Bali/Indonesia

The perfect family holiday

Bali, one of over 18,000 islands that make up Indonesia, is in Southeast Asia, about 1740km north of Darwin. Other than an even greater determination on the part of the Balinese to welcome and protect their visitors, Bali has not changed. Smiles are still prevalent in this paradise, which is famous for its friendly people, colourful culture and beautiful beaches. It's still one of the friendliest destinations for families and there's probably no easier place to have a relaxing family holiday. The Balinese love kids and many hotels and resorts cater especially for children. There are free kids' club activity programs, large family rooms with toys, discounted interconnecting rooms and free or discounted children's meals. Babysitters are readily available and are excellent value, costing just a few dollars an hour. Capital Indonesia’s capital is the sprawling, crowded, hectic city of Jakarta, on the island of Java, just west of Bali. The capital of Bali is Denpasar, a bustling, slightly cramped city on the southern tip of the island. As it’s not often visited by tourists, who usually head straight for the beaches of Kuta or the green hills of Ubud, it’s a good place to get a taste of some “real” Balinese culture and a taste of life in an busy Indonesian city. From Hours Sydney 5 Melbourne 6 Brisbane 4 Perth 3.5 Where is it and how do I get there? Garuda Indonesia flies to Bali: 4 x per week from Sydney (Mon, Fri, Sat & Sun); 4 x per week from Melbourne (Mon, Tue, Fri & Sun); Brisbane 3 x (Mon, Wed & Sat); Adelaide 3 x (Tue, Fri, & Sun); 2 x Darwin (Fri & Sun); daily from Perth; Auckland 2 x (Wed & Sat). Kids' meals can be requested when booking or 48 hours before your flight. Contact Garuda Indonesia for more information and request a free copy of their invaluable publication "Bali on ANY budget". When to go/Weather With its warm, tropical climate, Bali can be enjoyed any time of year but the best time to hit the beaches is during the dry season, from April to October. The rest of the year is more humid, with more overcast days and a higher chance of rainstorms. Where to stay The majority of family resorts are located in Jimbaran Bay, Sanur and Nusa Dua, or near Kuta at Tuban, Seminyak and Legian. A popular alternative to hotel accommodation are one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments with a separate lounge room and kitchen, allowing families to stretch their dollar further by self-catering. Four highly recommended apartment-style resorts are Jayakarta Residence in Legian, The Bali Gardenia Suites in Nusa Dua, the Club Bali Suites in Legian and the Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites, which is one of the most attractive family apartment options available in Bali.

Resorts with kids’ clubs/facilities offered Hotel Padma Bali Hotel Padma Bali is situated on Legian Beach, just outside of Kuta. Set amidst acres of landscaped, tropical gardens, the hotel offers a village-style hideaway with Balinese hospitality and world-standard facilities. The complimentary Padma Kiddies Club offers games and activities, leaving parents plenty of free time to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the island. There's also a children's menu and a child-minding service for around $20 a day. Balihai Resort and Spa Balihai Resort and Spa is a modern resort with a true Balinese flavour. The resort has a choice of accommodation including a special Kiddy Suite, just $US15 on top of the price of a superior room. These rooms are partitioned from the parents’ room and feature a 21" TV with Sony PlayStation and plenty of games, VCD or video player and a fun theme room with bunk beds. There's also the free Tutu Kiddy Club, open during the day for kids aged 4-12, and a babysitting service. Bali Hilton International Bali Hilton International, with its beautiful Balinese architecture and tropical garden setting, is an elegant, luxurious resort situated on magnificent Nusa Dua Beach. The Hilton offers excellent childcare facilities, the Wayan Made Kids Club and fun activities ranging from Balinese dancing to face painting to coconut leaf art. There's a great children's menu available and kids’ movies screened everyday at 12pm. Bali Dynasty Resort Bali Dynasty Resort is renowned as Bali's four-star family resort. It's located in Tuban, South Kuta, a short walk from beaches, shopping and nightlife. There are 312 rooms and suites including family rooms with attached "Kids Suites". There is also a separate kids’ pool and complimentary kids’ club that will introduce kids aged 4-12 to traditional Balinese games and crafts. Hard Rock Hotel Bali Hard Rock Hotel Bali is built in the heart of Bali's entertainment and shopping district, nestled on the shores of Kuta's famous surf beach. What sets the Hard Rock apart is Centrestage – which serves as a lobby, a bar, a rock museum and a live venue. There's no shortage of entertainment for the kids, with the supervised Li'l Rock Kids club offering fun activities and games including Lego building, Play Doh modelling, Balinese dancing and Treasure Hunts. Intercontinental Resort Bali Intercontinental Resort Bali is located on the white, sandy shores of Jimbaran Beach, with 425 luxurious guestrooms and two magnificent Presidential Suites set among 35 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. The VIK (Very Important Kids) club is open between 9am and 7pm and lets kids discover a bit of Balinese culture with traditional dancing and dress-ups with local costumes. Bintan Lagoon Resort Bintan Lagoon Resort is located on the north coast of Bintan Island, another of Indonesia's popular holiday destinations. The resort features 416 hotel-style rooms, 57 villas, two 18-hole golf courses, seasports centre, leisure centre and the Aspara Spa featuring a number of luscious treatments and blissful relaxation programs. For kids, there's the Nutty Bunch Club for 4-12 year olds. Daily activities include mask making, pool games, origami, face-painting, cooking, bike rides and tennis. Food and Drink A highlight of any holiday in Bali is dining out – whether you go for sumptuous 5-star restaurants or are drawn in by the sweet, smoky smells of spicy meats being barbecued at a street stall. The typical fare in hotels and resorts is Indonesian- and Chinese-style food, like the perennial favourites of satay chicken and nasi goreng (Indonesian-style fried rice). You may have to inspect the menus of several restaurants before you find some genuine Balinese cuisine. You may be treated to a buffet feast of Babi Guling (roast suckling pig) and Bebek Betutu (duck smoked in an earthen oven and wrapped in banana leaves), accompanied by a host of colourful tropical fruits like banana, mango, rambutan, lychee, mangosteen, jack fruit and durian. As Bali is a major tourist centre, International cuisine is easily found, with an assortment of fast food outlets, takeaways and Western-style eateries available. Shopping Bali is a treasure trove of interesting souvenirs, beautiful gifts and terrific bargains. Open-air markets, open day and night, offer the best opportunities to shop for crafts and antiques, clothing and home wares at amazingly low prices. Some of the biggest and best markets can be found in Denpasar and Sanur, but shops and stalls can be found all over the island, especially near the main tourist hangouts. Unique souvenirs include handcrafted items like woodcarvings, stone carvings and iron and bronze works and Indonesian batik. You can get great bargains on fabrics, furniture, clothing and jewellery. Supermarkets, speciality stores and shopping centres are usually open 7 days a week between 9am and 9pm, with shorter hours on Sundays. Airports Ngurah Rai Airport, also referred to as Denpasar Airport is a busy international and domestic airport close to the tourist centres of Kuta, Ubud and the Balinese capital of Denpasar. There is a good variety of duty-free shops and places to eat, and a number of banks and money-exchange counters located at both terminals. Transfers from airport Ngurah Rai International Airport is about 2.5km south of Kuta. Most resorts have a meet and greet airport service but if you haven’t arranged this, getting out of the airport is simple and quick. You may rent a car from one of several car hire companies at the airport, or you can catch a taxi. In the arrivals hall you’ll see official taxi counters – these will charge you a fixed price. Or, you can walk across the airport car park and hail a metered cab. Getting around for families Bali has plenty of transport options available, so it’s not difficult to get around, day or night. The main forms of public transport for the Balinese are buses and mini-buses. These are cheap, plentiful and can take you every corner of the island, but they do tend to be fairly slow, stopping for every waving hand by the side of the road. Taxis can be hailed anywhere on the street in Bali. There are several taxi companies around – some are metered and some will require you to negotiate a fare before you head for your intended destination. Self-driving is a great way for families to get around Bali, but exercise caution! Although the roads are fairly well maintained, they can be heavily congested during peak periods. Ceremonial precessions can sometimes overtake the whole road, so if you get stuck behind one, just sit back and enjoy the experience! What to wear Bali is hot and humid, so light, loose-fitting clothing is fine most of the time. If you plan on visiting the highlands, be sure to wear long pants and jackets. Be sure to have hats and sunscreen on hand to protect your family from the hot, tropical sun. Population Bali has a high population density with around 3.4 million people. Culture/Religion Unlike most of Indonesia, Bali has resisted the advance of Islam that is now prevalent throughout most of the country, and has preserved its Hindu beliefs and customs, a fact which the Balinese people are extremely proud of. Hindu Bali is a unique branch of Hinduism, and its many rituals are highly dramatised and animated performances of music and dance and colourful processions. Theatre and dance are an integral part of Balinese culture. Performed to the unique sound of the gamelan orchestra, Balinese dance is dynamic and exciting, full of sharp turns and twirls and intricate co-ordination of finger, neck, shoulder and eye movements. As always, take care to observe local customs and treat places and objects of religious significance with respect. Never receive or give something to someone with your left hand – this is offensive to the local people. Don't talk to local people with your hands on your hips or touch a person's head. Dress conservatively when visiting temples – women are expected to put on a sarong before entering temple grounds. These can often be rented or borrowed outside the temple. Language The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, a language based on Malay with very simple grammar. Bahasa Bali and its dialects represent a far more complex and difficult language. In tourist areas, you'll have no difficulty communicating with the locals in English. Time Indonesia is 2 hours behind Eastern Standard Time. For time zone information, click here. Currency The Indonesian currency is the rupiah. $1AU is equivalent to roughly 5000 rupiah. For up to date currency conversion, click here. Major credit cards are accepted in supermarkets, department stores and tourist centres. Tipping Tipping is not widespread in Indonesia. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service fee to the bill so don't feel obliged to tip. With taxis, it is usual to give the driver around 10% of the fare. Electricity 220 volts, 50 hertz AC using round, twin-wrong slim plugs. Health precautions See your doctor at least six weeks before your trip to check which shots you should have, and whether you need to take precautions against malaria. We would not recommend that you rely on fresh milk in Bali. Depending on where you are staying, some of the five-star properties may have milk supplies that you can trust, but it may be safest to avoid it. Long life is not necessarily the answer either as this may not be appropriate for infants. We suggest you use a full cream powdered milk (brought from home) with bottled water. This also has the advantage of being readily accessible to you at all times and you can begin using it prior to your holiday so your baby can become accustomed to the taste. If you are still concerned, have a chat to your doctor and see what alternative to fresh milk he recommends. Tap water Don't drink the water - don't even brush your teeth with it. Always have bottled water with you and make sure the seal is unbroken. Passport and Visa Requirements Australians require a visa that is current for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in the country. Seek advice from the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate prior to arrival. HWK Family Travel Tips Bargaining is a skill worth learning and practising if you plan to do any shopping in Bali, and kids can try their hand and it too. Friendly bargaining is expected at market stalls and makes the shopping experience fun for both the buyer and the seller. When you want to negotiate a price with a seller, have the absolute maximum you're willing to pay in your mind then ask the seller what the lowest price he's willing to offer is. Offer considerably less than this (between about two-thirds and half the price is OK!) then keep haggling until you reach a happy medium.

FURTHER INFORMATION Indonesia Tourism website: www.tourismindonesia.com

Entertainment

Entertainment in Bali Upon reaching Bali, get your hands on a copy of Bali Echo and the English-language daily, Jakarta Post, which will give you an overall picture of current exhibitions, music, dances and films within Bali. Information can be also obtained through your hotel and notices outside establishments. Wayang Kulit The ancient art of shadow play or Wayang Kulit is a unique combination of ritual, lesson and entertainment. Lacy shadow images are projected on a taunt linen screen, backed by an oil lamp or a light bulb. The Dalang or shadow artist manipulates the figures, which are carved out of leather, to bring the shadows to life. He will narrate the story accompanied by a gamelan orchestra and occasional chanting or singing. The Dalang juggles many roles - actor, teacher, historian, and often, a priest. These performances are part of temple celebrations or religious events to bless the occasion by inviting ancestral spirits to visit the temple. If it is of a religious nature, the wayang performance will take place during the day. Instead of the screen, only a piece of string is used to separate the Dalang from the audience. The stories played are commonly based on the Mahabarata and Ramayana. Some of these shadow puppets have mobile joints, which make the play even more entertaining. Generous offerings are presented before, during, and after a performance, which usually take three to four hours. Plays normally begin some time between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Gamelan An orchestra for nearly every event and occasion, the gamelan has special purposes, being the music of Indonesia. These orchestras are generally percussion oriented, but many feature flutes, strings, or vocalists in a prominent light. Different islands or regions within these islands have their own unique gamelan instruments and traditions. Gamelan is performed when ushering idols to the sea, thus creating a hypnotic rhythm and pattern with the procession of gongs, drums and cymbals. High pitched bronze gamelan enhances the king's slumber, meter-long bamboo flutes accompany a classical dance in the temple, the twang of the bark of a palm aims at courting a young maiden, and reeds provide a whimsical atmosphere for the frog dance. The gamelan indeed has its distinguished purposes. Customarily, gamelan uses bronze, iron, bamboo or wood bars, bronze and iron gongs, gong chimes, cymbals, bells and two-headed drums. Ceremonial compositions are meditative and serene whereas dance and theater music percolates and flutters. Visual Stimulation If you are itching to watch a movie while in Bali, fear not. You will be able to find bioskop in larger towns but the best ones are in Denpasar, Kuta, and Mataram. Lurid posters are highly visible to advertise the latest offering; they are usually mounted on trucks that cruise through town while rave reviews and snatches from the soundtrack blare from a loudspeaker. Of course, there's always television. There are several public and private television stations broadcasting a variety of foreign movies, mostly with Indonesian subtitles, plus bizarre Indonesian quiz shows, soap operas from all over the world (with Indonesian subtitles), and sports, mainly basketball from the United States and football from Europe. However, in such a tropical paradise, the day would be wasted if you intend to spend it watching television. There are so many traditional dances and festivals to enjoy and attend, not to mention the historical sites to visit. And if that's not your cup of tea, there is always shopping; yes, shopping! Souvenirs and gifts gesture all around you, so put on your walking shoes and roam to your heart's content!
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POPULAR BALI ACTIVITIES

POPULAR BALI ACTIVITIES

Water Sports: Swimming snorkeling, banana boat rides, water ski, parasailing, etc. are arranged by most hotels and at the Beluga Marina in Tanjung Benoa. There are also small sail boats, catamarans, and boards for wind surfing for rent along Jimbaran Beach.
The most challenging of Bali's famous surfing spots are near Ulu Watu (only for experts in top physical condition who are comfortable surfing over coral reefs on large, powerful waves that break in shallow water) and along Bali's West coast North of Canggu; the best time is during the dry season from June to September. For details on the various locations please visit the Baliwaves web site or check Peter Neely's "Indo Surf & Lingo" guide book.
You can also buy a day-guest ticket (telephone before as prices vary from US$25 to US$40 per person and seem to depend on their occupancy!) and enjoy all sports facilities at Nusa Dua's CLUB MED until 17:00 in the afternoon. They offer sea kayakking, wind surfing, snorkling and many other sports activities such as water aerobic, archery, tennis, and ping pong tournaments, beach volleyball, bocci ball lessons, and a circus school for adults. The day-guest ticket includes a lunch buffet with a choice of Western, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes and unlimited table wine, beer and soft drinks.
A large free-form swimming pool with a life band playing during the afternoon on the center island is the main attraction of the new HARD ROCK BEACH CLUB in Kuta. There is a pool-side restaurant for various snacks, a pool bar serving exotic drinks, and you can even rent your private pool-side "Cabana" if you wish to draw the curtains for some privacy. Pool use is 100,000 Rupiah per day for non-resident guests, and for the "Cabana" they charge 100,000 Rupiah per day.
Spending an afternoon in the Aquatonic Pool at the new RITZ-CARLTON THALASSO & SPA is an experience not to be missed! The roofed 650 sq. meter (7,000 sq.ft.) pool contains 700 million liters (153 million gallons) of heated seawater. With a maximum depth of 1.3 meters (4 ft.) the pool includes different zones at variable temperatures with numerous strong jets providing aquatic massages to improve blood circulation, tone up the muscles and provide relaxation. There is a cross current walking corridor, cross current swimming corridor, cubicles for leg, tight and stomach massage, aqua seats and cubicles for back massage, swan necks for neck and shoulder massage, several jet pools, bubble bath areas, geysers and aqua beds providing a relaxing bubble massage and a panoramic Indian Ocean view. One-time access to the Aquatonic Pool for two hours is US$35 +20% tax & service per person (minors below 16 years are not allowed). Not cheap but well worth it!
Spa & Beauty Treatments: A wide range of treatments is offered in the RITZ CARLON SPA adjacent to the Aquatonic Pool for US$50 to US$80 +21% per hour. Other famous spas in the upper price category are at the NUSA DUA BEACH RESORT, at THE LEGIAN in Seminyak, and the KIRANA in Ubud features a spectacular setting. Numerous other spas in all tourist areas offer treatments at lower prices, and when you stay at many of Balivillas.com's villas you enjoy free massages and spa treatments including the famous Mandi Lulur at substantially reduced rates. For bookings and more information call 703-060.
Scuba Diving in Bali: A number of PADI certified companies offer diving tours (no spear fishing in Bali) with experienced guides and equipment from one day to several days. The best Bali diving sites (some with ship wrecks) are along Bali's East cost near Candi Dasa, Amed and Tulamben and near Nusa Penida. The area around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk (ferry to Java) is regarded by many experts as over-rated, and do not try diving near Nusa Dua and around the Southern peninsula — it's a waste of time and money. Here you can find details on Bali's best dive sites. About US$60 to US$90 (depending on the destination) per person for one-day tours; US$350-US$400 plus extra costs or US$450 including everything for four day courses including your PADI certificate. For bookings and diving information call 703-060.
Game Fishing: A number of companies offer yachts and fishing boats with guides for charter. The catch includes Tuna, Wahoo, Mai-Mai, Mackerel, or Marlin - and Snapper, Cod and Coral Trout to be caught reef fishing should you so desire. From US$40 per hour for a small boat, US$500 per day (US$250 half-day) for a 30-foot catamaran with satellite navigation, top-of-the range fish finder and sonar as well as Brownie diving equipment, and US$660 per day for a state-of-the-art BLACK WATCH game fishing vessel with experienced crew, full insurance, and all electronics and safety gear. For bookings and charter information call 703-060.
Day Cruises: There are daily cruises to nearby Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan islands off the South-East coast of Bali. Guests spend the day either at one of the cruise companies' beach clubs (with restaurant, swimming pool, water sports equipment) or on a floating pontoon, and you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, take Banana Boat rides, or view the underwater world from a semi-submersible vessel. You can choose between modern, air-conditioned motor cruisers accommodating 100 and more guests and a number of smaller sailing boats. For the more adventurous there is now also a 12-meter inflatable Ocean Raft carrying up to 24 passengers. Departure is usually around 9.00 a.m., and you return in the afternoon. About US$65 to US$85 per person including lunch, children from 5 to 14 years 50%. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Dinner Cruises: Some of the boats which leave in the morning for the regular Island Cruises offer also a Dinner Cruise starting around 17:45 p.m. After cruising around the Benoa harbour, an international buffet dinner and some entertainment by folk singers and live bands you return around 20:45 p.m. to the pier. US$40 per person, children up to 16 years 50%. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Island Cruises: There are a number of cruises from Bali through the Lesser Sunda Islands, to Sulawesi, and the Moluccas. You can choose from modern cruise liners, luxurious private yachts, and traditional Buginese schooners, and either join a scheduled cruise from 3 days to 12 or 15 days, or even charter your own yacht or schooner with 2 to 16 cabins, experienced crew, and a Western tour guide. Please look at the different cruises and yacht charter options available or call 703-060 for information.
Submarine Safari: You can book a tour which brings you about 70 feet below the sea of Amuk Bay, Padangbai. The small submarine can carry about 36 guests, and large port holes allow you to view and photograph underwater reefs and corals, many marine creatures, and a large variety of fish including sharks. The Odyssey Submarine offers you 45 minutes dive with 1.5 hour free program. Rate is US$69 per person. For bookings and charter information call 703-060.
Playing Golf in Bali: The "Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club" near Bedugul in the mountains is probably Bali's most attractive golf course. There is also a 18-hole course at the "Bali Golf & Country Club" in Nusa Dua near the Bali Hilton, a 9-hole course at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur, and the new "Nirwana Bali Golf Club" with a 18-hole course near Tanah Lot. If you are interested in playing golf in Bali, please call 703-060 for bookings and information.
Tennis & Squash: There are Clark Hatch Sports Clubs at the Sheraton Laguna and Nusa Indah Resort, Kartika Plaza Hotel, and Nikko Hotel each of which has several outdoor tennis courts, indoor squash courts, and complete fitness facilities. Playing partners as well as lessons are available. Most other 5-star hotels have at least some tennis courts which can also be booked by outside guests. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Paragliding: Situated on the Bukit (the hill South of the airport), a well-trained instructor of Bali Adventure Tours accompanies you on a 20 minute tandem flight over the most spectacular strip of Bali's coastline. For bookings and information call 703-060.
White Water Rafting: Several companies offer exciting white water rafting tours (grade 2 to grade 4 rapids) on the Ayung river North-West of Ubud and — during certain times of the year — also on the Unda river North of Klungkung. You pass waterfalls and volcanic cliffs, deep sided gorges, tranquil rice terraces and remote villages. From morning to afternoon, lunch included, US$56-US$85 per person including transfers from and to your hotel and lunch. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Other Organize Adventures: Lake and Sea Kayakking, Jungle Trekking, and Mountain Cycling are arranged by the companies listed above. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Go Cart Racing: There are go cart race tracks in Tuban and in Legian. Open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., US$17 for 15 minutes.
Bungy Jumping: A. J. Hackett in Double Six, Legian is the island's only beach bungy with a lift. US$62. With the "Sling Shot" at the "Adrenalin Park" in Kuta you can get shot 52 metres into the air in just over one second, and they have an overhanging climbing wall, too. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Horseback Riding: Experience Bali on horse back, ride through padi fields and along deserted beaches. Tours can be organized mornings and afternoons. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Paintball War Game: The newly operated "Paintball Bali" is located on Jimbaran Hill and occupies about 3 hectares of exciting playing fields. Facilities include a large parking area, lobby with audio-video facilities (BOSE sound system), individual changing rooms and lockers as well as a staging area. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Nature Tours: Visit the Bali Barat National Park in the West of the island, the Butterfly Park "Taman Kupu Kupu" in Wanasari, Tabanan, or the Botanical Gardens in Bedugul. Guided bird watching tours are offered starting from Ubud (in the village of Petulu a few miles north of Ubud you can also watch between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. every day the arrival of thousands of white herons who are nesting here), and you can visit the bull races in Negara. If you stay near Lovina in the North, get up early one morning and hire a boat to watch hundreds of dolphins. For bookings and information call 703-060.
Not Only for Children: Take a stroll through Denpasar's bird market near the northern end of Jalan Veteran where you see not only a large variety of tropical birds but also tropical fish, cats and dogs, monkeys etc. You can visit the Taman Burung bird park with 1,000 different species of birds (and even a small Komodo dragon in the adjacent Reptile Park) in Singapadu about 20 minutes north of Denpasar, the Waterbom Park with four slides and a flowing river in tropical surroundings in Tuban, or enjoy jungle treks on top of Sumatran elephants starting from the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, a village about 50 kilometers north of Denpasar. Camel rides on the beach are offered at the Hotel Nikko Bali in Nusa Dua.
Balinese Dance & Music Classes: The YAYASAN POLOS SENI (Foundation for Pure Art) in Banjar Teges Kanginan, Peliatan, Ubud, e-mail polos@goarchi.com, offers Balinese dance and music classes for students who wish to become fully involved with the dance & music culture of Bali. Enrolling in one of these classes (one-to-one tuition and participation in group rehearsals and performances) means becoming a member of the family of students and teachers and an in-depth experience of the world of performers and performances in the Ubud area. There are also 2-week courses to learn playing the Gamelan at the MUSEUM SENI KLASSIK in Klungkung (e-mail anggie@gggamelan.com) which are open for all levels of experience. Beginners as well as Balinese Cooking Classes: Discover the secrets of Balinese cuisine by joining one of the 1-Day Cooking Classes held by Heinz von Holzen, the author of the book "The Food Of Bali" and former food guru of the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton hotels in Bali. You can visit Heinz in his beautiful BUMBU BALI restaurant in Tanjung Benoa next to Nusa Dua and enjoy their fabulous dishes at any time. If you wish to enrol in one of his popular classes, you better book in advance.
Balinese cooking classes are also held in Ubud at the BUMBU Restaurant (tel. 974-217), at CASA LUNA (tel. 96-283), and at the nearby Sua Bali Culture and Information Centre (tel. 941-050).
Culinary Events: Aimed more at the local community than at tourists are special wine dinners at THE LEGIAN introducing the products of visiting wine makers and guest Chefs (550,000 Rupiah to 1,000,000 Rupiah per person) and the "Wine & Cigar Dinners" at the AMANUSA and RITZ CARLTON (750,000 Rupiah to 1,000,000 Rupiah per person).
The monthly lunch meetings of the "Bali Wine Club" and the "Chaîne des Rôtisseurs" Black-Tie dinners are for members and their guests only. If you've booked a villa through Balivillas.com and are seriously interested in good food and wine, please call their Service Center to arrange your attendance.
Hash House Harriers: There are three groups of Hash House Harriers holding regular runs on every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 4.30 p.m. You can find up-to-date information at the GLORY restaurant in Legian, LIPS Country & Western Bar and BALI BAKERY in Kuta, ALAS ARUM supermarket, ARRI'S CAFE and ARENA Sports Bar in Sanur, and at NAUGHTY NURI'S bar in Ubud. For more details please visit their web site.

Bali Before Now

Overview of Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island. Location: 8°25′23″ S 115°14′55″ E. It is positioned in a chain with Java to the west and Lombok to the east. The island is a popular tourist destination and known, along with Java, for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather and metalworking, and music, especially that played on the gamelan.
Geography
Bali is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, 153 km long and 112 km wide (95 by 69 miles), and 3.2 km east of Java. It lies about 8 degrees south of the equator. Its surface is 5,700 km². The highest point of the island is Mount Agung, 3,148 m high (10,308 feet), an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains range from the central to the eastern side of the island with Mount Agung being the easternmost peak. Mount Batur, or what remains of it, is also still active. About 30,000 years ago Mount Batur experienced a massive catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth.
The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja and the capital, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud (north of Denpasar), with its art market, museums and galleries, is regarded as the cultural center of Bali.
In the south the land descends to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, dry in the dry season and overflowing whenever there are periods of heavy rains.
Its 3 million population is mainly (about 90%) HINDU but a very small part is Muslim (the fishers on the coast).
The main tourist locations are the town of Kuta (along with its accompanying beach), Sanur, Jimbaran, Seminyak and the newer development of Nusa Dua. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is located near Jimbaran, on the isthmus joining the southernmost part of the island to the main part of the island.
There are no railway lines on the island. There are major coastal roads as well as roads that cross the island mainly in a north-south manner. Due to the slope of the mountainous terrain in the island's center, the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north tend to have black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the north east has both: the main beach and the secret beach have white sand and the south baech and the blue lagoon have much darker sand.
Most of the Balinese people are involved in agriculture, primarily that of rice cultivation. Other crops such as fruits, vegetables and other cash crops are also grown, although in smaller amounts. 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.
History
The Balinese people are descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated through mainland Asia to the Indonesian archipelago, presumably first settling around 2500 BC. The end of the prehistoric period in Indonesia was marked by the arrival of the Hindu people arriving fromIndia around 100 BC as determined by Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds.
The name Balidwipa has been discovered from various inscriptions, among others the Blanjong charter which was issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD and mentions the word "Walidwipa".
The Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) on Eastern Java founded a Balinese colony in 1343. The Majapahit empire collapsed slightly before 1500, due to Muslim assaults, causing an exodus to Bali.
Europeans first discovered the island when the Dutch explorer Cornelis de Houtman arrived in 1597, though a Portuguese ship had foundered off the coast of Bukit as early as 1585. The Dutch established a trade post soon after, and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) started trading from early 17th century onwards. Dutch control of the island was firmly established after a series of colonial wars (1846–1849).
These wars were so fierce (with the entire royal court of the Raja, women and children plunged into battle, armed with kris and spears, killing each other on the battlefield rather than be taken captive) that the Dutch governors afterwards exercised a lenient control, showing great respect for and protecting the local religion and culture.
International tourism started in the 1920s. Bali's beaches are famous worldwide. Its arts and crafts are also popular. Balinese dance is highly developed, (much more so than European Ballet) and considered by many to be one of the world's finest artistic traditions. "Pendet","Legong" and "Baris" are some of the better-known examples.
Bali became part of the Republic of East Indonesia after the World War II Japanese conquest and part of United States of Indonesia in 1948.
On October 12, 2002, the island was the location of a car bomb attack aimed at Western tourists in the popular Kuta Beach part of the island.
Demographics
Bali is a richly diverse island of approx. 3.1 million people.
Religion
Unlike most of Islam-majority Indonesia, the majority of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, formed from a combination of existing local beliefs and Hindu influences from mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Adherents of several other religions are also present on Bali:
* Hindu - 93%
* Muslim - 5.2%
* Christian - 1.2%
o Protestant - 0.7%
o Roman Catholic - 0.5%
* Buddhist - 0.6%
Language
Balinese and Indonesian are the most widely spoken languages in Bali, and many Balinese people are bilingual or even trilingual. English is a common third language owing to the island's large tourism industry.
The Balinese language is a rich and diverse language reflecting the population. In the past, the language has been heavily influenced by the Balinese caste system, but this is becoming less and less pronounced.
Culture
Balinese is famous for the arts, both the performing arts as well as painting, scuplture, and woodcarving. Balinese gamelan is highly developed and varied. Balinese dance includes many famous forms such as legong, baris, topeng, barong, and many many others

Teknologi Bali

Teknologi,
Bali Pulau kecil dengan keanekaragaman, meski kecil tp sudah lumayan maju teknologi.
Salah satu contohnya, dibali kini sudah ada beberapa pusat-pusat elektronik, salah satunya RIMO KOMPUTER CENTRE. Disana kita dapat, menemukan segala keperluan tentang komputer, home teater, dan hiburan,
Komputer
Salah satu sarana anda dalam menghibur diri, bekerja, dan menjadikan ruang dan waktu yang tak terbatas, dengan komputer kita bisa melakukan apa saja. Jarak dengan sodara kita yang jauh kini menjadi lebih dekat, bekerja dengan jarak jauh via online. Mencari temen, mencari pacar, bahkan ada orang gila yang mencari jodoh dengan komputer, tapi sebenarnya mreka tidak gila tp hanya memanfaatkan keadaan
Untuk mendapatkan itu smua ada cuma perlu sebuah komputer dan koneksi yang disebut INTERNET yang kini dipulau bali sudah sangat tidak jarang
HOME TEATHER
Pelengkap kebutuhan anda dibidang audio, berbagai macam audio system kini telah tersedia dibali dari kelas bawah menengah sampai kelas atas, sesuai selera anda dan kebutuhan anda, Visual tidak kalah menariknya, anda ingin rumah anda dilengkapi dengan disamping audio yang hebat tp juga visual yang lumayan memukau, kini smua itu mudah