BALI, PARADISE IN HECTIC AND CHANGING WORLD

A friendly and remarkably artistic community, living amid breathtaking panoramas, have created a dynamic society with unique art and ceremony making Bali an island almost unreal in today hectic and changing world. Terraced rice fields dominated the landscape, with rivers and small irrigation streams a luscious green landscape filling the air with the enchanting sounds of running water.

Bali is divided by a string of impressive and authoritative volcanoes ruining 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 skywards 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.

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 their rural descendants still own traditional palaces and are very much respected as the patrons of the arts. Arts and culture are strongly bounded to Bali’s unique form of Hinduism called Hindu Dharma. Classical dance dramas for example, are based on the Hindu epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata, but contain an element of focal folklore, peculiar to the island. The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art form that has 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 areas, on the roads, on the rice paddy fields or in home; the island alive with art.

The Balinese have been more exposed to international tourists and generally speak more English than people in the other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. They have managed to preserve their culture despite overwhelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever increasing number of tourists. Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai is in the south of the island and it served by numerous international airlines and charter flights. So many hotels have been built range from small bungalow type for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua tourist resort area. Water sport have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, wind surfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN BALI

TEMPLE, A temple is a place where the Balinese communicating with the divine spirits through offerings and prayers and be the most important institution in Bali. Temple reflects the important rule religion plays in the life of the Balinese. On holidays when the deities and ancestral spirit descend from heaven to visit the earth the temples become the center of activities. Temple festivals are guided by purification by sprinkling of holy water. Whole communities take part in these festivals, bringing basket of foods and flowers for offerings. While Pura itself means temple; Puri is the residence of the local prince which may function as a cultural center. Music, dance, food, flowers and fruits sacrificed began as part of temple rituals to please the gods and to please 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 soul 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.

DENPASAR, is the capital city of Bali, has many community temple called Pura. One is on the Museum called PURA JAGATNATHA which is dedicated to the Supreme God-Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. The statue of the turtle and the two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world. The museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, whereas its architectural design resembles that of a place. The government supervised Sanggraha Kriya Hasta has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The Werdhi Budaya presents a yearly art festival between June and July with performances, exhibitions, art contests and so on.

SANUR, has long been a popular recreation site for local people from Denpasar and elsewhere included the foreigners. The palm line beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel towards the south, facing the Indian Ocean toward the east. Sanur offers many good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is so easy to reach this place only a short distance from Denpasar, 20 minutes from Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai. Off shore reefs protect the beach from the waves and make it popular for windsurfing, boating and other water sports.

KUTA, once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward that Bukit Peninsula, but Kuta is now thriving tourist resort, popular mainly among the young. It is popular beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coats guard, however are on constant duty during the day. Kuta beach faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets. Accommodation ranges from International luxurious hotel to home stay available around there. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dances in Kuta than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The place is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, local as well as visitors from abroad.

NUSA DUA, tourist resort is a part of the Bukit Peninsula in the Southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean white beaches and clear water. The surf is gentle along the northern side of the peninsula, bigger along the south.

BATUBULAN, is located northeast from Denpasar. The village with thousand stone figures on the road side marked the village. Divinities and demons are carved from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples. We may go to the spot of the workshop to directly watch the artist at work. Other art village is BATUAN; an old and famous center of arts, which is now know for its dancing, wood panel carvings and paintings, CELUK village is noted for its silver and gold works of jewelry in many types, MAS the village of woodcarvers where many of Bali’s old master still live here. Art galleries exhibit some of their best works. Visitor can wonder through the Balinese style houses to view the carved wooden pillars and the artists at work or instructing apprentices who work in groups.

CANDIDASA, Relatively unknown a decade ago, Candi Dasa is now a popular and relaxing retreat that has managed to retain its village identity. Attractions include snorkeling, scuba diving and excursions to the seaward temple of Candi Dasa. The panorama encompassing islets to the left, Nusa Penida directly ahead and the headland to the right is easy to admire, with most of the hotels and resorts facing directly out to the sea. Staying here, means you will loose less time if you venture out to some traditional focal points of East Bali. Then there are some interesting, off-the-beaten-tracks to be followed in this part of the island, through salak plantations and forgotten villages.

UBUD, is the most popular village known as the center of Balinese painting. Ubud’s museum Puri Lukisan has a permanent collection of modern work of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. There are also several art galleries and homes of famous artists including that of Dutch born Hans Snel 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 artists to adopt western techniques but traditional Balinese paintings are still made and sold another museum called Neka Museum has a wide collection of paintings both by Indonesian as well as foreign artist who used to live in Bali. Ubud has now grown in hotel and tourist facilities. Some small, luxurious and boutique hotels are now widely built in Ubud.

PELIATAN, is located between Ubud and Mas. It has been known as the centre of traditional music and dances. The fine art of local woodcarvers started a new style of wood carving producing such things such flowers, fruits, animals and trees in their real shape and coloring.

GOA GAJAH, dates back to the 11th. Century and is believed to have been built as a monastery, carving on the wall show a demon head over the entrance, flanked by two statue of Ganesha. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding water-spout.

TAMPAK SIRING, is a place where the temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the sacred spring at Tampak Siring. Over 1000 years old the temple and its two bathing places have been used by the people for good health and prosperity because of the spring water’s curative powers. Regular ceremonies are held here for purification.

KINTAMANI, the villages of Kintamani and Penelokan give a view of active MOUNT BATUR and its LAKE BATUR. The caldera of Batur is impressive; 7 miles in diameter and 60 feet deep. From Penelokan a road leads to Kedisan on the shore of lake where boat can be hired to cross over to TRUNYAN village. This ancient village is inhabited by people who call themselves as BALI AGA or original Balinese who have maintained many of their old ways. There we can also find the PUSER JAGAT Temple that has an unusual architecture and stands under massive bayan tree.

BANGLI, where we will be able to find the Bali’s second largest temple, it is PURA KEHEN. Three terraced court yards are connected by steps, and their balustrades are decorated with carvings and statues. A large bayan tree with a tower shades the lowest and the second court yard, while in the three court yard several shrines for the gods and ancestor are found.

KLUNGKUNG, The former seat of Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali from where Balinese royalty draws its blood line, Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island and its Raja the most exalted. The KERTA GOSA or the Royal Court of Justice built in 18TH.century is specially known for its ceiling murals painted the traditional wayang style pertraying punishment in hell and the rewards in heaven and other aspects of moralities. The floating pavilion, garden and lotus ponds in this walled-in complex, located on the main intersection of town are a reminder of the former glory of this kingdom. Nine kms from Klungkung is GOA LAWAH or Bat Cave. The roof is covered with thousands of Bat and its entrance is guarded by a temple believed to be a sage nine centuries ago.

BESAKIH, Known as the Mother Temple of Bali the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung is the biggest and the holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped with flower offerings. Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Wisnu are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese a visit to the temple’s sanctuary is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration or ODALAN. The sight of temple against the background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals, colored banners add a touch of gaiety.

SANGEH, Ten hectares of nutmeg trees in the Sangeh forest abounds with monkeys. The forest is considered sacred, so no wood is allowed to be chopped here. Two temples stand in the middle of the forest and another at the edge. Ass they live in the sacred forest, the monkeys are also held sacred and rather tame, but it is advisable NOT to play with them.

TANAH LOT, is one of Bali’s most important sea temples. The temple sanctuary at Tanah Lot is built atop a huge rock which is surrounded by the sea. The temple was built by one of the last priest to come to Bali from Java in the 16th.century, its rituals include the paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from the evil spirits and intruder. We invite you to take the best time to see Tanah Lot in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.

BEDUGUL, The mountain resort of Bedugul 28km north of Denpasar is known for its excellent landscapes. It located right on the smote of Lake Beratan and surrounded by forest hills. Another beautiful sight is ULUN DANU Temple, which seems to rise out of the lake. The area offers good walks. Boats are available for hire, Water skiing and parasailing is done well.

TENGANAN, Protected for centuries from the outside world by its surrounding world, the village of Tenganan has maintained its ancient pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of not fraternization with outsiders. Here unique rituals offering dances and gladiator-like battle between youth take place. Tenganan is famous for its Double ikat woven material called gringseng which is supposed to protect the wearer with magic power.

ULUWATU, Uluwatu means “the head of stone”, and is one of the most spectacular Hindu temples along the Bali coastline. Built by a high Hindu priest from East Java named Dang Hyang Dwijendra in the 11th century, this beautiful temple is located atop a limestone cliff towering 90 meters above the Indian Ocean.

Join Atmosfer’s regular tour program

ITINERARY IN DETAIL

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN BALI (Dinner)

A warmest Balinese style welcome with tropical flower garland right after you touching down at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. With the assistance of our staff you will be transferred to your selected hotel or directly drive you to restaurant to have your dinner when your arrival is right on dinner time. After having dinner you will be transferred to check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 02: FULL DAY TOUR KINTAMANI+BARONG (Bfast-Lunch-Dinner)

After having breakfast at the hotel and please be ready for a full day excursion. First stop will be made at Batubulan village where you are invited to watch Barong and Keris Dance – a Balinese traditional compound of act and dance featuring human psychological conflicts between right and wrong. Barong and Keris played in a full trance that is believed that the all acts conducted by the spirit of gods or ancestors. The trip then continued to reach the top point – Kintamani, passing through Ubud Art Village. Some stops will be made in Celuk the village of gold and silver smith then to BATUAN community of painters, MAS the village of wood carvers with their works of art. Proceed to GOA GAJAH the cave of Trilangga and Ganesha, the statue features the elephant head with human body. Reaching the top point of KINTAMANI to have its panoramic view of Lake and Mount BATUR. Lunch will be served at local restaurant overlooking the volcano and the lake Batur. On the way back to the city you a stop can be made in Tampaksiring a famous Balinese Temple site with its holy spring water in. Driving back down town to have dinner at restaurant.

DAY 03: FULL DAY TOUR BEDUGUL–TANAH LOT(Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)

After having breakfast at the hotel you will be guided for another full day tour. The main target of tour today is to reach up to a mountain resort Bedugul and the Balinese most famous temple of Pura Tanah Lot. Another way in searching the originality on Bali is by visiting TAMAN AYUN, an ancient Temple of Mengwi Royal Family built in 17th.century, then drive up to the mountain resort passing through the villages and local farm reaching CANDI KUNING the center of vegetable and fruits market, visiting to Lake Beratan with its lake side temple of ULUNDANU. Lunch will be served at Mentari Restaurant a cool mountain resort that presenting beautiful views of the lake Beratan.

On the way back, stop at ALAS KEDATON a well-conserved forests home of thousand of monkeys considered as the holy monkeys. The trip will be proceed to TANAH LOT to visit one of the Bali’s six most important temples – PURA TANAH LOT a sea side temple which is perched upon a rocky outcrop surrounded by wild surf and waves on high tide and the temple can only be reached while low tide. From this site we may get an unforgettable experience to have a sight of the golden sunset while it reaches the horizon. Tanah Lot temple was founded in 1481 AD by a famous Hindu priest Dang Hyang Nirartha. It is situated in the ocean, and can only be reached during low tide. The temple has a reputation for being dangerous, partly due to the many poisonous snakes that live in the surrounding caves. It is believed by the locals that these snakes are the protectors of the temple, guarding it from intruders.

Drive down town and we will stop to see the greatest COFFEE PRODUCTION, where best selected coffee beans from all over the archipelago are being processed to get the best quality of coffee powder to be exported all over the world. On this place we are invited to have a taste of best coffee drink. Late in the afternoon we will drive to the most famous JIMBARAN BAY to have BBQ Sea food dinner on the romantic white sandy beach  and after having dinner then check in to the hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 04 : TRANSFER OUT(B,X,X)

After having breakfast at the hotel you are free until lunch time; on the proper time you will be transfer to the airport to catch departure flight back home or to other destination

For further information, please contact

ATMASANTA TOURS – PT. BHUWANA ATMASANTA

Jl. Tukad Pancoran No 39A Denpasar Bali Indonesia

Tel. +62 361 8813138 +62 81338999446, Fax +62 361 701707

E-mail:atmasantatravel@gmail.com ; MSN: atmosferindonesia@hotmail.com