Strongly Recommended !

“Bali 18/8/2013 to 22/8/2013” 5 of 5 starsReviewed August 24, 2013 NEW This is my vey first time to Bali.Gede was able to provide excellent services for us. Strongly recommended to those who wish to get a driver in bali. Gede was recommended by a friend who uses Gede as her driver in Bali. Gede had a great insight into the sort of things we wanted to see and do while we were in Bali. Gede was extremely courteous, very punctual, very professional. Visited August 2013

Comminity System

Community System One unique image of the Balinese people in all over the world is about their very strong attachment collectively. There are seven norms that bind the Balinese who have been strengthening the identity and the resilience of their culture: - Majority bound to Hinduism as the oldest religions in Indonesia - Bound to worship on various temple/shrine - Bound to the system of kinship through blood and marriage - Bound to the community, whether Banjar of Desa Pakraman (Village) - Bound to the system inherited dynasty in Patrilineal - The farmers bound to the system Subak (Organization which manage irrigation in Bali) - The Balinese village bound by the rules of service in the framework on Indonesia State System Due to the development of education, economic and social changes led to some collectivities the knot becameloose. Basically, the Balinese social system oriented to the two structures, the traditional structure and formal social structure. Traditional structures have historical roots that originated from a very long traditional of pre-Hindu and the continue with a variety of changes to the presents. Meanwhile, formal social structure of Balinese people associated with the integration of Bali into the system of the Unitary State of Indonesia since independence republic August 17, 1945. Bureaucratic system of statutory, law, school, education, population, monetary, security, autonomy, political parties are aspects of Balinese life in the context of formal structural. Social system and traditional social structure is very interesting to the understand because of form, function, and meaning is unique and systemic, but on the other hand is as a system and media to learn more deeply about the nature, the basic, and core character of the social life of human culture of Bali. In the discussion of Holistic and systematic, system of traditional Balinese society is drawn through six focuses. Tri Hita Karana As The Spirit Of Balinese Social Life Balinese social life is summed up in a variety of traditional institutions imbued with the spirit of Hindu religion and spirit based conception of Tri Hita Karana. This conception is the basis for harmony and the spirit of harmony of Balinese. Tri Hita Karana outline, guiding, and directing to make a good relation between human and God, human and humans, and human with their environment. Cosmosentric and anthroposentric philosophies are the development of human essence of Bali. Tri Hita Karana conception as local Balinese culture which has the universal values.

Ready,Gede,Gold

“Ready, Gede, Gold!” 5 of 5 starsReviewed August 12, 2013 NEW My gf and I travelled to Bali in early July and we hired Gede as our driver after some Tripadvisor research. I'm happy to report back that the Tripadvisor reviews turned out 101% true. Gede ticked all the boxes - he was punctual, reliable and pleasant. He knows his roads well and his car was clean and well-kept. In particular, we enjoyed Gede's company as he is mild-mannered and provided us with timely recommendations when we asked for it. We never felt pressurised into going somewhere or doing something that we were unsure of. As first-timers to Bali, it was nice to have someone like that we could trust. Furthermore, Gede was prompt and responsive to my email queries before my arrival. He speaks good English. Glad to have chosen Gede, he was gold. Repeat customer material.

Pagerweis Day

Balinese people will commemorate Pagerwesi Day. The word Pagerwesi is derived from two Javanese words, pager (fence) and wesi (iron). Pagerwesi literally means the day of "iron fence".

Pagerwesi is dedicated to honour Siva, the God manifestation as Sanghyang Pramesi Guru, guardian of the universe, which is meant to ask for protection and prosperity. Pagerwesi has a very close relationship with Saraswati which falls four days after Saraswati Day. After people received knowledge on Saraswati Day, Pagerwesi is the day to show our respect to the teacher and the main Guru (God or Siva). Another correlation between Saraswati and Pagerwesi is that the knowledge must be protected from bad influences and misuse. Pagerwesi is the day when Balinese fortify the space around themselves to ward off evil spirits, a day of offerings for the protection of the village and families and the world around them. On this day, villagers take offerings to cemeteries for the un-cremated dead. Celebrated in every home compound and temple throughout Bali, Pagerwesi is a popular time for large and colorful temple ceremonies, notably at Payogan Agung Temple in Ketewel. As on the day Galungan, on the day of Pagerwesi, “penjors” (a tall decorated bamboo poles) are raised which makes it a day as almost as important as Galungan. This ceremony is almost strictly observed in Buleleng regency. Pagerwesi Day will be preceded by the celebration of Soma Ribek, which falls on Monday, 18 September 2006, during which time a series of ritual ceremonies are held. The word Soma Ribek is derived from Soma which means Monday and Ribek which means full. On this day, Balinese people bring offerings to the rice box. They thank God for food and beverage in their lives and pray to Dewi Sri (Goddess of Prosperity) for prosperity. The philosophy of Soma Ribek Day is food and beverage, which is the third most important thing for human life. Following Soma Ribek celebration, Balinese people will carry on to celebrate Sabuh Emas Day, which falls on Tuesday, 19 September 2006 when colorful offerings especially gold jewelries and Chinese coins are made and dedicated to the Lord of Jewelries. The philosophy of Saraswati and Pagerwesi celebrations are that people must keep knowledge, health, food, cloth and gold high in their lives to keep the universe in balance.

Kehen Temple

This temple lies at the southern foot of bangle hill at the north east of the city of Bangli. The temple is luxurious with a veranda facing to the south. It is located near Sasana Budaya Bangli, just few kilometers from the main city of Bangli. At the top end of the town, Pura Kehen, the state temple of the Bangli Kingdom, is terraced up the hillside. A great flight of steps leads to the beautifully decorated entrance. The first courtyard has a huge banyan tree with a Kulkul (warning drum) entwined it its branches. Chinese porcelain plates were set in to the walls as decoration, but most of the originals have been damaged of lost (some of the replacements have quite incongruous old English design). The inner courtyard has an 11 roofed meru (multi-roofed shrine), and a shrine with thrones for the three figures of the Hundhu Trinity-Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. The carvings are particulary intricate. This is one of the finest temples on Bali, like a mini Besakih; here you can walk inside of the temple.

Kuta Beach

Since the 18th century Kuta has served as the entry for foreigners visiting southern Bali. In the1830s Kuta was the a thriving slave market, attracting a wide variety of international ‘lowlifes’. Since its rediscovery by hippies and surfers in the 1960s, Kuta and Legian have expanded so rapidly that the district is now one of the busiest tourist areas in the world. At three hundred year ago, in this place had been built a Konco (Buddhist Temple) located beside of Tukad Mati (Dead River) where it river can be navigable at that time. The boat steps into the hinterland of Kuta, so that Kuta is a port trade. Mad Lange is a merchant from Denmark in 19 century had built its trade station in the river periphery. During living in Bali, he often becomes the medium between king of Bali and Dutch. Mad Lange has mysteriously died and his grave is located inside of Konco (Buddhist Temple) right in the river periphery. Kuta is quiet fisherman countryside in the past, but now is has been turned into the hilarious town and it is completed by post office, police office, market, pharmacy, photo center, and shop. There are a lot of hotels which are designed luxury and comfortable set in a long side of white sandy beach of Kuta.

Sanur Beach

Sanur originates from two words, “Saha” and “Nuhur” which literally means the passion to visit the certain place. Located in the sourthern part of Bali, Sanur is famed for its beautiful strip of pure sandy beaches acrros the coastal line. It is also famed its’ spectacular sunrises wich literally marks a new day in the life of the Balinese. A talented laid back atmosphere is what is unique about the village of Sanur where hospitality is intewined with the traditions of Balinese culture and religion. The atmosphere from sunrise till sunset provides endless opportunities of discovery into the daily lives of the Balinese, where each corner of the village provides a certain exploration for every visitor. Lines of shaded trees along the roads, a stretch of beach for sunbathing, a strip of shops for shopping and a veriety of restaurants for wining and dining, the option is endless in Sanur. Sanur also represents a name that carries important history for torism in Indonesia, and Bali more specific. It was on the beach of Sanur that the first Netherlands troops set foot on the island of Bali in 1906. This was also the exact place that the first war accurred between Netherlands against the community of Bali in defending their land from colonialism. This war was later known as the Puputan Badung, a heroic event tha is strongly remembered by every individual Balinese until today’s generation.

Lovina

The centre of activities in Lovina area is about located 10 Km from Sinagaraja Town.Nowdasy,Lovina area is becoming the center of tourism activities in north part of Bali and offer many kind of accommodations,restaurants,bars,beach activities,art shop,bank,ect.The accommodation in this area are a available from the star hotel class until small hotel even the home stay for the low budget travelers.As a tourist area and center of tourism in Singaraja,Lovina get the biggets visit from ourist who visiting north part of Bali.It is estimated 90% from tourist who pay a visit to north of Bali will in Lovina. Most visitors to Lovina beach,in the northern part of Bali,are there for the dolphins. Tourists generally make the trip out to the beach in June,July or August,when the weather is good and the waters blue and clear.The rising number of visitor to the beach is good for the local economy because of the jobs creates.There are more than 300 dolphins spotting guides in Kaliasem village in Kalibukbuk near Lovina beach.During peak season,nearly all of them are busy taking tourist on trips out to see.The best time for dolphins spotting is about 6 a.m. ,so tourist are advised to turn up at about 5.30 a.m.,before sunrise Dolphin watching is much like fishing in that if one is lucky they will get a “ big catch “ and see the dolphins up close,but if they are not,they will go home “empty-handed”.without seeing so much as a fin.Many peoples are satisfied by the experience ,but others return from the sea complaining the dolphins were chased and cornered by the boats.The dolphins can become sick from exhaustion after being trailed by the tourist boats,or separated from their pups.Some of the guide acknowledge there are problems with way in which the trips are conduct ,but say there is nothing they can do a about it.