Tembea : BALI : Island of the Gods

A paradise with a varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides providing a picturesque backdrop to colorful, deeply spiritual and unique culture. That is Bali, otherwise referred to as the Island of the Gods, in brief for you. One of more than 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago, Bali is home to about 4 million friendly, hospitable people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality. Its spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving have made Bali Indonesia’s unrivaled number one tourist attraction with eighty percent of international visitors to Indonesia. Bali has a large number of cultural, historical and archaeological attractions, and an enormous range of accommodations. Extremely important to the tourist and agricultural life of Bali, especially for rice crop, the rivers of Ayung, Unda, Sungsang, Balian, Yeh Sumi, Petanu, and Saban carry the water from the highland to the seas. There are four major picturesque lakes, Lake Batur at the crater of Mount Batur, Lake Buyan, Lake Bratan, and Lake Temblingan. These are surrounded by evergreen forest and vegetation. Its fresh air gives pleasant and comfort to the visitors. One can rent a traditional yacht for fishing or lake crossing. road. Lake Batur is formerly the caldera of Mt. Batur, before it rose to its current peak, just nearby the lake. This caldera was caused by the most terrifying eruption of Batur Mountain in 1926. There is a holy spring the water of which is believed to be able to rinse human soul, the location of which Hindu’s ceremony regularly is celebrated. Also, Pohen Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Bali. On the slope of this mountain lies Bedugul Botanical Garden with a collection of original Indonesia plants and imported one. A variety of palaces also abound. Pemecutan palace was built in the 17th century in the era of Pemecutan Kingdom in Denpasar. The royal house is completed with accommodation facilities, allowing the best way a visitor could get to get in touch with palatial atmosphere or and learn the long history of Denpasar. The traditional Satria Palace nearby boasts a big stage where Balinese dances are performed regularly and a collection of kris traditional daggers used in the 1906’s Puputan Badung War against the Dutch colonial army. A royal temple in palace area holds a regular ceremony every 210 days according Balinese calendar, featuring special dance only performed on the stage in this auspicious day. Tihingan Village is known as the producer of Gamelan, traditional music instruments made from bronze or copper, used for escorting Balinese dances and some ritual ceremonies. The villagers are descendant of Pande family, those experts in metal related business. Tihingan’s gamelan is a well-known brand nationwide, for its special tone and appearance. Visitors can learn to play it at Gamelan studio around nearby the village temple. Kamasan Village is known from its puppet paintings and silver and chopper handicrafts. The Balinese puppet, Wayang, is a media for religious education as well as mode of entertainment, through its epic stories. The Dutch colonials discover this painting technique as unique for its natural color and distinct style, never been found in any other art village on Bali. Egg paintings were first developed here. Kamasan also produce silver or chopper households engraved with puppet painting characters. Bali can be reached by air though Ngurah Rai International Airport at the southernmost part of the island while a coastal road surrounds the island. Ends

Lifestyle

Tembea : BALI : Island of the Gods