Everyone who has visited Bali is always
favourably impressed with its cultural attractions and natural
beauty. Bali is enriched by it`s indegenious and unique culture,
arts, traditional dance & drama, custom, tradition, belief,
spectacular panorama. All aspects are blended in a balance of
an eternal search for peace.
Balinese Dance
Dance
is the main art form in Balinese culture, performed at the main
temple festivals and in ceremonies of the cycle of life and death.
The range of dances in hotels and on special stages is only a
small fraction of what Balinese dance has to offer.
There are several dances that could excite you. There is the
kecak - perhaps the most popular of all Balinese dances, the barong,
is the magical protector of Balinese villages, the gambuh - a
classical form of dance-drama, the topeng, which is traditional
masked dance, the Baris or the warrior's dance, legong, the Dance
of the Heavenly Nymphs, the kebyar which is a flashy modern dance
and the Shanghyang Dedari, the ritual trance dance.
Temple
The
most important institution in Bali, temples reflect the important
role religion plays in the life of the Balinese. A temple is a
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 temples, become centres
of activity.
Temple festivals are guide by purification by the sprinkling of
holy water. Whole communities take part in these festivals, bringing
baskets of food and flowers for offerings. While pura means temple,
a puri is the residence of local prince, which may function as
a cultural centre.
Music, dances, food, flowers, and fruits scarificed began as part
of temple rituals to please the Gods an to placate evil spirit.
Following the caste system of Hindu and some of its other rites
and beliefs like reincarnation, one of the greatest ceremonies
are cremations, meant to liberate the souls ready for rebirth.
Burial is only temporary to give the family time to prepare or
waiting for more to have a common cremation with the community.
Bali's Beaches
For many tourists visiting Bali, images of palm-fringed beaches
are uppermost in their mind and probably the biggest single reason
for purchasing thet ticket to paradise.
The reality is more than this. While the palm-fringed beaches
do exist, there are also the wild coastline and black sandy beaches
in the west, the exciting surf, the sparkling lagoons of Lembongan
island, as well as the quiet coves in the north.
Kuta Beach is by far the most popular and the whitest beach
in Bali, attracting all ages and nationalities. The beach extends
from Canggu to the airport in Tuban. It is ideal for those wishing
to combine a beach holiday with testing their surfing skills.
Kuta beach continues to grow in popularity and is a fantastic
place to soak up the warm sun.
Sunset Legian. This beach has been called the United
Nations of beaches where locals, expatriates and tourists mingle,
bargain, play football, indulge in a massage, catch up on reading,
meditate or exercise.
Tuban Beach. Between Kuta and the airport, Tuban Beach
is lined with big hotels. Less frantic than Kuta, it is a wonderful
place to simply grab a lounger, a good book and relax. It is safe
to swim here, thanks to the hotel lifeguards.
Sanur Beach. A calm, quiet lagoon area, Sanur Beach offers
great conditions for windsurfing, parasailing, and other recreational
activities. The chic address of many of Bali's rich and famous
since the 1930's, Sanur has a lively history and is still cherished
by many. The strecth from the Grand Bali Beach to beyond the Bali
Hyatt is served by a beach path, making it possible to enjoy the
many hotels and restaurants along the strip. The calm waters of
Sanur beach make it very popular with families.
Nusa Dua Beach. Nusa Dua was designed with luxury in mind.
Numerous bigname hotels line the beautiful sandy beaches which
offer excellent swimming in a protected lagoon. Some resorts have
private beaches however most are accessible.
Jimbaran Beach. Jimbaran is a sleepy cove where fleets
of fishing boats colour the scene. Since the opening of The Four
Seasons Resort Bali and the Bali Inter Continental, this once-quiet
area has now become a popular resort in Bali. Local families and
tourists are drawn by its beauty, and to enjoy the food of the
superb and calm waters attract many people. It is very popular
spot for windsurfing and small sailing craft, which are available
for rent.
