With
a reputation as being one of the most beautiful and diverse tourist
spots in Asia, Bali attracts almost 3,000,000 visitors a year, from all
around the world. Geographically, Bali lies between the islands of Java
and Lombok. Bali is small, stretching approximately 140 km from east to
west and 80 km from north to south. The tallest of a string of volcanic
mountains that run from the east to the west, is Gunung Agung, which
last erupted in 1963. Lying just 8º south of the Equator, Bali boast a
tropical climate with just two seasons (wet and dry) a year and an
average annual temperature of around 28º C. The wide and gently sloping
southern regions play host to Bali’s famed rice terraces, among some of
the most spectacular in the world. In the hilly, northern coastal
regions, the main produce is coffee, copra, spices, vegetables, cattle
and rice.
The Balinese have strong spiritual roots and despite the large influx of
tourist over the years, their culture is still very much alive. The
main religion is Agama Hindu Dharma, and although originally from India,
the Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese
and ancient indigenous beliefs and different from the Hinduism practiced
in India today.
Naturally creative, the Balinese have traditionally used their talents
for religious purpose and most of the beautiful work to be seen here,
has been inspired by stories from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics.
The majority of Bali’s 4,000,000 people live, for the most part, in
tight village communities with large extended families. The largest
towns are the capital Denpasar, and Singaraja in the north. The main
tourist area stretches from Kuta to Seminyak. Kuta became a major
attraction during the tourist boom of the 0’s, because of its famed
white-sand beaches, the surf, and the stunning sunsets.
Today, the Kuta to Seminyak stretch is a major tourist destination, with
hundreds of hotels, bars, restaurant and shops. Those in search of a
little peace and quite tend to head for the more sedate resorts of Sanur
and Candi Dasa, on the east coast, or Lovina in the north. Nusa Dua, on
the southern-most peninsula of the island, houses many five star
hotels. The central village of Ubud, in the hilly region of Gianyar, has
also blossomed as a tourist attraction and is now considered to be the
artistic and cultural centre of Bali. 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.
Belimbing Rice Terraces
Belimbing village located at Tabanan Regency approximately 77 Km to the west part of Bali. It is situated in plateau area with rice terraces and Mount Batukaru as a back drop. Rice fields terraced vast stretches all the way Belimbing village to Singaraja, truly breathtaking scenery and we could feel how the live of Balinese people in indigenous mountain.
Taman Ayun
Pura Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot temple located at Beraban village, Kediri District, Tabanan regency. Approximately 30 Km west of Denpasar city. The temple was built on the huge rock of shore on sixteenth century due a holly journey of Dang Hyang Nirartha the priest from East of Java around Bali and one day he spent the night on this huge rock than he felt spiritual contact with heavenly spirit. On the following day he asked to the local people to built a temple on the huge rock and this temple name Tanah Lot which mean a piece of land on the sea. This temple dedicated to Dewa Baruna, the God of the sea.
On some cliff niches around the temple, live a sea snakes striped black and white and is seen by a local people as belonging to the Gods and as a guardian of the site. The best time to visit this temple during sunset time.
Pura Uluwatu
Uluwatu Temple is one of the six most important temples in Bali, located at Pecatu village, sub-district Kuta, it's about 25 km to the south from Denpasar city. This temple is situated on a high cliff about 80 meters above sea level, surrounded by a secret forest Alas Kekeran inhabited a macaques monkey.
Based on the book ejection Usana Bali, the construction of this temple was started by Mpu Kuturan in the 11th century, during the reign of king Udayana. Mpu Kuturan is a historical figure and one of the king's adviser at the time. Later in the 16th century, during the reign of Dalem Waturenggong (1460-1552 AD) Danghyang Nirartha expand this temple building, after he is appointed as a royal priest and adviser to the king. The beautiful sunset can be seen from this place in the mix with the Kecak dance which breaks the silence.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave located at Bedulu village, sub-district Blahbatuh, Gianyar regency, it's about 27 km from Denpasar city. The cave build on the bank of two meeting point Kali Pangkung and Petanu river. Base on the book of Negarakertagama written by Mpu Prapanca, the word Goa Gajah may derived from Lwa or lwah/loh mean river, the hermitage place for Buddhist monk that situated at Gajah river. The inscription of Saka 1103 issued by the king Shri Jaya Pangus mention that Air Gajah is the hermitage place for Siwa monk. From the illustration above it can be concluded that Goa Gajah is the former of hermitage place for Hindu Siwa and Buddha. The cave shaped a "T" letter, it's about 15 niches carved on the wall, at each end there is Tri Lingga exactly at the east end, opposite the Ganesha statue at the west end.
Based on the book ejection Usana Bali, the construction of this temple was started by Mpu Kuturan in the 11th century, during the reign of king Udayana. Mpu Kuturan is a historical figure and one of the king's adviser at the time. Later in the 16th century, during the reign of Dalem Waturenggong (1460-1552 AD) Danghyang Nirartha expand this temple building, after he is appointed as a royal priest and adviser to the king. The beautiful sunset can be seen from this place in the mix with the Kecak dance which breaks the silence.
Goa Gajah
