From the moment one enters a taxi at the Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, local tradition and culture can be perceived. Dozens of motorcycles are perilously weaving in and out of traffic, some carrying as many as five people with or without helmets. Many monuments and temples, made from either volcanic rock or hill stone, can be casually seen on the way to any hotel.
Most drivers have a vast knowledge of the area. If shopping is on the itinerary, they will take tourists to higher quality locations where bargains are attainable. They will also give a warning if certain areas have aggressive peddlers. If paintings are of interest, the Pande Lukisan Gallery is a good stop where people can watch the artists at work.
Again, there are numerous other temples to be seen if the time can be had. Best to research them prior to a visit. This will allow tourists to strategize their vacation to include places of more interest to them. In addition, wherever one goes, they must make sure to get a ticket or receipt for the entrance fee to ensure they are paying the legitimate vendor.
When it comes to entertainment, most hotels have their own theater where tourists can watch Balinese dancers perform. The Ayodya Resort (formerly the Bali Hilton) has a nice performance of the Kecak Dance, a dramatic story told by a cast of over 50 dancers. Performances of this story and others are offered throughout the week, along with a buffet dinner.
Local cuisine and shopping can also be found within the vicinity of this community at Pantai Mengiat, where numerous restaurants offer good food at cheap prices. A glass of wine is offered at a third of the price of what is found in Singapore or New York City. However, although different varieties of cuisines are offered, it's best to stick to the local dishes. Two restaurants that offer good local food are Mai-Mai Bar & Restaurant and Tropical Seafood & Grill. Both of these restaurants have Balinese performers on certain nights and include free transportation back to the hotel.
Bali is overall a very pleasurable Indonesian island, where time can be spent relaxing on the beach and/or taking day trips to see ancient sites. Planning is essential to squeeze in all the activities one is interested in. The longer the stay the better.
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Don’t be shy about bargaining for the best price – it is expected. But check customs regulations before purchasing – there’s nothing worse than having a gorgeous decorative piece seized on arrival back home because it’s carved from the wrong wood.
The visitor will also be tempted by inspiringly exotic carved mahogany furniture in the classic Balinese and Javanese styles – on sale for ridiculously cheap prices. Wandering amongst them, most visitors cannot help but wonder what Somerset Maugham-style flourish they could bring to a living room. Once again buyer beware – depending what country the items are being shipped to, fees and import taxes can be up to double the actual price of purchase.
In the 1920s, however, Ubud became an enclave for renowned artists from around the world. As Tahiti was to Gaugin, so was Bali to German artist Walter Spies and Australian Donald Friend. Under their influence, local artists began adopting western techniques – but with a Balinese twist.
A modern traditional artwork will be painted on canvas with the same lack or perspective, but be more likely to evoke a sense of social awareness as it depicts scenes of everyday village life. Artists still work collectively so these intricate works are rarely signed.
Balinese gamelan, which features bronze gongs and bamboo xylophones, is louder, swifter and much more aggressive than the offerings of other Indonesian islands. In some clubs one can also hear popular dance styles such as gamelan gong kebar and jogged bumbung which incorporate Western influences. Bali also has its own musical style called kecak, a form of singing that imitates the sounds of monkeys.
But by far the most acclaimed form is traditional Balinese legong dance. Accompanied by the gamelan, dozens of young Balinese women in shimmering traditional garb move sinuously in perfect synchronization.
Often entire stories from the Ramayana and Mahabhrata are told through hand and eye movement. To behold such a spectacle, especially in the courtyard of an ornately carved stone Hindu temple is to truly understand where Rodgers and Hammerstein found the inspiration for the mythical island paradise of Bali Ha’i in their classic musical South Pacific.
The great drawcard of Bali is the exotic but laidback lifestyle afforded by its gorgeous beaches. But to discover the true essence of this enchanting island one needs only to venture into the hills of Ubud.
Getting Around Bali
If one knows what they want to do in Bali, planning for the time is important. It takes longer to get around the island than one would imagine. Traffic is usually bad and all the motorcycles on the road do not help the situation. It is prudent to hire a driver directly from a hotel, the cost being as low as 500.000 Rupiah ($50 U.S.) for a seven hour guide.
Most drivers have a vast knowledge of the area. If shopping is on the itinerary, they will take tourists to higher quality locations where bargains are attainable. They will also give a warning if certain areas have aggressive peddlers. If paintings are of interest, the Pande Lukisan Gallery is a good stop where people can watch the artists at work.
Temple of Tanah Lot
Bali is known as the island of 1000 temples. One of the most well-known temples is Tanah Lot. It's famous for its sunset picturesque setting. However, if one wants to actually walk over to the temple they must do so early since it is separated from the rest of the island during high-tide. It is still quite a sight during the daytime. To reach the temple, it is necessary to walk down an incline past numerous shops before it can be captured within sight. A cool breeze usually blows off the shore, feeling wonderful after a day in the heat. The 10.000 Rupiah fee ($1 U.S) must still be paid regardless if one actually walks through the tide and enters the temple.Again, there are numerous other temples to be seen if the time can be had. Best to research them prior to a visit. This will allow tourists to strategize their vacation to include places of more interest to them. In addition, wherever one goes, they must make sure to get a ticket or receipt for the entrance fee to ensure they are paying the legitimate vendor.
Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud
A favorite location of both adults and children is the Monkey Forest in Ubud (Rp 15.000 Adult; Rp 7.500 Child). This is a charming forest with fountains, streams, statues and its own temple. Bananas can be purchased for the monkeys at the entrance, however, most appear to be overfed and may not take the food. Nobody should ever attempt to hold a monkey. Some are friendly enough, but others are more aggressive than they look and might carry lice. Hold onto those cell phones and shoes as an excited monkey might take off with them!Tegal Laland Rice Terrace and Teras Padi Café
The Tegal Lalang rice paddy field is located about 30 minutes from the Monkey Forest. This is one of the most beautiful rice terraces in Bali and also a great location to relax and enjoy a good meal. The Teras Padi Cafe is an open-air restaurant with a great view of the terrace (cash only). Additionally, one can watch local farmers at work in the paddy field and sometimes walk within the field. However, the peddlers outside the terrace are a little aggressive as they try to sell their wares, albeit at a very cheap price.Nusa Dua
An exceedingly pleasant stretch of beach and numerous hotels can be found in Nusa Dua. The hotels are located within a secure resort community, with individual hotels using bomb detectors. To understand why this security is used, visit the Ground Zero Memorial to the 202 victims of the 2002 Bali bombings in Kuta. Another 20 people died in two separate bombings in 2005.When it comes to entertainment, most hotels have their own theater where tourists can watch Balinese dancers perform. The Ayodya Resort (formerly the Bali Hilton) has a nice performance of the Kecak Dance, a dramatic story told by a cast of over 50 dancers. Performances of this story and others are offered throughout the week, along with a buffet dinner.
Local cuisine and shopping can also be found within the vicinity of this community at Pantai Mengiat, where numerous restaurants offer good food at cheap prices. A glass of wine is offered at a third of the price of what is found in Singapore or New York City. However, although different varieties of cuisines are offered, it's best to stick to the local dishes. Two restaurants that offer good local food are Mai-Mai Bar & Restaurant and Tropical Seafood & Grill. Both of these restaurants have Balinese performers on certain nights and include free transportation back to the hotel.
Bali is overall a very pleasurable Indonesian island, where time can be spent relaxing on the beach and/or taking day trips to see ancient sites. Planning is essential to squeeze in all the activities one is interested in. The longer the stay the better.
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Ubud – Cultural Center of Bali
Bali has a unique and revered cultural history. When the Hindu Majapahit Empire on nearby Java was in danger of succumbing to Muslim invasion in the 15th century, artists, intellectuals, musicians and priests of the royal court all fled to Bali, where they established a colony. The colony flourished, to create the vibrant and colourful society that is Bali today – nowhere more evident than in and around Ubud.Balinese Wood Carving a High Art
In the hills of Bali the craft of woodcarving has been elevated to high art. To view the best work it is advisable to make the short trip to outlying villages of Ubud, such as Tegalang. Here wood carving is a family affair, passed on through the generations; proudly displayed all over the village are amazingly intricate horses, fish, birds and of course Hindu deities carved from a plethora of local woods including ebony and mahogany.Don’t be shy about bargaining for the best price – it is expected. But check customs regulations before purchasing – there’s nothing worse than having a gorgeous decorative piece seized on arrival back home because it’s carved from the wrong wood.
The visitor will also be tempted by inspiringly exotic carved mahogany furniture in the classic Balinese and Javanese styles – on sale for ridiculously cheap prices. Wandering amongst them, most visitors cannot help but wonder what Somerset Maugham-style flourish they could bring to a living room. Once again buyer beware – depending what country the items are being shipped to, fees and import taxes can be up to double the actual price of purchase.
Ubud an Asian Art Mecca
Traditionally, Balinese painting was restricted to the kamasan style – a visual narrative of Hindu epics such as the Ramayana or Mahabhrata committed to cloth or bark. Such artworks were created collaboratively and hence anonymously. A notable stylistic element is the lack of perspective used in these artworks – a figure in the distance, for instance, will be the same size as one in the foreground – creating a unique two dimensional effect.In the 1920s, however, Ubud became an enclave for renowned artists from around the world. As Tahiti was to Gaugin, so was Bali to German artist Walter Spies and Australian Donald Friend. Under their influence, local artists began adopting western techniques – but with a Balinese twist.
A modern traditional artwork will be painted on canvas with the same lack or perspective, but be more likely to evoke a sense of social awareness as it depicts scenes of everyday village life. Artists still work collectively so these intricate works are rarely signed.
Exotic Balinese Music
Also rare is the evening that traditional music does not permeate the streets of Ubud. Musicians can be seen in action at village cultural centres, often accompanied by traditional dancers. Like most of Indonesia, the gamelan orchestra is prominent.Balinese gamelan, which features bronze gongs and bamboo xylophones, is louder, swifter and much more aggressive than the offerings of other Indonesian islands. In some clubs one can also hear popular dance styles such as gamelan gong kebar and jogged bumbung which incorporate Western influences. Bali also has its own musical style called kecak, a form of singing that imitates the sounds of monkeys.
Beautiful Balinese Dancers
Monkey dancers appear as well in the tek-tekan musical troupes. Sometimes up to two hundred strong, these musicians whip up a frenzy on bamboo instruments as giant demon puppets manipulated by earthbound puppet masters hover sinisterly overhead.But by far the most acclaimed form is traditional Balinese legong dance. Accompanied by the gamelan, dozens of young Balinese women in shimmering traditional garb move sinuously in perfect synchronization.
Often entire stories from the Ramayana and Mahabhrata are told through hand and eye movement. To behold such a spectacle, especially in the courtyard of an ornately carved stone Hindu temple is to truly understand where Rodgers and Hammerstein found the inspiration for the mythical island paradise of Bali Ha’i in their classic musical South Pacific.
The great drawcard of Bali is the exotic but laidback lifestyle afforded by its gorgeous beaches. But to discover the true essence of this enchanting island one needs only to venture into the hills of Ubud.
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