We wish you a marry Christmas
We wish you a marry Christmas
we wish you a marry Christmas
we wish you a marry Christmas
and a happy new year. (2 v.)
Good tidings to you
wherever you are
good tidings for Christmas
and happy new year.
Now bring us some wiggle pudding
now bring us some wiggle pudding
now bring us some wiggle pudding
and bring some right here.
We won't go until we get some
we won't go until we get some
we won't go until we get some
so bring some right here.
We wish...
Good tidings to you
wherever you are
good tidings for Christmas
and happy new year.
Now bring us some tea and crumpets
now bring us some tea and crumpets
now bring us some tea and crumpets
and bring some right here.
We won't go until we get some
we won't go until we get some
we won't go until we get some
so bring some right here.
We wish..
We all know that Santa's coming,
we all know that Santa's coming,
we all know that Santa's coming,
and soon will be here.
Friday 19 December 2008
Wednesday 17 December 2008
Komodo Conservation Camp
Komodo Conservation Camp is one of the facilities existing in the beautiful island where the biggest dragon of Komodo living in east Indonesia National Park. The camps are well equipped by luxury building for the conservation purpose and other part of presentations. It is located just in front of the beautiful white sandy beach or just beside of the national park reception. There are also many beautiful souvenirs presented in this area where you can buy for taking home. In this page is presented the beautiful camp and it is one of the best selection photo from the Komodo National Park.
Komodo National Park Camp
Komodo National Park Camp, Flores Island, Indonesia
Friday 12 December 2008
Dewandaru Lebih Atraktif Dibanding Buah Sayuran
JAKARTA - Dewandaru disebut juga belimbing mempunyai khasiat mencegah kerusakan oksidatif, akibat radikal bebas yang tidak dapat diatasi oleh antioksidan endogen dalam tubuh.
Dewandaru Lebih Atraktif Dibanding Buah Sayuran
Dewandaru Lebih Atraktif Dibanding Buah Sayuran
Article Tags
antioksidan bebas elektron endogen konsumsi oksidatif orbital radikal senyawa
Polusi yang dikeluarkan kendaraan bermotor dan industri, dan konsumsi cepat saji dapat mendorong terjadinya radikal bebas di dalam tubuh.
Radikal bebas adalah atom atau senyawa elektron yang tidak berpasangan pada orbital terluarnya, sehingga sifatnya tidak stabil dan cenderung dekstruktif.
Tidak ada pasangan elektro ini yang menyebabkan elektron bebas ini sangat reaktif dan mampu bereaksi dengan protein, lipid, karbohidrat, atau DNA.
Penyebab penyakit jantung koroner, kerusakan lensa mata, dan proses penuaan yang terlalu cepat karena terjadi kerusakan sel atau jaringan hidup.
Di dalam tubuh manusia, kerusakan akibat radikal bebas sebenarnya dapat diatasi oleh antioksidan endogen, tetapi jika radikal bebas berlebihan maka dibutuhkan antioksidan tambahan dari luar untuk menetralkan radikal yang terbentuk.
Cara mencegahnya dengan menghindari poluis, tidak merokok, kurangi konsumsi lemak jenuh, olahraga dengan tepat, dan hindari konsumsi makanan berpengawet dan pewarna.
Juga dengan mengkonsumsi vitamin A,C dan E dapat menangkal radikal bebas seperti sayur dan buah.
Dari Dewandaru ini karena mempunyai antioksidan yang lebih atraktif dibanding dengan buah atau sayuran lainnya.
Tanamannya memiliki kandungan polifenol maupun komponen flavonoid yang cukup tinggi.
Dewandaru Lebih Atraktif Dibanding Buah Sayuran
Dewandaru Lebih Atraktif Dibanding Buah Sayuran
Article Tags
antioksidan bebas elektron endogen konsumsi oksidatif orbital radikal senyawa
Polusi yang dikeluarkan kendaraan bermotor dan industri, dan konsumsi cepat saji dapat mendorong terjadinya radikal bebas di dalam tubuh.
Radikal bebas adalah atom atau senyawa elektron yang tidak berpasangan pada orbital terluarnya, sehingga sifatnya tidak stabil dan cenderung dekstruktif.
Tidak ada pasangan elektro ini yang menyebabkan elektron bebas ini sangat reaktif dan mampu bereaksi dengan protein, lipid, karbohidrat, atau DNA.
Penyebab penyakit jantung koroner, kerusakan lensa mata, dan proses penuaan yang terlalu cepat karena terjadi kerusakan sel atau jaringan hidup.
Di dalam tubuh manusia, kerusakan akibat radikal bebas sebenarnya dapat diatasi oleh antioksidan endogen, tetapi jika radikal bebas berlebihan maka dibutuhkan antioksidan tambahan dari luar untuk menetralkan radikal yang terbentuk.
Cara mencegahnya dengan menghindari poluis, tidak merokok, kurangi konsumsi lemak jenuh, olahraga dengan tepat, dan hindari konsumsi makanan berpengawet dan pewarna.
Juga dengan mengkonsumsi vitamin A,C dan E dapat menangkal radikal bebas seperti sayur dan buah.
Dari Dewandaru ini karena mempunyai antioksidan yang lebih atraktif dibanding dengan buah atau sayuran lainnya.
Tanamannya memiliki kandungan polifenol maupun komponen flavonoid yang cukup tinggi.
Sixth International Bird Flu Summit Bali
Top leaders and key decision-makers of major companies representing a broad range of industries will meet with noted scientists, public health officials, law enforcers, and other experts to discuss pandemic prevention, preparedness, responses and recovery of bird flu at the summit, said the agency.
The summit's participants will be able to draw on first-hand best practices to create the solid business continuity plans that their companies and organizations need in order to prepare for, respond to, and survive a pandemic, the agency quoted the organizing committee, the U.S.-based New Fields Exhibitions, Inc. as saying.
More information:
http://www.new-fields.com/birdflu6/
The summit's participants will be able to draw on first-hand best practices to create the solid business continuity plans that their companies and organizations need in order to prepare for, respond to, and survive a pandemic, the agency quoted the organizing committee, the U.S.-based New Fields Exhibitions, Inc. as saying.
More information:
http://www.new-fields.com/birdflu6/
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Peranan Guru Spiritual Hindu Di Bali
Guru spiritual mendapat tempat tersendiri dalam tradisi Jawa. Para
guru ini umumnya mereka sudah berusia lanjut, hingga layak mendapat sebutan “orang tua”. Karena itu ilmu yang diajarkan biasanya juga disebut “ilmu tua”, yang artinya ilmu spiritual, yang hanya bisa diberikan kepada mereka yang “cukup umur”. Tentang batasan umur bagi siswa ini ada bermacam-macam, sementara guru bahkan ada yang hanya mau menerima siswa yang sudah pernah “mantu” atau mengawinkan anaknya. Kalau belum masih dianggap terlalu muda dan belum layak mendapat ilmu. Sebenarnya hal yang sama juga berlaku di Bali. Ilmu hanya boleh diajarkan oleh sang “guru”, sedang siswa tidak. Karena itu awalnya jarang ada ilmu “kejawen” bersifat terbuka bisa dipelajari oleh siapa saja. Penerimaan siswa amat selektif. Bila itu terjadi di Jawa tentunya bisa dimaklumi, mungkin karena lingkungannya mengharuskan demikian. tetapi kalau hal yang sama terjadi di Bali, tentunya akan menjadi pertanyaan.
Sikap siswa terhadap guru, umumnya hanya sebatas rasa hormat, dengan menganggapnya sebagai orang suci. Penghargaan yang bersifat materi (Reshi Yadnya) tidak seberapa dan bahkan tidak ada. Guru umumnya benar-benar sepi pamrih. Umumnya orang berpendapat semakin tanpa pamrih nama guru tersebut akan menjadi semakin terkenal dan dihormati. Situasi lingkungan rupanya telah menyebabkan para guru “kebatinan” tersebut, banyak yang tidak mau menunjukkan identitas agamanya secara jelas. Berbagai aturan yang dibuat mengindikasikan bahwa para guru tersebut jauh dari rasa bebas dalam menyampaikan ajarannya. Misalnya mengajarnya di tempat sepi, yang jauh dari keramaian, siswa harus merahasiakan nama gurunya, dilarang membicarakan hal-hal yang diajarkan kecuali dengan sesama siswa, dll. Karena aturan yang begitu ketat, maka para siswa umumnya pun sangat tertutup, bahkan pantang menyebut nama sang guru. Yang terakhir ini juga terjadi di Bali. Hubungan antar sesama siswa sangat akrab. Mereka disumpah untuk menjadi “saudara seperguruan”, yang diistilahkan “sedulur tunggal banyu”, yang artinya “saudara seair”. Mungkin penamaan itu diberikan karena pengangkatannya sebagai saudara seperguruan dilaksanakan dengan upacara “pemercikan air”. Ajaran yang disampaikan oleh para guru itu sebenarnya ajaran biasa, misalnya tentang “sangkan paraning dumadi”, “manunggaling kawula gusti” dan sejenisnya, yang tak jauh berbeda dengan dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu, Ajaran etika menempati tempat yang pokok, berupa berbagai anjuran dan larangan yang bersifat khusus. Anjuran dan larangan itu merupakan hal yang wajib dilaksanakan tanpa harus mengetahui apa alasannya. Hal inilah yang membuat moral dan perilaku para penganut kejawen umumnya selalu terjaga. Biasanya kegiatan belajar ditutup dengan pelajaran “samadhi”, dalam sebuah upacara khusus, yang terkesan sakral dan amat tertutup. Hal ini dilaksanakan setelah siswa mendapat “wejangan” mantra-mantra khusus, yang hanya diberikan setelah melaksanakan “laku” (brata) tertentu. Laku (brata) ini ada bermacam-macam, antara lain: puasa, mutih, tidak tidur (jagra), berpantang seks dan lain-lainnya. Sifat tertutup ini membuat mereka sering mendapat sebutan dukun “klenik”, yang dicurigai dan divonis sebagai pengajar ilmu sesat. Tudingan bahwa mereka adalah kaum sinkretis, yang suka meramu ajaran berbagai agama mungkin ada benarnya, sebab mereka umumnya mengajarkan tentang dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu dan melaksanakan berbagai upacara yang bernafas Hindu tetapi tak jarang doa-doanya dalam bahasa Arab dan Jawa.
Guru spiritual mendapat tempat tersendiri dalam tradisi Jawa. Para
guru ini umumnya mereka sudah berusia lanjut, hingga layak mendapat sebutan “orang tua”. Karena itu ilmu yang diajarkan biasanya juga disebut “ilmu tua”, yang artinya ilmu spiritual, yang hanya bisa diberikan kepada mereka yang “cukup umur”. Tentang batasan umur bagi siswa ini ada bermacam-macam, sementara guru bahkan ada yang hanya mau menerima siswa yang sudah pernah “mantu” atau mengawinkan anaknya. Kalau belum masih dianggap terlalu muda dan belum layak mendapat ilmu. Sebenarnya hal yang sama juga berlaku di Bali. Ilmu hanya boleh diajarkan oleh sang “guru”, sedang siswa tidak. Karena itu awalnya jarang ada ilmu “kejawen” bersifat terbuka bisa dipelajari oleh siapa saja. Penerimaan siswa amat selektif. Bila itu terjadi di Jawa tentunya bisa dimaklumi, mungkin karena lingkungannya mengharuskan demikian. tetapi kalau hal yang sama terjadi di Bali, tentunya akan menjadi pertanyaan.
Sikap siswa terhadap guru, umumnya hanya sebatas rasa hormat, dengan menganggapnya sebagai orang suci. Penghargaan yang bersifat materi (Reshi Yadnya) tidak seberapa dan bahkan tidak ada. Guru umumnya benar-benar sepi pamrih. Umumnya orang berpendapat semakin tanpa pamrih nama guru tersebut akan menjadi semakin terkenal dan dihormati. Situasi lingkungan rupanya telah menyebabkan para guru “kebatinan” tersebut, banyak yang tidak mau menunjukkan identitas agamanya secara jelas. Berbagai aturan yang dibuat mengindikasikan bahwa para guru tersebut jauh dari rasa bebas dalam menyampaikan ajarannya. Misalnya mengajarnya di tempat sepi, yang jauh dari keramaian, siswa harus merahasiakan nama gurunya, dilarang membicarakan hal-hal yang diajarkan kecuali dengan sesama siswa, dll. Karena aturan yang begitu ketat, maka para siswa umumnya pun sangat tertutup, bahkan pantang menyebut nama sang guru. Yang terakhir ini juga terjadi di Bali. Hubungan antar sesama siswa sangat akrab. Mereka disumpah untuk menjadi “saudara seperguruan”, yang diistilahkan “sedulur tunggal banyu”, yang artinya “saudara seair”. Mungkin penamaan itu diberikan karena pengangkatannya sebagai saudara seperguruan dilaksanakan dengan upacara “pemercikan air”. Ajaran yang disampaikan oleh para guru itu sebenarnya ajaran biasa, misalnya tentang “sangkan paraning dumadi”, “manunggaling kawula gusti” dan sejenisnya, yang tak jauh berbeda dengan dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu, Ajaran etika menempati tempat yang pokok, berupa berbagai anjuran dan larangan yang bersifat khusus. Anjuran dan larangan itu merupakan hal yang wajib dilaksanakan tanpa harus mengetahui apa alasannya. Hal inilah yang membuat moral dan perilaku para penganut kejawen umumnya selalu terjaga. Biasanya kegiatan belajar ditutup dengan pelajaran “samadhi”, dalam sebuah upacara khusus, yang terkesan sakral dan amat tertutup. Hal ini dilaksanakan setelah siswa mendapat “wejangan” mantra-mantra khusus, yang hanya diberikan setelah melaksanakan “laku” (brata) tertentu. Laku (brata) ini ada bermacam-macam, antara lain: puasa, mutih, tidak tidur (jagra), berpantang seks dan lain-lainnya. Sifat tertutup ini membuat mereka sering mendapat sebutan dukun “klenik”, yang dicurigai dan divonis sebagai pengajar ilmu sesat. Tudingan bahwa mereka adalah kaum sinkretis, yang suka meramu ajaran berbagai agama mungkin ada benarnya, sebab mereka umumnya mengajarkan tentang dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu dan melaksanakan berbagai upacara yang bernafas Hindu tetapi tak jarang doa-doanya dalam bahasa Arab dan Jawa.
guru ini umumnya mereka sudah berusia lanjut, hingga layak mendapat sebutan “orang tua”. Karena itu ilmu yang diajarkan biasanya juga disebut “ilmu tua”, yang artinya ilmu spiritual, yang hanya bisa diberikan kepada mereka yang “cukup umur”. Tentang batasan umur bagi siswa ini ada bermacam-macam, sementara guru bahkan ada yang hanya mau menerima siswa yang sudah pernah “mantu” atau mengawinkan anaknya. Kalau belum masih dianggap terlalu muda dan belum layak mendapat ilmu. Sebenarnya hal yang sama juga berlaku di Bali. Ilmu hanya boleh diajarkan oleh sang “guru”, sedang siswa tidak. Karena itu awalnya jarang ada ilmu “kejawen” bersifat terbuka bisa dipelajari oleh siapa saja. Penerimaan siswa amat selektif. Bila itu terjadi di Jawa tentunya bisa dimaklumi, mungkin karena lingkungannya mengharuskan demikian. tetapi kalau hal yang sama terjadi di Bali, tentunya akan menjadi pertanyaan.
Sikap siswa terhadap guru, umumnya hanya sebatas rasa hormat, dengan menganggapnya sebagai orang suci. Penghargaan yang bersifat materi (Reshi Yadnya) tidak seberapa dan bahkan tidak ada. Guru umumnya benar-benar sepi pamrih. Umumnya orang berpendapat semakin tanpa pamrih nama guru tersebut akan menjadi semakin terkenal dan dihormati. Situasi lingkungan rupanya telah menyebabkan para guru “kebatinan” tersebut, banyak yang tidak mau menunjukkan identitas agamanya secara jelas. Berbagai aturan yang dibuat mengindikasikan bahwa para guru tersebut jauh dari rasa bebas dalam menyampaikan ajarannya. Misalnya mengajarnya di tempat sepi, yang jauh dari keramaian, siswa harus merahasiakan nama gurunya, dilarang membicarakan hal-hal yang diajarkan kecuali dengan sesama siswa, dll. Karena aturan yang begitu ketat, maka para siswa umumnya pun sangat tertutup, bahkan pantang menyebut nama sang guru. Yang terakhir ini juga terjadi di Bali. Hubungan antar sesama siswa sangat akrab. Mereka disumpah untuk menjadi “saudara seperguruan”, yang diistilahkan “sedulur tunggal banyu”, yang artinya “saudara seair”. Mungkin penamaan itu diberikan karena pengangkatannya sebagai saudara seperguruan dilaksanakan dengan upacara “pemercikan air”. Ajaran yang disampaikan oleh para guru itu sebenarnya ajaran biasa, misalnya tentang “sangkan paraning dumadi”, “manunggaling kawula gusti” dan sejenisnya, yang tak jauh berbeda dengan dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu, Ajaran etika menempati tempat yang pokok, berupa berbagai anjuran dan larangan yang bersifat khusus. Anjuran dan larangan itu merupakan hal yang wajib dilaksanakan tanpa harus mengetahui apa alasannya. Hal inilah yang membuat moral dan perilaku para penganut kejawen umumnya selalu terjaga. Biasanya kegiatan belajar ditutup dengan pelajaran “samadhi”, dalam sebuah upacara khusus, yang terkesan sakral dan amat tertutup. Hal ini dilaksanakan setelah siswa mendapat “wejangan” mantra-mantra khusus, yang hanya diberikan setelah melaksanakan “laku” (brata) tertentu. Laku (brata) ini ada bermacam-macam, antara lain: puasa, mutih, tidak tidur (jagra), berpantang seks dan lain-lainnya. Sifat tertutup ini membuat mereka sering mendapat sebutan dukun “klenik”, yang dicurigai dan divonis sebagai pengajar ilmu sesat. Tudingan bahwa mereka adalah kaum sinkretis, yang suka meramu ajaran berbagai agama mungkin ada benarnya, sebab mereka umumnya mengajarkan tentang dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu dan melaksanakan berbagai upacara yang bernafas Hindu tetapi tak jarang doa-doanya dalam bahasa Arab dan Jawa.
Guru spiritual mendapat tempat tersendiri dalam tradisi Jawa. Para
guru ini umumnya mereka sudah berusia lanjut, hingga layak mendapat sebutan “orang tua”. Karena itu ilmu yang diajarkan biasanya juga disebut “ilmu tua”, yang artinya ilmu spiritual, yang hanya bisa diberikan kepada mereka yang “cukup umur”. Tentang batasan umur bagi siswa ini ada bermacam-macam, sementara guru bahkan ada yang hanya mau menerima siswa yang sudah pernah “mantu” atau mengawinkan anaknya. Kalau belum masih dianggap terlalu muda dan belum layak mendapat ilmu. Sebenarnya hal yang sama juga berlaku di Bali. Ilmu hanya boleh diajarkan oleh sang “guru”, sedang siswa tidak. Karena itu awalnya jarang ada ilmu “kejawen” bersifat terbuka bisa dipelajari oleh siapa saja. Penerimaan siswa amat selektif. Bila itu terjadi di Jawa tentunya bisa dimaklumi, mungkin karena lingkungannya mengharuskan demikian. tetapi kalau hal yang sama terjadi di Bali, tentunya akan menjadi pertanyaan.
Sikap siswa terhadap guru, umumnya hanya sebatas rasa hormat, dengan menganggapnya sebagai orang suci. Penghargaan yang bersifat materi (Reshi Yadnya) tidak seberapa dan bahkan tidak ada. Guru umumnya benar-benar sepi pamrih. Umumnya orang berpendapat semakin tanpa pamrih nama guru tersebut akan menjadi semakin terkenal dan dihormati. Situasi lingkungan rupanya telah menyebabkan para guru “kebatinan” tersebut, banyak yang tidak mau menunjukkan identitas agamanya secara jelas. Berbagai aturan yang dibuat mengindikasikan bahwa para guru tersebut jauh dari rasa bebas dalam menyampaikan ajarannya. Misalnya mengajarnya di tempat sepi, yang jauh dari keramaian, siswa harus merahasiakan nama gurunya, dilarang membicarakan hal-hal yang diajarkan kecuali dengan sesama siswa, dll. Karena aturan yang begitu ketat, maka para siswa umumnya pun sangat tertutup, bahkan pantang menyebut nama sang guru. Yang terakhir ini juga terjadi di Bali. Hubungan antar sesama siswa sangat akrab. Mereka disumpah untuk menjadi “saudara seperguruan”, yang diistilahkan “sedulur tunggal banyu”, yang artinya “saudara seair”. Mungkin penamaan itu diberikan karena pengangkatannya sebagai saudara seperguruan dilaksanakan dengan upacara “pemercikan air”. Ajaran yang disampaikan oleh para guru itu sebenarnya ajaran biasa, misalnya tentang “sangkan paraning dumadi”, “manunggaling kawula gusti” dan sejenisnya, yang tak jauh berbeda dengan dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu, Ajaran etika menempati tempat yang pokok, berupa berbagai anjuran dan larangan yang bersifat khusus. Anjuran dan larangan itu merupakan hal yang wajib dilaksanakan tanpa harus mengetahui apa alasannya. Hal inilah yang membuat moral dan perilaku para penganut kejawen umumnya selalu terjaga. Biasanya kegiatan belajar ditutup dengan pelajaran “samadhi”, dalam sebuah upacara khusus, yang terkesan sakral dan amat tertutup. Hal ini dilaksanakan setelah siswa mendapat “wejangan” mantra-mantra khusus, yang hanya diberikan setelah melaksanakan “laku” (brata) tertentu. Laku (brata) ini ada bermacam-macam, antara lain: puasa, mutih, tidak tidur (jagra), berpantang seks dan lain-lainnya. Sifat tertutup ini membuat mereka sering mendapat sebutan dukun “klenik”, yang dicurigai dan divonis sebagai pengajar ilmu sesat. Tudingan bahwa mereka adalah kaum sinkretis, yang suka meramu ajaran berbagai agama mungkin ada benarnya, sebab mereka umumnya mengajarkan tentang dasar-dasar ajaran Hindu dan melaksanakan berbagai upacara yang bernafas Hindu tetapi tak jarang doa-doanya dalam bahasa Arab dan Jawa.
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Other Balinese Ceremonies
There are many events and ceremonies, religious and non-religious, held all over Bali at one time or another throughout the year.
The most important ones being Galungan, Kuningan, Tumpek and Nyepi to name a few. But there are those ceremonies that a majority of travellers to Bali are unaware of. Here are just a few.
BERSIH DESA: This ritual is an expression of appreciation to the fertility Gods such as Dewi Sri. Subsequently this ritual takes place around the period of the rice harvest. I suppose you could call it a village 'spring-clean'. Roads and paths in the village area are repaired. Houses and other buildings of importance are cleaned as are most of the garden areas within the village. Whatever needs painting gets painted and in general the whole village is renewed in appearance.
HARI RAYA SARISWATI: Batari Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful goddess, was the wife of Brahma. She was the goddess of the arts, sciences and learning. This day is to commemorate her and nobody on the island is allowed to write or read for the day.
Special ceremonies are conducted by a Pedanda early in the morning at the Pura Jagat Natha temple in Denpasar. On this day books are offered to be blessed by the Gods. Hari Raya Saraswati is a day of appreciation when wisdom was brought to the world by the Gods.
PAGERWESI: Literally interpreted means 'iron fence'. It is a day when man should fortify the space around himself to fend off evil sprits - the continuous battle between good and evil. Pagerwesi is a day of offerings requesting spiritual strength when confronting the life-cycles of suffering and worldly fulfilment. It is also 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 uncremated dead.
As on the day Galungan, on the day of Pagerwesi 'penjors' are raised which makes it a day as almost as important as Galungan. You will find this ceremony almost strictly observed in the regency of Buleleng, the northern regions of Bali.
MELASTI: The day before Nyepi. Everybody knows that the day of Nyepi is a day of silence but the day of Melasti is far from that and especially at night. It is a day when the villagers purify the deities known as Pratima with water. This is the day when the villagers, dressed in their finery and carrying long-poled umbrellas, proceed in lines towards a source of water - a holy spring or the sea. In this procession the women carry offerings of fruit and sweet cakes and flowers and the men carry the sacred family statues on bamboo litters. Upon arriving at the water source, generally the sea, the pedanda prays and rings his small bells whilst the men carrying the litters rush the sacred figures into the water symbolically washing them and thus purifying the statues.
On the day of Melasti you will also find the offerings of the flesh of domestic animals at crossroads - the haven of the evil sprits bhuta and kala. The offering of flesh is to placate these demons. Later in the evening all hell breaks loose with all manner of noise and din created to awaken all the evil sprits and demons. This is the most spectacular part of this day.
There is also another very important ceremony called EKA DASA RUDRA. It is a ceremony to restore balance in the world and is the most important and biggest religious ceremony on the island of Bali.
The most important ones being Galungan, Kuningan, Tumpek and Nyepi to name a few. But there are those ceremonies that a majority of travellers to Bali are unaware of. Here are just a few.
BERSIH DESA: This ritual is an expression of appreciation to the fertility Gods such as Dewi Sri. Subsequently this ritual takes place around the period of the rice harvest. I suppose you could call it a village 'spring-clean'. Roads and paths in the village area are repaired. Houses and other buildings of importance are cleaned as are most of the garden areas within the village. Whatever needs painting gets painted and in general the whole village is renewed in appearance.
HARI RAYA SARISWATI: Batari Dewi Saraswati, the beautiful goddess, was the wife of Brahma. She was the goddess of the arts, sciences and learning. This day is to commemorate her and nobody on the island is allowed to write or read for the day.
Special ceremonies are conducted by a Pedanda early in the morning at the Pura Jagat Natha temple in Denpasar. On this day books are offered to be blessed by the Gods. Hari Raya Saraswati is a day of appreciation when wisdom was brought to the world by the Gods.
PAGERWESI: Literally interpreted means 'iron fence'. It is a day when man should fortify the space around himself to fend off evil sprits - the continuous battle between good and evil. Pagerwesi is a day of offerings requesting spiritual strength when confronting the life-cycles of suffering and worldly fulfilment. It is also 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 uncremated dead.
As on the day Galungan, on the day of Pagerwesi 'penjors' are raised which makes it a day as almost as important as Galungan. You will find this ceremony almost strictly observed in the regency of Buleleng, the northern regions of Bali.
MELASTI: The day before Nyepi. Everybody knows that the day of Nyepi is a day of silence but the day of Melasti is far from that and especially at night. It is a day when the villagers purify the deities known as Pratima with water. This is the day when the villagers, dressed in their finery and carrying long-poled umbrellas, proceed in lines towards a source of water - a holy spring or the sea. In this procession the women carry offerings of fruit and sweet cakes and flowers and the men carry the sacred family statues on bamboo litters. Upon arriving at the water source, generally the sea, the pedanda prays and rings his small bells whilst the men carrying the litters rush the sacred figures into the water symbolically washing them and thus purifying the statues.
On the day of Melasti you will also find the offerings of the flesh of domestic animals at crossroads - the haven of the evil sprits bhuta and kala. The offering of flesh is to placate these demons. Later in the evening all hell breaks loose with all manner of noise and din created to awaken all the evil sprits and demons. This is the most spectacular part of this day.
There is also another very important ceremony called EKA DASA RUDRA. It is a ceremony to restore balance in the world and is the most important and biggest religious ceremony on the island of Bali.
Thursday 30 October 2008
Bali Experiences
My Bali Experiences - An island paradise for whom?
SuhartoMy history with Bali first started with a holiday there in 1998. It was a choice between a package holiday to Bali, Jamaica or somewhere else I forget; Bali won as the other possible destinations were going to be in the middle of their rainy seasons. After deciding on Bali I started to research the island and found the hotel options in the "bargain" packages I had discovered were reportedly tourist traps devoid of true Balinese influence (Nusa Dua) or endured hoards of drunken profane red necks (Kuta), so I booked the cheapest option (Wina Cottages Kuta) and decided to stay there only for the first night, then travel around the island to see the "Real Bali". I used what Internet resources existed at the time including a Bali Travel Forum and various hotel sites but had significant cause to question their authenticity and legitimacy, which gave me the idea to set up my own. In retrospect it is ironic though, I did not even think of Bali as part of Indonesia at the time and I had no idea the island was ruled over by a dictator who reportedly killed thousands of his own people. But then perhaps I wouldn't all the time world leaders like John Howard described Suharto as "a very skilled and sensitive national leader"; more of nasty Prime Minister Howard here: Australian Foreign Policy.
The more experience I had of Bali, the sader I became for the Balinese.
When I arrived in Kuta and had a chance to look around, I was very glad I had made plans already to get out of the area. Although many people enjoy the bars and shops of Kuta and I enjoyed a cold beer and walkabout somewhere completely different, it was ultimately as Balinese and tasteful to me as a McDonalds. It is kind of like the Spanish Balearic Islands in that the popular tourist towns are often pretty raucous while the remote areas actually relatively free from mass tourists, unspoiled and even Spanish. So the next day I set off around Bali to places and hotels there were scant information available for at the time. I loved the remote areas of Bali so much, was so amazed as to the contrast between what some people call “The Real Bali” and the tourist south (although I know all is not bad in the south) in terms of enjoyment, historical preservation, authenticity and value for money that when I returned to England I set up the Bali and Lombok Travel Forum and (then called) Bali Direct hotel reservation site as hobbies. With these I tried to focus on real Balinese hotels and culture in both the real Bali and even the mass tourism areas. I also tried my best to speak the truth which is not often appreciated in Indonesia.
My first major problem with the corrupt police of Bali came when two Javanese youths high on marijuana and on a stolen motorbike (they had stolen it on Lombok and were travelling back to Java) crashed into the back of my rental car as I drove legally, responsibly and normally along a straight section of the quiet North Bali coast road. These drug taking thieves hit the back of my car as they tried to overtake me straight into the path of an oncoming truck; if they had not hit the back of my car they would have surely died. Because their hitting my car delayed their bike by a split second they bounced into the side of the truck and then my car and then the truck again. I know they were on drugs because lying next to them on the roads were half smoked joints and because the police later told me so. They were carted off to the public hospital in Singaraja and the police arrived. The police said I had a "good accident" because the damage to my rental car was at the back, so I was proportionately less liable. The truck driver had a "bad accident" because the impact of the bike was at the front side of his truck, so he was proportionately more liable! Liable? Yes, even though neither I nor the truck driver could have done anything about these young men the way they were driving, because I was a foreigner / could afford a car and because the truck belonged to a business which must have money, the police were holding us liable! The police explained it that someone had to pay for the medical treatment and to pay for the two youths to get home to Java now but as they had no money, we had to pay because we were involved. I hear many foreigners talk about this aspect of liability by involvement as being a legitimate system; it is BS.
I was lucky, a local hotel worker I was friends with came with me to the police station. I was amazed, we were taken to the hospital to see the injured men and had to sit down and discuss matters! Actually we were not taken, I was asked to drive using my damaged rental car; the police did not want to use their own vehicles they said because they have to pay for their own petrol ! Then we had to go back to the police station and negotiate a "release fee"; how much "compensation" I would pay in order to be absolved of any liability ! This process took days, the police would comment on my watch saying how nice and expensive it was (it was not that expensive a watch); I had to counter that by explaining how expensive houses are in England so that my house was smaller than the police investigator's. What a "joke" and it became clear to me the money was for the police, not for the bike riders or the hospital (for medical fees which the police said had to be paid by someone). In the end we agreed a price and I asked to pay that directly to the hospital and to the two injured men, which really made the police angry. "You do not trust us?" they screamed. I said "I trust you, I just wanted to wish the hospital and injured men well". My friend said it was best to pay the police or the matter would not end. It was clear these police monkeys in uniform pocketed the release fee themselves. Since that time whenever I have seen Balinese police I have noticed them more. I have noticed how they are always asking for money under false "on the spot fine" pretences and how they never actually do any genuine police work.
My first serious encounter with the equally nasty business culture of Indonesia came when the General Manager of Waka Shorea Hotel on Menjangan Island (Bali Barat National Park) posted a spam “come and stay with us” message on the forum I run. Coincidentally I had only been discussing his hotel a few days before with friends in nearby wonderful Pemuteran; you see the park authority had closed their own small hostel on the basis no accommodations could be located on park grounds as that is unlawful, just before Waka Shorea got their building permit! The locals were furious about this and said Waka had bought their permit from Suharto's son. Anyway, when I replied to his posting “Aren’t you the hotel with an unlawfully gained building permit” he responded by email that he would sue me the Indonesian way, by slashing my throat from behind! When I complained about his threat to the Waka Group, owned by a very influential Balinese family, of course I got no apology and no action was ever taken against this man. I even filed a police complaint about his very clear threat, but nothing happened. Foolishly I did not see the woods for the trees or the writing on the wall about Indonesia. Sure I was being stopped once every two days or so by bent traffic cops alleging ridiculous motoring offences against me to extort 50,000 Rupiah from me, sure I heard Indonesia was a very corrupt country, but like most foreigners at this stage I still had my rose coloured glasses on; this was Bali after all.
I invested large sums of money into a small Balinese and environmentally friendly beachfront villa project which friends and relatives basically own and operate. I can say with pride these villas do everything to bring foreign tourists into contact with the real Balinese, that the villas were only built after a properly / legally obtained building permit was issued (unlike many perhaps most villas in Bali), that the villas are 100% legal (fully licensed, etc.), 100% Balinese friendly (the staff were not sent home after the 2002 bombings and they get an equal share of all the service charges paid by guests), 100% community friendly (the villas paid for local electricity to come to some villagers, maintain the public beach access road and built steps down for the locals to access the beach with safety) and 100% environmentally friendly (the villas even have an Indonesian Ministry of Fisheries backed coral protection and development project running).
I did not just invest in commercial projects I also helped foreign bomb victims with free accommodation plus Balinese hotel worker families desperate after family members were sent home without wages in a country with no social welfare system. I started to set up classes for Balinese children in computer and internet literacy, I was also planning the formation of a small International IT service company and an olive grove test project in one of the poorest areas of Bali which had its citrus plantations destroyed by blight. I had even applied for and been granted a KITAS work permit to come and live and work some of the time in Bali and was starting to look at houses to buy with my wife. Thank God we had not already made any such move when I found out the hard way what Indonesia is all about. You see, because of my legally exercising my freedom of speech rights (outside Indonesia) and due to increasing connections with Bali, I was overdue becoming a victim of the hate and extortion that prevails there; my rose tinted glasses were soon enough to come off.
My then girlfriend (now wife) Suci and I lived in Thailand. We lived there for a number of reasons; because I also had business there, to be candid I much preferred the food and other resources there (such as quality hospitals), we also also both much preferred the atmosphere in Thailand. In Bali, girls who date foreigners are often branded “whores”; not surprising for an island where many young men stone girls while shouting “lesbian” at them simply because they are trying to protect their virtue. When I witnessed such things first hand I started realizing Bali was not the paradise for all I had once thought it was. When Suci and I travelled together once in Bali, Indonesian men would come up to her behind my back and ask her "How much?". As is normal with the Balinese and other Indonesians, my wife did not reveal much of the problems of life in Bali for many years. It was only after she had become a little bit more worldly, confident and secure that she told me what goes on in Balinese villages. Believe me, decent everyday Balinese have little to smile about.
Business wise I saw that the small truly Balinese hotels offered not just a better, more genuine taste of Bali to guests, but that they paid my company the money they owed it; many large hotels cheated us. In Thailand we started going to an Indonesian expatriate group thing and I actually met the former general manager of one of the island's most prestigious hotels, the Bali Padma. I told him they were not paying my company the money they owed us and he asked who I was dealing with there. When I told him he advised me that person had left long ago but they kept his name and email address going to avoid giving out genuine names to suppliers, and that they cheated many people. During my travels around Bali, I tried out many hotels to experience them for myself. I was amazed that hotels like the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel had such a large following; I was actually looking forward to staying there but can say hand-on-heart it was by far the worst so called luxury 5 star hotel I have ever stayed at. It was not just the hotel (rooms, service, food, etc.) quality, it was the fact I was lied to and cheated over my hotel room (I had paid for a sea view but got dumped into a garden room which the hotel insisted was a suite when it was not) and they lost my laptop and luggage; my laptop having been deposited with reception to keep in a safe area. Compared with places like Thailand, I found so many of Bali's so called luxury hotels really terrible value for money, and said so of course. I was also amazed that people posted travel forum messages such as "The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel is the best hotel in Bali if not the world. I have been going back for the last 14 years"; who were these people, travel agents? I slowly began to realize many western tourists were not interested in the real Bali so much but safety in fellow tour group numbers, familiarity and self-vindication of their location choice. That is fine, people are entitled to no brainer package holidays; they deserve their breaks along with the next guy. I am just an avid independent traveller and want to experience the local culture, not an entertainment program for tourists and can honestly say that guests of these concrete blocks get mostly that, concrete.
I believe these self interested self-perpetuating myths illustrate how Bali can be somehow presented as an island paradise when it is not. For me Nusa Dua is easily proven factually to be devoid of Balinese authenticity and being the opposite of a paradise for the people of Bali. After all, the Balinese's legal right to access to all beaches, which are all public, clearly is being abused by token of the fact there are not many "hawkers" on Nusa Dua's beaches and those that are have license ID's! Where some tourists may exclaim "Good, I hate hawkers", that does nothing for Balinese legal rights or for reality, after all the reason there are so many hawkers in Bali is because the islanders are so impoverished. It is relevant to look at the history of Nusa Dua in that the land was compulsory purchased at below market rates from the Balinese owners in order to build expensive hotels almost all part-owned by members of the Suharto family; the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel for example is owned by the Sultan of Brunei and "Tutut" Suharto, through front companies of course. Also unlike many other hotels in Bali you will see more Javanese names on Nusa Dua hotel staff name badges then you do Balinese. Finally, when I stayed at each of the main hotels in Nusa Dua their weekly "cultural performance" almost to a hotel was the Kecak Dance; the Kecak Dance being a German resident's invention in the 1930's, not a cultural Balinese dance at all. Please tell me how Nusa Dua is either Balinese or somehow helps Bali.
Of course my saying these things does not just upset the large hotel owners but the loyal band of no brainer holiday makers that show allegiance to one hotel or another. I did not criticize for the sake of it, I told it as it was. An example of what many tourists hold important and caused a few on another travel forum to "hate" me came from what I said about the beer in Bali; I said "Bintang", the favorite beer of tourists by far and regarded to the point of extremism, sucked. But I am entitled to say and can even prove Bintang sucks, so why did so many western tourists to Bali "hate" me for saying such things? Like all beer in Indonesia, they rely on imported hops and I do not suppose they get the best by token of commercial necessity. Secondly, take a look at how the Balinese / Indonesian shop and restaurant owners store their beer, in sheds which get very hot inside. Then look at the "sell by" date on a bottle of beer and wonder what magical ingredient they put in it that it can last so long in hot sheds? Just get a glass of water and turn a bottle of Bali's "best" beer upside down so it is just beneath the water surface and wait; What you will see is an oil slick! So how is the beer in Bali so great and why does it invoke such an aggressive response when you demean it. By understanding that I believe you begin to understand the false myths about other aspects of Bali.
Do not get me wrong, I think that Bali can be a wonderful holiday destination. I believe however it only becomes wonderful when you take the time to get past the suffocating weight of mass institutional tourism and find what is truly Balinese and Bali friendly. I actually sadly believe there is very little that is so great and so ethical, but it is there if you make the effort (please see my page on Bali's ethical tourism). Being in the business I got to see much more of the ugly truth of Bali than regular tourists. I started to find out about how hotels en mass cheat their staff and Bali generally by unlawfully retaining tax and service charges as profit. I started to find out how travel related businesses cut corners which impacted the health, safety, physical and financial security of their customers. I saw how too many uninsured Indonesian travel agents and tour operators committed credit card fraud, plus used "bait and switch" by advertising a low rate at a popular hotel they could not honour only to report to potential guests that hotel was fully booked, when it was not / they did not even ask, but they had something "better". I got tired of the crime and fraud on the island, all due to the fact the police are out to make extortion money, not uphold the law. I got tired of being offered drugs on the street by pushers working with the police. I got tired of being offered young women and men for rent. I got tired of hearing western tourists swear at the Balinese. I got tired of food from large packets with copious amounts of MSG added in large tourist area hotels and reheated leftovers from last year with copious amounts of MSG added in small tourist area hotels. But I also knew and loved certain areas of Bali, outside the zoo zone, and I had every admiration for many traditional Balinese.
After the October 2002 Bali terrorist bombings I went to Bali as a sign of support and after receiving assurances from many business contacts on Bali that the authorities had now made Bali one of the most secure places in the world. When I arrived at and looked around however I was shocked, became very nervous and then very worried at what I saw. Far from tight security, I saw nothing had changed; laziness and inability prevailed. For me I could not accept this situation for the sake of the safety of future potential visitors to Bali and for the sake of the Balinese themselves. I was sure the recipe was there for another bombing which would take yet more lives and money from the Balinese. So I sent a well intentioned, 100% honest and accurate email to many of the people I did business with in Bali warning them of what I had seen and my fears; you can read that email here. The email was exceptionally well received with many people asking if they could bring it to local security meetings in Bali, etc. to which I said “Yes” as my wish was to protect Bali and its visitors. Unfortunately this act of sharing my email meant a copy of it fell into the hands of a business competitor I had two months earlier caught and stopped offering false hotel rates on the Internet.
SuhartoMy history with Bali first started with a holiday there in 1998. It was a choice between a package holiday to Bali, Jamaica or somewhere else I forget; Bali won as the other possible destinations were going to be in the middle of their rainy seasons. After deciding on Bali I started to research the island and found the hotel options in the "bargain" packages I had discovered were reportedly tourist traps devoid of true Balinese influence (Nusa Dua) or endured hoards of drunken profane red necks (Kuta), so I booked the cheapest option (Wina Cottages Kuta) and decided to stay there only for the first night, then travel around the island to see the "Real Bali". I used what Internet resources existed at the time including a Bali Travel Forum and various hotel sites but had significant cause to question their authenticity and legitimacy, which gave me the idea to set up my own. In retrospect it is ironic though, I did not even think of Bali as part of Indonesia at the time and I had no idea the island was ruled over by a dictator who reportedly killed thousands of his own people. But then perhaps I wouldn't all the time world leaders like John Howard described Suharto as "a very skilled and sensitive national leader"; more of nasty Prime Minister Howard here: Australian Foreign Policy.
The more experience I had of Bali, the sader I became for the Balinese.
When I arrived in Kuta and had a chance to look around, I was very glad I had made plans already to get out of the area. Although many people enjoy the bars and shops of Kuta and I enjoyed a cold beer and walkabout somewhere completely different, it was ultimately as Balinese and tasteful to me as a McDonalds. It is kind of like the Spanish Balearic Islands in that the popular tourist towns are often pretty raucous while the remote areas actually relatively free from mass tourists, unspoiled and even Spanish. So the next day I set off around Bali to places and hotels there were scant information available for at the time. I loved the remote areas of Bali so much, was so amazed as to the contrast between what some people call “The Real Bali” and the tourist south (although I know all is not bad in the south) in terms of enjoyment, historical preservation, authenticity and value for money that when I returned to England I set up the Bali and Lombok Travel Forum and (then called) Bali Direct hotel reservation site as hobbies. With these I tried to focus on real Balinese hotels and culture in both the real Bali and even the mass tourism areas. I also tried my best to speak the truth which is not often appreciated in Indonesia.
My first major problem with the corrupt police of Bali came when two Javanese youths high on marijuana and on a stolen motorbike (they had stolen it on Lombok and were travelling back to Java) crashed into the back of my rental car as I drove legally, responsibly and normally along a straight section of the quiet North Bali coast road. These drug taking thieves hit the back of my car as they tried to overtake me straight into the path of an oncoming truck; if they had not hit the back of my car they would have surely died. Because their hitting my car delayed their bike by a split second they bounced into the side of the truck and then my car and then the truck again. I know they were on drugs because lying next to them on the roads were half smoked joints and because the police later told me so. They were carted off to the public hospital in Singaraja and the police arrived. The police said I had a "good accident" because the damage to my rental car was at the back, so I was proportionately less liable. The truck driver had a "bad accident" because the impact of the bike was at the front side of his truck, so he was proportionately more liable! Liable? Yes, even though neither I nor the truck driver could have done anything about these young men the way they were driving, because I was a foreigner / could afford a car and because the truck belonged to a business which must have money, the police were holding us liable! The police explained it that someone had to pay for the medical treatment and to pay for the two youths to get home to Java now but as they had no money, we had to pay because we were involved. I hear many foreigners talk about this aspect of liability by involvement as being a legitimate system; it is BS.
I was lucky, a local hotel worker I was friends with came with me to the police station. I was amazed, we were taken to the hospital to see the injured men and had to sit down and discuss matters! Actually we were not taken, I was asked to drive using my damaged rental car; the police did not want to use their own vehicles they said because they have to pay for their own petrol ! Then we had to go back to the police station and negotiate a "release fee"; how much "compensation" I would pay in order to be absolved of any liability ! This process took days, the police would comment on my watch saying how nice and expensive it was (it was not that expensive a watch); I had to counter that by explaining how expensive houses are in England so that my house was smaller than the police investigator's. What a "joke" and it became clear to me the money was for the police, not for the bike riders or the hospital (for medical fees which the police said had to be paid by someone). In the end we agreed a price and I asked to pay that directly to the hospital and to the two injured men, which really made the police angry. "You do not trust us?" they screamed. I said "I trust you, I just wanted to wish the hospital and injured men well". My friend said it was best to pay the police or the matter would not end. It was clear these police monkeys in uniform pocketed the release fee themselves. Since that time whenever I have seen Balinese police I have noticed them more. I have noticed how they are always asking for money under false "on the spot fine" pretences and how they never actually do any genuine police work.
My first serious encounter with the equally nasty business culture of Indonesia came when the General Manager of Waka Shorea Hotel on Menjangan Island (Bali Barat National Park) posted a spam “come and stay with us” message on the forum I run. Coincidentally I had only been discussing his hotel a few days before with friends in nearby wonderful Pemuteran; you see the park authority had closed their own small hostel on the basis no accommodations could be located on park grounds as that is unlawful, just before Waka Shorea got their building permit! The locals were furious about this and said Waka had bought their permit from Suharto's son. Anyway, when I replied to his posting “Aren’t you the hotel with an unlawfully gained building permit” he responded by email that he would sue me the Indonesian way, by slashing my throat from behind! When I complained about his threat to the Waka Group, owned by a very influential Balinese family, of course I got no apology and no action was ever taken against this man. I even filed a police complaint about his very clear threat, but nothing happened. Foolishly I did not see the woods for the trees or the writing on the wall about Indonesia. Sure I was being stopped once every two days or so by bent traffic cops alleging ridiculous motoring offences against me to extort 50,000 Rupiah from me, sure I heard Indonesia was a very corrupt country, but like most foreigners at this stage I still had my rose coloured glasses on; this was Bali after all.
I invested large sums of money into a small Balinese and environmentally friendly beachfront villa project which friends and relatives basically own and operate. I can say with pride these villas do everything to bring foreign tourists into contact with the real Balinese, that the villas were only built after a properly / legally obtained building permit was issued (unlike many perhaps most villas in Bali), that the villas are 100% legal (fully licensed, etc.), 100% Balinese friendly (the staff were not sent home after the 2002 bombings and they get an equal share of all the service charges paid by guests), 100% community friendly (the villas paid for local electricity to come to some villagers, maintain the public beach access road and built steps down for the locals to access the beach with safety) and 100% environmentally friendly (the villas even have an Indonesian Ministry of Fisheries backed coral protection and development project running).
I did not just invest in commercial projects I also helped foreign bomb victims with free accommodation plus Balinese hotel worker families desperate after family members were sent home without wages in a country with no social welfare system. I started to set up classes for Balinese children in computer and internet literacy, I was also planning the formation of a small International IT service company and an olive grove test project in one of the poorest areas of Bali which had its citrus plantations destroyed by blight. I had even applied for and been granted a KITAS work permit to come and live and work some of the time in Bali and was starting to look at houses to buy with my wife. Thank God we had not already made any such move when I found out the hard way what Indonesia is all about. You see, because of my legally exercising my freedom of speech rights (outside Indonesia) and due to increasing connections with Bali, I was overdue becoming a victim of the hate and extortion that prevails there; my rose tinted glasses were soon enough to come off.
My then girlfriend (now wife) Suci and I lived in Thailand. We lived there for a number of reasons; because I also had business there, to be candid I much preferred the food and other resources there (such as quality hospitals), we also also both much preferred the atmosphere in Thailand. In Bali, girls who date foreigners are often branded “whores”; not surprising for an island where many young men stone girls while shouting “lesbian” at them simply because they are trying to protect their virtue. When I witnessed such things first hand I started realizing Bali was not the paradise for all I had once thought it was. When Suci and I travelled together once in Bali, Indonesian men would come up to her behind my back and ask her "How much?". As is normal with the Balinese and other Indonesians, my wife did not reveal much of the problems of life in Bali for many years. It was only after she had become a little bit more worldly, confident and secure that she told me what goes on in Balinese villages. Believe me, decent everyday Balinese have little to smile about.
Business wise I saw that the small truly Balinese hotels offered not just a better, more genuine taste of Bali to guests, but that they paid my company the money they owed it; many large hotels cheated us. In Thailand we started going to an Indonesian expatriate group thing and I actually met the former general manager of one of the island's most prestigious hotels, the Bali Padma. I told him they were not paying my company the money they owed us and he asked who I was dealing with there. When I told him he advised me that person had left long ago but they kept his name and email address going to avoid giving out genuine names to suppliers, and that they cheated many people. During my travels around Bali, I tried out many hotels to experience them for myself. I was amazed that hotels like the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel had such a large following; I was actually looking forward to staying there but can say hand-on-heart it was by far the worst so called luxury 5 star hotel I have ever stayed at. It was not just the hotel (rooms, service, food, etc.) quality, it was the fact I was lied to and cheated over my hotel room (I had paid for a sea view but got dumped into a garden room which the hotel insisted was a suite when it was not) and they lost my laptop and luggage; my laptop having been deposited with reception to keep in a safe area. Compared with places like Thailand, I found so many of Bali's so called luxury hotels really terrible value for money, and said so of course. I was also amazed that people posted travel forum messages such as "The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel is the best hotel in Bali if not the world. I have been going back for the last 14 years"; who were these people, travel agents? I slowly began to realize many western tourists were not interested in the real Bali so much but safety in fellow tour group numbers, familiarity and self-vindication of their location choice. That is fine, people are entitled to no brainer package holidays; they deserve their breaks along with the next guy. I am just an avid independent traveller and want to experience the local culture, not an entertainment program for tourists and can honestly say that guests of these concrete blocks get mostly that, concrete.
I believe these self interested self-perpetuating myths illustrate how Bali can be somehow presented as an island paradise when it is not. For me Nusa Dua is easily proven factually to be devoid of Balinese authenticity and being the opposite of a paradise for the people of Bali. After all, the Balinese's legal right to access to all beaches, which are all public, clearly is being abused by token of the fact there are not many "hawkers" on Nusa Dua's beaches and those that are have license ID's! Where some tourists may exclaim "Good, I hate hawkers", that does nothing for Balinese legal rights or for reality, after all the reason there are so many hawkers in Bali is because the islanders are so impoverished. It is relevant to look at the history of Nusa Dua in that the land was compulsory purchased at below market rates from the Balinese owners in order to build expensive hotels almost all part-owned by members of the Suharto family; the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel for example is owned by the Sultan of Brunei and "Tutut" Suharto, through front companies of course. Also unlike many other hotels in Bali you will see more Javanese names on Nusa Dua hotel staff name badges then you do Balinese. Finally, when I stayed at each of the main hotels in Nusa Dua their weekly "cultural performance" almost to a hotel was the Kecak Dance; the Kecak Dance being a German resident's invention in the 1930's, not a cultural Balinese dance at all. Please tell me how Nusa Dua is either Balinese or somehow helps Bali.
Of course my saying these things does not just upset the large hotel owners but the loyal band of no brainer holiday makers that show allegiance to one hotel or another. I did not criticize for the sake of it, I told it as it was. An example of what many tourists hold important and caused a few on another travel forum to "hate" me came from what I said about the beer in Bali; I said "Bintang", the favorite beer of tourists by far and regarded to the point of extremism, sucked. But I am entitled to say and can even prove Bintang sucks, so why did so many western tourists to Bali "hate" me for saying such things? Like all beer in Indonesia, they rely on imported hops and I do not suppose they get the best by token of commercial necessity. Secondly, take a look at how the Balinese / Indonesian shop and restaurant owners store their beer, in sheds which get very hot inside. Then look at the "sell by" date on a bottle of beer and wonder what magical ingredient they put in it that it can last so long in hot sheds? Just get a glass of water and turn a bottle of Bali's "best" beer upside down so it is just beneath the water surface and wait; What you will see is an oil slick! So how is the beer in Bali so great and why does it invoke such an aggressive response when you demean it. By understanding that I believe you begin to understand the false myths about other aspects of Bali.
Do not get me wrong, I think that Bali can be a wonderful holiday destination. I believe however it only becomes wonderful when you take the time to get past the suffocating weight of mass institutional tourism and find what is truly Balinese and Bali friendly. I actually sadly believe there is very little that is so great and so ethical, but it is there if you make the effort (please see my page on Bali's ethical tourism). Being in the business I got to see much more of the ugly truth of Bali than regular tourists. I started to find out about how hotels en mass cheat their staff and Bali generally by unlawfully retaining tax and service charges as profit. I started to find out how travel related businesses cut corners which impacted the health, safety, physical and financial security of their customers. I saw how too many uninsured Indonesian travel agents and tour operators committed credit card fraud, plus used "bait and switch" by advertising a low rate at a popular hotel they could not honour only to report to potential guests that hotel was fully booked, when it was not / they did not even ask, but they had something "better". I got tired of the crime and fraud on the island, all due to the fact the police are out to make extortion money, not uphold the law. I got tired of being offered drugs on the street by pushers working with the police. I got tired of being offered young women and men for rent. I got tired of hearing western tourists swear at the Balinese. I got tired of food from large packets with copious amounts of MSG added in large tourist area hotels and reheated leftovers from last year with copious amounts of MSG added in small tourist area hotels. But I also knew and loved certain areas of Bali, outside the zoo zone, and I had every admiration for many traditional Balinese.
After the October 2002 Bali terrorist bombings I went to Bali as a sign of support and after receiving assurances from many business contacts on Bali that the authorities had now made Bali one of the most secure places in the world. When I arrived at and looked around however I was shocked, became very nervous and then very worried at what I saw. Far from tight security, I saw nothing had changed; laziness and inability prevailed. For me I could not accept this situation for the sake of the safety of future potential visitors to Bali and for the sake of the Balinese themselves. I was sure the recipe was there for another bombing which would take yet more lives and money from the Balinese. So I sent a well intentioned, 100% honest and accurate email to many of the people I did business with in Bali warning them of what I had seen and my fears; you can read that email here. The email was exceptionally well received with many people asking if they could bring it to local security meetings in Bali, etc. to which I said “Yes” as my wish was to protect Bali and its visitors. Unfortunately this act of sharing my email meant a copy of it fell into the hands of a business competitor I had two months earlier caught and stopped offering false hotel rates on the Internet.
Friday 17 October 2008
Why Bali Wedding?
Why Bali Wedding?
Bali has become a popular destination for honeymoon and wedding ceremony. Because it’s beautifull and exotic island in Indonesia, So it’s the main reason, the wedding should be placed. Welcome to Bali, the paradise isle.So many beautifull places where you could choose for your wedding ceremony, there are temples, rivers, mountain, field rice, carves hillsides and especially beaches. Make Your wedding to be unforgettable memorial. Plus it, don’t hestitate to choose open air wedding area, that’s so long hot season in bali from Januari till September.
Simplicity your wedding in Bali with Low Money, there are consulate, your wedding would be illegal one. Make wedding and your honeymoon becoming simple, cheap and easy. Bali also have a friendly and familiar culture. Balinese culture make bali becoming a place for exotic, friendly, honesty.
Bali has become a popular destination for honeymoon and wedding ceremony. Because it’s beautifull and exotic island in Indonesia, So it’s the main reason, the wedding should be placed. Welcome to Bali, the paradise isle.So many beautifull places where you could choose for your wedding ceremony, there are temples, rivers, mountain, field rice, carves hillsides and especially beaches. Make Your wedding to be unforgettable memorial. Plus it, don’t hestitate to choose open air wedding area, that’s so long hot season in bali from Januari till September.
Simplicity your wedding in Bali with Low Money, there are consulate, your wedding would be illegal one. Make wedding and your honeymoon becoming simple, cheap and easy. Bali also have a friendly and familiar culture. Balinese culture make bali becoming a place for exotic, friendly, honesty.
Friday 10 October 2008
Wedding Packages | Hotel Profile
Kupu Kupu Barong provides honeymooners with all the ingredients for a perfect romantic journey – complete privacy, exotic setting, a candle light dinner served by a private butler and personalized service. Couples can experience Ayung River Villa with private plunge pool, one-hour massage for two, a bottle of Champagne, round-trip limousine airport transfer, daily flowers and fruit platter, and late check-out.
Balinese Decoration Wedding Package
Package Inclusive of :
• Religious ceremony with English speaking priest
• Religious certificate of marriage
• Civil registration
• Civil certificate of marriage
• Document processing
• Full Decoration - Balinese Style "La View Restaurant" wedding venue
• A small table for signing with top cloth
• Skirting & canang sari arrangement
• Two Janurs
• Two Balinese umbrellas
• Two small penjors
• Pipit (hanging artistic ornaments made of coconut leaves)
• Plengkungan (arches/fences of coconut leaves)
• Two Balinese costum girls with flower arrangement
• Rindik (2 Balinese musicians + instrument)
• Wedding cake (small size to serve 4 guest)
Kupu Kupu Barong provides honeymooners with all the ingredients for a perfect romantic journey – complete privacy, exotic setting, a candle light dinner served by a private butler and personalized service. Couples can experience Ayung River Villa with private plunge pool, one-hour massage for two, a bottle of Champagne, round-trip limousine airport transfer, daily flowers and fruit platter, and late check-out.
Balinese Decoration Wedding Package
Package Inclusive of :
• Religious ceremony with English speaking priest
• Religious certificate of marriage
• Civil registration
• Civil certificate of marriage
• Document processing
• Full Decoration - Balinese Style "La View Restaurant" wedding venue
• A small table for signing with top cloth
• Skirting & canang sari arrangement
• Two Janurs
• Two Balinese umbrellas
• Two small penjors
• Pipit (hanging artistic ornaments made of coconut leaves)
• Plengkungan (arches/fences of coconut leaves)
• Two Balinese costum girls with flower arrangement
• Rindik (2 Balinese musicians + instrument)
• Wedding cake (small size to serve 4 guest)
Bali Airport
Ngurah Rai Denpasar, Bali airport
| click to see bali airport pictures |
Airport Location
The international airport of Bali, Ngurah Rai, is located at the south coast of Bali in Tuban close to Kuta Beach and Legian, at a distance of 13 km from the city of Denpasar.
The airport of Bali has a domestic and an international terminal.
Geography
The geographic location of Bali airport is at 08.44.51 S - 115.10.09 1. It's elevation is 4,3 M / 14 Feet and it comprises a total area of 265.60 Ha.
Bali airport info
At both of the terminals information desks are located.
Luggage
A left luggage counter is to be found next to the international departures terminal entrance.
Changing money
There are banks and money change offices, but you would get a more favourable rate at the banks in the towns, so just change as much as you need.
Shopping
A variety of shops serve the airport, including the duty free Plaza Bali at international departures. With world class outlets such as Hermes, Burberry's and Fendi.
Eating / Drinking
Restaurants and cafes from McDonalds to coffee shops to smart Balinese dining are open from 6am till the last flight in both terminals.
Airport Tax
Payable at departure:
Rp. 100,000 on international flights
Rp. 9 - 20,000 on domestic flights.
Business Facilities
Citibank offers executive lounges in both terminals and there is another one on the third floor with internet access and showers. Secretarial services and catering can be hired.
Disabled Facilities
Wheelchairs, lifts and general assistance are readily available.
Available Transport
Taxi, Car Rental, City Transportation
International Departures
Other Information
* Airport classification
Class 1
.
* Airport ICAO/IATA Code
WADD / DPS.
.
* Runway
Name: R-09 - 27.
Surface: asphalt / concrete.
Magnetic angle: 088-26.
Dimension: 3000m x 45m.
.
* Apron
Wide : 126.730 m 2 + 30.000 m 2 (inv. 1996)
Strengths : PCN 69 RCXT
Surface : Concrete cement
Capacity : type B- 747/ MD-11=6 ; Max. a/c B-747.400
type DC-10 =4
type DC-9 =21
.
* Street and Parking:
STREET : 134.110 m2
PARKING : 38.358 m2.
.
* Terminals:
Domestic Arrival and Departure Wide : 9.039 m2
International Arrival and Departure Wide : 28.630 m2
.
* Security facilities:
X-Ray, Walk Trough, Explosive Detector, Handy Metal Detector, PAS, PABX, Fire Alarm, CCTV, Perimeter System, Door Control, FIDS.
Contact information
Bandar Udara Ngurah Rai
Jl. Raya I Gusti Ngurah Rai
DENPASAR
80361 BALI
Phone: +62 (0)361 751011
Fax: +62 (0)361 751032
E-mail: dps@angkasapura1.co.id
| click to see bali airport pictures |
Airport Location
The international airport of Bali, Ngurah Rai, is located at the south coast of Bali in Tuban close to Kuta Beach and Legian, at a distance of 13 km from the city of Denpasar.
The airport of Bali has a domestic and an international terminal.
Geography
The geographic location of Bali airport is at 08.44.51 S - 115.10.09 1. It's elevation is 4,3 M / 14 Feet and it comprises a total area of 265.60 Ha.
Bali airport info
At both of the terminals information desks are located.
Luggage
A left luggage counter is to be found next to the international departures terminal entrance.
Changing money
There are banks and money change offices, but you would get a more favourable rate at the banks in the towns, so just change as much as you need.
Shopping
A variety of shops serve the airport, including the duty free Plaza Bali at international departures. With world class outlets such as Hermes, Burberry's and Fendi.
Eating / Drinking
Restaurants and cafes from McDonalds to coffee shops to smart Balinese dining are open from 6am till the last flight in both terminals.
Airport Tax
Payable at departure:
Rp. 100,000 on international flights
Rp. 9 - 20,000 on domestic flights.
Business Facilities
Citibank offers executive lounges in both terminals and there is another one on the third floor with internet access and showers. Secretarial services and catering can be hired.
Disabled Facilities
Wheelchairs, lifts and general assistance are readily available.
Available Transport
Taxi, Car Rental, City Transportation
International Departures
Other Information
* Airport classification
Class 1
.
* Airport ICAO/IATA Code
WADD / DPS.
.
* Runway
Name: R-09 - 27.
Surface: asphalt / concrete.
Magnetic angle: 088-26.
Dimension: 3000m x 45m.
.
* Apron
Wide : 126.730 m 2 + 30.000 m 2 (inv. 1996)
Strengths : PCN 69 RCXT
Surface : Concrete cement
Capacity : type B- 747/ MD-11=6 ; Max. a/c B-747.400
type DC-10 =4
type DC-9 =21
.
* Street and Parking:
STREET : 134.110 m2
PARKING : 38.358 m2.
.
* Terminals:
Domestic Arrival and Departure Wide : 9.039 m2
International Arrival and Departure Wide : 28.630 m2
.
* Security facilities:
X-Ray, Walk Trough, Explosive Detector, Handy Metal Detector, PAS, PABX, Fire Alarm, CCTV, Perimeter System, Door Control, FIDS.
Contact information
Bandar Udara Ngurah Rai
Jl. Raya I Gusti Ngurah Rai
DENPASAR
80361 BALI
Phone: +62 (0)361 751011
Fax: +62 (0)361 751032
E-mail: dps@angkasapura1.co.id
Monday 6 October 2008
Bali Learning
The Cultural balinese special is its culture itself, so wanna be a target for making or gathering info from another person to make a perspectif for respect the another people, . we can look it //http:culturebalinese.blogspot.com//here
.
.
Balinese Article
Balinese practice their Hindu differently from those originated in India. Much of its astonishment, Hinduism blossom in this island for centuries and have surpassed the influx of Islam that flooded to its neighboring islands. Though Balinese Hinduism shares the same conceptual from those of India, the daily practice and tradition are very much different. Through-out the years, it adapts new methods, and still holds the traditional values that inherited by their grandparents.
Certain similarities are directly adopted from India such as the Weda, the Hindu bible, many epics are told for generations such as the famous Mahabharata and Ramayana epics, the gods and goddess names derived from india's origin, the Balinese writing that similar to indian characters and many other Hinduism concept. Nonetheless, Balinese Hinduism seem to developed its own tradition through the offerings (the so called banten in Bali), the establishment of castes system on the island and the temples that are similar but in many ways exquisite and are nowhere to be found but in Bali.
The articles above are collection of the best articles about Bali Hinduism, as an overview and possibly outline some distinctions from India's Hinduism.
Certain similarities are directly adopted from India such as the Weda, the Hindu bible, many epics are told for generations such as the famous Mahabharata and Ramayana epics, the gods and goddess names derived from india's origin, the Balinese writing that similar to indian characters and many other Hinduism concept. Nonetheless, Balinese Hinduism seem to developed its own tradition through the offerings (the so called banten in Bali), the establishment of castes system on the island and the temples that are similar but in many ways exquisite and are nowhere to be found but in Bali.
The articles above are collection of the best articles about Bali Hinduism, as an overview and possibly outline some distinctions from India's Hinduism.
Friday 3 October 2008
Bali Traditional Medicine (Dewandaru)
Eugenia uniflora Lam
a. Morfologi tanaman
Tanaman Eugenia uniflora berbentuk perdu yang tumbuh secara tahunan dengan tinggi lebih dari 5 meter. Batangnya tegak berkayu, berbentuk bulat danberwarna coklat. Daun yang dimiliki berwarna hijau serta merupakan daun tunggal tersebar berbentuk lonjong dengan ujung runcing dan pangkal meruncing. Tepi daun rata, pertulangan menyirip dengan panjang lebih dari 5 cm dan lebar kurang lebih 4 cm. Tanaman ini memiliki bunga berbetuk tunggal berkelamin dua dengan daun pelindung yang kecil berwarna hijau. Kelopak bunga bertaju tiga sampai lima, benangsari yang dimiliki banyak dengan warna putih. Putik berbentuk slindris, makota bunga berbentuk kuku dan berwarna kuning. Buah Eugenia uniflora berupa buah buni bulat denagn diameter kurang lebih 1,5 cm dan berwarna merah. Bijinya keras, berwarna coklat, dan kecil. Akar yang dimiliki berwarna coklat dan merupakan akar tunggang (Hutapea, 1994).
b. Habitat dan Penyebaran
Tanaman Eugenia uniflora tersebar luas di negara-negara Amerika Selatan terutama di Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay, dan Paraguay (Consolini&Sarubbio,2002). Tanaman ini menyebar di Indonesia hingga di daerah Sumatera dan Jawa (Hutapea, 1994)
c. Sistematika Tanaman
Klasifikasi Eugenia uniflora Lam. dalam sistematika tumbuhan adalah sebagai berikut :
Divisi : Spermatophyta
Sub divisi : Angiospermae
Kelas : Dicotyledoneae
Bangsa : Myrtales
Suku : Myrtaceae
Marga : Eugenia
Jenis : Eugenia uniflora L.
(Hutapea, 1994)
d. Nama Daerah
Tanaman : Eugenia uniflora L.
Sinonim : Eugenia micnelii Lamk.
Nama Daerah : Cereme asam (Melayu), Asem selong, belimbing londo, dewandaru (Jawa) (Hutapea, 1994).
e. Kandungan Kimia
Daun tanaman Eugenia uniflora menagndung flavonoid, saponin, dan tanin (Hutapea, 1994). Flavonoid dari ekstrak daun berupa myricetrin, myrcitrin, gallocatechin, quercetin, dan quercitrin (Schmeda-Hirschmann et al, 1987). Senyawa tannin yang diisolasi dari fraksi aktif Eugenia uniflora antara lain gallocatechin, oenothein B, eugeniflorins D(1) and D(2) (Lee et al, 2000)
f. Manfaat Tanaman
Buah dan daun Eugenia uniflora digunakan sebagai peningkat kualitas astringent dan mengurangi tekanan darah tinggi (Bandoni et al, 1972). Hasil decocta daun Eugenia uniflora di Paraguai digunakan untuk menurunkan kolesterol dan tekanan darah (Ferro et al, 1994). Selain itu juga dapat menurunkan metabolisme lipid dan dapat digunakan sebagai efek proteksi pada trigliserida dan level lipoprotein yang sangat rendah (Ferro et al, 1988).
Daun Eugenia uniflora sebagai obat tradisional berkhasiat sebagai obat mencret (Hutapea, 1994). Aksi anti infamasi yang tinggi juga ditemukan pada daun Eugenia uniflora (Scapoval et al, 1994). Pada Brazilian folk medicine buah Eugenia uniflora digunakan sebagai antidiare, diuretik, antirematik, anti-febrile, dan antidiabetik. Selain itu, ekstrak daun Eugenia uniflora juga sebagai agen hipotensif (Consolini et al, 2000) dan menghambat peningkatan level trigliserida dan glukosa plasma (Matsumura et al, 2000).
g. Penelitian tentang Eugenia uniflora Lam.
Eugenia uniflora Lam. merupakan salah satu tanaman yang memiliki prospek yang bagus untuk dikembangkan sebagai obat antikanker. Beberapa penelitian mengenai khasiat daun Eugenia uniflora sebagai obat antikanker telah dilakukan.
Uji sitotoksik Eugenia uniflora L terhadap sel Hela menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak etil asetat mempunyai efek sitotoksik yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan ekstrak etanol dan kloroform. Uji sitotoksik dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode MTT dengan seri konsentrasi 5, 10, 25, 50, 125, 250µg/ml. Nilai IC50 ekstrak etil asetat 241,546µg/ml dan IC50 ekstrak kloroform 244,906µg/ml. Sedangkan pada ekstrak etanol tidak dapat ditentukan nilai IC50 nya karena tidak menunjukkan potensi penghambatannya terhadap pertumbuhan sel HeLa (Handayani, 2006).
Lee M.H. et al (2000) melakukan penelitian pengaruh Eugenia uniflora L terhadap Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) yang sering berhubungan dengan Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Empat senyawa tanin pada Eugenia uniflora L dan IC50 yang dimiliki yaitu gallocatechin (26,5 microM), oenothein B (62,3 microM), eugeniflorins D(1) (3,0 microM), dan eugeniflorins D(2) (3,5 microM). hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa eugeniflorins D(1) dan D(2) merupakan senyawa yang paling berpotensi dalam menghambat DNA polymerase pada EBV.
Daftar pustaka
Consolini,A.E.,&Sarubbio,M.G.(2002).Pharmacological effects of Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae)aqueous crude extract on rats heart. Journal of Ethno pharmacology,81,57-63.
Ferro, E., A. Schinini, M. Maldonado, J. Rosner & G.S. Hirschman. 1988. Eugenia uniflora leaf extract and lipid me- tabolism in Cebus apella monkeys. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 24:321-325.
Hutapea, J.R., 1994, Inventaris Tanaman Obat Indonesia, Jilid III, Departemen Kesehatan RI dan Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan, 29-30
Lee,M.,Chiou,J.,Yen,K.,&Yang,L.(2000).EBV DNA polymerase Inhibition of tannins from Eugenia uniflora.Cancer Letters,154,131-136
Matsumura,T., Kasai,M., Hayashi,T., Arisawa,M., Momose,Y., Arai,I.,etal.(2000). a Glucosidase inhibitors fromParaguay an Natural medicine, Nangapiry, the leaves of Eugenia uniflora. Pharmaceutical Biology,38,302-307.
a. Morfologi tanaman
Tanaman Eugenia uniflora berbentuk perdu yang tumbuh secara tahunan dengan tinggi lebih dari 5 meter. Batangnya tegak berkayu, berbentuk bulat danberwarna coklat. Daun yang dimiliki berwarna hijau serta merupakan daun tunggal tersebar berbentuk lonjong dengan ujung runcing dan pangkal meruncing. Tepi daun rata, pertulangan menyirip dengan panjang lebih dari 5 cm dan lebar kurang lebih 4 cm. Tanaman ini memiliki bunga berbetuk tunggal berkelamin dua dengan daun pelindung yang kecil berwarna hijau. Kelopak bunga bertaju tiga sampai lima, benangsari yang dimiliki banyak dengan warna putih. Putik berbentuk slindris, makota bunga berbentuk kuku dan berwarna kuning. Buah Eugenia uniflora berupa buah buni bulat denagn diameter kurang lebih 1,5 cm dan berwarna merah. Bijinya keras, berwarna coklat, dan kecil. Akar yang dimiliki berwarna coklat dan merupakan akar tunggang (Hutapea, 1994).
b. Habitat dan Penyebaran
Tanaman Eugenia uniflora tersebar luas di negara-negara Amerika Selatan terutama di Brasil, Argentina, Uruguay, dan Paraguay (Consolini&Sarubbio,2002). Tanaman ini menyebar di Indonesia hingga di daerah Sumatera dan Jawa (Hutapea, 1994)
c. Sistematika Tanaman
Klasifikasi Eugenia uniflora Lam. dalam sistematika tumbuhan adalah sebagai berikut :
Divisi : Spermatophyta
Sub divisi : Angiospermae
Kelas : Dicotyledoneae
Bangsa : Myrtales
Suku : Myrtaceae
Marga : Eugenia
Jenis : Eugenia uniflora L.
(Hutapea, 1994)
d. Nama Daerah
Tanaman : Eugenia uniflora L.
Sinonim : Eugenia micnelii Lamk.
Nama Daerah : Cereme asam (Melayu), Asem selong, belimbing londo, dewandaru (Jawa) (Hutapea, 1994).
e. Kandungan Kimia
Daun tanaman Eugenia uniflora menagndung flavonoid, saponin, dan tanin (Hutapea, 1994). Flavonoid dari ekstrak daun berupa myricetrin, myrcitrin, gallocatechin, quercetin, dan quercitrin (Schmeda-Hirschmann et al, 1987). Senyawa tannin yang diisolasi dari fraksi aktif Eugenia uniflora antara lain gallocatechin, oenothein B, eugeniflorins D(1) and D(2) (Lee et al, 2000)
f. Manfaat Tanaman
Buah dan daun Eugenia uniflora digunakan sebagai peningkat kualitas astringent dan mengurangi tekanan darah tinggi (Bandoni et al, 1972). Hasil decocta daun Eugenia uniflora di Paraguai digunakan untuk menurunkan kolesterol dan tekanan darah (Ferro et al, 1994). Selain itu juga dapat menurunkan metabolisme lipid dan dapat digunakan sebagai efek proteksi pada trigliserida dan level lipoprotein yang sangat rendah (Ferro et al, 1988).
Daun Eugenia uniflora sebagai obat tradisional berkhasiat sebagai obat mencret (Hutapea, 1994). Aksi anti infamasi yang tinggi juga ditemukan pada daun Eugenia uniflora (Scapoval et al, 1994). Pada Brazilian folk medicine buah Eugenia uniflora digunakan sebagai antidiare, diuretik, antirematik, anti-febrile, dan antidiabetik. Selain itu, ekstrak daun Eugenia uniflora juga sebagai agen hipotensif (Consolini et al, 2000) dan menghambat peningkatan level trigliserida dan glukosa plasma (Matsumura et al, 2000).
g. Penelitian tentang Eugenia uniflora Lam.
Eugenia uniflora Lam. merupakan salah satu tanaman yang memiliki prospek yang bagus untuk dikembangkan sebagai obat antikanker. Beberapa penelitian mengenai khasiat daun Eugenia uniflora sebagai obat antikanker telah dilakukan.
Uji sitotoksik Eugenia uniflora L terhadap sel Hela menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak etil asetat mempunyai efek sitotoksik yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan ekstrak etanol dan kloroform. Uji sitotoksik dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode MTT dengan seri konsentrasi 5, 10, 25, 50, 125, 250µg/ml. Nilai IC50 ekstrak etil asetat 241,546µg/ml dan IC50 ekstrak kloroform 244,906µg/ml. Sedangkan pada ekstrak etanol tidak dapat ditentukan nilai IC50 nya karena tidak menunjukkan potensi penghambatannya terhadap pertumbuhan sel HeLa (Handayani, 2006).
Lee M.H. et al (2000) melakukan penelitian pengaruh Eugenia uniflora L terhadap Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) yang sering berhubungan dengan Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Empat senyawa tanin pada Eugenia uniflora L dan IC50 yang dimiliki yaitu gallocatechin (26,5 microM), oenothein B (62,3 microM), eugeniflorins D(1) (3,0 microM), dan eugeniflorins D(2) (3,5 microM). hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa eugeniflorins D(1) dan D(2) merupakan senyawa yang paling berpotensi dalam menghambat DNA polymerase pada EBV.
Daftar pustaka
Consolini,A.E.,&Sarubbio,M.G.(2002).Pharmacological effects of Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae)aqueous crude extract on rats heart. Journal of Ethno pharmacology,81,57-63.
Ferro, E., A. Schinini, M. Maldonado, J. Rosner & G.S. Hirschman. 1988. Eugenia uniflora leaf extract and lipid me- tabolism in Cebus apella monkeys. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 24:321-325.
Hutapea, J.R., 1994, Inventaris Tanaman Obat Indonesia, Jilid III, Departemen Kesehatan RI dan Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kesehatan, 29-30
Lee,M.,Chiou,J.,Yen,K.,&Yang,L.(2000).EBV DNA polymerase Inhibition of tannins from Eugenia uniflora.Cancer Letters,154,131-136
Matsumura,T., Kasai,M., Hayashi,T., Arisawa,M., Momose,Y., Arai,I.,etal.(2000). a Glucosidase inhibitors fromParaguay an Natural medicine, Nangapiry, the leaves of Eugenia uniflora. Pharmaceutical Biology,38,302-307.
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Your Balinese Guide
Introducing your guideYour trekking guide is Ketut 'Bluey' Ariana. Already at a young age Ketut felt a great love for the nature of North Bali. He loves to be out there and meditate in the solitude of nature.
During one of his private expeditions in 2003, Ketut (re)discovered the great falls of Lemukih. As the energy and beauty of this spectacular area was so unexpectedly overwhelming, he felt he should share this exceptional and unique experience with nature with all who are interested to follow his steps - the Lemukih Tekking Tour was born.
During one of his private expeditions in 2003, Ketut (re)discovered the great falls of Lemukih. As the energy and beauty of this spectacular area was so unexpectedly overwhelming, he felt he should share this exceptional and unique experience with nature with all who are interested to follow his steps - the Lemukih Tekking Tour was born.
Thursday 18 September 2008
Bali Sea
Two of the four sea ports in Bali anchored by International cruiser-ships and yachts are Benoa, South of Denpasar and Padangbai on the East for larger and luxury cruise ships.
The Harbour of Singaraja (Telukan Bawang), on the North coast now plays host only to very few Bugis schooners and smaller crafts serve the line between North Bali and Java. Gilimanuk on the Northwest links Bali with Java, there is a regular ferry-service connecting the Island with 24 hours service.
PELNI, the state-owned shipping-company has several ships serves the Indonesian's main ports. The passenger ships call regularly to Benoa Harbour is: KM.AWU, KM DOBONSOLO and KM. TILONG KABILA & KM. BINAIYA.
A regular service of ferry serves Padangbai-Lombok four times daily at 08.00 am, 12.00 noons and 02.00 pm.
The Harbour of Singaraja (Telukan Bawang), on the North coast now plays host only to very few Bugis schooners and smaller crafts serve the line between North Bali and Java. Gilimanuk on the Northwest links Bali with Java, there is a regular ferry-service connecting the Island with 24 hours service.
PELNI, the state-owned shipping-company has several ships serves the Indonesian's main ports. The passenger ships call regularly to Benoa Harbour is: KM.AWU, KM DOBONSOLO and KM. TILONG KABILA & KM. BINAIYA.
A regular service of ferry serves Padangbai-Lombok four times daily at 08.00 am, 12.00 noons and 02.00 pm.
Monday 15 September 2008
Bali Honeymoon Guide
An ideal destination for your honeymoon
Honeymoon in Bali
Bali's beauty and allure make it a perfect place fro a honeymoon. Idyllic vistas over tropical shores, cool green forest with gentle breezes, or stunning views from cliff tops.
Honeymoon Hotels & Resorts in Bali
Snuggle up close in a private villa, or tucked up a deluxe suite secluded in a stunning beachside hotel.
Submerge yourself in total luxury at Bali's five star resorts like Four Season's Resort and the superlative Ritz-Carlton Bali at Jimbaran, for some unforgettable memories. Jimbaran's lovely setting also offers numerous restaurants with delectable offerings of ocean fresh seafood. The beaches here are dark and warm with exhilarating surfs and great waves to ride. If you prefer a cool hillside setting where you can relax in style, the incomparable Amanusa, located on the hillside overlooking the sea at Jimbaran may be just the answer - style with anonymity.
For a classy and stylish honeymoon, Nusa Dua provides elegant hotels and a beautiful setting. Luxury international hotels line a long stretch of fine white sand lapped by azure warm water. While Sanur offers luxury in the midst of traditional Balinese culture.
Tanjung Benoa and Amed with terrific sands and warm waters for great diving, snorkelling, and a host of fun water sports also offer excellent resorts.
Padang Bai has some of the most temptingly secluded beaches in Bali. Padang Bai is a truly charming village set in the beauty of a picturesque bay, which also doubles as a harbour for boats sailing the waters of Bali and its nearby Lombok.
There is a collection of idyllic seaside villages stretching from Lovina to the western part of Singaraja. This seafront charm lies in its many lovely coves. While the sand is a grey colour - a reflection of its volcanic origins, it's warm, smooth and fine. These coves also make for perfect snorkelling, but for breathtaking sunsets head for Tanah Lot.
Honeymoon in Bali
Bali's beauty and allure make it a perfect place fro a honeymoon. Idyllic vistas over tropical shores, cool green forest with gentle breezes, or stunning views from cliff tops.
Honeymoon Hotels & Resorts in Bali
Snuggle up close in a private villa, or tucked up a deluxe suite secluded in a stunning beachside hotel.
Submerge yourself in total luxury at Bali's five star resorts like Four Season's Resort and the superlative Ritz-Carlton Bali at Jimbaran, for some unforgettable memories. Jimbaran's lovely setting also offers numerous restaurants with delectable offerings of ocean fresh seafood. The beaches here are dark and warm with exhilarating surfs and great waves to ride. If you prefer a cool hillside setting where you can relax in style, the incomparable Amanusa, located on the hillside overlooking the sea at Jimbaran may be just the answer - style with anonymity.
For a classy and stylish honeymoon, Nusa Dua provides elegant hotels and a beautiful setting. Luxury international hotels line a long stretch of fine white sand lapped by azure warm water. While Sanur offers luxury in the midst of traditional Balinese culture.
Tanjung Benoa and Amed with terrific sands and warm waters for great diving, snorkelling, and a host of fun water sports also offer excellent resorts.
Padang Bai has some of the most temptingly secluded beaches in Bali. Padang Bai is a truly charming village set in the beauty of a picturesque bay, which also doubles as a harbour for boats sailing the waters of Bali and its nearby Lombok.
There is a collection of idyllic seaside villages stretching from Lovina to the western part of Singaraja. This seafront charm lies in its many lovely coves. While the sand is a grey colour - a reflection of its volcanic origins, it's warm, smooth and fine. These coves also make for perfect snorkelling, but for breathtaking sunsets head for Tanah Lot.
Friday 22 August 2008
history of majapahit
History of Majapahit
The kingdom of Majapahit, with its capital in East Java, flourished at the end of what is known as Indonesia's 'classical age'. This was a period in which the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism were predominant cultural influences
The kingdom of Majapahit, with its capital in East Java, flourished at the end of what is known as Indonesia's 'classical age'. This was a period in which the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism were predominant cultural influences
Bali History
pict51.jpg (14514 bytes)The Golden Age
Out of the rubble of the Majapahit Empire which fell in 1515, rose the new Javanese Empire of Mataram built out of small kingdoms newly reinspired and reinvigorated by the advent of powerful Islamic influences. ....
dutch31.jpg (18656 bytes)The Dutch Campaigns
At the beginning of the 19th Century, Bali remained relatively unaffected by the Western influences which were already transforming much of the Indonesian archipelago. Bali's 16th Century Hindu civilization was still inviolate to any serious .....
Out of the rubble of the Majapahit Empire which fell in 1515, rose the new Javanese Empire of Mataram built out of small kingdoms newly reinspired and reinvigorated by the advent of powerful Islamic influences. ....
dutch31.jpg (18656 bytes)The Dutch Campaigns
At the beginning of the 19th Century, Bali remained relatively unaffected by the Western influences which were already transforming much of the Indonesian archipelago. Bali's 16th Century Hindu civilization was still inviolate to any serious .....
Bali Quick Guide
Before going to Bali, we keep asking ourselves, “Why are there so many travelers calling this island “The Island of Gods”. In Balinese mythology, it is said that the gods created the place to be special. Its purpose is to be a shrine, housing all the deities and the land was sacred. Once visiting the place, we are consistently reminded of this story with the locals’ constant celebration of it. This is an island where god and goddesses statues are found every few hundred meters i.e everywhere from the road junction of a road to shops, paddy fields, hotels and motels, you name it! You also cannot help noticing the locals offering their prayers almost every other hour as well.
Bali is definitely a paradise island. A classic tropical island that has something for everyone of any age. If you are looking for beaches, Southern Bali is the place to go (though it may be too commercialized and filled with beach vendors). If you are into arts, you must visit Ubud. This is Bali’s Cultural and Artistic Centre with interesting galleries and crafts shops. If you are into trekking, the northern part of Bali will keep you busy. From climbing Mount Abang or Mount Batur you can also opt for buggy driving here. We must warn you though that to climb Mount Abang is about 4 gruelling hours and you need to set off at 2am in the morning to get a view of the magnificient sunrise. And after enjoying the view, there is still the way to make down and that is another 4 hrs. Rookie trekkers do take note of this to mentally prepare yourself for the activity. If you are looking for fantastic seaviews, Uluwatu is the place. Perched on a limestone cliff 70meters above the Indian Ocean, this is apparently Bali’s holiest site where an 11th century temple sits.
Filled with charm, culture, mysticism and some of the most magnificent scenery on earth, Bali has enchanted visitors for centuries and is also home to people rich in spirituality and who embody qualities of gentle friendliness. This place is also full of tourists from Australia, UK and Japan. Apparently, the most Japan provides the most number of travelers to Bali these days.
Bali offers picture postcard, white sand beaches fringed with palm trees and a lush interior of sloping rice fields. Volcanic mountains such as Mt. Gunung Agung and Mt. Batur rise from delicately terraced rice fields, palm groves and white sandy beaches. Dance, music, sculpture, wood carvings, painting and puppets depict the daily life of the Balinese and celebrate the eternal struggle of "Good and Evil" - the very essence of this Hindu island, the "Island of the Gods". In short, Bali truly has captured the imaginations of generations of travelers looking for the ultimate tropical escape.
Bali is definitely a paradise island. A classic tropical island that has something for everyone of any age. If you are looking for beaches, Southern Bali is the place to go (though it may be too commercialized and filled with beach vendors). If you are into arts, you must visit Ubud. This is Bali’s Cultural and Artistic Centre with interesting galleries and crafts shops. If you are into trekking, the northern part of Bali will keep you busy. From climbing Mount Abang or Mount Batur you can also opt for buggy driving here. We must warn you though that to climb Mount Abang is about 4 gruelling hours and you need to set off at 2am in the morning to get a view of the magnificient sunrise. And after enjoying the view, there is still the way to make down and that is another 4 hrs. Rookie trekkers do take note of this to mentally prepare yourself for the activity. If you are looking for fantastic seaviews, Uluwatu is the place. Perched on a limestone cliff 70meters above the Indian Ocean, this is apparently Bali’s holiest site where an 11th century temple sits.
Filled with charm, culture, mysticism and some of the most magnificent scenery on earth, Bali has enchanted visitors for centuries and is also home to people rich in spirituality and who embody qualities of gentle friendliness. This place is also full of tourists from Australia, UK and Japan. Apparently, the most Japan provides the most number of travelers to Bali these days.
Bali offers picture postcard, white sand beaches fringed with palm trees and a lush interior of sloping rice fields. Volcanic mountains such as Mt. Gunung Agung and Mt. Batur rise from delicately terraced rice fields, palm groves and white sandy beaches. Dance, music, sculpture, wood carvings, painting and puppets depict the daily life of the Balinese and celebrate the eternal struggle of "Good and Evil" - the very essence of this Hindu island, the "Island of the Gods". In short, Bali truly has captured the imaginations of generations of travelers looking for the ultimate tropical escape.
Sunday 17 August 2008
Bali 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.
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.
Bali 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.
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.
Bali 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.
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.
Friday 15 August 2008
Bali Culture
Bali Culture
Bali island has been both a tropical paradise island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate. It has a rich culture, beautiful landscapes, rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. Bali, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. Balinese dancing, music, visual arts and architecture are unique and accessible to visitors.
The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day-to-day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beach and gentle seas.
Bali Religion
The Balinese religion have strong spiritual roots , their culture is still very much alive. The main religion is Hindu Dharma, which arrived in Bali with the spread of Hinduism through Sumatra and Java during the 11th century. Although originally from India, the Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs, with customs that are very different from the traditional form of Hinduism practiced in India today. With the arrival of Islam in neighboring Java during the 15th century, a large member of courtiers, artists, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali, creating an artistic renaissance.
Naturally creative, the Balinese have traditionally used their talents for religious purposes and most beautiful work to be seen here has been inspired by stories from Ramayana and other Hindu epics. The incredibly colorful cremation pyres and the everyday offerings to the Gods, placed inside every shop and business, are made with precision and an eye of beauty. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.
Bali People
ife in Bali is very communal with the organization of villages, farming and even the creative arts being decided by the community. The population of Bali is estimated 3,500,000 people who live mostly at southern part of the island. Every village (desa) has its temple of origin (puseh) , its temple of dead (pura dalem) its temple for irrigation system (subak).
The basis of this community structure is the Subak and the Banjar. Everyone who owns a rice paddy must join the Subak in their village. The Subak controls who will plant rice and when (plantings are staggered so that pestilence is minimized).
As well and more importantly the Subak ensures that all farmers receive their fair share of irrigation water since traditionally the head the Subak was the farmer whose field was at the bottom of the hill and water first had to pass through everybody else's field before it was allowed to irrigate his own.
The other community organization is the Banjar which, organizes all other aspects of Balinese life (i.e. marriages, cremations, community service, festivals and the like) as well as a form of community service known as Gotong Royong. When a man marries he is expected to join the village Banjar and must participate in community affairs.
Most villages have at least one banjar and a membership of between 50 to 100 families, and each banjar has its own meeting place called the Bale Banjar The Balinese do have a caste system but there are no untouchables. The caste system is most evident in the language which has three levels: a low level for commoners, a mid level to address strangers and a high level only used when addressing aristocracy
Balinese are always pious and they constantly remember where they come from. For that reason, this creates strata of groups in the society nowadays it is commonly called wangsa or soroh. The society order is based on this soroh so strong that it encompasses all kinds of balinese people's' activities. They persistently maintain and preserve their own genealogy. They cherish and keep their family line age inscriptions carefully and meticulously.
Bali island has been both a tropical paradise island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate. It has a rich culture, beautiful landscapes, rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. Bali, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. Balinese dancing, music, visual arts and architecture are unique and accessible to visitors.
The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day-to-day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beach and gentle seas.
Bali Religion
The Balinese religion have strong spiritual roots , their culture is still very much alive. The main religion is Hindu Dharma, which arrived in Bali with the spread of Hinduism through Sumatra and Java during the 11th century. Although originally from India, the Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs, with customs that are very different from the traditional form of Hinduism practiced in India today. With the arrival of Islam in neighboring Java during the 15th century, a large member of courtiers, artists, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali, creating an artistic renaissance.
Naturally creative, the Balinese have traditionally used their talents for religious purposes and most beautiful work to be seen here has been inspired by stories from Ramayana and other Hindu epics. The incredibly colorful cremation pyres and the everyday offerings to the Gods, placed inside every shop and business, are made with precision and an eye of beauty. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.
Bali People
ife in Bali is very communal with the organization of villages, farming and even the creative arts being decided by the community. The population of Bali is estimated 3,500,000 people who live mostly at southern part of the island. Every village (desa) has its temple of origin (puseh) , its temple of dead (pura dalem) its temple for irrigation system (subak).
The basis of this community structure is the Subak and the Banjar. Everyone who owns a rice paddy must join the Subak in their village. The Subak controls who will plant rice and when (plantings are staggered so that pestilence is minimized).
As well and more importantly the Subak ensures that all farmers receive their fair share of irrigation water since traditionally the head the Subak was the farmer whose field was at the bottom of the hill and water first had to pass through everybody else's field before it was allowed to irrigate his own.
The other community organization is the Banjar which, organizes all other aspects of Balinese life (i.e. marriages, cremations, community service, festivals and the like) as well as a form of community service known as Gotong Royong. When a man marries he is expected to join the village Banjar and must participate in community affairs.
Most villages have at least one banjar and a membership of between 50 to 100 families, and each banjar has its own meeting place called the Bale Banjar The Balinese do have a caste system but there are no untouchables. The caste system is most evident in the language which has three levels: a low level for commoners, a mid level to address strangers and a high level only used when addressing aristocracy
Balinese are always pious and they constantly remember where they come from. For that reason, this creates strata of groups in the society nowadays it is commonly called wangsa or soroh. The society order is based on this soroh so strong that it encompasses all kinds of balinese people's' activities. They persistently maintain and preserve their own genealogy. They cherish and keep their family line age inscriptions carefully and meticulously.
Wednesday 13 August 2008
Kebyar Dance
The Kebyar Dance is a male solo dance like the Baris. There are various forms of Kebyar including the Kebyar Duduk and Kebyar Trompong.
In Kebyar, the accent is upon the dancer himself, who interprets every nuance of the music in powerful facial expressions and movement. The most popular form of Kebyar in South Bali is Kebyar Duduk, the "seated" Kebyar, where the dancer sits cross-legged throughout most of the dance. By de-empasizing the legs and decreasing the space to a small sphere, the relation between dancer and gamelan is intensified. The dance is concentrated in the flexibility of the wrist and elbow, the magnetic power of the face, and the suppleness of the torso. The music seems infused in the dancer's body.
The fingers bend with singular beauty to catch the light melodies, while the body sways back and forth to the resounding beat of the gong. As the dance progresses, the dancer crosses the floor on the outer edges of his feet and approaches a member of the orchestra, usually the lead drummer. He woos the musician with side glances and smiles, but the drummer is too absorbed in the music to respond. Insulted, the Kebyar dancer leaves him and sets out for a new conquest.
The Kebyar is the most strenuous and subtle of Balinese dances. It is said that no one can become a great Kebyar dancer unless he can play every instrument of the orchestra. In Kebyar Trompong, in fact, the dancer actually joins the orchestra by playing a long instrument called the trompong while he continues to dance.
In Kebyar, the accent is upon the dancer himself, who interprets every nuance of the music in powerful facial expressions and movement. The most popular form of Kebyar in South Bali is Kebyar Duduk, the "seated" Kebyar, where the dancer sits cross-legged throughout most of the dance. By de-empasizing the legs and decreasing the space to a small sphere, the relation between dancer and gamelan is intensified. The dance is concentrated in the flexibility of the wrist and elbow, the magnetic power of the face, and the suppleness of the torso. The music seems infused in the dancer's body.
The fingers bend with singular beauty to catch the light melodies, while the body sways back and forth to the resounding beat of the gong. As the dance progresses, the dancer crosses the floor on the outer edges of his feet and approaches a member of the orchestra, usually the lead drummer. He woos the musician with side glances and smiles, but the drummer is too absorbed in the music to respond. Insulted, the Kebyar dancer leaves him and sets out for a new conquest.
The Kebyar is the most strenuous and subtle of Balinese dances. It is said that no one can become a great Kebyar dancer unless he can play every instrument of the orchestra. In Kebyar Trompong, in fact, the dancer actually joins the orchestra by playing a long instrument called the trompong while he continues to dance.
Tuesday 12 August 2008
Bali History
Natural History:
During the last Ice age the islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali were connected. Bali and Lombok however remained separated by the 1,300m deep Lombok Strait. Biologist Alfred Russel Wallace was the first to document this fact, the division becoming known as the Wallace Line. The distance between Bali and Lombok is small, a matter of only about 35 kilometers. The distributions of many bird species observe the line, as many birds refuse to cross even the smallest stretches of open water. Many volant (flying) mammals (i.e., bats) have distributions that cross the Wallace Line, but non-volant species are usually limited to one side or the other, with a few exceptions (e.g., rodents). Various taxa in other groups of plants and animals show differing patterns, but the overall pattern is striking and reasonably predictable.
An understanding of the biogeography of the region centers on ancient sea levels, and the continental shelves; Wallace’s Line is visible when one examines the sea contours, and can be seen as a deep-water channel which marks the southeastern edge of the Sunda Shelf linking Borneo, Bali, Java and Sumatra to the mainland of southeastern Asia. Australia, on the other hand, is united broadly with New Guinea, in the Sahul Shelf. At times when sea levels were lower, what are now islands were exposed and joined as continuous land masses, but the deep water between these two large shelf areas was — for a period in excess of 50 million years — a barrier that kept the flora and fauna of Australia largely separate from that of Asia.
Ancient history:
The earliest humans in Bali arrived approximately 40,000 years ago. The bones of homo erectus dating back 500,000 years have been found in Bali and Java. The earliest humans in Bali were hunter-gatherers who lived in caves.
Around 3,000 years BC, during the neolithic era, stone tools appeared of a superior quality, along with pottery and newer farming methods. Bronze tools came into being during the 7th & 8th Centuries BC. One of finest examples of Balinese bronze casting is the Moon of Pejeng, a 2 meter diameter drum, the largest in SE Asia located at Pura Penataran Sasih.
• Balinese Hinduism:
Bali is truly unique, in that it is the only Hindu island in Indonesia, a country dominated by Islam. Hinduism is a religion that developed out of the way of life of the people living on the banks of the Indus river in India and Hinduism came to Indonesia many centuries ago. The earliest written records in Bali, metal inscriptions called prasasti (Prasasti Blanjong is an example), speak of Buddhist and Hindu influences and date back to the 9th century AD. The caves, statues and bronzes of Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi indicate this too.
As far as Bali is concerned the 3 big events that pushed Hinduism to the fore were the marriage of the Balinese king Udayana to Princess Mahendra from East Java, at the end of the 10th century thus bringing the 2 areas together. This was followed in 1343 by the conquest of Bali by the Majapahit empire of Gajah Mada, prime minister of that kingdom in East Java. Finally in 1515 the Majapahit empire in Java fell to the increasingly powerful Muslim Mataram empire. This created an exodus of priests, crafts people and noblemen and helped to make Bali the unique center of art that it is.
As many people will tell you the version of Hinduism (Agama Hindu ) that is practiced in Bali differs from that practiced in India. One of the most obvious differences is the quantity of offerings given in Bali, which is usually to either ward off evil spirits or to satisfy the Gods, a relic of the Balinese animist beliefs to which Hinduism has been melded.
• Colonial history:
Bali first appeared on European radar in the 1588, when the Portuguese, who were in the process of controlling Indian Ocean trade, sent a ship from the port of Malacca in what is now Malaysia. Upon reaching Bali the ship hit a reef, many of the survivors drowning, but some surviving. The dewa agung treated the newcomers well but did not allow them to leave the island. That was pretty much the end of the Portuguese exploration of Bali.
The Dutch were the next to attempt to explore the archipelago and on April 2nd 1595, 4 ships left Holland commanded by Commodore Cornelius Houtman. The group reached Bali on February 9th 1597 and anchored at Kuta. Houtman sent 3 men ashore to report on the island. One of these men was Aernoudt Lintgens, credited with the first western account of Bali. The other 2 men decided at first not to return to the ship, with 1 eventually returning, the other choosing to stay in Bali.
This brief visit was followed by another in 1601, under the leadership of Cornelius Heemskerk, who brought with him a formal request for trade relations, from the prince of Holland. In return for the letter, the dewa agung wrote his reply on a lontar palm leaf, accepting mutual trade between Bali and Holland.
• Indonesian Independence:
Indonesia attained independence from Holland in a long struggle during the 1940’s. When the Japanese invaded Indonesia in February 1942 the Dutch were forced to flee, or be captured. After the war was over Indonesia made it Declaration of Independence on August 17th 1945, with Sukarno as the first President.
The Dutch had other idea though and returned in March 1946. They fought in many famous skirmishes with the Balinese, including the massacre of Balinese hero Gusti Ngurah Rai, and managed to take back control of Bali. Nations around the world were not sympathetic to the Dutch position and in 1949 they withdrew to allow the formation of The Republic of Indonesia in 1950.
• The Suharto Era:
Suharto was President of Indonesia for over 30 years. While his focus was not Bali, there is no doubt he had a huge impact on Bali and the rest of Indonesia. While much of the western world was struggling with the Cold War, Indonesia has its own internal struggle against Communism. Some estimates say 100,000 Balinese were killed in the first couple of years during Suharto’s presidency.
Suharto seized power from his predecessor, the first president of Indonesia Sukarno, through a mixture of force and political maneuvering against the backdrop of foreign and domestic unrest. Over the three decades of his “New Order” regime, Suharto constructed a strong central government along militarist lines. An ability to maintain stability and an avowedly anti-Communist stance won him the economic and diplomatic support of several Western governments in the era of the Cold War. For most of his three-decade rule, Indonesia experienced significant economic growth and industrialization. His rule, however, led to political purges and the deaths of millions of Indonesian communists and Chinese-Indonesians, and enaction of legislation outlawing communist parties and ethnic Chinese in government.
By the 1990s, however, his New Order administration’s authoritarian and increasingly corrupt practices became a source of much discontent. Suharto’s almost unquestioned authority over Indonesian affairs slipped dramatically when the Asian financial crisis lowered Indonesians’ standard of living and fractured his support among the nation’s military, political and civil society institutions. After internal unrest, diplomatic isolation began to drain his support in the mid-to-late 1990s, Suharto was forced to resign from the presidency in May 1998 following mass demonstrations.
• History of Bali tourism:
Tourism in Bali started as a trickle in the 1930’s. Getting to Bali from Europe or N.America meant trans-oceanic voyages on steam ships, finally arriving at Buleleng, modern day Singaraja, which was already a trading port complete with Javanese, Arabs, Chinese and Europeans. Westerners were captivated by the ‘paradise lost’ image created by popular novels and reports by early visitors. Among the first expats in Bali was the German artist Walter Spies, who images of semi-clad Balinese tending rice fields helped create a mystique.
Mass tourism in the real sense started with surfers and hippies in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Undiscovered surfing breaks such as Uluwatu and white sand beaches on Padangbai and Candi Dasa, put Bali firmly on the hippie-trail and the surfing map. Kuta Beach was the epicenter of this new found awareness, with bamboo guest houses (losman) and warungs catering, on a basic level to the customers. Tourism numbers reached their peak in 1998 and the industry as a whole has changed from budget tourists to accommodate a more luxury market.
Bali Tourist Development Corporation: Organized tourism in Bali:
Tourism in Bali has progressed along a somewhat unguided path but one of the times where planning was at a premium was the creation of the Bali Tourist Development Corporation (BTDC). The BTDC was formed in 1972 by the Indonesian government at the recommendation of overseas consultants. The plan was to develop the area on the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula at Nusa Dua.
The Bukit is sparsely populated and makes for poor farmland. It does however have a great location for resorts, being flat, expansive and on the beach. Nusa Dua was supposed to draw high-end tourists and the builders, hotel chains and BTDC were to benefit.
Nusa Dua has flourished with new resorts such as the Conrad leading the way. The BTDC really gave the impetus to developing the 300 hectare resort area at Nusa Dua, which has 4,500 hotel rooms. Nusa Dua gets its water from 60 meter wells that are sunk in the limestone. The area is not really a reflection of what Bali offers but does provide a place away from reality for those looking for relaxation.
• The 2002 Bali Bombing:
At 23:05 (15:05 UTC) on 12 October 2002, a suicide bomber inside the nightclub Paddy’s Pub detonated a bomb in his backpack, causing many patrons, with or without injuries, to immediately flee into the street. Fifteen seconds later, a second and much more powerful car bomb hidden inside a white Mitsubishi van, was detonated by another suicide bomber outside the Sari Club, located opposite Paddy’s Pub. The van was also rigged for detonation by remote control in case the second bomber had a sudden change of heart. Damage to the densely populated residential and commercial district was immense, destroying neighbouring buildings and shattering windows several blocks away. The car bomb explosion left a one meter deep crater.
The local Sanglah hospital was ill-equipped to deal with the scale of the disaster and was overwhelmed with the number of injured, particularly burn victims. There were so many people injured by the explosion that some of the injured had to be placed in hotel pools near the explosion site to ease the pain of their burns. Many of the injured were flown to the relatively close proximity of Darwin and Perth for specialist burns treatment. In all 202 people were killed in the Kuta bombings. The effect on the tourist industry was massive, with many Australians declaring they would never set foot in Bali again. The local economy suffered greatly and many local businesses went bankrupt, locals sometimes returning to their village to farm rice. The economy was slowly recovering when a second bombing occurred in 2005.
• The 2005 Bali Bombing:
The 2005 Bali bombings were a series of terrorist suicide bomb attacks that occurred on October 1, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia. Bombs exploded at two sites in Jimbaran and Kuta, both in south Bali. Twenty people were killed, and 129 people were injured by three bombers who killed themselves in the attacks.
The Indonesian national news agency, ANTARA, reported that the first two explosions occurred at 6:50 p.m. local time, near a Jimbaran food court and the third at 7:00 pm. in Kuta Town Square. Other reports claim that the blasts occurred at around 7:15 p.m. At least 3 blasts have been reported.
One of the blasts was at Raja’s in Kuta Square. Another two bombs exploded at warungs along the Jimbaran beach, one of which was near the Four Seasons Hotel. Police later said they had found three unexploded bombs in Jimbaran. They had apparently failed to go off after the security forces hastily shut down the island’s mobile telephone network following the first blasts.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said that the bombs used appear to have differed from previous blasts in that most deaths and injuries had been inflicted by shrapnel, rather than chemical explosion. A medical officer’s x-rays showed foreign objects described as “pellets” in many victims’ bodies and a victim reported ball bearings lodged in her back.
The bombings occurred the same day that Indonesia cut its fuel subsidies resulting in gas prices rising by 125% and just two days before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and 11 days before the third anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombing. The attack came during the school holiday period in some states of Australia, when an estimated 7,500 Australians are believed to have been visiting Bali. The 2005 Bali bombing also greatly affected the island’s economy, which took over a year to get back on track.
During the last Ice age the islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali were connected. Bali and Lombok however remained separated by the 1,300m deep Lombok Strait. Biologist Alfred Russel Wallace was the first to document this fact, the division becoming known as the Wallace Line. The distance between Bali and Lombok is small, a matter of only about 35 kilometers. The distributions of many bird species observe the line, as many birds refuse to cross even the smallest stretches of open water. Many volant (flying) mammals (i.e., bats) have distributions that cross the Wallace Line, but non-volant species are usually limited to one side or the other, with a few exceptions (e.g., rodents). Various taxa in other groups of plants and animals show differing patterns, but the overall pattern is striking and reasonably predictable.
An understanding of the biogeography of the region centers on ancient sea levels, and the continental shelves; Wallace’s Line is visible when one examines the sea contours, and can be seen as a deep-water channel which marks the southeastern edge of the Sunda Shelf linking Borneo, Bali, Java and Sumatra to the mainland of southeastern Asia. Australia, on the other hand, is united broadly with New Guinea, in the Sahul Shelf. At times when sea levels were lower, what are now islands were exposed and joined as continuous land masses, but the deep water between these two large shelf areas was — for a period in excess of 50 million years — a barrier that kept the flora and fauna of Australia largely separate from that of Asia.
Ancient history:
The earliest humans in Bali arrived approximately 40,000 years ago. The bones of homo erectus dating back 500,000 years have been found in Bali and Java. The earliest humans in Bali were hunter-gatherers who lived in caves.
Around 3,000 years BC, during the neolithic era, stone tools appeared of a superior quality, along with pottery and newer farming methods. Bronze tools came into being during the 7th & 8th Centuries BC. One of finest examples of Balinese bronze casting is the Moon of Pejeng, a 2 meter diameter drum, the largest in SE Asia located at Pura Penataran Sasih.
• Balinese Hinduism:
Bali is truly unique, in that it is the only Hindu island in Indonesia, a country dominated by Islam. Hinduism is a religion that developed out of the way of life of the people living on the banks of the Indus river in India and Hinduism came to Indonesia many centuries ago. The earliest written records in Bali, metal inscriptions called prasasti (Prasasti Blanjong is an example), speak of Buddhist and Hindu influences and date back to the 9th century AD. The caves, statues and bronzes of Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi indicate this too.
As far as Bali is concerned the 3 big events that pushed Hinduism to the fore were the marriage of the Balinese king Udayana to Princess Mahendra from East Java, at the end of the 10th century thus bringing the 2 areas together. This was followed in 1343 by the conquest of Bali by the Majapahit empire of Gajah Mada, prime minister of that kingdom in East Java. Finally in 1515 the Majapahit empire in Java fell to the increasingly powerful Muslim Mataram empire. This created an exodus of priests, crafts people and noblemen and helped to make Bali the unique center of art that it is.
As many people will tell you the version of Hinduism (Agama Hindu ) that is practiced in Bali differs from that practiced in India. One of the most obvious differences is the quantity of offerings given in Bali, which is usually to either ward off evil spirits or to satisfy the Gods, a relic of the Balinese animist beliefs to which Hinduism has been melded.
• Colonial history:
Bali first appeared on European radar in the 1588, when the Portuguese, who were in the process of controlling Indian Ocean trade, sent a ship from the port of Malacca in what is now Malaysia. Upon reaching Bali the ship hit a reef, many of the survivors drowning, but some surviving. The dewa agung treated the newcomers well but did not allow them to leave the island. That was pretty much the end of the Portuguese exploration of Bali.
The Dutch were the next to attempt to explore the archipelago and on April 2nd 1595, 4 ships left Holland commanded by Commodore Cornelius Houtman. The group reached Bali on February 9th 1597 and anchored at Kuta. Houtman sent 3 men ashore to report on the island. One of these men was Aernoudt Lintgens, credited with the first western account of Bali. The other 2 men decided at first not to return to the ship, with 1 eventually returning, the other choosing to stay in Bali.
This brief visit was followed by another in 1601, under the leadership of Cornelius Heemskerk, who brought with him a formal request for trade relations, from the prince of Holland. In return for the letter, the dewa agung wrote his reply on a lontar palm leaf, accepting mutual trade between Bali and Holland.
• Indonesian Independence:
Indonesia attained independence from Holland in a long struggle during the 1940’s. When the Japanese invaded Indonesia in February 1942 the Dutch were forced to flee, or be captured. After the war was over Indonesia made it Declaration of Independence on August 17th 1945, with Sukarno as the first President.
The Dutch had other idea though and returned in March 1946. They fought in many famous skirmishes with the Balinese, including the massacre of Balinese hero Gusti Ngurah Rai, and managed to take back control of Bali. Nations around the world were not sympathetic to the Dutch position and in 1949 they withdrew to allow the formation of The Republic of Indonesia in 1950.
• The Suharto Era:
Suharto was President of Indonesia for over 30 years. While his focus was not Bali, there is no doubt he had a huge impact on Bali and the rest of Indonesia. While much of the western world was struggling with the Cold War, Indonesia has its own internal struggle against Communism. Some estimates say 100,000 Balinese were killed in the first couple of years during Suharto’s presidency.
Suharto seized power from his predecessor, the first president of Indonesia Sukarno, through a mixture of force and political maneuvering against the backdrop of foreign and domestic unrest. Over the three decades of his “New Order” regime, Suharto constructed a strong central government along militarist lines. An ability to maintain stability and an avowedly anti-Communist stance won him the economic and diplomatic support of several Western governments in the era of the Cold War. For most of his three-decade rule, Indonesia experienced significant economic growth and industrialization. His rule, however, led to political purges and the deaths of millions of Indonesian communists and Chinese-Indonesians, and enaction of legislation outlawing communist parties and ethnic Chinese in government.
By the 1990s, however, his New Order administration’s authoritarian and increasingly corrupt practices became a source of much discontent. Suharto’s almost unquestioned authority over Indonesian affairs slipped dramatically when the Asian financial crisis lowered Indonesians’ standard of living and fractured his support among the nation’s military, political and civil society institutions. After internal unrest, diplomatic isolation began to drain his support in the mid-to-late 1990s, Suharto was forced to resign from the presidency in May 1998 following mass demonstrations.
• History of Bali tourism:
Tourism in Bali started as a trickle in the 1930’s. Getting to Bali from Europe or N.America meant trans-oceanic voyages on steam ships, finally arriving at Buleleng, modern day Singaraja, which was already a trading port complete with Javanese, Arabs, Chinese and Europeans. Westerners were captivated by the ‘paradise lost’ image created by popular novels and reports by early visitors. Among the first expats in Bali was the German artist Walter Spies, who images of semi-clad Balinese tending rice fields helped create a mystique.
Mass tourism in the real sense started with surfers and hippies in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Undiscovered surfing breaks such as Uluwatu and white sand beaches on Padangbai and Candi Dasa, put Bali firmly on the hippie-trail and the surfing map. Kuta Beach was the epicenter of this new found awareness, with bamboo guest houses (losman) and warungs catering, on a basic level to the customers. Tourism numbers reached their peak in 1998 and the industry as a whole has changed from budget tourists to accommodate a more luxury market.
Bali Tourist Development Corporation: Organized tourism in Bali:
Tourism in Bali has progressed along a somewhat unguided path but one of the times where planning was at a premium was the creation of the Bali Tourist Development Corporation (BTDC). The BTDC was formed in 1972 by the Indonesian government at the recommendation of overseas consultants. The plan was to develop the area on the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula at Nusa Dua.
The Bukit is sparsely populated and makes for poor farmland. It does however have a great location for resorts, being flat, expansive and on the beach. Nusa Dua was supposed to draw high-end tourists and the builders, hotel chains and BTDC were to benefit.
Nusa Dua has flourished with new resorts such as the Conrad leading the way. The BTDC really gave the impetus to developing the 300 hectare resort area at Nusa Dua, which has 4,500 hotel rooms. Nusa Dua gets its water from 60 meter wells that are sunk in the limestone. The area is not really a reflection of what Bali offers but does provide a place away from reality for those looking for relaxation.
• The 2002 Bali Bombing:
At 23:05 (15:05 UTC) on 12 October 2002, a suicide bomber inside the nightclub Paddy’s Pub detonated a bomb in his backpack, causing many patrons, with or without injuries, to immediately flee into the street. Fifteen seconds later, a second and much more powerful car bomb hidden inside a white Mitsubishi van, was detonated by another suicide bomber outside the Sari Club, located opposite Paddy’s Pub. The van was also rigged for detonation by remote control in case the second bomber had a sudden change of heart. Damage to the densely populated residential and commercial district was immense, destroying neighbouring buildings and shattering windows several blocks away. The car bomb explosion left a one meter deep crater.
The local Sanglah hospital was ill-equipped to deal with the scale of the disaster and was overwhelmed with the number of injured, particularly burn victims. There were so many people injured by the explosion that some of the injured had to be placed in hotel pools near the explosion site to ease the pain of their burns. Many of the injured were flown to the relatively close proximity of Darwin and Perth for specialist burns treatment. In all 202 people were killed in the Kuta bombings. The effect on the tourist industry was massive, with many Australians declaring they would never set foot in Bali again. The local economy suffered greatly and many local businesses went bankrupt, locals sometimes returning to their village to farm rice. The economy was slowly recovering when a second bombing occurred in 2005.
• The 2005 Bali Bombing:
The 2005 Bali bombings were a series of terrorist suicide bomb attacks that occurred on October 1, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia. Bombs exploded at two sites in Jimbaran and Kuta, both in south Bali. Twenty people were killed, and 129 people were injured by three bombers who killed themselves in the attacks.
The Indonesian national news agency, ANTARA, reported that the first two explosions occurred at 6:50 p.m. local time, near a Jimbaran food court and the third at 7:00 pm. in Kuta Town Square. Other reports claim that the blasts occurred at around 7:15 p.m. At least 3 blasts have been reported.
One of the blasts was at Raja’s in Kuta Square. Another two bombs exploded at warungs along the Jimbaran beach, one of which was near the Four Seasons Hotel. Police later said they had found three unexploded bombs in Jimbaran. They had apparently failed to go off after the security forces hastily shut down the island’s mobile telephone network following the first blasts.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said that the bombs used appear to have differed from previous blasts in that most deaths and injuries had been inflicted by shrapnel, rather than chemical explosion. A medical officer’s x-rays showed foreign objects described as “pellets” in many victims’ bodies and a victim reported ball bearings lodged in her back.
The bombings occurred the same day that Indonesia cut its fuel subsidies resulting in gas prices rising by 125% and just two days before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and 11 days before the third anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombing. The attack came during the school holiday period in some states of Australia, when an estimated 7,500 Australians are believed to have been visiting Bali. The 2005 Bali bombing also greatly affected the island’s economy, which took over a year to get back on track.
Sunday 10 August 2008
Bali Culture and Customs
Temple procession in BaliEach stage of Balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as Manusa Yadnya. They contribute to the rich, varied and active life the average Balinese leads.
Birth
The first ceremony of Balinese life takes place even before birth. Another ceremony takes place soon after the birth, during which the afterbirth is buried with appropriate offerings. The first major ceremony takes place halfway through the baby's first Balinese year of 210 days.
Names
Basically the Balinese only have four first names. The first child is Wayan or Putu, the second child is Made or Kadek, the third is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is Ketut. The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth will be another Wayan, Made, Nyoman, Ketut and Wayan again.
Childhood
The Balinese certainly love children and they have plenty of them to prove it. Coping with a large family is made much easier by the policy of putting younger children in the care of older ones. After the ceremonies of babyhood come ceremonies marking the stages of childhood and puberty, including the important tooth-filing ceremony.
Marriage
Every Balinese expects to marry and raise a family, and marriage takes places at a comparatively young age. Marriages are not, in general, arranged as they are in many other Asian communities although strict rules apply to marriages between the castes. There are two basic forms of marriage in Bali - mapadik and ngorod. The respectable form, in which the family of the man visit the family of the woman and politely propose that the marriage take place, is mapadik. The Balinese, however, like their fun and often prefer marriage by elopement (ngorod) as the most exciting option. Of course, the Balinese are also a practical people so nobody is too surprised when the young man spirits away his bride-to-be, even if she loudly protests about being kidnapped. The couple go into hiding and somehow the girl's parents, no matter how assiduously they search, never manage to find her. Eventually the couple re-emerge, announce that it is too late to stop them now, the marriage is officially recognized and everybody has had a lot of fun and games. Marriage by elopement has another advantage apart from being exciting and mildly heroic it's cheaper.
The Household
There are many modern Balinese houses, but there are still a great number of traditional Balinese homes. The streets of Ubud; nearly every house will follow the same traditional walled design.
Men & Women
There are certain tasks clearly to be handled by women, and others reserved for men. Social life in Bali is relatively free and easy. In Balinese leisure activities the roles are also sex differentiated. Both men and women dance but only men play the gamelan. Today you do see some women painters, sculptors, and woodcarvers.
Community Life
Balinese have an amazingly active and organized village life. You simply cannot be a faceless nonentity in Bali. You can't help but get to know your neighbors as your life is so entwined and interrelated with theirs.
Birth
The first ceremony of Balinese life takes place even before birth. Another ceremony takes place soon after the birth, during which the afterbirth is buried with appropriate offerings. The first major ceremony takes place halfway through the baby's first Balinese year of 210 days.
Names
Basically the Balinese only have four first names. The first child is Wayan or Putu, the second child is Made or Kadek, the third is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is Ketut. The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth will be another Wayan, Made, Nyoman, Ketut and Wayan again.
Childhood
The Balinese certainly love children and they have plenty of them to prove it. Coping with a large family is made much easier by the policy of putting younger children in the care of older ones. After the ceremonies of babyhood come ceremonies marking the stages of childhood and puberty, including the important tooth-filing ceremony.
Marriage
Every Balinese expects to marry and raise a family, and marriage takes places at a comparatively young age. Marriages are not, in general, arranged as they are in many other Asian communities although strict rules apply to marriages between the castes. There are two basic forms of marriage in Bali - mapadik and ngorod. The respectable form, in which the family of the man visit the family of the woman and politely propose that the marriage take place, is mapadik. The Balinese, however, like their fun and often prefer marriage by elopement (ngorod) as the most exciting option. Of course, the Balinese are also a practical people so nobody is too surprised when the young man spirits away his bride-to-be, even if she loudly protests about being kidnapped. The couple go into hiding and somehow the girl's parents, no matter how assiduously they search, never manage to find her. Eventually the couple re-emerge, announce that it is too late to stop them now, the marriage is officially recognized and everybody has had a lot of fun and games. Marriage by elopement has another advantage apart from being exciting and mildly heroic it's cheaper.
The Household
There are many modern Balinese houses, but there are still a great number of traditional Balinese homes. The streets of Ubud; nearly every house will follow the same traditional walled design.
Men & Women
There are certain tasks clearly to be handled by women, and others reserved for men. Social life in Bali is relatively free and easy. In Balinese leisure activities the roles are also sex differentiated. Both men and women dance but only men play the gamelan. Today you do see some women painters, sculptors, and woodcarvers.
Community Life
Balinese have an amazingly active and organized village life. You simply cannot be a faceless nonentity in Bali. You can't help but get to know your neighbors as your life is so entwined and interrelated with theirs.
Saturday 9 August 2008
BALI travel FORUM
News & Views from the "Ultimate Island"
Brought to you by
BALI HOTEL BARGAIN FINDER and BALIVILLAS.COM
Benefit from up-to-date and straightforward information and experiences reported by residents and visitors to Bali – as many others did since 1997. Share your views and give recommendations and/or warnings to others. Don't be shy to ask anything you wish to know, and speak up if you have anything to say.
Brought to you by
BALI HOTEL BARGAIN FINDER and BALIVILLAS.COM
Benefit from up-to-date and straightforward information and experiences reported by residents and visitors to Bali – as many others did since 1997. Share your views and give recommendations and/or warnings to others. Don't be shy to ask anything you wish to know, and speak up if you have anything to say.
Friday 8 August 2008
History of bali
There are few traces of Stone Age people on Bali, although it's almost certain that the island was inhabited very early in prehistoric times. There is also little known about Bali during the period when Indian traders brought Hinduism to the Indonesian archipelago. The earliest written records are inscriptions on a stone pillar near Sanur dating from around the 9th century AD. Hindu Java began to spread its influence into Bali in the first half of the 11th century, when the rock-cut memorials at Gunung Kawi were sculpted.
The Javanese Singasari dynasty conquered Bali in 1284, but when it collapsed shortly afterwards Bali regained its autonomy and the Pejeng dynasty, centred near modern-day Ubud, rose to great power. The Pejeng king was defeated by the great Majapahit dynasty in 1343 and Bali was brought back under Javanese influence. As Islam took hold in Java in the 15th century, the Majapahit kingdom collapsed and many of its intelligentsia moved to Bali. They included key priests who were credited with introducing many of the complexities of Balinese religion. Javanese artists, dancers and musicians also sought sanctuary in Bali, and the island experienced an explosion of cultural activity.
The first Europeans to set foot on Bali were Dutch seamen in 1597. Setting a tradition that has prevailed to the present day, they fell in love with the island and, when the ship's captain prepared to set sail, several of his crew refused to come with him. By the early 1600s the Dutch had established trade treaties with Javanese princes and had wrestled control of the spice trade from the Portuguese. They were, however, more interested in profit than culture and hardly gave Bali a second glance.
In the early 18th century, as local rule in Bali began to fracture, the Dutch began muscling in using the tried and tested divide-and-rule policy. They used Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks as a pretext to land military forces in northern Bali in 1846. Teaming up with the Sasaks of Lombok to defeat the rajahs of Bali proved a bad tactic when the Sasaks changed their minds and slaughtered the Dutch. This incensed the Dutch so much that they invaded Bali with a heavy military force and severed its control of its smaller neighbour. With the north under Dutch control and ties with Lombok severed, the south of Bali was not going to remain autonomous for long. Another salvage dispute resulted in Dutch warships appearing off Sanur in 1906.
Modern History
It took Dutch troops five days to reach the outskirts of Denpasar. Surrounded by superior forces, Balinese royalty and religious leaders decided to take the honourable path of a suicidal puputan - a fight to the death - rather than surrender. First the palaces were burnt, then - dressed in their finest jewellery and waving golden daggers - the rajah led the royalty and priests out to face the Dutch and their modern weapons. The Dutch begged the Balinese to surrender, but their pleas went unheard and wave after wave of Balinese nobility marched forward to their death. In all, nearly 4000 Balinese died.
As other local kingdoms capitulated or were defeated, the entire island came under Dutch control and became a part of the Dutch East Indies. There was little development of exploitative plantation economy on Bali, and common people noticed very little difference between rule by the Dutch and rule by the rajahs. Despite the long prelude to colonisation, Dutch rule over Bali was short-lived; Indonesia soon fell to the Japanese in WWII.
At the end of WWII, the Indonesian leader Soekarno proclaimed independence, but it took 4 more years to persuade the Dutch that they were not going to get their colony back. In a virtual repeat of the puputan nearly half a century earlier, a Balinese resistance group was wiped out in the Battle of Marga in 1946. In 1949, the Dutch finally recognised Indonesia's independence. In 1965, an attempted coup blamed on communists led to Soekarno's downfall. General Soeharto suppressed the coup and emerged as a major political figure.
The Communist Party was outlawed and a wave of anti-communist reprisals followed. On Bali, local communists were perceived as a threat to traditional values and the caste system because of their calls for land reform and an end to social repression. Religious traditionalists took advantage of the post-coup hysteria and led a witch hunt against communist sympathisers. Mobs rounded up suspected communists and clubbed them to death. The Chinese community was particularly victimised before the army stepped in and restored order, but no-one on Bali was untouched by the killings. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people were killed, at a time when the island's population only totalled two million.
Soeharto established himself as president, and under his government Indonesia looked to the West for alliances and investments. On Bali, economic growth and dramatic improvements in infrastructure were achieved by hugely expanding the tourist industry. This also resulted in the displacement of local populations and disruption of many traditional communities.
Recent History
The end of the reign of Soeharto in 1998 threw the entire country into a maelstrom of change and turmoil. For some time it seemed that Bali was to be spared much of the anguish experienced on other islands in the archipelago. But the bomb attacks targeting Westerners that killed about 200 people near Kuta Beach on 12 October 2002 ravaged the tourism industry and destroyed any such complacency. It took about a year, during which the Balinese were in a kind of shock, but tourism recovered and 2004 was one of the best years on record for visits. More bombs in October 2005 killed about 20, and this time visitors did not return in previous numbers. With tourism at the centre of the local economy, the Balinese are at a crossroads in deciding their future direction.
The Javanese Singasari dynasty conquered Bali in 1284, but when it collapsed shortly afterwards Bali regained its autonomy and the Pejeng dynasty, centred near modern-day Ubud, rose to great power. The Pejeng king was defeated by the great Majapahit dynasty in 1343 and Bali was brought back under Javanese influence. As Islam took hold in Java in the 15th century, the Majapahit kingdom collapsed and many of its intelligentsia moved to Bali. They included key priests who were credited with introducing many of the complexities of Balinese religion. Javanese artists, dancers and musicians also sought sanctuary in Bali, and the island experienced an explosion of cultural activity.
The first Europeans to set foot on Bali were Dutch seamen in 1597. Setting a tradition that has prevailed to the present day, they fell in love with the island and, when the ship's captain prepared to set sail, several of his crew refused to come with him. By the early 1600s the Dutch had established trade treaties with Javanese princes and had wrestled control of the spice trade from the Portuguese. They were, however, more interested in profit than culture and hardly gave Bali a second glance.
In the early 18th century, as local rule in Bali began to fracture, the Dutch began muscling in using the tried and tested divide-and-rule policy. They used Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks as a pretext to land military forces in northern Bali in 1846. Teaming up with the Sasaks of Lombok to defeat the rajahs of Bali proved a bad tactic when the Sasaks changed their minds and slaughtered the Dutch. This incensed the Dutch so much that they invaded Bali with a heavy military force and severed its control of its smaller neighbour. With the north under Dutch control and ties with Lombok severed, the south of Bali was not going to remain autonomous for long. Another salvage dispute resulted in Dutch warships appearing off Sanur in 1906.
Modern History
It took Dutch troops five days to reach the outskirts of Denpasar. Surrounded by superior forces, Balinese royalty and religious leaders decided to take the honourable path of a suicidal puputan - a fight to the death - rather than surrender. First the palaces were burnt, then - dressed in their finest jewellery and waving golden daggers - the rajah led the royalty and priests out to face the Dutch and their modern weapons. The Dutch begged the Balinese to surrender, but their pleas went unheard and wave after wave of Balinese nobility marched forward to their death. In all, nearly 4000 Balinese died.
As other local kingdoms capitulated or were defeated, the entire island came under Dutch control and became a part of the Dutch East Indies. There was little development of exploitative plantation economy on Bali, and common people noticed very little difference between rule by the Dutch and rule by the rajahs. Despite the long prelude to colonisation, Dutch rule over Bali was short-lived; Indonesia soon fell to the Japanese in WWII.
At the end of WWII, the Indonesian leader Soekarno proclaimed independence, but it took 4 more years to persuade the Dutch that they were not going to get their colony back. In a virtual repeat of the puputan nearly half a century earlier, a Balinese resistance group was wiped out in the Battle of Marga in 1946. In 1949, the Dutch finally recognised Indonesia's independence. In 1965, an attempted coup blamed on communists led to Soekarno's downfall. General Soeharto suppressed the coup and emerged as a major political figure.
The Communist Party was outlawed and a wave of anti-communist reprisals followed. On Bali, local communists were perceived as a threat to traditional values and the caste system because of their calls for land reform and an end to social repression. Religious traditionalists took advantage of the post-coup hysteria and led a witch hunt against communist sympathisers. Mobs rounded up suspected communists and clubbed them to death. The Chinese community was particularly victimised before the army stepped in and restored order, but no-one on Bali was untouched by the killings. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people were killed, at a time when the island's population only totalled two million.
Soeharto established himself as president, and under his government Indonesia looked to the West for alliances and investments. On Bali, economic growth and dramatic improvements in infrastructure were achieved by hugely expanding the tourist industry. This also resulted in the displacement of local populations and disruption of many traditional communities.
Recent History
The end of the reign of Soeharto in 1998 threw the entire country into a maelstrom of change and turmoil. For some time it seemed that Bali was to be spared much of the anguish experienced on other islands in the archipelago. But the bomb attacks targeting Westerners that killed about 200 people near Kuta Beach on 12 October 2002 ravaged the tourism industry and destroyed any such complacency. It took about a year, during which the Balinese were in a kind of shock, but tourism recovered and 2004 was one of the best years on record for visits. More bombs in October 2005 killed about 20, and this time visitors did not return in previous numbers. With tourism at the centre of the local economy, the Balinese are at a crossroads in deciding their future direction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)