Sabtu, 30 September 2006

Bali “good place for surfing”

Surfing and Bali go together like a horse & carriage, meat & potatoes, Seminyak & benchongs. Here’s a short guide to the whole affair.

How it began:
Surfing in Bali began in 1936, when American Bob Koke, a Californian, who had moved from Hawaii, with his wife Louise, opened the Bali Hotel on Kuta Beach. Bob had a long board he had brought with him from Hawaii and the rest was history. Surfing didn’t immediately catch on though and lucky old Bob had all the waves to himself (he had the whole Bukit to himself, only he didn’t know it was there). The 1960’s saw the start of surfers trickling into Bali and after Kim Bradley, Jerry Lopez and others discovered the Bukit peninsula and the other breaks the scene was set.

Why surfing is good in Bali:
Bali is a good place for surfing for a number of reasons. These include warm water, relatively uncrowded breaks, when compared to California and Australia. Bali gets some kind of surf most of the year, there are beach breaks and Kuta and Dreamland and also reef breaks on the rest of the Bukit, including the famous Uluwatu. Bali’s unique geography, means that you can get a selection of left hand breaks on one side of the Bukit, drive for 20 minutes and get another whole selection of right hand breaks. In Lombok, for example, you’d have to ride for 4 hours or more, to get from one side of the island, to the other.

During the dry season, the trade winds favour surfing the western side of the coast, including the breaks on the western Bukit. During the wet season ther tides and winds favour the eastern coast including the eastern Bukit breaks such as Nusa Dua and Sri Lanka.

Surfing regions in Bali:
You could say that there are 4 basic surfing regions in Bali, West Bali (Medewi), South Coast (Canggu, Gado Gado, Padma, Kuta Beach) the Bukit (Bingin, Balangan, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Sri Lanka, East Coast (Ketewel, Keramas), Nusa Lembongan (Playgrounds, Racetracks, Lacerations).

Best surfing breaks in Bali:


The best surfing breaks in Bali as far as performance are Uluwatu which sees good size surf and had 5 breaks. Bingin, which has a short fast barrel, Padang Padang which has a fast barrel and dangerous reef, and Nusa Dua.

When to go:
For the best performance surf, the month of July is said to be the best. During the dry season you get offshore ESE trade winds hitting the western Bukit breaks, slightly cooler water, clear skies and not too much garbage in the water. The beach services (ding repair, vendors etc. ) ramp up during this season. During the wet season there are still places to surf on the eastern side, but generally this is not considered the best season.



Senin, 25 September 2006

BALI HANDICRAFT PRODUCT


Your one stop source for Bali handicraft products.

Wholesale Bali handicrafts.....

You've come to the right place for quality Bali handicrafts from an Indonesia based wholesale craft supplier. Bali Direct is a well-established manufacturer, wholesaler and exporter of quality Indonesian craft products. Our product range includes all the classic Balinese products like wind chimes, photo albums, stoneware, miniature surfboards, incense, hand crafted terracotta ceramic, candle and incense holders, sarongs, fashion accessories as well as many more handcrafted gift and home ware items from not only Bali but the entire archipelago of Indonesia.
Bali handicrafts, culture, arts and crafts... the connection

Bali is a dynamic centre of arts, culture, religion and people. What comes out of this is a unique magical blend of mysticism, righteousness, peace, tolerance, creativity and, of course, the famous Balinese friendliness. These very attributes come together and serve as a root for the creation of what has developed and grown into a truly wonderful art and craft industry that Indonesia has become world renowned for.

Indonesian handicrafts in the global market place.....

Hand crafted gifts and arts and crafts from Indonesia have continued to gain in popularity over the years. Bali handicrafts now adorn the homes of millions of consumers the world over. At some time or another, you may have come across a hand crafted item that has caught your eye. Perhaps a melodic bamboo wind chime, or a cute brightly painted cat, maybe a leaf covered photo frame, an elegant wooden sculpture, a hand woven cushion cover. These, and many other such items often originate from right here in Indonesia. Indonesian handicrafts have rightly earned a dominant place in the highly competitive international giftware and furnishings market place. Millions of dollars of handicrafts are now being exported all over the globe annually to gift shops, supermarkets, department stores, wholesalers, importers and distributors. Bali Direct supplies quality Bali handicrafts to such entities and currently exports to at least forty countries all over the globe.

People and empowerment.....

Demand has meant that the Bali handicraft industry has thrived and it now provides employment and business opportunities for quite literally thousands of people. In addition to providing a livelihood for those in the handicraft industry, it has given a big boost to the economy. To truly appreciate how the handicraft industry functions and provides a living for so many people, one has to go off into the hills, far off the beaten track. For it is in the remote villages that you will find the true artisans of all of the handicraft products that Bali has become so famous for. It is here that whole Balinese communities are hard at work turning bits of wood, bamboo, metal, leaves and clay into truly amazing and marketable products. That's real empowerment for you!

Bali handicraft supply....

We draw on the production power of these remote Indonesian communities and provide assistance to manufacturers and artisans in the form of marketing via the internet and through direct promotion campaigns. This helps to keep the handicraft industry alive in Indonesia and provides many of the home industry manufacturers with a channel to sell their arts and craft wares. Many handicraft products that we supply are the creations of the highly skilled artisans mentioned above, but we are also a supplier of our own unique craft items that we have developed with the help of the very same people. Simply put, without them we would not have been able to achieve any of this. To this end, we look forward to continuing our drive to keep supporting the communities of Indonesia by helping them to bring their unique skills and crafts to the world market place.

Come on in and see for yourself all the handicrafts that Indonesia has to offer. You'll be truly amazed!



PRIVATE VACATION VILLAS IN BALI

Trained Spa Therapists available whenever needed. Car & Driver from Your Arrival until Departure. Delicious Food prepared by your personal Chef. 24-hour Butler Service to arrange anything you need. Bali Holidays and Vacation Villas in Bali Indonesia

From the moment you arrive in Bali, you'll enjoy the friendly welcome of your private driver, the Balinese house staff, and the comfort and informality of staying in your own villa in Bali. You can relax and totally unwind together with your family in spacious, comfortably furnished living and dining areas. And you'll enjoy the tropical garden and the privacy around your swimming pool (very important for many Asian ladies).

This will be a vacation totally different from staying at impersonal and over-priced "luxury hotels & resorts" – it's an experience you'll never forget!

Jumat, 15 September 2006

Bali Airlines

Contact details of all major airlines operating in Bali

Air France
Grand Bali Beach Hotel Room 1105
Jl HangTuah Phone : (+62361) 288 511
Terminal Keberangkatan - Tuban
Phone : (+62361) 755 523


Ansett Australia
Grand Bali Beach Hotel Jl Hangtuah Sanur 80001
Phone : (+62361) 289 635 (+62361) 289 636 Fax : (+62361) 289 637
Airport Tuban Phone : (+62361) 755 740


Bouraq Airlines
Kompleks Sudimian Agung Blok A 47-4X.
Jl Panglima Besar Sudirman 7A
Phone :(+62361) 241 397 Fax : (+62361) 241 390


Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd
Grand Bali Beach Sanur 1st Fl
Phone : 286 001 Ext 1138 Fax : (+62361) 288 576
Bandara Ngurah Rai Tuban, Phone : (+62361) 753 942


China Air
Phone :(+62361) 757 298


Eva Air
Wisti Sabha Administration Building,
Ground Floor, Room No.4
Ngurah Rai Airport.
Phone : (+62361) 751 011 ext 1638 Fax : (+62361) 756 488.


Korean Air
The Grand Bali Beach Hotel
Garden Wing Rm 1121 & 1123 PO Box 275
Reservation Phone : (+62361) 289 402 Fax : (+62361) 289 403


Garuda Indonesia PT
Grand Bali Beach Hotel Phone : (+62361) 288 243
Natour Kuta Beach Phone : (+62361) 751 179.
Nusa Dua Phone : (+62361) 771 864, (+62361) 771 444
Jl Melati 61 Phone : (+62361) 227 825
Hotel Nusa Dua Beach Phone : (+62361) 772 231
Jl Kapt Mudita 2 Phone : (+62361) 234 913
Jl Kepundung 21 Phone : (+62361) 233 853
Jl Pantai Kuta Phone : (+62361) 751 l 79
Jl Srikarya 1 Phone : (+62361) 228 916
Jl Sugianyar Phone : (+62361) 5227 823


Malaysia Airlines
Grand Bali Beach Hotel. Phone : (+62361) 285 071 - (+62361) 288 716
Ngurah Rai Airport Office, Phone : (+62361) 756 132.


Qantas Airways Ltd
Grand Bali Beach, Phone : (+62361) 288 331 Fax : (+62361) 287 331
Airport Cargo Airport International Ngurah Rai, Phone : (+62361) 751 471 Fax : (+62361) 752 218
Gg Murai 18 Phone : (+62361) 432 896


Singapore Airlines
Jl. Dewi Sartika No.88 Denpasar Phone : (+62361) 261666
Grand Bali Beach Hotel Sanur, Phone : (+62361) 261 666
Bandara Ngurah Rai Phone : (+62361) 751 011


Air New Zealand Ltd
Wisti Sabha Bldg 2nd Fl, Ngurah Rai Airport, Tuban
Phone : (+62361) 756 170 Fax : (+62361) 754 594
Email : bcbali@dps.centrin.net.id


Bali Qantas Airways Ltd
Hotel Bali Beach Sanur, Phone : (+62361) 289 280
Jl Babakan Sanur, Phone : (+62361) 289 281


British Airways
Grand Bali Beach Hotel Jl Hang Tuah
Phone : (+62361) 288 511


Cathay Pacific
Phone : (+62361) 286 001


Continental Airlines
Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Jl Hang Tuah Sanur.
Phone : (+62361) 287 774 Fax : (+62361) 287 775
Terminal Building Airport
Phone : (+62361) 752 107


Japan Airlines
Grand Bali Beach Hotel
Phone : (+62361) 287 576 – (+62361) 287 577


KLM Royal Ducth Airlines
Wisti Sabha Bldg, Ngurah Rai Airport
Phone : (+62361) 756 126 Fax : (+62361) 753 950


Lufthansa German Airlines
Hotel Bali Beach, Phone.(+62361) 287 069 Lauda Air
Gedung PAJ Jln. By Pass Ngurah Rai – Tuban
Phone : (+62361) 758 686
Jl Airport Ngurah Rai, Phone : (+62361) 753 207


Merpati Nusantara
Jl. Melati No. 51 Denpasar, Phone : (+62361) 235 358.
Jl Merpati 51 Phone : (+62361) 263 918
Jl Ngurah Rai Tuban, Phone : (+62361) 751 374


Royal Brunai Airlines
Wisti Sabha Building. Ngurah Rai Airport
Phone : (+62361) 757 292.


Thai Airlines
Wisti Sabha Building, 2nd Floor Room 19,
Ngurah Rai Airport. Phone : (+62361) 754 856.
Grand Bali Beach Hotel Sanur
Phone : (+62361) 288 141 Fax : (+62361) 288 063





Bali Cultur ( 2 )

BALI People

Life in Bali is very communal with the organization of villages, farming and even the creative arts being decided by the community. The local government is responsible for schools, clinics, hospitals and roads, but all other aspects of life are placed in the hands of two traditional committees, whose roots in Balinese culture stretch back centuries. The first, Subak, concerns the production of rice and organizes the complex irrigation system. Everyone who owns a sawah, or padi field, must join their local Subak, which then ensures that every member gets his fair distribution of irrigation water. Traditionally, the head of the Subak has his sawah at the very bottom of the hill, so that the water has to pass through every other sawah before reaching his own. The other community organization is the Banjar, which arranges all village festivals, marriage ceremonies and cremations, as well as a form of community service known as Gotong Royong. Most villages have at least one Banjar and all males have to join one when they marry. Banjars, on average, have a membership of between 50 to 100 families and each Banjar has its own meeting place called the Bale Banjar. As well as being used for regular meetings, the Bale (pavilion) is where the local gamelan orchestras and drama groups practice.

Each stage of Balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as Manusa Yadnya. They contribute to the rich, varied and active life the average Balinese leads.

Birth
The first ceremony of Balinese life takes place even before birth. Another ceremony takes place soon after the birth, during which the afterbirth is buried with appropriate offerings. The first major ceremony takes place halfway through the baby's first Balinese year of 210 days.

Names

Basically the Balinese only have four first names. The first child is Wayan or Putu, the second child is Made or Kadek, the third is Nyoman or Komang and the fourth is Ketut. The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth will be another Wayan, Made, Nyoman, Ketut and Wayan again.

Childhood

The Balinese certainly love children and they have plenty of them to prove it. Coping with a large family is made much easier by the policy of putting younger children in the care of older ones. After the ceremonies of babyhood come ceremonies marking the stages of childhood and puberty, including the important tooth-filing ceremony.

Marriage

Every Balinese expects to marry and raise a family, and marriage takes places at a comparatively young age. Marriages are not, in general, arranged as they are in many other Asian communities although strict rules apply to marriages between the castes. There are two basic forms of marriage in Bali - mapadik and ngorod. The respectable form, in which the family of the man visit the family of the woman and politely propose that the marriage take place, is mapadik. The Balinese, however, like their fun and often prefer marriage by elopement (ngorod) as the most exciting option. Of course, the Balinese are also a practical people so nobody is too surprised when the young man spirits away his bride-to-be, even if she loudly protests about being kidnapped. The couple go into hiding and somehow the girl's parents, no matter how assiduously they search, never manage to find her. Eventually the couple re-emerge, announce that it is too late to stop them now, the marriage is officially recognized and everybody has had a lot of fun and games. Marriage by elopement has another advantage apart from being exciting and mildly heroic it's cheaper.

The Household


There are many modern Balinese houses, but there are still a great number of traditional Balinese homes. The streets of Ubud; nearly every house will follow the same traditional walled design.


Men & Women

There are certain tasks clearly to be handled by women, and others reserved for men. Social life in Bali is relatively free and easy. In Balinese leisure activities the roles are also sex differentiated. Both men and women dance but only men play the gamelan. Today you do see some women painters, sculptors, and woodcarvers.

Community Life

Balinese have an amazingly active and organized village life. You simply cannot be a faceless nonentity in Bali. You can't help but get to know your neighbors as your life is so entwined and interrelated with theirs.

Death & Cremation

There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the last ceremony-cremation-is the biggest. A Balinese cremation can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried. Of course an auspicious day must be chosen for the cremation and since a big cremation can be very expensive business many less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation and sending their own dead on their way at the same time. Brahmans, however, must be cremated immediately. Apart from being yet another occasion for Balinese noise and confusion it's a fine opportunity to observe the incredible energy the Balinese put into creating real works of art which are totally ephemeral. A lot more than a body gets burnt at the cremation. The body is carried from the burial ground (or from the deceased's home if it's an 'immediate' cremation) to the cremation ground in a high, multi-tiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk, cloth, mirrors, flowers and anything else bright and colorful you can think of. The tower is carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the size of the group depending on the importance of the deceased and hence the size of the tower. The funeral of a former rajah high priest may require hundreds of men to tote the tower.A long the way to the cremation ground certain precautions must be taken to ensure that the deceased's spirit does not find its way back home. Loose spirits around the house can be a real nuisance. To ensure this doesn't happen requires getting the spirits confused as to their whereabouts, which you do by shaking the tower, running it around in circles, spinning it around, throwing water at it, generally making the trip to the cremation ground anything but a stately funeral crawl. Meanwhile, there's likely to be a priest halfway up to tower, hanging on grimly as it sways back and forth, and doing his best to soak bystanders with holy water. A gamelan sprints along behind, providing a suitably exciting musical accompaniment. Camera-toting tourists get all but run down and once again the Balinese prove that ceremonies and religion are there to be enjoyed. At the cremation ground the body is transferred to a funeral sarcophagus, this should be in the shape of a bull for a Brahmana, a winged lion for a Satria and a sort of elephant-fish for a Sudra. These days, however, almost anybody from the higher castes will use a bull. Finally up it all goes in flames funeral tower, sarcophagus, body, the lot. The eldest son does his duty by poking through the ashes to ensure that there are no bits of body left unburned. And where does your soul go after your cremation? Why, to a heaven which is just like Bali!



The European Influence

The first Dutch seamen set foot on Bali in 1597, yet it wasn't until the 1800's that the Dutch showed an interest in colonizing the island. In 1846, having had large areas of Indonesia under their control since the 1700's, the Dutch government sent the troops into northern Bali. In 1894, Dutch forces sided with the Sasak people of Lombok to defeat their Balinese rulers. By 1911, all the Balinese principalities had either been defeated in battle, or had capitulated, leaving the whole island under Dutch control. After World War I, Indonesian Nationalist sentiment was rising and in 1928, Bahasa Indonesia was declared the official national language. During World War II, the Dutch were expelled by the Japanese, who occupied Indonesia from 1942 to 1945.

After the Japanese defeat, the Dutch tried to regain control of their former colonies, but on August 17, 1945, Indonesia was declared independent by its first President, Sukarno. After four years of fighting and strong criticism from the international community, the Dutch government finally ceded and, in 1949, Indonesia was recognized as an independent country.

Bali Cultur

Although there are no artifacts or records dating back to the Stone Age, it is believed that the first settlers on Bali migrated from China around 2500 BC. By the Bronze era, around 300 B.C. quite an evolved culture existed in Bali. The complex system of irrigation and rice production, still in use today, was established around this time.

History is vague for the first few centuries. A number of Hindu artifacts have been found dating back to the 1st century, yet it appears that the main religion, around 500 AD was predominantly Buddhist in influence. A Chinese scholar, Yi-Tsing, in 670 AD reported on a trip to India, that he had visited a Buddhist country called Bali.

It wasn't until the 11th century that Bali received the first strong influx of Hindu and Javanese cultures. With the death of his father around AD 1011, the Balinese Prince, Airlanggha, moved to East Java and set about uniting it under one principality. Having succeeded, he then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. During the ensuing period there was a reciprocation of political and artistic ideas. The old Javanese language, Kawi, became the language used by the aristocracy, one of the many Javanese traits and customs adopted by the cause.

With the death of Airlanggha, in the middle of the 11th century, Bali enjoyed a period of autonomy. However, this proved to be short-lived as in 1284, the East Javanese king Kertanegara, conquered Bali and ruled over it from Java. In 1292, Kertanegara was murdered and Bali took the opportunity to liberate itself once again. However, in 1343, Bali was brought back under Javanese control by its defeat at the hands of Gajah Mada, a general in the last of the great Hindu-Javanese empires, the Majapahit. With the spread of Islam throughout Sumatra and Java during the 16th century, the Majapahit Empire began to collapse and a large exodus of aristocracy, priests, artists and artisans to Bali ensued. For a while Bali flourished and the following centuries were considered the Golden Age of Bali's cultural history. The principality of Gelgel, near Klungkung, became a major centre for the Arts, and Bali became the major power of the region, taking control of neighboring Lombok and parts of East Java.

Jumat, 08 September 2006

Recreation list in Bali

  • Kuta Beach
  • Sanur Beach
  • Nusa Dua and Tanjung benoa Beach
  • Sangeh
  • Serangan Island
  • Elaphant Cave
  • Nusa Peninda Island
  • Uluwatu Tample
  • Kintamani