Bali

Bali Province

The Capital City of Bali Province is “Denpasar”

Bali, the fabled “Island of The Gods”, has been enchanting visitors for centuries with it’s rich cultural traditions and spectacular panoramas. Bali  has so much been written about Indonesia’s storybook island of the Gods, also dubbed the island of Demons, or the Morning of the World. That any new discussion of it is bound to fall into repeattions. Suffice it, therefore, to give here a brief summary of some of the most essential facts which make Bali the unique phenomenon that it is.An extention of the mountain chin which runs from the Asian mainland over Sumatera and Java, the island is separated from the latter by only a very narrow channel. Apart from some coastal strips and a larger lowland plain in the south, the whole island is mountainous. The highest peak is that of the active volcano Mount Agung, 3,200 meters in the northeast.

Hindu settlers are believed to have come to the island during an early period in it’s history, and later established contact with Java. In the 15^th century the royal nouses of Java and Bali intermarried. The East Javanese influence in Bali became more pronounced. The fall of East Java, based Majapahit empire near the end of that century was a major turning point in the history of Bali.One of the royal princes of Majapahit fled to Bali accompanied by scholars land priests. Here, this prince established himself at Gelgel as the supreme Lord of Klungkung under Dewa Agung Ketut. To his most trusted king and associated he awarded eight kingdoms,, Karangasem, Mengwi, Badung, Bangli, Tabanan, Gianyar, Buleleng and Jembaran.

The power of the royal houses has long since gone, but their seats of that power still exist and are now the district heads of those eight regions. Hinduism is the religion of some 95 percent of the island’s population of about three million. Bali’s Hinduism differs in many respects to that of India, having taken up many elements of Buddhism and traces of the old indigenous animistic beliefs in the process of setting.The faith, known officially as Hindu Dharma, recognize the Hindu trinity (Trimurti) of Brahma as the Lord of Creation, Shiva the Sustainer, and Wisnu, the Benevolent but also the Lord Destruction. Religion permeates the entire life of the Balinese. Gods and Demons (Buta) are omnipresent and their influence on human life must always be reckogned with. Balinese life is filled with rituals meant to please the Gods and avert the evil spirits.

From lofty, mist enshrouded volcanoes and cool mountain lakes down through terraced rice fields to a golden strand lapped by azure waters, every square inch of Bali offers a fresh and unforgettable image. The enchanting paradise of Bali, just 8 degrees south of the equator, is the gateway to the Indonesian archipelago of 17,000 islands. A wealth of activities and attractions, and a population of naturally hospitable people. Six volcanic peaks, encircled by Hindu shrines and temples, tower above sparkling lakes and 162 winding rivers. The geography spans from monsoon to tropical rain forests, savannahs to grasslands, fruit and coffee plantations to steeply terraced rice fields. High limestone cliffs along the coastline are a stark contrast to seemingly endless sandy beaches ringing the island.

No less enchanting are it’s people, some 2.7 million souls whose artistry and piety are recognized throughout the world. Balinese Hinduism, a complex fution of Indian cosmology, Tantric Buddhism and home grown mythology, is the primary faith of Bali’s inhabitants, and so deeply woven into the pabric of their daily lives that the line between the spiritual and the material is blurry at best.Those of you keen on delving into the island’s fascinating culture will have plenty of opportunities, as colorful ceremonies and traditional performances occur with the regularity of sunrise. The hill town of Ubud, the island’s premier arts center, also has a full schedule of performances, and the nearby stone cutter’s village of Batubulan is famed for it’s Barong lion dances.

The shoppers among us will find Bali a treasure house of handicraft and fine works of arts. The Balinese are incredibly gifted artists and craftmen, and their material creations are imbued with the same sense of wonderment with which they rigard their universe. Stone and wood carvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the island. For recreation, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surving event bungy jumping and whitw water rafting await the adventurous here.

Bali is the star jewel in the treasury of the Indonesian archipilago. It has been well known to be one of the most beautifull and exotic island of the world with breathaking sceneries and hospitable people. The religion influence is strongly felt in the arts. It almost seems that every person is an artist in some form, whether in dancing, painting, weaving or carving. On the many shrines arts, culture, religion, dancing and gamelan music are inseparable from Balinese people’s life style. Bali which is almost completely Hindu, and has it’s own cycle of celebrations and even it’s own calender. Nyepi or Balinese New Year comes around every 210 days. At present Indonesia’s main tourist destination Tour Adventure  is nothing new to Bali. In as early as the 1920s, people from Europe and as far as the Americas began coming to Bali. Arts, cultures and religion are too closely interwined to daily life in Bali.

While we are in Bali, we could visit places of interest such as Bali Museum, Bali Art Foundation, Art Market of Kumbasari in Denpasar City. Royal Temple of Taman Ayun, The sacred monkey forest at Kedaton and Tanah Lot Temple built on a barren rock island in Mengwi. The Elephant Cave at Bedulu. The Holy Springs Temple at Tampaksiring and Gunung Kawi and we will find in the ravines, royal tombs, a hermitage and monk’s caves cut out of solid rock. Bali Agricultural Museum at Tabanan, hotspring at Penebel, Jatiluwing Temple located on a steep terraced ricefield, cool mountain resort of Pacung, long green vegetation by mountain resort of Bedugul, Lake Beratan,  the fruit and flower market at Candi Kuning, Singaraja the former capital of Bali, Lovina Beach, magnificient landscapes and beautifully carved rice terraces, Barong & Keris dance performance at Batubulan, Celuk home of gold and silverworks, Mas as a village famouse for it’s woodcarving, painters community at Ubud.

Bedulu as and old monastery known as elephant cave, volcano and the blue lake of Batur at Kintamani, Driving northeastern coastline to Tengaran, the ancient Balinese valley preserve their customs and unique culture, Tirta Gangga water palace, Candi Dasa Beach sightseengs enroute, The Bat Cave at Kusamba, Lake Batur, traditional salt making at Kusamba, Kertagosa court of justice at Klungkung, Paintings Museum at Ubud, Penglipuran as typical Balinese Village, Tenganan the ancient Balinese Village, Pura Beji, the beautiful carved rice fields in Pupuan.

Denpasar

The Bali museum on the capital’s main square was eshtablished in 1932. It’s building faithfully represent the best of the court architecture of three regions of the island, Tabanan in South Bali, Karangasem in the East, and Buleleng in the North, and are filled with objects of art and implements from prehistoric times up to the present.Bali is one of thousands of islands constituting the Indonesia Archipelago that has long been renowned as an eminent tourist destination in Souuth Pacific or even in the world. Many names have been given to this beautiful island, like “Island of The Gods”,“The Last Paradise on Earth”, “Morning of the World”, and still so many other names.

The island covers an extent of 5,632,86 square kilometers, consisted of mountain range streches from the West tip to the East end with Mount Agung, considered as the holiest by the Balinese, as the highest peak. The volcanic range divides the islandinto two part of plain which are constantly cultivated with the rice as the staple crop. About 70% of the whole extent is agricultural ground, while the other part of 22 % consist of forest and only a little part about 8% left uncultivated.It has for centuries lured visitors from various countries with it’s exotic and vibrant culture, natural scenic beauty, and the friendly smiles of the peoples. The stronghold of their traditions and beliefe based on Hinduism has dotted the island with ancient remains , ornately sculptured temples or holy places and this may be the main factor to keep away any of negative outside influence.

To the wide variety of landscape and marvelous panorama, the Balinese and their colorful festivals, ritual ceremonies, traditional music and dances and no wonder of income within the national economic development.

The History

The Balinese had already owned their belief and culture when Hinduism brought into Indonesia about 200 years ago. Around 400 A.D. the Hindu Kingdoms in Central and East Java had their great influence over Bali but when a new religion, Moslem brought in, the Hindu Kingdoms in Java had been more and more declined. At that time a large number of priests, noblemen artists and their followers refused the new religion and escaped to Bali.They blended their belief and traditions with those of the local people a blend or which is inherited by the present Balinese people, the rich culture which instead of the scenic beauty of the island, has attached more and more visitors from time to time.

The People and Daily Life

The population about 3,000,000 people mainly live on agriculture with rice as the staple food. The other crops, among others, are ; coconut, maize, soybean, cassava, coffee, slove, vanilla, etc. Bali is also known for it’s wide variety of tropical fruits such as manggo, banana, jacjfruit, water melon, salak the thornyskined, durian the tasty but smelly one, grape and so many others.Everyday life in Bali merges with social duties and religious obligations while the art reflects and unnoticed integrations of environment, religion and community in which indivual is a part. The organization of the villages, land cultivations up to the creations of art are of communal efforts. Village in Bali is the central place for it’s people while a society which is grouped into “Banjar”, the group unit of several families.

Traditional Costumes

The traditional dresses worn by Baliness are always reffered to ritual ceremonies.

The Baliness men wear Kamben Endek or Stagen linen, white or yellow Saput clothes, Udheng Songket (linen), and slipped Sumpang flower in between their ears. The Baliness women wear Tapih under-wear linen, Kamben Songket linen; Stagen beltsand Giwang Subeng (earrings).Their hair adorned with Pusung Tagel and Kembang Goyang.

The Climate

Bali has such a mild and agreeable climate the whole rea around. The sunny days within dry season between May and September are cool and pleasant, while in rainly season between October and April, tropical shower will alternate with clear sky and sunshine.The average temperature of the day in coastal areas varies from about 28⁰ Celcius during May, June, July, to about 30⁰ Celcius in March and October. It is approximately one and half hours drive to the highland where the temperature varies from 16⁰ Celcius to 26⁰ Celcius and it is known to drop to about 8⁰ Celcius. The humidity is high (from a minimum of 70% to a maximum of 95%). The weather is most pleasant between May to September.

The Language

English is widely understood, particularly in major tourist destinations, where it is almost the second commercial language. Other languages like ; French, Javanese, Italian, etc., are also spoken in some hotels, shops and restaurants instead of English.Spoken and written Bahasa Indonesia is largely in comprehensible to the casual visitors but it could easily be learnt just in a couple of months.

The Temples

The temples are the most important institution in Bali, reflecting the important role religion plays in the life of Balinese. A temple is place for communicating with the divine spirits through offerings and prayers. On holy days, when the deities and ancestral spirits descend from heaven to visit  earth, the temple becomes the center of activity.From family shrines in every house, three temples in each village, small shrines in the middle of paddy fields, important temple at the most holy of them all, Besakih on the slope St. Mount Agung, the temple takes a central place in the community. Temple festivals are guided by priests and the ceremony includes blessing and purification by the sprinkling on holy water. Whole communities take part in these festivals, bringing baskets of food and flowers for offering.While “Pura” means temple, a “Puri” is the residence of the locaal prince, which many function as a cultural center.

Music, dances, and cockfights began as part of temple rituals to please the gods. Following the caste system of the Hindus and some of it’s other rites and beliefs like incarnation, the greatest festivals in Bali are cremation ceremonies. Burials is only temporary while the family prepares for the cremation, which is joined by the community as it means the liberating of the soul for rebirth.

The Events

Important  Festivals of the Balinese life occurs on fixed dates according to the Balinese Calender.instead of temple festivals take place mostly in every 210 days or six months, there are annual cycle and every six months celebrations of holidays, life cycle ceremonies of a Balinese person since the time inside the mother’s womb followed in stages up until marriage and the most important of the Balinese ritual is that includes funeral rites.To maintain and preserve the every aspect of the Balinese’s cultural life, annual festival are regularly held by the Provincial Government, such as : the annual festivals ussually takes place in every middle of the year with exhibitions and performances of various kinds of artworks and cultural achievements, Kite Festival, and so on.

Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi, Saraswati, Pagerwesi.

Ngaben; a Balinese Cremation, a Great Event

Puri Ubud is a place where the family of the Ubud king has lived from generation to generation. On 18 August, the Ngaben ceremony was held. Thousands of tourists came to Ubud to witness the great event. Some guests who came to the cemetery were public figure like celebrities, family members of the other kingdoms in Bali and of course some local, national authorities and other important figures. As a result, the security of the event was very tight with hundreds of police men standing by. Fulfilling people’s expectation of the great event, the cremation ceremony was both spectacular and memorable.The event started at 1 o’clock at midday with some dance performances in Puri Ubud. A dramatically ornamented bade, cremation tower that  houses the corpse on its final journey. It was measured an unbelievable 24 meters and weighed about 10 tons. The bade was made by Tjokorda Gde Raka Sukawati, the first son of Anak Agung Rai. Aside from the bade, the sculpture of a black cow called lembu was also created by Tjokorda Gde Raka Sukawati. The lembu was about 7,5 meters high.

Since the day of her death, news about the upcoming great cremation ceremony or Ngaben in Puri Ubud spread around Bali and beyond. Ngaben or the traditional cremation ceremony of Hindu Bali is known as a very attractive cultural event. Therefore, many people wish to witness the rare occassion of a great cremation ceremony. It shows visitors a glimpse into the intricate cultural rites and traditions on Bali.

Art Centers

The impressive Abian Kapas Art Centers on the outskirt of Denpasar Houses works, of some Bali’s greatest painters and a wide collection of other major works af art. Dances and dance dramas are often performed on the open stage inside the center’s compounds. The buildings are in themselves magnificent samples of the traditional Balinese building style as applied to today’s needs.Werdi Buydaya, another art center near Denpasar, was designed to promote the local arts and to prevent the loss of major art objects. It has exhibition halls as well as a stage for performance.

Besakih Shrine

Besakih Shrine.  Bali’s “Mother Temple” is a sprawling complex of shrines and pavilions set high on the slopes of sacred Mount Agung. This Bali’s Mother shrine, consisting of 18 complexes. According to existing information, this shrine or temple on the slope of Mount Agung, Bali’s holy mountain was built before the 5^th century. A long flight of stone steps leads through seven terraces to the innermost courtyard with it’s central shrine, three stone seats, dedicated to the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

The objects of interests are:

Bangli, The West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island, Batur Caldera, Kintamani.

Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach. One of the most famous in the world. Kuta’s main beach is hardly deserted. Kuta Beach, at one end of the isthmus which connects the Bukit peninsula with rest of southern Bali, is one of Bali’s best known sea side resorts. Mostly young people from almost all over the world come here to enjoy the proverbial pleasures of sun, sea and sand white gethering freely with local population.Kuta’s sands are white in the south, but get more grayish as one moves toward the north. The big surf makes Kuta a good surfer’s beach. Threacherous currents, make it unsafe for swimming to venture too far out into the sea.

Kuta Beach with it’s long stretch of white sand and brilliant sunset, has attracted swarms of visitors since it’s rediscovery by surfers and sun worshippers in the 1970s. the abundace of operators along the main drag means plenty of choice, waterskiing, paragliding, sailing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, surfing. Some good breaks, and is relatively safe for beginners. Best waves in the morning and late afternoon. More challenging waves, short, fast, tubes aplenty.The village with it’s young, international air, just behind the beach, has virtually everything to cater for the visitor’s wants or needs.Cangu, Pererenan, Balian and Madewi are less crowded than Kuta, with moderate level beach and point breaks.

Penelokan, Lake Bedugul, Pura Luwur Uluwatu, Kamasan, Klungkung, Kerta Gosa, Candi Dasa Beach Diving, Padang Bay, The Elephant Cave, Lovina Beach, Mengwi, Bona.

Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua. The beautifully landscaped beach resort of Nusa Dua is home to no less than 15 five-star resort hotels, the 18 hole Bali’s Golf & Country Club and excellent shopping facilities. This newest international tourist resort on the island of Bali has some very good beaches. The sea around the sheltered beaches at the north side of the resort is calm and good for swimming. The waves are bigger in the south. The Nusa Dua resort is located at the southern end on the secluded Bukit Limestone Peninsula, south of the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Nusa Dua meaning “Two Islands” is a haven from the relentless, 24 hours a day souvenir sellers that have sadly become a fixture in Kuta over the recent past.This former coconut plantation was developed in the 1980s as Indonesia’s first state run Tour Adventure  enclave. An area totally dedicated to leisure. Nusa Dua is one giant, beautifully landscaped beach resort.

Talumben Diving, Sanur Beach, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Lembongan, Sangeh Monkey Forest, Padang Galak, Tanah Lot, Tampaksiring, Tirta Empu, Tulamben, Cemeluk Diving, Celuk, Batu Bulan, Mas, Peliatan.

Ubud

Ubud. Ubud is located in the peachful foothills of Gianjar Regency 25 km north of Denpasar. Ubud is Bali’s foremost artistic community. It’s serene beauty and rich cultural tableau have been attracting visitors for decades, including early celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward and Barbara Hutton. A fair share of foreign painters have also taken up temporary or permanent residence in Ubud over the years, reshaping age old artistic conventions and inspiring an axplotion of creativity among local artists. The center Balinese painting Ubud’s Museum or Palace of Fine Arts has a permanent collection of modern works of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. There are also several art galleries and homes of famous artists here, includind that of Dutch born Hans Snes and American Antonio Blanco. The “Young Artist” style now popular in Balinese painting was introduced by Dutch painter , Arie Smith. In the past, other foreign painters inspired Balinese artist to adopt Western techniques. Traditional Balinese painting are stilll made and sold.

There are now hundreds of galleries and studios in the Ubud area, and no less than three impressive art museums ; Neka, Agung Rai and Puri Lukisan. Restaurants and handicraft boutiques also abound here, and there are numerous performances of music, dance and also drama to enjoy.

Fauna

Bali Barat National Park is a paradise for bird-watchers. They will find about 160 different species in the park.

Birds

Bali Starling or Rotschild's Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi), Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica), Edible-nest Swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga), White-bellied Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta), Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica), Crested Treeswift (Hemiprocne coronata), White-breasted Wood-Swallow (Artamus leucorhynchus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Striated Warbler (Megalurus palustris), Collared Kingfisher (Halycon chloris), Sacred Kingfisher (Halycon sancta), Javan Kingfisher (Halycon cyaniventris), Small Kingfisher (Alcedo caerulescens), Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsus), Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis), Racket-tailed Treepie (Crypsirina temia), Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis), Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis), Collared Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena), Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela), Javan Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia bitorquata), Banded Pitta (Pitta guajana), Mangrove White-eye (Zosterops chloris), Lesser Adjutant (Leptopilus javanicus), Great Thick-Knee (Esacus magnirostris).

Animals

Banteng (Bos javanicus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Rusa Deer (Cervus timorensis), Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Ebony Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), Barking Deer or Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Pangolin or Trenggiling (Manis javanicus), Large Flying Fox or Kalong (Pteropus vampyrus), Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), Water Monitor (Varanus salvator).

Batuan

Specializing in tradition as painting and weaving as well as decorative wooden panels and screens.

Air Sanih;The Trangui beach with fresh spring pools and accommodtion.

Alas Kedaton;A temple surrounded by monkey forest.

Amlapura;The Principal city of Karangasem district with Raja’s Palace.

Banjar;The Hot spring bathing place with pool on the north coast.

Batukaru;The temple on the highland with lush vegetation surrounding.

Bona; The center of palm leat and bamboo handicrafts.

Bukit Jambul;The marvelous scene of rice terraces.

Canggu;The beach for avid surfers.

Belod Berawah;The peaceful beach on the west coast.

Gianyar;The Capital town of Gianyar District with old residence of the former Rajah of Gianyar.

Gitgit; The breathtaking waterfall with natural beauty surroundings.

Goa Lawah;The Bat Cave. A cave with thousands of bat inhabitants situated on a temple courtyard.

Jati Luwuh; The most fantastic viewing spot of rice terrace.

Jungut Batu;The white sandy beach for surfers and driver on Lembog, an island with simple accommodation.

Bedugul;The botanical garden with wide selection of plants, fresh with mountain air.

Kamasan;The famous for typical traditional paintings, gold, silver, and brassworks.

Kerambatan;The Royal Palace with spacious Gamelan Hall.

Kusamba;The Fishermen village with salting grounds.

Medewi;The Pleasant beach for water sport lovers.

Padang Bay;The Bali’s ferry port to Lombok.

Pancasari;The known for the best golf course.

Pejeng;The famous for the Penataran Sasih Temple with a big bronze kettle drum inside.

Pulaki;The monkey temple with hot spring nearby on the north coast.

Putung;The scenic point with marvelous panorama stretches to the valleys while sparkling sea seen in the distance.

Rambut Siwi;The temple on the cliff known as the biggest in West Bali.

Serangan Island;The known as Turtle Island, with diving area and Sakenan Temple.

Singaraja;The principal town of Buleleng district formerly the original capital of Bali, known for Gedong Tirta Museum, old manuscript on palmleaf.

Sukawati;The art market with wide selection of artworks.

Suluban;The excellent beach for surfing.

Tenganan;The ancient village of the original Balinese, known for “Ikat Handwoven” cloth called “Gringsing”.

TirtaGangga;The old royal bathing place of the former “Rajah” of Karangasem with pools.

Toya Bungkah;The known for hot spring bathing place by the Lake of Batur.

Trunyan;The ancient village of the original Balinese with specific tradition and custom, accessible by boat over the Lake of Batur.

Yeh Pulu;The ancient reliefs on rock wall.

The Etiquette

Social etiquette plays an important part in the Balinese’s daily life and willingness to conform to their traditional manners is always respected. Like in any other countries, there are cultural pitfall however, mainly social relegious taboos, the breaking of which may couse social and religious offence. It is considered rude to point with your toes at a person or object and it is not acceptable to walk in front of praying people.

For those who do not know each other well, it is considered impolite if one grabs the other’s head since head is regarded to be the most significant part of the human body. Visitors are always welcom to any of ritual ceremonies or temple fetivals provided they are properly dressed and show their respect to the host or deities of the family house or temple they visit at least by putting on sash around their waist.It is totally unacceptable to take picture of women or men bathing in public bathing place or river and for ladies having their period, there is a strict prohibition of entering any temple or holy place.

The Health Regulation

Valid vaccination certificates of small Pox, cholera and yellow fever are required those coming from infected areas. Considering that Bali is a tropical resort, visitors should be aware of getting sunburn, so it is advisable to wear a hat as protection from the firceness of midday sun. medicines could be obtained from local chemist’s shops called “Apotek” in comformity with doctor’s prescription.

The Customs

Customs regulations allow, per adult, a maximum of two litters of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 10 gram of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume. Photographic, video and filming equipment, typewriters and cars are admitted provided they are recorded in your passport an entry and taken out on departure. Narcotics, arms and ammunition, TV sets, radio cassette recorders and Chinese medicines are items that strictly prohibited.While fresh fruit, plants and animals must be passed by the Quarantine Office. There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies, however it is prohibited  to import or export Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 50.000,-

The Travel Formalities

Travellers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six month after arrival. No visa required from nationals of 30 countries for a visit not exceeding two months time. Those countries are : Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, U.S.A. and Germany.For citizents of other  than the 30 listed countries above, a tourist visa for 30 days could be obtained on application to Indonesia Embassies or Consulates in their respective countries, while any extension is at the discretion of the immigration authorities.

Accommodation

Bali has the biggest concentration of different types of hotels which cater to the international tourist. All these hotels have conventon facilities, swimming pools, sports grounds and of retaurants, bars, night clubs or discotheques and beach fronts. There are also smaler cottage style hotels with modern amenities and most unique. All hotels above and with two star have guestrooms with air conditioning, attached bath rooms, telephones and TV sets.

Transportation

Bali could easily be reached by air and there are international Airlines running scheduled flights to Ngurah Rai International Airport, it is the Indonesia’s second international air gateway and is served by some of the major airlines of the world. Over land, Bali could be reached from Java by train to Banyuwangi, and a connecting ferry service. Denpasar has all the public mean of transportation one might need, from buses to minibuses and pedicabs, for trips inside the city, and to outlying destinations. Ferry services provide links not only with Java, but also with island of Lombok to Bali’s east.

Most of the Airlines fly to Singapore first as the nearest foreign Airport and it only takes two and half hours flight from Singapore to Bali. There are also flights to Bali via Jakarta. Two of the four sea ports in Bali are used by international cruise ships and yachts. They are the port of Benoa, just around the headland for larger and luxury cruise ships. The Harbor at Singaraja, on the north coast the line between north Bali and Java.Gilimanuk on the northwest links Bali with Java, there is a regular ferry service connecting the two islands, with several ships serve Indonesian’s main ports.

For complete information you could have on the “Text Book Guiding To Indonesia” By F. I. Fatrick.