Tourism in Bali
Nusa Lembongan Island
Nusa Lembongan is the perfect location for a holiday hideaway, with few visitors and pristine unspoilt beaches,
Nusa Lembongan (Nusa = Island) is one of three neighbouring islands of Bali, approximately 12 miles from south east Bali and 20 miles from Lombok. The other two (2) islands are Nusa Penida being the bigger and Nusa Ceningan being the smaller.
Nusa Lembongan is the most popular of the 3 islands across the Badung Strait (the others being Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida). The island is popular with surfers for the 3 breaks (Playgrounds, Shipwrecks and Lacerations), day cruise people and overnight tourists. Nusa Lembongan is only 4km long and no wider than 3km wide and takes 3-4 hours to walk around. There are motorbikes for hire in Jungkutbatu. The reefs are enjoyed also by scuba divers and the snorkeling is awesome.
Nusa Lembongan has several thousand locals, engaged in seaweed farming activities as well as serving tourist needs. Similarities to the Bukit Peninsula create a quiet environment, ideal for relaxation.
Nusa Lembongan is a pristine tropical island, its highest point is 50 meters above sea level. Lembongan has an average rainfall of approximately 1000 mm per year. Little temperature variation from 30 degrees Celsius occurs between the only two seasons this island experiences being the wet and the dry. The wet season is from December to February and the dry is from March to November. As it has only three months of rainfall, this island is dry for the remainder of the year. Little cultivation occurs, as almost 2/3 of the island is infertile. Seeding is normally done on the wet season and only corn, cassava and peanuts are farmed. Also found on the island are cashew nuts, mangoes and coconut. Fresh water is limited and most of the supply is derived from wells up to 60 meters deep.
Nusa Lembongan is located on the Wallace line. Sir Alfred Wallace, a historic naturalist who conducted extensive studies of this area, determined the Wallace line. The Wallace line is still recognised as a biological division between Asia and Australia/Pacific. Many species of bird, animal and flora indigenous to Australia are not found West of this line, as the flora and fauna on the west ‘Asian’ side are not found to the east of this line. The ocean currents that funnel their way between these islands are rich in macrobiotic life that support abundant coral and fish life in shallow waters surrounding these islands.
•Getting to Nusa Lembongan:
Public boats from Sanur beach, leaving daily at 8am and 10am (90 minute one-way, 35,000rp). Coming back the boats leave at 7.30am from Jungutbatu.
Perama does a shuttle from Sanur, leaving at 10.30am and returning at 8.30am, for 50,000rp. It is possible to charter a private boat for 300,000rp. For people staying in Kuta, Perama has an office about 50 meters before the bottom end of Jl. Legian. Pop in and ask about their latest schedules and rates.
Several luxury boat lines do day trips to Nusa Lembongan, dropping people of on the beach, giving them a bbq, snorkeling and then back to Benoa harbor. Companies such as Bali Hai have their own accommodation (Tide Huts) which can be booked in a package with the cruise.
The main cruise operators serving Nusa Lembongan are:
Bali Hai
0361)720331
Bounty
(0361)726666
Island Explorer
(0361)728088
Lembongan Island Cruise
(0361)271212
Quicksilver
(0361)729564
Sail Sensations
(0361)725864
Waka Louka
(0361)723629
Call around for the latest deals and specials.
•Accommodation on Nusa Lembongan
Budget accommodation can be found at Jungutbatu, while more luxurious accommodation is located at Mushroom Bay.
•Post & Money on Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan has no post office but Perama can handle your mail as long as you have stamps. Most places rely on the 3pm-8am locally generated electricity, with high-end places having their own generators. It is advisable to bring plenty of rupiah with you. Perama and Bank Pembangunan Daerah Bali can change currency and travelers checks, though the rates are not so good.
•Medical services on Nusa Lembongan
A local doctor in Jungutbatu will charge you 300,000rp for a consultation. There is a small nurse’s clinic in Jungutbatu also which is cheaper.
•Gear rental on Nusa Lembongan
There should be no shortage of places offering snorkeling, surfing and cycling gear. Negotiate if you want a good price You might try Ketut’s Bungalows and expect to pay something like 35,000rp for a bicycle per day, 30,000-40,000rp for snorkeling gear per day and 40,000rp per hour for motorbikes.
•Snorkeling & Diving on Nusa Lembongan
World Diving located on Jungutbatu Beach at Pondok Baruna, can do PADI courses and pleasure dives. Contact the website for current prices and deals. You will also find other operators in Jungutbatu Beach. You can join a diving trip with World Diving, if you just want to snorkel, for a fee. This is a smart idea as you have the security of the boat. Other boat operators might charge 40,000rp - 60,000rp per hour. Jungutbatu Beach has good spots for snorkeling off of the beach.
•Telephone & internet access on Nusa Lembongan
There is a wartel (phone office) that also has internet located at Mainski Inn. Bunga Bungalows also has internet access. Connection speeds for Nusa Lembongan are likely to be awful, given the speeds back on the mainland for anywhere outside of Kuta / Seminyak / Ubud.
•Food & Drink on Nusa Lembongan
Most hotel / guest houses have some kind of restaurant attached. The cheaper the accommodation, the cheaper the food. Plenty of options and Jungutbatu is where you’ll find the deals.
Tanah Lot - Land in the Middle of the Sea
Tanah Lot is a famous rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It is home of a famous pilgrimage temple, the Pura Tanah Lot and a popular picture motiv for tourists.
Tanah Lotis located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the Tabanan Regency.
It is also called Tanah Let which means ancient land and also Tanah Lod, which means the land to the south.
Tanah Lot means "Land in the Middle of the sea" in Balinese language. The temple sits on a huge offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.
Tanah Lot is said to be the work of the 15th century priest Nirartha. The story goes that during his travels along the south coast he saw the rock-island’s beautiful setting and rested there. Some fishermen saw him, and bought him gifts. Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods.
The Tanah Lot temple was then built and has been an important part of Balinese mythological history for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. It was said that each of the sea temples was to be within eyesight of the next so that they formed a chain along the south-western coast.
At the base of the rocky island, poisonous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. There is said to be one giant snake which also protects the temple. It is believed that this snake was created from Nirartha’s scarf when he established the island.
The temple Pura Tanah Lot, simple in its construction, is dramatic in its ocean-front location and is one of the main temples in the worship of Balinese gods.
Tanah Lot has a long history in the world of tourism.The temple itself is built on a small promontory which is only accessible at low tide.During high water the rock takes on the appearance of a large boat at sea, such is its shape.
Sunset is the best time to visit Tanah lot, when the golden red skies frame the temple and waves crash into the rocks. It is advisable to avoid the tourist crush here as it can be severe.
Accomodation
Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort is located in Tanah Lot - Bali, within easy traveling distance from some of Bali’s best known places of interest such as Ubud - a flourishing artist colony, the sacred Sangeh Monkey Forest, Mengwi Temple, Lake Brattan as well as many of Bali’s most scenic forest drives.
Set within the 100-hectare, Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort, Tanah Lot - Bali, offers the Resort guests an exhilarating feeling of spaciousness and an affinity with the natural surroundings of rice terraces, lushly landscaped gardens and pools.
The showpiece of the Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort is the beautifully designed and luxuriously appointed 278-rooms the Resort, which opened on November 14th, 1997.
Ideal for romantic getaways, family retreats or peaceful hideaways, Le Meridien Bali Resort offer interconnectng rooms and suites as well as our luxurious one or two bedroom villas, complete with private plunge pools, outdoor showers, personal butler service and private outdoor living pavillion and Balinese garden.
To sleep, perchance to dream in the cool Balinese elegance of marble and wood which characterises the luxurious accomodation at the Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort, will delight.
Spacious deluxe rooms and executive suites at the Le Meridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort, offer tasteful repose with connecting en-suite bathroom, each with its own private balcony over-looking the tropical gardens and out onto the Indian Ocean.
Nyepi - a day to make and keep the balance of nature.
Balinese use many different calendar systems. They have adopted the Gregorian calendar for business and government purposes. But for the endless procession of holy days, temple anniversaries, celebrations, sacred dances, building houses, wedding ceremonies, death and cremation processes and other activities that define Balinese life, they have two calendar systems. The first is the Pawukon (from the word Wuku which means week) and Sasih (which is means month. One is Pawukon system, a 210-day cycle that divided into ten separate week system. The other one is Saka Calendar, a lunar calendar that originally from South India and brought to Indonesia around 465 AD. One Saka year has 12 month and each month ends on a new moon. The Saka Year is 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar. The calendar begins on the first day of the 10th lunar month or ends on the new moon of 9th month. It usually falls on March or April on Gregorian Calendar. To mark the New Saka Year, Balinese celebrates a Nyepi Day.
The main purpose of the Nyepi Day ceremonies is to pray to the God (Hyang Widhi Wasa), wish that HE to clean the universe (bhuwana agung) as well as the ‘universe" within men (bhuwana alit). Based on the history of its birth of Saka Year, Nyepi Day also means to be a momentum to increase genuine solidarity and tolerance between people, accept the differences and similarity as natural factor of life and put them in a balance proportion so they can be in a positive side of life. We do not to fight each other because our differences.
The lead upto Nyepi day is as follows:
* Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis (three days before Nyepi)
Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies. There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.
* Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi)
Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogoh-ogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people’s house. In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives.
* Nyepi
On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the "force" of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.
* Ngembak Geni (the day after Nyepi)
Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).
From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. Balinese Hindus have many kind of celebrations (some sacred days) but Nyepi is, perhaps the most important of the island’s religious days and the prohibitions are taken seriously, particularly in villages outside of Bali’s southern tourist belt. Hotels are exempt from Nyepi’s rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles) and village wardens (Pecalang) will be posted to keep people off the beach. So wherever you happen to be staying on Nyepi Day in Bali, this will be a good day to spend indoors. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island.
Practical Info for visitors
To witness the Melasti procession, it is best to be around the beach either in Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Sanur and others. Ask people at your hotel which part of the beach that usually use for the Melasti near by your hotel and when they usually held the procession. If you happen already on the road and see people dress in white and yellow on a parade, just follow them. Please dress properly with sarong, sash and shirt. Should you are on the beach sunbathing with your bikini and the procession pass by you please kindly change your bikini with proper cloth or stay away for a while. It is just too much contrast, you with your bikini sunbathing, and one meter away Balinese with traditional cloth perform a serious religious ceremony.
Most likely each village will make at least one Ogoh-ogoh, the giant doll, and this particular thing will amazed you a lot. Do drive around in the morning of the day before Nyepi when the Ogoh-Ogoh will usually placed side of the road. It is a great picture time for the scary face of the Ogoh-Ogoh. The actual procession of the Ogoh-Ogoh will be held around sunset so make sure you come back with your vehicle before that if you do not want to get stuck behind the procession. It is wiser and easier to witness the procession near by your hotel by foot. In some main town like Sanur, Kuta, Denpasar, Ubud and others, there are contest for the best Ogoh-Ogoh. .
Should you be in Bali or first arrive in Bali on the juncture of Nyepi Day, you must take the subsequent orders into account:
The silence begins at 5 a.m. of March 21st and the next 24 hours.The airport will be totally closed on March 21st, so there will be neither arrival nor departure in the airport on that day. All connecting airports around the globe have been informed about it in advance. If you take surface trip, you should not plan your arrival in Bali on March 21st, there is no activity in the bus terminal and most importantly there will be no traffic on that day in the whole Bali Island.
You should stay inside your house/hotel. Do not go out of the house/hotel. Should you need food or anything to buy, do it on the previous day because on Nyepi Day all shops do not open. Since all activities throughout the island are paused during the Nyepi Day, put your plan before or ahead. Should you want to make a light or play the music, keep it minimum, no light and sounds are allowed.Don’t make any noise while you are at home/hotel.
There will be local officer on duty to ensure everybody including visitors obey the prohibitions. Some exceptional are made only for hospital, emergency situation and family with very young babies. If you experience any emergency situation please report to the hotel staff or manager on duty to obtain proper permission.
Tumpek Kandang - Animal Walfare
Tumpek Kandang, also called Tumpek Andang, falls on Saturday of Uye, the 22nd week of the pawukon cycle. The name Tumpek Kandang is derived from two words, “Tumpek” that means Saturday that coincide with Kliwon (name of a day based on Pancawara*) and “Kandang” refers to Balinese word for pen, symbolizing the domesticated animals that Balinese Hindu highly honor. They include cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs and birds.
Tumpek Kandang is dedicated to Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the god of all cattle and livestock. On this day Balinese show their appreciation and thankfulness to all domesticated animals that help them in everyday life.
On this holiday day, domesticated animals in Bali receive a great attention; the cows are washed in the river and dressed-up like human beings, with special cone-shaped spiral of coconut leaf placed on their horns. The pigs are decorated, with their bellies wrapped with a white or yellow cloth. The domesticated animals are fed with the best food.
A special offering is made for Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the god of all cattle and livestock, prayer is offered to the God for the welfare of the domesticated these animals. Holy water and rice are sprinkled to the head of these animals at the end of the ceremony.
This ritual certainly not an animal worship ritual, The Balinese consider the animal as a friend of life and fellow brother created by God as a living creature. Human life is much assisted by animals, especially in satisfying the needs of food, the labor force, religious ceremony and economy. For the sake of preservation and prosperity of such animals, the Balinese plead for God as the Greatest Source.
Tumpek Kandang has more meaning on the showing of evidence that Balinese is a community that is aware of animal welfare. This means, there is an awareness of owing “merits” to the animals, since such creatures are the preserver of the equilibrium of the ecosystem. Without animals on earth, the life cycle does not work, and even interrupts.
Tumpek Kandang, sometimes called Tumpek Andang, falls five weeks later on Saturday of Uye, the 22d week of the Pawukon cycle. The name comes from kandang, the Balinese word for the household animal pen, because this is the day to honour domestic animals, especially cows and pigs, which are highly valued by the Balinese.
The cows are washed, kambens are thrown over their backs and special cone-shaped spirals of coconut leaf are placed on their horns. The pigs are usually just decorated by wrapping a white cloth about their bellies. The animals are given special foods, prayers are offered, and they are sprinkled with rice and holy water.
Bangli Regency and It’s Tourism Object
Bangli Regency is located precisely in the central part of Bali province, is one of the eight regencies in Bali that has no coastal areas. Its neighbouring regions are the Regional Government of Buleleng in the North, Klukung and Karangasem in the East, Gianyar and Klukung in the South, whereas Badung and Gianyar in the West.
In this northen part located Kintamani a renowm tourism resort all over the world with Mount and lake Batur. In the southern part of this regions stretches a broad plain which laying about 100 meters above sea level most of them are rice fields.
Bangli Regency has land areas of 520,81 square kilometers, administratively consisted of 187 community group (banjar), 69 administrative / traditional villages and 4 districts namely : Bangli, Susut, Tembuku and Kintamani.
Bangli Has tropical climate so that it has two different seasons namely wet season last from Oktober till April and dry season from April to Oktober. The temperatures is 28oC. rainfall average between 1500mm3 up to 3000mm3 and the thickest can be seen in the western part of this region. The average humidity is 79%. From December to February the wind blows from west to east while from June to August it blows from east to southeast.
The population mainly life is on agriculture with rice as a staple food. The other crops are sosonut, bean, cassava, coffe, tropical fruit such as oranges, mangos, salak, durian, bananas and many others. Almost 95% of the population are Hindu, is to reach peace and harmony of life guided by the Wedas as Holy Scraptures.
ACCESS TO BANGLI
There are four ways to get to Bangli :
I.From West Side (from Badung Regency)
There are also two ways to get there from this route.
-Firstly, trough Denpasar – Kintamani, passing Batubulan station, Celuk, Sukawati, Ubud, goa Gajah, Tampak Siring and Kayuambua is the first village we come to Bangli Regency.
-Secondly. Trough Denpasar – Bangli route, passing batubulan, Sukawati, gianyar, Guliang, Taman Bali and arrive in town of Bangli. Many public transportation ply trough this route, start from Batubulan station (Gianyar Regency) and take about 1 hour drive.
II.From Nothern Side (From Buleleng Regency).
There are many public transport ply this route, start from Kampung Tinggi Bus Station Singaraja through Kintamani.
III.From Eastern Side (from Karangasem Regency).
There are also two ways to get to Bangli Regency
-Firstly, from Besakih to Menanga village and arrive at Suter Village. In the northern side of this villageone can enjoy beautiful view of Mount and Lake Batur.
-Secondly, from Besakih trough Rendang Village and arrived at Bangbang village. Place of interest worth visiting here are a cape and Puser Jagat Temple with 15th century statues.
IV.From Southern Side (from Gianyar and Klungkung Regency).
Passing Sidan village and arrive at bunutin, the first village we come to Bangli Regency. Public transports are very easy to get and they ply from early in the morning till evening.
There is however,alternative route how to get to Bangli that is from Bitra Village to the north we will arrive at Kayuambua and trought a head to the north we will arrive at Kintamani, at Kayuambua take the southern road that lead to Bangli.
Interesting Places
Batur Temple
Batur temple or commonly called Ulun Danu Temple is situated at 900 meters above sea level of Kalanganyar, Batur village, Kintamani District on the eastern side of the main road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja Via Bangli.
The temple faced west ward where mount Batur and remains of its solidified black laves serve as backdrop and lake Batur stretches far down the slope, enchased the beauty to nature around the temple.
Formerly, before it is in its present location Batur temple is located on the south western slope of mount Batur.
Since the devastating eruption in 1917 which destroyed everything, including the temple its self, then initiated by the head of the village along with other prominent figures, they brought the surviving shrines with them and rebuilt Batur temple to the higher place at Kalanganyar on its present location.
The ceremony in this temple is held annually commonly called Ngusaba ke Dasa
In 1927,the people of Batur began rebuilding Pura Ulun Danu, the temple which once lay at the foot of the volcano. It was an ambitious project. The majority of the 285 planned shrines are yet to be completed. At present, the temple is finely and simply designed. Two august gateways, severe in contrast to the elaborate split gates of South Bali, open onto spacious courtyards laid with black gravel.
Rows of meru towers silhouette against the sky in full view of the smoking volcano. The bale gedong, a storehouse of precious relics, contains a bell of solid gold. As the story goes, the bell was presented to the treasury of the temple by a king of Singaraja in atonement for his having insulted the deities. The ritual in this temple is closely linked with the veneration of Lake Batur and supplication for the blessing of irrigation water. The mountain, lakes help regulate the flow of water to he fields find villages through the many natural springs lower down the slopes.
Kehen Temple
Kehen Temple is one of ancients temples in Bali where were housed three old bronze-made manuscripts. This temple is worshipped by the people around of the village. The ceremony takes place on ‘Buda Kliwon Shinta’ where Ngusaba ceremony is held one in a three years period, which is fall on ‘Purnama Kelima’ around November This place can be reached by any mode of transports through a well keptashalted road, or a short walk from Sasana Budaya Giri Kusuma Cultural Hall. The word "Kehen is drived from ‘Keren"meaning flame. Formerly, it was known as "Hyang Api’ Kehen Temple is located on the southern slope of Bangli Hill about 2 kms from the town. It is really an historical temple worth visiting with a long plight of steps pointing down to the south.
Penglipuran Traditional Village
This village can be reached through roads connect¬ing district of Bangli with Kintamani. From Bangli townto the north up to Kubu Village about 5 kilometers, then have a left turn, one will arrive at Penglipuran and will be received with warm welcome by the villagers. The air is fresh because it is located at 700 meters abo ve sea level. From hrstorical point of view, according to the village elders, the words Penglipuran’ is drived from the words ‘Pengeling Pura’means a holy place for remembering their ancestors. It is reasonable since their ancestors came from Bayung Gede village, still In Kintamani district. Since from Bayung Gede to Penglipuran is quite along distance there fore the people of Penglipuran, established the same temple as the temple In Bayung Gede. We can drow conclusion from this matter that the people of Penglipuran is still remembering their origin. Another opinion stated that Penglipuran’is derived from the word Penglipuran’means ‘relaxation’since on the royal period this place was a good spot for resting place.This village has cultural potency which is up to the present time still well preserved in the from of tradi¬tional Balinese buildings; which differentiate this village from others.The population is 743 person, most of them are farmers and just few as civil servants. Dances and handi¬crafts are well developed in this remote village.
Penglipuran Heroes Monument
This monument is located in the Southern part of Penglipuran Village, on an area of 1,5 hectare in Ba¬linese style equipped with Curayudha Building, a court¬yard for a certain activities, and parking area. It was built in 1959 in memory ofRevolution struggle in the Regency of Bali, commanded by Captain Anak Agung Anom Muditha with his 18 troops. The monument was built for remembering Captain Anak Agung Anom Muditha and his troops who are dead in facing NICA (Dutch troops) out during the revolution era.
Penelokan Tourist Resort
Penelokan (look- out point) is situated on the southern part of Batur Tengah village, Kintamani Dis¬trict about 23 kms from the Bangli town or 63 km from Denpasar, capital city of Bali province.The entire Batur area, with its spectacular scenery, belongs to the district of Kintamani in northern Bangli, The Pene%kan ( Look-Out Point ) offers views of Mt. Batur and Lake Batur, highlighting most tourist’s visit to Bali. A t about 900 meters abo ve sea level, this vista point is cool and refreshing throughout the year with tem¬peratures a veraging 2-2′C at mid-day and 16′C at night. Pene%kan is just 27 kilometers from Denpasar is well maintained asphalted roads. Many visitors, both Domestic or Foreign, drop over to this resort, breathe the cool and refreshing moun¬tainous air and all at once to enjoy the breath-taking beauty of panoramic view with its solidified black lavas serve as a deaf witness to the 1917 eruption which dev¬astating entire villages sorrounding it. Meanwhile for those who like ‘adventuring’ could go for hiking up to the peak. The beauty of this caldera or crater really beggars description. Inspite of its beautiful panoramic view, we can also take a look the beauty of lake Batur with its crystal - clear water and mountainous areas serve as the unique graveyard and the Barong Brutuk of Trunyan village - which can’t be found anywhere else in Bali.
Kedisan Village
Kedisan village is located on the southem bank of Mount Batur, 7 kms from Penelokan and belongs to Kintamani district or 27 kms on the northern regency of Bangli. An idyllic little village, cool and refreshing air and hospitable people along with other villages such as Batur Buahan, Trunyan, and Songan village is called Bintang Danu village because of their location on the banks of Mount Batur. It has its own dockyard where one can hire a boat to visit the unique village of Trunyan. The cost of around trip-tickets and its schedules have been set by the LLASDP.
Terunyan Villages
The name of Terunyan is derived from the word “Taru” and “Menyan”; the smell of a fragnant tree of incense which grows in that village. The village consider that the tree is very important because the corpses of the dead person are just laid down on the open grave under the tree and left the face open; where as their bodies are simply covered by white clothes and by “ancak saji”. This method of burying corpses is called “Mepasah”.
The village of Terunyan lays on the banl of lake Batur or on the west foot of Abang hill of Kintamani District. It is a village inhabited by the ‘Origines’ of Bali Aga with its unique cultural aspects. This village is attainable only by boat from Kedisan village, crossing along lake Batur in 30 minutes.
Pengotan Traditional Village
Pengotan Village is another unique village besides the traditional village of Penglipuran. It offers plenty uniqueness, which are different to those owned by Penglipuran. The people have a different socio-life. Their houses are arranged in unique patterns and made of bamboos.
Traditional arts also evolve well here, with arts like BarisJangkang, SarisJojor, Barls Perasi, Bans Perancak, Barls Blongsong, Barls Bajra, Barls Juntal, and Barls Dapdap Dance. The dances are often performed at the village temples. The so-called Perang Papah Is a unique tradition where performers hit each other using the stems of banana leaves . It is performed at Pedunungan Temple on Balinese calendar of Purnama Sasih Kenem (around December).
Mass marriage is another uniqueness owned by the village. In this ritual, many couples are doing their wedding rituals together, which are held at their Penataran Agung Temple. These event is conducted a Sasih Kadasa (around April-October).
The other different tradition worth knowing is the burial ritual. The corpse is carried by two people to the cemetery, running. Arriving at the place, the corpse’s cover is unveiled, making It naked. Then It Is rolled down into the hole for burying that has been prepared. Afterward, itis covered, face up-down-ward, overlooking northwestward.
Pancering Jagat Temple
The Temple of Pancering lagat is located at Trunyan village, Kintamani District. The name of the temple is derived from the megalithic statue with 4 meters high, locally known as Arca da Tonta or Ratu Gede Pusering jagat among the common people. The ceremony in this temple takes place on purnamaning sasih kapat around October. On the same occasion the Barong Brutuk dance is performed for commemorating the legendary wedding anniversary between Ratu Sakti Pancering Jagat; the patron guardian of the village and Ratu Ayu Dalem Pingit (Ratu Ayu Dalem Dasar ). This temple is worshipped only by the people of Trunyan.
Eco Tourism Bukit Bangli
Eco Tourism Bukit Bangli is located about 1 Kms from central of Bangli City. It can be reach through the street which connect the Bangli city and Kintamani Tourism object.
This object is developing tourism object because of it beauty, various kinds of flora and fauna from the top of the hill we can enjoy the beautiful, scenery of Bangli City and surrounding.
The place is also good for meditation, tracking and clambing activities the northen side is supported by the Hindu education centre that support the Eco Tourism Bukit Bangli.
Pucak Penulisan Temple
Pucak Penulisan Temple is situated at 1745 meters above sea level about 3 kms from Kintamani, or 30 kms from the capital town of Bangli regency, on the east side of the road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja. Based on the old-Balinese manuscripts, it was told that Bukit Penulisan is also called Bukit Tunggal since its location is separated from the chain of mountains, stretching along from west to east, dividing Bali island into 2 parts, the northern and southern Bali. Around IX century on the peak of this Bukit Penulisan, the temple of Tegeh Koripan was constructed which is commonly called Pura Pucak Penulisan because it is located at the peak of Penulisan Hill. The temple of Puncak Penulisan, beside its location on a hill, composed of several terraces, even up to 11 terraces. These terraces reveal the continuation of the pyramidal from of cultural aspects of the megalithic age. Its is also a complexes respectively called Pura Danu and Pura Taman Danu, located on the third called Pura Ratu Penyarikan, located on the 4th terrace also on the west part of the temple. The 4th complex, Pura Ratu Daha Tua, is located at the west side on the 1611 terrace. The last or the fifth complex is Pura Panarajon situated on the eastside of the peak. This complex is the highest one compared to the four former complexes. Inside of this temple complex, visitors can find stone made statues and are believed to be derived from olden Balinese period as the remains of the megalithic culture.
Bamboo Forest ( Hutan Bambu )
The forest is situated at Kubu V1llage, about 5 Kms from the town and 700 Meters above sea level, just a short walk from Penglipuran Village to the North. A cool and fresh air, also the unique sound of the bamboo whenever they touching each other.
Jatiluwih - See beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side.
Jatiluwih was recently listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its preservation of traditional Balinese farming techniques.
Jatiluwih is one of places to visit in Bali with the beautiful view as according to its name from Jati and luwih, where Jati mean really and Luwih meaning especial, good, and beautiful or the equivalent.
Jatiluwih is surrounded by cool atmosphere because it is located in the height of 700 meters above sea level. Besides its nature potency, Jatiluwih is also saving the cultural potency, especially history of the Petali Temple existence that is related to the power of Ida Dalem Waturenggong King in Keraton Gelgel (1460 - 1552). The distance from Denpasar to Jatiluwih is about 48 km and it is situated in upstate of Tabanan town (28 Km).
Jatiluwih is a favorite tourist destination in Bali famous with the beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side.
The local paddies are planted in this place look typically of the high relative size plant if it is compared with other pre-eminent paddy planted by most farmers in Bali . Despitefully, Jatiluwih also famous with its organic agriculture system due to the location is located in the in the plateau of Watukaru Mount which is suitable for the agriculture development.
The road to this place has been progressively improved so that motor vehicle can enter from east side through Pacung Village and go to Jatiluwih and also from the west side from Watukaru Temple pass to Jatiluwih. Jatiluwih is many visited by tourist from local and foreign countries who want to enjoy the cold atmosphere and beautiful panorama of rice terrace. Jatiluwih as a nature tourist destination in Bali which has been recognized since Dutch colonial build the Security Headquarter and until now the local residents conceives with the Dutch Tangs. Indonesian government has assigned the Jatiluwih to be a Tourist Destination Village because of this potency.
Other Unique
Jatiluwih also keep the unique religious ceremony attraction which is famous know as Patirtaan in Petali Temple on Wednesday Kliwon Ugu (Based on Balinese Calendar). The local residents believe that Petali Temple is a worship center of The Hyang Widhi Wasa (the God) as agriculture power. Beside of Petali Temple , there is also Pucak Rsi Temple is located in this area. As a tourist object, Jatiluwih provides the public facilities like parking area, toilet, resting bale and Wantilan for tourist who is enjoying the beautiful panorama. Some restaurants have been built to serve the food and beverage. Watukaru Tour is an exciting tour to visit Watukaru Temple and other tourist destinations like Jatiluwih.
From an elevated vantage point the natural beauty of this area appears to have been created by a higher force. It is as if the shade of emerald green from a painter’s palate has been generously spread over the land. Towards the south there are slight tinges of Blue Ocean, while the opposite direction reveals clear outlines of the Agung and Batukaru Mountains in a majestic stance of silent wisdom. The prevailing ambience is one of peace with cool pockets of air bringing a refreshing change from the oppressive tropical heat of Bali’s south.
The glorious ridges of Jatiluwih have always been an artists’ dream; a place to reflect the gift of nature bestowed by the Gods and where one can create in solitude Bali’s most famous expatriate artist was Walter Spies who lived in Ubud during the 1930’s and he would often visit the picturesque fields of Jatiluwih. Later in his studio he would record his impressions of these exotic views with magical brush strokes upon canvas. Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias in his book entitled ‘Island of Bali’ also narrated the precious beauty of the Balinese landscape as the first classical introduction to the island and its culture. These splendid writings perhaps precipitated the gradual flow of visiting artists in the ensuing years that came seeking inspiration.
The agricultural community in Jatiluwih has more or less remained untouched by the impact of tourism. Instead many villagers seem to maintain a simplistic lifestyle that concentrates on the continual cycle of harvesting their crops and their strong faith in the Hindu religion. There are frequent ceremonial rituals prepared by each family of farmers to express their gratitude to the Gods for the provision of earth, water and all of nature’s components that allow mankind to exist.
The process of growing and harvesting rice is just one fragment of the unique Balinese culture that is guarded by the Goddess Dewi Sri. It is a culture that signifies a customary way of life where rice and all of its stages of process is a powerful driving force behind all form of activity within the community. Food, medicine, art, hope and the ideologies that exist within the village are all directly related to the rice field. The Goddess Dewi Sri symbolizes fertility and prosperity as well as the cycle of human life. The practice of planting rice, maintaining the crop and harvesting is a definite parallel to the full circle of life from birth until death. In Bali there is a real relationship between man and the environment, which follows the Hindu philosophy of maintaining a harmonious balance between all living things to appease the Gods as well as unseen entities.
A day trip is highly recommended as it enables visitors to observe the realities of rural Bali. The opportunity to wander through the fields and watch the birds as they attempt to pilfer rice grains from immature stalks is an enriching experience. Another interesting aspect is the organized irrigation system where farmers share water in a tradition that dates back centuries and has united generations of farmers in their common need for this highly valued resource.
West Bali National Park - Where to Stay & What to Do
The area of Taman Nasional Bali Barat (West Bali National Park) situated at the Edge of north Bali Island is the stretch of green ground along the 150 km road that link Gilimanuk and Denpasar or Gilimanuk and Singaraja. It is located between district of Gerokgak in Buleleng regency and district of Melaya in Jembrana regency. It is reachable from Gilimanuk as the main entrance to West Bali, and from Denpasar. This 77,000-hectare park was established in 1941.
With almost 200,000 acres of arid forests and mangrove swamps, Bali Barat (West Bali) National Park is a valuable natural treasure. The park is home to several very rare species; foremost is the Bali starling, the island’s mascot. Also known as Rothschild’s mynah, this soft, white bird has a blue band around its eyes; the world’s last 50 or so of these winged creatures are here, and an on-site breeding program is trying to save the species. Less rare but still of interest are several species of deer including the mouse deer and the barking deer and several types of monkeys, leopards, and civets.
Lush forests still grow on Bali’s southern and western slopes. West Bali National Park (covers 50,000 hectare on the western tip of the island. It also includes another 7,000 hectares of coral reef and coastal water. Considering in the small size of the island as a whole, the National Park is a major commitment towards attempting to preserve the wildlife found on Bali. The forest in this area has been determined as " Nature Park" - later on known as Taman Perlindungan Alam Bali - based on the decision of " Raja-Raja di Bali" (Kings in Bali) dated 13th August 1917 noE-1/4/5. This regulation is intended to preserve the flora and fauna in this area.
The region is watered by clear streams and traversed by footpaths, which offer often steep but relatively easy walking. Explore the forested hills, scrub acacia near the coast, and the unspoiled reefs and dense mangrove swamps along Teluk Terima and the bays to the East.
The diverse fauna exist here, including Jalak Putih Bali/Bali starling (Leuoeopsarrhotschildi) and Bull (Bos javanicus), Antelop (Muntiacus Muntjak), deer (Cervus timorensis), monkey (Presbytis cristata, Macaca sp.), Scaly anteater ( Manis javanica), boar (Sus scrofa), hedgehog (Hystrix javanica), Sturnus melanotenus, Sturnus contra, Acridotenis fuscus, Picoides mucet, Orialus chinensis, Haliastur sp., Galus sp.
Since Bali is such a densely populated, intensively cultivated island, very little wild forest is left. Such primary monsoon forests as remain (about 50,000 hectares) are found along the watershed at the western end of island, on the slopes of the mountains Sangiang, Merbuk, Musi, and Patas, an area not nearly as rugged as the higher mountains of eastern Bali.
More like a forest than a jungle, the park offers exceptional walking and first class panoramas. The types of the land are forest, savannah, mangrove, coast, beach, and conservation forest. The plantation that formed the pure forest are sawo kecik (Manilkara kooki) and palm (Borrassus flellifer).
Where to Stay:
A Lakeside Hideaway at Taman Wana Villas
A Deluxe Hut at Waka Shorea Jungle Resort
This hotel is on the west side of the Singaraja. Begin your adventure by boat to this hotel (about 10 minutes from the civic area). Being part of the Bali Barat National Park, you may spot several monkeys and deers along the way to its main area. Here, rooms and villa with all its natural setting and atmosphere are at your disposa
What to Do :
Diving, Snorkelling, Boat Trips, Tours, Trekking, Hiking, Painting, Dancing, Cooking Classes.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
Help the turtles at Kurma Asih Conservation Site
Tips :
Bali Barat National Park has some interesting points to it, including a short circular hiking route, which starts at the Ranger Station. Along the north edge of the park, close to the coast, one will find fertile grasslands. There is a fishery research project going on at Pantai Gondol.
The wild Samabar deer roam free, in on the NE slops of the park. Balinese Sapi (local cattle) are descended the wild benteng, that live on the SE slopes of the park. Benteng are rare but you might be luck. A hundred years ago Bali and Java had tigers, wouldn’t that be a treat! The mountains sitting on an East-West axis, split the park in 2, with the wetter scenery on the southern side, the dry grassland on the northern, which is dotted with acacia, palms and shrubs.
In the far NW of the park lies Menjangan Island, a favourite with divers. Bali’s only remaining native bird, the Bali Starling is still alive in the national park. Close to the Ranger Station is a breeding facility for the Bali Starlings.
The deal with access to the park is you need a permit, obtainable at the park HQ, for overnight travel, or extensive trekking. The only hiking trails are near the park HQ, but intrepid souls might fancy heading off into the wilderness.
If you need a permit you have 3 choices:
1. Indonesia Forestry Service (PHPA) office, Jl. Suwung 40, BOX 329, Denpasar.
2. Park HQ,
Jl. Raya Gilimanuk, Cekik
(0365) 61060
8am- 2pm Mon-Thurs, 8-11am Fri, 8am-noon Sat.
3. Ranger Station
Labuhan Lalang
8am-6pm daily.
Balinese Dances - Know It, Before you Watch it …
In many cultures dance and drama are important to pass on customs and mores from one generation to the next. Such is true in Bali where dance & drama has historically been used to pass down cultural values through the tales of Ramayana, Mahabarata and other epic stories from Balinese history. It is interesting to note that the Balinese never tire of watching these dances even though they may have seen them umpteen times before and know each movement by heart.
History Of Balinese Dances
After the Majapahit warriors subdued Ball in the 14th century, Javanese mini principalities and courts soon appeared everywhere, creating that unique blend occur and peasant culture, which is Bali highly sophisticated, dynamic and lively. The accompanying narrative for dance and drama is to a large extent based on court stories from pre-Majapahit Java. Even the Indian epics, another favorite of the stage, especially the wayang, use Javanese, complete with long quotes from the ancient Javanese Kakawin poetry. So Javanese culture, which disappeared from Java following Islamization in the 16th century still survived in Bali in a Balinese for which became classical ~Balinese culture. However, colonization brought about the fall of classical Bali. With the rural courts defeated and with new lords of the land, the centre of creativity shifted to village associations, and to the development of tourism. The 30’s and 50’s were particularly fertile decades; while the old narrative-led theater survived, lively solo dances appeared everywhere, accompanied by a new, dynamic kind of music called gong kebyar. This trend continued in the 60’s and 70’s with the creation of colossal sendratari ballets, representing ancient Indian and Javanese stories adapted to the needs of modern audiences.
Movement and Dance
The typical posture in Balinese dance has the legs half bent, the torso shifted to one side with the elbow heightened and then lowered in a gesture that displays the suppleness of the hands and fingers. The torso is shifted in symmetry with the arms. If the arms are to the right, the shifting is to the left, and vice versa. Apart from their costumes, male and female roles can be identified mostly by the accentuation of these The women’s movements. Legs are bent and huddled together, the feet open, so as al a sensual arching of to reve the back. The men’s legs are arched and their shoulder pulled up, with more marked gestures, giving the impression of power. Dance movements follow on from each other in a continuum of gestures with 110 break and no jumping (except for a few demonic or ,animal characters). Each basic posture (agem), such as the opening of the curtain or the holding of the cloth, evolves into another agem through a succession,, of secondary gestures or tandang. The progression from one series to the other, and the change from right to left and vice-versa, is marked by a short jerky emphasis called the angsel. The expression is completed by mimicry of the face: the tangkep. Even the eyes dance, as can be seen in the baris and trunajaya dances.
The Gamelan
Balinese music is based around an instrument known as the gamelan. The gamelan is such a central part of Balinese music that the whole ‘orchestra’ is also referred to as a gamelan. Gamelan music is almost completely percussion. Though it sounds strange at first with its noisy, jangly percussion it’s exciting and enjoyable.
Kecak
Probably the best known of the many Balinese dances, the Kecak is also unusual in that it does not have a gamelan accompaniment. Instead the background is provided by a chanting ‘choir’ of men who provide the ‘chak-a-chak-a-chak’ noise. Tourists especially enjoy the performance staged by the Kechak dancers. This dance is also deeply rooted in local tradi- tion and Indian mythology and is inspired by Ramayana, an epic poem written in Sanskrit. The dance brings to life the tale of King Rama, his wife Dewi Sita and his brother Laksamana who were exiled to the forest for 14 years following some complex scheming in a struggle for power. In the forest, they are persecuted by Rahwana, the ogre king who then abducts Dewi Sita and makes her a prisoner of his palace on the Island of Lanka (Ceylon) . Rama strikes an alliance with the monkey people whose army de- feats Rahwana’s troups, making it possible for King Rama to rescue his wife. In each Kechak performance, a hundred or so dancers play the monkey army while a few female dancers are assigned specific roles (Dewi Sita, Trijata). The performance generally lasts one hour and takes place in the evening, preferably around 7 PM.
Barong & Rangda
It’s the most popular dance for tourists. A straightforward battle between good, the barong, and bad, the rangda. The barong is a strange creature, half shaggy dog, half lion, propelled by two men like a circus clown-horse. The widow-witch rangda is bad though and certainly not the sort of thing you’d like to meet on a midnight stroll through the rice paddies. The Barong dance is truly a triumphant display of bright colors and graceful movements. Greatly appreciated by the tourists, special performances are staged for their benefit, generally in the morning, and last one hour. The villages of Batubulan as well as Tegaltamu and Singapadu, small towns located 30 minutes from the capital, are known for putting on the best performances. There is, however, more to the Barong dance than the folkloristic dimension, It is, in fact, an integral part of the island’s culture and has an evident sacred connotation. It isn’t rare, in fact, to see the Balinese dancing the Barong during their religious ceremonies, regardless of the presence of tourists. Inspired by an episode taken from Mahabharata, an epic poem written in Sanskrit. the dance evolves around the character of the Barong, the king of the jungle. A mythical animal, not clearly identified (perhaps a lion), he is the symbol of virtue and good, subject to the continuous struggle against the evil forces that threaten life and the integrity of the forest, this being an element very dear to the Balinese population. In detail, the Barong embodies everything that can be beneficial to man, and help him defeat illness. black magic and any other kind of misfortune. The evil entity against which he must relentlessly fight is personified by Rangda, queen of death and devourer of children. She is characterized by a dark and gloomy mask from which a red tongue of fire hangs. The entire dance is centered around the struggle between these two rival characters. The Barong is interpreted by two dancers whose rhythmic movements bring to life the beautiful and elaborate cos tume they wear. a large animal head skillfully carved out of wood, brightly colored in red, white, black and gold. It is adorned with a crown extending outwards from the sides of the head, and by a prominent necklace which hangs from the neck, The final touch of the costume is a tail made out of bison leather which is elaborately finished and guilded. The first character to appear on the stage is the Barong with his swaying gait: his dance is meant to express the joy of living. He is followed by a group of armed supporters who stand ready to defend him.
When Rangda strikes her terrible blows. It isn’t at all rare for the dancers playing the Barong’s followers to become so engrossed in the sacredness of the per- formance that they go into a real trance. A cloud of characters surround the Barong on stage. Rangda, goddess of death, personification of evil, the young girl servant Kalika; Dewi Kunti, queen of the kingdom of Hastina and her stepson Sadewa who will be sacrificed in order to placate the anger of Rangda, the minister Dewi Kunti; Patih who ex- presses sorrow for the fate of Sadewa (Rangda will have to enter his soul in order to make him accept the sacrifice), and then the monkey supporters of the Barong, producers of palm tree wine (nira). A very important element in the entire dance is the large orchestra, known as gamelan, which is essential to underscore the ritual nature of the performance. Many are the instruments that make up the orchestra: some metal xylophones which stand out not only because they are so numerous but because of their power ful and imperious sound; there are also drums as well as flutes, the rebab (a type of violin) and the gender (typical xylophones). All together, these instruments are essential in guiding the dance and underscoring the rhythm of well coordinated movements. These along with the joyful colors are the most alluring elements of this remarkable perfor mance. At the end of the dance, the masks of the Barong and of Rangda, as proof of their sacred nature, are stowed in a special room inside the temple. They are covered very carefully, especially Rangda’s mask, because its deadly powers are greatly feared. It’s a way of saying that the ritual victory of the Barong, that is of good, which marks the end of the dance, is only temporary: tomorrow the eternal and unresolved conflict could begin again.
The end of the Barong dance is like an entirely separate performance. Also known as the Kris dance, it is named after the famous Malese dagger. The idea is based on the philosophical concept rwa bhineda. good and bad, evil and goodness which have always been present and have always existed together albeit in a constant and inevitably unre solved conflict. Nothing will change in the future. While man is left free to try to develop his positive attitudes and let them win over the negative ones, he must nonetheless resign himself to the fact that the presence of both good and evil is a law of nature and as such must be accepted. When the dance is performed, Rangda is the evil spirit which enters the bodies of his victims, usually followers of the Barong, and pushes them to the edge of suicide. The dancers attempt to stab themselves in the chest with their krises until they are finally stopped by the beneficial appearance of the Barong. It is he who will save these unfortunate beings by revealing that the notion of good and evil will always be inevitably present in the world and in everyone’s life and that they must therefore accept it.
Kris Dance
In the Barong play, Bali’s mythical guardian, Barong, battles Rangda, the demon - Queen. barong’s supporters are a group of Balinese men with the natural ability to enter a trance state. They are armed with a kris ( traditional sword). Rangda insults Barong and taunts the men- enraged and in a trance they attack her! But her powers are so strong that they are knocked out. When they come to they are so distressed by their failure, that they try to impale themselves on their kris. But their trance state amazingly protects them from injury.
Legong
It’s the most graceful of Balinese dances. A legong dancer is known as a young girl, often as young as eight or nine years, rarely older than her early teens. There are various forms of the Legong but the Legong Kraton is the one most often performed.
Baris
The warrior dance, known as the Baris, is traditionally a male equivalent of the Legong femininity and grace give way to energetic and warlike martial spirit.
Ramayana Ballet
Basically, it tells the same story of Rama and Sita as told in the Kechak but without the monkey ensemble and with a normal gamelan gong accompaniment.
Kebyar
It’s a male solo dance like the Baris but with greater emphasis on the performer’s individual abilities. There are various forms of Kebyar including the Kebyar Duduk and Kebyar Trompong.
Barong Landung
The giant puppet dance take place annually on the island of Pulau Serangan and a few other places in southern Bali.
Janger
The Janger is a relatively new dance which suddenly popped up in the ’20s and ’30s. Today it has become part of the standard repertoire and no longer looks so unusual.
Topeng
A mask dance where the dancers have to imitate the character represented by mask. A full collection of Topeng masks may number 30 or 40. Closely liriked to religious ceremonies and processions, and danced as a ritual interval, the Topeng dance ultimately takes on a sacred connotation. As a matter of fact, foreigners are allowed to see the dance only if they behave appropriately and respectfully. Actually, some performances are staged only for the benefit of the tourists, but do not enjoy the same following of the Barong and Kechak dances. Peculiar components of the Topeng dance are the masks used to hide the faces of the dancers. Specific attributes are used, instead, to identify the characters (a mustache and thick eyebrows for the elder, arrogance and defiance for Patih, and so on). The rhythm of movements (perfectly in accordance to the age and role of the character) is underscored by a large orchestra, the garnelan, which is essential for the success of the performance.
Jauk
Also a mask dance but strictly a solo performance.
Pendet
It’s an everyday dance of the temples, a small procedure to go through before making temple offerings.
Sanghyang (Fire Dance)
The Sanghyang trance dance originally developed to drive out evil spirits from a village. The Sanghyang Dedari dance is performed by two young girls who dance a dream-like version of the Legong but with their eyes closed. The Sanghyang Jaran, a boy dances around and through a fire, riding a coconut palm hobby-horse. In both dances, a priest is always on hand to help bring the dancers out of their trancestate at the end of the performance.
Subak Museum - Miniature of Subak
What is SUBAK ?The general Balinese philosophy guiding the subak system adheres to the principle of Tri Hita Karana which emphasises that happiness can only be reached if the Creator (God), the people (the farmers) and nature (the rice fields) live in harmony with each other. Based on this philosophy are the ceremonies which are a substantial part of the rice cultivation cycle. The ceremonies are carried out at the various temples which are associated with the subak.
They are organised hierarchically as follow: the simple shrine (chatu) at the individual water inlet, Bedugul temple at the dam or tunnel intersection, Ulun Suwi / Ulun Carik temple at each subak area, penyungsungan subak temple ’sanctuaries which were originally desa temples that one or more subaks helped to worship, after which in the course of time, all the expenses connected with the temple services and offering ceremonials have, gradually fallen to the subak or subaks and Ulun Danu temple, the Baliwide inter-subak temple at the crater lake Batur, the most sacred lake in Bali. For all the temples and other places of worship there are certain times when religious ceremonies are held, either periodically or as occasion demands.
The periodical ceremonies are divided into ngerainin and ngebekin or ngusaba. Ngerainin consists of making a flower offering in the puras ulun charik and penyungsungan subak; it takes place on certain favorable days (rerainan) such as full moon, new moon, Wednesday-Kliwon, Anggara Kasih (Tuesday-Kliwon), and the like, and is performed by the pemangku without the members of the subak being present. No ngerainin takes place at the chatus, which, since they are not puras, do not have pemangkus.
The harvest festival is celebrated in the last stage of the ripening of the rice, in alternate years as ngebekin and ngusaba. New moon is considered a favorable time for ngebekin, while ngusaba takes place at full moon. The former ceremony has the character of an offering to the demons; the latter, primarily a festival of thanksgiving to the deity, is more elaborate than ngebekin and is often accompanied by the Placing of festive Poles of bamboo (penjor) each kesit (field).
The ceremonies are not just performed based on the calendar but also carried out regularly following the stages of rice growth and the sequences of rice farming activities (which are quite similar with the rite of passage) starting from land preparation which is presided by “water opening ceremony”; seeding; transplanting; blooming of rice plant; milking; harvesting until the harvest being stocked at granary. The rituals may be performed individually by each farmer at his own altar as well as in a joint cooperation with other members of the same subak or even different subaks at relevant temples according to the kind of ceremony to be performed.
The Tri Hita Karana philosophy is also the basis for the clearly defined rules of a subak, called awig-awig. This set of laws regulates rights and duties among the members. It includes public obligations, regulations concerning land and water use, legal transactions of land transfers, and collective religious ceremonies. For instance, all members have the right to the same share of water at all times. This principle of equitable water sharing is put into action by fixed proportional flow division structures.
Subak internal matters are handled by the pekaseh, the subak head who is democratically elected by all members of the subak. He is responsible to overlook the irrigation management within the subak area, to schedule cultivation cycles and to organise subak ceremonies. He is supported by several assistants, such as the vice subak head (petajuh), the secretary (penyarikan), the treasurer (petengen or juru raksa), the messenger (kasinoman), special helper (saye) and the heads of the sub-subak groups. Bigger subak are divided into sub-groups, called munduk. Munduk may have a separate inlet from the subak main canal. A munduk usually comprises an average of 20 to 40 farmers.
Every munduk is headed by a pengliman who receives direct orders from the pekaseh and is responsible for all matters related to the munduk. As a sub-group of the subak, the munduk has to follow the subak rules and regulations. However, certain organisational and water management issues can be decided autonomously on the munduk level. The munduk is an important dimension within the subak. Day-to-day cultivation decisions are made on this level and provide the fine-tuning of the subak water and crop management – not always following the subak laws by doing this. The relationship between subak and munduk is to facilitate top down and bottom up information flow.
Members of subak also form an informal group which is called sekaa, in order to make ease a certain working activity on the rice field by working together on a certain field and certain activity. For examples: sekaa numbeg (for land cultivation), sekaa jelinjingan (for water tunnel maintenance), sekaa sambang (for water and pest surveillance), sekaa mamulih (for seed plantation), sekaa majukut (for plants surveillance), sekaa manyi (for harvest work), sekaa bleseng (for carrying paddy to the barn). These sekaa may recruit workers outside subak members. The code of work in these sekaa is simple, “I scratch yours you scratch mine.”
The indigenous social-administration organization in subak also supported by efficient and effective water system. Subak’s water system comprise of many parts such as empelan (dam) functioned as water reservoir, aungan (tunnel), telabah (primary waterway), tembuku aya (primary inlet), telabah gede (secondary waterway), tembuku gede (secondary inlet), telabah pamaron (tertiary waterway), tembuku pamaron (tertiary inlet), telabah penyacah (quaternary waterway), tembuku penyacah (quaternary inlet), tembuku pengalapan (individual inlet), tali kunda (individual waterway). Subak’s water system also has complementary part such as penguras (flushing), pekiuh (overflow), titi (bridge), Jengkuwung (small tunnel), abangan (off-land tunnel), petaku (waterfall structure), and telepus (siphon).
SUBAK MUSEUM
Subak Museum is definetely one of the most interesting museums in Bali. It is located in Sanggulan village two km east of Tabanan. The Subak Museum houses exhibits on the history and development of Bali’s unique Subak irrigation organization. This is the only museum in Bali to focus on agriculture, provides all information on agricultural life of Bali and all its related aspects.
As its name suggest the main display in Subak Museum is the miniature of Subak which provides series of pictures of development of a Subak from finding a wellspring, creating tunnels and dams, channeling water through tunnels and dams to managing the water in the rice fields. Displays of farming implements for cutting, cleaning and pounding rice; tools for leveling land, ploughing, weeding, and digging water tunnels; various fish traps; tweezers for catching eels, wooden net used to catch dragonflies, and all implements in relation with Subak activities can be found here.
The Subak Museum provides a film which describes the process of handling the agricultural land. This process consists of various activities, from the meeting of Subak members to arrange the Subak rules to cultivating the land up to expressing gratitude to God for a good harvest. The museum also shows the variety of ceremonies commonly conducted at various stages of the cultivation cycle. There are also a miniature of kitchen with utensils used for cooking rice, a scale model of traditional house compounds which is built based on ancient architectural science of Asta Kosali Kosali.
For the visitors who want to get further information on Subak, a library with complete collection of books, palm leaves manuscripts and carved copper plates concerning with the Subak is at your service. The collections mainly deals with variety of rituals held at every stage of cultivation cycle, method of farming and auspicious days to start activities including their abstinences. The library not just houses collections in relation with Subak (irrigated field) but also provides complete collection of literature on Subak Abian (non-irigated ricefield).
Subak Museum not just gives complete information on Subak but also provides an image on how deeply rice farming intertwines inextricably with daily life of Balinese as well as with Balinese culture and religion.
Tulamben - a popular dive site in Bali
Tulamben is a small town on the north-east coast of Bali. It is a popular dive site in Bali. It is a very easy wreck dive and may by done by divers of all certificatin levels. It is accessed directly from the shoreline and located about 25 meters from shore. At it deepest point, it is about 30 meters from the surface and it tops out at about 5 meters from the surface.
Tulamben has become Bali’s most famous diving area and therefore where you are most likely to meet internationally recognised underwater photographers and writers. Tulamben Bay, like the rest of Bali, is situated in the richest marine biogeographic zone in the world. Being on the north-east coast, the bay receives very plankton-rich waters from the major ocean current that moves from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. This, coupled with the fact that the three main dive sites provide totally different physical environments, mean that Tulamben contains a stunningly diverse underwater ecosystem.
The beach is fist-sized black volcanic rocks that become sand in the shallows. This black sand does not provide the reflective properties of white limestone sand and, combined with the amount of plankton in the water, accounts for the relatively low visibility (12-25M). It does however provide a dramatic contrast, which brings out the colours of the corals, gorgonians, fish and other marinelife. The 100s of macro-species that live here both blend and contrast beautifully with the sand.
Tulamben is a wonderful place to learn to dive and to learn about underwater life. There are occasional sightings of Mola-Mola (Sunfish), Manta Rays, Whale Shark, tuna and other pelagics but it is the permanent population of Tulamben that brings people here for the 1st and 100th time.
Tulamben Wreck is situated directly near the beach on Bali’s northeast coast. The 120m long wreck rests in a 90 degree angle with the deck facing the sea side and used to be an American supply ship named „USA Liberty". Anchored off the coast of Lombok, the ship was hit by a Liberty Wreck Bali Japanese torpedo during World War II. Miraculously nobody got hurt, but the damage turned the ship into a non-functioning and useless hull. The American Navy’s plan to tow the ship to Singaraja harbor (north Bali) failed as the harbor was completely occupied, so the ship was intentionally stranded on the rocky beach of Tulamben, where it was unloaded. In 1963 the volcano Agung erupted and the magma flow pressed the ship back into the sea where it presently rests at a depth of 3 to 29 meters. Since then, coral covered the wreckage completely and turned it into a home for many species of fish. From time to time, a Napoleon fish or huge barracuda drops by. You may dive or snorkel this wreck comfortably, accessing it directly from the beach.
Tulamben Wreck at a glance
Reef characteristics: wreck
Visibility: 15-30 m
Current: none to moderate
Coral growth: wreck is completely covered by stone- and soft coral
Marine life: vast schools of fish (fusiliers and surgeon fish)
Highlight: the wreck is easy to dive even suitable for discover scuba diving .
Tulamben Wall …divides into three great dive sites: the wall, the coral garden and shark point. All dive sites can be accessed directly from the beach.
The Wall starts at a depth of 1 m to then drop straight to 40 m. Besides amazing coral growth this reef also features an unbelievable landscape sculpted by many overhanging rocks. The presence of smaller reef fish is abundant, with angel fish being the species worth mentioning. Besides emperor angel fish, yellow-faced angelfish and blue-banded angel fish can be found with the duke fish rounding out the selection as a member of the angel fish family. Quite often, huge schools of jack fish pass the wall, darkening the sun. Although it is a wall, this dive site is also suitable for snorkeling.
The coral garden is only about a hundred meters away from Tauch Terminal Resort Tulamben, which is located directly at the beach. The coral garden starts at a depth of 2-15 m and is wonderfully grown featuring stone- and soft coral alike. Besides numerous species of reef fish, the beautiful blue-yellow ribbon moray eel has found a home here. This dive site is also a superb snorkelling spot with none to moderate current.
Sharks in BaliShark Point can be reached via snorkelling close to the wall. The residing sharks are commonly whitetip- and blacktip reef sharks and may rest at a depth of 20 to 30 m in a sandy area. When currents are present, occasionally grey reef sharks and even hammerhead sharks circle the blue. The current may become quite strong here and sometimes cold water might swell up forming thermoclines. Thermoclines may lower the water temperature to 24 degrees for a short period of time. This dive site is not suitable for snorkelling.
Tulamben drop off at a glance
Reef characteristics: drop off
Visibility: 15-30 m
Current: none to moderate (shark point to strong)
Coral growth: many stone and soft coral
Marine life: many species of reef fish, specially angelfish
Highlight: easy to dive, also visited during the open water course
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Special Dive sites and Daytrip Info at a glance
Night diving
All above mentioned sites are ideal for a night dive. You will see the Bumphead sleeping family in the wreck, morey eels swimming or even the spanish dancer!
Batu Kelebit
This site can ben reached by boat (10 minutes ride with the local fisherman’s boat). A higher chance of bigger fish. A huge napoleon and whitetip reef sharks are frequently encountered here.
Nusa Penida
The island is known for its exceptional drift dive. Life is just extraordinary, and visibility usually over 30-40 metres. The biggest chance to see big fish.
BBQ / Mimpang
We dive the shark point where encounter is most likely, and also at Mimpang where we usually see whitetip reef sharks.
Amed
The small village Amed hide various dive sites accessible form the shore with the local fishermen’s boats. Nice corall walls and abundant marine life..
To explore hills forested, to mop the acacia near the coast, and marshes unspoiled of dense Filo’n and of mangle throughout Teluk Terima and the bays to the east. The diverse fauna exists here, including Jalak Putih starling of Bali/Bali (Leuoeopsarrhotschildi) and Bull (javanicus) of Bos, Antelop (Muntiacus Muntjak), red deer (timorensis) of Cervus, monkey ( Presbytis cristata , Macaca SP ), to anteater escamoso (javanica) of Peanuts, verraco (scrofa) of His, Hystrix hedgehog (javanica) , Sturnus melanotenus , Sturnus against, Acridotenis fuscus, Picoides mucet , Orialus chinensis, Haliastur SP, Galus SP.
