Bali, The Best Spa

This year ahead of Nyepi dated March 26, Island of the Gods again received an award. This time, the award comes from the magazine Senses in Europe. A total of 60,000 readers of Bali as declared the Best Spa Destination in the World 2009.

This award was received at the Wellness Award 2009 in Berlin, Germany, on March 12, received by the Director General Budpar Sapta Nirwandar, and today was given to the Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika by the Minister Jero Wacik Budpar Wiswa Sabha House, Denpasar.

Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Spa Mooryati Soedibyo proud, and stated that this could boost tourist visits. This motivates the standardization and development of manpower in the spa industry.

According to him, spas in Indonesia, especially Bali is unique. Bali Governor Mangku Pastika hope, the people of Bali are not carried away with this award. "Our work is still a lot," he said.

Several times Balinese among other international awards as the world's best tourism destination magazine Travel and Leasure. This award was obtained six times in a row until 2008.

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Bali Art (Culture)

Everybody in Bali seems to be an artist. Coolies and, princes, priests and peasants, men and women alike, can dance, play musical instruments, paint, or carve in wood and stone. It was often surprising to discover that an otherwise poor and dilapidated village harbored an elaborate temple, a great orchestra, or a group’ of actors of repute.

One of the most famous orchestras in Bali is to be found in the, remote mountain village of Selat, and the finest dancers of legong were in Saba, an unimportant little village bidden. among the rice fields.

Villages such as Mas, Baiuan, Gelgel, are made up of families of painters, sculptors, and actors, and Sanur produces, besides priests and witcb-doctors, fine story-tellers and dancers. In Sebatu, another isolated mountain village, even the children can carve little statues from odd bits of wood, some to be used as bottle-stoppers, perches for birds, handles, but most often simply absurd little human figures in comic attitudes, strange animals, birds of their own invention, frogs, snakes, larvae of insects, figures without reason or purpose, simply as an outlet for. their creative urge. In contrast to the devil-may-care primitive works of Sebatu are the super-refined, masterful carvings from Badung, Ubud, Pliatan, and especially those by the family of young Brahmanas from Mas who turn out intricate statues of hard wood or with equal ability paint a picture, design a temple gate, or act and dance.

Painting,sculpture, and playing on musical instruments are arts by tradition reserved to the men, but almost any woman can weave beautiful stuffs and it is curious that the most intriguing textiles, those in which the dyeing and weaving process is so complicated that years of labour are required to, complete a scarf, are made by the women of Tenganan, an ancient village of six hundred souls who are so conservative that they will not maintain connections with the rest of Bali and who punish with exile who ever dares to marry outside the village.

The main artistic activity of the women goes into the making of beautiful offerings for. the gods. These are intricate structures of cut-out palm leaf, or pyramids of fruit, flowers, cakes, and cat even roast chickens, arranged with splendid taste, masterpieces of composition in which the relative form of the elements: employed, their -texture and color are taken into consideration. I have seen monuments, seven feet in height, made ~ entirely, of roasted pig’s meat on skewers, decorated into shapes cut out, of the waxy fat of the pig and surmounted with banners and little umbrellas of the lacy stomach tissues, the whole relieved by the vivid vermilion of chili peppers. Although women of all ages have always taken part in the ritual offering dances, in olden times only little girls became dancers and actresses-, but today beautiful girls take part in theatrical performances, playing the parts of princesses formerly performed exclusively by female impersonators. (baliexplorer.com)

Balinese Ceremony and Ritual

It is said there is never a day in Bali without a ceremony of some kind and if you include all the life cycle rites (baby ceremonies, puberty rites, weddings, cremations,Temple festivals), then this adage is probably true. There are definitely certain times that are “ceremony-heavy” such as the full moons in April and October and the high holy days of Galungan (see below for more info). Balinese religion (called Agama Hindu Dharma) consist of three primary elements: Hinduism based on what is practiced in India but differing substantially from those traditions, animism (where every living thing has a soul) and ancestor worship (the Balinese deify their ancestors after a proscribed process of cleansing has been done).

Temple festivals are held on the anniversary of when the temple in question was consecrated. This could be an annual event, held on a new or full moon or more likely every 210 days, based on the wuku system, a complex calculation of overlapping days of confluence, some being more “powerful” than others (think of Friday the 13th).

An Odalan or temple ceremony usually lasts for three days, but larger ones (which occur every 5, 10, 30 or 100 years) can last for 11 days or longer. The gist of what is happening here is that the Balinese are honoring the deities that rule over the temple by giving them a myriad of offerings, performances of vocal music, dance and gamelan music. They invite them down from their abode on Mount Agung to partake in the activities.

The temple is dressed up in colorful golden clothes, the images of the deities are taken to the local holy spring to be bathed and dressed in their best, shrines are cleaned, performances are rehearsed, committees are formed and then the big day arrives. Usually people take their offerings to the temple in the late afternoon, after the heat of the day has gone, and everyone's work and school obligations are over.

The offerings, consisting of fruits, rice cakes and flowers, are brought in on women's heads and placed at strategic points around the temple. These are blessed with holy water by the temple Pemangku or priest. The pilgrims then pray, are blessed with and drink holy water and then take the offerings home to share with their families. The gods have taken the sari or essence of the offerings, leaving the “leftovers” for the humans to consume. In the evenings, there could be spectacular performances of music and dance by local groups.

Since every village has at least three major temples (and often many more than that), there is always some kind of community religious activity going on. Aside from the village temple festivals, every household compound's family temple (mrajan/sanggah) also has its ceremony every 210 days.

Aside from the Odalan, there are a dozen or so life and death cycle rites that are performed throughout a child's life:

1. Gedong-gedongan : this is done in the 8th month (Gregorian calendar/7th month Balinese calendar) of pregnancy to ask blessings for an easy birth. The pregnant woman and her husband wade into the river, where eels and small fish are placed face down on her protruding belly to show the baby the right way out!
2. Birth: Only the husband and the midwife/doctor are allowed to hold the placenta or after birth. This is washed and then buried on the right (if the baby is a boy) side of the northern pavilion or left (if a girl). With it are buried a comb, a dance fan, a pen, a book—whatever the family wishes the child will grow up to enjoy.The parents are not allowed to go into the kitchen for three days.
3. Three Days after birth: the parents undergo a simple cleansing ritual so they can go into the kitchen
4. Rorasin: 12 days after the birth the umbilical cord has usually fallen off. This is placed in a special shrine dedicated to Kumara, the Guardian of Babies.
5. 42-day ceremony: Once a baby has reached this age, a rather large ritual is performed for her/him. This is to ensure that her/his development will continue unhindered. One of the things done at this time is that a baby chick and baby duck are brought in to peck off/dust off cooked rice that is on the baby's third eye. This is to show the child how to use her hands and feet as well as her mouth to gather food, as the animals do. She is placed under a cockfighting basket where she grabs items that have previously been placed into a clay pot. It is said that whatever she grabs is her vocation.
6. Three month ceremony: This is also quite a grand ceremony that all the relatives and neighbors are invited to. This marks the first time a child touches the ground for the first time (he is carried everywhere previously). In some villages, this is when the child is “replaced” by a dressed up eggplant or cucumber. The priest sings the praises of the the eggplant so that spirits of chaos that might be lurking around will follow the eggplant when it's thrown out the front door, while the real baby stays protected.
7. Odalan or six months (210 days) ceremony. This is the baby's birthday and will be celebrated ritually every 6 months. But no birthday cakes here!
8. Three odalans is traditionally when the child has her or his hair cut off and head shaved to represent purity.
9. Menek kelih or puberty. Not all castes perform this ceremony. It happens when the girl gets her period and the boy's voice cracks. They are paraded around the village announcing to all that they are now adults (and in the olden days, ready to marry)
10. Tooth filing: In their late teens, Balinese get the top middle teeth filed; this symbolizes the filing away of greed, anger, lust, drunkenness, envy and confusion.
11. Wedding: the ultimate fusion of male and female
12. Death: within death, there are a number of rites. The first is the ritual cleansing of the corpse by the family and the banjar (neighborhood), then comes the burial or the cremation (if the family can afford to cremate right away, they will choose that option) and then the post-crematory purification rites where the soul becomes a deity that shall be worshipped in the family temple. (WWW.BALISPIRIT.COM)

Bali Clubbing and Nightlife

The Bali-nightlife is mainly focused on Kuta and Seminyak. The first one with its main road the Jalan Legian, these days world famous because of the bombings, is meeting point for tourists and backpackers from all over the world and thus offers a music mix, which you can consider to be mainstream.

Lets begin with the “Bounty”, the outside similar to an old wooden ship, the atmosphere similar to the “Ballermann” and a Karaoke-stage in the front which is to be frequented not only by the Japanese. The music played is a mix of the top 100 charts of the last five years that makes the topless Australian surfer dance.....

A thing the “Bounty” has in common with the “Mbargo”, another Club to be found in Jalan Legian, is the entrance fee only locals have to pay. The music is more focused on “blackbeat”, but the later it gets, the worse gets the music. It happens quite often that you are thrown out with electro sounds in order to be in the right mood of going to another club owned by the same guy, the “double six club”, which I will tackle later.

Between “Mbargo” and “Bounty” you can find the “Apache”, that is the one Reggae Bar to be found on Bali. All the times I have been in there it was not crowded at all, but the drinks are very cheap and the music different and sometimes even good.

On the opposite site of the “Mbargo”, but still the Jalan Legian, you will find the “Fuel”, a thing that cannot decide itself what it wants to be. The subtitle is “Eat, drink and groove”, but the food was cancelled, due to too little customers and often the music is anything else but groovy as it is mainly frequented by locals that like to listen to harder sounds, before they go to other clubs.

On the way to Jalan 66 you may pass by at the “Wave Club”, that combines a space interior with rock music. Maybe due to that divergence I have never seen this club crowded, but you may listen to some good live music there.

Arrived in Jalan 66 you may have a look at “Dejavu”, “66” and the “Paparazzi”, all world class clubs. As I was there in the off season, the “Dejavu” was dressed in black light and prostitutes, looking to the beach with its open front. Famous may be the silver female robot statue, that devides the dance floor. The music is house in all sub genres. You will listen to minimal but also funky vocal house. The sound is quite good and the people dance, which may be a result of the drugs they take.

The “Paparazzi” is a new club aiming at the upper class Ex-Pats and Locals. Thus long trousers and a full wallet are necessary. The prevailing music is house, sometimes funky, sometimes deeper and again dependent on the audience. In my opinion the “Paparazzi” is one of the most beautiful clubs in Bali with a nice and friendly atmosphere, a pity that the drinks are quite expensive.

The “66” is maybe the most popular clubs in South East Asia, which is for sure not due to the interior, as it looks similar to a huuuuge bamboo hut with swimmingpool and Bungy-Tower, but to the excellent marketing, the very good reputation and the marvelous sound system. But do not come too early, because the “Double Six” is getting crowded at 3 o´clock, if you are lucky. But than 1000 people are to be found dancing to very progressive and trance sounds. Many of them might be on drugs or prostitutes. Be aware of the Ladyboys, that make up to 40% of them.

The three last mentioned clubs are frequented by international top acts in the main season and guarantee a lot of fun!

The next street, the Jalan Dyana Pura, is usually crowded with the gay community, that knows how to party. Drag queen contests, motto parties and a huge amount of nice bars and clubs (“Kudos” and “Q-bar”…) assure that the evening will not be boring at all. Women are let alone, while the men may be chat up, thus an unusual experience for both sexes. It is to say that “Kudos” hosts the most advanced sound system and DJ-equipment on the whole island and you can really hear the difference.

Going back by foot you will pass the “Bar Bahiana” that tempts with latino sounds, a nice warm atmosphere, a lot of Italian and Spanish people and maybe the best cocktails in town. Some days in a week, there are offered Salsa and Meringue lessons and live percussion, which will make you sweat and enjoy the evening!

Last but not least is to mention the “Hu´u Bar”, a very nice pre-clubbing facility dedicated to the upper class Ex-Pat community, as well. The interior is stylish and as clean as in Singapore, as the management is Singaporean. The music is normally dance classics and oldies accompanied with live percussion. The later the evening, the more house is to be played but you can be sure that Dj Johnny is choosing the tunes that make you dance. A disadvantage may be the first cover charge at weekends. All customers have to pay about 10€ to enter the “Hu´u Bar”. Overall a nice place to go and to meet a lot of exciting people, but think of a full wallet.

Postscript:
The Hardrock-Hotel offers next to the biggest Swimming-Area a respectable mix of live bands and top acts that are not only known in Indonesia. The music is Rock. The atmosphere is nice and friendly.

The “Kamasutra” may be the most expensive clubbing facility on Bali offering international known top acts and really good and loud live music. The interior is very nice, the atmosphere very good and it is always packed. “Kamasutra” is a place to start the clubbing and spend a lot of money for good drinks.

Dives like the “Skandals” and other strange Karaoke-Bars where drugs are consumed in the same amount as drinks better leave out and do not support this kind of business.

The “DJ-Café”, the post clubbing place if you want to go to some other place when even the double six is closed is a dark place with a brilliant sound and nice people and the latest music concerning electronica and deep house. If you are not tired, this is the place to go..

I recommend everyone who is coming to Bali to get the Beat magazine, the event and clubbing guide for Bali, which is for free. Club names and places change quite fast and I cannot guarantee the topicality of my report. You may find a lot of different smaller and nice places as well. I could not go everywhere! Check out “Kudeta” and “Gaydeta”, really nice places for sunset lovers. In the main season it may be very different as well, other clubs may be more crowded and thus more attractive to visit

Bali Zoo Park

Situated in the cultural heart of Bali, the zoo is only 15 minutes drive from Ubud, and 45 minutes from the tourist areas of Kuta, Tuban, Legian and Seminyak. The sandy white beaches of Sanur are only 20 minutes' drive away or a 1 hour drive from Nusa Dua Resort.

Open Daily: 9am to 9pm. Every day of the year (except Nyepi - Balinese day of silence).

Entry fee:

* Adult: USD 20 * Child (2 - 14yrs): USD 10
* Infants under 2 years: Free
* Family Pass (2 adults & 2 children): USD 54.50

Domestic/KITAS holder entry

* Adult: Rp55.000
* Child (2 - 14yrs): Rp27.500
* Infants 0 - 2yrs: Free


Dining Facilities

Try our first class restaurant, Starbhoga, for a mouth-watering meal. All tastes are catered for. For snacks and cold drinks, we have small stalls located throughout the zoo grounds.

If you would prefer to bring your own food, we also have a new BBQ and picnic area available for your use.

Bali Fruits

The exotic, interesting fruits of Bali, and indeed the rest of Asia, are one of the best reasons for visiting. Bananas, coconuts and pineapples are well known - although you may not be prepared for the numerous varieties of bananas that are available.

The mangoes and papayas or pawpaws, which are now available in the West, are better in Bali. They have their seasons. Others are not available outside the tropics because they do not travel well and may not even be known outside Bali.

Tasty, interesting fruits are:

Durian :
The durian legendary is in the tropics. People either love it or hate it. It has an obnoxious smell and frightening appearance, weighs about 3 or 4 kilograms and is covered in large spikes. It is yellowish-green and has a hard shell. A creamy white pulp covers the seeds, which is what people eat.

Very good durians are for sale on the Kedewatan road from Ubud to Ponggang at the beginning of the rainy season in November.

Mangosteen :
Everyone likes this delicious sweet fruit. Queen Victoria offered to knight the first person who could get it to England in an edible condition. Nobdy succeeded. The shell is deep purple. It is a bit hard and has to be twisted or cut off to reveal four or five segments of brilliant white fruit. The season starts in December.

Lychee :
These are a native of South China. Payangan is the only place in Bali where they are cultivated. They taste acidic-sweet, rather like a grape. The season is late November. The bright red clusters of fruit are very attractive to fruit-eating bats, which usually get there first and finish them in one night.

Papaya :
These are known as pawpaws in the West. They are bigger in the tropics. The flesh is pink and rich in vitamin A. They are eaten at breakfast. There is no season.

Mango :
Mangoes are particularly good in Bali. The season starts in September. They can be big. The best way to cut them is in four lengthwise cuts and then peel. Mango juice is good.

Rambutan :
This red, hairy fruit grows in bunches in tall trees. Its name means "hairy", which describes it well. Take off the skin and eat the white, refreshing acid-sweet flesh that covers the single seed. The season starts in December.

Jackfruit :
These big, heavy, yellow fruits are very unusual and versatile. They be fried or eaten raw. They can also be cooked when they look like chunky pieces of meat. They are therefore ideal for vegetarians. They are the largest of all tropical fruits and weigh as much as 50 kilos.
The skin and protective white covering must be removed. Jackfruit juice tastes good. Jackfruit wood is yellow, easy to carve and is used for making wooden stands for musical instruments in the gamelan orchestra.

Pomelo :
The grapefruit is a descendant of the pomelo. Pomelos are bigger than grapefruits. The flesh is coarse and needs to be cut away to reveal the pomelo segments. They are bigger, sweeter and have a more subtle taste than a grapefruit.

Salak :
This fruit looks like a pear and has a reddish-brown, snake-like, scaly skin, which is easily peeled off to reveal crunchy, slightly astringent, white flesh. It grows in east Bali.

Star fruit: Blimbing
This yellowish-green five starred fruit is crisp and usually sweet.

Sirzak :
This large fruit is green on the outside, white on the inside, with an acidic-sweet taste.

Kuta Karnival – 9 Days of Fun on the Beach October 18-26, 2008.

Following the first Kuta Karnival held in 2003, this will represent the sixth year for the festivities which now garners national and international press coverage. The 2008 Karnival will also feature Balinese dance competitions, environmental conservation exhibits, a fun cycle show, seminars and a mass street parade. Based on past years, the Kuta Karnival is expected to draw more than 90,000 people.

Some of the highlights of this year’s Kuta Karnival:

1. Opening Ceremony - Held on the first day of the event, this day will be marked by a traditional Sekar Jagat dance and “Bali Paddle for Peace” in which 1,000 surfers will take to the ocean to spread flower pedals on the waves. 500 turtles will also be released back into the local seas.

2. Food Festival - Tentatively set for day 8 and 9 of the Kuta Karnival more than 60 of Bali’s best restaurants will set up kiosks along Kuta Beach. A children’s play area will be in operation and live entertainment will be on offer from a central stage during these two days when more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.

3. Tebs Shocking Games - Tebs will be offering samples of their beverages and a number of adventure activities including rope climbing and rope games offered under the careful supervision of the professionals from Tree Top Bedugul.

4. Beach Volley Ball Competitions - Volley Ball competitions between both local and international teams at the competition arena on each day of the Kuta Karnival.

5. Beach Soccer - Held on “Surf Family Day” informal soccer matches for all those who wish to take part.

6. Sand Creations - School children will have the opportunity to compete for prizes as they display their ability to build sand-based sculptures.

7. Life Guard Demonstrations - See life-saving techniques demonstrated by the Kuta Life Saving Association.

8. Surfing and Body Building - Competitions to be held at “Halfway Point” on Kuta Beach.

9. Skate Ramp - Bali’s landmark skate arena located on the beach will allow everyone a chance to try their skill at skateboarding. Day 3 will be dedicated to a final skate boarding competition.

10. Tug-of-War- See companies, clubs and community groups compete.

11. Traditional Dance and Music - Scheduled for every afternoon of the Karnival - a different traditional Balinese dance each day.

12. Surfer Girl Balinese Dance Competition - Traditional dance competition for children.

13. Traditional Kite Flying - Scheduled for day 2, some 3,200 kites are targeted to participate. at the Bali Garden Hotel.

14. Arts Attractions - Alumni from Bali’s Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) will perform during the Karnival.

15. Bali Islamic Festival - Islamic-themed activities will be on offer at the Discovery Shopping Mall.

16. Beach Stalls - Local merchants and organization offering knowledge and goods from their bazaar stalls stretched along the beach.

17. Suzuki Music Festival - scheduled for each day of the Karnival, see new products and national bands perform.

18. IndieFez XL - Sponsored by XL on the music stage, Day 5.

19. Cardinal Awards - A competition between local bands and models. Winners will compete in Bandung, West Java in a national competition later in the year.

20. Karnival Parade - Set for the last day of the Karnival in the parade will include decorated floats, roller skaters, cyclists, big bikes, antique cars, gamelan orchestras, and horse-drawn carts.

21. Jalan Santai - A fun walks by more than 2,000 people through Kuta Beach.

The Games (Asian Beach Games)

VENUES


Asian Beach Games in Bali




Kuta Beach Cluster (CKB)

Body Building
Dragon Boat Racing
Surfing



Nusa Dua - Benoa Cluster (CNB)

Water Polo
Beach Kabaddi
Beach Basketball
Beach Wrestling
Beach Pencak Silat
Jetski Sport
Paragliding
Woodball



Sanur Beach Cluster (CSB)

Beach Volleyball
Beach Sepaktakraw
Beach Handball
Beach Soccer
Marathon Swimming
Triathlon



Serangan Island Cluster (CSI)

Sailing
Windsurfing

Bali Butterfly Park Taman Kupu Kupu in Bali

You will find numerous tourist places for Sightseeing in Bali, which is known as the last paradise on earth. You will get detail information about what to do in Bali from the Bali Travel Guide. Bali is a popular holiday destination for many reasons. You will be fascinated by captivating sea beaches of Bali, and some of them are truly breathtaking and will offer you complete privacy. Bali is also a favorite among adventure lovers as it has many swift rivers, forests, caves and cliffs to explore. Those who come to Bali make it a point to visit Bali National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuary and especially the wonderful Bali Butterfly Park Taman Kupu Kupu in Bali.

The Butterfly Park of Bali is not only a park in that sense, but it also gives you a clear picture of the life cycle of butterflies. The Bali Butterfly Park Taman Kupu Kupu in Bali is located 7 km from Tabanan on the way to Panebel. The park is easily accessible from any part of the city by taxi, bus or private car.

The Bali Butterfly Park Taman Kupu Kupu in Bali boast of being the largest in entire Southeast Asia solely devoted to butterflies. You can spend your whole day with family and friends in this park, which is open from 8am-5pm daily.

Spread over 3,500 square meters, this enclosed huge park is perfect for studying ecosystem, breeding and protection of butterflies. You can watch various colorful and exotic kinds of butterflies, including the rare Bird Wing Butterfly. The park guides will give you lots of information about how to conserve them and before leaving collect gift from the special souvenir shop.

Denpasar Art Shop and Local Souvenirs

Fine paintings, had carved wooden statues and screens, silver work, handwoven and painted cottons and silks, batiks, embroidered and other garments for casual wear, leash. and cotton bags, bone carvings, shell ornaments, masks, pottery, ceramics, basketry, sandstone statues, bamboo furniture are available.

Denpasar Art Shop and Local Souvenirs

Wayans Art Shop Raya Celuk Street Phone: (0361) 298012 Versace Art Legian Street 133 C Phone: (0361) 761065 Maroon Gift Shop Dewi Sartika Street 69 Phone: (0361) 751565 Legong Art Shop WR Supratman Street 14 Phone: (0361) 461547 Krisanti Gallery D Tamblingan Street 186 Phone: (0361) 288262 Keraton Bagus Handicraft & Furniture Danau Poso Street 89 Phone: (0361) 282669 Handayani House Of Art Gianyar Street Phone: (0361) 226662 Bali Shop Sahadewa Street 8-G Phone: (0361) 759919 Bali Island Art Legian Street 27 Phone: (0361) 761392 Bali Bunga Art Shop Tunjung Mekar Street 50-X Phone: (0361) 755448	Putri Bali Art Shop Kertanegara Peguyangan Street Phone: (0361) 421056 Pusat Antik By Pass Ngurah Rai Street 5 Phone: (0361) 701471 Puri Agung Meregepati Palace Raya Batubulan Street Phone: (0361) 298051 Pasar Seni Merthanadi Melasti Pasar Seni Street Phone: (0361) 761161 Mutiara Art Bali P Ambon Street 18 Phone: (0361) 249411 Mentari Karya Dewata Shop Raya Legian Kuta Street Phone: (0361) 767266 MC 2 Art Shop Arjuna Street 70 Phone: (0361) 732501 Craft Plus Art Shop Raya Ketewel Street Phone: (0361) 288343 Balibo Art Legian Street 295 Phone: (0361) 758424 Bali & Co Art Shop Melasti Street 18 Phone: (0361) 756249	Srimpi Collection Raya Kuta Street Phone: (0361) 750719 Sonia Art Shop Legian Street 204 Phone: (0361) 751519 Simon Gift Shop Pantai Kuta Street 42 A Phone: (0361) 765076 Seni Bali Art Shop Pratama Tanjung Benoa Nusa Dua Street 89 Phone: (0361) 773520 Sasak Art Raya Celuk Street Phone: (0361) 295124 Samarkanda Gallery Legian Street 363 Phone: (0361) 767362 Putu Art Shop Cemara Street 24 Phone: (0361) 285030 Emi Arts & Souvenirs Sultan Hasanuddin Street 53 Phone: (0361) 483215 Duyung Art shop Denpasar Street Phone: (0361) 281211 Dharma Semadi Art Shop Banjar Celuk Street Phone: (0361) 298031	Trigunt Art Shop Legian Kuta Street Phone: (0361) 767347 Tiquz Lamp Shade & Leather Handicraft Raya Kuta Street 115 Phone: (0361) 762658' Teko Art Shop Taman Mertanadi Street 17 E Phone: (0361) 739354 Swin Art Shop Danau Tamblingan Street 72 Phone: (0361) 289272 Sukaya Art Shop Banjar Celuk Street Phone: (0361) 298090 Sukaya Art Shop Banjar Celuk Street Phone: (0361) 298090 Sriwijaya Art Shop Tangkuban Perahu Street Phone: (0361) 734971 Grace Art Shop Legian Tengah Street 435 Phone: (0361) 750826 Ganni Art Shop Lebak Bene Street 6-X Phone: (0361) 750731 Ganesa Art Sriwijaya Street Phone: (0361) 764855

Around Bali Transport

The main forms of public transport on Bali are the cheap buses, minibuses and bemos (a general term for any vehicle that is used as a public transport which is normally a minibus or van with a row of low seats on each side). They normally run on somewhat set routes within or between towns. Having your own transport can be arranged; there are cars, motorbikes, and bicycles for rent. Tourist shuttle buses that run between major tourist centres are more expensive than public transport but are definitely more comfortable and convenient.

Charter Vans or Mini Buses can be rented at a reasonable cost including petrol and a driver/guide. These are great for parties of 6 or more..

Motorcycles are a popular way to get around Bali. If you decide to rent one, drive slowly and defensively. The cost of hiring a motorcycle is negotiable and varies according to the condition of the machine, length of rental and time of year. Buying insurance is a good idea to avoid being responsible for damages, but be sure to test-drive the motorbike to see that everything is in good working order. A valid International Driving Permit is required or if you forget it you can spend a morning at the Denpasar Police Office to obtain a temporary permit, which lasts for three months, but the process can be a huge hassle. It would be wise to get an International Driving Permit in your own country before you leave home.

Seeing Bali by bicycle has become increasingly popular in recent years and the quality of rental bikes has improved. Some airlines will carry your own bike for free if you would prefer to bring one with you. The most common bikes offered are mountain bikes as their low gear ratios and softer tyres are better suited to Bali.

For something different hop on a traditional dokar. These small horse-drawn carts are still available in Kuta and Denpasar and a short ride costs next to nothing. It’s a novel, if somewhat slow, way to view the passing scenery and is always popular with children.

A helicopter ride is the experience of a lifetime. What better way to fully appreciate every contour, mountain and valley on this wonderfully picturesque tropical island than from the air. Trips vary from long to short and it’s a good way to transverse the island..

Tips - Bali Travel

Bali Tips Travel

The following list has been compiled to help you make the most of your stay in Bali. General things that you should or shouldn't do...

Do...

v be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe and wear your bag across your shoulders!

v change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel's) calculator before changing!

v put on loads of High Factor Waterproof Sun Cream (especially if you intend to spend a lot of time in the water).

v drink a lot of bottled water and eat a lot of fresh fruit - do your body a favor.

v try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).

v respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don't honk!

v haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods.)

v buy 'Immodium' to relieve bouts of Bali belly.

v have a wonderful holiday!

× Don't ...

×...forget to take your passport (or a photocopy of your ID), with you at all times!
×...swim outside designated swimming areas on the beach, currents can be very strong. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
×...do drugs! It can carry the death penalty, and there are enough foreigners residing in Bali courtesy of the Govt. prison service!
×...touch people's heads - it is very offensive to Hindu’s.
×...enter a temple during menstruation. Sorry Ladies!
×...forget to put salt on your food & drink water - you will probably sweat a lot.
×...worry too much about the ice - it's government-quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
×...forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
×..forget to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to flying. Airport Departure Tax is:
International = Rp. 100,000 Domestic = Rp. 30,000

It is important to also note the following:

• The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into a different visa.
• The Visa purchasing system will take approximately 3-5 minutes per applicant.
• There are 6 payment counters, a bank and a money changer set up to process payments
• Once you have paid for and received your visa you will need to proceed to Immigration where your visa will be processed

Citizens of countries not on the visa on arrival or visa free lists will be required to apply for a visa before entering Indonesia.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfill both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country

Currency
The Rupiah. Notes 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000. Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000. Currency Converter

Bali Time
Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

Electricity
Most hotels use 220 volts, 50 cycles and a round, two-pronged slim plug. Bathroom shaver plugs usually have a transformer switch. We suggest taking an adaptor for your appliance.

Getting Around
You will find a range of chauffeur driven limousines, self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis are not metered so it's wise to negotiate the fare before you climb aboard. Bemos are a unique form of transport. They are a mini-van masquerading as a communal bus. You simply hail the driver and negotiate the fare that suits you both. Motorcycles can also be hired in many places but special care should be exercised at all times as road and traffic conditions can be somewhat hazardous in certain locations. Traveling around Bali is made all the easier because everywhere you go you'll find friendly people only too happy to give you advice and directions on how to get where you want to go.

Driver's License
If you wish to hire a car you must be over 18 years of age and posses an International Driver's License or license from ASEAN countries.

Clothing
Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions. Waist sashes should be worn when visiting temples.