Bali Explorer (NEW!! Promo Tour & Travel)

Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali’s unique form of Hinduism called “Hindu Darma”. Classical dance dramas are based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, but contain an element of local folklore peculiar to the island. The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms that have een passionately preserved over the centuries. It seems that almost every person is an artist. Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings and dances, extraordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made for the myriad shrines, the islands is live with art. Regular performances of the popular dances such as the legong kraton, the barong kris and the baris dances, easily found throughout Bali. They usually staged for tourist by the village people. The Kecak is performed at night by torchlight. They have managed to preserve their culture despite over whelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever-increasing number of tourists. Water sports have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting.

Tourism Events

• Two of the major festivals are Galungan and Nyepi. There are several festivals on Bali, most involving music, dance, religion and art; all of which are held very close to the hearts of the people.

• Makepung festival takes place in Jembaran on 8-12 August 2008. Basically this event symbolizes a mutual help of farmers carrying ther harvest using carriage that pulled by two buffalos.

• Tanah Lot kites festival on Sept 2008 contestant comes from foreign countries and Bali Surrounding regions.

Places of Interest

Denpasar ; the capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples called “Pura”. The Pura Jagatnatha is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Vidi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signifies the foundation of the world. The Pura Jaganatha Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, and its architectural design is based oil that of palace. The goverment-supervisid “Sanggraha Kriya Hasta” has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The “Werdi Budaya” presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions and an art contest.

Benoa Harbour ; The main harbour of Bali which is located about 6 km to the south of Denpasar. It caters the needs of local and International sea journey. This harbour has become the home base of different cruises (Bali Hai Cruises, Bounty Cruises, Mabua, Wakalouko etc) towards the eastern islands and international yacht races are frequently organized here.

The Museum of Le Mayeur Kelandis Village established by a Belgium artist, Le Mayeur. It is about 200 meter to the north of Grand Bali Beach Hotel. The main attraction of the museum is painting of Ni Polok, a local Balinese woman Le Mayeur’s wife. Ni Polok was a famous traditional Balinese dance.

Kuta is a popular beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Lifeguards are on constant duty during the day. Kuta offering a beautiful sunset, accommodation ranges from international hotels to home-stays, village abounds with restaurants, shops, dischotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with locals as well as visitors from abroad.

Batubulan ; Driving northeast from Denpasar, stone figures oil the roadside mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples. Workshops can be visited to watch artists at work.

Batuan ; an old and famous center of the arts, it is now known for its dancing, wood panel carving and paintings.

Celuk ; Northeast of Denpasar, the village of Celuk is noted for its silver and gold works of jewelry in many styles.

Mas ; A village of woodcarvers, many of Bali’s old masters still lives here. Art galleries exhibit some of their best works. Visitors can wonder through the Balinese-style houses to view the carved wooden pillars and the artists instructing apprentices.

Ubud ; The center of Balinese painting, Ubud’s museum “Puri Lukisan” has a permanent collection of modem works of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. These are several art galleries and homes of famous artists Dutch-born Hans Snel and American Antonio Blanco. Ubud has several small hotels, located in the foothills of the central mountain range and terrace paddy fields, giving it a cool and pleasant climate.

Peliatan is located between Ubud and Mas. It known as the center of traditional music and dance.

Kintamani ; The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan give a view of Lake Batur and the active mt. Batur. The caldera of Batur is 7 miles in diameter and 60 feet deep from Penelokan, a road leads to Kedisan on the shores of the lake where boats can be hired to cross over to Trunyan. This ancient village is inhabited by people who call themselves “Bali Aga” of “original” Balinese, and have maintained many of their old ways until now.

Pura Kahen is Bali’s second largest temple, with three terraced courtyards are connected by steps, and their balustrades are decorated with carvings and statues. A large Banyan tree with a tower shades the lowest and second courtyard, while in the third courtyard several shrines for the gods and ancestors are found.

Klungkung ; The former seat of the Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from which Balinese royalty draws its bloodline; Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island and its “Raja” the most exalted. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of Justice, built in the 18th century, is known for its ceiling murals, painted in the traditional wayang style, portraying punishment in hell and the rewards in heaven. The floating pavilion, garden and lotus ponds in this walled-in complex are reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.

Besakih ; Known as the “Mother of Bali Temple”, the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main temples dedicated to the Trinity (Shiva, Brahma and Visnu) are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese, a visit to the temple’s sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anneversary celebration or “Odalan”. The sight of the mountain impressive and during festivals colored inners adds a touch of gaiety.

Bedugul ; The mountain resort of Bedugul, 18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent golf course. Located besides Lake Bratan, it is surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful sight is the “Ulun Danu” temle which sems to rise out of the lake. The area offers good walks. Boats are available for water skiing and parasailing. The Bali Handara Country Club has bungalows for rent and a restaurant.

Tenganan; Protected for centuries from the outside world by its surrounding walls, the village of Tenganan has maintained its ancient pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of non-fraternization with outsiders. Here unique rituals, dances, and gladiator like battles between youths take place. Tenganan is famous for its “double ikat” woven material called gringsing, which is supposed to protect the weather with magic powers.

Sanur offers many good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is only a short drive from Denpasar. Public transportation is easily available until night. Offshore reefs protect the beach and make it popular for windsurfing, boating and other water sports.

Tampak Siring ; The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the sacred spring at Tampak Siring. Over 1000 years old, the temple and its two bathing places have been valued by the people because of the spring water’s curative powers. Regular ceremonies are held for purification. Specialities of the area are bone and ivory carvings.

The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula in Southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean white beaches and clear waters. The surf is gentle along the northern side of the Peninsula, bigger along the south. The most convenient form of transportation to and from Nusa Dua is by taxi.

Goa Gajah (Gajah Cave) dates back to the 11th century and believed to have been built as a monastery. Carvings on the wall show a demon head over the entrance, flanked by two statues. The cave contains a statue of Ganesha. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding waterspouts.

Tanah Lot ; One of Bali’s most important sea temples, the temple sanctuary at Tanah Lot is built a top a huge rock surrounded by the sea. Built by one of the last priests that come to Bali from Java in the 16th century, it’s an offering ritual to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple form evil spirits and intruders. The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.