BALI HISTORY
Bali has been inhabited for a long time. Sembiran, a village in northern Bali, was believed to have been home to the people of the Ice Age, proven by the discovery of stone axes and adzes. Further discoveries of more sophisticated stone tools, agricultural techniques and basic pottery at Cekik in Bali's far west, point to the people of the Neolithic era. At Cekik, there is evidence of a settlement together with burial sites of around a hundred people thought to be from the Neolithic through to the Bronze Age. The massive drums of the Bronze Age, together with their stone moulds have been discovered throughout the Indonesian archipelago, including the most famous and largest drum in Southeast Asia, the Moon of Pejeng, nearly two meters wide, now housed in a temple in east Ubud. In East Java and Bali, there has also been a concentration of carved stone sarcophagi, which we can see in the Bali Museum in Denpasar and Purbakala Museum in Pejeng.
Bali was busy with trade from as early as 200 BC. The prasasti, or metal inscriptions, Bali's earliest written records from the ninth century AD, show a significant Buddhist and Hindu influence; especially in the statues, bronzes and rock-cut caves around Mount Kawi and Gajah Cave. Balinese society was pretty sophisticated by about 900 AD. Their marriage portrait of the Balinese King Udayana to East Java's Princess Mahendratta is captured in a stone carving in the Pura Korah Tegipan in the Batur area. Their son, Erlangga, born around 991 AD, later succeeded to the throne of the Javanese kingdom and brought Java and Bali together until his death in 1049.
In 1284, Bali was conquered by Kertanegara, the ruler of the Singasari; until the turn of the century, saw Bali under its own rule under the hands of King Bedaulu of Pejeng, east of Ubud. 1343 AD, is an important date in Bali's history. It was then that the whole island was conquered by East Java under the mighty Hindu Majapahit kingdom. This resulted in massive changes in Balinese society, including the introduction of the caste system.
Balinese who did not embrace the changes fled to the isolated and remote mountainous areas and hill areas. Their descendants are known today as Bali Aga or Bali Mula that means the "original Balinese". They still live separately in villages like Tenganan near Dasa Temple and Trunyan on the shores of Batur Lake, and maintain their ancient laws and traditional ways. When Majapahit in East Java fell in 1515, the many small Islamic kingdoms in the island merged into the Islamic Mataram empire, Majapahit's most dedicated Hindu priests, craftsmen, soldiers, nobles and artists fled east to Bali, and flooded the island with Javanese culture and Hindu practices. Considering the huge influence and power of Islam at the time, it is worth pondering why and how Bali still remained strongly Hindu and Buddhist.
Batu Renggong, also known as Dewa Agung, means great god, became king in 1550, and this title became hereditary through the succeeding generations of the kingdom of Gelgel, and later Klungkung, until the twentieth century. Bali reached the pinnacle of its Golden Era under the reign of the Batu Renggong, the great god ruler. Bali's decline started when Batu Renggong's grandson, Di Made Bekung, lost Blambangan, Lombok and Sumbawa. DI Made Bekung's chief minister, Gusti Agung Maruti, eventually rebelled and reigned from 1650 till 1686, when he in turn was killed by DI Made Bekung's son, Dewa Agung Jambe, who then moved the court to Klungkung, and named his new palace the Semarapura, Abode of the God of Love.
source : www.indonesia-tourism.com
BALI CULTURE
The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. It is not an exaggeration that when a Balinese is asked what heaven is like, he would say, just like Bali, without the worries of mundane life. They want to live in Bali, to be cremated in Bali when they die, and to reincarnate in Bali.
It does not mean that the Balinese resist changes. Instead, they adapt them to their own system. This goes back far in history. Prior to the arrival of Hinduism in Bali and in other parts of Indonesia, people practised animism. When Hinduism arrives, the practice of Hinduism is adapted to local practices. The brand of Hinduism practised in Bali is much different from that in India. Other aspects of life flow this way.
Traditional paintings, faithfully depicting religious and mythological symbolisms, met with Western and modern paintings, giving birth to contemporary paintings, free in its creative topics yet strongly and distinctively Balinese. Its dance, its music, and its wayang theaters , while have been continually enriched by contemporary and external artistry, are still laden with religious connotations, performed mostly to appease and to please the gods and the goddesses. Wood and stone carvings, gold and silver crafts parallel the development of paintings, gracefully evolving with external forces to enhance their characters. The batik of Bali owes its origin to Java, and inspired the development of ikat and double ikat.
source : www.indo.com
BALI GEOGRAPHY
Bali has an area of 5,632 sq. km and measures only 140 km by 90 km. It is dramatically mountainous especially in the western region, and the center of the island is dominated by a number of volcanic mountains. Many people had perished in Gunung Agung's 1963 destructive eruption and a lot of wreckage took place in the eastern parts of Bali. The north and south of the central mountains are agricultural lands and the terrain is wider with gentle slopes. Bali is also encircled by coral reefs, and black (volcanic) sand blankets the beaches in the east and north.
Paradise is not even in the Balinese vocabulary but this island is a likely candidate for paradise. Located near the equator, Bali is a perpetual tropical haven with a temperature range of 32 to 35 degrees Celsius. Bali is usually less humid during the dry season from April to September, which would be the ideal time to visit the island when rainfall is light and infrequent, whilst complemented by lower humidity.
Rice remains the ancient staple that has sustained generations of Balinese, and therefore a complex and amazingly breathtaking patchwork of rice terraces will usually meet the eye. On their own, the rice paddies are a complete ecological system, supported by an elaborate irrigation network. This significant crop has contributed greatly in changing the natural landscape of Bali and making it ever so beautiful. Other agricultural produce are corn, tamarind, cloves, coffee, tea, tobacco, cocoa, copra, vanilla, soy beans, chillies, fruits and vegetables.
source : www.marimari.com
BALI POPULATION
With 2.5 million people, Bali is a very densely populated island. The population is almost all Indonesian, with the usual small Chinese contingent in the big towns, a sprinkling of Indian merchants, plus a number of more or less permanent visitors amongst the Westeners in Bali.
Population control is a priority of the Indonesian government, and the family planning slogan (two is enough) is a recurring theme in roadside posters and statuary. It seems to have been quite successful, as many young families are limiting themselves to two children, or sometimes maybe three, but certainly not the seven or nine children common two or three generations ago.
source : www.topix.com
BALINESE DANCE
The lifestyles of Balinese people is expressed in their dance. Not only do we learn about the Balinese religion from their dance creations but also we can come to understand the flow of cultural events and activities that belong to everyday life. We can discover Balinese attitudes, how they look at nature, and how they regard their fauna and flora.
The very essence of the Balinese culture is dance and drama, which is performed during temple festivals and in ceremonies. The dances performed in hotels is a small fraction of what Balinese dance has to offer.
Balinese dance goes as far back as Balinese written history with much of the heritage originating from Java. Ironically, as a result of the Islamisation of Java, the Javanese culture has disappeared but has still survived in Bali and has become part of classical Balinese culture.
Balinese dance cannot be separated from religion. Even the dances for the tourists are preceded by many dancers praying at their family shrine for taksu (inspiration) from the gods.
Dance fulfils a number of specific functions: It may be a channel for visiting gods or demons, the dancers acting as a sort of living repository. It may be as a welcome for visiting gods. It may be entertainment for visiting gods.
The typical posture of Balinese dance has the legs half-bent, the torso shifted to one side with the elbow raised and lowered in a gesture that displays suppleness of the hands and fingers. The torso is shifted in symmetry with the arms. If the arms are to the right, the shifting is to the left and vice-versa.
The Ramayana
The story of the Ramayana greatly inspires the Balinese. Many of their dances are based on this great story which is often depicted in a ballet.
The Balinese version differs from the Indian Version. It is told that Rama, as the first son in a family, was the heir to the Ayodya kingdom but the king's second wife, through her treachery forced the king to crown her own son as the King of Ayodya and asked him to send Rama and his wife into exile.
Because he respected his father, Rama went with his wife called Sita and his beloved younger brother, Laksmana into a forest called Dandaka. Usually the first act of the ballet depicts Rama and entourage in the heart of the Dandaka forest.
Rahwana, the evil King of Alengka, enchanted by the beauty of Sita, wanted to have her as his concubine. He sent one of his knights, Marica, to temp Sita by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captivated by her curiosity, asked her husband to catch the golden deer.
The next act explains how Rama succeeds in hunting the golden deer but as his arrow struck the golden deer it transformed back into Marica. Meanwhile Sita heard a distant cry for help. Laksmana, who had been asked by his brother to look after his sister-in-law, tried to explain to her that the cry sounds very suspicious. But nevertheless, Sita was convinced that someone was in need of help. So she sent Laksmana to look for this person and to help whoever it is. In his desperate attempt, Laksmana asked Sita, no matter what would happen, to stay inside the guarding circle that he created.
Rahwana, knowing that Sita was protected by the circle transforms himself into an old priest. He approaches Sita and asks her for a drink. Sita, without hesitation, extends her hands beyond the circle to hand him the water. Rahwana takes the advantage, snatches her hand and takes her to his palace in Alengka.
On the way, Rahwana encounters a mighty eagle Jatayu. By every means possible, Jatayu tries to rescue Sita from the evil king but fails and is killed by Rahwana.
Rama and Laksmana find the dying Jatayu who tells them the whole story of what had happened to Sita.
The lifestyles of Balinese people is expressed in their dance. Not only do we learn about the Balinese religion from their dance creations but also we can come to understand the flow of cultural events and activities that belong to everyday life. We can discover Balinese attitudes, how they look at nature, and how they regard their fauna and flora.
The very essence of the Balinese culture is dance and drama, which is performed during temple festivals and in ceremonies. The dances performed in hotels is a small fraction of what Balinese dance has to offer.
Balinese dance goes as far back as Balinese written history with much of the heritage originating from Java. Ironically, as a result of the Islamisation of Java, the Javanese culture has disappeared but has still survived in Bali and has become part of classical Balinese culture.
Balinese dance cannot be separated from religion. Even the dances for the tourists are preceded by many dancers praying at their family shrine for taksu (inspiration) from the gods.
Dance fulfils a number of specific functions: It may be a channel for visiting gods or demons, the dancers acting as a sort of living repository. It may be as a welcome for visiting gods. It may be entertainment for visiting gods.
The typical posture of Balinese dance has the legs half-bent, the torso shifted to one side with the elbow raised and lowered in a gesture that displays suppleness of the hands and fingers. The torso is shifted in symmetry with the arms. If the arms are to the right, the shifting is to the left and vice-versa.
The Ramayana
The story of the Ramayana greatly inspires the Balinese. Many of their dances are based on this great story which is often depicted in a ballet.
The Balinese version differs from the Indian Version. It is told that Rama, as the first son in a family, was the heir to the Ayodya kingdom but the king's second wife, through her treachery forced the king to crown her own son as the King of Ayodya and asked him to send Rama and his wife into exile.
Because he respected his father, Rama went with his wife called Sita and his beloved younger brother, Laksmana into a forest called Dandaka. Usually the first act of the ballet depicts Rama and entourage in the heart of the Dandaka forest.
Rahwana, the evil King of Alengka, enchanted by the beauty of Sita, wanted to have her as his concubine. He sent one of his knights, Marica, to temp Sita by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captivated by her curiosity, asked her husband to catch the golden deer.
The next act explains how Rama succeeds in hunting the golden deer but as his arrow struck the golden deer it transformed back into Marica. Meanwhile Sita heard a distant cry for help. Laksmana, who had been asked by his brother to look after his sister-in-law, tried to explain to her that the cry sounds very suspicious. But nevertheless, Sita was convinced that someone was in need of help. So she sent Laksmana to look for this person and to help whoever it is. In his desperate attempt, Laksmana asked Sita, no matter what would happen, to stay inside the guarding circle that he created.
Rahwana, knowing that Sita was protected by the circle transforms himself into an old priest. He approaches Sita and asks her for a drink. Sita, without hesitation, extends her hands beyond the circle to hand him the water. Rahwana takes the advantage, snatches her hand and takes her to his palace in Alengka.
On the way, Rahwana encounters a mighty eagle Jatayu. By every means possible, Jatayu tries to rescue Sita from the evil king but fails and is killed by Rahwana.
Rama and Laksmana find the dying Jatayu who tells them the whole story of what had happened to Sita.
In his attempt to release his wife, Rama seeks the help from Hanoman and his monkey soldiers. Hanoman finds Sita in the palace's garden. She had been asked by Rahwana to marry him but she would rather die. Hanoman convinces Sita that he is Rama's messenger and talks of a plan.
Rahwana catches Hanoman and burns his tail but in so doing, set fire to the palace's' gardens. The pyrotechnics can be very impressive.
In the last act, Rama and his troops are depicted attacking Rakhwana's palace. Finally Rama manages to kill Rahwana and therefore takes his wife back to his country.
The abridged version ends here but if you see paintings in Kamasan style based on the Ramayana story, you would notice that in the last of serialised paintings, Sita had to prove she was still pure, and had not been tainted by Rahwana, by plunging herself into a fire. Because of her faith in her husband, God saved her from the fire and she lived happily ever after with Rama.
The Indian version reveals a very different ending with Sita saved by Mother Earth, never returning to her husband.
The Welcome Dance - Tari Panyembrama
The Panyembrama is probably the most popular Balinese social dance. In keeping with its meaning in the Balinese Language, Panymebrama is frequently staged to welcome guests of honour who are making a visit to this islands of the Gods.
Four or eight young girls bearing a bokor, a heavily engraved bowl made from silver or aluminium, laden with flowers, dance expressively to the accompaniment of vibrant gamelan music.
During the dance, the flowers are scattered over the guest or audience as an expression of welcome. The Panymebrama has taken many of its movements from temple dances, such as the Rejang Dance, Pendet and Gabor, which are considered sacred and performed exclusively for God. There is an analogy between the secular Panymebrama and the religious temple dances, as all these dances are welcoming dances, the difference being in the place in which they are stage.
The Tari Panymebrama comes under the Balinese classification of Legong (individual dances), because it has no connection with other dances, has no story and was specifically created for welcoming and entertainment purposes.
The hospitality and friendliness conveyed through the smiles of the Panymebrama girls, charms the audience and so is very fitting as an opening for a show, etc.
The Yudapati Dance
Yudapati is a dance which depicts a male character but is performed by female dancers. The word Yudapati is derived from Yuda which means war and Pati which means death. The dance represents the kamikaze warrior in defending the truth. The dance was created in 1987. It is based on the Baris dance.
The dancer wears typical male attire, headcloth, shirt, carved leather belt and other jewellery. The reason for a male being performed by a female is that the choreographer wishes to reveal all the subtle gestures and movements in the dance by using the flexibility of a woman's body.
Male dance performed by females is called Bebancihan. A number of other dances have been created in the s style, such as Margapati, Trunajaya, Prawireng Puti, Wiranata and Danur Dara. They require masculine interpretation and expression which is quite hard for female dancers. Yudapati dance was originally performed for religious purposes but nowadays is performed regularly as a tourist attraction in some restaurants.
The Ghopala Dance
This dance provides the audience with an interesting insight into the lives of people who live in a simple and pure manner in an environment of blissful tranquillity. This dance originated in 1984 and usually performed by five boy dancers. The characters of the Ghopala dance are especially funny and will draw laughter from the audience.
The Ghopala theme depicts the world of children herdsmen who gleefully meet and play along the boundaries of rice fields while tending their cows. Their lives are filled with happiness as they dance and play in a way which highlights their individual characters. They never tire of their duties as herdsmen, faithfully defending the lives of their cattle. Thus the audience are transported to a distant time when people lived in peace and contentment, an age which had not yet become influenced by the bustle of business which now constantly steals our time.
The Semarayana Dance
As we know, there exists many art forms such as music, painting, poetry, drama, sculpture, etc. and, of course, dancing is yet another and is a popular form of expression. Artists will take a certain aspect of a medium, build on it to form another. This is the case of the Semarayana dance developed in 1994 as a subject for a thesis submitted by Ms Ni Nyoman Sri Armita to the Indonesian Arts Academy of Denpasar for her graduation.
The main character is Dewi Chandra Kirana, a princess from the kingdom of Daha who disguised herself as a male youth so she could venture out and seek her beloved who had disappeared without a trace.
With shoulder length hair, commonly used centuries ago throughout Java and Bali, the princess was unrecognisable as a female. The symbol of manhood which fooled people she met on the road, was the use of the Balinese male headgear called the Destar. It is made from material that wraps around the head and has an artistic formation of bunched material at the front.
Balinese males still use the destar when attending ceremonies. The feature of the destar is the decorative use of gold lines.
Dewi meets her beloved but due to her disguise and the fact that he is partly obscured when they meet, a fight develops. In the ensuing melee, the princess's destar is knocked from her head and her sweetheart, Raden Inu Kertapati, recognises her and rushes to her side to embrace her.
And, of course, they lived happily ever after.
source : www.budgetbali.com
BALI FLORA AND FAUNA
Flora
Balinese flora include majestic, holy Banyan trees, swaying palms, the versatile bamboo, acacia trees and flowers, flowers, flowers! Flowers can be seen everywhere; Balinese love beauty and their gardens, roads and temple grounds are delightfully adorned with all kinds of blooms imaginable. Hibiscus, bougainvillea, poinsettia, oleander, jasmine, water lily, roses, begonias, magnolias, orchids and hydrangeas can be found and enjoyed throughout Bali. Ubiquitous frangipani flowers with their exotic perfume blend well into the picturesque scenery.
Fauna
Wildlife flourish in Bali. Inquisitive monkeys with outstretched hands forever beseeching a treat, lizards living harmoniously with humans and it is purported to be a fortuitous omen if one hears the lizard call seven times. The elusive Balinese tigers still roam the remote northwest part of the island but a sighting is indeed rare. Bats, squirrels, iguanas, civets, barking deer, mouse deer and more than 300 species of birds share Bali's lush greenery. You will also see schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candidasa and Padangbai, and there are colorful coral and small reef fish, moray eels, crustaceans, sponges and plankton-eating whale sharks along the east coast of Menjangan island, near Gilimanuk. Of course, we must not ignore our domestic friends, who wake us up in the morn or bark at night. Roosters, chickens, ducks, pigs, buffaloes and cows form the complete picture of a Balinese farm life.
source : www.marimari.com
WHERE TO GO
Most people visit Bali for a sun and sand holiday, but there are many different beach areas to choose from. If you want to be where all the action is, the Kuta / Legian area has the biggest selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. It's worth noting that most of the action in Kuta is away from the beach. The ocean here is popular for surfing, which makes it less than ideal for anything else. If you want to swim, wind surf and lie on the beach, or are looking for relaxation rather than parties, then think about Sanur on the east coast.
If you like big hotels, or have points to blow at the big chains, then you may end up at Nusa Dua. This is also where the most well known golf course, the Bali Golf and Country Club, is located. South of the airport is Jimbaran Bay, home to a few high end resorts, such as the Bali Intercontinental and the Four Seasons. If you're really into design, then you may want to check out the Bali Hyatt, the hotel that started the whole "Bali style" internationally.
If your visit is for more than a few days, you may want to consider staying in more than one place. The best alternative to the beach resorts is the mountain arts colony of Ubud. There are all sorts of accommodation, in all price ranges, in and around the city.
TRANSPORTATION
AIRLINES
The primary gateway to Indonesia is the Sukarno-Hatta International Airport of Jakarta (also known as Cengkareng CKG), but there are increasingly more international airlines that offer direct flights to Bali. From Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia and Sempati Air have around a dozen departure times to Bali. Internationally, Garuda also has direct flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, and a number of Australian cities; as well as flights from Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and other European cities.
Qantas Airlines of Australia provides direct flights from a number of Australian cities as well as a number of European cities (e.g. London). Air New Zealand will also take you from Auckland to Bali. KLM of the Netherlands is one of the first international airlines to have an international flight to Bali, and it will take you from many cities in Europe, notably Amsterdam, to Bali. Lauda Air, Lufthansa Airlines and Air France can also assist you to escape from Europe.
From Asia, direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong are readily available from Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines.
CRUISE LINES AND FERRIES
A number of international cruise lines has long included Bali in its scheduled stop. To get to Bali from Java, there is a ferry that runs regularly between Ketapang in East Java to Gilimanuk in the western tip of Bali. From Lombok, there are a number of ferry services from Lembar in Lombok to Padangbai or Benoa in Bali.
GOUND TRANSPORTATION
If you have the time, traveling by bus from Java to Bali will give you an unfiltered look of small Javanese villages and nature. The road network is good, and comfortable and safe buses like Lorena's Mercedes-Benz fleet will make the road trip even more memorable.
To get around Bali, you can use public transportation such as bemo or buses, which are usually very cheap. You should be prepared to appreciate the romance of sharing your seat with a rooster. Or you can rent almost all mode of transportations, from bicycles, motorcycles, or cars and limousines. Alternatively, you can hire tourist guides who can provide transportation as part of their service.
Bali's ground transportation
The road network of Sumatera, Java, and Bali is pretty good, allowing you to hop onto a bus from Medan or even further north in Banda Aceh at the tip of Sumatera, travel down 8 provinces south to get to Jakarta, and cross 4 provinces east to get to Bali. It'll take about 3 days from Medan to Jakarta and one full day from Jakarta to Denpasar, including two ferry rides, one from Lampung in Sumatera to Merak in Java, and the other one from Ketapang in East Java to Gilimanuk in Bali.
Bus ride to Bali can be very comfortable in modern luxury buses. Mercedes Benz fleet give you maximum comfort while allowing you to enjoy the scenery of the rural villages of Java.
Once you get to Bali, there are various ways you can explore the island:
Walk. Yes, the old, reliable feet. Recommended for, among other places, along the beaches, along the gardens of Nusa Dua, or along the shops of Legian, Kuta.
Bicycles. There are a lot of places where you can rent bicycles.
Motorcycles. Some hard-to-reach beach corners, hidden surfing sites, may not be reachable by car - motorcycles may be your best bet. Don't forget your international driver's license.
Car Rentals/Hires. You can cover all of Bali comfortably with complete privacy and you set your own schedules. Rates start from around US$ 25 a day. Toyota Rent-A-Car can provide anything from a subcompact car to a luxurious Japanese sedan, with or without a driver. Don't forget your international driver's license if you want to drive.
Public Buses. Public transporation in Bali is provided by bemos (three-wheeled, Vespa-derivative, funny-looking creatures crawling on the roads - you wouldn't miss it) and mini buses. They typically have their set routes, but you can always charter one on the spot, if it's empty, of course, to go wherever you wish. Recommended for mixing with the locals.
source : www.indo.com
FOOD
Rice (Nasi) is the basis of most Indonesian meals.
Noodle (Mie) is common in Chinese dishes.
There are many regional specialties.
More expensive international dishes are widely available in the tourist areas.
Street hawkers and Warungs offer the cheapest local food. Check the level of hygiene first
Balinese Specialties
Lawar - Chopped and shredded Papaya, Jackfruit, green beans, coconut and leaves, served with other dishes;
Babi Guling - Roasted pork, stuffed with herbs & rice;
Betubu bebek - Smoked duck; Bubuh Injin - Rice pudding with coconut & fruit
Indonesian Specialities
Sate- charcoal-grilled chicken or mutton pieces usually served with peanut sauce
Nasi goreng- fried rice
Nasi campur- cold rice served with meat, vegetables, tofu and fermented beans
Gado gado-salad with peanut sauce and prawn crackers
Cap cai - fried vegetables
Ayam goreng - fried chicken
Mie Bakso- noodle soup
Rijsttafel - rice with as many as 15 different side dishes.
Deserts
Pisang goreng - banana fritters
Bubur - sweet black rice with coconut milk
Es buhah & es campur - crushed ice with fruits and condensed milk.
Drinks
Kopi - Coffee, local coffee is excellent and cheap, from Rp200. More expensive nescafe and expresso is also available
Fruit juices/shakes are available in every travelers-style restaurant.
Bottled beer, & soft drinks are available everywhere.
Fruits
Rambutan: similar to a lychee, has hairy, red skin.
Durian: huge, smelly, spiky fruit
Nanka (Jack-fruit) similar to Durian, used a lot in cooking.
Manggis (Mangosteen) round, purple fruits with soft white clusters inside - delicious.
Belimbing - star fruit.
Tap Water
Not drinkable. Buy mineral water or purify/boil.
Ice
Ice is generally safe because it is government regulated, but the handling of ice may not be hygienic
FESTIVAL
The temple is the center of Balinese festivals and ceremonies.
Most festivals in Bali follow either the Hindu-Javanese, Waku Calendar - 210 day year divided into weeks of 10 days or the Hindu Saka Calendar of 356 days.
Many festivals are held around the full moon period in April and at end of September.
Waku-Calendar Festivals
Odalan festival Held by every temple on its anniversary, every 210th day, lasts 3 days.
With over 20,000 temples on Bali, there are many opportunities to see this festival.
1st day - Procession of the village women to the temple. The women wear traditional clothes, and carry offerings of fruits and rice cakes arranged in a pyramid, on their heads. The food is left at the temple for 3 days then eaten. Gamelan, dance and wayang puppet performances are held in the evenings. Cockfighting also takes place.
Galungan (Balinese New Year) 10 day festival. In honor of the creation of the world.
1st Day - Food offerings are taken to temples. Barong dancing takes place in the evening..
Kuninggan Last day of New Year holiday, ancestors are honored. Temples are decorated with flowers and offerings are made.
Pengerupuk Last day of Balinese Year, according to the Saka calendar. Purification and sacrificial ceremonies at temples are carried out.Priests chant to get rid of demons. In the evening torchlit parades take place featuring monsters and demons. Best in Denpasar.
source : www.baliholidayaccommodation.com
THINGS TO KNOW
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
All travellers to Bali must have passports valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival and have proof of onward or return passage.
A visa on arrival can be obtained for Canadian and US citizens as well as some other specific passport holders. The fee is US$10 for a stay up to 7 days and US$25 for a stay from 8 to 30 days.
VACCINATIONS
International health certificates for smallpox and cholera are not required, except for travellers coming from infected areas.
CUSTOMS
Customs allows on entry a maximum of two litres of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Car, photo equipment, typewriters and recorders must be declared on entry and when re-exported.
CURRENCY
Rupiah (RP 1 = 100 sen).
ELECTRICITY
Power supply is usually 220 volts/50 cycles in the big cities, but 110 volts are still used in some areas. Normal outlets are plugs with two rounded prongs. It is advisable to check before using your appliances.
BANKING & TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
Banking hours are 8:00am to 3:00pm Mon. to Fri. and until 1:00pm, Sat. Money can also be changed at hotel cashier, and authorized money changers. Jakarta has several international banks. Major tourist destination areas have banks with foreign exchange facilities. Credit cards are acceptable at major hotels, restaurants and travel agencies. US dollars are the most accepted currency.
TIPPING
Major hotels usually add a 10% service charge to bills. Where it is not included a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill would be appropriate, if service is satisfactory. Airport porters expect RP 2000, for a small bag and RP3000, for bags weighing more than 20kg. Tipping taxis is not mandatory, however if service has been satisfactory, RP1000.