Bali is also the name of a province of Indonesia, which is part of the administrative region of the Lesser Sunda Islands, the largest island nation in the world. Main city on the island and the center of the province - the city of Denpasar. Bali Island is part of the Greater Sunda Archipelago, consisting of 17,800 islands, of which about 10 thousand do not even have their own name. And many inter-island seas are not marked on most maps.
In prehistoric times, the heavily rugged landscape of the region was shaped by intense tectonic collisions of continental plates, which caused unprecedented volcanoes that influenced the climate of the entire planet. Volcanic activity continues to this day. The well-known eruption of the present day Krakatau volcano changed the color of sunsets and sunrises on the entire planet for many months. And the explosion during its eruption is recognized as the loudest sound that a person could ever hear. A rumble of unprecedented thunder was heard at a distance of two thousand kilometers. Bali, despite its small size (140 by 70 km), also has three active volcanoes: Agung, Batur and Bratan. Although not on the archipelago at all.
Island nature
The so-called Wallace Line passes through the island, separating the flora and fauna of tropical Asia and the natural zones of Australia and New Guinea. It determines the sharp contrast of vegetation in different parts of the island. In the west - tropical evergreen vegetation. In the north - deciduous forests, in remote mountainous areas - savannas and mountain woodlands.The island has a large variety of palms: coconut, borass, sugar. Banana palm, considered a sacred tree in Bali, it feeds many monkeys, bats and squirrels. Trees with valuable wood: balsa, ebony, teak. Some types of bamboo have a trunk up to half a meter in diameter. The island is filled with fragrant smells all year round thanks to countless varieties of flowering shrubs and trees: hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, pink laurel, magnolia, orchid. The locals handle any seeds with care. Accidentally thrown, they immediately sprout in unnecessary places.
Features of local residents
Bali has 4 million people. The population of the island is a Hindu society in a Muslim country, with its own traditions and prohibitions. For example, it is forbidden: to be in a public place in open clothes (sleeveless outerwear and shorts), point a finger at a person, show close relationships (hug, kiss), touch another person’s head, express anger and resentment, scream. Sitting cross-legged is regarded as a great disrespect.Indonesia is the most amazing country in the world, combining the titles of the largest island country and the most colorful in nature.
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How to get to Bali
Find flights to Bali
Districts of Bali
The main party center of Bali, a place where life is in full swing, regardless of whether the sun is hot or the moon is shining, is the "sweet couple" Kuta and Seminyak. The format of recreation here is very similar: both here and there round-the-clock parties, megawatts of light and sound, busy streets with bars and restaurants. However, Kuta, with its democratic nature, simplicity and cheap alcohol, is especially attractive to young people. In addition to fans of parties and night parties, numerous fans come to Kuta to conquer the wave: the conditions for surfing here are simply ideal. Accordingly, the surrounding area is full of rental shops, schools and private surf instructors.
Guides in Bali
Entertainment and attractions
Ubud is considered cultural capital islands. Mostly artists, artisans and dancers live in the city. Every evening performances are held in all the temples - you can see the dances "kechak", "barong", "legong" and the puppet theater "Wayang Kulit".
A corner of virgin nature and unearthly beauties hides national park"Bali Barat" on the western tip of the island. It is home to representatives of the equatorial savanna, mangrove and deciduous forests, and its coastal waters contain 110 species of coral. On the territory of the Botanical Garden, in addition to the pleasure of contemplating luxurious plants, you can get a dose of adrenaline. There is an adventure park "Bali Treetop" with a network of cable cars, zip lines and suspension bridges.
Bali for kids
The children's entertainment program on the island is no less intense than the adult one. Safari parks provide a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the animal world and get to know its inhabitants better. Any child will love the prospect of spending a whole day with the elephants - feeding them, bathing them, and even painting. Bali Waterbom is considered one of the largest water parks in Asia. It is located in the center of Kuta and is surrounded by 4 hectares of tropical garden. Spend a day in the ocean - such an opportunity is provided on floating pontoon beach clubs near the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. They are equipped with a system of water slides and pools, there is an opportunity for snorkeling and diving, children's animation and restaurants - everything for a family holiday.
In the Monkey Forest in Ubud, kids can watch monkeys (but be careful, tailed ones can play and attack a person), admire flying beauties in the Butterfly Park, and swim with sea turtles on Gili Island. And by the way, surf centers in Kuta start putting beginners on the board from the age of 5.
A real pirate ship is moored to the beach of the Nusa Dua resort. The crew of the ship constantly requires cabin boys aged 4 years. While lessons are going on at the sea wolf school, parents of young pirates can find something to do in a restaurant. The Pony Club riding center invites young riders from 3 years old not only to ride small horses, but also to take care of them. Teenagers will especially like Bali Treetop Adventure Park - there are all conditions for conquering the jungle on bungee ropes, ziplines and other units.
It will be useful for schoolchildren to visit the Green School in the town of Sibang near Ubud. This jungle campus operates in an environmentally friendly way. Hulls - from bamboo, energy - from solar panels, sewerage and plumbing - with the highest degree of purification. Representatives of different cultures and nationalities receive education in it, including learning to respect nature.
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December
In Bali, eternal summer reigns. Swimming, sunbathing and water sports are available here all year round. Thanks to the equatorial-monsoon climate, instead of winter, the island begins the rainy season - from November to March, it rains at night and in the morning. Most often they are fleeting and by lunchtime there is no trace of precipitation. If the rainy weather drags on, then in just a few hours you can reach the neighboring islands, which usually have sunny weather. The most comfortable time in Bali is from May to October - when it is warm, dry and clear, and the southeast wind brings a pleasant freshness. The peak of the dry season falls on the calendar summer, in the evenings it gets a little cooler.
Geography
Map of Bali island
The area of the island is 5780 km², the length is 150 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. The so-called Wallace Line, stretching eastward from Bali and Lombok, serves as the boundary between the flora and fauna of tropical Asia and the natural zones of Australia and New Guinea.
Relief
Bali Island is the extreme point of the Sunda Islands in front of the Small Sunda and Nusa Tenggara Islands. A mountain range stretches from west to east of Bali - a zone of high volcanic activity. Two large active volcanoes Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Gunung Batur (1717 m) are located in the northeastern part of the island. Volcanic activity causes high soil fertility and affects the development of culture. The major eruptions of Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung in 1963, which resulted in numerous casualties, devastated the eastern regions of the country, forcing many Balinese to emigrate.
Among other mountain peaks, the highest are Batukau (2278 m) and Abang (2152 m). This mountain range with a limestone plateau located in the south, which is called "bukit" - hills, divides the territory of the island into two completely different regions. Northern, rises quite sharply from a narrow coastline to the mountain slopes. The climate here is relatively dry, favoring coffee cultivation. In this part of Bali there are two rivers that irrigate the rice fields around Singaraja and Seririt. The southern region is a terrace stretching from north to south, on which rice is grown. Numerous rivers flow through gorges with lush vegetation. The southwest is small, well-irrigated tracts of land and arid lands of coconut palm plantations.
Climate
Flora and fauna
4 types of forests grow in Bali: humid evergreen tropical in the west, deciduous in the northwest in remote areas, savanna forests and mountain forests. Moist evergreen forests are represented in Bali Barat Park (translated as "Western Bali"). Here you can find rare species of plants, huge centuries-old trees that are under protection. Many plants of the ficus family, fig and banana groves. Deciduous forests grow in the northwestern part of Bali. They change their foliage with the seasons, and this flora is dominated by sapote trees. Mountain vegetation is rarely located above 1500 m above sea level, these are mainly casuarina and filaos. Banana palms in Bali are sacred, they grow very well, propagated by roots, and feed many animals: monkeys, squirrels, bats.
Palm trees are especially well represented in Bali. The leaves of borass palms, dried and pressed, are used to make “lontars”, on which sacred texts are written. Sugar palm leaves are used to make bouquets that are brought to temples as ritual offerings. There are other types of trees, such as ebony, or ebony, as well as balsa wood, extremely light - a convenient material for traditional masks. There are many bamboo trees, some species of which reach 30-40 cm in diameter. They can be found almost throughout the island, and bamboo is also a versatile building material for the Balinese.
Landscape architecture has become a real industry. An abundance of labor and fertile soil, on which everything that is planted easily takes root, contributes to the development of horticulture, especially in the south of the island and in the Bedugul region. Red, pink and white hibiscus, jasmine, bougainvillea, white and pink laurels, water lilies, lotuses and rather exotic plants such as angsoka, chempaca (yellow magnolia), manori and orchids.
Population
A total of 3,890,757 people live on the island (2010).
Bali is a Hindu society living on the territory of a Muslim country and constantly in contact with foreigners. All this only fuels interest in local customs. The Balinese themselves are quite proud of their traditions and usually strictly follow a code of conduct. Tourists visiting the island should take this for granted and adapt to local customs.
Balinese people are quite friendly towards tourists, but not towards Indonesians from other islands. Despite the abundance of tourists, the attitude towards them does not deteriorate significantly, unlike most popular resorts.
Cities
- Denpasar is the capital and The largest city islands.
- Singaraja is an industrial city in the north of the island.
- Kuta is a resort town.
- Ubud is the center of Balinese artistic life.
Administrative division
Together with the adjacent islands, Bali forms the province of the same name in Indonesia, which is part of the administrative region of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The province of Bali is divided into 8 districts (kabupaten) and one urban municipality (kota):
| № | Adm. unit | Adm. Centre | Territory km² |
Population people (2010) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jembrana County | Negara | 841,80 | 261 618 |
| 2 | Tabanan County | Tabanan | 839,30 | 420 370 |
| 3 | Badung District | Mangupura | 418,52 | 543 681 |
| 4 | Gianjar District | Gianjar | 368,00 | 470 380 |
| 5 | Klungkung County | Semarapura | 315,00 | 170 559 |
| 6 | Bangli District | Bangli | 520,81 | 215 404 |
| 7 | Karangasem County | Amlapura | 839,54 | 396 892 |
| 8 | Buleleng County | Singaraja | 1365,88 | 624 079 |
| 9 | Denpasar | Denpasar | 123,98 | 788 445 |
| Total | 5780,06 | 3 891 428 |
Religion
Hindu temple in Bali
The majority of Balinese (93.93% of the population) practice a form of Hinduism called "Agama Hindu Dharma". About 5% of the population are Muslims. They reside mainly in Denpasar, Singaraja and small coastal towns. There are few Christians and Buddhists - these are the Chinese, the indigenous population, as well as foreigners living on the island (English, Australians, Dutch, French, Italians, Russians and others).
In total, there are about 20 thousand temples in Bali.
Terrorist activity
Transport
The central and most important transportation hub on the island is Ngurah Rai Airport. This is a modern and well-equipped airport located near Denpasar, 3 km from Kuta, 15 km from Nusa Dua and 12 km from Sanur. It is served by a large number of taxis available day and night.
The most inexpensive form of transport is large modern buses (less than $ 1), which appeared just recently, in 2011. There are still very few lines, but now work is underway to expand the transport base and build stops. In fact, only one Nusa Dua line (a well-known tourist place) functions - Batubulyan (a city in the center of the island, not far from the zoo, a bird and reptile park, a center for the production and sale of batik)
The most common transport among the local population is a moped or scooter. There are a great many of them, they drive from young to old (from 10 years old). Local police respond only to 2 terrible offenses: driving without a helmet and driving over the stop line. Everything else (driving in the opposite direction, driving without a license, high speed) they ignore.
Cars in Bali are super slow. everywhere there is an economical small-capacity engine. And they themselves are usually large, roomy (microbuses), because families usually have many children and it is less convenient to carry them in a regular sedan.
Numerous agencies are available for tourists and guests of the island, where you can rent cars, motorcycles and move around the island on your own. However, not everyone will decide to take this step, because. traffic is left-handed and is now quite active. Automatic transmission is very rare. So hiring a driver is a perfectly reasonable decision. Moreover, the cost of this service is low, from $30 to $50 per day.
Tourism
After the recognition of independence, tourism was rather poorly developed, and the infrastructure was in its infancy. Even in the days of hippies who flocked here from all over the world, there were only small bungalows without electricity on the beaches of Kuta, cheap rooms without amenities and sea food for a few cents. However, in Sanur, tour operators have already mastered tourism for the rich. The government of Indonesia, whose economy was very dependent on oil exports, needed to find other sources of income, and it greatly contributed to the development of the tourism industry.
At first, these efforts were aimed at changing in the eyes of the entire world community the unsightly image that had taken hold of the Indonesian ruling elite after the military coup.
A professional analysis of the situation in Bali and a plan for the development of tourism was made in 1969. The project was financed by the UN under the guarantee of the World Bank. Particular emphasis was placed on the Bukit-Badung area. In 1978, Balinese Governor Ida Bagus Mantra invited interested parties to pay attention to the rich culture of the island. Since that time, music, dance, religious festivals, sculpture and painting have played the same role in the tourism business, as well as the constant improvement of infrastructure. The airport is being reconstructed, luxury hotels and modest budget hotels are being built to cover the entire social spectrum of travel enthusiasts. Rice fields are being drained and aqueducts are being built in the most arid regions. Inexpensive has been replaced by elite tourism. Now world-famous stars come to Sanur for their wedding ceremonies, and European ministers spend their holidays at the “Mediterranean Club” in Nusa Dua.
From 2001 to 2008, the annual women's tennis tournament Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic was held in Bali, in 2009 it received the status of the Tournament of Champions and became known as the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.
On October 18 - 26, 2008, Bali was the venue for the 1st Asian Beach Games, which took place on the beaches of Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Mertasari, and Serangan Island became the venue for sailing competitions.
In 2009 Bali hosted the 16th Asian Archery Championship.
There are several golf courses in Bali. In 1994, Bali Golf and Country Club's golf course was selected to host the Alfred Dunhill Masters.
Bali is a real surfer mecca, where there are good waves almost all year round. In the summer (May-September), east winds prevail, so surf spots on the western side of the island, such as Batubalong, Kuta, Balangan, Padang Padang, work well. In winter (November-March), due to southwesterly winds, spots from the southeast side, such as Serangan, Nusa Dua, Geger and Greenball, begin to work well. Bali often hosts world-class surfing competitions such as the Padang Padang RipCurl Cup. There are Russian and international surf schools and camps.
Attractions
- Pura Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple in Bali.
- Taman Ayun is the main temple of the Mengwi kingdom.
- Botanical garden in the crater of the volcano.
- Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan.
- Uluwatu Temple, where the kechak dance performance takes place.
- Temple of Tanah Lot.
- Royal graves.
- Waterfall Git-Git
- Gunung Kawi
- Goa Gaja - temple in the jaws of a demon
- Tirtagangga
Notes
- Indonesian Central Statistical Agency official website
- Great Soviet Encyclopedia . - Soviet encyclopedia. - T. 2. - S. 572.
- Ageenko F. L. Proper names in Russian: Dictionary of stresses. - M .: Publishing house of NTs ENAS, 2001. - S. 35. - 376 p. - ISBN 5-93196-107-0
- Encyclopedic dictionary of geographical names / Kalesnik, Stanislav Vikentievich. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1973. - 808 p.
- Abramenko V. G. Southeast Asia (reference book). M.: Crystal, 1996. - 168 p.
- Orlinkov A.F. Geography of Asia. M.: Nauka, 1994. - 296 p.
- Petrov S.S., Petrova I.G. A large reference book of Asian countries. M.: Thought, 1997. - 134 p.
- Volodin A.A., Mikhalev P.I. Balinese Hinduism. St. Petersburg: Iris, 2001 - 98 p.
- "Bali death toll set at 202". BBC News
- CNN report
- Golovina E. I. Bali. M.: Le Petit Fute, 2001. - 192 p.
- Tales of Bali. Arranged by J. Hoijkas-van Leeuwen Bomkamp. Per. with him. Z. A. Mirkina. M.: "Nauka", 1983. 272 p.
- Indonesian Sailing Federation.
- "The Road to Bali Begins" - article on the official website of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions (English).
- Bali Golf and Country Club - description at allbalitours.com (eng.).
Literature
- Demin L. M. Bali Island / USSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of the Peoples of Asia .. - M .: Nauka, Head. ed. east lit., 1964. - 304 p.(reg.)
| Bali | ||
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Bali is one of the provinces of Indonesia, located between the islands of Java and Lombok. Bali is the largest tourist destination in the country. The island is famous for its highly developed art, magnificent natural resources and fabulous temples.
General information
Bali is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The population of the province, according to 2012 data, is 4.22 million people. Most of the population (over 90%) professes "Agama Hindu Dharma" - a form of Hinduism.
The history of Bali covers the period from the Paleolithic to the present day. The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. For my pretty rich history Bali was under the influence of the Javanese Singasari dynasty (in the 13th and 14th centuries), since 1511 the island was a colony of Portugal. In 1597, the island of Bali became a Dutch colony, until the middle of the 20th century, when on December 29, 1949, the Netherlands recognized the independence of Indonesia.
The major cities of Bali are the capital of the province - Denpasar, the industrial city of Singaraja, the resort of Kuta and the cultural center of Bali - the city of Ubud. In 2010, Bali was awarded as best island for leisure and travel, thanks to the attractive environment, diverse attractions, the friendliness of the locals, great international and local restaurants.
The inhabitants of the island are proud and strictly observe their traditions. When visiting Bali, you should follow a few strictly established rules.
- Public hugs and kisses are not allowed.
- It is forbidden to point at objects with your foot.
- When visiting the temples of the island, you should wear a special long cape - a sarong.
- It is forbidden to stand in front of a Balinese who is praying.
- It is not customary to appear in public places without a shirt or in a swimsuit.
Weather in Bali
The island is located in the equatorial-monsoon climate zone. In this regard, there are 2 seasons in Bali: dry (May - October) and wet (November - April). Most of the rain falls in January and February. During these months, the nature of the island comes to life, the vegetation acquires a rich emerald color.
The air temperature practically does not change throughout the year. Its average annual mark fluctuates around 26 °C. The coolest month is July, the hottest month is February. The best time to visit Bali is from May to August.
Transport Bali
TO public transport the islands include rickshaws and cheap three-wheeled minibuses - bemo. Comfortable buses run between the main tourist centers of Bali, the fare in which is slightly higher than in ordinary buses.
There is still no rail service in Bali. The local population of the island travels mainly on mopeds and scooters. For independent movement in Bali you can rent a car, moped or bicycle. Please note that traffic in Indonesia is on the left side of the road.
Districts of Bali
Kuta is the busiest area of the island. It attracts tourists with vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches with fine golden sand and an atmosphere of cheerfulness.
Nusa Dua is an elite resort located in the south of the island. The resort is the safest and most peaceful place in Bali. This is a closed area intended for recreation of foreign tourists.
Jimbaran is a popular resort located 20 km from the airport. The area is famous for its white sandy beaches, gentle calm seas and restaurants serving superbly cooked seafood.
Sanur is a popular resort for families. This is a quiet area with smooth and wide sidewalks, numerous green spaces, flowers and huge trees.
Chandi Dasa and Tulamben(Candidasa and Tulamben) - an ideal place for diving. A popular place in the area are the wreckage of the American ship Liberty that sank off the coast. This is a haven for corals, mollusks and various fish.
Ubud is an area located in the center of the island. It is surrounded by picturesque hills, virgin jungle, rice fields and rivers. The magnificent landscape of the area attracts numerous photographers and artists.
Bali nature
The nature of Bali strikes with a variety of landscapes and magnificence of colors. The island is of volcanic origin. Active volcanoes are located here, the most famous of which is the gigantic Gunung Agung (3142 m.). The most picturesque place of the island is the east coast with majestic mountains and sea coast.
Natural attractions of the island
Sacred volcano Kintamani with two craters, one of which is the picturesque lake Batur. Climbing to the top is popular among tourists, which lasts for 2 hours.
Gunung Agung Volcano located in the center of the island. Several fascinating tourist routes have been laid to its top.
Monkey Forest - nature reserve located in the south of the city of Ubud. Over 200 long-tailed Balinese macaques live here. On the territory of the reserve there is an ancient temple, which is considered a refuge for evil spirits.
Elephant Park is a nature reserve located in the Taro jungle. Guests of the park can feed and touch the elephants, and even go on an elephant safari. The walk is also available for children.
Bedugul mountain reserve, located 18 km from the city of Denpasar. On its territory there are picturesque Botanical Gardens with a variety of trees and numerous species of orchids.
The Coral Garden at Chandi Dasa and Tulamben Resort is a dense thicket of soft and hard corals, which are home to a variety of reef fish species.
Menjagan Marine Park famous for its cleanliness, magnificent corals, bright tropical fish, sea shells, stars and sponges.
Reptile Park, located near the city of Kuta, is rich in a variety of reptiles, including Komodo dragons and huge pythons.
The Bird Park is a rainforest with numerous enclosures, home to over 250 species of birds.
Lake Bratan in the center of the island. According to legend, everyone who bathes in the lake gains youth and longevity.
Git Git Waterfall in northern Bali is a truly magical place that can be reached along a scenic trail through the wild jungle.
Bali Barat National Park occupying 10% of the area of the island. On its territory there are mangrove and mixed forests, savannas, islands, coral reefs and volcanic mountains. The park is inhabited by Balinese starlings, which in natural conditions there are no more than 30 individuals.
Bali beaches
The island is primarily popular among beach lovers, thanks to environmentally friendly clean beaches with golden sand and warm sea. The southern part of the island is mostly covered with white sand, the western and northern parts are black.
The most popular beaches in Bali
Kuta Beach is the pearl of Bali. This place is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. In addition to the traditional sunbathing and swimming in the warm sea, guests can enjoy a variety of activities, from surfing to great shopping.
The Jimbaran resort beach attracts novice surfers with its small waves. Among the entertainment available is the rental of a fishing schooner, where you can participate in traditional fishing.
Beaches for lovers of a relaxing holiday are located in the Sanur area. This is the perfect place to swim in the calm ocean, explore the beauty of the rich underwater world, and just enjoy the sun on the white sand.
Attractions Bali
Among the popular places of the island are numerous temples, historical, religious and cultural monuments.
Tirta Ganga Water Palace(Tirta Gangga) - a great combination of ancient traditions and unique Balinese culture. The palace is located in the east of the island, among fabulously beautiful rice terraces.
Ujung Water Palace(Ujung) - a beautiful and well maintained complex of buildings surrounded by water and huge gardens.
Taman Ayun Temple with many beautiful pagodas overlooking a magnificent courtyard. The temple was the main Hindu sanctuary of the Mengwi kingdom.
Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple on the island. It is located on the slope of Mount Agung and is a grandiose complex of three large sacred temples (Shiva temple, Vishnu temple and Brahma temple) and 20 small shrines.
Uluwatu Temple, located on top of a cliff hanging over the ocean. Every evening, in front of the entrance to the temple, the famous kechak dance is held, in which about 150 performers in bright national costumes take part.
Tanah Lot is the famous temple of the island. He is often depicted in Bali guidebooks and on souvenir postcards.
Temple of Ulun Danu on Lake Bratan. This is an ancient building, numbering about 3 centuries in its lifetime. The temple is dedicated to the life-giving power of the lake, which nourishes plants, animals and people.
Goa Lawah is a dark and mysterious temple on the east coast of Bali. The name of the temple is translated as "Cave of bats", which live in the building itself in the amount of several hundred.
Buddhist monastery Brahma Arama Vihara(Brahma Arama Vihara), built in the traditional Buddhist style. Inside the temple there are golden Buddha statues, the walls are decorated with traditional Balinese carvings.
catholic temple in the village of Palasari - a snow-white building, skillfully decorated with Balinese carvings. A notable feature of the temple is the harmonious combination of 2 cultures. In the room are Catholic angels dressed in traditional Bali clothes.
Gunung Kawi temple complex, erected in the XI century as the tomb of King Anak Wangsu. The complex is divided by a picturesque river into 2 parts. On one side are the tombs of the king's wives, on the other - the main temple, where the king himself was buried. A staircase with 371 steps leads to the temple.
Pura Saraswati temple complex(Pura Saraswati), erected in honor of the goddess of water and knowledge Saraswati.
Goa Gaja or Elephant Cave is a temple, the entrance to which is made in the form of a demon's head with an open mouth. The walls in the inner part of the cave are decorated with magnificent stone ornaments depicting animals, people and plants.
The most visited museums in Bali
- Historical Museum (Denpasar).
- Art Museum (Ubud).
- Museum of Private Art Collections Neka (Ubud).
- Rice Museum (Tabanan).
- Archaeological Museum Purbakala (Gilimanuk).
- Kamasan Art Center (Klungkung).
- Art Museums: Puri Lukisan (Ubud), Taman Werdhi Budaya (Denpasar) and Gunarsa (Klungkung).
Holidays Bali
The island is famous for its unique culture, which includes traditional and modern dance, painting, sculpture, music, metalwork, fabric painting and wood carving. Balinese culture is reflected in numerous festivals and holidays, which are determined according to the two local calendars wuku and saka. For upcoming events, please contact your local tourist office.
The main festival of the island, according to the wuku calendar, is the Galungan festival, which is held annually for 10 days. During this period, gods and barongs (mythical deities) descend to earth for celebration.
Another important annual holiday, according to the saka calendar, is Nyepi, the day of silence. On the eve of the holiday, noisy rituals are carried out to drive out evil spirits. Directly on the day of the holiday, residents try not to leave the house, sit in silence, without light and do not even cook food. Thus, the inhabitants show that the island is completely uninhabited.
In Bali, bright religious holidays are constantly held throughout the year. According to the local religion, the power over the island of Bali was transferred to the sacred people by the supreme god Sangiang Vidhi. The inhabitants of the island try in every possible way to thank the gods for their trust by worshiping idols and performing sacred rites.
Traditional dances with a large number of performers in bright national costumes are a unique sight. Balinese dance is a grandiose theatrical performance, the main idea of which is the eternal struggle between good and evil. The most spectacular of these are the dramatic barong-kris dance and the mesmerizing kechak dance performed at sunset at Uluwatu Temple.
Bali Restaurants
The best restaurants in Bali
- Sakala Bali is an impressive contemporary European cuisine restaurant. It is famous for its large selection of dishes and excellent wine list.
- Ju.Ma.Na is a romantic outdoor restaurant. The restaurant is represented by French and Japanese cuisines.
- Fair Warung Balé is a great family restaurant with local cuisine. It is famous for excellently cooked food, low prices and smiling staff.
- Pearl French Restaurant is one of the best restaurants islands. It is famous for its romantic atmosphere, excellent French cuisine and high prices.
Traditional Bali Cuisine
- Babi guling - roasted pig.
- Betutu - stewed or fried poultry (chicken or duck).
- Bubur Sum-Sum - rice porridge with palm sauce and grated coconut.
- Bubur Injun is black rice pudding.
- Sate Susu - beef brisket served with spicy chili sauce.
- Sate Lilit - minced meat on a stick with the addition of hot spices.
- Rendang - meat with coconut milk and spice paste (ginger, turmeric, garlic, chili, etc.).
- Gado-Gado is a salad made from boiled vegetables served with a peanut sauce.
Bali Hotels
The island presents magnificent hotels of world famous chains - Four Seasons, InterСontinental, Hilton, Hyatt, Sofitel and others.
The best hotels in Bali
- The Samaya Bali (Ubud city) is a luxurious hotel, very popular for a romantic pastime. It offers luxurious villas with a beautiful garden and a cozy courtyard with a swimming pool.
- Komaneka at Rasa Sayang (Ubud City) is a comfortable hotel located near the Monkey Forest. It offers a wonderful SPA-salon and a small swimming pool. Each room is equipped with a balcony and a comfortable daybed.
- Damai (Lovina Beach) is an extraordinarily beautiful five-star hotel. This is truly a heavenly place that attracts newlyweds and just lovers. The hotel is famous for its excellent restaurant, the best in the region.
Shopping in Bali
Bali is primarily famous for its high quality batik and finely crafted wooden sculptures. It is customary to bargain on the island, while the offered price should be divided by at least 4 - this will be the real price of the goods.
The best areas for shopping are Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. The largest shopping malls on the island are Galeria and Discovery Kartika Plaza.
The Kuta area is famous for its large shopping centers, the largest of which is the Matahary retail chain complex. Here you can find everything from souvenirs to clothes of famous brands. The quality is pretty high.
Ubud area is cultural center islands. Here you can buy high-quality batik and unique handicrafts, skillfully made by local craftsmen.
Entertainment in Bali
Popular things to do in Bali
- Excursions to the tops of sacred volcanoes.
- Rafting on mountain rivers flowing in the picturesque jungle.
- Elephant safari through Balinese villages and rainforest.
- Submarine diving into the ocean.
- Traditional fishing.
- Visit the mysterious island of Komodo, where huge lizards live.
- Visiting fabulous temples.
- Exciting diving.
- Acquaintance with the ancient customs and traditions of the Balinese.
The best places for families with children
- Waterbom Bali is a water park surrounded by tropical forests with numerous water slides, a relaxation area and a children's area.
- Peek A Boo is a large amusement park with playgrounds for young children. For older children there is an outdoor playground with swings and slides.
- Bali Zoo is the only zoo on the island with many species of animals, reptiles and tropical birds. Exotic animals include: Sumatran tigers, which are the smallest in the world, giant monitor lizards and huge cassowary birds. For children, the zoo has a special area where you can climb trees or ropeways under the supervision of an instructor.
The center of Bali's nightlife is the resort of Kuta with numerous bars, clubs and discos. Night life starts around midnight and ends around 4 am.
The best nightclubs in Kuta
- The most famous club on the island is Double Six with glass walls and a cool pool.
- Popular night club SkyGarden, covering an area of 3 floors. On the first one there is a cafe, on the second one there is a dance floor, on the third one there is a magnificent evening restaurant. A feature of the nightclub is the open roof.
- Night club MBarGo, covering an area of 2 floors. On each of the floors there are dance floors where different musical styles are played.
The fabulous island of Bali is an ideal place for all types of recreation: romantic, beach, family, ecological, extreme, etc. Bali attracts with its unique culture - bright religious holidays, fascinating dances, magnificent cremation ceremonies, gastronomic masterpieces and skillful handicrafts. No wonder the island is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
It is unlikely that there will be at least one person who has not heard about Bali. But not many people know where this heavenly place is located. What is even more surprising: few people know that Bali is an island.
Yes, Bali is a tiny island that is part of the largest island nation in Southeast Asia - Indonesia. If you want to find Bali on the globe, look for it between Australia and Thailand. It is washed by two oceans: the Pacific and the Indian. On the north side it is washed by the sea of the same name. Bali has a small area: the length from north to south is only 90 kilometers, and from west to east - 155 kilometers. The total area is 5561 m 2, so wherever you stay, you can always go “in exploration” to another area. This is very convenient, because in some areas the entertainment infrastructure is very well developed: there are many shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, but the beaches are more suitable for surfers. And there are areas that have stunning beaches with white sand and surprisingly diverse nature, but with a small number of entertainment venues. That is why car and moped rentals are so popular among tourists in Bali.
Geography of Bali
Bali is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. All the islands related to it are of volcanic origin. On the east side of Bali there is an area with high activity volcanoes: today there are 2 active volcanoes - these are Gunung Agung and Gunung Batur. Gunung Batur reaches a height of 3142 meters, Gunung Agung - 1717 meters. Both volcanoes are located in the northeast of Bali and are now "sleeping". The last time they erupted many decades ago.
Volcanoes of BaliThe presence of active volcanoes could not but affect the island. First, they changed the soil to a great extent, making it extraordinarily fertile. Secondly, they certainly had a great influence on the culture of the Balinese.
In addition to the volcanoes that we talked about above, there are several fairly high mountain peaks in Bali. For example, Batukau, whose height is 2278 meters, and Abang, reaching 2152 meters. These mountains form a ridge that divides the island into 2 parts: northern and southern. At the north - a sharp rise from the coast to the mountain peaks. The climate here is mostly dry enough to allow the cultivation of coffee. The two rivers that are on the north side have an important function of irrigating the rice fields. The southern part of Bali is a gentle land rich in rivers.
Volcanoes and mountains are not the only natural attractions in Bali. Attention should also be paid to mountain lakes. The largest of them are Bratan and Batur. These are lakes of volcanic origin, which perform an important function for the inhabitants of the island: they feed the rivers that irrigate the numerous rice fields.
Districts of Bali
Bali is a system of districts that differ from each other not only in names, but also in climate, infrastructure and nature. The main areas of Bali:
- Ubud - located in the central part of the island,
- Amed - northeastern part of the island,
- Bukit peninsula - south side,
- Kuta and Seminyak.
There are many more districts, but these are the main ones. Some are more family-friendly, some are more for the party-goers, and some are purely for surfing. Therefore, before choosing a specific place to stay in Bali, carefully study the information about the area you like.
The climate of Bali
The climate is one of the main reasons that attract tourists from all over the world to Bali. There is year-round summer here, there are only two seasons, not four, as we are used to: this is the rainy season and the dry season. On the days of the "rainy season" the probability of precipitation reaches 80 percent, but the weather is still warm. During the dry season, rains also occur, but they are usually short-lived and occur mainly at night.
The average monthly temperature in Bali practically does not change throughout the year.
The wet season lasts from November to March, and the dry season from June to October. In general, we can say that Bali has a classic monsoonal, equatorial climate, which causes a high average air temperature throughout the year: + 26-27 degrees.
The flora of Bali
The climate and the presence of mountains and volcanoes could not but affect the flora and fauna of the island. Depending on the areas in Bali, four types of forests can be distinguished: evergreen tropical, deciduous, rutting forests and savannah forests.
Moist evergreen forests are located in the west of Bali. There are a lot of rare species of plants and centuries-old trees that are under protection. Lots of fig and banana groves. In the northwest of Bali, deciduous forests predominate: they change leaves with the seasons. Most of the trees are sapote. Mountain forests are rarely located above 1500 meters above sea level.
The extraordinary beauty of the flora of Bali
In general, we can say that vegetation in Bali has become a separate industry - architectural and park. The most fertile soil allows everything that has been planted in it to grow, and the abundance of labor forces to shape the vegetation in any way.
Transport in Bali
The geography of the island determines the types of external and internal transport. The main way to get to the island is, of course, by air. Accordingly, the most important transport hub is the airport. It is very modern and well equipped, due to the very high tourist activity it is planned to build another airport. As for internal transport, minibuses or mopeds are popular among the local population.
Surfing in Bali
The geographical and natural features of Bali have become ideal conditions for the development of such a sport as surfing. Bali is the surfing center of the world, thanks to the fact that waves suitable for boarding are available all year round. The island constantly hosts world-class surfing competitions. It is not surprising that there are a lot of them, among them there are many Russian speakers.
Recently, such a phenomenon as surf camping has become widespread. - How is that summer camp, where they come in shifts, have their own composition of "counselors" and a special daily routine. The difference from a regular camp is that the main goal is surfing, and not just relaxation, and the main contingent is adult outdoor enthusiasts.
Population of Bali
The total population of Bali is approximately 4.5 million inhabitants. All tourists should know that Bali is a Hindu society that lives in a Muslim country. In addition, constantly in contact with foreigners: this has formed very special traditions and habits. The Balinese themselves are proud of the established code of conduct and strictly follow it: treat it with respect and try to adapt.
The geographical position and the large number of tourists could not but affect such a sphere of life of the island's population as religion. Most of the inhabitants profess Hinduism - about 80 percent. About 15 percent are adherents of Islam. And only a small part of the population are Christians, Buddhists.
Hinduism in Bali is different from the usual. This is a combination of Buddhism, the teachings of Shiva, native pagan beliefs. It is based on pagan cults, the history of which goes back far into the past. This is especially evident and manifested in cults. natural phenomena, in worship to them. Nature is considered the highest power, all its components have spirits and patrons. All of them can materialize in the altars, to which they constantly bring offerings: appease. The mountains are the home of the gods, so they are honored and worshipped.
Temples in Bali
No one starts serious business without consulting a priest. He must give permission, which depends on what position the powers of the gods and demons are in today. Building a house is a whole tradition that no one dares to break. There are strict rules about which part of the house should contain the temple (the divine part of the house), the living rooms (the space of people) and the kitchen with an entrance, which are considered to be the refuge of demons.
Magical rituals are very common among the population. They are necessary to maintain a balance between the world of people and the world of the gods.
Culture Bali
The location of the island, neighboring countries and a special religious way of life could not but affect the culture of the island. It is expressed in the handicrafts of the population. One of the most famous areas is wood sculpture. It is performed in pagan and Hindu traditions. Distinguished by original painting. Another iconic craft is batik - painting on silk or cotton. Drawings, as a rule, are of a traditional nature, and festive clothes are sewn from painted fabric. Treat her very carefully.
The dance "Kechak" became a real legend. It is danced exclusively at sunset at the entrance to the temple. About 150 people take part in it, who illustrate an episode from the Ramayana: a group of monkeys is trying to save the kidnapped woman Sita.
Dynamic dances in colorful costumes are the most important part of Balinese religious rites.