By: Ni Wayan Sri Artiani (Malaysia Airlines, Denpasar)
Mepeed
Bali is one of the thousand islands that make Indonesia Archipelago. Bali has long been famous world wide a leading tourist destination, known for its exotic and vibrant art and culture, natural beauties and the hospitality of the people.
Bali has 5,653 square kilometers of land. The total population is approximately 3.2 million people. The Balinese are one of the 250 ethnic groups in the Indonesian Archipelago. Most (95%) are Hindus, a religion which came from India, passing through Sumatera and the fall of Majapahit Empire all the Hindu aristocrats and the common people fled to Bali, bringing along their religions, traditions, literature and arts. Other religions like Moslem, Christianity, and Buddhism are also in Bali. For the Balinese people, their religion is inseparable from everyday life. Nobody misses an opportunity to worship God in an unending series of ceremonies that extend from birth to death, and beyond.
Tegallalang
Most of Balinese people are rice farmers. Other important crops include: coconut, vanilla, cloves and corn. Bali is also known for its wide variety of tropical fruits such as: mangoes, mandarin oranges, bananas and salak, grapes and many others. Tourism agriculture is not the only job opportunities. Small scale and home industries such as handicrafts are also flourishing. English is widely understood in major tourist areas. Japanese, French, Germany and other foreign language are also spoken, but less commonly than English.
Bali has tropical climate all year with two different seasons namely dry season from April to October and wet seasons November to March. The average temperature hovers around 30 degrees celsius year round.
Virtually everybody comes to Bali to shop, and even if shopping wasn’t the ultimate aim, you will still end up with fascinating and irresistible buys. Bali is a treasure trove of fine art and handicrafts, antiques and semi antique furniture, paintings, delicately carved jewellery, wood and stone carving, masks, woven and dyed fabrics. Bargaining in markets, shops and art shops is normal practice and getting a good price depends largely on one’s bargaining prowess. As bargaining forms a large part of the fun of shopping in Bali, remember to carry cash as not all places accept credit cards and be good humored. Shops are usually open from 10am to 11pm. On most department stores in Bali, prices are tagged and fixed. Major credit cards are accepted. However, in smaller shops, bargaining is required and pay in cash is common. Below is the list of places for shopping:
1. Antiques – can buy at Batubulan.
2. Art – Ubud.
3. Bamboo – Bona.
4. Clothes – Kuta, Legian, Sukawati, Seminyak.
5. Jewellery – Celuk.
6. Puppets – Klungkung, Sukawati, Gianyar.
7. Stone carving : Batubulan.
8. Wood carvings : Mas , Kemenuh, Tegallalang.
For those who do not want to wander too far from beach, Sanur, Kuta and Legian have more than enough to appease any shopper’s withdrawal symptoms. From sarongs, to sandals, wooden statues to Javanese puppets, silver to surf boards.
Tanah Lot Temple
Beratan
Places of interest
Bali is known for abundant attractions including sparkling beach resort, archaeological remains and scenic beauty. Many ways available to take visitors to those well-known places of interest to enjoy the beauty of Bali from the mountains resort to the coastline.
- Air Sanih – Tranguil beach with fresh spring pools beach and accommodations
- Alas Kedaton – A temple surrounded by forest with monkeys inhabitants
- Banjar – Hot spring bathing place with pool on the north coast
- Batubulan – Known for stone carving and barong dance performance
- Bedugul – Beautiful lake-temple Beratan with harmonious mountain panorama
- Batur – Well known for the active Mountain Batur and Lake Batur
- Besakih – The biggest temple in Indonesia, or the Mother Temple situated on the slope of the sacred Mountain Agung
- Candidasa – Peaceful white sandy beach complete with accommodation
- Goa Gajah – Ancient hermitage with a Ganesha Statue inside, often called the elephant cave
- Gunung Kawi – Ancient memorial of the Balinese rulers’ carbed on a solid rock with beautiful surroundings
- Jatiluwih – The most fantastic viewing spot of rice – terrace
- Sangeh – Forest of nutmeg trees with hundreds of monkey inhabitant and Bukit Sari Temple in the middle of it
- Sukawati – Art market with wide selection of artwork with reasonable price
- Tampak Siring – Well known for Holy Spring Temple with the state Palace on the upper land
- Tanah Lot – Scenic temple set on a rocky isle known as the best place for watching sunset
- Trunyan – Ancient village of the original Balinese with specific tradition and custom, accessible by boat over the lake of Batur
- Uluwatu – Amazing temple perching on the edge of stiff cliff on the South Coast
Activities while stay in Bali, there are heaps of sports and other activities that will spice up your stay in Bali. Some popular water sport area is:
1. Sanur – for snorkeling, fishing and boating.
2. Kuta, Suluban, Uluwatu and Medewi – for surfing and wind surfing.
3. Tanjung Benoa – for parasailing and boating.
4. Tulamben Beach and Menjangan Island is fantastic places for diving.
5. Ayung River , Telaga Waja river – for White rafting.
The nightlife while in Bali may try at Kuta area which is the most nightlife concentrate at this area. The nightlife scene in Kuta usually starts late – around 23.00 to midnight with bars and pubs offering different atmospheres and types of entertainment. Some clubs and bars showcase live bands, DJS, sexy dancers and fashion shows. Price wise, compared to the nightlife places in Seminyak, partying the night away in Kuta is way cheaper.
The famous places for the nightlife are Hard Rock Café, Kama Sutra, Ocean Beach Club, The Wave, Musro, Planet Hollywood, M Bar Go and many others.
Spa is probably a thing that you are not to be missed. A visit to Bali will refresh your spirit, mind and body. The spas of Bali follow a centuries old traditional belief in the sacredness of the body as a temple of the soul. The spa treatments range from traditional Swedish or Shiatsu Massage and Aromatherapy to specials that use local herbs and oils. These oils are made from extracts of such plants as Japan (frangipani), Cendana (sandalwood) and kelapa (coconut). The local specials include: body scrubs: thalasso Bali, which involves using mineral from the ayurvedic healing rituals from India and the most famous of all the Mandi Lulur.
Below is a list of the most reputable Spa facilities in Bali. Most of them are partnered with 4-5 star Bali hotels and categorized as Resort/Hotel Spa.
1. Martha Tilaar Salon & Spa.
2. Mandara Spa at Nikko Bali Resort & Spa.
3. Spa at Melia Bali.
4. Frangipani Spa at Resor Seminyak.
5. Sunset Beach Spa at Ramada Bintang Bali.
6. Kamandalu Spa at Kamandalu Resort & Spa Ubud.
7. Mandara Spa at Alila Ubud.
8. Mandara Spa at Hotel Padma Bali.
9. Uluwatu spa at Bali Inter Continental Resort.
10. Mandara Spa At Sanur Beach Bali.
11. Apa at Bali Hyatt.
12.Thalasso Bali at Grand Mirage Resort Stones Spa & Salon at Hard Rock Hotel. |