East Bali Tour

Enjoy the best places to see in Denpasar with a plan including Bali Driver Gede

Friday, June 19, 2009

Bali Information

Bali Information


Bali is called the Island of the Gods, and for centuries visitors have come to know its rich cultural traditions and spectacular scenery as a wonderful place to be. People come from all over the world to enjoy this paradise.

Bali's strong cultural history is based on closely related elements such as the unique Hindu religion, the language, the castes, the community life, the land cultivation and beautiful heart-felt expressions of art.

Of the four castes, Brahmana, Satria and Wesia represent 10% of the population, whereas the Sudras (the farmers and craftsmen) represent the great majority. The caste system is still very much alive today, and truly regulates the different levels of the Balinese language along with their religious beliefs.

The Island of the Gods is rich in mystery, beauty, enchantment and serenity with everyone falling under its irresistible Bali spell.

Fabulous rice fields and terraces, volcanoes, lakes, temples and with deeply spiritual and artistic roots make it one of the most often visited places in the world, with a deserving reputation of a true "Paradise on Earth."

Population
The population of Bali is nearly all Indonesian with 95% Balinese Hindu. The average Balinese who deals with tourists usually speaks one of the Balinese dialects in addition to Bahasa (the official language of Indonesia) and English.

Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.
Located 8° south of the equator, Bali is a tropical climate which is hot year-round. Average temperatures are 30°C (mid-80s°F) and the humidity can sometimes make the heat feel very oppressive.

Bali Weather
Bali has dry and wet seasons - From April to October is the normal dry season then October to March the wet season, but there can be rain any time of the year. The best months to visit Bali are from April to September for lower humidity and rains are light and infrequent.

During the day it is recommended light cotton clothes. For mountain excursions you should take along some warmer clothes.

Swimming in the Sea
Currents and undertows can be strong, so always be sure to swim between the red and yellow flags. Do not swim too far out, and do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.

Bali Island Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Achieving peace and harmony, while balancing the spiritual and material world is the basic aim in Balinese life. The Balinese are amazing in their intricacy or surprisingly simple in their humility, their love of work and affection bestowed on children they live a life of love, given freely to everyone in a smile or a wave.

Currency in Bali
A unit of currency in Bali is the rupiah. Cash and travelers cheques are very easy to exchange in the major centers. Moneychangers are very competitive, but are warned to check your transaction as some operators can leave you shortchanged. Credit card transactions can take some time and American Express Travelers Checks are hard to cash because they are feared counterfeit. CITI Bank credit cards with a pin number can be used at any ATM. Global AMEX card (the green one with the Trojan head in the center) is the only one accepted. They new travelers checks in credit card form with a pin number are good.

Travel Visas
Visitors from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe don't need a visa to enter Indonesia provided you have a ticket out of the country and your passport has at least six months validity.

When you arrive you will be issued a tourist card that is valid for a 60-day stay. Keep the card with your passport, as you'll have to hand it back when you leave the country. It is not possible to get an extension on a tourist visa, unless there is a medical emergency or you have to answer legal charges.

There are visas, particularly a business visitor's visa, which may be valid for a longer period. The immigration office is in Denpasar. Always be respectful when dealing with officials.

Telecommunications systems
Telecommunications have improved a lot in recent years. Telephone offices (wartels) can easily be found and local, long distance or international calls can be made from these offices. Internet cafes are everywhere and cellular phone coverage is good. Bring your laptop and hook up for a small fee.

Transportation
Indonesia has left-hand traffic patterns so you are advised not to drive by yourself unless you already have experience with the Asian way of driving. Traffic conditions are completely different to what you know from home and traffic rules are not easily comprehensible for visitors.

Motorcycles and bicycles without lights are an additional hazard in the dark. In Bali always expect the unexpected, always keep your eyes open and your mind on driving.

It is easier, safer and more relaxing to rent a car with local driver to have a worry free trip. You can enjoy the views! Please Note: It is customary to provide your driver/guide with meals when you are out touring all day, but don't worry, food is very inexpensive here.

Food / Meals
With a multitude of restaurants specializing in many cuisines, Indonesian food is the most common and available food across the island. If you enjoy a certain type of food, you are sure to find here in Bali. Beer is popular and cheap so beer drinkers will feel right at home in Bali. The local beer is called Bintang.

Drinking Water
Do not drink water from any taps. Bottled or bottled mineral water is highly recommended for your health.

Sampling Balinese fruit can be a real treat because the variety and quality is extraordinary, is plentiful and quite inexpensive. Be sure to try a few local varieties like: Rambutan, Mangosteen, Salak, Nangka and Durian (smells strong, but tastes just wonderful).

Miscellaneous Customs and Traditions
Shorts and mini-skirts are not allowed in and around temples. It is a custom to take off the shoes in temples, on festival grounds and in private houses. It is strongly recommend following these custom to show your respect for the religious traditions.

You should not touch someone's head (including children), or point your finger at someone as it is considered impolite. For the same reason you should avoid standing with your head above someone you are talking to so when in doubt sit down.

Shaking hands is not customary, except on farewells or congratulations. Intimate touches or embraces are absolutely inappropriate.

Nude or topless swimming and sunbathing is forbidden. If you see Balinese taking a bath in the rivers along the streets you should discreetly overlook them and resist the appeal to take pictures.

When handing over or taking something from someone only the right hand is to be used. The left hand is considered unclean.

Bring books if you'd like to read because there aren't many in English here in Bali.

Shopping in Bali
Famous for its crafts in woodcarving and sculptures; silver and gold jewelry, woven cloth, sarongs, traditional and realist paintings, bone and coconut shell carvings, antiques, basket wares and masks. More recently garment manufacturing has increased making excellent designer garments inexpensively available with quick, reasonable tailoring.

Except in fixed-price stores or restaurants, typical shopping is done by bargaining, which is the national sport that can be a lot of fun! One rule is followed and that is that both buyer and seller should end up satisfied, and not lose face or become angry!

I will also assist YOU by preparing a hotel or villa RENTAL for you
or book rafting excursions and other activities!
If you have any questions you would like answered
please call or email me at the contact info above

Friday, June 5, 2009

About Bali

A B O U T B A L I
source: Wikipedia Indonesia



Bali is an island which is located in Indonesia, also a province of Indonesia. Bali is located between Java Island and Lombok Island. The capital of Bali is Denpasar, located on the south of the Island. In the whole world, Bali is famous by its art and cultural attraction, especially for tourist from Japan and Australia. Bali is also famous as Pulau Dewata.

There are some important places you should visit like Ubud as art centre, which is located at Gianyar; and then Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua is few places that become main destination for tourist for its beach or the accommodation. But if you like to surf, we recommend you to stay at our bungalow, because its location very close to the favourite surf beach located in Tabanan and Soka area.


Masyarakat Bali

The population of Bali is about 4 million people, with 92,3% of the people are Hindu, and the rest is Moslem, Christian, Catholic, and Buddha.

Beside tourism sector, Balinese people also live from farm and fishing. Some of them also choose to be an artist. The language used in Bali is Indonesian language, Balinese language, and also English, especially for those who works in tourism.




In the Balinese Island, most inhabitants had the personal vehicle and chose to use him because the public transport route was not available well except the taxi. Between the Balinese Island and Java, there is available the crossing service of sea which goes through the Gilimanuk port towards Ketapang using the ferry that took time between 30 and 45 minutes. Even so with crossing between the Balinese Island and Lombok, crossing of sea went through the port Padang Bay headed the Lembar took time about 4 hours.

The air transport is served by Ngurah Rai International Airport. The runway and the air craft that come and go are able to be seen clearly from the coast.
Ngurah Rai International Airport



Bali is famous with art in Indonesia, even in the world, whether the dance or the music. Don't miss your trip to Bali without seeing the shows! Before you see it, you can have the sneak peak about the arts below.

Kecak

Kecak Dance

Kecak Dance is the Balinese art dance which was created in 1930s. This dance was shown by many male dancers who sits in circle in certain rhythm shouting "cak" and lifting both arms, which describes the story about Ramayana when the monkey army helped Rama against Rahwana. Kecak came from Sanghyang ritual, which is a dance tradition whose dancers will be in unconscious condition, doing communication with God or ancestors spirits and afterwards deliver their hopes to the society.

The in-circle dancers use square clothes like chess board around their waists. Apart from the dancers, there were also the other dancers who played Ramayana leading figures like Rhama, Shinta, Rahwana, Hanoman, and Sugriwa.

The Kecak dance song is taken from the Sanghyang dance ritual. Moreover, they do not use the musical instruments. The only istrumen used is krincingan (some kind of bells) which are put on by the dancers who play Ramayana leading figures.




Barong

Barong is a character in Balinese Myths . He is the king of spirits that symbolyze kindness. Barong in Bali Myth is the enemy of Rangda. Banas Pati Rajah is the spirit that accompany a child in its life.. Banas Pati Rajah believed as the spirit that make Barong moves. As a protector spirit, Barong sometimes form as a lion .Traditional dance in Bali that tells the battle between Barong and Rangda is very famous and sometimes exhibited as tourist attraction.

Lion Barong is one from the five form of Barong. In every part of Bali Island there are protector spirit for the land and forest. Each Barong that represents each region described as different animals.There are babi hutan, tiger, snake or dragon, and lion. Lion Barong is very popular and comes from Gianyar.
Barong sedang menggaruk seperti kucing
Barong
Hari Raya Nyepi

Nyepi Holiday

Nyepi Holiday is celebrated every Caka New Year (the change of Caka Year), that is on Tilem Kesanga (IX) which is the day of purification of the Gods in the ocean who brought the main core of life (Tirtha Amertha Kamandalu). The main aim of Nyepi Holiday is to come into The Almighty God to purify Bhuwana Alit (human nature) and Bhuwana Agung (the universe).



Ngaben Ceremony

The most interesting ceremony in Bali is a cremation ceremony that called Ngaben. For Balinesse the cremation ceremony is the most important ceremony. According to Bali people, someone who has been passed away should be burnt or diaben so the five components that forms the body can easily turns to its origin.. Ngaben Ceremonial in Bali is a joyfull moment especially for the grown up children. By conducting a ngaben ceremonial for their parents, they feel relieve because they have been succesfuly show gratefulness to their parents.
Ngaben
Anak-anak laki-laki mengenakan udeng, kemeja putih dan kain
Para penari cilik mengenakan gelung, songket dan kain prada

Traditional Costums

Bali traditional clothes are based on activity or ceremony, sex and ages, reflects someones social status and wealth through motives and jewelry ornament of their clothes .

Male:

* Udeng (ikat kepala)
* Kain kampuh
* Umpal (selendang pengikat)
* Kain wastra (kemben)
* Sabuk
* Keris
* Jewelries

Female:

* Gelung (sanggul)
* Sesenteng (kemben songket)
* Wastra clothes
* Sabuk prada (stagen),
* Selendang songket bahu ke bawah
* Tapih or Sinjang clothes (inside)
* Jewelries

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi
Gunung Kawi is a Hindu Temple complex with old omission from the stone era located in Gianyar regency. Based on the inscription of Tengkulak A on 945 saka (Balinese calendar) which is released by Marakata King, the ancient omission complex is located at the Pekerisan River then it is called Katyangan Amarawati. Pekerisan River is also named by Jalu which is according to the inscription chiseled on the above of the biggest temple door sound ‘Haji Lumahing Jalu'. The name of Gunung Kawi is the name given on the omission which is related to the complex of temples because the temple on this area is like the symbol from the mount. There are 3 temples which so called the name as Gunung Kawi in Bali those are Gunung Kawi in Sebatu countryside, Gunung Kawi Temple in Keliki countryside and Gunung Kawi Temple in Babitra countryside. The ancient omission complex of Gunung Kawi is founded on 10 century. It is founded in the era of Udayana about 989 M. At the period of Marakata governance on 1023, the omission which is called Katyagan Amarawati is developed and continued by the governance of Anak Wungsu which is guess lead between the years of 1049 - 1077 M.

Gunung Kawi Temple, Places to Visit in Bali
The ancient omission complex
It is consisted of 2 types:

*
Temple Complex.
Gunung Kawi Temple, Places of Interest in BaliTemple complex is consisted of 2 consecutions. The consecution in eastside Pekerisan River is consisted of 5 units and the consecution at west side of river is 5 units, in the north is 4 units and 1 unit is located far in south side separate from the others. On the above of the temple consecution in particular to the Eastside River, there is an article of Kediri word type sounding ‘Haji Lumahing Jalu'. Haji means a king, the Lumah means a temple or Sidha Dewata means to return to the nature of deity and Ing Jalu means in Pekerisan. The Jalu mean the Keris literal. The entire words mean that king is made in temple form at Pekerisan.Gunung Kawi, Hindu Temple Complex, Tourist Destinations in Bali From this article is assumed that this temple is dedicated to Udayana King which is also called Marakata and Anak Wungsu. The temple which is located in the west side of river related to all king concubines. The temples are located far in the south side is attributed to prime minister because in these temple areas existing an article Rakyan which is namely perform for high functionary of empire.
* Buddhist Temple Complex
Buddhist Temple Complex is used as a residence and as place for meditation. It is consisted of some nooks and it is located in the cross east of Pakerisan River. Other nooks are located spread out and near the temple bunch.

Gunung Kawi is a famous tourist destination in Bali with its ancient omission so that this place is the right to visit during your vacation in the island.