Bali
The Goddess Island
General Information
Other Name: The Island of The Thousand Temples, District: Bali, State: Nusa Tenggara , Indonesia
Area: 5632.86 km2
Languages Spoken: Indonesian (official), Balinese
Long Distance Code: +62(0)
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: June to August and December And January
International Access: -
Description
Bali is one of thousands of beautiful islands in Indonesia, lies to the east of Java and the west of Lombok. Bali is well known as "The Goddess Island" or "The Island of The Thousand Puras/Temples." Bali is also associated with "Paradise", and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, the physical beauty of the island, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving, and the year-round pleasant climate have made Bali Indonesia''s unparalleled number one tourist attraction.That''s why Bali is also a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island". If it''s not enough to convince you that Bali is so gorgeous, know this, the island of Bali is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines as the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.Bali is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Balinese percussion orchestra music, known as gamelan, is highly developed and varied. Balinese dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana but with heavy Balinese influence. Famous Balinese dances include pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, and kecak the monkey dance.Location
Bali lies 3.2 km east of Java.Climate
Pleasant climate
Located northeast of Denpasar in the village of Singapadu, this two-hectare bird park incorporates some 60 aviaries. Manicured gardens with flourishing tropical plants and exotic trees provide home to more than 1,000 rare and beautiful birds from the Indonesian archipelago and all over the globe. The Bali Starling, birds of paradise, flamingos and many other varieties make for a wonderful yet educational outing for the whole family.The Blue and Gold Macaw will even sit on your arm for a great photo.Bali's mother temple stands against a stupendous mountain backdrop on the southeastern slopes of Mount Agung. The largest on the island, this massive complex of 35 small temples attracts staggering numbers each year, being the main point of pilgrimage for Balinese Hindus. Tracing its origins to prehistoric times, the complex was untouched by the great 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, which wiped out surrounding villages. The complex also houses the oldest remaining gamelan instrument in Bali called selonding.
The still-active Gunung Batur volcano, at an altitude of 1,717 meters (5,635 ft), is revered by the Balinese as the sec-ond-holiest mountain on the island (after Gunung Agung) and symbolises the female element next to Agung's male.The Klungkung Palace was built by the Dewa Agung dynasty when the people moved here in 1710. The existing palace, called the Semara Pura, contains a large square with spacious courtyards, lush gardens, pavilions and moats. The palace that you see today is actually a reconstruction, as the Dutch destroyed the original palace and grounds during attacks in 1908. Stone walls with water lilies in the moat surround the very beautiful Taman Gili complex.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of Kuta to Lovina Beach located in north Bali, about 100 kilometers from southern tourist hotspots. Famous for its early morning dolphin-watching boat trips, Lovina also offers good snorkeling and diving, and trekking in the nearby mountains. Do not miss the opportunity to soak in hot springs and catch beautiful sunsets! With a wonderful variety of hotels, restaurants and bars located on or very near the calm beach, Lovina offers something for everyone. It is also a good base to take day trips to the nearby attractions of north and west Bali.
Pura Kehen is the religious heart of Bangli's many temples. One of the largest religious complexes in Bali, its origins can be traced back to the beginning of the eleventh century. A huge banyan tree shades the first courtyard.
Located within easy walking distance from the center of Ubud, this small, forested area contains three troops of gray monkeys. After purchasing a ticket at one of the three entrances, proceed down the walkways to the center of the forest. You can purchase bananas and peanuts at the entrance to feed the monkeys but be warned, the monkeys are quite mischievous and will not hesitate to jump on you in search of hidden treats! Remove jewelry, glasses, or other shiny objects before entering. Be sure to explore the Pura Dalem (temple of the dead) and the many interesting statues and fountains.
Tanah Lot is located about 12 kilometers from Tabanan City and 20 kilometers from Denpasar. The area comprises a wondrous mixture of natural beauty and sheer human effort. Here lies an idyllic white sand beach with crashing waves, complemented by a small yet majestic temple. This temple, known as Pura Tanah Lot, juts out to sea on a rocky background. Tanah Lot attracts throngs of both locals and tourists daily. Most come here longing to catch a glimpse of the romantic Tanah Lot sunsets-a regular occurrence during the dry season (April to November).
Whether it is bright and sunny or rainy and gloomy, the trip through the landscape of terraced rice paddies between Candidasa and Amlapura is one of remarkable scenic beauty.
Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in the Badung Regency. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Being a popular surfing spot for the very experienced, Uluwatu offers a wonderful vantage point to view a spectacular sunset. Warungs or small restaurants perched on the cliff offer a comfortable spot to survey the vast Indian Ocean beyond and below the 100-meter-high cliffs with panorama on three sides. Monkeys inhabit the temple and cliff face hoping for a banana or some peanuts from the visitors.