Bali At A Glance
Island of Bali
The island is surrounded by magnificent beaches and coral reefs adored by world class surfers and divers. Known as a home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority, Bali is also renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metal-working and music. With all of these elements, Bali remains one of the world’s most favorite destinations for almost eight decades.
Friendly and remarkably artistic people, living amid breath taking panoramas, dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, make Bali an island that is almost unreal in today's hectic and changing world. Terrace rice fields dominate the landscape, with rivers and small irrigation streams dissecting a luscious green landscape, filling the air with enchanting sounds of running water.
Bali is divided by a string of impressive and authoritative volcanoes running almost through the center of the island. Mountains and particularly volcanoes are believed to be the home of the gods. Shrouded in mystery and magic, they stretch skyward in majestic splendor. Bali's main volcano is the still active and sometimes explosive. Gunung Agung, which is considered, sacred among local people as it is believed to be the center of the universe. Not just a view visitors leave with the same believe.
The ancient kingdoms of the "Rajas" and princes of Bali were dismantled by colonial governments in the early part of this century, but many of the royal descendants still own traditional palaces and are very much respected as patrons of the arts. Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali's unique form of Hinduism called "Hindu Darma". Classical dance dramas for example, are based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, but contain an element of local folklore, peculiar to the island.
The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms that have been passionately preserved over the centuries. It seems that almost every person is an artist, spending free time applying skills and images which have been passed down from generation to generation and grasped from a very young age. Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings and dances, extraordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made for myriad shrines which can be found in public area, on roads, in paddy field or in homes, the island is alive with art.
Bali Geographical Location
Bali, with a land area of 5,632 km², is located at 8°25_23_S 115°14_55_E. The island lies 3.2 km (2 miles) east of Java, and is approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to west the island is approximately 153 km (95 miles) wide and north to south is approximately 112 km (69 miles) long.
The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, and the present provincial capital and largest city, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud, north of Denpasar, with its art market, museums and galleries, is arguably the cultural centre of Bali.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand, while those in the north and west have black sand. To the east, the Lombok Strait separates Bali from Lombok and marks the bio-geographical division between the fauna of the Indo-Malayan eco zone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia. Population Bali’s population recorded as of 2007 was 3,800,000. The island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metal-working and music. Language and Culture The most-widely spoken languages are Balinese and Indonesian. English is a common third language (and the primary foreign language) of many Balinese, a necessity owing to the island’s tourism industry. Balinese are famous for their hospitality and always pleased to welcome visitors to their island. However, cultural standards are well kept and respected.
Things that should not be done when interact with locals are:
• Touching the head. Nobody is allowed to touch someone else’s head for whatever reasons unless he/she is a priest who is conducting a Hindu ritual.
• Pointing with left hand. Balinese are right handed people and pointing with left hand is considered
inappropriate gesture.
• Step on the offerings. Offerings are dedicated to Gods.
Bali Foods and Dining
Various cafes/bars/restaurants that serve any kind of flavours from modest traditional setting to European styled ambiance are available. Most are spread in south Bali, the touristic area. Transportations Taxis are plentiful and can be easily hailed in every street, always insist on a metred-fare. This is the most convenience transportation mean to get around. Other options are rented cars and motorbikes that are available with reasonable rates for daily or weekly usage, with or without driver.
Money and Exchange Rates Indonesian Rupiah is the official currency while most hotels also apply rates in US Dollar. Exchange rates may vary in every money changer.
Bali Climate
Bali’s climate is tropical and the temperatures do not vary much, remaining around 28 to 30 degree Centigrade all year long. The rainy season, from November to April, brings thunderstorms and rain with an increase in humidity, which tourists may find uncomfortable. Humidity may often reach 95% and the air is heavy, but the days can still be sunny and pleasant. The dry season brings cool breezes at night from the Southern Hemisphere’s winter period, and allows for very pleasant and less humid days.
International Airport Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar, about 30-40 minutes by private car to hotels in Bali’s southern.
Bali Etiquette Know How
The Balinese people are very welcoming and polite towards foreigners and each other. They love to make jokes and not to take things to serious in their every day life. The way to approach new people in Bali is to make them laugh. Then the people involved have an open mind towards each other and a good first connection is made.
Though being in Bali, there are different kinds of etiquette and rules important to remember in daily life among the Balinese and when visiting the many temples on the island. Don't be afraid if you forget the different procedures! The Balinese don't get offended if foreigners tend to forget the everyday etiquette, while the rules for visiting the temples are stricter because the focus here are to please and look after the gods, the forefathers and the demons. And these are not to be offended!
If you know that you have broken a rule you can excuse yourself with a smile and a 'maafkan saya' ( I am sorry!).
Bali Temple etiquette.
For both males and females: When entering a temple in Bali you have to wear a sarong (Balinese: kain kamben): a rectangle of cloth around your waist and a selendang (temple scarf) also tied around the waist. Often it is allowed to take pictures nearly everywhere in the temple, but it is always better to ask before, just to make sure that you are not offending anybody here.
Women menstruating are not allowed inside the temple as there are seen impure during the period of menstruation. This reflects a sanction against human blood on holy ground. Also pregnant woman and those recently given birth cannot enter.
When being in the temple it is always required for visitors to keep an open eye on the situation and respectfully follow the procedure done by the Balinese. You are very welcome to join the prayers and here are some rules and procedures to follow: These you will quickly learn, looking at the Balinese praying. An important thing though is when sitting on the ground don't point your feet towards the shrines in front of the prayers.
In the temple as in daily life it is important not to cross over the offerings or the gamelan instruments.
Bali Everyday life etiquette
Bali - Body language
Body language still reflects old courtly manners and is strongly codified. It is considered rude to point with one's index finger; use the thumb and always the right hand rather than the left. The left hand is seen impure so also when giving and receiving things use the right hand. The head of the human is sacred, so don't pat children on the head as is so common in the western world. Also when sitting, try to avoid pointing your feet towards the people in front of you as the feet are seen as un-pure.
Bali Hospitality
Handshaking is customary for both men and women on introduction and greeting. A common way to greet each other on the street is to press the palm of your hands together in front of your chests with the fingers pointing upwards.
Visitors are always welcomed with refreshment. Guests may acknowledge the efforts of the host when a tray of refreshment arrives, but they shall not begin eating or drinking until the host says 'silakan', meaning 'please begin'. When leaving, a quest says goodbye by asking permission to leave 'permissi'. When eating the Balinese often eat with their hand. If you want to join in, you start with washing your hands and then eat with the right hand.
A Balinese family doesn't necessary eat together. Each individual eats when he/ she are hungry.
Bali Public Affection
Touching between people of the same sex is common among the Balinese, a sign of friendship. Touching between people of the opposite sex seldom occurs in public. Accordingly, Westerners should avoid kissing or showing affection in public.
Especially in the rural villages it is important to dress appropriately. Shorts and single tops are not considered polite attire for women or men here. For women visiting the beach it is best to wear a bikini-top. Flip-flops are acceptable in everyday life, also in the temples, but if you are going to a government office or a more public meeting, you need to where more elegant shoes. It is not acceptable to walk-into a bank bare-chested.
Talking with your hand on your hips is a sign on contempt, anger and aggression - as displayed in traditional dance and opera.
As you may already know the Balinese are strong believer of their faith. For many Balinese it can therefore be difficult to understand that many Western people do not see faith that important. Even more difficult to understand is the fact that many Westerners do not believe in any god. Therefore it is suggested while talking to strangers in the street not to mention if you do not have any religious faith. This is to avoid any misunderstandings. Talking to Balinese people you know better you can choose to be frank, as there is time and shared trust to explain your thoughts on this matter.
You may leave your sandals / shoes outside of the room and remember not to hang anything on the small box as a shrine which always put by Balinese in each room.
Even though all these etiquettes can be difficult to remember in the beginning, you will quickly learn how to behave among Balinese. And remember, the people here will not be offended by you forgetting the everyday procedures as you are a foreigner and not expected to know them.
Temple Etiquette in Bali
Unlike the forbidding somber temples of other Oriental countries, the Balinese temple is a gay, open air affair with one, two, or three open courtyards surrounded by low wall, each court leading into the next through more or less elaborate stone gates, and with a number of empty sheds, pavilions, and shrines in varied styles. Though many temples also serve as tourist destination but their main function as place for worshipping, God has to be respected and the perseverance of temple holiness is vital for the Balinese.
Here are some rules that have to be observed by the visitors in visiting a temple in Bali.
1. A proper attire is needed, if you wear a long pants or a long skirt, a sash will usually be required. If you wear shorts, a sarong will be needed. The sash must be tied around the waist.
2. Do not climb onto the temple buildings or walls.
3. Do not stand or sit higher than a priest.
4. Do not stand directly in front of the priest, or walk in front of the kneeling congregation. You must also not remain standing when people kneel to pray.
5. If people are praying, avoid getting between them and direction in which they are praying.
6. Use camera with discretion. Do not uses flash when the devotees are praying, it will be better not to use flash at all.
7. By ancient law, menstruating women are banned from the temples, due to general sanction against blood in holy areas. The same prohibition applies to people with open wound.
8. Women who have recently given birth and her husband are banned from the temple ground since Balinese ancient scripture consider that giving birth and the presence a new family member upset the spiritual balance of the family but after 42 days they are allowed to enter.
9. Persons who recently bereaved are also banned from the temples since the loss of a family member is also considered upsetting the spiritual balance of the family only after 42 days they are allowed to enter the temple.
10. Some temples prohibit babies and toddler to enter the temple, since Balinese religious law stated that a child is a spiritually complete human only when one of his or teeth falls off. A baby is considered has strong relation with God since he or she has just departed from His realm and not yet completely human as well as impure as the result of the birth.
Bali Festivals & Ceremonies
Festivals and ritual ceremonies are the important part of Balinese daily life, held according to the Balinese calendar. Temple festivals held mostly in every 210 days (or every six months) and life-cycle ceremonies since the human embryo lives in mother’s womb, birth, birthday, tooth filings, wedding until funeral rites and cremation.
Ritual ceremonies and festivals in Hindu Balinese classified into five kinds:
1. Dewa Yadnya: Rites related to worship God, gods, mainly temple festivals.
2. Rsi Yadnya: Rites related to prophet, priest or priesthood.
3. Pitra Yadnya: Rites related to death.
4. Manusa Yadnya: Rites related to social human beings.
5. Buta Yadnya: Sacrifices to placate the negative or demonic forces (Butas).
Bali Routine Important Festivals
GALUNGAN AND KUNINGAN
Galungan and Kuningan ceremonies are the biggest festivals on Bali. Every houses and places are decorated with Penjor (tall decorated bamboo stakes). Galungan ceremonies always begin on Tuesdays and held for three days. During the Galungan festival, gods descend to earth and stay with people. After 10 days, on the following Saturday, it is called Hari Raya Kuningan, a day for all souls'. In the morning, offerings are brought to their ancestors and gods. The next day, Sunday, is Manis Kuningan. Held at the temple of Sakenan on Serangan island, where the BARONG LANDUNG dance is usually performed.
PANGERUPUKAN / A Day Before Nyepi
Three days before Nyepi, the Balinese celebrate Melasti, Mekiyis or Melis, a Hindu ceremony held 3 days before Nyepi. It is meant to cleanse nature, especially the ocean and other water bodies. Divine effigies are taken out of the temples and long processions carry them to the water for bathing.
Beware of making tour plans, or business appointments as traffic is slowed down by the processions.
The night before Nyepi, is Tawur Agung Kesanga, also in preparation for Nyepi. There are purification ceremonies in all the houses and procession accompanied by gemelan music. At the main crossroad of every village, evil spirits are exorcised by setting fire to large dolls of monsters and demons, called Ogoh-Ogohs.
All must return to their homes, tourists to their hotels, and no light can be used, nor sounds heard: it is the beginning of Nyepi, at midnight.
NYEPI / Bali's Day of Silence
On the day of Hari Nyepi. Daily routines and work are dropped, and Nyepi is a public holiday. Leisure activities, even sex, are not permitted. Neither is traffic – cars or pedestrians - and people stay in their homes. During this period, the Hindu majority, who practice Yoga Semedi, observe the Catur Berata Penyepian, meditation and introspection. Lights are turned off.
Nyepi is the annual purification of the Hindu-Balinese New Year, determined by Caka lunar cycle calendar. Nyepi usually celebrated at the beginning of the tenth Balinese month either at the end of March or at the beginning of April.
Most conspicuously, silence reigns over the streets and homes. Unlike Westerners, the Balinese open their New Year in silence. For that reason, New Year's Day is called the Day of Silence. This silence is taken very seriously: the streets are patrolled by pecalangs, traditional policemen dressed in black and wearing a ceremonial hat (an "udeng" or "destar").
As a visitor you are advised to respect this day. You will be required to stay inside your hotel. The beaches, are closed off anyway. Also, don’t expect to fly or boat into the island: on Nyepi all points of entry, the seaports and even the airport are closed.
NGEMBAK GENI / A Day After Nyepi
The day after Nyepi, the Balinese celebrate Ngembak Geni, the end of the rigorous rules of the day before. On this day they visit one another, extend forgiveness to their enemies, and read ancient Hindu scripts.
PAGERWESI
Ritual ceremony for strong mental and spiritual defense in welcoming Galungan.
SARASWATI
The day of Dewi Saraswati devotion, the God manifestation as the beautiful goddess of knowledge, art and literature. On this day, all books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Weda are blessed.
TEMPLE FESTIVAL - ODALAN
Odalan ceremony considered as a birthday, annual ceremony of a temple based on Balinese calendar 210 days. There are big number of temples on Bali; and they held the ceremony in three days.
NGABEN / Bali Creamation
Ngaben is a cremation ceremony, a symbolic rite that the soul will be released and returned onto the cosmic elements. It takes place depends of the ability of the family to pay for it. Sometimes it takes several years before a Ngaben takes place. As long as there is no cremation, the soul cannot rise up to heaven. The body will be buried, waiting for a propitious day for cremation.
BALI DESTINATION FACTS & GUEST RECOMMENDATIONS
Bali Travelers’ notes:
Visa information
Departure Airport Tax
Currently, the airport tax is 150 000Rp.
Disembarkation card
Do not discard or lose the disembarkation card you have filled it before crossing immigration.
General information
Bali Location
Bali is an Indonesian island located at 8°25 23S 115°14 55E.
Bali is the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, lying between Java to the West and Lombok to the East. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.
Bali Demographics
With a population recorded as 3,800,000 in 2007.
The island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.
Bali Geography
The island of Bali lies 3.2 km (2 mi) east of Java, and is approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to West, the island is approximately 153 km (95 mi) wide and is approximately 112 km (69 mi) north to south; it's land area is 5,632 km². The highest point is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover centre to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the easternmost peak.
The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, and the present provincial capital and largest city, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud (north of Denpasar), with its art market, museums and galleries, is arguably the cultural centre of Bali.
There are major coastal roads and those that cross the island mainly north-south. Due to the mountainous terrain in the island's center, the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains. There are no railway lines.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the south east has both. The Ho River is navigable by small sampan boats. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot.
To the east, the Lombok Strait separates Bali from Lombok and marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia. The transition is known as the Wallace Line, named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who first proposed transition zone between these two major biomes. When sea levels dropped during the Pleistocene ice age, Bali was connected to Java and Sumatra and to the mainland of Asia and shared the Asian fauna, but the deep water of the Lombok Strait continued to keep Lombok and the Lesser Sunda archipelago isolated.
Bali Ecology
Bali has around 280 species of birds, including the critically endangered Bali Starling. The only endemic high-level predator of the island, the Bali tiger, became extinct in the 1930s.
The Bali Barat National Park, located on the north western side of the island, is a refuge for wildlife such as the Sunda Pangolin, Indian Muntjac, Mouse-deer, Leopard Cat, Black Giant Squirrel, and several species of macaque and leaf monkey.
Bali Economy
Rice terraces near Ubud; until the late-twentieth century tourist boom, agriculture dominated Bali's economy
Three decades ago, the Balinese economy was largely agriculture-based in terms of both output and employment. Tourism is now the largest single industry; and as a result, Bali is one of Indonesia’s wealthiest regions.
Although in terms of output, tourism is the economy’s largest industry, agriculture is still the island’s biggest employer, most notably rice cultivation. Crops grown in smaller amounts include fruit, vegetables, Coffea arabica and other cash and subsistence crops.[citation needed] A significant number of Balinese are also fishermen. Bali is also famous for its artisans who produce batik and ikat cloth and clothing, wooden carvings, stone carvings and silverware.
The Arabica coffee production region is the highland region of Kintamani near Mount Batur. Generally, Balinese coffee is processed using the wet method. This results in a sweet, soft coffee with good consistency. Typical flavors include lemon and other citrus notes. Many coffee farmers in Kintamani are members of a traditional farming system called Subak Abian, which is based on the Hindu philosophy of "Tri Hita Karana”. According to this philosophy, the three causes of happiness are good relations with God, other people and the environment. The Subak Abian system is ideally suited to the production of fair trade and organic coffee production.
Arabica coffee from Kintamani is the first product in Indonesia to request a Geographical Indication.
Bali International Airport access
Airport name: Bali – Denpasar - Ngurah Rai Airport
Time from airport to hotels in the South: approx 30-40 minutes by private car
Geographical destination: Bali is an island of Indonesia, approximately 2 ½ hours South of Singapore
Climate
Bali’s climate is tropical and the temperatures do not vary much, remaining around 28 to 30 degrees all year long. The rain season is normally from November to April and although it sees thunder storms and rainy days, the increase in humidity is the most inconvenient factor for tourists. Often reaching as high as 95% humidity, the air is heavy but days can still be sunny and pleasant. The dry season brings cool breezes at night from the Southern hemisphere’s winter period, and allows for very pleasant and less humid days.
Clothing recommendations
As days are warm and mostly sunny in the dry season, light cotton and linen fabrics are the most recommended. It is also highly recommended to use proper beach attire for sun bathing in public. For sailing trips, it is recommended to bring long sleeves, especially from June to August, since the cool breezes of the dry season can be chilly.
Packing Suggestions
It is recommended to bring your own medication to Indonesia in case you do not feel comfortable with locally produced brands. Toiletries can be found in Bali and often the same brand can be found as abroad.
Comfortable clothing for visits as well as comfortable shoes to navigate in the markets and around villages, are necessary. The Balinese do not require tourists to dress in a particular manner although it is more polite to cover your shoulders and knees. Bare breasts sun tanning is frown upon and it is suggested to observe western customs when walking in the city, accessing banks and other official buildings and use clothing to cover the swimsuit or trunks.
Reading recommendation
For the history of Bali:
A Tale from Bali, Vicki Baum, Periplus Editions, Tuttle Publishing, Hong Kong, 1999,512 p.
A Balinese Prince, Doctor AA. Djelantic, Periplus Editions, Hong Kong, 2001, 413p.
For the history of the Spice Route and the Easter Islands of Indonesia
Nathaniel’s Nutmeg, Giles Milton, Sceptre – Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1999, 388p.
For cultural & religious references
Bali Sekala & Niskala, Fred B. Eisenman Jr., Periplus Editions, Hong Kong, 1990, VOL 1 , 376p.
As for excursion, yet Bali is an endless discovery!!!
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