Author: Bali Blogger

Civet Coffee Bali

Civet Coffee – Another Amazing Balinese Oddity

By Bali Blogger

On February 29, 2012

In Culture, Tourism

Travelers to luxury villas in Bali love to soak up the local culture and lore, and nothing is so authentically Balinesian as their famous civet-cat coffee. Produced on Sumatra, Java, and Bali, these Sumatran beans are incredibly expensive, but also highly sought after. Because they’re made from civet-cat poop.

No, wait, come back here! You see, civet cats eat coffee beans, which are actually the “seed” in the middle of a kind of berry. As the beans pass through the digestive tract of the civet cat, its enzymes break down peptides and amino acids in the beans – this makes them less acidic and more mellow. The beans are then collected and washed, sun-dried, and light-roasted. They sell for $160 per pound, but coffee fanciers staying in Bali might find a bargain from a local producer.

School Bali

A Student’s-Eye View of Balinese Tourism

By Bali Blogger

On January 16, 2012

In News, Tourism

Any young student should take advantage of that opportune time of their early 20s to travel the world and see the sights. It broadens the mind, stimulates the intellect, and gives you some great stories to tell in your advancing years. And Bali provides one of the best experiences of all.

General Student Info – Actually, it’s also good basics for anybody to know.
A post about a nurse’s student exchange program – Just one example of the opportunities there are out there.

Diver’s World Paradise Bali

Bali – The Diver’s World Paradise

By Bali Blogger

On December 3, 2011

In Beaches, Things To Do, Tourism

Divers worldwide, both amateur and professional, rank Bali as a sublime world-class diving destination. Miles of unspoiled beaches, amazing diverse coral reefs, an unimaginable menagerie of tropical sea life, and the clearest, most crystal-blue water of the mighty Pacific. Oh, did we mention that even the weather’s perfect for it nearly year-round? Whether scuba or snorkel, Bali is Neptune’s gift to divers.

The concentration of best locations are on the east side of the island of Bali, near either the small south-east islands (Lembongan, Ceningan, Penida), or Tulamben to the north-east. But really, you almost can’t go wrong anywhere around Bali. We recommend staying at a beachside luxury villa, many of which cater to the diving enthusiast. The peninsula of Nusa Dua is also popular. Here, we’ll try to give you a YouTube tour of just some of the awesome diving experiences you could have around this jewel of the Pacific.

Villa in Bali

Five Reasons To Stay In A Villa When Visiting Bali

By Bali Blogger

On September 22, 2011

Sure, there are all kinds of ways to enjoy a Balinese vacation. There could be something to be said for almost any kind of temporary residence, because Bali’s such an enjoyable place that you really could stay in a stable and still have a good time. But from surveying a lot of travellers over the years, you’ll find that villas are the overall top-rated accommodation.

1. It’s private.

Hotels are crowded, private lodging is dodgy, and youth hostels are not only dormitory style, but a great place to get your luggage stolen. Bali, as a culture, is generally structured to be a lot more communal than what we Westerners are used to. Villas are the one respite from the hectic, chaotic pace of Balinese cities, and gives you a chance to regroup away from the mobs.

Bali Tourist

How To Visit Bali Like A Responsible Tourist

By Bali Blogger

On September 16, 2011

The Indonesian island of Bali has been one of the most-visited places in the world, and their tourism industry has only shown more expansion and become a more valuable part of their economy as time goes on. But, as anybody who has lived near a popular tourist destination can tell you, all that activity can take a toll on an area. You can help ensure that Bali will continue to welcome visitors by following a few tips:

Be patient and respectful with the locals.

Balinese culture, being relatively isolated, is far different from any other region. It has a heavy spiritual influence, and that spiritualism is usually Hindu, which has its own morals and values. At the same time, the pace may be more hectic because of the cultural attitude of “rame”, which basically means “everybody act like bees in a beehive”. At the same time, the pace can seem slower, because everybody seems more interested in socializing than getting any work done. And then there’s the street vendors and touts, who can be annoyingly persistent. The thing to do is to not take any of this personally, and just try to adjust to the pace around you. You’ll never get anywhere by acting like a bossy Westerner and trying to push people around.

Snorkel Adventure In Tulamben, Bali

A Thrilling Snorkel Adventure In Tulamben, Bali

By Bali Blogger

On April 26, 2011

In Beaches, Things To Do, Tourism

What could possibly make snorkeling of the coast of a tropical paradise into the clear, sparking, sapphire waters of the Pacific even more fun? How about a whole shipwreck to explore? Bali Villa Rent gives an account of snorkeling amid the shipwreck remains. This is a historic site off the coast of Tulamben, on the north-east coast of the island of Bali.

The shipwreck is that of the U.S. Liberty, a United States aircraft carrier that was sunk during World War II, 1942. Today it rests a mere six meters underwater, easily accessible by divers, and has now partly merged with a corral reef. Scuttlebutt around the diving community says that October and November are the best times to dive the wreck, which is located a mere few minutes’ swim from shore.

transport bali

Transportation in Bali

By Bali Blogger

On March 15, 2011

In News, Tourism

Whether your Bali vacation destination is a bustling, major city like Denpasar or Ubud or a quieter, remote locale, getting around town will be a necessity. While Bali, being a relatively small island, doesn’t have things like railways or major freeways, it is a very well-civilized culture in most places with paved roads and traffic laws, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble.

Buses and shuttles – The most common form of transportation, Bali buses are run by the Perama bus company and have stations in most major tourist locations. There is also the newer Trans Sarbagita bus company, set up in 2011 by the Balinese government. Shuttles are also available from most villas and tourist areas, and are cheap and reliable.

A Sweet Tale of One Couple’s Bali Adventure

A Sweet Tale of One Couple’s Bali Adventure

By Bali Blogger

On May 13, 2010

Our hearts were warmed at this post about one couple’s experience in Bali after winning a vacation as a prize. This was a well-deserved rest, because it was the couple’s first vacation in 12 years! They stayed at a resort in Nusa Dua and got the pampered massage-and-spa treatment.

Naturally, they were thrilled partly just because they didn’t have the kids tagging along. But Bali’s still a great place for kids as well, with the beaches, exotic flora and fauna, and natural beauty everywhere. You’d just want to be sure to pry them away from their iPod and Nintendo DS long enough to look out the window.

Ubud Monkey Forest Bali

A Visit To the Ubud Monkey Forest

By Bali Blogger

On April 29, 2010

In Things To Do

Ubud is a major city in south Bali which sees some of Bali’s heaviest tourist traffic, and most of them are there to visit the world-famous Ubud Monkey Forest and sacred monkey temple. This is a truly unique experience, shared by some 10,000 visitors per month.

The monkeys are of the long-tailed Macaque variety, numbering into the hundreds. They typically split up into “troops”, lately about four of them, that take turns roving around and interacting with the visitors. Monkeys are not too territorial but they do have a strong sense of social community, so members of different troops occasionally fight each other. Females stay with the same troop for life; males may migrate from one troop to another.

The Sacred Monkey Forest of Bali

The Sacred Monkey Forest of Bali – Why A Temple?

By Bali Blogger

On March 29, 2010

In Culture, Things To Do

Visiting the Balinese Monkey Forest of Ubud, and the accompanying temples there, is an activity that some 10,000 visitors per month enjoy. But, particularly to the Western mind, the mere existence of a sacred forest, much less the temples, is an enigma. Why build a temple to monkeys, of all things? Do they actually worship monkeys as gods there?

Well, no, they don’t worship monkeys per se. But the explanation requires us to dive deep into the Balinese traditions of Hinduism, which is a pretty complicated subject. Balinese Hinduism differs from other forms of Hinduism in that the Balinese mix in some animism, Buddhism, and ancestor worship. They believe in reincarnation and have a caste system. And they believe that how you live in your present life determines what caste and form you take in the next one. Furthermore, they believe that all life forms, animals, insects, and all, participate in this great universal scheme of reincarnation.

Bali History

By Bali Blogger

On December 17, 2009

In Culture, News

Today Bali is famous for its clean and pristine beaches along with a host of fun and adventure activities. It is interesting to know that some researchers feel that Bali would have maintained the same charm and beauty even before the Ice Age. In the more recent past, Balinese people have come under strong influence of Buddhism, Chinese culture and later Hinduism. Today, even though Indonesia is an Islamic country, Bali retains its own unique Hindu culture.

From Pre- Ice Age Era to 800 BC
It is believed that Bali was the final frontier in the mainland and a place was a magnet for human immigration several millennia ago. In the pre-ice age era, being at the end of the mainland, the sheer beauty and abundance of Bali would have attracted early human settlers. In fact excavations have revealed the existence of Java man or Homo erectus in these islands.

Folkers Bali

Balinese Folklore

By Bali Blogger

On December 2, 2009

You’d probably want to soak up at least some of the local culture when you tour Bali. After all, imagine if you bring home some exotic wood-carving of a Rangda and you’re showing it off on the mantel after you get it home, and somebody asks you what the heck a Rangda is. You don’t want to be stumped, do you?

Antaboga – The “world serpent”. You know that snake in a circle eating its own tail, popular in logos and tattoos? Rooted in the same myth. Antaboga created Bedwang.

weather in bali

How’s the Weather in Bali?

By Bali Blogger

On November 29, 2009

In Beaches, News

Bali is regarded as a tropical paradise, and the climate is the main reason. Year-round temperature ranges from mid-20s to mid-30s C. (68 to 93 degrees F.). This is a generally balmy climate, where snow is almost unheard-of and it’s rare to see anyone bundling up at night in more than a light jacket. At the same time, the hottest it gets is just enough motivation to slap on some sunscreen and grab a cold drink on your way to the beach.

The main rainy season is from December through March. However, parts of Bali can still get rain at other times of the years, while the Bukit Peninsula gets hardly any. In June through September, the weather is warm but not too humid, feeling almost like your living room at the coastal areas.

kuta beech bali

Kuta Beach, Bali

By Bali Blogger

On November 17, 2009

Bali is so plentiful in rich attractions and activities that it’s easy to miss the number-one tourist attraction. Could it be the Sacred Monkey Forest and temple of Ubud, or the majestic temple tour of Tanah Lot? No, actually, by terms of sheer numbers, Kuta Beach, in the far southern reach of Bali, draws the most visitors!

The district of Kuta is a very well-developed city, just like anyplace in the Western world. Its commercial district is densely lined with shops and boutiques, lined with shaggy palm trees. It was the first, out of all Balinese locations, to see the beginning of the tourist boom. Outside of the main town area, called Legian, there is the suburb of Seminyak, where many emigrants settle. There is also the area Tuban, lined with tourist-oriented businesses as well.

dancing bali

Four Things In Bali Culture You Must Experience

By Bali Blogger

On July 29, 2009

In Culture, Things To Do

Those planning a trip to Bali would be well-advised to take the following advice: Don’t just go there to languish in the sun for a weekend on the beach! The island of Bali is one of the world’s most exotic, dynamic, and fascinating cultures, ripe with a dazzling array of local color and a deep culture that will be worth your while to explore. Just off the top, here are some aspects of Balinese culture you ought to at least take in once in your life, just to cross them off your bucket list:

Balinese Dancing Dance ceremonies in Bali stride the line between religious ceremony and deliberate performance art. Bali is a very ancient culture dating back to 2000 BC, and their dances have evolved continuously since that time. Like a stage play or an opera, there’s characters and a story, all with the performers decked out in intricate costumes that will dazzle your eyes. Find out the story behind each traditional dance, and the variations from place to place. You will be fascinated, and maybe even pick up a few lessons from Balinese beliefs. One good site on Balinese dance here.

Bali | A Paradise on Earth

By Bali Blogger

On December 17, 2008

Bali: A Paradise on Earth

Bali has become one of the most sought after tourist locations on the world map in the past few decades. In a recent meeting, the Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Development (ISTD) struck up a plan to ensure that Bali continues to develop as a tourist destination while retaining its eco-friendly green nature. This implies that Bali would continue to remain a great place to spend some time off.
As a tourist spot, Bali offers a wide range of activities and pass times to indulge in.

Blessed with pristine oceans and rich cultural history, there is something for everyone in Bali. While planning your trip, ensure that you ear mark the most important places you want to visit so that you are not wasting time picking and choosing while you are there. The most popular attractions in Bali include museums, beaches, textiles and art and culture.

Museums
There are several museums in Bali that touch up various aspects of the region’s cultural, spiritual past. Walking through the aisles of these museums takes you into the past and tells you a story like never before. You can view pictures depicting events from Mahabharata – a Hindu Epic poem – to ancient documents written in leaves preserved through all these years. There are many other museums focusing on other forms of arts, artefacts – each reflecting upon a slice of ancient times.

A Tourist’s Guide To Balinese Temples

A Tourist’s Guide To Balinese Temples

By Bali Blogger

On May 21, 2007

In Culture, Things To Do

Next to the natural wonders of Bali such as beaches and coral reefs, the temples are its next-biggest attraction. They’re picturesque, exotic, historic, and world-famous. Some of them get thousands of visitors per day. But they can be baffling, too. We’ll try to demystify temples in Bali with this handy little guide:

A very brief overview of Balinese Hinduism

Hinduism is easily the most complicated religion in history. It appears to be polytheistic, meaning that there’s many gods, but also all gods are said to be one god in many forms, rather like the Judeo-Christian trinity. Furthermore there’s sub-castes of gods; there’s a trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and then there’s the lesser Vedic gods who resemble ancient Roman / Greek gods in being associated with some aspect of nature. Hindus also believe in reincarnation, and Balinese Hinduism is further complicated by the mixing in of some animism and ancestor worship on the side. There is also a different attitude towards sexuality, tending to view it as holy worship rather than a shameful sin as with Western religions.

Some Balinese Words

Some Balinese Words And The Cultural Concepts Behind Them – PART 1

By Bali Blogger

On April 15, 2006

This will not be a general language guide to Bali. Rather, this will be a specific focus on Balinese words which sum up a concept that is uniquely Balinese (or at least Indonesian). This is important to know, because none of these words have a direct translation into any English dialect. And so, each of them provide an interesting insight for those about to visit (or return to) the island of Bali.

Rojong – The concept of mutual communal cooperation.

In the west, we might have mottoes like “everyone for themselves” or “may the best player win”. This spirit of individual competition is somewhat looked down upon in Balinese society, in favor of “rojong”, the sharing of work so that all may gain equal benefit from the results. Kind of in a commune / socialism sense, many Balinese villages thrive on community gardens, group herding, and sharing of resources and even living space. If you’ve heard the expression “it takes a village to raise a child”, that’s the kind of spirit the Balinese have.

Some Balinese Words

Some Balinese Words And The Cultural Concepts Behind Them – PART 2

By Bali Blogger

On April 14, 2006

Here are yet more Balinese and Indonesian words with complex ideas behind them which are unique to that part of the world. Vacationers in Bali, no matter how casual, would benefit from getting to know some of these concepts, because they express ideas that are both uncommon to the Western world-view and indelibly embedded into Balinese society.

Rasa – The feeling evoked by a work of art.

Arts in Bali and most of Indonesia have a trait that is peculiar to Western thought: they may be overwhelmingly sad, scary, erotic, or humorous, to the point of making the work itself a caricature. Don’t be confused by this over-bold statement; this is actually the “rasa”, a Sanskrit word that’s seen as a quality to strive for. There’s some dozen of them, and they’re meant to invoke different Hindu gods and even have chakra colors associated with them. For instance, a statue of a conquering warrior might invoke the “viram rasa”, associated with the deity Indra and the color yellow.