKMPP), gathered to pray at the shore and toss floral offerings into the surf.
"This was a spiritual complement to efforts to clean our shores and coral reefs, especially from the threat posed by Crown of Thorn Starfish (Acanthaster plancii)," explained the Chairman of FKMPP, Misnawiyanto.
According to members of the Forum, Bali's protective reefs are being damaged by coral bleaching and the over-population of Crown of Thorn Starfish. The FKMPP blames the rapid rise in the destructive Crown of Thorn Starfish population on climate change which has created conditions favorable to the species' proliferation.
The ceremony in West Bali on June 5th was a joint effort of the FKMPP, the West Bali National Park and area dive operators.
World Environment Day
Celebrated every June 5th, World Environment Day is a major vehicle used by the United Nations to raise awareness on environmental issues and galvanize political attention.
The theme for 2007 World Environment Day adopted by the United Nations was "Melting Ice – a Hot Topic?"
Read more...
Moonlighting in Bali
Spend the Next Full Moon Night Dining in Style Over a Balinese River Valley in Ubud.
The full moon each month is a special and very spiritual time in Bali. Traditionally dressed Balinese fill village streets as they carry colorful offerings to local temple ceremonies and the ubiquitous odalan birthday celebrations cum-night-markets at nearby temples.
Situated on the steep banks of the sacred Petanu River, The Viceroy Bali is world-renowned for its luxurious accommodation and the outstanding dining experience on offer at its CasCades restaurant, operated under the meticulous supervision of master-chef Belgian Jean-Francois Brouck and sommelier Harald Wiesmann.
CasCades' Chef, Jean-Francois has his own take on how to create a new level of "perfect dining." According to the talented Chef: "I intend to keep the French base but add a small Asian twist to the menu. I love the idea of adding influences from Japanese, Thai and Balinese cooking."
A man who keeps his word, Chef Brouck is managing to earn lavish praise for his culinary skill, including an award for excellence from the Wine Spectator Magazine (U.S.A.).
Full Moon Nights at CasCades
To share the magical and very spiritual ambience of Bulan Purnama or full moon in Bali, The Viceroy is opening its doors for a special dinner and dance each month on the rising of the full moon. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a 2-hour dance performance by a troupe of outstanding Balinese dancers in combination with an outstanding A La Carte Menu or a Balinese Set Menu priced at Rp. 360,000 ++ (approximately US$49).
Limited seating is also available at The Viceroy Bar for those who want to merely enjoy drinks, watch the dances and contemplate the full moon suspended over the Petanut river valley.
Full Moon Dates
Full Moon nights in Bali will be celebrated through the end of 2007 on the following dates:
• June 29. 2007
• July 29, 2007
• August 27, 2007
• September 26, 2007
• October 25, 2007
• November 24, 2007
• December 24, 2007.
Read more...
The full moon each month is a special and very spiritual time in Bali. Traditionally dressed Balinese fill village streets as they carry colorful offerings to local temple ceremonies and the ubiquitous odalan birthday celebrations cum-night-markets at nearby temples.
Situated on the steep banks of the sacred Petanu River, The Viceroy Bali is world-renowned for its luxurious accommodation and the outstanding dining experience on offer at its CasCades restaurant, operated under the meticulous supervision of master-chef Belgian Jean-Francois Brouck and sommelier Harald Wiesmann.
CasCades' Chef, Jean-Francois has his own take on how to create a new level of "perfect dining." According to the talented Chef: "I intend to keep the French base but add a small Asian twist to the menu. I love the idea of adding influences from Japanese, Thai and Balinese cooking."
A man who keeps his word, Chef Brouck is managing to earn lavish praise for his culinary skill, including an award for excellence from the Wine Spectator Magazine (U.S.A.).
Full Moon Nights at CasCades
To share the magical and very spiritual ambience of Bulan Purnama or full moon in Bali, The Viceroy is opening its doors for a special dinner and dance each month on the rising of the full moon. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a 2-hour dance performance by a troupe of outstanding Balinese dancers in combination with an outstanding A La Carte Menu or a Balinese Set Menu priced at Rp. 360,000 ++ (approximately US$49).
Limited seating is also available at The Viceroy Bar for those who want to merely enjoy drinks, watch the dances and contemplate the full moon suspended over the Petanut river valley.
Full Moon Dates
Full Moon nights in Bali will be celebrated through the end of 2007 on the following dates:
• June 29. 2007
• July 29, 2007
• August 27, 2007
• September 26, 2007
• October 25, 2007
• November 24, 2007
• December 24, 2007.
Read more...
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Shopping
Bali is the place to practise your bargaining skills. Unless the product is price-tagged, bargaining is the norm. It will prove to be an exciting venture if this is your first time while the experts will find it exhilarating, especially when a good deal was struck. Many come to Bali with a 'shop till you drop' attitude, so you would probably end up buying a few things anyhow.
There are numerous western-style department stores and shopping centers in Denpasar, Kuta-Legian, Sanur and Nusa Dua that offer a range of clothing, shoes, leather goods, sports gear, and toys. The service is generally good, and the low value of the rupiah ensures excellent prices. Balinese arts and crafts are the most popular purchases but you can also get value-for-money goods such as clothing, music, musical instruments and watches.
Bedugul
This is known as a farming area and is a great place to buy the choicest fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Celuk
The home of silver and gold artisans, Celuk presents huge stores that house a wide variety of all types of intricately designed pieces. The silver filigree work is quite unbelievable but bargaining is a must.
Denpasar
The capital of Bali is not exactly a tourist area but there are a few main areas worth checking out. The Kumbasari market near the river gives an interesting overview of Indonesian markets with household wares and clothing on the third level, spices and goods on the second level, and a traditional market in the basement. Nearby is Jalan Hasanudin, a whole street of gold shops selling 18 to 22 carat gold jewellery. Not far is Jalan Sulawesi where all manner of fabrics are available. The entire street has fabric stores on both sides with a few household ware shops in between. If handicrafts are your aim, then move along to Jalan Gajah Mada where items similar to those sold in Kuta are found, but without the presence of hawkers. It is a good idea to visit the government-run handicraft center in Tohpati, Sanggraha Kriya Asti, which offers a range of handicrafts at fixed prices. You can also shop at department stores such as Matahari, Libi, MA, Tiara Dewata, Tragia, or Ramayana.
Duty Free Shopping
Plaza Bali and DFS have duty free shopping outlets in Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and the airport in Bali. A wide range of designer label boutiques can be found but bear in mind that some products in Indonesia do not have high duties, such as cigarettes.
Gianyar
Located in eastern Bali, Gianyar is a major textile center with a number of factories where you can witness sarongs being woven. You can buy directly from the factories but prices are usually inflated during tourist seasons.
Kuta/Legian/Seminyak
The main road in Kuta boasts of a multitude of shops and restaurants on each side, selling a variety of goods including swim wear, sarongs, handicrafts, cassettes, CDs, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and leather goods. You will also be thronged by street hawkers with their wares, but if uninterested, do not make eye contact. The upper end of Jalan Legian from Seminyak to Krobokan has somehow transformed into an enclave of boutiques, which specialize in fashion, interior decoration, furniture, and a few interesting delis.
Klunkung
Klungkung is home to some of the oldest antique stores in Bali. There are krises, songket sarongs, and good quality 22-carat gold jewelry in Balinese designs to be bought. A busy traditional market is also situated in Klungkung.
Kamasan
Traditional Balinese 'Kamasan' paintings are found here. These paintings use a special technique where black ink is first used to outline the subject and then subsequently colored in with natural pigments. Eggs, banners, bags, hats and other goods are decorated with this unique painting style. The Kerta Gosa or Hall of Justice features impressive displays of Kamasan paintings.
Nusa Dua
At the entrance to Nusa Dua, there is a small market in which you can still strike some bargains. Outside the gates is Tragia Supermarket and department stores, while a few leather and tailor shops sit around the vicinity. The Galleria, the main shopping complex, has a good selection of restaurants and stores that sell high quality items at fixed prices. The Kris Gallery is worth checking out for unique paraphernalia.
Sanur
The major shopping street in Sanur is Jalan Danau Tamblingan and it is clearly more peaceful than shopping in Kuta. Hawkers are present but not as aggressive, except at the beach market. There are interesting shops and restaurants in Sanur and an Art Market to appease those in search of art pieces and souvenirs.
Sukawati
Sukawati offers a new art market and a traditional market on the main road and side streets that sell a large assortment of woven baskets and Balinese ceremonial items in prada (gold-leaf decorated cloth), which include dance costumes, fans, umbrellas, clothes worn during tooth-filing ceremonies, and weddings.
Tegalalang
A woodcarvers' haven, this village and surrounding villages specialize in the art of carving softwood figures. Subjects featured are usually brightly painted flowers, frogs, fruits and animals.
Read more...
There are numerous western-style department stores and shopping centers in Denpasar, Kuta-Legian, Sanur and Nusa Dua that offer a range of clothing, shoes, leather goods, sports gear, and toys. The service is generally good, and the low value of the rupiah ensures excellent prices. Balinese arts and crafts are the most popular purchases but you can also get value-for-money goods such as clothing, music, musical instruments and watches.
Bedugul
This is known as a farming area and is a great place to buy the choicest fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Celuk
The home of silver and gold artisans, Celuk presents huge stores that house a wide variety of all types of intricately designed pieces. The silver filigree work is quite unbelievable but bargaining is a must.
Denpasar
The capital of Bali is not exactly a tourist area but there are a few main areas worth checking out. The Kumbasari market near the river gives an interesting overview of Indonesian markets with household wares and clothing on the third level, spices and goods on the second level, and a traditional market in the basement. Nearby is Jalan Hasanudin, a whole street of gold shops selling 18 to 22 carat gold jewellery. Not far is Jalan Sulawesi where all manner of fabrics are available. The entire street has fabric stores on both sides with a few household ware shops in between. If handicrafts are your aim, then move along to Jalan Gajah Mada where items similar to those sold in Kuta are found, but without the presence of hawkers. It is a good idea to visit the government-run handicraft center in Tohpati, Sanggraha Kriya Asti, which offers a range of handicrafts at fixed prices. You can also shop at department stores such as Matahari, Libi, MA, Tiara Dewata, Tragia, or Ramayana.
Duty Free Shopping
Plaza Bali and DFS have duty free shopping outlets in Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and the airport in Bali. A wide range of designer label boutiques can be found but bear in mind that some products in Indonesia do not have high duties, such as cigarettes.
Gianyar
Located in eastern Bali, Gianyar is a major textile center with a number of factories where you can witness sarongs being woven. You can buy directly from the factories but prices are usually inflated during tourist seasons.
Kuta/Legian/Seminyak
The main road in Kuta boasts of a multitude of shops and restaurants on each side, selling a variety of goods including swim wear, sarongs, handicrafts, cassettes, CDs, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and leather goods. You will also be thronged by street hawkers with their wares, but if uninterested, do not make eye contact. The upper end of Jalan Legian from Seminyak to Krobokan has somehow transformed into an enclave of boutiques, which specialize in fashion, interior decoration, furniture, and a few interesting delis.
Klunkung
Klungkung is home to some of the oldest antique stores in Bali. There are krises, songket sarongs, and good quality 22-carat gold jewelry in Balinese designs to be bought. A busy traditional market is also situated in Klungkung.
Kamasan
Traditional Balinese 'Kamasan' paintings are found here. These paintings use a special technique where black ink is first used to outline the subject and then subsequently colored in with natural pigments. Eggs, banners, bags, hats and other goods are decorated with this unique painting style. The Kerta Gosa or Hall of Justice features impressive displays of Kamasan paintings.
Nusa Dua
At the entrance to Nusa Dua, there is a small market in which you can still strike some bargains. Outside the gates is Tragia Supermarket and department stores, while a few leather and tailor shops sit around the vicinity. The Galleria, the main shopping complex, has a good selection of restaurants and stores that sell high quality items at fixed prices. The Kris Gallery is worth checking out for unique paraphernalia.
Sanur
The major shopping street in Sanur is Jalan Danau Tamblingan and it is clearly more peaceful than shopping in Kuta. Hawkers are present but not as aggressive, except at the beach market. There are interesting shops and restaurants in Sanur and an Art Market to appease those in search of art pieces and souvenirs.
Sukawati
Sukawati offers a new art market and a traditional market on the main road and side streets that sell a large assortment of woven baskets and Balinese ceremonial items in prada (gold-leaf decorated cloth), which include dance costumes, fans, umbrellas, clothes worn during tooth-filing ceremonies, and weddings.
Tegalalang
A woodcarvers' haven, this village and surrounding villages specialize in the art of carving softwood figures. Subjects featured are usually brightly painted flowers, frogs, fruits and animals.
Read more...
Popular Places
As Bali is a small island, there is nowhere that cannot be reached in a single day. You do not really need a fixed itinerary but only a general plan of places to visit and stay. Almost the entire island is ready and waiting for visitors from around the world, so it is better to be mobile, travel light, have a comfortable pair of shoes, and carry a positive attitude!
Bali is gentle and kind to the inexperienced traveler. Most of the local people have at least a limited knowledge of English, low cost accommodation is plentiful, transport is usually reliable, a wide choice of food awaits you, and there is safe drinking water.
Denpasar
The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has countless community temples called Pura and one of them is Pura Jaganatha, which is dedicated to the Supreme God Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons is prevalent in all temples as it signifies the foundation of the world. Pura Jaganatha offers a fine array of prehistoric and modern art, while its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government-supervised Sanggraha Kriya Hasta has a wide display of handicraft and works of art. Between June and July is the Werdi Budaya, an annual art festival with performances, exhibitions, and art contests.
Sanur
Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south and faces the Indian Ocean to the east. On this beach, you will discover many wonderful hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities. Sanur is only a short distance from public transportation accesses in Denpasar, and trips to and from the city are available well into the night. Offshore reefs protect the beach from waves and it is thus a great site for windsurfing, boating, and various types of water-sports. Sanur is also famous for its black and white sorcery practices.
Kuta
Once a lonely village and the entry point to southern Bali since the 18th Century, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort especially for the young and young at heart. A favorite beach for surfers, it is less suitable for swimming due to strong currents; however, there are coast guards constantly on duty during the day. Kuta is one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia and accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular Balinese musical and dance performances here than anywhere else in Bali. This would be the ideal place to mingle with other people, locals as well as visitors abroad.
Nusa Dua
One of the most recent tourist centers, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels. This resort is known for its clean, white beaches and pristine waters. Nusa Dua differs from Bukit Peninsula despite being a part of it. It is sheltered by coral reefs, which makes it an ideal family beach.
Batubulan
Northeast of Denpasar, stone figures along the road mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from soapstone to decorate homes and temples. However, soapstone has a porous nature and the harsh weather of the tropics wears it down, thus renewal is necessary every other century. One is able to watch the carvers perform their skills at roadside 'factories'. Apart from stone carving, Batubulan is also known for its daily performances of the barong dance on a purpose-built stage near Pura Puseh.
Batuan
The old and famous center of the arts, it is noted for its dances, wood panel carving, and half-wayang, half-naturalistic paintings.
Celuk
A name synonymous with silver and goldsmiths, Celuk's art shops beckon visitors to sterling silver and gold butterfly brooches, garnet-studded bracelets, earrings and ear-clips of all designs. The bigger showrooms are on the main road and have marked prices that are quite high although negotiations are possible. Craftsmen use a tree stump with a protruding metal spike for an anvil, a bamboo stem to catch the filings, and a manually operated pump for heat.
Mas
Although Mas literally means 'gold', this village does not specialize in gold jewelry but in woodcarving. The Tilem Art Gallery is a fine place to view the highest quality woodcarvings, all sold at the most exorbitant prices. Carving was a traditional art for the priestly Brahman caste and the skills are believed to have been a gift from the gods. The inhabitants of Mas are also primarily Brahmans and trace their roots back to Danghyang Nirartha, the great Brahman sage.
Ubud
Renowned as the center for the arts, Ubud has been attracting and cultivating artistic talent since it became the seat of the aristocratic family in the late 19th century. Western artists and intellectuals who visited the area in the 1930s provided an enormous stimulus to local art, introduced new ideas and techniques, and began a process a of displaying and promoting Balinese culture worldwide. Ubud is charming not because of its beaches or bars, but for its art, music, architecture, and dance. Even having gone through tremendous development, Ubud is still pretty and relaxed, especially if you're staying in a secluded family compound or eating at one of the pleasant open-air restaurants. It is one of those destinations where people plan to stay a couple of days but extend it to a couple of weeks.
Goa Gajah
The 'elephant cave' harbors no elephants but a great number of stalls, selling and flogging cheap items to tourists. This cave was excavated in the 11th century, and its entrance is a monstrous head with gaping mouth and hands that appear to be pushing the entrance apart. It was believed to have been built as a temple but the sleeping niches and Buddhist ruins just outside the cave suggest otherwise. Within the cave at the end of the T-shaped passage is a four-armed statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. At the opposite end sits a set of three lingga, or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. To the side of the cave's entrance is a 1,000-year-old statue of Hariti, a Buddhist demoness cum goddess. She used to devour children but reformed to become a devout Buddhist and protector of children. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding waterspouts.
Tampak Siring
The sacred spring of Tirta Empul is situated here and revered by all Balinese. It is said that the god Indra created the spring when he pierced the earth to build the amerta, the elixir of immortality. The water is used by the Balinese for its curative powers for good health and prosperity. Regular ceremonies are held for purification, especially pregnant women and those who have survived a long illness.
Klungkung
The former seat of the Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from where Balinese royalty draws its bloodline, Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of Justice, which was built in the 18th century, is well known for its ceiling paintings in the traditional wayang style that portrays the pleasures and rewards in heaven as well as the punishments and sufferings in hell. Within Kerta Gosa is a floating pavilion, garden and lotus pond.
Goa Lawah
Located nine kilometers from Klungkung, Goa Lawah is a cave in which the walls vibrate with thousands of bats. These creatures' bodies are packed so tightly that the upper surface of the cave resembles undulating mud. A temple, which is believed to have been founded by a sage nine centuries ago, guards the entrance to this cave. This temple is said to extend all the way back to Pura Besakih and may continue to an underground river that comes up at Pura Goa, which is within the Besakih complex. Naga Basuki, the mythological gigantic snake, is believed to live in this cave.
Besakih
Known as the 'Mother Temple of Bali', Pura Besakih is the biggest and holiest temple in Bali and is perched nearly 1,000m up the side of Gunung Agung. It is extremely enjoyable during festivals when the temple is decorated with colorful banners and the devotees come dressed in their finest, carrying meticulously arranged offerings. The destructive eruption of the volcanic Gunung Agung was said to be the wrath of the gods, having been offended by the Balinese who thought that the ceremony was supposed to be held every 100 years. The miscalculation by the priests had infuriated the gods and caused the destruction. Now, the festival is held more frequently instead of waiting for another century.
Menjangan Island
This little island off Bali's west coast is famous for its dazzling coral reefs and wealth of tropical fish inhabiting the waters. Scuba diving can be arranged and is considered the best that can be offered in Bali. Above water, spotting the rare Java deer is a challenge and the island is also a protected sanctuary for the Bali starling.
Sangeh
This island is fabled to be part of the holy Mahameru, whereby Hanuman, the monkey general in the Ramayana, took to crush Rawana, the villainous giant, which fell to the earth. Along with it came a group of monkeys from Hanuman's army, who remained on the island to pester travelers. The forest here is considered sacred and wood is not permitted to be chopped. Such is the legendary origin of the monkey forest of Bukit Sari, a cluster of towering nutmeg trees and home to hundreds of sacred monkeys.
Tanah Lot
One of Bali's most significant and photographed temples is Pura Tanah Lot, which sits on a huge rock just offshore and is surrounded by sea. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali in the 16th century, its rituals include paying homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. In caves surrounding the temple dwell striped sacred snakes, which are believed to be the guardians of the temple and are to be left discreetly undisturbed. Only worshippers are allowed into the temple, but Pura Tanah Lot is indeed a sight to behold at sunset, with its majestic silhouette against the setting sun.
Bedugul
This mountain resort has a fantastic golf course and has long been used as a weekend retreat by the Balinese. Here lies the serene Danau Bratan, a lake often veiled with mist. A temple was built in honor of the goddess of the lake, Dewi Danau. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan rises from the lakeshore promontory and seems to rise from within Danau Bratan itself. The area is excellent for walking, water skiing, and parasailing. Boats are available for rent.
Tenganan
Tenganan is a Bali Aga or original Balinese village. Protected for centuries from the outside world by surrounding walls, the ancient village has maintained its pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of non-fraternization with outsiders. Unique rituals and practices are preserved, and girls as young as two are wrapped in silk and donned with multi-colored scarves and flowered crowns of beaten gold during festivals. The village women weave the famous 'flaming' cloth, kamben gerinsing, which is purported to have the power to immunize the wearer against evil. A single cloth can take five years to complete and a large piece can cost well over a thousand dollars. The Fight of the Pandanus Leaves takes place annually during the Usaba Sambah festival. Two men would fight like gladiators, armed with only a round, plaited shield while attacking each other's bare bodies with bunches of thorny pandanus leaves. After the battles, the wounds are treated with a mixture of turmeric and vinegar, thus leaving no scars.
Werdi Budaya Art Centre
Modern, traditional and contemporary Balinese visual arts can be seen at this spacious complex, which is the largest and most complete art center in a series of cultural centers built throughout the archipelago. Werdi Budaya Art Centre exhibits Bali's numerous visual arts disciplines including painting, woodcarving, shadow puppetry, silverwork, weaving, Barong and Rangda dance costumes, and remarkable ivory carving. Apart from its real cultural function, the complex is a showplace for Balinese Temple and Palace architecture at its most opulent. The grounds are also home to the month-long Pesta Seni or Bali Art Festival, held sometime in June, when traditional music, dance, art exhibitions, cultural competitions, sales of foodstuffs, and local handicrafts highlight the best of Bali's talents.
Read more...
Bali is gentle and kind to the inexperienced traveler. Most of the local people have at least a limited knowledge of English, low cost accommodation is plentiful, transport is usually reliable, a wide choice of food awaits you, and there is safe drinking water.
Denpasar
The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has countless community temples called Pura and one of them is Pura Jaganatha, which is dedicated to the Supreme God Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons is prevalent in all temples as it signifies the foundation of the world. Pura Jaganatha offers a fine array of prehistoric and modern art, while its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government-supervised Sanggraha Kriya Hasta has a wide display of handicraft and works of art. Between June and July is the Werdi Budaya, an annual art festival with performances, exhibitions, and art contests.
Sanur
Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south and faces the Indian Ocean to the east. On this beach, you will discover many wonderful hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities. Sanur is only a short distance from public transportation accesses in Denpasar, and trips to and from the city are available well into the night. Offshore reefs protect the beach from waves and it is thus a great site for windsurfing, boating, and various types of water-sports. Sanur is also famous for its black and white sorcery practices.
Kuta
Once a lonely village and the entry point to southern Bali since the 18th Century, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort especially for the young and young at heart. A favorite beach for surfers, it is less suitable for swimming due to strong currents; however, there are coast guards constantly on duty during the day. Kuta is one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia and accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular Balinese musical and dance performances here than anywhere else in Bali. This would be the ideal place to mingle with other people, locals as well as visitors abroad.
Nusa Dua
One of the most recent tourist centers, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels. This resort is known for its clean, white beaches and pristine waters. Nusa Dua differs from Bukit Peninsula despite being a part of it. It is sheltered by coral reefs, which makes it an ideal family beach.
Batubulan
Northeast of Denpasar, stone figures along the road mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from soapstone to decorate homes and temples. However, soapstone has a porous nature and the harsh weather of the tropics wears it down, thus renewal is necessary every other century. One is able to watch the carvers perform their skills at roadside 'factories'. Apart from stone carving, Batubulan is also known for its daily performances of the barong dance on a purpose-built stage near Pura Puseh.
Batuan
The old and famous center of the arts, it is noted for its dances, wood panel carving, and half-wayang, half-naturalistic paintings.
Celuk
A name synonymous with silver and goldsmiths, Celuk's art shops beckon visitors to sterling silver and gold butterfly brooches, garnet-studded bracelets, earrings and ear-clips of all designs. The bigger showrooms are on the main road and have marked prices that are quite high although negotiations are possible. Craftsmen use a tree stump with a protruding metal spike for an anvil, a bamboo stem to catch the filings, and a manually operated pump for heat.
Mas
Although Mas literally means 'gold', this village does not specialize in gold jewelry but in woodcarving. The Tilem Art Gallery is a fine place to view the highest quality woodcarvings, all sold at the most exorbitant prices. Carving was a traditional art for the priestly Brahman caste and the skills are believed to have been a gift from the gods. The inhabitants of Mas are also primarily Brahmans and trace their roots back to Danghyang Nirartha, the great Brahman sage.
Ubud
Renowned as the center for the arts, Ubud has been attracting and cultivating artistic talent since it became the seat of the aristocratic family in the late 19th century. Western artists and intellectuals who visited the area in the 1930s provided an enormous stimulus to local art, introduced new ideas and techniques, and began a process a of displaying and promoting Balinese culture worldwide. Ubud is charming not because of its beaches or bars, but for its art, music, architecture, and dance. Even having gone through tremendous development, Ubud is still pretty and relaxed, especially if you're staying in a secluded family compound or eating at one of the pleasant open-air restaurants. It is one of those destinations where people plan to stay a couple of days but extend it to a couple of weeks.
Goa Gajah
The 'elephant cave' harbors no elephants but a great number of stalls, selling and flogging cheap items to tourists. This cave was excavated in the 11th century, and its entrance is a monstrous head with gaping mouth and hands that appear to be pushing the entrance apart. It was believed to have been built as a temple but the sleeping niches and Buddhist ruins just outside the cave suggest otherwise. Within the cave at the end of the T-shaped passage is a four-armed statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. At the opposite end sits a set of three lingga, or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. To the side of the cave's entrance is a 1,000-year-old statue of Hariti, a Buddhist demoness cum goddess. She used to devour children but reformed to become a devout Buddhist and protector of children. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding waterspouts.
Tampak Siring
The sacred spring of Tirta Empul is situated here and revered by all Balinese. It is said that the god Indra created the spring when he pierced the earth to build the amerta, the elixir of immortality. The water is used by the Balinese for its curative powers for good health and prosperity. Regular ceremonies are held for purification, especially pregnant women and those who have survived a long illness.
Klungkung
The former seat of the Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from where Balinese royalty draws its bloodline, Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of Justice, which was built in the 18th century, is well known for its ceiling paintings in the traditional wayang style that portrays the pleasures and rewards in heaven as well as the punishments and sufferings in hell. Within Kerta Gosa is a floating pavilion, garden and lotus pond.
Goa Lawah
Located nine kilometers from Klungkung, Goa Lawah is a cave in which the walls vibrate with thousands of bats. These creatures' bodies are packed so tightly that the upper surface of the cave resembles undulating mud. A temple, which is believed to have been founded by a sage nine centuries ago, guards the entrance to this cave. This temple is said to extend all the way back to Pura Besakih and may continue to an underground river that comes up at Pura Goa, which is within the Besakih complex. Naga Basuki, the mythological gigantic snake, is believed to live in this cave.
Besakih
Known as the 'Mother Temple of Bali', Pura Besakih is the biggest and holiest temple in Bali and is perched nearly 1,000m up the side of Gunung Agung. It is extremely enjoyable during festivals when the temple is decorated with colorful banners and the devotees come dressed in their finest, carrying meticulously arranged offerings. The destructive eruption of the volcanic Gunung Agung was said to be the wrath of the gods, having been offended by the Balinese who thought that the ceremony was supposed to be held every 100 years. The miscalculation by the priests had infuriated the gods and caused the destruction. Now, the festival is held more frequently instead of waiting for another century.
Menjangan Island
This little island off Bali's west coast is famous for its dazzling coral reefs and wealth of tropical fish inhabiting the waters. Scuba diving can be arranged and is considered the best that can be offered in Bali. Above water, spotting the rare Java deer is a challenge and the island is also a protected sanctuary for the Bali starling.
Sangeh
This island is fabled to be part of the holy Mahameru, whereby Hanuman, the monkey general in the Ramayana, took to crush Rawana, the villainous giant, which fell to the earth. Along with it came a group of monkeys from Hanuman's army, who remained on the island to pester travelers. The forest here is considered sacred and wood is not permitted to be chopped. Such is the legendary origin of the monkey forest of Bukit Sari, a cluster of towering nutmeg trees and home to hundreds of sacred monkeys.
Tanah Lot
One of Bali's most significant and photographed temples is Pura Tanah Lot, which sits on a huge rock just offshore and is surrounded by sea. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali in the 16th century, its rituals include paying homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. In caves surrounding the temple dwell striped sacred snakes, which are believed to be the guardians of the temple and are to be left discreetly undisturbed. Only worshippers are allowed into the temple, but Pura Tanah Lot is indeed a sight to behold at sunset, with its majestic silhouette against the setting sun.
Bedugul
This mountain resort has a fantastic golf course and has long been used as a weekend retreat by the Balinese. Here lies the serene Danau Bratan, a lake often veiled with mist. A temple was built in honor of the goddess of the lake, Dewi Danau. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan rises from the lakeshore promontory and seems to rise from within Danau Bratan itself. The area is excellent for walking, water skiing, and parasailing. Boats are available for rent.
Tenganan
Tenganan is a Bali Aga or original Balinese village. Protected for centuries from the outside world by surrounding walls, the ancient village has maintained its pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of non-fraternization with outsiders. Unique rituals and practices are preserved, and girls as young as two are wrapped in silk and donned with multi-colored scarves and flowered crowns of beaten gold during festivals. The village women weave the famous 'flaming' cloth, kamben gerinsing, which is purported to have the power to immunize the wearer against evil. A single cloth can take five years to complete and a large piece can cost well over a thousand dollars. The Fight of the Pandanus Leaves takes place annually during the Usaba Sambah festival. Two men would fight like gladiators, armed with only a round, plaited shield while attacking each other's bare bodies with bunches of thorny pandanus leaves. After the battles, the wounds are treated with a mixture of turmeric and vinegar, thus leaving no scars.
Werdi Budaya Art Centre
Modern, traditional and contemporary Balinese visual arts can be seen at this spacious complex, which is the largest and most complete art center in a series of cultural centers built throughout the archipelago. Werdi Budaya Art Centre exhibits Bali's numerous visual arts disciplines including painting, woodcarving, shadow puppetry, silverwork, weaving, Barong and Rangda dance costumes, and remarkable ivory carving. Apart from its real cultural function, the complex is a showplace for Balinese Temple and Palace architecture at its most opulent. The grounds are also home to the month-long Pesta Seni or Bali Art Festival, held sometime in June, when traditional music, dance, art exhibitions, cultural competitions, sales of foodstuffs, and local handicrafts highlight the best of Bali's talents.
Read more...
Special Interests
Surfing
Bali is well-known as a paradise island located at the Pacific Ocean and is a perfect holiday destination for all ages. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island, whilst the eastern part of Bali is a wonderful haven for families, surrounded by picturesque beaches and gentle seas.
If you have always had a secret inclination to surf, here is your chance. Experience the thrill of surfing with qualified professional instructors on Bali's Kuta beach. The long, rolling waves and safe sandy bottom make Kuta beach a renowned surfing venue. Beginners will usually be given a two-hour group lesson in the swimming pool. Here you will be taught the basics of water safety, surfing etiquette and surfboard handling. After that, the lesson adjourns to the beach where another team of coaches will show you the finer points of surfing.
Skydiving
One of the fastest growing high adventure sports is skydiving. Rapidly gaining popularity in Bali, tandem skydiving is available to give you the adventure of a lifetime at 10,000 feet above ground. You will first be given a 30-minute introduction to the sport and a briefing on safety. Next, you will be fitted into a harness before boarding the aircraft. The plane will take about 20 minutes to climb to the required height whereby at this point you should be securely attached to the harness of your instructor. At the right moment, the Tandem Master will signal you to jump out of the aircraft and you will instantly be hit by the thrilling sensation of free-falling! When you've reached 4,000 feet, the Tandem Master will pull the rip cord to open the main parachute, pulling you up from an amazing 180 km per hour to a steady 20 km per hour. You will get to see Bali at an unbelievable bird's eye view. The instructor will then regain control at about 500 feet above ground for a smoother landing. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience.
Elephant Safari Park
Do not leave Bali without visiting the Elephant Safari Park, which is situated in the cool jungle of Desa Taro, 20 minutes north from Ubud. This nature park offers you the priceless chance to feed, touch, and interact with these wonderful creatures that are set in an exotic, landscaped environment. Elephants can be seen immersing themselves in the cool waters of the park or grazing peacefully. Elephant Safari ride tours are also available where you will sit atop an elephant in a traditional teak wood chair, while swaying through the refreshing jungle of Desa Taro.
Bali Bird Park
Bird-watching enthusiasts, good news for you! You will be able to catch sight of the world's rarest and most captivating feathered friends at Bali's Bird Park. Hundreds of species dwell within this scenic and fascinating park, enthralling you with their brilliant colors and rarity. Indonesian parrots, cassowaries, black palm cockatoos, hornbills, and an impressive collection of Birds of Paradise will delight you. Apart from these exciting creatures, the extraordinary komodo dragons also make their home here. Set in magnificent botanical gardens with a backdrop of ponds and waterfalls, the Bali Bird Park is the perfect environment to enjoy the glorious myriad of birdlife as well as nature.
Jungle Trekking
Explore and discover Bali's glorious flora and fauna via the nature reserve of Mount Batukaru in an 'off-beaten' track adventure that will lead you into the cool surroundings of a tropical rainforest. You will be introduced to the hidden world of Bali's wildlife and native plants, as you pass by ancient strangler trees, ferns, wild orchids and hanging lianas - the home of many species of tropical birds and animals. Stop awhile for a reviving picnic lunch by a clear mountain stream and savor the crisp mountain air before continuing your journey to the archaic temple of Batukaru.
Rice Paddy Trek
Follow the farmers' tracks through Carang Sari's emerald-green paddy fields to catch a piece of traditional rural life that has remained unchanged for a thousand years. Skirting the Ayung River valley, you will have the chance to observe the timeless routine of plowing, planting and harvesting using hand-crafted tools and primitive techniques. Do not forget to visit village temples, coconut, mango and jackfruit plantations, all set in a background of unspoiled Balinese countryside.
Read more...
Bali is well-known as a paradise island located at the Pacific Ocean and is a perfect holiday destination for all ages. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island, whilst the eastern part of Bali is a wonderful haven for families, surrounded by picturesque beaches and gentle seas.
If you have always had a secret inclination to surf, here is your chance. Experience the thrill of surfing with qualified professional instructors on Bali's Kuta beach. The long, rolling waves and safe sandy bottom make Kuta beach a renowned surfing venue. Beginners will usually be given a two-hour group lesson in the swimming pool. Here you will be taught the basics of water safety, surfing etiquette and surfboard handling. After that, the lesson adjourns to the beach where another team of coaches will show you the finer points of surfing.
Skydiving
One of the fastest growing high adventure sports is skydiving. Rapidly gaining popularity in Bali, tandem skydiving is available to give you the adventure of a lifetime at 10,000 feet above ground. You will first be given a 30-minute introduction to the sport and a briefing on safety. Next, you will be fitted into a harness before boarding the aircraft. The plane will take about 20 minutes to climb to the required height whereby at this point you should be securely attached to the harness of your instructor. At the right moment, the Tandem Master will signal you to jump out of the aircraft and you will instantly be hit by the thrilling sensation of free-falling! When you've reached 4,000 feet, the Tandem Master will pull the rip cord to open the main parachute, pulling you up from an amazing 180 km per hour to a steady 20 km per hour. You will get to see Bali at an unbelievable bird's eye view. The instructor will then regain control at about 500 feet above ground for a smoother landing. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience.
Elephant Safari Park
Do not leave Bali without visiting the Elephant Safari Park, which is situated in the cool jungle of Desa Taro, 20 minutes north from Ubud. This nature park offers you the priceless chance to feed, touch, and interact with these wonderful creatures that are set in an exotic, landscaped environment. Elephants can be seen immersing themselves in the cool waters of the park or grazing peacefully. Elephant Safari ride tours are also available where you will sit atop an elephant in a traditional teak wood chair, while swaying through the refreshing jungle of Desa Taro.
Bali Bird Park
Bird-watching enthusiasts, good news for you! You will be able to catch sight of the world's rarest and most captivating feathered friends at Bali's Bird Park. Hundreds of species dwell within this scenic and fascinating park, enthralling you with their brilliant colors and rarity. Indonesian parrots, cassowaries, black palm cockatoos, hornbills, and an impressive collection of Birds of Paradise will delight you. Apart from these exciting creatures, the extraordinary komodo dragons also make their home here. Set in magnificent botanical gardens with a backdrop of ponds and waterfalls, the Bali Bird Park is the perfect environment to enjoy the glorious myriad of birdlife as well as nature.
Jungle Trekking
Explore and discover Bali's glorious flora and fauna via the nature reserve of Mount Batukaru in an 'off-beaten' track adventure that will lead you into the cool surroundings of a tropical rainforest. You will be introduced to the hidden world of Bali's wildlife and native plants, as you pass by ancient strangler trees, ferns, wild orchids and hanging lianas - the home of many species of tropical birds and animals. Stop awhile for a reviving picnic lunch by a clear mountain stream and savor the crisp mountain air before continuing your journey to the archaic temple of Batukaru.
Rice Paddy Trek
Follow the farmers' tracks through Carang Sari's emerald-green paddy fields to catch a piece of traditional rural life that has remained unchanged for a thousand years. Skirting the Ayung River valley, you will have the chance to observe the timeless routine of plowing, planting and harvesting using hand-crafted tools and primitive techniques. Do not forget to visit village temples, coconut, mango and jackfruit plantations, all set in a background of unspoiled Balinese countryside.
Read more...
Temples
In every village in Bali, there are several temples and at least one small one in each home. One can therefore safely say that there are more temples than homes in Bali. Most of these temples are shrines and might not be regarded as actual temples, but the number of walled compounds are believed to reach to a total of 10,000. The word for temple in Bali is pura, which in Sanskrit means 'space surrounded by a wall'. Simple shrines or thrones are found everywhere and at all sorts of unusual places. Although many temples are quiet and uninhabited, they are transformed into colorful, active and ornately decorated places of worship when there is a festival. Offerings would be made, while performances of traditional dances and gamelan, cockfighting and gambling liven up the atmosphere.
All temples derive their orientation from the mountains and the sea. Kaja, which is the direction toward the mountains, is the most significant direction. The direction toward the sea is kelod. Sunrise, or kangin, also plays a major part and most secondary shrines are found in this direction.
Temple Types
There are three basic types of temple in every village. Pura Puseh (temple of origin) remains the most prominent and is reserved for founders of villages. It is always situated at the kaja end of the village. In the middle of the village is the pura desa, which is for the spirits that protect and bless the villagers in their daily lives. At the kelod end of the village is the pura dalem or temple of the dead as well as the graveyard. The pura dalem would have representations of Durga, the dark and terrible side of Shiva's wife, Parvati. Both Shiva and Parvati have a creative and destructive side, and it is their powers of destruction that are honored in the pura dalem.
Since rice is such an important produce in Bali, there are temples dedicated to the spirits of irrigated agriculture. These temples are called pura subak or pura ulun suwi. Apart from these local temples, Bali has a few great temples. There are family temples, clan temples, and village temples in the pura puseh. Then come the temples of royalty or state temples.
Temple Architecture
Balinese houses are often beautiful but will never be lavished with the architectural detail reserved for temples. Most of the decorative features and sculpture associated with Balinese buildings are traditionally present in temples. A typical temple should have the basic elements but larger ones may have a few more courtyards and shrines.
Temple Sculpture and Decoration
Balinese temples feature inextricably bound architecture and sculpture. The gateways are covered with intricate carvings in every square inch. A series of diminishing demons' faces glare from above for protection and it is never completed without a couple of stone statues as guardians.
Levels of decoration vary. Smaller or less important temples may have limited or no sculpture at all. Others may be exuberantly detailed with intricate and interesting designs. Sculpture also deteriorates fairly rapidly, but is usually restored or replaced whenever resources permit.
Temple Etiquette
Dress appropriately before entering any temple. Women should not wear shorts or bare their shoulders. Shoes have to be removed while a traditional adat or sash must be tied around the waist. If the temple requires a sarong to be worn, there is always one for hire around the area. Ladies take note; do not enter the temple if you are menstruating. Anyone with a bleeding cut should also avoid entry because there is a general sanction against blood on holy soil. When taking photographs during temple festivals, do not use the flash, stand directly in front of the priest, or walk in front of the kneeling congregation. Your head must never be higher than the priest's, so do not climb on temple walls to get a better view of the proceedings. You must also not remain standing when people kneel to pray. When in Rome, do as the Romans do - the same rules apply to Bali.
Read more...
All temples derive their orientation from the mountains and the sea. Kaja, which is the direction toward the mountains, is the most significant direction. The direction toward the sea is kelod. Sunrise, or kangin, also plays a major part and most secondary shrines are found in this direction.
Temple Types
There are three basic types of temple in every village. Pura Puseh (temple of origin) remains the most prominent and is reserved for founders of villages. It is always situated at the kaja end of the village. In the middle of the village is the pura desa, which is for the spirits that protect and bless the villagers in their daily lives. At the kelod end of the village is the pura dalem or temple of the dead as well as the graveyard. The pura dalem would have representations of Durga, the dark and terrible side of Shiva's wife, Parvati. Both Shiva and Parvati have a creative and destructive side, and it is their powers of destruction that are honored in the pura dalem.
Since rice is such an important produce in Bali, there are temples dedicated to the spirits of irrigated agriculture. These temples are called pura subak or pura ulun suwi. Apart from these local temples, Bali has a few great temples. There are family temples, clan temples, and village temples in the pura puseh. Then come the temples of royalty or state temples.
Temple Architecture
Balinese houses are often beautiful but will never be lavished with the architectural detail reserved for temples. Most of the decorative features and sculpture associated with Balinese buildings are traditionally present in temples. A typical temple should have the basic elements but larger ones may have a few more courtyards and shrines.
Temple Sculpture and Decoration
Balinese temples feature inextricably bound architecture and sculpture. The gateways are covered with intricate carvings in every square inch. A series of diminishing demons' faces glare from above for protection and it is never completed without a couple of stone statues as guardians.
Levels of decoration vary. Smaller or less important temples may have limited or no sculpture at all. Others may be exuberantly detailed with intricate and interesting designs. Sculpture also deteriorates fairly rapidly, but is usually restored or replaced whenever resources permit.
Temple Etiquette
Dress appropriately before entering any temple. Women should not wear shorts or bare their shoulders. Shoes have to be removed while a traditional adat or sash must be tied around the waist. If the temple requires a sarong to be worn, there is always one for hire around the area. Ladies take note; do not enter the temple if you are menstruating. Anyone with a bleeding cut should also avoid entry because there is a general sanction against blood on holy soil. When taking photographs during temple festivals, do not use the flash, stand directly in front of the priest, or walk in front of the kneeling congregation. Your head must never be higher than the priest's, so do not climb on temple walls to get a better view of the proceedings. You must also not remain standing when people kneel to pray. When in Rome, do as the Romans do - the same rules apply to Bali.
Read more...
Arts and Crafts
The Balinese are surrounded by art throughout their lives as art is omnipresent in Bali. They make art out of the most basic necessities in their daily lives. However, artistic knowledge is not commissioned only to a special intellectual class, but is open to everyone at all levels. Painting, sculpture, carving and music have traditionally been the province of men, while women channeled their creative energy into creating lavish offerings to the gods.
In every festival, you can see spectacular pyramids of flowers, fruit, and cakes up to two meters high, constructed with such love and adoration that it could only be meant for a higher being. Although a religiously regarded practice, Balinese art does not serve religion solely. Bemos, jackets, menus, motorcycles, hotel doorways and other objects are decorated with sacred symbols. They do not view this use as sacrilegious. It is incredible to see so many people in such a small area pour so much energy into creating beautiful things.
Painting
Balinese painting is classified into certain groups and styles, not without some overlaps and a few that do not fit into any of the main styles. First is the Kamasan or classical painting, which is also named the wayang style. This style can be traced back to ninth century Javanese sculpture that features wayang figures, rich floral designs, and flame-and-mountain motifs characteristic of classical Balinese painting. There is also the Pita Maha, which literally means 'great vitality'. This group was formed when painting was dying out as an art form and in a serious decline due to styles becoming stagnant. Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet were western artists who, along with their patron Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, formed the Pita Maha to encourage painting as an art form and seek a market for the best paintings. Other styles include theYoung Artists and variants of the main Kamasan and Young Artists'styles.
Wood Carving
The Balinese sculpture with natural media - wood, stone, bone, horn, deadwood, and even gnarled tree roots. Nowadays, souvenir-caliber wood carving is churned out and successful creations are mass produced. Any visitor to Bali is likely to be exposed to wood carving in all forms, be it the traditional ornate carved doors, the carved figures of gods, or the countless carved items in craft shops.
Wood carving is a craft practiced all over Bali. Open your ears to the tapping sound of the carver's mallet and you would know that there is one around. It would be taxing to separate traditional and foreign influences. However, Balinese are intense observers of the outside world, effortlessly incorporating and adapting foreign themes into their work.
For quality wood carving, head to Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu, which is north of Ubud. It is a great area to meet woodcarvers; it is best to take note of the artist's name and visit him at the workshop to negotiate a better price.
Bali is a perfect place for western artists to study their crafts. There are wood carving lessons in which you can learn to carve your own mask in about three weeks.
Mask Carving
This is a specialized form of wood carving that should only be executed by experts. An extremely high level of skill is required to produce the 30 or 40 masks used in dances. Masks of Barong and Rangda are opulently painted and assembled with real hair, enormous teeth, and bulging eyes. The mask carving center of Bali is Mas and Puaya.
Stone Carving
The technique used in stone carving is very much the same as wood carving since soft volcanic rock is used. Stone carving is relatively unaffected by tourist consumerism as most pieces are too exorbitant to ship. You can vividly see stone carving skills in the distinctive split gates, swirling stone friezes, and absurd and menacing mythological statuary. The centers for stone carving are Kapal and Batubulan.
Jewelry
Bali is also famous for its jewelry, along with Thailand and Mexico, and variations on the same designs are common to all three countries. Balinese jewelry is almost always handmade, thus rarely involving casting techniques or the usage of imported silver. Silver is mined in Bali near Singaraja and used for filigree and other traditional silver work. Members of the royal family adorn themselves with gold and silver headdresses, belts, bracelets, earrings, anklets and necklaces to indicate their high status. Even handles of krises or daggers and umbrella finials would be made of gold. The village of Celuk is known for its rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, and other objects of silver. Kamasan remains the center for traditional gold and silver jewelry.
Balinese are quick to pick up designs introduced by outsiders and will copy things that will sell well. Many imaginative smiths are starting to duplicate designs from magazines or international jewelry designers who have settled in Bali to work.
Textiles
The first kind of textile that you will find in Bali is batik, which is popular among tourists and locals alike. There is every imaginable style and quality that you can chance upon throughout the island, but it is surprising that batik is actually produced in central Java and then shipped to Bali. Bali's own home-produced cloth is a weft ikat called endek. Ikat is made by tying the weft threads of a cloth before it is woven and then dying them so that the tied areas do not absorb the dye. The cloth is then woven and the pattern, created by the tying of the threads, emerges. This cloth is not very popular with visitors but is indispensable to the locals. Authentic ikat is made of silk but cotton and synthetic yarns are also widely used. Also, keep a look out for kain prada, fabrics woven of silk or cotton and decorated with silver or gold threads or gold leaf. These colorful kerchiefs are worn by temple girls during festivals and take three weeks to a month to weave.
Read more...
In every festival, you can see spectacular pyramids of flowers, fruit, and cakes up to two meters high, constructed with such love and adoration that it could only be meant for a higher being. Although a religiously regarded practice, Balinese art does not serve religion solely. Bemos, jackets, menus, motorcycles, hotel doorways and other objects are decorated with sacred symbols. They do not view this use as sacrilegious. It is incredible to see so many people in such a small area pour so much energy into creating beautiful things.
Painting
Balinese painting is classified into certain groups and styles, not without some overlaps and a few that do not fit into any of the main styles. First is the Kamasan or classical painting, which is also named the wayang style. This style can be traced back to ninth century Javanese sculpture that features wayang figures, rich floral designs, and flame-and-mountain motifs characteristic of classical Balinese painting. There is also the Pita Maha, which literally means 'great vitality'. This group was formed when painting was dying out as an art form and in a serious decline due to styles becoming stagnant. Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet were western artists who, along with their patron Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, formed the Pita Maha to encourage painting as an art form and seek a market for the best paintings. Other styles include theYoung Artists and variants of the main Kamasan and Young Artists'styles.
Wood Carving
The Balinese sculpture with natural media - wood, stone, bone, horn, deadwood, and even gnarled tree roots. Nowadays, souvenir-caliber wood carving is churned out and successful creations are mass produced. Any visitor to Bali is likely to be exposed to wood carving in all forms, be it the traditional ornate carved doors, the carved figures of gods, or the countless carved items in craft shops.
Wood carving is a craft practiced all over Bali. Open your ears to the tapping sound of the carver's mallet and you would know that there is one around. It would be taxing to separate traditional and foreign influences. However, Balinese are intense observers of the outside world, effortlessly incorporating and adapting foreign themes into their work.
For quality wood carving, head to Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu, which is north of Ubud. It is a great area to meet woodcarvers; it is best to take note of the artist's name and visit him at the workshop to negotiate a better price.
Bali is a perfect place for western artists to study their crafts. There are wood carving lessons in which you can learn to carve your own mask in about three weeks.
Mask Carving
This is a specialized form of wood carving that should only be executed by experts. An extremely high level of skill is required to produce the 30 or 40 masks used in dances. Masks of Barong and Rangda are opulently painted and assembled with real hair, enormous teeth, and bulging eyes. The mask carving center of Bali is Mas and Puaya.
Stone Carving
The technique used in stone carving is very much the same as wood carving since soft volcanic rock is used. Stone carving is relatively unaffected by tourist consumerism as most pieces are too exorbitant to ship. You can vividly see stone carving skills in the distinctive split gates, swirling stone friezes, and absurd and menacing mythological statuary. The centers for stone carving are Kapal and Batubulan.
Jewelry
Bali is also famous for its jewelry, along with Thailand and Mexico, and variations on the same designs are common to all three countries. Balinese jewelry is almost always handmade, thus rarely involving casting techniques or the usage of imported silver. Silver is mined in Bali near Singaraja and used for filigree and other traditional silver work. Members of the royal family adorn themselves with gold and silver headdresses, belts, bracelets, earrings, anklets and necklaces to indicate their high status. Even handles of krises or daggers and umbrella finials would be made of gold. The village of Celuk is known for its rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, and other objects of silver. Kamasan remains the center for traditional gold and silver jewelry.
Balinese are quick to pick up designs introduced by outsiders and will copy things that will sell well. Many imaginative smiths are starting to duplicate designs from magazines or international jewelry designers who have settled in Bali to work.
Textiles
The first kind of textile that you will find in Bali is batik, which is popular among tourists and locals alike. There is every imaginable style and quality that you can chance upon throughout the island, but it is surprising that batik is actually produced in central Java and then shipped to Bali. Bali's own home-produced cloth is a weft ikat called endek. Ikat is made by tying the weft threads of a cloth before it is woven and then dying them so that the tied areas do not absorb the dye. The cloth is then woven and the pattern, created by the tying of the threads, emerges. This cloth is not very popular with visitors but is indispensable to the locals. Authentic ikat is made of silk but cotton and synthetic yarns are also widely used. Also, keep a look out for kain prada, fabrics woven of silk or cotton and decorated with silver or gold threads or gold leaf. These colorful kerchiefs are worn by temple girls during festivals and take three weeks to a month to weave.
Read more...
Events and Festivals
Being in Bali lets you experience the endless series of offerings, purification, processions, dances, and dozens of other religious rites that Balinese devote their lives to. They believe that life on earth is one stage in the continuity of existence. The cycle begins at birth and it is a cherished event. The umbilical cord is preserved and kept for life, and the birth is attended by the entire family and a holy man who invokes spiritual powers to aid the delivery. Death is merely a rite of passage when the soul is freed. It will commence its great journey before being reborn into a future generation.
There is a myriad of festivals in Bali. Some are dedicated to the art of woodcarving, the birth of a goddess, and percussion instruments. Other festivals include temple festivals, fasting & retreat ceremonies, parades to the sea to cleanse villages, special prayers for the dead, nights of penance (sivaratri), harvest festivals (usaba), blood sacrifices, and house deity anniversaries (odalan sangguh).
Religious Festivals
Religious festivals include odalan, which signifies the anniversary of a temple's founding. These festivals last a couple of days to a week. Temples are beautifully bedecked with flowers, palm leaves, flags and bamboo towers, complete with noisy parades, food offerings, and prayers that add religious fervor to the festive ambience.
Melasti, another religiously inclined festival, is a purification festival held the day before Nyepi. On Melasti, villagers will dress in their finest and make their way to the sea or holy springs. They would carry umbrellas, offerings or flowers, and fruit and sacred statues. The statues are affectionately washed with water, and pigs would be sacrificed by holy men as offerings to their gods. This festival must be carried out amid the din of gamelan and drums and lots of merry shouting. All must then fall silent the following day on Nyepi.
Nyepi is a festival that marks the beginning of a new lunar year and usually falls during the spring equinox (late March or early April). On this day, everyone in Bali including tourists must remain silent. No one is allowed to work, travel or partake in any indulgences. Visitors are advised to observe this custom and to stay within their lodgings for the day. It may seem like a day is wasted, but the previous night's festivities would have sapped substantial energy and spirit to make up for the day of stillness. It is believed that evil spirits will leave the island, thinking that the place is uninhabited due to the complete stillness.
Galungan is another festival related to religion. It is observed in the eleventh week of the 210th day in the Balinese calendar and celebrates the creation of our world. Bali's most significant annual event, locals will spend the day visiting family, friends and neighbors decked in their finest and indulge in heavy feasting.
Ten days after Galungan is Kuningan. This festival commemorates the end of the holiday season. On this occasion, ancestors are worshipped and honored with celebrations held at the water temple Tampaksiring, along with other events at Bangli and Ubud.
The restoration of balance between good and evil is also commemorated. Eka Dasa Rudra is the island's most important festival and is originally held every hundred years. It is now being revised to hold the festival more frequently and the next one is yet to be announced.
Non-Religious Festivals and Holidays
If you are in Bali between July and October, you will have the opportunity to experience the Negara bull races. The pampered bulls are spruced up with accessories, hitched in pairs to makeshift chariots, and steered by jockeys who combine their riding skills and tail twisting to induce maximum performance.
Then there is also the rice harvest festival, which is dedicated to the rice god Dewi Sri. This is a blessed season for the villages and the entire place will be repainted and decorated with flags. An atmosphere of happiness pervades. Small straw rice-god dolls are placed throughout the fields and villages as a tribute.
Indonesia's Independence Day falls on August 17, when the Republic of Indonesia achieved independence from the Dutch.
Balinese ceremonies are normally held during late afternoons or evenings when the day is cooler. They also hold firm to the belief that the island is owned by the supreme god Sanghyang Widhi, and has been handed down to the Balinese in sacred trust. To show their appreciation, the people fill their waking hours with symbolic activities and worship. If you see a procession of women garbed in traditional wear, carrying small bowls or balancing towering offerings on their heads, or a group of batik-clad men with headcloths, just put on a shirt, grab your camera and mingle with the crowd - you will always be welcomed.
Read more...
There is a myriad of festivals in Bali. Some are dedicated to the art of woodcarving, the birth of a goddess, and percussion instruments. Other festivals include temple festivals, fasting & retreat ceremonies, parades to the sea to cleanse villages, special prayers for the dead, nights of penance (sivaratri), harvest festivals (usaba), blood sacrifices, and house deity anniversaries (odalan sangguh).
Religious Festivals
Religious festivals include odalan, which signifies the anniversary of a temple's founding. These festivals last a couple of days to a week. Temples are beautifully bedecked with flowers, palm leaves, flags and bamboo towers, complete with noisy parades, food offerings, and prayers that add religious fervor to the festive ambience.
Melasti, another religiously inclined festival, is a purification festival held the day before Nyepi. On Melasti, villagers will dress in their finest and make their way to the sea or holy springs. They would carry umbrellas, offerings or flowers, and fruit and sacred statues. The statues are affectionately washed with water, and pigs would be sacrificed by holy men as offerings to their gods. This festival must be carried out amid the din of gamelan and drums and lots of merry shouting. All must then fall silent the following day on Nyepi.
Nyepi is a festival that marks the beginning of a new lunar year and usually falls during the spring equinox (late March or early April). On this day, everyone in Bali including tourists must remain silent. No one is allowed to work, travel or partake in any indulgences. Visitors are advised to observe this custom and to stay within their lodgings for the day. It may seem like a day is wasted, but the previous night's festivities would have sapped substantial energy and spirit to make up for the day of stillness. It is believed that evil spirits will leave the island, thinking that the place is uninhabited due to the complete stillness.
Galungan is another festival related to religion. It is observed in the eleventh week of the 210th day in the Balinese calendar and celebrates the creation of our world. Bali's most significant annual event, locals will spend the day visiting family, friends and neighbors decked in their finest and indulge in heavy feasting.
Ten days after Galungan is Kuningan. This festival commemorates the end of the holiday season. On this occasion, ancestors are worshipped and honored with celebrations held at the water temple Tampaksiring, along with other events at Bangli and Ubud.
The restoration of balance between good and evil is also commemorated. Eka Dasa Rudra is the island's most important festival and is originally held every hundred years. It is now being revised to hold the festival more frequently and the next one is yet to be announced.
Non-Religious Festivals and Holidays
If you are in Bali between July and October, you will have the opportunity to experience the Negara bull races. The pampered bulls are spruced up with accessories, hitched in pairs to makeshift chariots, and steered by jockeys who combine their riding skills and tail twisting to induce maximum performance.
Then there is also the rice harvest festival, which is dedicated to the rice god Dewi Sri. This is a blessed season for the villages and the entire place will be repainted and decorated with flags. An atmosphere of happiness pervades. Small straw rice-god dolls are placed throughout the fields and villages as a tribute.
Indonesia's Independence Day falls on August 17, when the Republic of Indonesia achieved independence from the Dutch.
Balinese ceremonies are normally held during late afternoons or evenings when the day is cooler. They also hold firm to the belief that the island is owned by the supreme god Sanghyang Widhi, and has been handed down to the Balinese in sacred trust. To show their appreciation, the people fill their waking hours with symbolic activities and worship. If you see a procession of women garbed in traditional wear, carrying small bowls or balancing towering offerings on their heads, or a group of batik-clad men with headcloths, just put on a shirt, grab your camera and mingle with the crowd - you will always be welcomed.
Read more...
