Bali Culture

Bali, its rituals, festivals and ancient culture, is everywhere you look from small offerings sitting outside shops to thousands of temples that reside everywhere from hotels and resorts to by the roadside. You will see ceremony, ritual and sacred offerings.

The Balinese carry out their religious obligations with pride and everyone takes part from the youngest child, through to grandparents, all dressed immaculately for the temple.

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New Kuta Green Park

New Kuta Green Park is located 200m from the New Kuta Condotel and near to Dreamland Beach on the western part of the Bukit Peninsula. New Kuta Green Park provides visitors with a unique family recreation spot in a hilly limestone area by combining a water park with a range of outdoor activities.

The water park covers 5 hectares of the Pecatu Indah Resort enclave. Twelve main water activities range from exhilarating rides to leisure attractions, while children’s playgrounds and an aviary provide additional entertainment. 

New Kuta Green Park’s main water attractions include the Wave Pool, with an artificial wave generator where you can ride a special surfboard and pick up some moves. The Flying Fox enables participants to feel the sensation of flying through the air and over 200m of the scenic surroundings of the New Kuta Green Park, and a Bungee Trampoline invites adults and children to jump together and share the fun.

The Jalak Bali playground features a Kiddy Pool which is the best place for youngsters to splash to their heart’s content and wait for a Big Giant Bucket to spill its content over the pool. The Rajawali Slide splashes down from 10m high via a spinning slide. The Rangkong Slide follows the curvature inspired by the beak of a toucan or rangkong while the Merak Slide is inspired by a peacock or merak tail. The Belibis River is the name of the Lazy River at New Kuta Green Park, an artificial stream for those who want to relax on tubes drifting on the water and under the sun. Either alone in a single raft or as a couple, the 300m river provides a mild, relaxing adventure through caves and occasional cascades and spouts.

 New Kuta Green Park also features a Paintball War Zone. Various packages based on bullet purchases can be chosen. In addition to the extensive features, there is a lounge, locker rooms, photo services, souvenir shops and an aviary that houses many species of Indonesian birds.

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Lovina Beach

Lovina Beach is in the West of Singaraja in North Bali. These days the mix of tourists is mainly families and couples rather than the backpackers of year. It is comprised of several narrow stretches of black volcanic sand. Lovina, like most of Bali, fills up with tourists from all over the world in August and then Australians at Christmas.

Kalibukbuk is the largest and most developed village but it is just two streets of hotels, bars, restaurants, cafe and dive shops running down to the beach. There is a wide range of accommodation and restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes. There are two clubs and several bars, but the nightlife is generally low key and easy going.

You can to go to Lovina by bus from all parts of Bali, but it will be a long ride from the East or South. Getting your own car with or without a driver ( I don't recommend without!!) is a much easier way to get to the North. And Bemo’s are the local public transport buses and they ply all the local routes. Again it is much easier to hire a driver and car for any longer journey. You can travel from Kuta in less than 3 hours and from the airport or Sanur in about 2.30 hours. You will travel through (Pura Ulun Danu) Bedugul and could go the pretty way through Munduk if you are not in a hurry. So you could stop to take in the temple, lakes and rice paddies on your trip.

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Balinese Wood Carving

The Balinese sculpture with natural media - wood, stone, bone, horn, deadwood, and even gnarled tree roots. Nowadays, souvenir-caliber wood carving is churned out and successful creations are mass produced. Any visitor to Bali is likely to be exposed to wood carving in all forms, be it the traditional ornate carved doors, the carved figures of gods, or the countless carved items in craft shops.

Wood carving is a craft practiced all over Bali. Open your ears to the tapping sound of the carver's mallet and you would know that there is one around. It would be taxing to separate traditional and foreign influences.

However, Balinese are intense observers of the outside world, effortlessly incorporating and adapting foreign themes into their work. For quality wood carving, head to Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu, which is north of Ubud. It is a great area to meet woodcarvers; it is best to take note of the artist's name and visit him at the workshop to negotiate a better price.

Bali is a perfect place for western artists to study their crafts. There are wood carving lessons in which you can learn to carve your own mask in about three weeks.

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Painting

Balinese painting is classified into certain groups and styles, not without some overlaps and a few that do not fit into any of the main styles.
First is the Kamasan or classical painting, which is also named
the wayang style.

This style can be traced back to ninth century Javanese sculpture that features wayang figures, rich floral designs, and flame-and-mountain motifs characteristic of classical Balinese painting. There is also the Pita Maha, which literally means 'great vitality'. 

This group was formed when painting was dying out as an art form and in a serious decline due to styles becoming stagnant. Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet were western artists who, along with their patron Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, formed the Pita Maha to encourage painting as an art form and seek a market for the best paintings. Other styles include theYoung Artists and variants of the main Kamasan and Young Artists'styles.

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Balinese Art and Crafts

The Balinese are surrounded by art throughout their lives as art is omnipresent in Bali. They make art out of the most basic necessities in their daily lives. However, artistic knowledge is not commissioned only to a special intellectual class, but is open to everyone at all levels. 

Painting, sculpture, carving and music have traditionally been the province of men, while women channeled their creative energy into creating lavish offerings to the gods. In every festival, you can see spectacular pyramids of flowers, fruit, and cakes up to two meters high, constructed with such love and adoration that it could only be meant for a higher being. 

Although a religiously regarded practice, Balinese art does not serve religion solely. Bemos, jackets, menus, motorcycles, hotel doorways and other objects are decorated with sacred symbols. It is incredible to see so many people in such a small area pour so much energy into creating beautiful things.

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Jewelry in Bali

Bali is also famous for its jewelry, along with Thailand and Mexico, and variations on the same designs are common to all three countries. Balinese jewelry is almost always handmade, thus rarely involving casting techniques or the usage of imported silver. 

Silver is mined in Bali near Singaraja and used for filigree and other traditional silver work. Members of the royal family adorn themselves with gold and silver headdresses, belts, bracelets, earrings, anklets and necklaces to indicate their high status. Even handles of krises or daggers and umbrella finials would be made of gold. 

The village of Celuk is known for its rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, and other objects of silver. Kamasan remains the center for traditional gold and silver jewelry.

Balinese are quick to pick up designs introduced by outsiders and will copy things that will sell well. Many imaginative smiths are starting to duplicate designs from magazines or international jewelry designers who have settled in Bali to work.

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Silver Handicraft

Kotagede silver handicraft is a business run from generation to generation. Its silver products have eminent characteristic of being unique, smooth, and neat. It is not superfluous that this handicraft center always becomes a favorite place to go.kotagede silver craftsmen divides silver products into four types, filigree with holed texture, engraving with its bulging surface, casting shape which is produced with molding technique, and handmade which uses hand skill to make finger ring and necklace.

Generally, silver handicraft of kotagede is divided into four kinds,jewelry such as necklace,bracelet, ring, ear ring, and miniature items like ship and temple, wall decoration and other kinds of ornament. Kotagede silver handicraft is set at various prices starting from forty thousand for brooch, one hundred thousand for jewelry like finger ring, and up to thirty million rupiah for miniature handicraft. Even, the price could be more expensive,depending on difficulties in the making process and also material type.

Meanwhile the material is categorized into two types, silver piece which so-called gilapan, and silver threads that is familiarly known as filigran. In each silver handicraft making process, craftsmen do not use pure silver, but it is combined with copper because pure silver is too flabby to be shaped into handicraft. Copper is good element to harden handicraft form.

Kotagede silver handicraft has good reputation in the eye of international world, foreign travelers have great passion in purchasing silver handicraft. On the contrary, local residents are more interested in wearing gold, since it is considered as classy jewelry.since long time ago, the domestic market is limited in bali and jakarta, which means local market only covers twenty percent of the selling point, and the rest is made by foreign travelers.

The currently unstable silver production has influenced silver handicraft price in kotagede. Furthermore, the increased price of silver has pushed silver craftsmen to raise the price.

Kotagede is not the only silver handicraft center in the world,as the city has serious competitors in thailand, vietnam, and india. Reflecting from the current situation, it is poor that silver handicraft which is claimed as the world’s heritage has declined. For that reason, the government is urged to support the development of kotagede silver handicraft.

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Via Via Cafe

I always go to this place whenever I’m in Jogja. And I’m glad that my friends liked it too, and we were satisfied with our meals there. They provide local, western, and a bit of Chinese food and beverage, also free wi fi connection.

Visitors are both local and international. What my friends and I had were es dawet (sweet beverage with ice that’s basically made of coconut milk, palm sugar, and rice powder jelly), Banana lassi, java coffee, fried tempeh, various pasta, sausages, and garlic bread, the price can go up and down (well, mostly up), but overall the food in Yogyakarta (or any aspect of living, for that matter) tends to be cheap if you compare it than in Bali.

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Sekar Kedhaton

In one of my visits to Yogyakarta, my friends and I needed to regain energy between batik shopping and then silver shopping. Accidentally we saw this middle-upper class restaurant called Sekar Kedhaton on our way to Kotagede. 

Then we had our cab wait about an hour for us having lunch there. It’s visited a lot by groups of foreign tourists that come by buses and minibuses on tours. Good news for you is that the waitresses talk quite good English. We walked out satisfied costumers because the food tasted good, the restaurant was nicely decorated – a combination of old Javanese and Dutch style, the staff were friendly.

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Gadri Resto

Having lunch at Gadri Resto on Rotowijayan street was another culinary treat that intrigued me more because of the esthetic factor of the restaurant. It’s actually the house of Prince Joyokusumo of the Yogyakarta sultanate, the little brother of the ruling sultan in present time, Sri Sultan Hamengku Bowono X. Never been in a royal house other than the Keraton before, but there is a first for everything.

The front porch was turned into a restaurant with a little spot in the corner by the cash register dedicated as a batik workshop. You can also pop inside to see the antique Javanese decorated house. The family still lives there but activities mostly roam in the back part. 

The serving took a while, we had to reconfirm with the waitress whether our orders have been cooked or not. Turns out that there’s been a mix-up in our order. I had Blawon Rice, consisted of rice, boiled egg, deep fried chicken, meat, salad, and a prawn cracker. But to be fair, the food was far from disappointing.

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Affandi Museum

This museum or gallery displays so many works of the late Affandi, one of the most prominent Indonesian artists, mostly known for his expressive abstract paintings.

It’s located on Laksda Adi Sucipto street. Gallery 1 only displays Affandi’s works, while Gallery 2 displays creation of other artists, and there’s also a Gallery 3 which I failed to peek in to. Across Gallery 1, there’s a café where you could hang out for a sip of coffee or two, or the Indonesians’ most favorite bottled drink called Teh Botol Sosro. Next to the café, stood a caravan-like bamboo building that now functions as mushalla, a prayer room for Moslems.

It was initially built by Affandi for his private room with his first wife who passed away before he did.

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Silver Handicraft

Aranda’s Silver shop is at 30 Kemasan Street, Kotagede. As a lot of other silver shops in Kotagede, it has rows of jewelry on display. And they actually sell other decorative ornaments as well, like statues or miniatures of horse carriages, all made of silver.

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Lesehan at night

When you eat while sitting on the matted floor, usually with your legs crossed, and food is served on a low table kinda like a Japanese table. We called it lesehan. It is a very typical way of  Jogjanese diners. I do several times in some of the lesehan diners on Malioboro Street. 

The food prices can be unreasonably marked up unless you make sure about the prices before ordering anything. The most famous lesehan diner is Terang Bulan, but you can pick just any one you want. They mostly serve similar menu, including grilled or fried chicken, dove, duck, and the special Jogja menu like gudeg and pecel lele, etc. 

Eating can be disturbed by street musicians playing – mostly – popular hit songs and wouldn’t go unless you give them money or show a hand sign saying ‘no, thank you’.  However, if you’re curious to hear what Indonesian songs are like, then have them play a little longer, while you can pay a little more.

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Ullen Sentalu Museum

It is a Javanese art and cultural museum. They’ve got a lot of pictures of the Javanese royals, paintings and crafts with historical themes (some are considered as mystical), old musical instruments like gamelan, and a collection of sacred handmade batik, which the princesses had to fast for days before making them. 

The architecture of the museum is awesome, structured with stonewalls and the building is labyrinth-like. The main building is built on a lower level, it’s like you’re going into a cave. There’s also stairs and narrow pathways with fences connecting the buildings. Too bad they don’t allow visitors to take pictures at all in the museum.

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Swimming

It's often said swimming is the best exercise you can do. After all, it works your whole body, yet it's gentle on joints, reducing the risk of injury. And you don't need to worry about the smell of hot sweaty armpits afterwards.

But what if you're swimming with your waistline in mind? While it's great for fitness and muscle tone, it's probably not the best choice if weight loss is your main aim."If you want to lose weight, you're better off walking around a pool than swimming in it," Cate says. "That's obviously a bit extreme, but it does make the point. From a fat loss perspective, swimming has some real negatives compared to other forms of exercise."

One of the problems is buoyancy. When you're in the pool, your weight is supported by water, so you don't burn as much energy to move. And the more body fat you have, the more this applies – because fat floats. So someone with more body fat will actually burn fewer kilojoules swimming than someone who is slimmer (all other things being equal). Likewise, a woman's higher proportion of body fat means she will burn fewer kilojoules than a man swimming under the same conditions.

Temperature is another possible issue. Whatever your size or gender, it's usually easier to maintain your normal body temperature during and after a swim, compared to exercising on land, Cate says. This may mean you burn comparatively less fuel, because you don't have to work as hard to maintain your body temperature and keep yourself cool. (But the effect of different water temperatures on fat loss among swimmers has not been thoroughly tested.)

Finally, it is quite likely you will eat more after a swim. Many people notice exercise suppresses their appetite, but there's evidence this is less pronounced if you exercise in water. Again, it's thought changes to body temperature play a role. This might be one reason elite swimmers often have more body fat than their counterparts who exercise on land, Cate says.

All this doesn't mean you can't lose weight swimming, just that it will be more difficult to do so than with most other land-based exercise (except cycling, which like swimming, is not weight-bearing). Tables that compare kilojoules burned per hour for different forms of exercise can be misleading and are not a good guide, Cate says. This is because it's not easy to gauge equivalent intensities of swimming versus, say walking.

But if you enjoy swimming, don't throw in the towel. It is still great exercise and certainly better for fat loss than sitting on the couch. And it's ideal for people with injuries or for those who carry so much weight that they find walking painful.

Using the larger muscles in your legs intensely when you swim as well as your arms, alternating laps where you go as fast as you can with laps where you swim more slowly to catch your breath. Setting personal challenges, such as increasing your time to complete a set number of laps. Trying some other water-based activities like aqua-aerobics, shallow-water walking (aim for ankle to mid-thigh depth) and deep-water running wearing a flotation vest.

Getting your technique right so you can go faster and for longer Improving your fitness (in the pool or elsewhere); the fitter you are, the better you are at burning fat. Managing your appetite; eat only what you need to satisfy your hunger after your swim and plan ahead so you're not tempted by unhealthy choices.

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Jogging in the morning

Jogging is something that many people dread doing, no matter what time of day. It's difficult to become a jogger, if you've never been active before. However, becoming a jogger - specifically a morning jogger has many benefits both physically and mentally. Here are some of the reasons why you should become a morning jogger.

Benefits of Jogging in the Morning

By getting up half an hour earlier and using it for a morning jog, you will actually benefit yourself in a large number of ways. Jogging in the morning, before doing anything else will actually give you more energy throughout the day. This energy boost will help you throughout your entire day because you'll be more focused and get more done than you would have previously before you began jogging.

Jogging in the morning will also help boost your metabolism for the entire day. You'll lose excess pounds and feel healthier. It's also good for your heart and improves your blood circulation.

Jogging in the morning also means better sleep at night. You'll feel more relaxed and be able to sleep through an entire night. If you've been suffering from insomnia, then going for a run each morning may actually help you.

Making a Morning Jog a Routine

Getting up in the morning for a morning jog can be difficult at first. However, consistency is key. Eventually, getting up early for a morning jog will be routine and you won't even have to think about it. In fact, after only two or three weeks, you may actually want to get up for a morning jog.

If you're just starting to pull yourself out of bed in the morning for a jog, there are a few tips. The night before, be sure to pull out your jogging clothes and have them ready. Don't skip days, but don't overdo it. Start by jogging on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Slowly, after 2 weeks, add one more day to the mix. Each week, add one more day. After a while, you'll be able to get up each morning to jog without question.

Be sure to stretch your leg muscles prior to starting. Even two or three minutes of stretching and a slow walk building up to a power walk, and then finally turning into a jog will benefit you greatly.

Soon, you'll want to get up to jog in the morning. It may sound crazy, but you'll be surprised at how great you feel each morning after you jog. In fact, in my experience once I'm out of bed I start gathering energy and I'm more awake than before I was jogging.

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Surfing in Bali island

The easiest and most beginner friendly beach to try your surfing skills is Kuta beach. The beach is close to the nightlife and tourist center of Legian, hence the beach is always crowded. As a surfing spot, Kuta is very appropriate for beginners. The soft tide and average height of the waves make it a good first step for beginner to try out white water surfing (surfing the waves after they break and roll towards the beach). The good thing here is that there are plenty of lifeguards on the lookout, might you get into trouble (the undertow can get quite strong). Also, it might be a good idea to follow a surfing lesson (just ask one of the surfing dudes renting out boards at Kuta beach). For experts, Kuta beach’s swell will be to easy to defeat.

Canggu beach is slightly more challenging, depending on the tide. Canggu is located close to Seminyak, about 30 minutes from Kuta. Canggu is a popular spot to surf just for everyone, both experienced surfers and beginners surf in Canggu. There is a variety of beach and reef breaks, with a few soft rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and some fast, rippable peaks, for experts. Canggu will be a place to have a relaxing surf with waves that aren’t that extreme (but can get rather fast!). But, when the tide is up, it can be a real challenge even for the professionals. For beginners, Canggu is also a friendly beach. The soft waves and medium tide makes learning how to surf more fun. It’s usually more quiet than in Kuta, there’s a warung that sells some snacks, but that’s about it.

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Diving in Bali island

Bali's dive sites offer great diversity : vertical walls and sand slopes, shipwrecks, limestone shorelines and black, volcanic outcrops, peaceful bays and ripping currents, coral-covered ridges, with both shore- and boat-diving. Expect to see mantas, whale sharks and, from July through October, oceanic sunfish.

Diving safaris are becoming the package of choice for those who want to see more of underwater Bali. These are basically hotel/diving and transport packages. Because you're staying near the dive sites, you can do earlier and later dives and avoid the day-tripping crowds from the tourist areas that pack out popular sites. It also allows you to do more dives each day. Snorkelling is available at Tulamben, Amed, Padang Bai and Pemuteran/Menjangan, so non-diving partners and children can often join day trips and safaris. Here are Bali's 10 best:

1. USAT Liberty

The Liberty shipwreck is considered Bali's most popular dive site. The American ship USAT Liberty was an armed cargo steamship that was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942. The years under the sea have transformed it to one of Indonesia's most beautiful artificial reefs. Stunning gorgonian sea fans, huge soft coral trees and big-barrel sponges all flourish here. A resident school of big-eyed jacks live on and around the ship and are unafraid of divers, so it's safe to enter the school and have them whirl around you. The ship is also a haven for emperors, batfish, sweetlips and parrotfish.

2. Tulamben drop-off

On the northeast coast, Tulamben Bay receives very plankton-rich waters and, coupled with the fact that the three main dive sites provide totally different physical environments, the bay is a stunning and diverse underwater ecosystem. The black sand in the area brings out the colours of the corals, gorgonians, fish and other marine life. At the south end of the bay, a rocky point falls off sharply underwater to create a deep drop-off where sharks, whale sharks and sunfish have been found.

3. Amed

Amed lies to the south, along the eastern coastline. It was traditionally dependent on salt-panning and fishing, and despite the arrival of tourists it's retained that feeling. There are three main dive sites here; head south to the shipwreck at Lipah fishing village, or a bit further south to the drift dive at Gili Selang, Bali's easternmost point.

4. Lipah shipwreck

This village is tiny and so is the wreck, which can be found at the inner bay drop-off at the north end of Lipah Bay. Divers can take a boat down the coast, or just drive along the winding coast and walk in. It's full of copper sweepers, a batfish school, hard coral growth and waving sea fans, and can be both dived or snorkelled. Go with a good guide, as the currents can come up fast and strong.

5. Gili Tepekong

This big volcanic hump rises out of the water not far from the Candi Dasa shore on the south-east coast. Underwater, the area is covered with Medusa-like heads that vary in size from huge boulders to small sea gardens. They are adorned with blood-red sea fans, tunicates and sponges. In some spots, the competition for space amid the corals is incredible. Other sites include Gili Mimpang and Gili Biaha. Currents are common in this area, but that means pelagic life like big tuna, jacks, sharks and even mola mola come in here.

6. Blue Lagoon

The shallow reefs of Blue Lagoon, near Padang Bai, are used for introductory dives, night dives and long photo excursions. Staghorn coral patch reefs start in only 3m of water. The reef then opens out onto an area with huge coral bommies, soft leather corals and flowing anemones. The area here can be good for macro buffs; there are rumours of a lacey scorpionfish being seen here as well.

7. Napoleon Reef

Named for a large Napoleon wrasse seen here, Napoleon Reef is in the north near Pemuteran. It can be dived deep or shallow, day or night. On the northeast end is the Ikan Warung fish house, bustling with various schools. Golden sea fans and large clumps of cotton-candy coral grow beside other gorgonians along the slope.

8. Menjangen Island

The drop-offs at Menjangan Island can be a real treat. This is the site of a now abandoned guard post that has a broad channel leading to the beach. Expect to be greeted by batfish. The dive offers spectacular corals and many deep crevices and fissures, as well as small caves. Sleeping groupers and wary big-eyed jacks are found in the dark recesses.

9. Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay, on Nusa Penida, is protected and relatively shallow, offering enjoyable conditions for divers of all levels. The bay has two entrances and a large rock sits in the centre. Be careful when diving this central rock, or along the outside edge of the bay, as the current can be strong, sweeping divers out along the outside wall into very tricky diving conditions. When near the drop-off, look for larger creatures, such as molas, eagle rays, dogtooth tuna, sharks and an occasional bumphead wrasse. Schooling surgeonfish are abundant in some spots.

10. Manta Point

Lucky divers may have a close encounter with the manta rays that are known to traverse this dive site. One of the mantas is pure white, a truly unearthly creature. Manta Point is located along the high and rugged cliffs of Nusa Penida, so it's not always easy to get there due to the big swells that sometimes hit, but it's worth it to experience these gentle, graceful creatures.

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Snorkeling in Bali island

The island of Bali in the south Pacific is considered to be one of the best places to relax in the world. Fortunately, Bali is also home to many snorkeling spots with plenty of aquatic life for you to see.

One of the more popular spots for snorkeling in Bali is the area around Padang Bai. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, Padang Bai offers easy access to a number of great snorkeling spots. Take a boat over to Nusa Penida for a chance to see coral and manta rays. Many of the locations around Nusa Penida are a bit deeper, making them popular with scuba divers. Those who want to stay around Padang Bai have plenty of other options. The Blue Lagoon has calm waters and is home to cuttlefish, eels and much more. Bias Tugal and Jepun are other nearby coves with some good snorkeling opportunities.

For a truly unique snorkeling experience, head to Tulamben. The waters surrounding this town are famous as the site of the United States Army Transport Liberty shipwreck. There are many shipwrecks all around the world, but they typically require scuba diving gear to really explore. The Liberty is located in very shallow water, allowing snorkelers to get in on the fun as well. What's more, this area features a black sand bottom along with plenty of marine life, such as stingrays.

While these spots are great, they can become crowded with tourists from time to time due to their popularity and close proximity to the major towns. For those who want a more secluded snorkeling adventure, head out to Menjangen Island. This small isle is just off the northwestern coast of Bali, approximately a 30-minute boat ride from Labuan Lalang or Pemuteran.

Although uninhabited, this island is approved for travelers because it is actually part of Bali Barat National Park. This protected marine park contains more than 100 unique species of coral, so bring your underwater camera to get some truly magnificent shots. You'll also find angel fish, lion fish, surgeon fish, eels and the occasional turtle or two. If you want to snorkel in clear water without too many others around, Menjangen Island is your best bet.

With crystal clear waters, tons of coral and a wide variety of marine life, your Bali cruise is the ultimate chance to go snorkeling and create some great memories for your vacation time.

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