Bali's Exotic Eco Tourism

The rich culture of Bali being maintained from one generation to the next generation is never the boring of tourists of reason to visit this island. But Bali does not offer simply its unique culture; eco-tourism also has a part in the attraction of Bali.

The culture of Bali will be always the wire in attraction for tourists. It is because the community follows closely the Hindu lesson, which gives a strong direction of the spirit and dictates their daily behavior. The habits, the traditions and the religion announced in one in Bali equipping the mixture with a strong direction with stability. The large temples always play an essential part and the ritual one are still carried out with full the devotion by Balinese in spite with their increasingly modern life styles, perhaps even with an increasing attachment.

According to the sociologist and the observer of tourism, Dr. I. Gde Pitana, Balinese refute unconsciously the theory of Weber about the relationship between the richness and the culture. The theory of Weber proposes that a culture of companies decreases vis-a-vis the increasing richness. It seems that that in Bali the reverse is true, with an increase in the richness of the company, the cultural values are always adhered to more narrowly. The visitor can observe any ceremony or ritual in Bali to see that the crowned character of the ceremony and the devotion of the people are something but missing.

The tourists do not come simply to appreciate cultural attractions but also the beautiful geography of Bali. The operators of tourists offer much choice of eco-voyage like packages to the lake and the frame Batur, the rice layers of Jatiluwih, Tabanan, river transporting, or plunging by raft, between others.

There are in fact much factors implied by accumulating eco-tourism, the principal consideration is probably of the means of preserving nature. It is not a simple equation there, if the object of eco-tourism is destroyed, will be more tourists to visit the site. To avoid this, eco-to travel the companies must work together to create the programs which are ambient friendly.

Eco-tourism started to affect Bali in 1991 when the European tourists became tired metropolitan life styles of life and were attracted with more again with the environment of nature. Like answer, the companies of excursion started to offer the area of Batur as a regeneration, slackening the alternative. Except the normal beauty of its flows of lava, the Batur frame is also a pleasant mountain to go up to stimulate various excursions of trekking in the sector. After long voyage day, the tourists can slacken out of hot normal sulphur springs at Toyabungkah. Through the lake, the ancient village of Trunyan still offers another attraction with its average narcotics to place deaths above the ground.

In the zone of Tabanan, three beautiful lakes and an abundant forest can be appreciated. More and more the complete equipment appears in the area of Bedugul offering more approvals in this comfortable, fresh and clean climate. In this sector, much of sites can be visited, all offering the normal beauty of the flora and fauna surrounding.

The Agung frame in the zone of Karangasem is still another excellent destination of eco-tourism. Of this, the largest mountain in Bali, hikers can appreciate beautiful a tropical sunrise in the icy temperatures. On a frame of clear time Rinjani on close Lombok can be seen, not to mention the major part of the island of Bali inclining to the bottom with the sea below. The Eastern end of Bali offers one of the most normal habitats and most intact in Bali, the Western national park of Bali. It is here that Bali almost extinct Starling resides among much of another single and beautiful flora and fauna in this protected forest. To protect the sector, the visitors must receive a laiss government before being left enter.

Adventure sports, considered continuously part of eco-tourism in the Nineties are modified like transporting white of water. To transport by raft is primarily a combination of the sports of adventure and tourism because of its capacity to offer to the tourist precipitations of an adrenalin like a scenic excursion of the almost inaccessible parts of Bali by all other means. Two rivers, Ayung and Tukad Unda, were the principal focus for people of the transporting country of the operators by raft. The lakes bali' S started to compete the ocean in what they must offer. Bedugul, for example, offers fishing, the Para. sailing, the water ski and the trekking along its shores to compete of the sports of ocean. However, those which prefer the lucky find of cam of ocean right about any sport to satisfy them; Para. - sailing (DUA of Nusa), plunging (Bali of north), snorkeling (Bali of north), surfant wind (Sanur) and Bali have some excellent waves for surfer (Bali of south and Westerner).

Several organizations with the WWF (funds of the world for nature) held a “control of reff� July in the whole of Indonesia. The coral reefs of the island and Tulamben de Menjangan were the center of the program in Bali. The goals of this control are to record statistics on the condition and to employ the data to improve the conditions year by year.

The expansion of eco-tourism was also enriched by agro tourism, which presents the products of agriculture of certain sectors. As the voyages which however take with tourists the layers in rice terrace of Tabanan or Gianyar, agro-tourism also envisages to present the fruits and vegetables of Bali in their normal environments. the Agro-tourists can see the methods of plantation, worrying for and about the gathering of oranges in Kintamani, Bangli as an example. They are also invited to select oranges themselves and the savor the fruit while appreciating the beautiful sights of the surrounding panorama.

When the season of durian comes, the road of Denpasar with Bedugul is furnished with the kiosks selling this thorny fruit. Often the tourists are taken in the jungle on the difficult ways to see the durian for themselves freely or to select their clean durian. Tress of durian are seldom planted like harvest, rather the trees are wild and thus sometimes difficult to find.

In the fresh climate of Bedugul, the tourists interested in the tropical factories can also visit brought back parts of cabbage and the strawberries are relatively large and completely candy with a luminous red color. Visitors are invited to observe the plantation or the selection of the strawberries in their respective seasons.

Agro-tourism encourages very for the farmers because they receive the additional income of the tourists, which helps to supplement their usually minimal benefit. The sites of tourists who are included in the category of the ecotourism cause the increasing attention as for their normal state so that they can continue to be admired. The conservation of our environment is indeed each one responsibility so that the future generations can continue to appreciate this beautiful ground.

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Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga is situated at Ababi village, Abang District. It is about 83 km from Denpasar and 6 km from Amlapura to the north.

Tirta Gangga water garden was built in 1948 by the King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. This water garden was constructed in a very unique architecture of Balinese and Chinese styles.

Tirta Gangga Water Garden scratches on a 1,2 Hectare area, which consists of three complexes. The first complex lies on the lowest level of this area, where we can find two ponds and a water tower. The second complex in the middle level is the location where we can find swimming pools; while in the third part, which is the main complex, we can find the rest house of the King.

Before the construction of the water garden, there was a big spring water in this area. Therefore people surrounding the area called this place "embukan" which means spring water.

The spring water was then functioned to fulfil the people's need of water and also for the "purification" of the Gods (Ida Betara). For this case, the spring water is recognised to be holy and sacred.

The religious to construct this tranquil water garden for his rest house and also for the people's function and the cool climate of this area, plus the fascinating view around, inspired the kingleisure and pleasure.

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Balinese Architecture

If, instead of walking, we look at Balinese villages from above the impression of order is no less extraordinary. Houses are all identical and strikingly parallel in layout with family temples, kitchens and rooms occupying the same relative position in the walled compound.

Large temples, likewise, all have the same structure with their main shrines occupying the same 'kaja kangin' (east-mountain ward) corner and villages, all with the same banyan tree, in the vicinity of the similarly located princely mansion.

And, all around this orderly world, the greenness of the trees and the glitter of rice fields. More than any of the so-called tourism 'objects' vaunted by the industry, it is in this harmonious integration of Man and Nature that the genuine charm of Bali can be found.

Traditional architecture in Bali originates from two sources. One is the great Hindu radiation brought to Bali from India via Java. The second is an indigenous architecture pre-dating the Hindu epic and in many ways reminiscent of Polynesian building.

Even the Balinese it has been noted, is surrounded by a stone wall dividing its sacred precincts from the village very much like Hawaiian and Tahitian places of worship.


Religion and Architecture

THIS Balinese sense of order and harmony, beside the peculiar constraints of an agrarian tradition, are based on principles of the Hindu-Balinese religion, and in particular its emphasis on balance between Man, God and Nature.

Depicted as a microcosm, Bhwana Alit or 'Small World', Man is expected to exist in his natural environment in a way, which conforms to the macrocosmic order of things -the Bhwana Agung or literally Larger World.

In other words he reshapes his environment on the dual model of himself and the Macrocosm. As formulated in the Asta Kosala Kosali manuscripts all architectural structures or elements of urban planning should reproduce the tripartite order of both the world and the human body, which are each divided into upper (utama), middle (madia) and lower (nista) parts.
Every building, compound and territorial unit should thus have a head, a body and a lower body, respectively corresponding to the upper world of the gods (Swah), the middle world of humans (Bhwah) and the lower world of demons (Bhur).

To practically apply these cosmological principles, a system of orientation is also needed. It is determined by the crossing of two natural axis, that of the rising and setting sun on the one hand, and that of 'kaja-kelod' mountain-sea or, more precisely, that defined by the upstream-downstream axis (ulu-teben) on the other.


Balinese Temples

BALINESE temples are divided into three parts; one inevitably passes through a split gate or 'Candi Bentar' to enter the first courtyard. Then a second gate rising high with the grinning face of a guardian demon leads to the second division.

Inside there are numerous pavilions used for various purposes. In the final courtyard one may find the 'meru' pagoda which may have as many as eleven roofs if the owner or temple is important enough. The black thatch is from the sugar palm and can only be used in temples.

There will also stand numerous 'sanggah' or spirit houses and pedestals, which will be full of offerings on ritual days.

Everywhere carving in brick, volcanic stone and wood will be apparent. Walls ring all. The Balinese have always spent a great deal of energy and money on their temples for it is the duty to repay the ancestors for the prosperity.

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Baris Dance

According to Covarrubias no dance in the world can be manlier than baris. Baris, a traditional war dance, typifies the strong elegance of the male and is the source of for all masculine dances. The Baris dance can be performed by men in pairs of four, eight, sometimes even tens; the accompanying gamelan is the gamelan gong or gamelan gong kebyar. The word “baris” means a line or military formation, in the sense of a line of soldiers, and referred to the warriors who fought for the kings of Bali. Originally, Baris was performed as a religious ritual. The dancer may bear a kris, a spear, a bow, or other weapons, depending on the variant performed. Baris has an exorcizing character and is invariably danced at important temple ceremony. The special characteristics of baris are its elegance moves and complex facial expressions. The movement of baris is synchronized with the tempo of the music and Baris‘s facial expressions show the varieties of soldier mood such as admiration, wonder, surprise, rage, pleasure, tenderness and love.

There are various kinds of Baris dances in Bali which are usually named according to the weapon used in the dance.

BARIS CENDEKAN, The Baris Cendekan uses a weapon called cendek, a kind of short lance. The Baris Cerdekan is found in north Bali and is danced by several pairs of tarunas (young men). They wear everyday clothes and the accompanying music is a kind of angklung orchestra called the gamelan kembang kirang.

BARIS PANAH, This dance uses a military weapon, a bow and arrows, and is danced by tarunas (young men) in north Bali especially in Buleleng and Bangli.

BARIS MEMEDI, Baris memedi is danced by a group of people depicting the movement of spirits (mamedi) which reside in spooky place such as cemetery. The costume is made of leaves and twigs taken from the plants in cemetery. The accompanying music is Gamelan balaganjur. This dance is performed in cremation ceremony in south Bali especially in Tabanan.

BARIS PRESI. Dancers of the Baris Presi carry a presi or shield. This dance is performed by men in pairs on temple ceremony in north Bali especially in Buleleng and Bangli.

BARIS TAMIANG. The Baris Tamiang is a variation of the Baris Presi. The dancers carry a tamiang or shield, and dance in pairs. This dance can be found in south Bali especially in Badung.

BARIS DADAP. A very poignant and slow Baris compare to the other Baris. The Baris Dadap uses a weapon called a dadap, a canoe-like shield. In north Bali, the Baris Dadap is danced in a temple ceremony especially in >Bangli, Buleleng, and Gianyar. In west Bali especially in Tabanan, Baris Dadap is performed in cremation ceremony. The accompanying music may be the gamelan kembang kirang. The dancers sing as well.

BARIS GOWAK. Baris Gowak is danced in pairs a group acts as soldier and the other group acts as Guwak (Crow) which brings death. This dance portrays the battle of Tegal Badeng (Badung) soldiers against Guwak (Crow). In north Bali this dance is performed in temple ceremony. This dance is considered as a sacred dance by people of Selulung (Kintamani -Bangli).

BARIS TUMBAK. The Baris Tumbak is danced in pairs the weapon being a lance with imitation of armor costume. It is performed for temple ceremony in south Bali.

BARIS GEDE. The Baris Gede is a Baris dance with a long lance, danced by a great number of men in pairs usually five or six pairs. Baris Gede is performed in temple ceremony, can be found all over of Bali.

BARIS JOJOR. The Baris Jojor is a Baris dance with a long handled lance as its weapon. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in north Bali.

BARIS BAJRA. The Baris Bajra is a Baris dance in which the dancers use a gada (club) as their weapon. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in north Bali especially in Bangli and Buleleng.

BARIS KETEKOK JAGO. Dancer brings black and white check-board patterned lance, and clothes with same color. This dance is performed in cremation ceremony in south Bali especially in Badung and Denpasar. A similar dance in Buleleng is called Baris Bedug while in Gianyar is called Baris Poleng.

BARIS BEDIL. The Baris Bedil is danced in pairs the weapon being imitation of rifle made from wood. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Badung and Klungkung.

BARIS DEMANG. The Baris Demang is danced by a group of people the weapons being swords, lance, bow and arrow, etc. this dance represents the character of demang (one of many characters in Gambuh play). The Baris Demang can be found in north Bali especially in Buleleng.

BARIS JANGKANG. The Baris Jangkang is danced in pairs the weapon being long lance. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Gianyar, Klungkung (nusa penida) and Bangli.

BARIS KELEMET. The Baris Kelemet is danced in pairs the weapon being a paddle. This dance represents the activities of fisherman. Baris Kelemet is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Badung.

BARIS KUNING. The Baris Kuning is danced in pairs; the dancers are men in yellow clothes, and weapons being kris and shields. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in north Bali especially in Buleleng.

BARIS GAYUNG. The Baris Gayung is danced by a group of people consist of priests carrying gayung or cantil (holy water container), This dance is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Badung, Bangli, and Gianyar.

BARIS TENGKLONG. The Baris Tengklong is danced by a group of people the weapon being a sword. It has a dynamic and elegant movement similar to Pencak Silat (Indonesian Matial art) movement. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in Penambangan Badung temple, in Denpasar.

BARIS CINA. The Baris Cina is danced by 18 dancers the weapon being a saber. This dance has unique costume, trouser, shirt, sarong shawl, black spectacles and hat. The dance movement imitates the artistic motion of martial art “Pencak Silat”. The accompanying music is Gong Beri (gong without snout). This dance is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Khayangan Tiga Temple, Renon village and Belanjong, Sanur (Denpasar).

baris cina

BARIS PENDET. The Baris Pendet is danced in pairs carrying an offering (canang sari) and a fan. This dance is performed in temple ceremony in south Bali especially in Tanjung Bungkak village, Denpasar.

BARIS CEREKUAK. Baris Cerekuak is danced by a group of people depicting the movement of a group of water bird (cerekuak) when searching for their lover. The accompanying music is Batel Gaguntangan. The dancers use a simple cloth with leaves all over their body. This dance is performed in cremation ceremony (Ngaben) in south Bali especially in Tabanan.

BARIS KUPU-KUPU. Baris Kupu-kupu is danced by a group of people imitating the movement of butterfly (kupu-kupu). This dance can be found in south Bali especially in Renon and Lebah village (Denpasar).

BARIS MELAMPAHAN. The Baris dances described above do not tell a story, but the Baris Melampahan is a dance-drama. In the Baris Melampahan heroic strories, usually those from the epic Mahabharata are danced. The distinctive feature of the Baris Melampahan” is that the protagonists wear costumes usually worn in the Baris. Dance, and that they dance the Baris dance style. One wellknown Baris malampahan presents the Arjunawiwaha story. It is not considered a sacred dance, however.

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Dreamland Beach

Forget in moment Kuta, Sanur, and or Nusa Dua. Enjoying Bali only by sand sunning in the coasts not be prestigious anymore. Nowadays, time for you enjoying more challenging exotic and exclusive vacation. Because the coasts only known by a few tourists. The information even also by mouth to mouth. You will not find in reference or travel. Even so maybe its not too much and can be calculated by finger.


Dreamland is on the south side of Bali, about 30 to 40 minutes from Kuta. There are 2 alternative ways to go to Dreamland. You can either go through the Jimbaran Bay area or pass through the Dwipayana University (a well-known public university in Bali); both ways are easy to follow. If you do get lost, ask for directions to Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK). It’s a famous cultural park located in Bukit Unggasan, Jimbaran. Here you can find a 75 meter-high and 60-meter wide figure of god Visnu, one of the Trimurti symbols in Hinduism. The status is made by I Nyoman Nuarta, and is now still unfinished. When it is done, it will be taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York!

About 15 minutes from GWK, you will find a big statue of Garuda (the symbol of Indonesia), on the right side of the road. That means you’re just a stone throw’s away from Dreamland Beach. Dreamland Beach is located on a big-deserted property, a failed Pecatu Graha development. You will probably have to pay about Rp 5000 for the entry. When you get to the end of the road, you will be on top of a cliff, with the big blue ocean’s sky in front of you. Look down! That’s Dreamland Beach…

You have to walk a little then down a path of stairs to reach the beach.. Once on the sand, you will find rented umbrellas and beach benches facing the beach. You can also order food and drinks from the local traditional cafés available all around the beach. The cafes might seem common and usual, but many of them actually serve European dishes which is out of the ordinary for this setting. Planning to spend the night? Some of the local cafes offer humble accommodations at a reasonable price (ranged between Rp 50,000 to Rp 200,000 per night). In the evening, enjoy the sunset whilst several tourists build a campfire on the beach, or just play a light game of beach ball. As for me, I prefer swimming offshore and enjoy the sunset from there.
There are not many activities to be done here at night. The electricity is turned off after 10 pm and thus candles are lit to chase away the deep darkness of the night. After having dinner, the best thing you can do is to read a book or have a draft of cold beer. Otherwise, you can go upstairs to where most of the rooms are and enjoy the scenery. The moon’s reflection dancing in a flurry of lights on the ocean’s surface is simply breathtaking. During the peak season (July and December), some of the rooms on this floor will be more packed so at least you are not alone and will have company to chat with along with your own group of friends. It is always interesting meeting other travelers and sharing experiences. When you finally feel like sleeping, go back to your room and snuggle under the blanket. The lullaby of tides breaking on the shore is such a peaceful sound to sleep to. Being in Dreamland is like being in a dream you wish you will never wake up from.

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Mesaba, Subak's Ritual as Manifestation of Farmer's Thanks Giving

The Hindu community in Bali continually pays tribute for the proceeds of what they have undertaken. No matter its proceeds are sizable or bijou, they stay to hold ritual activity as the expression of their gratitude to the Creator. Such gratitude is frequently embodied through yajna (holy sacrifice), a presentation to the Almighty God for all of his endowment.

Similarly, the tradition is carried out ny farmers. When the rice has turned yellow or some days by the harvest time, farmers in Tabanan hold the mesaba ritual as an utterance of thanks to god in his manifestation of Goddess Sri. Mesaba ritual transpires at daytime at Bedugul, a subak temple that habitually located in the upstream of rice field territory. By and large, mesaba is held once in three months or in accordance with the age of paddy planted.

When the mesaba ritual is performed, the ambiance of subak(Balinese traditional irrigation cooperative) looks so effervescent. The subak temple is fetooned with fabric and other traditional accessories. On the entrance gate, a pair of penjor poles are installed and furnished with its ornamental paraphernalia. And farmers also install penjor of small size at their own rice field. It is equipped with sanggah cucuk (bamboo shrine) used to offerings and erected close to the temuku or water divider. Facial expression of farmers looks remarkably exuberant as the harvest is coming soon, where they would reap the fruit of their hard work within the last three months.

Prior to the performing the ritual, the subak members make roasted suckling pig and lawar dishes. These traditional activities are mainly executed in the morning at the courtyard of the Bedugul, the house of subak head or other place determined. Each farmer is only obliged to bring a coconut, bunch of banana leaf and string of firewood. Afterwards, they work together in mutual assistance enthusiatically and in familial atmosphere.

Other than preparing the roasted pig, they also arrange dishes like lawar, salad of star fruit leaf and ritual ingredients required. Remainder of the meat is then distruted to each subak members justly and then brought home to make a small fetivity with the family.

At noon, the mesaba ritual is commenced. Roasted pig and other ritual ingredients are presented at the Bedugul. The subak members, particularly women, then present their canang oblation and at their rice field. It is many time chaired by a temple priest. Having worshipped, the subak member return home and bring along with them a small portion of such roasted pig.

Get interested to learn more about this? Simply come to the subak at Tegaljadi and Tunjuk Village, Marga, Tabanan. There, the mesaba ritual takes a place joyously and solemnly with an accompaniment of dynamic gong kebyar gamelan composition.

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Bali Surfing

Bali is a good place for surfing for a number of reasons. These include warm water, relatively uncrowded breaks, when compared to California and Australia. Bali gets some kind of surf most of the year, there are beach breaks and Kuta and Dreamland and also reef breaks on the rest of the Bukit, including the famous Uluwatu. Bali’s unique geography, means that you can get a selection of left hand breaks on one side of the Bukit, drive for 20 minutes and get another whole selection of right hand breaks. In Lombok, for example, you’d have to ride for 4 hours or more, to get from one side of the island, to the other.

During the dry season, the trade winds favour surfing the western side of the coast, including the breaks on the western Bukit. During the wet season ther tides and winds favour the eastern coast including the eastern Bukit breaks such as Nusa Dua and Sri Lanka.

Surfing regions in Bali:
You could say that there are 4 basic surfing regions in Bali, West Bali (Medewi), South Coast (Canggu, Gado Gado, Padma, Kuta Beach) the Bukit (Bingin, Balangan, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Sri Lanka, East Coast (Ketewel, Keramas), Nusa Lembongan (Playgrounds, Racetracks, Lacerations).

When to go:
For the best performance surf, the month of July is said to be the best. During the dry season you get offshore ESE trade winds hitting the western Bukit breaks, slightly cooler water, clear skies and not too much garbage in the water. The beach services (ding repair, vendors etc. ) ramp up during this season. During the wet season there are still places to surf on the eastern side, but generally this is not considered the best season.

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Foreign Consulates in Bali

Some foreign countries maintaining consulates and representatives in Bali are as follows :

AUSTRALIA
(also rep. Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea & other commonwealth in emergencies)
Australian Consulate
Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 88 B – Tanjung Bungkak – Denpasar, Bali 80324
Tel : ++62-(0)361-241118 Facsimile: ++62-(0)361-241120
Email : bali.congen@dfat.gov.au

BRITISH
British Honorary Consul
Cat and Fiddle Restaurant - Jalan Mertasari No. 2 Sanur Tel / Fax: 62-361-282968
Email: tamarin@dps.centrin.net.id

CHILEAN CONSULATE
Jl. Pengembak Gg. 1 Nr. 3 Sanur 80827, Bali
Indonesia
Tel: 62-361-281503
Fax: 62-361-285216
Email: chilehonconsulate@bali-villa.com

CZECH REPUBLIC
Consulate of the Czech Republic
Jl.Pengembak 17, Sanur
Tel : 62-361-286465, Fax : 62-361-286408
Email : bali@honorary.mzv.cz

FRANCE
Consular Agency of France
Jalan mertasari Gg.II No. 8, Sanur Kauh - Denpasar.
Tel: 62-361-285485 Fax: 62-361-286406
Email : consul@dps.centrin.net.id

GERMANY
Consulate of Germany
Jalan Pantai Karang 17, Sanur Denpasar.
Tel. 62-361-288535, 62-361-288826, Fax 62-361-288826
Email : dtkonsbali@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

ITALY
Honorary Vice Consulate of Italy
Lotus Enterprise Building
Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Jimbaran, Denpasar
Tel. 62-361-701005, Fax 62-361-701005
Email : italconsbali@italconsbali.org

JAPAN
Consulate Office of Japan
Jalan Raya Puputan, Renon Denpasar No.170
Tel. 62-361-227628, Fax 62-361-231308
Email : konjdps@indo.net.id

MEXICO
Honorary Consulate of Mexico
Puri Astina Building
Jalan Prof. Moh. Yamin 1-A, Renon, Denpasar
Tel. 62-361-223266, Fax 62-361-244568
Email : astina@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

NETHERLANDS
Consulate of The Netherlands
Jalan Raya Kuta No: 127, Kuta
Tel. 62-361-751517, Fax 62-361-752777
Email : dutchconsulate@kcb-tours.com

NORWAY & DENMARK
Royal Danish Consulate
Mimpi Resort, Kawasan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran
Tel. 62-361-701070 (ext 32)
Fax. 62-361-701073, 62-361-701074
Email: mimpi@mimpi.com

SPAIN
Honorary Consulate of Spain
Jl.Raya Sanggingan, br lungsiakan, Kedewatan Ubud
Tel. 62-361-975736, Fax. 62-361-975726
Email : rabik@indo.net.id

SWEDEN & FINLAND
Consulate of Sweden and Finland
Segara Village Hotel
Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur 80228
Tel. 62-361-288407, Fax 62-361-287242
Email: segara1@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA
Kompleks Istana Kuta Galleria
Blok Valet 2 No. 12 Jl. Patih Jelantik - 80361 Kuta
Tel: +62-361-751735 Fax: 62-361-754457
Email: swisscon@telkom.net or swisscon@denpasar.wasantara.net.id

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Consular Agency of the United States of America
Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Tanjung Bungkak Denpasar 80235
Tel. 62-361-233605, Fax 62-361-222426
Email : amcobali@indo.net.id

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Bali Wedding

Getting married is one of the most important events in the life of most people. Both the bride and groom hope to keep an unforgettable memory of this day. Therefore, many marriages are celebrated in unusual ways – be it on a beautiful beach, at a luxurious private villa, even with ceremonies under water deep in the ocean with lovely fish and corals around.

According to all popular travel publications, Bali is the most romantic destination on earth to get married. The island's beautiful beaches, tropical scenery, lovely waterfalls, breathtaking sunsets, and the choice of beautiful private villas provide a truly romantic location for your big day.

Did you ever think about having a private wedding party just for the two of you? Hear your partner say "I DO" in romantic and beautiful surroundings, either on a white-sandy beach under blue sky, on a private yacht, diving deep in the ocean, or on the back of an elephant?
You can have a modern ceremony, a Jungle Elephant arrangement, or a Royal Bali Wedding Ceremony – all great occasions to make your vow. You decide what you want – and we deliver it.

Many magazines and movie companies spend a lot of time to visit the island of Bali for shooting because its natural beauty and fascinating culture provide outstanding backgrounds. Even if you cannot avoid having a normal wedding at home, making special wedding photos with beautiful bridal gowns in exotic surroundings will give you unforgettable memories — FOREVER.

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Purnama (Full Moon)

Purnama or full moon is an auspicious day to Balinese people. Many important Hindu rituals fall upon or are held at this time. The day is believed to bring happiness both socially and spiritually. The significance of purnama, however has changed over recent times.

In the past, say four or five decades ago, purnama had more meaning for romantic things, while its ritual dimension was rather insignificant. Between the1950s and 1970s, purnama was the day that teenagers were always very much looking forward to. On the purnama day, they enjoyed the brightness of the night by going to the beach. Teenagers in Denpasar, for example, went to Sanur beach to enjoy the beauty of the full moon. Many people also swam at the beach that night. They believed that by swimming at the beach on purnama day, they were not just cleaning their bodies but also their minds.

Because the transport facilities before the 1970s was not as modern as nowadays, Denpasar inhabitants went to Sanur by bicycle. Limited street lighting on the road was not an obstacle to their travelling by bicycle because the moon poured its shining light on the road. One after another bicycle usually went to Sanur on the night of purnama. The light of the moon not only eased the ride but also accentuated the romance of their journey.

On the purnama night, Sanur beach was packed with people, usually until midnight, when most of the visitors went home. People avoided hanging around at the beach until late at night because of the magical images of the area. Besides going to Sanur at purnama, teenagers also liked to go to the cinema. New releases of films were often shown for the first time at purnama so as to be able to attract a bigger audience. Sanur beach and the cinema were among the few places available for recreation at that time.

Going to Sanur for teenagers also let them see the 'splendour' of the first and only ten storeyed building in Bali; The Grand Bali Beach Hotel located on Sanur beach. This hotel was the most attractive object for local people to see during holidays such as Galungan and Kuningan or New Year.

Nowadays, purnama in Sanur is still beautiful, but people do not need to wait to come to the beach on that day. People can come to Sanur every day if they like. Purnama and Sanur no longer have a strong connection. The tall building on Sanur beach, which used to be considered so splendid, has now lost its attractiveness. Also, the number of places for recreation has increased; now it is mainly malls and cafes where teenagers like to hang around at the week end.

The romantic dimension of the full moon has become less celebrated by teenagers nowadays. Changes have taken place, marked by more spiritual activities, held on purnama day. On the night of purnama, young people around the town of Denpasar prefer to put on their Balinese attire and go to pray at the temple Jagatnatha, located in the front of Puputan Badung Park. The praying itself does not take long. Some people like to stay up late in the temple or doing what they called makemit, praying and establishing peace of mind but others like to hang around the temple and the Puputan Badung Park until late night. During the purnama night, the park is packed with people, a scene that did not exist three decades or so ago. Those who come to Jagatnatha temple are mostly young people, including school students. On purnama day, students of high schools in Denpasar go to school after hours to pray at their school temple. Some stay there until late at night, while others go to Jagatnatha temple to pray again.
The spiritual dimension of purnama has been very strong recently. Every purnama, many primary and secondary school students in Denpasar, and in other regions throughout Bali, come to school without uniform but wearing traditional Balinese attire. They pray at school together before the classes start. Non-Balinese kids may wear Balinese attire if they wish, although they do not have to.

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Bali Safari and Marine Park

Bali Safari and Marine Park is established by Taman Safari Indonesia who operate a successful safari park in Bogor, West Java, the Bali facility is lauded as the Company’s flagship park and will eventually employ a workforce of 400 charged with caring for the animals and serving the thousands of visitors expected to visit Bali Safari each day.

Designed by a leading U.S. zoo architect, guests will board special safari busses for drives passing through different areas of the park serving as home to a number of animals, including: rare white Bengali tigers, Sumatran tigers, hippopotami, lions, zebras, elephants, wildebeest, camels, alligators, bears and sundry primates – all roaming in large, near-natural settings.

Reached by the near Professor I.B, Mantra highway, the park is located on Lebih Beach, just minutes from Sanur.

Facilities
Bali Safari and Marine Park has many
facilities, including:
•Animals in natural surroundings.
•The exciting recreation area.
•Fun Zone.
•The amazing Bali Theatre.
•Cottages and Bungalows.
•Varied and delicious foods at the beautiful scenic restaurants.
Come and have a one-of-a-kind experience with a Balinese cultural influence, supported by the warm hospitality of the island’s people.

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Authentic Balinese Cuisine: From Ceremonial Food to Daily Consumption

The most popular being lawar, saté, and babi guling. Lawar is made of [Photo]minced meat, vegetables, finely cut crackling, mixed with a lot of spices and uncooked-blood as a binding sauce. Saté or satay is grilled chopped meat that can be beef, pork, or chicken. Babi guling is a spit-roasted suckling pig. In the past, these foods were only made for religious rituals, celebrations, or festivals. Their social consumption was the extension of these celebrations. Thus, celebrations like Galungan and Kuningan, that fall every six months, became fiercely awaited by the Balinese, as a good reason to consume their delicious authentic cuisines.

There were other reasons why the Balinese rarely consumed their authentic food in the past. The first being that the preparation of Balinese food is laborious. Making satay, lawar, and suckling pig involved dozens of men in an activity called mébat, another form of the social Indonesian gotong royong or working together. Held in a spacious room such as a community hall (banjar), mébat was usually led by one or two skillful men in food making and preparation. Mébat actually marks the beginning of celebrations.

Not all the men involved in mébat know the complete food making process. Some of them may only be able to cut onions, chilies or chop meat. Others may only spear meat onto satay sticks or shred coconuts. They come to help as part of their communal social obligations. Apart from being laborious, Balinese food preparation is also time consuming. Usually, the spicy ingredients are prepared the night before, as so many things have to be done during actual mébat time, which should be finished by early morning in time for the ceremony.

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Bali Culture

Although there are no artifacts or records dating back to the Stone Age, it is believed that the first settlers on Bali migrated from China around 2500 BC. By the Bronze era, around 300 B.C. quite an evolved culture existed in Bali. The complex system of irrigation and rice production, still in use today, was established around this time.

History is vague for the first few centuries. A number of Hindu artifacts have been found dating back to the 1st century, yet it appears that the main religion, around 500 AD was predominantly Buddhist in influence. A Chinese scholar, Yi-Tsing, in 670 AD reported on a trip to India, that he had visited a Buddhist country called Bali.

It wasn't until the 11th century that Bali received the first strong influx of Hindu and Javanese cultures. With the death of his father around AD 1011, the Balinese Prince, Airlanggha, moved to East Java and set about uniting it under one principality. Having succeeded, he then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. During the ensuing period there was a reciprocation of political and artistic ideas. The old Javanese language, Kawi, became the language used by the aristocracy, one of the many Javanese traits and customs adopted by the cause.

With the death of Airlanggha, in the middle of the 11th century, Bali enjoyed a period of autonomy. However, this proved to be short-lived as in 1284, the East Javanese king Kertanegara, conquered Bali and ruled over it from Java. In 1292, Kertanegara was murdered and Bali took the opportunity to liberate itself once again. However, in 1343, Bali was brought back under Javanese control by its defeat at the hands of Gajah Mada, a general in the last of the great Hindu-Javanese empires, the Majapahit. With the spread of Islam throughout Sumatra and Java during the 16th century, the Majapahit Empire began to collapse and a large exodus of aristocracy, priests, artists and artisans to Bali ensued. For a while Bali flourished and the following centuries were considered the Golden Age of Bali's cultural history. The principality of Gelgel, near Klungkung, became a major centre for the Arts, and Bali became the major power of the region, taking control of neighboring Lombok and parts of East Java.

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Gitgit Waterfall

Gitgit Waterfall is representing is a beautiful tourist destination in north of Bali. Gitgit waterfall is located in the plateau with the height about 35 meters and surrounded by tropical tree and emits the water naturally with the constant debit during the year. Waterfall voice around the charming nature was amazing and represents the separate attraction and can be enjoyed by each visitor who comes to visit. The admiration from nature condition has made imagination and in mind perspective to join with the nature highness. Around the waterfall there are some plantation and protected forest. At this area also often met the wild monkey which wants to get the water from this waterfall.

This tourist destination become unique and full of dance energy because its nature charming, is formed by green as fresh as crop, thundering plunging of water, the clear water irrigate in between the stone and also once in a while alternated by the bird chirp, so that very ideal to take a bath, to bathing in natural open country. Free view to drainage basin, depicting natural corridor which formed by several plantation, amethyst carpet so that create the separate path image from its existence. Gitgit Waterfall location is located in Gitgit countryside, Sukasada sub district, at distance of about 10 Km from Singaraja Town or about 70 Km from Denpasar, at height about 300 meters of above sea level. T his tourist place represents one attainment area by monument of hero struggle of Bhuwana Pangkung Bangka. This Monument is extant monument and idol of people struggle action against the Dutch colonization. This monument located in Gitgit countryside and Sukasada sub district, at distance about 17 Km from Singaraja Town, its location flanked by steep hill bank and precipitous crevasse. The crevasse is precipitous referred as Pangkung Bangka. Its area located at the height about 600 meters. In left and right can be met the coffee garden or fertile clove. The facilities in the places of interest like Gitgit Waterfall is consisted of the parking area, restaurant and art shop to sell the souvenir. It is not far from the waterfall place there is a place take a rest at the same time enjoy the beauty plantation view, the rice terrace and Buleleng Beach. Visit to this tourist object can be done at all day long from morning until afternoon by both for local society, local tourist and also foreign tourist countries.

Places to visit in north of Bali, Surrounding area of Gitgit WaterfallFrom roadway to the Gitgit waterfall, all visitors will be invited to walk at roadway go to the waterfall represent the road omission in Dutch era. In year 1975 this object animate as tourist destination in north of Bali. As known that Bali island nature is separated by mountain and hill located in the middle of Bali Island. At first position in the height area to Singaraja which is first met the Gitgit countryside, so can be said the tourist destination of Gitgit Waterfall represents the gateway to other places of interest in Singaraja north of Bali.

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Sun Rise Trekking to Mount Batur and Mount Agung

Trekking to the sacred mountains, watching the spectacular sun rise is an unforgettable ways of experiencing holidays in Bali. Start early in the morning to ensure you are at the top at the right time for sun rise. Enjoy the great views of the whole island from the top while enjoying your breakfast.

Here area bit of stories about these trekkings:

Trekking Mount Batur:
Mount Batur, a three-crater volcanic mountain , is 1717 meters high. Your journey is started below Mount Batur near Lake Batur at a Hindu temple called Jati temple. You will arrive at the first crater (the highest) by the sun rise. While watching the sun rise, we will serve the breakfast (steamed eggs, banana and bread). Next, you will go the explore the second craters which lastly erupted in 1963. The last crater, the lowest, will be your final stop. The third crater occasionally has smokes or hotspots and colorful beautiful stones. You will go back through a challenging trails among rocky black lava stones to the starting point at Jati temple.

Trekking Mount Agung:
Trekking start at Besakih temple, (the mother temple Bali) and next continued to the Pasar Agung temple. You will arrive by the sun rise. What can you see from the top of Mount Agung? You can see almost the whole Bali island around you. And if you face east you will Mount Rinjani which located at Lombok island, to the west you will see Mount Batur and Mount Abang. You can enjoy the all the great views as well as enjoying breakfast here.

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Calon Arang Dance

It can be the enchanting hour the first night of full moon, when the long shades drew aside like phantoms on the ground, that crowd of village meets around a release close to the temple of deaths to observe the drama of Calon Arang, the widow-witch of Girah. Each Balinese knows the legend of Rangda like CaIon Arang, a favourite in the local folklore.

A long ago, when Airlangga was a king, there lived a widow, Calon Arang, which gave rise to a child in the jungle. The child developed until is the sea famous Ratna Menggali. The girl of line wanted by Calon Arang to marry a fromairiangga' spalace of prince, but despite her beauty, no prince came. Angered by this, the widow learned art from the black magic and practised against the kingdom, making die much people.

When Airiangga intended to speak about the epidemic in Girah, it consulted its high priest, Mpu Bharadah. The priest sent his son to ask for the hand of Ratna Menggali. Calon Arang was satisfied by the offer. The plague dropped, and the couples wed. Calon Arang had in its possession a lontar (palmleaf delivers) black magic lesson. His/her son one day found and gave to his/her father, who then deciphered the formulas with the secret powers of the widow. When Calon Arang discovered the Mpu Bharadah had learned its secrecies, it was exasperated and declared the war on him. The priest did not have any choice but to fight and, in a fight mortal of sorcery, destroyed the widow by moulding a charm. Before she died, Calon Arang required the remission. The Mpu Bharadah freed from the contracts and the way to him towards the sky.

The history showed has many variations, and no two plays of Calon Arang are exactly identical. Primarily, the play is a drama of the magic which is used as powerful exorcism of the bad spirits aligned with the Rangda witch-queen. By dramatizing Calonarang as powers her magical height of at the of Rangda, one hopes it that the execution will gain the favour of the witch and will alleviate her appetite for the destruction.

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