Travel To Bali Island from U.S.

Known as the "happy island," Bali is an Indonesian island just 2 km off of the island of Java. The island is abundant with flowers, lush vegetation and smiling faces more than willing to welcome you to your temporary home. And since Bali is relatively inexpensive, traveling within the island is not likely to overtax your pocketbook; the most expensive part will most likely be the flight that gets you there.

Step 1

Get a U.S. passport, or if you already have one, check your passport's expiration date. According to the U.S. Department of State, travelers will not be admitted into Indonesia without six months' validity left on their passport. Additionally, you will need two empty pages in your passport to enter Bali. If your passport is set to expire in six months or less, you have less than two pages left in your passport, or don't have a passport at all, visit the Department of State's "Passports" website to get your passport in order.

Step 2

Book your travel. If you plan to fly into Bali, a number of airlines provide the transportation directly to the island via Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, including Continental Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Air Asia. If you book your flight through an online booking agent, type in the airport code "DPS" to book your flight to Bali. You also can get to Bali via ferry from Java, the main island of Indonesia. Ferries leave from Ketapang in Java several times a day and take you across the Lombok Strait to the western end of Bali. Typically, there is no need to reserve ahead of time -- just show up at the ferry dock and pay for the next crossing.

Step 3

Book your accommodations. From the exquisite mountainside accommodations at the Taman Wana Villas and Spa near the West Bali National Park to the affordable and accessible digs at the Stana Puri Gopa Hotel near the capital city of Denpasar, Bali offers a wide array of choices for hotels, guest houses and vacation homes. To narrow your search and save some money, consider bundling your travel and booking the rooms offered through the online agent you used for your flight, or browse the options provided by the "In Bali Hotels" website.

Step 4

Pack for warm weather and the occasional rainstorm. Bali's temperatures vary from the high 60s to the 90s F, so no cold weather gear is needed. If you're traveling between December and March, expect rainstorms, as this is the island's monsoon season.

Step 5

Complete your visa documents. According to the U.S. Department of State, travelers from the United States who are coming to Bali for pleasure can get a visa on arrival into Indonesia -- whether it be Bali or other islands. You will need to fill out a form at the borderand pay a $25 fee, and customs officials should issue you a 30-day visa on the spot.

Beratan and Buyan Lake

Beratan Lake is a shallow lake with the high caldera about 1231m above sea level and it is located atBedugul, the famous tourist destinations in Bali.This lake have wide 3,8 km2 and also its deepness is up to 22 meters. The water volume in this lake is about 0,049 km3, so Beratan Lake is the closed lake. Tourist can access the Beratan Lake through the dock which have been provided or desist around Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. In this place, the visitor can do various activities like doing recreation to look around in dock or do the other outdoor activities. The various water recreation activities can also be conducted here, for example riding the boat motorize to circle the lake, canoeing with the traditional boat, banana boating, water skiing, and others. Fishing activities are also available in this places for who one love fishing in the lake.

Magnificent View

Beratan Lake is situated in the plateau area with cool atmosphere surround it. It is an ideal place for relaxation while enjoy the beautiful panorama of lake. The accommodations are also available in this area where is the perfect place for overnight stay, resting and enjoy the beautiful panoramic of lake with the Ulun Danu Temple as a magnificence. The small scale of agriculture activities are likely conducted around this lake and can be perceived at the same time circle around it. If we encircle it, we can take photograph with the beautiful background view or make the picture sketch face in painting mini studio at the lakeside with a short time as a souvenir.

Other Places of Interest in Bedugul

If the tourist paying a visit to the Beratan Lake, they also can visit other places of interest in Bedugul Tabanan Bali nearby like Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya where the visitors can relax while enjoy the various of flora types,traditional Balinese houses and others. Candi Kuning Market is a Traditional Vegetable and Fruit Market located at Candi Kuning countryside which can be reached only in a few minutes from the lake. Various fruit type, vegetables and also mace can be bought here with many choices. It is not far from Ulun Danu Temple. Buyan Lake and Tamblingan Lake are the next places of interest existing near the Beratan Lake and it is just 3 minutes drive by car from this place. Beratan Lake can be reached easily from the main road from Denpasar to Bedugul and it takes about 2 hours from the town with the good road access. 

The Balinese’s Knowledge Day

Saraswati Ceremony.

On Saniscara Kliwon Watugunung (Balinese Calendar) The Balinese Hindus have a special day devoted to the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. Saraswati is God’s manifestation of knowledge and wisdom.
She is depicted as a beautiful and gracious goddess, a personification of all knowledge, with four arms holding the following item; a chain symbolizing the ever lasting quality of knowledge, a “lontar” palm book symbolizing the source of accumulated knowledge, a lotus water lily as the symbol of beauty and purify and the “rebab” (Balinese violin) the symbol of science and culture. Saraswati ride a white swan which s the symbol of prudence. It is though prudence one’s knowledge can be used to distinguished good from bad. The swans struggle to keep floating on the swift unending current of passing time. Saraswati itself means flowing in Sanskrit which represents knowledge.
The Saraswati holiday’s believed as the day knowledge descends to earth and ever six months or so, according the Balinese lunar “wuku” calendar, Saraswati as the source of knowledge and guardian of all books and learning, is given a well-earned rest for one day and material is temporary made unavailable to mortals. On that holiday, Balinese refrain from reading and writing, for to do so, would show their ingratitude to the goddess.

Some students are praying on Saraswati Day

On the Saraswati day ceremonies will be held all over Bali, however Balinese people learn or work, using written materials. The celebration begins with a prayer requesting a blessing for peace and knowledge which has descended to the earth. Special offering called “Canang Saraswati” are made for all books, including “lontar “traditional palm leaf , the source of knowledge. The tool of knowledge will be blessed and showered with offering; not only the old holy “books” (written on along, thin, slabs of stiff lontar palm), but all other form of written material and this now include computers and typewriters with their built-in memory. Children have their school books blessed at home but may still make a trip to school to help organize the blessing of other written material kept at school. Libraries temporarily off laden books from shelves so the books can be blessed. Offices attend to their books in much the same way and people visit their temple as “the island of the Gods” says thank-you to the Saraswati.
The following day, the Balinese will have a self purification ceremony to enable them to receive the knowledge and wisdom from the goodness. Four days after Saraswati ceremonies, the Balinese will hold “Pagerwesi” which a continuation of the Saraswati ceremonies. This is hope that knowledge will make people aware of their duty of their fellow beings and that man will use science for improvement not destruction.

Although the ceremony is in the Balinese month of “Sasih”, on the day called “Watugunung”, it is always falls on the western Saturday. If you wish to see mass of offering being carried out by the Balinese on this special day, you can visit the Jagatnatha Temple in central Denpasar at about 09:00 a.m. Perhaps with the blessing of the goddess Saraswati, a little knowledge concerning this day can be bestowed upon you. We wish you a Happy Saraswati Day!

Sukawati Art Market

Spending a nice holiday on the island of Paradise is full of
endless experience. This tiny island has so many treasures and
challenging adventure to explore. See the unique rice terraces
in Tegalalang or Jatiluwih with its serenity and beauty on the
rice fields. Or follow and inhale fresh air along the rapid on
the river with a wide choice of different rapid. Another
activity you will enjoy is an original "shopping adventure"
to hunt souvenirs and the like in the art market. 


One of art markets that are already popular among visitors is
Sukawati art market. Sukawati road-facing market located in
the Gianyar Regency has a strategic position as it is passed
through during the tour to some destinations to the east.
Sukawati art market is close to the village of Celuk, the
center of gold & silversmiths. You can drop in after watching
barong and kris dance performance in the morning. It can be
accessed through bemo transport, tour bus or taxi.
It is just like a myriad of art shops that offers wide range
of products. Simply one stop-shopping. Many items sold in Kuta
or other areas originate from here and are considerably
cheaper if bought here. One outlet may provide more than one
item, like garments, souvenirs, paintings (unframed),
basketry, colorful kites and so on.
Buying giveaways to commemorate the holiday has to be a must.
So take advantage the holiday time to find out something
memorable on the art market of Sukawati. This market is very
unique as it is already open in the early morning and visited
by both domestic and foreign visitors. It is very close to
other destinations in the Gianyar Regency.
A good place to explore the shopping experience in a natural
way, get in touch with common people and see how the locals go
about the art of negotiation. Yes, shopping is also an art of
experience. On the one hand, you may enjoy many kinds of art
products all in one spot. It reflects the diversity of local
art and crafts and the creativity of its people.
You will get a new experience in the 'art of buying'. You must
bargain the price eventhough the vendor offers you a "morning
price." Meaning especially low, to start off the trading day
with a few sales already and make the day a successful one.
It does not mean you have to accept it as it is, it's
not a fixed price. If you are good at bargaining you will get
the best price you can afford and the vendor keeps "smiling
and thanking you". If they don't smile anymore, you know his
cost is higher than your offer. Good at bargaining is a bit
more than insisting on a price. You need to provide a logical
reason why your offer is so low and still should be accepted.

Nightlife in Bali

Bali's main areas that attract visitors also all have their
night spots. The tastes are different, so for some people the
nightlife has something to do with the "Happy hour" offered at
many bars and restaurants, others just wake up at this time
of day to get ready for the night according to the motto
the-later-the-better. 


A preferred area is the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak strip, busy at
all times of day and also open 'til late" or even 24 hours.
We could write a long list of restaurants and venues with
100's of names - instead we like to take you on the Classic
Clubbers' Trail, as recommended by the founders of Bali night
clubbing. If you never have done this you're in for a new
experience to see Bali after sunset and some of the classic
"in" spots.
1) At around 8-9 PM it's time to visit the restaurant that
raised your attention this afternoon on the way back from the
beach. It's time for dinner. Be careful and selective, don't
eat all that looks promising on the menue, there will be other
opportunities later today.
2) Woops! Time went so fast while talking and dining, it's
already 10 PM and you are on your way to Made's Warung to have
coffee and some desert. See who else is in Bali this week.
Appreciate the fact that "Latin music" was here on the
turntable 10 years before it went mainstream. We like to pay
credit to a original site that served excellent food to
"Bali stylists" that have been ALWAYS years ahead in world
behavior/design for the last 20 years. No, I'm not kidding.
3) Well, it was difficult not to meet a lot of people there
and now we all are on the way to Goa 2001 for more chat and
drinks. At midnight it's getting real crowded here. You have
to be a person that can focus on detail to not lose control
on how many interesting people are here. Walk around, mingle
with the crowd and have a mouthful of "small snacks" offered
in japanese, balinese and other flavors.
4) It's 1 am and still looking fresh, now it depends on your
personal preference to visit Double 6 Disco, Gado-Gado Club
or to go back to Hard Rock Cafe in Kuta, but they might close
soon, so better stay in Seminyak for more pub-disco action.
How to find these places? Don't be shy, talk to the person
next to you, most will know.
5) Depending on how you arranged your personal immediate
future you could end up on a private party in one of the
houses in the area, or if you really are The Night Dancer
to will be still in one of the discos until 5 am.
Now at this point of history we do not advise to go straight
for breakfast that early, it would be kind of overdoing it,
it really is now time to go home.
There are many variations to this strategy plan, this is
however the original Classic Bali Clubbers "1'1'1" (no "0") as
delivered by the founders of Bali night clubbing. Have fun!

How to pick the airline to fly to Bali ?

Airline tickets vary in prices and conditions and more than
one airline can bring you to Bali.

The big difference between the airlines are in the route they take and from whom you will purchase the ticket from.  

Since routes are changing quite often, it makes sense to ask an agent about your particular flight, chances are they know or can find out. Experiences tell it's still 50% uncertainty left after they advice you, because schedules change faster than the normal travel agent can keep up with.

Many times the cheapest tickets involve the most stop overs en route, so it actually makes sense to pay a bit more to have a shorter flight. My personal experiences only cover exit airports in Europe like Amsterdam, Frankfurt and London. Here there are at times huge differences among the airlines.

Thai Airways had always those lengthy 4 hour transits in
Bangkok that made the flight to Bali about 18 hours long,
Garuda stopped a lot at different airports to make sure the
plane was always packed full - a 21 hours trip, ouch!
Really convincing was only Singapore Airlines, nonstop to
Singapore, after 45 minutes transit straight to Bali. 14 hours after leaving Amsterdam we finally reached Balinese soil.

Interesting can also be Quantas flights going to Australia
that have a stop in Bali. As I said it depends where you fly
from and how much you are prepared to pay for the ticket. Best is always a nonstop flight, nonstop Singapore is fine too. Be aware that a "direct" flight is not necessarily also a nonstop flight.

Understanding the Language of the Markets

As you fight your way through the streets, restaurants and markets of Sanur, Ubud and Kuta, you quickly realize that there is a small selection of "standard" English greetings and phrases used by many of the people involved in the tourist.

The first greeting is always "Hello Mister/Missus/Boss",
usually followed immediately by "You want to come to my
shop?", or something similar. (Although, in Ubud, the whole
conversation often consists solely of the word "Transport?")
If you keep walking, you will hear "Where are you going?". For many people in Bali this is serves the same purpose as "How are you going?" in the English-speaking world. The actual answer is not relevant. (Just as few people are really interested in how you really are going.) For Indonesians, it is usual to ask someone out in the street where they are going, because, even in modern Indonesia, there are still many people who have not traveled more than a few kilometers from their village. An honest answer to "Where?" you are going is more interesting and acceptable to the inquirer than an honest "How?" you are going.
If you have stopped to browse and/or chat, you are asked
"Where do you come from?". Again, in a village, this would be a natural question to ask a stranger. Once this topic has been dealt with, the conversation turns to topics that seem to verge on an invasion of privacy. However, people who grow up in a country as populated as Indonesia have a different concept of "personal space" to many born in countries such as the United States and Australia. Answers to questions such as "Are you travelling alone?" and "Are you married" (both absolute certainties for women on their own) are of interest to many young Indonesian men and women. A "Yes" to either, or both, questions has led to many happy relationships.
Once the small talk has been dealt with, it's down to business. "You want one more?" is a common opening once the "salesperson" spots the shirt/t-shirt/sarong/watch that you are already wearing. (It would be interesting to find out how many people actually buy a second item, once the opportunity to do so has been pointed out to them.) For most people, this doesn't work, because they are looking for something they haven't yet bought. This seems to be not obvious for many stall holders.
Another common practice, again, unlikely to encourage anyone to buy anything, is to keep badgering the customer. Even though you have said "No", probably more than once, and, possibly, in more than one language, it is not understood as an absolute refusal. Again, how many people will change their mind and buy, after having refused several times?
The current phrase in the Sanur beach markets is "Only two dollars!"(U.S.) It is a mystery why this phrase has suddenly
become the only one in use, because most tourists in the area
would be carrying rupiah, Australian dollars or European currencies. It is also interesting to note that, in other parts of Bali, "Only one dollar!" is the cry - inflation? Since U.S.$2 is currently worth at least Rp 17,000, and many of the items on sale can be bought for half this amount, bargaining down to, at most, half the opening amount is still economically smart.
When clothes are being tried on for size, "personal" remarks
about your body size, shape, colour, etc. are often made. To
the stall holder, they are honest, often helpful, observations, and may help you to make a more satisfying purchase. As in many other countries, being "large" is a sign of wealth, and is usually complimented.
The important thing to remember is that, even though every
person with something to sell wants you to buy it, most stall
holders and street sellers have a genuine interest in people
and things foreign. Enjoy the conversations.

Sunset Dinner at Jimbaran Beach

Jimbaran beach is stretching between the barren limestone hill to the south and Kedonganan beach near the international airport on the north. This white beach is so tranquil and just the right place for relaxing in the afternoon while waiting for the sunset. It has been more known after the presence of five-star and luxury hotels since the beginning of the 1990s. Suddenly it was on everyone's lips. 

The new arising tourist resorts at Jimbaran now have more

option to dine out. Along the Jimbaran to Kedonganan Beach

there are many cafes operated by local people. It is something

like night markets where visitors can choose a wide range of

seafoods. Nearly all cafes provide special seafood menus

with local recipes or combination with the western one. Fish

is supplied by a nearby fishermen village at Kedonganan. Some

vendors there still sell their fish until to the afternoon.

When the west horizon turns yellowish red, the cafes spread

their colorful chairs on the sand overlooking the beach.

Slowly the activity on the beach reduces, while other activities begin at cafes. And when the night arrives, it starts getting to be romantic. Candle lights and live musicians enhancing the atmosphere. There are many small and big jukungs that are ready to sail and will become an artistic background for your dinner.

The shining stars in the sky, candle-like lights from the

resorts on the hill and the spotlight from the airport has

changed Jimbaran Beach to something like a celebration night.

Taste the grilled fish on the sand of a open-air beachfront

café and enrich your dining experience with one not usually

available at 5 star hotels . You can choose the kind and size

of fish and other seafood yourself. The local characteristic

of the recipe is that grilled fish is topped with Balinese

raw spices (basa matah). It is then traditionally accompanied

with stir-fried water spinach and white steamed rice.

Only a ten-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport,

also easily reachable from Kuta or Nusa Dua by inexpensive

taxis. Always worth a visit.

The Art of Tropical Living

In the 1960's all local houses consisted of very basic constructions, foreigners rented rooms in family inns (losmen). Shortly after trendy Sanur was the first area that attracted more sophisticated buildings, usually under supervision of western designers and architects.

Around 1980 the situation started to be influenced strongly
by western business people that came to Bali frequently enough
to build their own house. These houses and villas somehow took
some traditional Balinese essentials to blend with imported
Western standards. Although there was suddenly the comfort of
a western bathroom, the bottom line was usually a lack of
professional competence in an overall architectural context.

Starting around 1990 the present situation started to emerge:
Elements of Balinese architecture like thatched materials for
the roof or carved doors are used in a modern context and in
combination with the Western tradition of comfortable
furniture and furnishings.

That is not a general evolution of the "Bali style" it is
rather used as reinterpretation in a decorative and usually
aesthetic way. Many Westerners have build their Balinese dream
home based on a mixture of Western comfort and Asian styles.

The indoor-outdoor living style is dominant to express the
best possibilities the tropical climate has to offer. Natural
materials used are wood, alang-alang, bamboo, stone, glass and
ceramics.

The traditional Balinese way to construct buildings followed
very strict rules of shapes and sizes, also positioning and
orientation was absolutely predetermined. Constructing a
building is guided by religious motives not by practical or
designer aesthetics. Therefore it is originally not an art
form but religious ritual.

The latest development is however an extracting of Balinese
designs to merge with new international styles in an artistic
way, giving birth to a new Bali style.

Now designers are getting creative in an unpreceded way to
redefine this so typical local art of tropical living in a new,
internationally valid way that possibly will set the trend for
years to come.

Boutique Hotels in Bali

The basic idea is to combine the conveniences of a five-star resort with the cultural richness of a Balinese private home.

Over the years this type of accommodation has increased vastly in popularity with travelers looking for something special and The difference between large hotel chains and Boutique hotels is that they don't provide 100's of rooms but instead secluded luxury in small and intimate resorts.

A "home away from home" is a bit a stressed expression, but it describes quite accurately what you may find. A really private space in a total different location, thousands of miles away from home.

All amenities are usually provided in these resorts to make you feel comfortable. Individual service with a personal touch makes all the difference, and a villa with an selection of
things you don't want to miss like sound system and satellite TV, several cozy in- and outdoor areas for relaxation, and refreshingly different styled bathrooms surely add to the
ingredients to make you enjoy your stay.

Some icing on the cake may be a private jacuzzi, plunge or
swimming pool. What would be life in the tropics without it.

A resort in Ubud was ahead of its time and has been copied by new ones a few times since then. It's the Pita Maha, build by a member of the Royal family of Ubud. The concept of a
river view resort with spa is taken from the Tjampuhan hotel and refined with adding more privacy by establishing a exclusive luxury villa concept. More about this resort later.

On the ocean side it was Four Seasons in Jimbaran who first successfully introduced the private villas concept within a hotel. Of course they also went to Ubud to build The Four
Seasons Sayan. Overlooking the Ayung river it became too small for the demand recently, new villas have been added in the second stage.

The leading resorts in this field try to accomplish a secluded setting of each villa, permitting undisturbed outdoor life with outdoor dining areas. So life within nature can be experienced in Bali style. Some of the villas have outdoor bathrooms and private plunge pools.

Many known hotels and resorts are renovating and redesigning themselves to follow this trend. Alam Kul Kul in Legian added boutique elements, The Villas in Seminyak are a good example to fully mature this concept, all villas have a private swimming pool and offer the privacy and seclusion needed.

In Jimbaran the Pansea is a strong contender, and must be booked early. The negative side of Boutique resorts is really the limited availability of rooms. It seems that a few years back the success of small high end resorts wasn't guaranteed, some of them are maybe build a bit too small.

Now the situation is very much different, travelers looking for that special place to spend a vacation, and are willing to pay for the extra luxury. The Ubud area is leading the way with resorts such as Kamandalu Resort, Kupu Kupu Barong, The Chedi or the Natura Resort, one of the latest and most convincing additions.

Pita Maha Resort, the unofficial leader of the trend is establishing a second resort to stay on top of the wave. By end of this year, Pita Maha 2 will open its gates with an increased size of about 80 villas. The reality will show if the intimacy of the original Pita Maha resort with its 24 villas can be preserved.

Religion in Bali

Many visitors who arrive in Bali do not realize that Bali is

very different religiously, to the rest of Indonesia.

Balinese people have been Hindus for eight hundred years,
since the remnants of the Majapahit empire were forced from
Java by the spread of Islam. They follow a branch of Hinduism
that owes a lot to that of India, but is quite different. The
most obvious discrepancy is that the Balinese eat cows, but
there are numerous others. 

Religion in Bali is interwoven with everyday life. Time and
time again, Balinese friends cancel appointments because they have to attend a ceremony, or take other family members to a ceremony. And, ceremonies seem, from the foreigner's
viewpoint, to be never ending. As well as the obvious ceremonies for births, deaths and marriages, and celebrating aspects of the rice harvests, there is a day for blessing machinery, one for blessing education, etc... A neighbour recently told me that he has a ceremony every fifteen days!
Many of the tourist attractions that busloads of travellers
attend have a religious origin. For instance, the Barong dance
tells a story of good versus evil, which, actually, is the
basic theme in most Balinese dances and legends. It is
performed as a part of many holy events.
Numerous visitors watch segments of the Ramayana Ballet, a
Hindu epic story about good and evil, and love, in many venues
around the island. Travellers with a little extra time should
consider a side trip to Prambanan temple in East Java.
Watching a performance of the Ramayana in the amphitheater
there, under a full moon, is truly a religious experience.
In Bali, cremations in particular, are popular with visitors.
Personally, I avoid funerals of all religions, but...
Recently, in Ubud, I observed street sellers convincing
tourists of the need to buy a sarong to watch a cremation.
Sarongs are not necessary for watching a procession, but are
mandatory when entering the grounds of the temple where the
actual cremation occurs. Because most visitors visit a temple
at some stage, the purchase of a sarong early in a trip is a
good investment.
A common occurrence in Bali is the traffic jam. Most traffic
jams are caused by a Hindu ceremony of some sort, because, as has happened in villages, since before Hinduism took root, the road is blocked off, even if it happens to be the main street
of Kuta, Sanur or Ubud! The Balinese understand priorities,
and expect non-Balinese to do likewise.
The important thing for visitors to understand, and remember,
is that cremations and other ceremonies are not tourist
attractions, but are genuine religious events. That the Balinese allow outsiders to be part of them does not detract from their religious significance.
There are many major dates in the Balinese calendar, which is
much shorter than the Western one. Late September, this
Western year, sees the arrival of Galungan, the celebration of
good fighting evil in Bali, and ends, ten days, later with
Kuningan. This period of the Balinese year sees a slow down in
some businesses, because the owners are involved in far more
important things. The morning of Kuningan sees most of Bali's
Hindu population visit the temple at Turtle Island, near
Sanur. It is a fantastic sight, if you can get near it.
Besakih temple, in East Bali, is the "mother" temple of Bali.
The other three important temples are at Uluwatu, Kintamani
and Tanah Lot. All of them are fantastic to visit. There are
other important regional temples, then, in each village there
is a temple for life at the mountain end of village, and one
for death at the end nearest the sea. Then, there are family
temples, temples in particular sacred places, and shrines
everywhere, including most houses.
Recently, near Pemuteran, in north Bali, I took a wrong turn
into the hills, and found myself at the bottom of some steps
leading up, out of sight. The 710 steps (I counted them on the
way down) lead to a small temple half-way up a mountain.
Despite being exhausted, I was exhilarated by the views across the hinterland and out to sea. The Balinese who carted the materials for building the temple, and the steps, up that path
were amazing.
An incredible experience, for me, was a trip to Tirta Empal,
the holy bathing pools in Tampaksiring. A Balinese friend said
she was going there to be "purified". I asked if I had to do
something wrong first, to accompany her, but she assured me
that all ordinary mortals can do with some occasional
purification. We were accompanied by a woman from Tabanan, who, while not a priest, is recognized as an expert in helping people carry out the ritual.
In the moonlight, we bathed under the water jets, and then
followed the old woman in carrying out the purification
rites. In the silence, punctuated only by the running water,
with the smell of incense lingering, I could sense a
"presence". It was magical.
Lastly, the daily evidence of the importance of Hinduism to
the Balinese is shown by the innumerable offerings everywhere. As well as the three main manifestations of God, Siwa, Wisnu and Brahma, there are other incarnations. Dewi Sri, the goddess of the rice harvest, is a major Balinese deity, and is still paid homage in Muslim Java. Ancestors, former kings, and guardians of sacred places are other deities. Almost every house, business, road intersection, government building, etc., has offerings to the gods and spirits of Bali placed in a shrine everyday. The small banana leaf baskets, containing flower petals, rice, and other gifts for the gods (even Oreos!) demonstrate the way that the Balinese daily live their religion.

Treasure Island of Lembongan

Perhaps there has been much information about Bali Island as a travellers destination. But information about its " sister

islands" is still very limited. Bali has four sister islands,
three of them are located on the southeast of Bali (Nusa
Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan) and another on the west near Gilimanuk harbor called Menjangan Island. Nusa means, "island " in Balinese words. For this month's edition we will choose Lembongan Island as the topic.  

Lembongan and Bali Island are separated by Badung strait and can be reached by traditional motorized-jukungs via Sanur, Kusamba or Padangbai. Due to the current development of tourist resorts in Lembongan, some daily regular cruise lines that are based in Benoa Harbor with the capacity of some 300 passengers now visits it regularly.
Lembongan Island belongs to the territory of Klungkung
regency. As its neighboring island, Penida and Ceningan, it
has low rainfall all the year round. And moreover the land is
consisting of barren limestone highlands covered by cacti and
shrubs. Consequently only limited crops can be grown here such as beans, cassava, maize and tobacco.
In keeping the growth of tourism industry, Lembongan Island
has developed as a new seaside resort outside Bali Island,
owing beautiful coral beaches and transparent blue-green
waters. Many marine activities are centered on this beaches
such as snorkeling; banana boat rides et cetera. This
situation has given many new jobs and opportunity to the local
people.
One activity at this destination worth visiting is seaweed
farming. It is widely cultivated by the local people on
suspended media on the salt water. Each root is fastened on
the single rope that is stretching among two bamboo poles.
There are two varieties of seaweed that is generally
cultivated here, the large one called green kotoni and the
smaller one called red pinusun. After harvesting, the farmers
dry the seaweed on their yard under the sunlight. Seaweed is
becoming reliable export commodity of this island to Hong Kong for use in the cosmetic industry.
Another interesting destination is the Underground House that
was dug by a puppeteer inspired by the great epic story of
Mahabrata. In the story it is called Gala-Gala cave where
Pandava passed through when they saved themselves since the Korava family intended to burn them. The cave's replica itself was prepared and constructed for some eight years. By digging a layer of solid white limestone in his yard, he succeeded to build a sleeping room, kitchen and guests room. It is also completed with some ventilation for the airflow. This house is not inhabited and tends to be an expression of art. Visitors are allowed to visit this house by stepping down the ladder to get there. Such a house is the only one of its own on the island and even on the main island of Bali. In terms of its simple construction, it will remind us of the ancient time where people still inhabit the caves for their settlement.

BALI WEDDINGS

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Bali

MARRIAGE LAWS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is subject to Indonesian Laws. Every couple considering getting married in Bali must comply with these Laws.

In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

All couples who marry in Indonesia must declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized. The Civil Registry Office can record marriages of persons of Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian-Protestant and Christian-Catholic faiths. Marriage partners must have the same religion, otherwise one partner must make a written declaration of change of religion.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, the home, a restaurant, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

A Christian, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non-Islamic marriage must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed directly at the religious ceremony for an additional fee.

Persons of non-Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying first a 'Notice of Intention to Marry' as well as a 'Letter of No Impediment' obtained from their consular representatives.

For the issue of the Letter of No Impediment to Marriage by your Consular Representative you will need to present for youself and your fiance(e) your Passport(s) valid for more than 6 months and Certified Divorce Decrees (absolute/final) and/or Death Certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before your intended date of marriage.

The following countries have Consulates or Consular Representatives in Bali. The telephone and fax numbers must be prefixed with 62-361 when calling from abroad. Australia (Consulate, also representing Canada, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries in emergencies), Jalan Hayum Wuruk No. 88 B, Tanjung Bungak, Denpasar, Tel. 241-118, Fax 241-120;France (Consular Agency), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai No. 35, Sanur, Tel. 285-485, Fax 285-485; Germany (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Pantai Karang 17, Sanur, Tel. 288-535, 288-826, Fax 288-826; Italy (Honorary Vice Consulate), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Jimbaran, Tel. 701-005, Fax 701-005;Japan (Consulate), Jalan Raya Puputan, Renon, Denpasar, Tel. 234-808, Fax 231-308; Mexico (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Moch. Yamin 1A, Renon, Denpasar, Tel. 223-266, Fax 231-740; Netherlands (Consular Agency), Jalan Raya Kuta 99, Kuta, Tel. 751-517, Fax 752-777; Norway & Denmark(Honorary Consulate), Kawasan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, Tel. 701-070, Fax 701-074; Spain (Honorary Consulate, currently vacant); Sweden & Finland(Honorary Consulate), Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Tel. 288-407, Fax 287-242;Switzerland & Austria (Consular Agency), Kompleks Istana Kuta Galleria, Blok Valet 2 No. 12, Jalan Patih Jelantik. Kuta, Tel. 751-735, Fax 754-457;United Kingdom (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Mertasari 2, Sanur, Tel. 270-601, Fax 270-572; U.S.A. (Consular Agency), Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Denpasar, Tel. 233-605, Fax 222-426.

For the Notice of Intention to Marry you have to submit the following documents for both partners to the Civil Registry Office (show the original and present a photocopy):

• Certificate of the religious marriage;
• Passport for foreign citizens, or KTP (Identity card) for Indonesian citizens;
• Certified birth certificate;
• Certified divorce decree (absolute) or death certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages;
• Four 4x6 cm photos, both partners side by side;
• Foreign citizens:
  • 'Letter of No Impediment to Marriage' issued by your Consular Representative for Bali or Indonesia;
• Indonesian citizens:
  • Never married: letter Surat Keterangan Belum Kawin from Kepala Desa or Lurah (mayor);
  • Men aged 18-21 and women aged 16-21: parental letter of consent, signed across the materai/tax stamp Rupiah 2,000.

Before the marriage, you and your fiance(e) also may wish to file with the Civil Registry a prenuptial Property Agreement (Surat Pernyataan Harta) which must be signed before a local Notary Public. This contract is necessary if you wish to hold property separately during the marriage. In the absence of such a document, Indonesian marriage law assumes joint ownership of property, and subsequent property acquisitions by the Indonesian partner will be regulated according to the laws restricting foreign property ownership.

Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required. They must show the originals and present photocopies of their passports if they are foreign citizens or KTP (identity cards) if they are Indonesian citizens. Civil Registry employees can act as witnesses.

The Civil Registry office has a Mandatory Waiting Period of 10 working days from the date of filing. This waiting period may be waived for tourists presenting a guest registration form (Form A).

Islamic Marriage Certificates (Buku Nikah) issued by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) are legally valid in Indonesia and do not require registration with any other agency if you are going to live in Indonesia. However, if you might move somewhere else in the future (and who knows?), get a marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry and an officially certified translation right away (see below).

All other Marriage Certificates will be issued by the Civil Registry usually on the same or next day. A sworn English translation of the marriage certificate should be obtained for use abroad. It is not necessary for the marriage certificate or translation to be registered by your Consular Agency. However, to have the sworn translation of the marriage certificate verified or a special translation made by the Consulate of your home country or the Consulate of your country of residence might prove useful.

WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

Please visit baliweddingplanners.com, our associated Wedding Co-ordinator, for additional Bali wedding arrangements such as more elaborate ceremonies, handling of legal formalities, rental of bridal dresses, hair styling, make-up, flowers, dancers & musicians, photo & video shooting etc.

Special Bali Honeymoon Accommodation
No matter if you want to stay at a romantic private villa, a resort on the beach or a secluded hotel, Balivillas.com can arrange just the right honeymoon accommodation to meet your needs and make your honeymoon truly special and memorable.

Bali After Dark

Night life in Bali starts late, which means around midnight. Many visitors wonder where crowds of expats suddenly come from around 1:00 in the morning – even when all of Kuta has been very quiet during the whole evening, the IN-places often become crowded after midnight.

There's a simple explanation: during the early evenings many of Bali's night owls either still work, visit friends at home, or simply sleep. Most of them visit pubs, bars, or discos only in the early morning hours. Therefore, if you plan a night out don't start your dinner too early. Between 9:00 p.m. and midnight there are not many places we can recommend.

Visitors looking for company don't need to worry. Wherever you go in Sanur and the Kuta area, there are many other single travellers with the same problem around – day and night. In Bali's discos you'll meet also many "kupu kupu malams" ("night butterflies" or working girls) and young boys who compete with the females and service all sexes. All taxi drivers know the more popular karaoke bars and massage parlours in Kuta and Denpasar, and the various "Houses of ill Repute" in Sanur's narrow back lanes.

As reported in the BALI travel FORUM: "Prostitution is illegal in Bali. However, like in many countries, everyone turns a blind eye. Many girls can be found in nightclubs and bars in most areas. They look usually just like the girl next door, albeit with a bit more make up on, and they usually dress to please the eye. For the most part, they are gentle, easy to be with, and a lot of fun if you want to dance, drink and have a little fun with. Most will be yours for the whole night for about 500,000 Rupiah although prices range from 200,000 Rupiah to 1,500,000 Rupiah and more – depending on the season, the time of night and the situation".

SANUR & NUSA DUA

Some quite popular places in Sanur are the BORNEO PUB on Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the TROPHY PUB in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel. Both, however, close around 1:00 a.m.

The discos and pubs in Nusa Dua's 5-star hotels are often rather empty. They are mostly frequented by those visitors who stay in-house and are too tired to make the 30 minutes drive to Kuta.

THE "KUTA" AREA

Everybody looking for some action and fun in the evening goes to "Kuta" which nowadays means the area extending about 4 miles or 7 kilometers North from the original village of Kuta and includes now Legian, Seminyak and even Basangkasa. Here are most of the better entertainment places offering EVERYTHING single male or female visitors as well as couples might be looking for.

There are several places such as CASABLANCA etc. – down-market open-air pubs and very noisy discos full of stoned Aussies courting Javanese "Kupu Kupu Malams". PEANUTS Discotheque on Jalan Raya Legian at the Jalan Melasti corner (about the border between Kuta and Legian) has been re-opened very soon after it was gutted by a fire. The huge (air-conditioned) dance floor is often crowded, guests are a mix of locals and younger foreign visitors.

Closer to the center of Kuta you find the BOUNTY SHIP with a noisy, over-air-conditioned disco in the basement and the re-built PADDY'S not far from the original PADDY'S. Much more "IN" nowadays is the newer M-BAR-GOwhich features really good music and a better crowd than most other places.SKY GARDEN is also on the main road and an interesting place to go. The bar is on the top floor, the three storeys below feature all different lounge areas. The menu is huge but the food is often disappointing. When most places close around 2.00 or 3.00 in the morning, night owls of all kinds continue drinking at nearby MAMA'S until sunrise.

For a somewhat more civilized evening out, you can have dinner and a couple of drinks at the bar at either TJ's or KORI in Kuta, at the open street side bar at NERO Bali right opposite AROMAS Restaurant in Kuta, at the re-builtMACCARONI CLUB in Kuta, at MADE'S WARUNG in Basangkasa (see BALI - Restaurants to Enjoy), or at the trendy HU'U Bar & Lounge near the Petitenget temple, LA LUCIOLA and THE LIVING ROOM.

One of the most "in" venues in Bali is KU DE TA right on the beach adjacent to the Oberoi hotel. This is the place to see and be seen, and from late afternoon there is a DJ providing rather noisy entertainment for Bali's beautiful people. This is a great place to watch Bali's famous sunsets, but expect to pay for a cocktail around US$10 and more.

Something more outrageous and only for open-minded people are the HULU CAFE shows in Garlic Lane between Jalan Padma and Jalan Melasti in Kuta/Legian, a place which called itself the "only real gay bar in all of Bali"with drag shows starting at 11:00 p.m. three times per week. The performances are actually kind of funny! Since the original HULU CAFE burnt down in 2008, the shows are now performed at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the BALI BEACH SHACK in the same lane

You'll find a large and quite popular HARD ROCK CAFE right at the beginning of Kuta's beach road with live music from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Expect to find many singles of all kinds here looking for company. If you think this is too noisy, too crowded, or the air-conditioning too cold for you, try the CENTER STAGE at the HARD ROCK RESORT located in the back of the CAFE. As the name implies, the band performs on a raised stage in the middle of the huge round lobby bar until 11:00 p.m. Both HARD ROCK outlets are expensive by Bali standards.

The JAYA PUB on the main road in Seminyak features also live music and attracts many Indonesian customers who don't mind the chilling air-conditioning and the sometimes horrible bands and singers. MANNEKEPIS, a pleasant Belgian pub/restaurant right opposite the QUEEN'S TANDOOR in Seminyak, features live Jazz on Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays and serves good meals at reasonable prices.

Seminyak's best place to have a drink and some fun after 11 p.m. are nowadays probably OBSESSION World Music Bar and SANTA FEE Bar & Grill, Jalan Abimanyu (also known as Gado Gado Road or Jalan Dhyana Pura). Life music, reasonably priced cocktails and the friendly girls attract many visitors until the early hours. Other popular night spots nearby in the same street are SPY BAR, LIQUID, Q BAR and MIXWELL ("for the alternative lifestyle"), SPACE and THE GLOBE. New bars and "Chill-Out Lounges" are opening all the time, and most of them feature DJ's and/or live music on certain nights. Just walk down the road and check them out !

Later, from 2:00 a.m., it's party time at the SYNDICATE, BACIO andDOUBLE SIX, a large open-air disco with several bars, big dance floor, and many tables. All three are located next to each other on the beach in Seminyak and charge an entrance fee of 30,000 to 100,000 Rupiah (depending on the day) for which you get a voucher for a free drink. Here and in nearby DEJA VU and LA VITA LOCA you'll find most of Bali's night owls drinking and dancing the night away until 4:30 a.m. or so. (The legendaryGADO GADO Disco has been re-converted into a restaurant.)

Also, watch out for notices and small posters in Kuta and Seminyak announcing special events such as Full Moon Parties, House Warming Parties, Body Painting Parties, etc, etc. If these "parties" are announced to the public (even if only by word-of-mouth), they are open for everybody. You'll have to pay for your drinks, therefore, don't be shy.

MONEY MATTERS

The Indonesian Rupiah is the local currency, normally abbreviated to Rp followed by the value. Denominations of Rp.50 and 100 are in the form of coins, Rp.100, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills, and Rp.5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 are only available in bills. Values below Rp.50 are rarely seen except as change and are often substituted by sellers with sweets in lieu of change.

In Bali, carry a handful of Rp.10,000 to Rp.100,000 notes for your daily expenses. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea. Take note though, most mid-range hotels, all top-end hotels and some tourist attractions, car rental agencies and tour companies list their prices in US dollar. The Rupiah is still acceptable in these establishments but the exchange rate is usually more advantageous to the vendor than the tourist.

Changing Money

Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveler's checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorized money changers (PT. Central Kuta is highly recommended).

The US dollar is the preferred foreign currency in Bali; bring always new, clean bank notes which are not damaged in any way. If for instance a corner is missing or someone scribbled something on an otherwise perfect bill, hardly anybody will accept it at full value.

Exchange rates offered by money changers are generally better than by the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are faster. For US$100 notes better exchange rates are offered than for US$10 or US$20 bills.

Avoid hole-in-the-wall operators by all means, and always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange as many money changers advertising better rates charge a commission. Count the money you receive carefully (Rp.10,000 and Rp.100,000 notes look similar), and never ever hand it back to the money changer after you counted it!

Some of these guys are magicians, and the million you just counted suddenly is less than 700,000 Rupiah after the seller touched the bank notes again!

Plastic Money

Many shops accept credit cards and charge cards but often add 3-5 percent to your bill. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by most of the bigger businesses. The amount signed for and charged is in Rupiah and the bill is then converted by the clearing banks to your domestic currency.

Automatic Teller Machines are mushrooming all over the island, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. Most of them are connected to international banking networks thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network.

Banks

Most major banks have branches in the main tourist centers and provincial capitals. Banking hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and until 11 a.m. on Saturdays.