Bali Culture and Customs

Bali Culture and Customs

Temple procession in BaliEach 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!

hotels in kuta and its surrounding

Luxury resorts in Kuta and its surrounding areas include Hotel Santika Beach Bali , Ramayana Hotel and The Vira Bali Hotel in Tuban; and Inna Kuta Beach in Kuta. These hotels are equipped with convention facilities, swimming pools, sports facilities, and a selection of restaurants, night clubs or discotheques, and beach fronts.

On the comfortable and inexpensive range, you can find hotels like the charming Aneka Beach Bungalows , Bali Bungalo, or Restu Bali Hotel with its cottages or Kuta Seaview Cottage, in the heart of Kuta that advertises rates from as low as US$ 21 per night.

To continue this Web site (since you all like it - thanks to all who have dropped us email. We love getting them) and to serve you even more, a number of hotels have placed their information with us, offered you generous discounts, and agreed to sponsor this Web site through commissions. Please patronize them: make your reservation through Bali Online and stay with them in Bali. And in the words of Bartles and Jaymes,

hotels - ubud and the rest of bali

hotels in
ubud and
the rest of bali




Luxury resorts in Ubud and other parts of Bali include world-renowned Aman resorts (Amandari in Ubud and Amankila in Candi Dasa), Alila Ubud, and Pita Maha Resort of Tjampuhan, Ubud. On the comfortable and inexpensive to moderate range, you can find hotels like the Kumara Sakti, the Kupu Kupu Barong Luxury villas, and Hotel Tjampuhan. Their rates vary from US$ 30 to US$ 90 a night.
To continue this Web site (since you all like it - thanks to all who have dropped us email. We love getting them) and to serve you even more, a number of hotels have placed their information with us, offered you generous discounts, and agreed to sponsor this Web site through commissions. Please patronize them: make your reservation through Bali Online and stay with them in Bali. And in the words of Bartles and Jaymes,

Bali Flora and Fauna

Bali has an interesting collection of animal and plant life. The rice terraces are the most common sight in everyday Bali, particularly in the heavily populated and extravagantly fertile south. Balinese gardens are a delight. The soil and climate in Bali can support a huge range of plants, and the Balinese love of beauty, and the abundance of cheap labour, means that every space can be landscaped. The style is generally informal, with curved paths, a rich variety of plants and usually a water feature. You can find almost every type of flower in Bali, though some varieties, such as hydrangeas, are restricted to the cooler mountain areas. Orchids are a special attraction, and orchid fanciers should see the collection at the botanical gardens near Bedugul. The temperate weather of the mountain also allows pines to grow.

Wood plants like teakwood grow in gorges. Gorges, which are very numerous in Bali owing to the ash structure of the soil, are favourite places for tropical trees such as Banyan tree (ficus elastica), or Pule tree (alstonia scholarish), two of the sacred trees of Bali. The latter is used in particular for the making of the sacred mask. Other trees, such as the Pangge Baya or the Ebony are getting rare as they are the favored material for woodcarving.
Along the rivers grows bamboo, a multipurpose material. One makes pipes, rope, baskets and even food from bamboo.

The shores of Bali are abundant in animal and floral species. The mangrove forest contains all sorts of big and small crabs, shrimps and fishes. The coral reefs contain colorful fish which have long been exported abroad. These fish, and crab, are now disappearing, as has the giant turtle, which used to come by the thousands onto Balinese shores. It is now prohibited to sell and export its shell. On both straits that flank the island, though, there still remain many dolphins.

Bali is situated in the Asian zone of Indonesia, characterized by big carnivore mammals, such as the tiger or smaller ones such as black panthers or the leopard. The most famous one, perhaps, was the Bali Tiger (Panthera tigris balica), the most dangerous carnivore that lived in paradise. The last one was shot in 1937. There are also big herbivores such as the deer and the wild buffalo. Bali's cattle consists of the tamed wild-ox and the Banteng (Bos Sondaicus), the wild version of which can still be found in the National Park.

One species of birds particularly endangered is the Bali Starling, of which less than fifty are surviving in their natural habitat. Riversides also have a rich bird life where one can also find Kepodang (Oriole), Kipasan (Fantail), and Kutilang (Pynocnotus), some of which are good singers, who sometimes join the great choir of crickets

Bali Traditional Music

Music and dance play an essential part in daily Balinese life, and as a tourist you can't fail to experience it, either at a special tourist show, in rehearsal or at a temple festival. Traditionally, Balinese dancers and musicians have always learnt their craft from the experts in their village and by imitating other performers. In the 1960s, however, the government felt that Bali's traditional arts were in danger of dying out and so two schools for the performing arts were founded: one for children of high-school age, now located in Batubulan; the other for advanced degree-level students, next to the Taman Budaya Arts Centre in Denpasar. Feelings about these two establishments have been mixed, with some performers anticipating a gradual whittling away of the traditional variety of forms and styles as graduates of the schools return to teach a blander, more standardized technique to the youngsters in their home villages.

The national music of Bali is gamelan, a jangly clashing of syncopated sounds once described by the writer Miguel Covarrubias as being like "an Oriental ultra-modern Bach fugue, an astounding combination of bells, machinery and thunder". The highly structured compositions are in fact produced by a group of 25 or more musicians seated cross-legged on the ground at a variety of bronze percussion instruments - gongs, metallophones, and cymbals with a couple of optional wind and stringed instruments tuned either to a five-or (less commonly) a seven-tone scale, and most are performed at an incredible speed. One recent study of a gamelan performance found that each instrumentalist played an average of seven notes per second.


Gamelan is actually the Javanese word for the bronze instruments, and the music probably came over from Java around the fourteenth century, but the Balinese duly adapted it to suit their own personality, and now the sounds of the Javanese and Balinese gamelan are distinctive even to the untrained ear. Javanese gamelan music is more restrained. This modern Balinese style, known as gong kebyar (gong means orchestra, kebyar translates, aptly, as lightning flashes), has been around since the early 1900s, emerging at a time of great political upheaval on the island, when the role of Bali's royal houses was irreparably dented by Dutch colonial aggression.

Over eighty years later, gamelan orchestras are an essential part of village life. Every banjar that can afford to buy a set of instruments has its own sekeha (music club), and a recent census found that there are currently 1500 active gong kebyar orchestras on the island. In most communities, the sekeha is open to men only (the all-female gamelan of Peliatan is a rare experience), but has no restriction on age, welcoming keen players of any standard and experience between the ages of about eight and eighty. Players are not professional musicians, they all do other jobs during the daytime and rarely get paid for any musical performances. Rehearsals generally happen after nightfall, either in the bale banjar or in the temple's bale gong pavilion. There's special gong music for every occasion-for sacred and secular dance, cremations, odalan festivities and wayang kulit shows-but players never learn from scores (in fact few gong compositions are ever notated), preferring instead to have it drummed into them by repetitive practice. Whatever the occasion, gong players always dress up in the ceremonial uniform of their music club, and make appropriate blessings and ritual offerings to the deities. Like dancers, musicians are acutely conscious of their role as entertainers of the gods.

Although the gamelan kebyar is currently by far the most fashionable style of music in Bali, and therefore the most common type of orchestra. There are over twenty other different ensemble variations on the island as well. The smallest ensemble is the four-piece gender wayang that traditionally accompanies the wayang kulit shadow play performances. The largest is the old-fashioned classical Javanese-style orchestra comprising fifty instruments, known as the gamelan gong. The classic sounds of the Balinese gamelan are produced mainly by bronze instruments, but there are also a few orchestras composed entirely of bamboo instruments. These ensembles are a particular specialty of western Bali, where they're known as gamelan joged bumbung and gamelan jegog.

The most common orchestra, the gong kebyar, is composed of at least 25 individual instruments, and always features half a dozen tuned gongs, a few sets of metallophones, two drums, a few sets of cymbals and one or more flutes. The leader of the orchestra, takes leads from the dancers during performances. This he does by fluttering or raising his hands from his seated position close to the front of the stage. Holding a double-ended cylindrical drum, the kendang, on his lap, he controls the tempo of the piece by beating out the rhythm, usually with his hands, on both drum heads.

The Bali Rites of Passage

The Balinese believe that the individual soul is reincarnated into many lifetimes, until through numerous struggles and stages it achieves union with the divine,. It is the duty of every Balinese to have children, to provide a vessel for his ancestor’s spirits to be reincarnated in. A man does not become a full members of his banjar until he is a father. Children are loved and highly prized in Bali, especially male children, as they carry the blood line of the family and also look after the burial and cremation of their parents. As each lifetime is regarded as a passage from one state to another, so also there are critical stages during life where an important passage occurs leading toward adulthood. It is the duty of family and friends to help each child through these passages. The rites of passage begin while the baby is still in the womb. A pregnant woman is “sebel”, and is not permitted to enter a temple. After a safe delivery, the afterbirth is buried under a stone in the family compound. The afterbirth becomes the “Kanda Empat”. It finds a spiritual brother in each of the four cardinal directions to accompany the child at 12 days, 42 days, and again at 105 days when the child is for the first time placed, of rather planted, on the ground. Ibu Pertiwi (mother earth) is asked to look after this young offering. Before this ceremony the child is hardly regarded as a human being. At 210 days, (one Balinese year), the child is given its name. A Balinese child is never allowed to crawl, as this is regarded as animalistic. He is carried everywhere until he learns to stand and walk. The passage into puberty is celebrated for both males and females. A girl first menses is celebrated, and then the rite of tooth filing for girl and boys. This ceremony must be carried out before marriage; often it is incorporated into the marriage ceremony. The canine teeth, which the Balinese regard as animalistic fangs, are filed flat. This represents the evening out of the more extreme aspects of one’s personality as one enters adulthood. After the tooth-filing a father’s duties to his female children are generally regarded as being completed. For a son, the father must finance and conduct the marriage ceremony, welcoming the bride as a new daughter into the family. The new bride leaves her old ties behind and takes over her new family and their ancestors spirits. Many Balinese marriages are pre-arranged, though young men increasingly prefer to “kidnap” their wives, and mixed-caste marriages are more common now.

Culture Bali

Bali Culture

Bali, is famous for its scenic beauty, dynamic culture, and friendly people. Located just south of the equator, tropical Bali has a hot, wet season (November-March) and a cool, dry one (May-September). Towering volcanoes, some still active, contain large lakes which provide water for irrigating thousands of terraced rice fields, enabling up to three harvests per year.

Beliefs
The aim of Hindu Dharma is “ to reach peace of spirit and harmony in the material life”. In practicing their faith, H...

Galungan
Galungan is literally a celebration of the creation of the universe, in which the Supreme God. Creator of the univers...
Ngaben - The Cremation
Cremation of the dead (pengabenan, pelebon) is perhaps the most important, and often the most colorful, ritual of Bal...

Saraswati
A special day is devoted to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning science and literature, once a year according to the Wuku...
The Rites of Passage
The Balinese believe that the individual soul is reincarnated into many lifetimes, until through numerous struggles a...


Cycle of life
According to Hindu religious beliefs, after death, a soul passes into another body. During its tenure in the body, th...

Kuningan
Ten days after Galungan, this is the day on which the ancestors are bidden farewell with more offerings and freshly wove...

Nyepi
Balinese New Year’s day according to the Caka Calendar this is a day inactivity and silence throughout the island 24-...

The People, the Village, and Orientation
Bali is a densely populated island. Most of the population live in closely packed villages of 2.000 to 4.000 people o...
Way of life
Bali is a densely populated island. Most of the population live in closely packed villages of 2,000 to 4,000 people o...

Loving Bali Culture

Bali Culture

Bali island has been both a tropical paradise island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate. It has a rich culture, beautiful landscapes, rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. Bali, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. Balinese dancing, music, visual arts and architecture are unique and accessible to visitors.

The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day-to-day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beach and gentle seas.
Bali Religion

The Balinese religion have strong spiritual roots , their culture is still very much alive. The main religion is Hindu Dharma, which arrived in Bali with the spread of Hinduism through Sumatra and Java during the 11th century. Although originally from India, the Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs, with customs that are very different from the traditional form of Hinduism practiced in India today. With the arrival of Islam in neighboring Java during the 15th century, a large member of courtiers, artists, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali, creating an artistic renaissance.

Naturally creative, the Balinese have traditionally used their talents for religious purposes and most beautiful work to be seen here has been inspired by stories from Ramayana and other Hindu epics. The incredibly colorful cremation pyres and the everyday offerings to the Gods, placed inside every shop and business, are made with precision and an eye of beauty. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.
Bali People

ife in Bali is very communal with the organization of villages, farming and even the creative arts being decided by the community. The population of Bali is estimated 3,500,000 people who live mostly at southern part of the island. Every village (desa) has its temple of origin (puseh) , its temple of dead (pura dalem) its temple for irrigation system (subak).

The basis of this community structure is the Subak and the Banjar. Everyone who owns a rice paddy must join the Subak in their village. The Subak controls who will plant rice and when (plantings are staggered so that pestilence is minimized).

As well and more importantly the Subak ensures that all farmers receive their fair share of irrigation water since traditionally the head the Subak was the farmer whose field was at the bottom of the hill and water first had to pass through everybody else's field before it was allowed to irrigate his own.

The other community organization is the Banjar which, organizes all other aspects of Balinese life (i.e. marriages, cremations, community service, festivals and the like) as well as a form of community service known as Gotong Royong. When a man marries he is expected to join the village Banjar and must participate in community affairs.

Most villages have at least one banjar and a membership of between 50 to 100 families, and each banjar has its own meeting place called the Bale Banjar The Balinese do have a caste system but there are no untouchables. The caste system is most evident in the language which has three levels: a low level for commoners, a mid level to address strangers and a high level only used when addressing aristocracy

Balinese are always pious and they constantly remember where they come from. For that reason, this creates strata of groups in the society nowadays it is commonly called wangsa or soroh. The society order is based on this soroh so strong that it encompasses all kinds of balinese people's' activities. They persistently maintain and preserve their own genealogy. They cherish and keep their family line age inscriptions carefully and meticulously.

Seventh Heaven

from sanskrit for Seventh Heaven Khayangan estate brings you to a place where the gods themselves may choose to dwell, a blend of new and old, taking the romance of the past and encapsulating it with the comfort and technology of today in bali"s ultimate five star luxury resort.
Designed by jasmine saunders-davies, and built by Cheong Yew Kuan, one of Asia's leading resort and luxury villa architects,khayangan estate is a fully self contained,luxury estate set in 1.5 hectares of lush tropical gardens,located at the edge of the cliff, adjacent to bvlgari resort on the bukit bali.
Eight traditional javanese joglos-once the homes of java aristocracy- have been lovingly restored and refitted with contemporary luxury interiors and state of the art fixtures and fitings to bring you an unforgettable holiday experience.
khayangan estate invites you to luxuriate in your sprrounding;swim in the infinity edge pool,indulge and be pampered at the private cliff top luxury spa,dine on sumptuous cuisine prepared by our in-house chef,play tennis, work out, or simply spend sunset in the cliff-side pavilion over looking selonding beach an the Indian Ocean, champagne in hand, farewelling the day.

Bali Galang’s Bali Culture conservation

The word "Conservation" has been very frequently heard occasionally, especially if it relate to Balinese culture, which believed to be an extraordinary valuable asset for Indonesia. At present, the government has carried out the so-called conservation. The project consists of establishing the long list database of Bali culture, together with their current status of existence. Various institutions tend to work in this model of conservation, where one-way participation came down to the community and not the other way around. The community often kept silence.

It is undeniable that these data are useful; unfortunately it is not enough to be called conservation. Bali Galang Foundation is going to take part of it from the other point of view. The "Participative conservation" is referred to the most difficult part of the culture called the community. Due to the fact that the community is often dynamic and mobile, they are beyond the reach of catalogues and data banks. The status changed all the time. In Bali, community is the most important part of culture. They are continuously changed, because the culture itself is alive.

Bali Culture Festival 2008

by beracun | June 14, 2008 at 07:02 am | 374 views | 3 comments
Bali: Bali Arts Festival (14 June 2008)
by dlumenta
Bali Culture Festival 2008
by beracun

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Bali Culture Festival 2008 runs from 14 June - 12 July 2008. The theme from this year festival is Citta Wretti Nirodha, meaning “self control leading to balance and harmony”. The major events of the festival include a cultural parade, performances, contests and parades, exhibitions, and symposiums. It will also coincide with several other national and international events.

International events include :

1. the World Wayang Festival.
2. the All-ASEAN Ethnic Music Festival.
3. the Bali Cultural Congress.

National-scale events include :

1. The Java-Bali Student Arts Festival.
2. The Festival of Traditional Regional Artworks by members of Mitra Praja Utama.

The Bali Provincial Culture Office has announced that to date, 12 foreign arts groups and 20 provinces from Indonesia are scheduled to take part. Even so, the arts of Bali will still dominate a majority of the performances, with local artists from all eight regencies and one city in Bali – an estimated 12,000 artists during the five weeks.

The Culture Parade kicks off the Bali Culture Festival each year, at Puputan Margarana Square, Renon, Denpasar, right in front of the Monument of the Balinese People’s Struggle. Most of the other main events will take place at Taman Budaya Bali (Werdhi Budaya), better known locally by the English name Bali Arts Center.

The cultural parade that opens the Bali Culture Festival tends to be far better known to tourists than the five weeks of performances that follow at Taman Budaya. Tourists tend to neglect these performances; the audience is mostly Balinese. Although it is not meant purely as a tourist attraction, if you are alert, you can see a great variety of arts during these five weeks – art forms reconstructed from the past, innovative new creations, cultural attractions, and appreciation of local communities’ arts and culture. Aside from performing arts, there will also be exhibitions of products of small-scale industries and household handicrafts.

Bali Overview

Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is an ideal holiday destination for all ages. It has a wonderful blend of modern tourist facilities combined with excellent shopping opportunities and a rich heritage. A unique aspect of Bali is its active Hindu culture. Many Hindu-Balinese rituals are reflected in daily life and can be seen in numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces.

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If you are a surfing enthusiast, Bali is definitely the place for you as some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island. Conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas with little more than a ripple breaking the calm surface of the water.

A shopper's paradise, Bali is well known for casual and tailored clothing, locally-made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artefacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags to tailor-made leather jackets, all at unbelievable prices.

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For those who enjoy water-related activities, Bali has world-class scuba diving and snorkelling day trips to fantastic sites. Enjoy a romantic moonlit dinner and watch a spectacular Balinese Fire Dance or Kecak Dance. If you want to dance the night away Bali certainly knows how to party and nightclubs are scattered everywhere.

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For those more culturally inclined, Bali can offer the peace and tranquillity of Ubud high in the hills where the scenery is nothing less than spectacular. In Ubud, one can discover all sorts of cultural treasures in this art capital of Bali and perhaps of all Indonesia. Jungle, picturesque hillsides, rice terraces and the magnificence of Kintamani Volcano are also waiting to be discovered.

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If you want a break from idyllic beaches, you can experience golf in the mountains or going for a paddle or white-water rafting down the beautiful Ayung River; bicycle through scenery you will never forget, or trek through the jungles on foot to discover a side of Bali most tourists never encounter.

Bali is a truly international destination, offering every standard of accommodation ranging from modest bungalow style hotels in lush gardens or bustling towns, to exclusive, sophisticated hotels in either the jungles or along open stretches of beach or hidden in small bays.

Climate

Bali has a tropical climate all year. The average temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. There are dry and rainy seasons - dry from April to September and rainy from October to March - but it can rain at any time of year and even during the rainy season, rain is likely to pass quickly. In general, May through August is the best time to visit Bali. At that time of year the climate is likely to be cooler and the rains lightest.

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Around the coast, sea breezes cool the heat coming off the land and as you move inland you also move up, so the altitude works to keep things cool. It can get very chilly in the highlands and a warm sweater is a good idea in mountain villages like Kintamani or Bedugul.

History

The Balinese people are descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated through mainland Asia to the Indonesian archipelago. To this day, they retain their own individuality, having adapted different aspects of various dominating civilisations which best suit their own spiritual values.

The first inflow of changes recorded were due to Indian traders and travellers who brought with them the Hindu learning and religion. The most persuasive influence of Hinduism came from nearby Java. With the fall of the Madjapahit Kingdom to Islamic influences, many thousands of Hindu priests, nobles, soldiers, artists and artisans fled from Java to Bali to escape their Muslim conquerors. This gave a fresh force to the already strong Hindu culture, which has continued to flourish. It wasn't long before rivalries led to feudal years between the various kingdoms that followed.

Up until this point in time few western contacts had been made with the island. In 1585 a Portuguese ship, foundered off the coast of Bukit. Most of the ship's company drowned and the few survivors settled on the island. Twelve years later, the Dutch explorer Cornelius de Houtman paid a visit. This brought forth the first substantial amount of information about Bali to the western world. Despite the intermittent visits of Dutch merchants, Bali was relatively neglected by the European world until the beginning of the 19th century.

Assorted French and English interests tried for many years to obtain a foothold in Bali unsuccessfully, which only served to alert the Dutch to the potential existing within the island. Civil war and anarchy were rife amongst the royal courts, and a period of cloudy history ensued, of which few accurate accounts are available.

Continual attempts were made by the Dutch to force the Rajas of Bali to recognize the sovereignty of the Netherlands in return for protection against their enemies, but in general, despite a multitude of documents that were duly signed and witnessed, they met with general animosity. It was at the court of Buleleng that the sentiments of the Balinese were finally expressed to the Dutch Commissioner, who was visiting Bali to demand ratification in 1844.

In words that were to immortalise him as the modern hero of Bali, Gusti Ketut Djelantik, the younger brother of the Raja of Buleleng and Karangasem, told the Dutch Commissioner "Never while I live shall the state recognise the sovereignty of the Netherlands in the sense in which you interpret it. Not by a mere scrap of paper shall any man become the master of another's lands. Rather let the kris (sword) decide".

Both parties realised, upon the delivery of this impetuous message that war was not far away. The Dutch began readying an expeditionary force, and the Balinese began making military preparations. Once the powerful Dutch army set out to subdue Bali the ultimate outcome was obvious, but little did they realise at what expense. It took three campaigns and sixty odd years to shatter the Balinese defences and morale. There were a number of tragic "puputan" battles in which the Raja, his entire royal court, women and children plunged into battle, armed with kris and spears, killing each other on the battlefield rather than be taken captive.

These rather shocking events had great psychological effects on the Dutch, and from then on they ruled in Bali with a lenient hand, doing their best to keep to an "ethical" policy and a whole new generation of administrators developed, who regarded themselves not only as the agents of modernisation, but as the protectors of Bali's traditional culture.

In accordance with their policy of cultural conservationism, the Dutch Residency was reluctant to allow evangelists and missionaries to practise in Bali. They were also concerned about the effects of opening the door to international tourism. Actual organised tourism came to Bali in the 1920's. By 1930 up to 100 visitors a month were arriving and their ecstatic reports were so positive that by 1940 this figure had increased to about 250 per month.

K.P.M. opened a tourist office in Buleleng (1925), bought the government rest-house in Denpasar and established the Bali Hotel (1928), as well as acquiring the Kintamani government rest-house as a mountain stopover. By the 1930's they had taken over American Express and Thomas Cook, and virtually dominated the tourist scene.

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Pre-war tourists usually came by sea, landing at Buleleng on the north coast, or Padang Bai in the south. It wasn't until the 1930's that two enterprising Germans started up the ferry service between Banjuwangi and Cilimanuk and a road was built connecting Gilimanuk to Denpasar.

Air travel became possible in the 1930's, but it was very risky. The first survey flight made by the Royal Netherlands Indies Airways crashed into Mount Batukau and the first airport, built in Bukit, was too dangerous for landing except in the calmest weather.

In 1938 a new airport was built at Tuban on the site of the present airport, and Bali became an overnight stop on the weekly flights to Australia and Sulawesi.

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With such a tumultuous past, it is amazing how Bali continues to prosper and preserve its culture. Today Bali contributes considerably as a rich source of international tourism for Indonesia as a whole and is the most popular destination in all of Indonesia.

Topeng Dance at Balinese

In Bali, age is no barrier to movement. Dancers learn their craft as children--often as young as age 4--and may continue performing well into old age. Mature performers are revered for the mastery they bring to their form. A program presented by the World Music Institute featured several highly accomplished movers and musicians ranging in age from their late 30s to their early 80s.

The most senior of these, octogenarian Ni Ketut Cenik, presented her Joged Pingitan, an excerpt from an hour-long solo choreography. She began moving her head so subtly that it appeared still, while the flowers on her headdress swayed in time with the music. Throughout the dance, she combined stillness and motion in ways that heightened a sense of phrasing and stimulated the audience's attention. With her serene smiles, delicate shimmies, and fluttering fan, Cenik cast a teasing spell of seduction.

Contrasting this portrait of feminine grace, I Made Djimat (Cenik's son) performed Baris Tunggal, a character study of a male warrior. He displayed a commanding sense of control with his balancing maneuvers and his quivering hands. BALINESE DANCES OFTEN EMPHASIZE EYE MOVEMENTS; IN HIS BARIS, DJIMAT'S EYES APPEARED TO SCAN THE HORIZON FOR DANGER, REGISTERING A RANGE OF EMOTIONS FROM ALARM AND FEAR TO PLEASURE AND EXCITEMENT.

The program included several other excerpts from the classical Balinese dance repertoire. In "Jobog" from the Legong Keraton, Ni Wayan Sekariani (Cenik's granddaughter) and Ni Made Sarniani portrayed two monkey generals in a story from the Hindu epic Ramayana. The dancers entered and knelt on opposite sides of the stage. They swayed; their fingers trembled and their heads swiveled, all in the exact unison typical of the legong genre. (The "leg" in legong means "gentle swaying motion," while "gong" refers to the musical accompaniment.) At the duet's climax, the tempo changed and the two shifted from unison to mirroring patterns. Brandishing tree branches at each other, they engaged in a stylized battle.

In Legong Keraton, as in much Balinese dance, the movement is closely associated with the intricate rhythms produced by the gamelan ensemble. Multiple levels of articulations in the face, eyes, hands, arms, hips, and feet ate coordinated to reflect layers of percussive sounds. The Kebyar Duduk, originally choreographed by I Nyoman Mario in 1925 and performed here by the lithe Ida Bagus Suteja Manuaba, interpreted the music with a finely nuanced physicality. Much of the time, Manuaba remained in a kneeling position while he wove together a range of facial expressions, gestures, and fan manipulations. Periodically, he rose slightly and, walking low to the ground, traced circular pathways. Later in the program, Manuaba joined Sarniani for Oleg Tumulilingan, a dance created by Mario in kebyar style in 1953 that depicts two bumblebees in a garden.

The second half of the program featured a prembon-style dance-drama called Putri Cina (The Chinese Queen of Bali). Prembon, which means "combination," melds traditional forms of Balinese dance-theater, including gambuh, baris, arja, topeng, and parwa, with modern elements. It emerged as a genre in the 1940s and is quite popular in Bali today. As a prelude, Djimat performed two topeng (masked dance) character portraits--including a rough, white-haired gent who rudely blew his nose. The drama tells the story of a king who takes a second wife because his Chinese queen is unable to bear children. The drama's storytelling had a broad, comedic style. Performers interrupted the narrative to address the audience, occasionally in English, and at least once in Italian. Sekariani, portraying Dewi Danu, the king's proposed second wife, wailed and ranted loudly against the existence of his first wife, to humorous effect. Though much of the dialogue was incomprehensible to this New York audience, and the style of action unfamiliar, Putri Cina did evoke a sense of good fun. With its coarser characterizations, it also provided a contrast to the elegant refinement so wonderfully pictured earlier in the evening.

Bali Beaches

The island of Bali is blessed with the line of beaches surrounding it.

Sanur.
On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as you jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resort developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.

Kuta and Legian
Practically on the opposite side of Sanur, the beaches of Kuta and Legian stretch on the southwestern side of Bali, again only about 5 to 10 minute drive from Denpasar or the airport. Surfing is a major activity in these beaches. Shops, Kecak dance performances, pubs, and other facilities make Kuta a tourist mecca.

Jimbaran
Jimbaran is directly south of the airport, on the way from Denpasar towards Nusa Dua. The village of Jimbaran is the narrow neck of the island of Bali, and thus it has two remarkably different beaches. On the west, Jimbaran Beach faces the Jimbaran Bay, recently lined by new luxurious resorts. On the east, the beach faces the body of water sheltered by Benoa Harbor.

Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is a new luxurious resort area where the world's most sumptuous hotels gracefully integrate into the beautiful white beaches. Crystal clear water provides excellent snorkeling and diving site, and the waves on the northern and the southern part of Nusa Dua allow for great surfing opportunity.

Soka Beach
Further northwest from Denpasar, on the way to Gilimanuk, the ferry port town that connects Bali and Java, there is a small quiet beach called Soka Beach.

Medewi Beach
Continuing along the path towards Gilimanuk, near the village of Pulukan, the beach of Medewi is another beautiful beach.

Lovina Beach
Near the northern tip of the island of Bali lies a stretch of villages by the Bali Sea. Lovina Beach is the name. It is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Night life activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If you like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowd, Lovina Beach is for you.

Bali Dance and Drama

The lifestyles of Balinese people is expressed in their dance. Not only do we learn about the Balinese religion from their dance creations but also we can come to understand the flow of cultural events and activities that belong to everyday life. We can discover Balinese attitudes, how they look at nature, and how they regard their fauna and flora.

The very essence of the Balinese culture is dance and drama, which is performed during temple festivals and in ceremonies. The dances performed in hotels is a small fraction of what Balinese dance has to offer.

Balinese dance goes as far back as Balinese written history with much of the heritage originating from Java. Ironically, as a result of the Islamisation of Java, the Javanese culture has disappeared but has still survived in Bali and has become part of classical Balinese culture.

Balinese dance cannot be separated from religion. Even the dances for the tourists are preceded by many dancers praying at their family shrine for taksu (inspiration) from the gods.

Dance fulfils a number of specific functions: It may be a channel for visiting gods or demons, the dancers acting as a sort of living repository. It may be as a welcome for visiting gods. It may be entertainment for visiting gods.

The typical posture of Balinese dance has the legs half-bent, the torso shifted to one side with the elbow raised and lowered in a gesture that displays suppleness of the hands and fingers. The torso is shifted in symmetry with the arms. If the arms are to the right, the shifting is to the left and vice-versa.

The Ramayana

The story of the Ramayana greatly inspires the Balinese. Many of their dances are based on this great story which is often depicted in a ballet.

The Balinese version differs from the Indian Version. It is told that Rama, as the first son in a family, was the heir to the Ayodya kingdom but the king's second wife, through her treachery forced the king to crown her own son as the King of Ayodya and asked him to send Rama and his wife into exile.

Because he respected his father, Rama went with his wife called Sita and his beloved younger brother, Laksmana into a forest called Dandaka. Usually the first act of the ballet depicts Rama and entourage in the heart of the Dandaka forest.

Rahwana, the evil King of Alengka, enchanted by the beauty of Sita, wanted to have her as his concubine. He sent one of his knights, Marica, to temp Sita by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captivated by her curiosity, asked her husband to catch the golden deer.

The next act explains how Rama succeeds in hunting the golden deer but as his arrow struck the golden deer it transformed back into Marica. Meanwhile Sita heard a distant cry for help. Laksmana, who had been asked by his brother to look after his sister-in-law, tried to explain to her that the cry sounds very suspicious. But nevertheless, Sita was convinced that someone was in need of help. So she sent Laksmana to look for this person and to help whoever it is. In his desperate attempt, Laksmana asked Sita, no matter what would happen, to stay inside the guarding circle that he created.

Rahwana, knowing that Sita was protected by the circle transforms himself into an old priest. He approaches Sita and asks her for a drink. Sita, without hesitation, extends her hands beyond the circle to hand him the water. Rahwana takes the advantage, snatches her hand and takes her to his palace in Alengka.

On the way, Rahwana encounters a mighty eagle Jatayu. By every means possible, Jatayu tries to rescue Sita from the evil king but fails and is killed by Rahwana.

Rama and Laksmana find the dying Jatayu who tells them the whole story of what had happened to Sita.

In his attempt to release his wife, Rama seeks the help from Hanoman and his monkey soldiers. Hanoman finds Sita in the palace's garden. She had been asked by Rahwana to marry him but she would rather die. Hanoman convinces Sita that he is Rama's messenger and talks of a plan.

Rahwana catches Hanoman and burns his tail but in so doing, set fire to the palace's' gardens. The pyrotechnics can be very impressive.

In the last act, Rama and his troops are depicted attacking Rakhwana's palace. Finally Rama manages to kill Rahwana and therefore takes his wife back to his country.

The abridged version ends here but if you see paintings in Kamasan style based on the Ramayana story, you would notice that in the last of serialised paintings, Sita had to prove she was still pure, and had not been tainted by Rahwana, by plunging herself into a fire. Because of her faith in her husband, God saved her from the fire and she lived happily ever after with Rama.

The Indian version reveals a very different ending with Sita saved by Mother Earth, never returning to her husband.


The Welcome Dance - Tari Panyembrama

The Panyembrama is probably the most popular Balinese social dance. In keeping with its meaning in the Balinese Language, Panymebrama is frequently staged to welcome guests of honour who are making a visit to this islands of the Gods.

Four or eight young girls bearing a bokor, a heavily engraved bowl made from silver or aluminium, laden with flowers, dance expressively to the accompaniment of vibrant gamelan music.

During the dance, the flowers are scattered over the guest or audience as an expression of welcome. The Panymebrama has taken many of its movements from temple dances, such as the Rejang Dance, Pendet and Gabor, which are considered sacred and performed exclusively for God. There is an analogy between the secular Panymebrama and the religious temple dances, as all these dances are welcoming dances, the difference being in the place in which they are stage.

The Tari Panymebrama comes under the Balinese classification of Legong (individual dances), because it has no connection with other dances, has no story and was specifically created for welcoming and entertainment purposes.

The hospitality and friendliness conveyed through the smiles of the Panymebrama girls, charms the audience and so is very fitting as an opening for a show, etc.


The Yudapati Dance

Yudapati is a dance which depicts a male character but is performed by female dancers. The word Yudapati is derived from Yuda which means war and Pati which means death. The dance represents the kamikaze warrior in defending the truth. The dance was created in 1987. It is based on the Baris dance.

The dancer wears typical male attire, headcloth, shirt, carved leather belt and other jewellery. The reason for a male being performed by a female is that the choreographer wishes to reveal all the subtle gestures and movements in the dance by using the flexibility of a woman's body.

Male dance performed by females is called Bebancihan. A number of other dances have been created in the s style, such as Margapati, Trunajaya, Prawireng Puti, Wiranata and Danur Dara. They require masculine interpretation and expression which is quite hard for female dancers. Yudapati dance was originally performed for religious purposes but nowadays is performed regularly as a tourist attraction in some restaurants.


The Ghopala Dance

This dance provides the audience with an interesting insight into the lives of people who live in a simple and pure manner in an environment of blissful tranquillity. This dance originated in 1984 and usually performed by five boy dancers. The characters of the Ghopala dance are especially funny and will draw laughter from the audience.

The Ghopala theme depicts the world of children herdsmen who gleefully meet and play along the boundaries of rice fields while tending their cows. Their lives are filled with happiness as they dance and play in a way which highlights their individual characters. They never tire of their duties as herdsmen, faithfully defending the lives of their cattle. Thus the audience are transported to a distant time when people lived in peace and contentment, an age which had not yet become influenced by the bustle of business which now constantly steals our time.


The Semarayana Dance

As we know, there exists many art forms such as music, painting, poetry, drama, sculpture, etc. and, of course, dancing is yet another and is a popular form of expression. Artists will take a certain aspect of a medium, build on it to form another. This is the case of the Semarayana dance developed in 1994 as a subject for a thesis submitted by Ms Ni Nyoman Sri Armita to the Indonesian Arts Academy of Denpasar for her graduation.

The main character is Dewi Chandra Kirana, a princess from the kingdom of Daha who disguised herself as a male youth so she could venture out and seek her beloved who had disappeared without a trace.

With shoulder length hair, commonly used centuries ago throughout Java and Bali, the princess was unrecognisable as a female. The symbol of manhood which fooled people she met on the road, was the use of the Balinese male headgear called the Destar. It is made from material that wraps around the head and has an artistic formation of bunched material at the front.

Balinese males still use the destar when attending ceremonies. The feature of the destar is the decorative use of gold lines.

Dewi meets her beloved but due to her disguise and the fact that he is partly obscured when they meet, a fight develops. In the ensuing melee, the princess's destar is knocked from her head and her sweetheart, Raden Inu Kertapati, recognises her and rushes to her side to embrace her.

And, of course, they lived happily ever after.


The Barong Dance

The are several versions of the Barong Dance, as Bali has an abundance of myths and legends. There is Barong Ket, Barong Asu (Dog Barong), Barong Macan (Tiger Barong), Barong Bangkal (Pig Barong), Barong Gajah (Elephant Barong) and others.

One of the well known stories on which the Barong Dance is based, is the Kunti Seraya. The plot is very intriguing, showing the effect of the Gods intervention upon the people through supernatural powers.

It is told that Dewi Kunti, from the royal family of Hastinapura, was very ill. As a devotee of the Goddess Durga, she seeks help, however, the Goddess tells her that the price of health is her own son, Sahadewa. It seems that the Goddess fancied Sahadewa's young and luscious flesh for her dinner.

Dewi Kunta recovers from her illness and it is time to pay the price. She regrets her decision to pay the price but a promise is a promise. One of the Goddess's followers put her into a trance and enters her body. She becomes a terrifying creature and unconsciously beats Sahadewa mercilessly. She then takes him to an unpenetratable jungle and ties him to a tree. Later Sahadewa is given immortality by God and she overcomes the wrath of the Goddess and she is able to release her son.


The Sanghyang Jaran Dance

The unique feature of the Sanghyang Jaran dance is the courage of the dancers who in a state of Kesurupan or trance, calmly step and trample on red hot coals just as if they were walking in cold water.

This dance is believed to have the power to invite the gods or sacred spirits to enter the body of the dancers and put them in a state of trance. It dates back to the ancient Pre-Hindu culture, a time when the Balinese people strongly believed that a dance could eliminate sickness and disease. The is dance is usually performed in the fifth or sixth month of the Balinese traditional calendar as it is believe that during these particular months, the Balinese are vulnerable to all kinds of illnesses.


The War Dance - Gebug Ende

The Gebug Ende is a combination of dance and trial of prowess. It is usually performed by two to sixty male dancers who dance and fight on stage in pairs. Each dancer/fighter carries a one and a half metre long rattan stick as as a weapon and a shield called an ende. During the performance the two men try to beat one another with the stick while using the ende to protect themselves. The dance is called Gebug Ende as it literally means beating the ende or shield. One cannot afford to make mistakes in this dance as otherwise injury results.

The Gebug Ende is quite unique as it has certain rules that have to be followed by the participants. Led by a jury, this dance starts with two dancers, while the rest sit in a circle, cracking jokes and singing, while waiting their turn. The jury decide which of the two contestants loses the game and has to leave the stage. Then they will call the next men to the stage. This continues until all have had a turn. Sometimes the fight becomes very fierce and the dancers get thrown of the stage from the blows of the rattan stick. Bruises and wounds are common in this ritual.


Legong Trunajaya - The dance of love and emotions

The Trunajaya dance describes the emotions of a young man through love and passion. The dance movements reflect the theme of courtship and love.

Truna meaning 'single' and jaya meaning 'to win' immediately gives an understanding of the dance. Ironically, the dancer are young women who take on the role of young men. The women wear a 'destar' normally worn by men and an unusual loin-cloth called a 'kancut'. The Trunajaya is normally danced by a single female but sometimes two, dancing together in synchronous movements and to the mesmorotic sounds of the 'Gong Kebyar', a fast, rhythmic beat which goes in harmony to the dance. The dance was created by Wayan Wandres, from Singaraja, Northern Bali.

The Bali Provincial Culture

The Bali Provincial Culture Office has announced that to date, 12 foreign arts groups and 20 provinces from Indonesia are scheduled to take part. Even so, the arts of Bali will still dominate a majority of the performances, with local artists from all eight regencies and one city in Bali – an estimated 12,000 artists during the five weeks.

The Culture Parade kicks off the Bali Culture Festival each year, at Puputan Margarana Square, Renon, Denpasar, right in front of the Monument of the Balinese People’s Struggle. Most of the other main events will take place at Taman Budaya Bali (Werdhi Budaya), better known locally by the English name Bali Arts Center.

The cultural parade that opens the Bali Culture Festival tends to be far better known to tourists than the five weeks of performances that follow at Taman Budaya. Tourists tend to neglect these performances; the audience is mostly Balinese. Although it is not meant purely as a tourist attraction, if you are alert, you can see a great variety of arts during these five weeks – art forms reconstructed from the past, innovative new creations, cultural attractions, and appreciation of local communities’ arts and culture. Aside from performing arts, there will also be exhibitions of products of small-scale industries and household handicrafts.

Indonesian Art And Culture

2008 Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship is the sixth year of the Program that was initially offered and participated successfully by South West Pacific Dialogue member countries namely Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and the host Indonesia. Minding the importance and advantages obtained from the program, we expand the participating countries and include all ASEAN, ASEAN + 3, PIF member countries, India and South Africa. The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States will also participate this year.

INDONESIAN ART AND CULTURE SCHOLARSHIP (IACS) 2008

2008 Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship is the sixth year of the Program that was initially offered and participated successfully by South West Pacific Dialogue member countries namely Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and the host Indonesia. Minding the importance and advantages obtained from the program, we expand the participating countries and include all ASEAN, ASEAN + 3, PIF member countries, India and South Africa. The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States will also participate this year.

Hindered by limited space available, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia held a series of selection in cooperation with Indonesian Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs of participating countries. Background of the participants and gender were two among other criteria focused by the committee in the selection processes.

Emphasized to enhance the skill of participants in performing Indonesian art and culture, all the participants will be placed for 3 months until October 2008 in four art centers in Bandung-West Java, Yogyakarta-Central Java, Solo-Central Java, and Denpasar-Bali. The participants will live in or around the art center and therefore the opportunity to experience local heritage as well as exchange their respective art and culture with the locals is wide open. Synergy between theory and practices shared inside and outside of art centers, undoubtedly could be the driven force for shaping international cultures and norms, and eventually will strengthen regional as well as global understanding and cooperation.

B. OBJECTIVE

Main objectives of this program are firstly, to demonstrate Indonesia’s commitment as an initiator of the establishment of Southwest Pacific Dialogue and as the originator member of ASEAN in advancing the social culture cooperation in the region. Secondly, to encourage a better understanding in the society amongst SWPD, ASEAN+3, PIF member countries, India and South Africa as well as the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States toward Indonesia with its immense and diverse art and culture heritage. Finally, to cultivate a cultural cooperation transpire from direct contact and sharing of cultures amongst people involved that latterly will thrive diplomatic relation in the region and worldwide.

C. PARTICIPANTS

35 countries of regional organizations of Southwest Pacific Dialogue, Association of South East Asian Nations, Association of South East Asian Nations + 3, Pacific Island Forum, India , South Africa, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, the United States.



D. TIME

The non-degree art and culture scholarship is offered for three months period of time starting 28 July 2008 until 31 October 2008.

E. LOCATION

The participants will be placed in four art centers (sanggar) located in Bandung, West Java; Yogyakarta, Solo; and Denpasar, Bali.

F. LIST OF COURSES

In Bandung, West Java, the participants will learn Sundanese art and culture namely the production, maintenance and appreciation to angklung; karawitan, wayang golek, and traditional dance of Sunda and West Java. They will also learn Sundanese dan Indonesian Language as a component of the culture.

The participants will learn Javanese art and culture such as the process of batik and its significance; karawitan; traditional Javanese dance; and Javanese language and culture in Yogyakarta and Solo. In Bali, the participants will learn Balinese art and culture. Balinese artists will teach Balinese art and culture namely Balinese dance, paintings, carving and gamelan lively. Each art center will also arrange special visit to several historic as well as touristy places for participant.
in each city to experience the beauty of Indonesia.

Prior to their placement in art centers, the participants will undertake 10 days of orientation in Jakarta and will learn issues such as the Aim and Objectives of the Scholarship; Introduction to Indonesian Culture; Information about Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo and Bali provinces.

Bali Transportation Guide

Car Rental, Motorcycle Rental, Buses & Taxis
Getting Around: Public Buses & Bemos

Getting around Bali is easy. Public buses and bemos, chartered bemos, shuttle buses, taxis and private cars, rented cars and motorcycles: even eco-friendly bicycles! If you really want to see the sights and make the most of your time, a well organised tour is a good choice.

The budget-friendly bemo is Bali's main public transportation and every town has a bemo or bus station. The capital of Bali, Denpasar is the hub of these unique forms of transport and it's good to know that Gilimanuk, Singaraja, Amlapura and Gianyar have major regional terminals, so you can get from one corner of Bali to another. Full-sized buses and larger minibuses travel along the longer routes from the same stations as the bemos.

It is quite impossible to be exact about fares, and unfortunately all tourists and visitors are regularly overcharged. The thing to do is to observe the amount other passengers paying and do as the Balinese do. But do remember to pay the fare before getting off so as to prevent the bemo driver from driving off with your change. It is normal to be charged extra for a large bag and also for a bemos to depart only when the vehicle is full - even though this can take quite a while.
Shuttle Bus

Tourist shuttle buses travel along Bali's main tourist several times daily. These are faster, more comfortable and convenient than the public bemos, although also more expensive. It is, after all, cheaper than chartering a car or renting a jeep, unless you're visiting Bali in groups of 3 or more. There are several operators of these shuttle busses, with Perama being the most established. Tickets are on sale at any of shops-cum-travel agencies scattered conveniently throughout Bali.
Taxi & Private Car

There are many metered taxis in Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, and Nusa Dua. Finding a taxi is extremely easy as taxis usually crawl along the main road beeping at tourists. Try to use the meters if possible.

There is an option of renting a car with driver, but there are no set rates. Negotiation is the key. It is interesting to note that these cars are not licensed to carry tourists, so don't be surprised at the detours around police stations.
Car Rental

The 4-seater Suzuki jeep is very popular vehicle in Bali - with the tourists, of course. These hardy yet comfortable roadsters are known as jimmy on the island. Local rentals usually include insurance, but often exclude petrol.

You will need an International Driving Licence to hire a car and drive in Bali. There is a steep fine for unlicensed driving. Also if you do not have a licence your insurance may be invalidated. Do take note that driving in Bali is hazardous and parking can be difficult, especially near a tourist attractions, with varying costs.

Remember: Wearing a seat belt is compulsory.
Motorcycle Rental

Prices normally include insurance and some petrol. Moving around Bali on two wheels is fun, more convenient and faster BUT, remember to check the motorcycle before use and ride safely and sensibly. Helmets are compulsory, of course.

If your International license does not include bikes, try to get a local 3-month licence valid for Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. You can expect help from the person renting out the bike, but be prepared to part with around 150,000rp or more.

Kuta Bali Hotel

Hotels in Seminyak, Bali
When it comes to boutique shopping, fine dining and fun nightlife, chic Seminyak has it all � plus a sun-drenched beach. Upmarket and serene, this is a developing area suitable for the discerning traveller.


THE ELYSIAN BOUTIQUE VILLA HOTEL
Special Offer
US$ 263*/ night Now – 30 Jun '08
Includes Breakfast

Abian Biu Residence - $$$

10 Rooms

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Abian Biu Residence is located in the Banjar Umalas Kauh, a well known district in the south of Bali that has rural characteristics and gently undulating hills and verdant rice fields. While guests staying at Abian Biu Residence will be presented with privilege insight into rural Bali, the residence is only ten minutes drive from the beaches, shops, nightlife and internationally acclaimed restaurants of Seminyak The finest touch of interior in each room in Abian Biu, which are inspired from the residence of a Javanese - China nobleman, indicate the effort it keep the tradition and originality of oriental culture. It becomes the characteristic of each room in Abian Biu Residence. Make the most of our garden - dine amidst and tropical greenery. Experience the cozy and intimate garden dinning setting that is uniquely Abian Biu Residence.
Agga Citta - $$$$

7 Rooms

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Agga Citta means Beautiful Home in the ancient Sanskrit language. The Agga Citta Villas are ideally situated in a secluded area of Seminyak Bali, surrounded by tropical gardens and shady trees. Seminyak is a perfect place to get away from the crowds of nearby famous Kuta Beach. At Agga Citta you can peacefully relax and rejuvenate yourself, while still close enough to enjoy everything Bali has to offer. Four exclusive private villas, with your choice of one, two or three bedrooms, ideal for individual rental or perhaps combined as a wonderful retreat with a group of friends. All villas are impressively decorated in contemporary natural designs mixed with modern facilities - the resort can comfortably accommodate 12 guests in total.
Ahimsa Estate - $$$$

6 Villas

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Ahimsa Estate is located in Oberoi, Seminyak, only within a walking distance to the beach, bars and restaurants.Ahimsa Estate offers you privacy in luxury, promising wonderful vacation in Bali. Villa Ahimsa consist of, Two and Three bedrooms villa , each with its own private pool , own parking area and own entrance and walled surround to make sure your vacation full privacy.
Alu Bali Villa - $$$$

16 Rooms

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The Alu Bali Villas is a private paradise, just 100 metres from the beautiful Petitenget Beach and a few minutes from the superb restaurants of Seminyak. This is a unique resort of seven private villas, set around the Balinese temple. Each private villa is entirely self-contained, with its own swimming pool, a separate living pavilion and a self-contained kitchen.
Anantara Resort Seminyak - $$$$$

59 Rooms

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Designed to complement the breathtaking panorama of the Indian Ocean, Anantara Resort Seminyak will reflect the lifestyle and culture of the stylish surrounds of Seminyak. The design of the 59 all-suite resort is contemporary, using extensive glass panelling to bring the vast waterscape of Seminyak Beach into the interiors and emphasize a natural ambience and fluidity with nature. Under the esteemed architectural vision of Anthony Liu, whose firm TonTon is renowned for its innovative tropical designs such as the Bale Resort in Nusa Dua, Anantara Resort Seminyak is poised to raise the benchmark for luxury accommodation.Each spacious suite in the five-story resort, all with an average of 70 to 80 sq metres, has an ocean view which accentuates a breezy and relaxed atmosphere. Anantara Resort Seminyak affords every modern convenience expected by luxury travellers, whilst ensuring absolute serenity in one of the worlds top island destinations.
Aria Luxury Villas & Spa - $$$$

12 Rooms

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Aria Villa is a new set of luxury villas designed for the discerning travelers. Make a choice, as each of our villa is differently set up to better cater for your individual needs and priorities. Choose from luxury bathroom expericence, luxurious swimming pool, or spacious living and dining area. These are the combinations provided in our modern villas style. Located at Jl. Peti Tenget, Seminyak, Kuta Bali, just 5 minutes drive to Peti Tenget Beach, 15 minutes from the center of shopping Mecca in Kuta and 25 minutes drive to Denpasar, the capital city of Bali. Each villa has own swimming pool, living room, Kitchennet and massage tables. We are proud that you have chosen the Aria Luxury Villa and Spa for your stay in Bali. We have 8 one-bedroom villas, and 4 two bedroom villas built to satisfy all the needs of astute travelers. The Aria Living has romantic gazebos and provides a dining private area creating a harmony and peaceful ambiance.
Bali Agung Village - $$

41 Rooms

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The Bali Agung Village Hotel is convenient to everything Bali has to offer, and is only 15 km (9 miles) away from Bali International Airport. Each of the 8 rooms at this fine 3-star hotel feature superior amenities. Included in all rooms are telephone, air conditioning, television, tea/coffeemaker, minibar. Guests will enjoy the hotels excellent facilities and services including cocktail lounge, dry cleaning and laundry, 24-hour room service, nursery, restaurants. Unwind after your day with a choice of outdoor pool - just a few of the hotels excellent sporting and leisure offerings. Comfort and convenience are the hallmarks of Bali Agung Village Hotel.
Bali Ayu Hotel - $$$

32 Rooms

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The Bali Ayu Hotel & Villas is a Villa style property which combines classic Balinese architecture and modern amenities. The hotel is located in the quiet Petitenget village in Kerobokan, Kuta. This village is situated just north of the bustle of Kuta and Seminyak. Ngurah Rai International Airport is a thirty minute comfortable drive. Situated 700 meters from the Petitenget patrolled beach, the hotel is surrounded by rice paddies and village homes. The recent addition of our two and three bedroom private pool villas has enhanced the property to cater for your requirements on your tropical holiday.
Bali Holiday Resort - $$$

105 Rooms

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The Bali Holiday Resort is situated in the north of Legian, facing Jl. Abimanyu beach. It is 10 minutes walk to Seminyak and a selection of restaurants, banks and nightlife areas on Jl. Dhyana Pura. Kuta is 10 minutes drive away. The Balinese style rooms are comfortable and spacious. The Bali Holiday Resort has a large pool and a pizzeria for those wanting a poolside snack.
Bali Island Villas-Seminyak Bali - $$$$

10 Rooms

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Bali Island Villas and Spa, located within the vibrant pulse of Seminyak, is a private complex of 10 self-contained luxury villas. Although very much a part of Bali s most cosmopolitan district, the villas remain a calming niche ideal for a relaxing break. While deviating architecturally from what is considered typically Balinese, the villas still feature plenty of elements that reflect local culture. Bali Island Villas & Spa respect the natural surroundings in a concept that has evolved to embrace the future.
Bali Rich Luxury Villa - $$$$

15 Rooms

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Bali Rich Luxury Villa offers a relax environment lifestyle where modern & simplicity luxurious meets the Bali traditional nature. This alternative way of celebrating life is far away from routine daily pressures. With the airy breeze comes from lushes tropical garden & coconut trees, this is an unchangeable situation that sometime forgotten.
Bora Bora Villas - $$$$

17 Villas

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Bora Bora Villas, bali private vacation villas are located in the trendy area of Petitenget beach. Famous for its beautiful beach and fine dining restaurants, the area also features a wide variety of small handicraft and furniture shop, and one of islands most significant Hindu temples. Bora Bora Villas, your tropical holiday retreat on the island of Bali. Our tranquil and luxurious One, Two and Three Bedroom Bali Villas each feature private swimming pool set in lush tropical gardens. Bora Bora Villas have been formed to serve the needs and desires of the visitor seeking comfort, Luxury and privacy with a little bit of magic. The Bora Bora Estate consists of 8 bali luxury villas, plus the four villa, five bedroom Kubun Suite. The property spans over 4500 square meter situated only meters from Bali is famous sunset beaches in the highly sought after district of Petitenget. Bora Bora villas are traditional yet modern with every luxury you have at home. Each private Bali villa offers house staff, fully equipped kitchen and cable TV in each bedroom. Each Villa features its own private sun deck set in lush tropical gardens Full room service menu is available, giving total flexibility to suit your dining preferences. All day dining menu. A breakfast ,lunch ,dinner menu has been developed to suit the needs of our guests. an option of live cooking in the villas by our chef can be made available upon request. Bora Bora Villas also can help organize Weddings, cocktail parties, BBQ, special occasions and events can also be catered for.
Bvilla & Spa - $$$$

13 Rooms

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The hotel is situated at the center of Semanyak, amidst the latest modern attractions of Bali. The swanky shopping malls and other exciting tourist spots of the region are also easily accessible from the location of Bvilla & Spa in Bali. The hotel is located only a few minutes walk away from Petitenget Beach and other fascinating attractions of the region. The famous fine dining restaurants at jl Laksmana Oberoi street also lie a stones throw away from the hotel.
C151 Smart Villas - $$$$$

21 Rooms

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C151 is proud to introduce our new luxury smart villa, the most hi-tech luxury villa resort in Bali. C151 Seminyak is located in the heart of the Oberoi Area, Balis most sought after area of Seminyak - steps from the beach and popular restaurants. Designed for comfort, service and convenience, for those who want to be where the action is and where the beautiful people are. Each luxury smart villa has its own compound with a private swimming pool. Club151 advanced 5 star facilities and coming soon our exclusive private beach club.
Casa Indigo Hotel - $$$

20 Rooms

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Casa Indigo is a new boutique hotel, set in the heart of trendy Seminyak area Seminyak Petitenget is in close proximity to numerous art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, and bars as well. Casa Indigo has 20 white colors deluxe pool access non smoking rooms and equiped with simple, modern furniture and showcase modern conveniences such as: air conditioner, television with cable, direct dial telephone.
Contiki Resort for 18-35s Bali - $$$$

133 Rooms

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Your days under the balmy tropical sun can be spent at Contiki Resort Bali awesome pool complex which meanders around the centre of the resort ending up at the Beach pool area. The feel of the pool changes depending on the mood of the resort. It includes a lagoon area, a swim up bar, relaxation spaces and beach area. Theres space for doing laps, water volleyball and many other water-based activities. Contiki Resort Bali is located in stylish Seminyak and just 100 metres from the beach; it makes for a great base for exploring all Bali has to offer.
Desamuda Village - $$$$

17 Rooms

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Desamuda Village is one of Balis most idyllic resort, ideal for both short and long stay. An ambiance of simplicity, yet warmth, has been created with the use of teak wood and local stone. The suitable colors of local wood, alang-alang roof and woven materials prevail. It offers soul-restoring reward by providing blissful relaxation. Each villa is private and self-contained. When you step out of our villa, you still can call it home for we provide safe and friendly environment.
Dhyana Pura Beach resort - $$$

120 Rooms

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One of the hotel great attraction is its relaxed atmosphere. Imagine lying on a sun-lounge, watching the surf roll in, and with the scent of frangipani in the air, tensions disappear. Dhyana Pura provides varied and attractive accommodation. It is discreetly spaced out in four hectares of tropical garden. Dhyana Pura is composed of thirty tastefully appointed Bungalows designed to reflect traditional Balinese architectures, with ninety eight rooms with modern facilities.
Downtown Villas - $$$$$

9 Rooms

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Perfectly situated just 2 minutes walk from the heart of Bali's trendy & chic district of Seminyak, Downtown's nine luxury villas, crafted into 1, 2 and 3 bedroom configurations are stylishly equipped with contemporary art & imported designer furniture & homeware. All villas include a 20m lap pool (private plunge pool for 1 bedroom villas), fully equipped kitchens, broadband internet access and more than 37 cable TV channels delivered via Sony flat screen technology. Downtown's Ku de Ta-trained chefs, together with a full room service menu, give total flexibility to suit dining preferences. For those seeking to keep fit whilst on holiday, Downtown's fitness centre comes equipped with a multi-gym, cardio workout equipment & more. Downtown Villas - Bali's first and only luxurious modern contemporary villa resort.
Dyana Villas - $$$$

30 Rooms

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Rejuvenate at Dyana Villas, The right choice for a trully intimate indulgence and romance. At Dyana Villas you can spend your time in tranquil privacy . friendly smiles of the staff will leave you with an unforgettable memory of the Real Bali. 16 Luxurious Private Pool Villas set in tropical gardens, built with modern concept, traditional Balinese architecture and Javanese touch. Dyana Villas offer villas from one to four bedrooms, designed for ultimate comfort and intimacy, to meet every fantasy.
Heliconia Villa - $$$$

5 Rooms

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Heliconia Villas is a complex of private villas, each secluded within its own Balinese styled compound completed with swimming pool, integrated living and kitchen environment, semi open en suite bathroom and modern home convenience. Heliconia Villas encourages a healthy outdoor living experience for international travelers with modern Balinese styled private villas. Each villas is enclosed within a charming tropical garden and features a personal swimming pool and sun lounging space.
Hotel Puri Madawi - $$$

16 Rooms

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The Puri Madawi is located in one of Bali is most beautiful and well known areas, Seminyak Batu Belig Beach. This hotel is adorned with original local art and treasures from all over Indonesia. The hotel is located on the northern tip of Seminyak, between Petitenget and Batu Belig. In recent years this area has become the most favoured destination of long time Bali Lovers. Known for internationally celebrated restaurants such as the famous Warisan Cafe or the Kudeta, it also has become home to some of Bali is finest boutiques and spas. The cultivated atmosphere in Seminyak and its international clientele make a very attractive place for the sophisticated traveller of today. The intimate layout of our 16 rooms in Puri Madawi guaranties a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. This gives us the ability to truly cater to the individual needs and desires of our guests. The restaurant placed under a large Balinese pagoda right next to the pool, the restaurant is able to cater to all of your culinary needs. Have a cold beer with friends at our pool bar in the afternoon or enjoy a cocktail at our beautiful restaurant bar before dinner.
Hotel Tugu Bali - $$$$$

21 Rooms

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Hotel Tugu Bali, pioneer in its research for quality and personal services, has just been nominated as the first member of Relais & Chateaux in South East Asia. As a guarantee of quality, this new membership sets Tugu bali as one on the reference in culinary art in the island. Tugu strives to excel in its ability to combine traditional balinese style with fine food, luxurious amenities and exceptional warm hospitality.
Kamuela Villas Seminyak - $$

5 Rooms

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the Kamuela Villas occupy a prime location at the very heart of Southern Bali s main attractions and points of interest. Seminyak is where modern tourism in Bali all started and it s still the most happening place of all. All five villas are sumptuously appointed with wonderful contemporary design influences offering an intimate retreat experience and their own signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality. The living and dining areas are open into the pool area while each beautifully appointed bedroom features its own en-suite bathroom.
Le Jardin Boutique Villa - $$$$$

11 Rooms

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Privacy and luxury beach living have inspired Le Jardin concept. Developed on 4,000m2 of land, exotic landscaping with old rain trees. Le Jardin is an uncompromised location to enjoy tropical retreat. 9 two-bedroom villas are fully self contained. Public areas feature five star luxury facilities and a service area to support all villa operations. The design concept accommodates privacy, comfort and luxury with all villas featuring private pool, open concept living and dining area with direct views to the swimming pool and garden area and spacious bedrooms complete with en-suite bathrooms.
Maya Loka Villas Bali - $$

13 Rooms

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Conveniently located in Seminyak area, Maya Loka Villas offer their valuable guests a spectacular rural atmosphere of Balinese. Surrounded by private lush garden which create a common sense of relaxation for your mind specially created by using the simplicity of Balinese architecture emphasizing your stay in a truly paradise. Let your fancy free, consequently, only Maya Loka Villas could offer a relaxation for your soul and body make your unforgettable moments because it is touching your heart deeply. Maya Loka Villas is a stylish complex of 13 private villa compounds located in Seminyak, a vibrant area renowned for its excellent dining venues and boutique shopping alternatives. The property is close to Petitenget Beach for those who enjoy the sun or a leisurely walk at sunset. Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport is just a convenient 15-minute drive away.
Pelangi Bali Hotel & Spa - $$$$

88 Rooms

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Bali, a wonderful romantic places. The beauty of it is enough to refresh your spirit. The music, dance, and culture will excite your curiosity and memories. Pelangi Bali Hotel, located in exotic Seminyak white sand beach makes it all possible, offering comfort, tranquility and satisfaction. Experience and carry with your dreams the memories of all magic of Balinese culture.20 minute drive from Ngurah Rai international airport, 5 minute from center of Kuta, and 20 minute from Denpasar.
Pradha Villas - $$$$

8 Rooms

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With a choice of eight 2-bedroom properties and one 3-bedroom property, Pradha Villas Development offers potential inverstors the opportunity to purchase a fully furnished, serviced and maintained villa ready for occupancy. The Management Company will take care of the full maintenance and service of the villas. Pradha Villas development offers a 25-year lease, with the option to renew the lease for a further 20 years. This extension facility is to ensure the resale value of the property. Pradha Villas Development is hidden in Seminyak, Traditional village in Krobokan, a few kilometers north of Kuta on the south-western coast of the exotic island of Bali. Located in a quite place, safe, up market area close to some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurant on the island
Puri Cendana Resort - $$$

24 Rooms

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Puri Cendana Resort is located 25 minutes drive from Bali International Airport and is situated in the heart of Seminyak. Shopping centers, restaurants and other night entertainments are within a few steps from the hotel. Puri Cendana Resort is around 5 minutes walk to the nearest beach and is around 10 minutes by car to Legian and Kuta night life. Puri Cendana Resort sets around the tropical gardens outfitted with antique furniture and ornaments. The hotel offers superior rooms and duplex suites to suit the needs of couple and family travelers.
Puri Dewa Bharata Hotel & Villas - $$$$

28 Rooms

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Puri Dewa Bharata Village, set in landscaped tropical garden, possesses the ambience of charming traditional Balinese Village concept. We offer you a comfortable stay in quiet presence and relaxing atmosphere. You also can choose to enjoy your sun-soaked days lounging by the pool surrounded by well-kept tropical garden. Stay with us. Our Balinese friendly staff will make your holiday relaxing and memorable.
Putu Bali Villa & Spa - $$

16 Rooms

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Putu Bali Villa and Spa is made up of Balinese style villas set in a tranquil and peaceful area of Seminyak, a distinguished place to hide out in restful surroundings, where the beautiful natural sights and sounds blend harmoniously with the village atmosphere. A place to relax in comfortable furnished accommodation combined with traditional decor. Shimmering when the sunrise lights the traditional wooden Balinese architecture, the restaurant serves complete meals. The outdoor Pool accentuated with primitive Balinese statues melt into the rich natural tropical garden.Putu Bali Villa & Spa is really close to access for shopping, bars, nightlife etc. within the Kuta area is a short taxi ride away. For the more adventurous we can arrange car rental at very reasonable rates giving you instant access to all of Bali right from your own Putu Bali Villa.Putu Bali Villa & Spa offers a complete natural and exotic spa experience consisting of beauty treatment, a relaxing Bali Massage, foot and aromatherapy, as well as a flower petal bath.
Resor Seminyak - $$$$

60 Rooms

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Resor Seminyak Bali, is ideally located in the Village of Seminyak - which is known for its relaxed atmosphere and international lifestyle - with some of Balis best shopping and dining nearby. Nestled discreetly on the beachfront, between two of Balis most legendary temples, the resort has been designed to harmonize with its natural and cultural environment creating a relaxing atmosphere in which to escape the pressures of life left behind.
Sarinande Beach Inn - $$

28 Rooms

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Situated down a winding lane in the quiet area of Seminyak the Sarinande Beach Inn is a quiet, serene hotel just a short walk from the Kuta/Legian beach and not much further to all the great restaurants in Seminyak. With friendly service and guestrooms that are simply, yet nicely furnished and oh so very clean, the family owned and operated Sarinande Beach Inn is well known for offering excellent value for money. Budget travelers looking for a quiet hotel with traditional feel close to the action in Seminyak will find the Sarinande Beach Inn just the ticket.
Seminyak Paradiso Hotel - $$

36 Rooms

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Seminyak Paradiso Hotel is nestled away on Jalan Dyana Pura just 100 metres from Seminyak Beach and features 36 rooms in 5 two storey bungalow buildings. A quiet setting and friendly service combined with comfortably furnished and clean rooms, Seminyak Paradiso Hotels accommodations are very good value for money in a central location near to Kuta and all of Bali night life and shopping.
Sentosa Private Villas and Spa - $$$$$

38 Villas

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Sentosa Private Villas and Spa is located in the heart of Seminyak area, the center of the classy entertainment, world dining experiences, fashion, and shopping areas, only 20 minutes drive from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, 15 minutes drive to the heart of Kuta and only 15 minutes walking to the nearest beach. Blossom Restaurant and Lounge Bar is our stylish and contemporary restaurant and serve breakfast to dinner. Cocktail menu, lassies, and wine can be enjoyed at our poolside bar. Absorb the atmosphere as our resident DJ plays the tune after dark.
Sesari Bali - $$$$

16 Rooms

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Sesari Bali Villa is a luxury villa complex with private pools and full hotel service to be open on July 2006. Situated 300 meters from Bali s fabulous Eat Street and a 15 minute walk from the beach. Each villa is entirely self-contained, with its own swimming pool, air-conditioned bedrooms (with ensuites), indoor / outdoor bathroom and a separate living pavilion and self-contained kitchen. With cable TV, DVD players and stereos every modern convenience is at your disposal.
Sienna Villas - $$$$$

7 Villas

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Sienna Villas are nestled in the heart of Seminyak, on the Paradise Island of Bali. When looking for somewhere to unwind, relax and pamper yourself, look no further than our villas. The location of Sienna Villas in Bali is highly strategic and a point of great advantage for attracting tourists. The Sienna Villas is located in the heart of Seminyak. This makes all the shopping centers and other entertainment arcades in the vicinity of the hotel property. The highly acclaimed Legian beach is only a 15-minute stroll from the location of Sienna Villas in Bali. This makes your beach-holiday a dream-come-true. Indulge yourself in the beauty of the ever-enticing blue-green sea and the golden sandy beaches.
Sofitel Seminyak Bali Hotel - $$$$$

145 Rooms

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Situated on the exclusive Seminyak Bali Beach, the 120-room resort hotel is set in 4.5 hectares of magnificent tropical gardens. The hotels two swimming pools can be found in the gardens and on the beach itself. There are 17 secluded spa villas available, each with its own private Jacuzzi or pool. The hotel also has a ballroom and is within walking distance of Seminyak Village, the home to some of Balis most trendy restaurants and cafes.
Space at Bali - $$$

6 Villas

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Space at Bali Villas is located on Jl. Drupadi, just off the main road of Oberoi (Jl Laksmana). The Villas are within walking distance of numerous Restaurants and Cafes in the popular Restaurant Street.
Sun Island Boutique Villa - $$$

23 Villas

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Sun Island Boutique Villa consist of 23 luxury villas with a choice of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom villas. Each villa has separate shower, toilet, full size bathtub and double vanities, sun deck, garden and plunge pool within high walls that guarantee privacy. Aston Sun Island Villas is 10 km away from Ngurah Rai International Airport or 15 minutes car ride. The villa is only 5 km from the famous Kuta area.The villas are sumptuously appointed with Balinese and contemporary design influences offering an intimate retreat experience and their own signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality.
The Ahimsa - $$$$$

24 Rooms

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The Ahimsa is the ultimate experience in style and luxury nestled in a secluded tropical garden, 8 units of private villas, each with its own private pool.Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word that stretches back over 1000 years into ancient Hindu culture. Simply, Ahimsa means abstaining from causing harm or violence to all creatures on earth and to be brought into a better way of life. Ahimsa, the word and the action is a staple belief of the Balinese people who are mostly Hindu. The Ahimsa hotel stands as a reminder to the people of Bali and their guests that this is a loving island with gentle and caring inhabitants.The property consist of 8 villas, each villas has their own swimming pool and private entrance.The Ahimsa located in the most favorite area of Seminyak, a short stroll away from the shopping strip, fashion boutiques, fine restaurants, only one kilometer from Bali is world famous sunset Kuta beaches.
The Amasya Villas Seminyak - $$$$

20 Rooms

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The Amasya is a boutique villa in Seminyak. The Amasyas unique design artfully blends modern and traditional elements. thatched roofs, stone carving, fine sand stone materials are the main features throughout.
The Bali Dream Villa - $$$$

25 Rooms

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The Bali Dream Villa is only 30 minutes drive from the International Ngurah Rai Airport, 15 minutes away from blue Seminyak Beach and 10 minutes to the central of Kuta, where the entertaining spot located.
The Chez Bali Villa - $$$

17 Rooms

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CHEZ BALI VILLA & SPA is a peaceful place in a country side, anything sweet, pleasant and delightful to the sense. Luxurious villas are designed in a combination of todays & Balinese traditional architecture and set amidst the lush tropical garden. So this place is a perfect choice to make your holiday enjoyable and memorable.
The Club Villas - $$$$

23 Rooms

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The Club Villas Bali is strategically located in The Heart of Kuta, Balis most hapening distric Seminyak, the sample of cosmopolitan dining, club, pubs and shopping scene of the area. The Club Villas Bali is set to ignite the maximum comfort of stay in luxury private villa. A collection of Suite and Deluxe villas with self contained private pool integrated dining concept with private kitchen surrounded by lush tropical garden and landscape. The Club Villas is a collection of 23 luxuriously appointed private villas that offer international travellers an island lifestyle experience. Designed to unite a modern tropical look with distinct touches of Balinese artistry.
The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel - $$$$

26 Rooms

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The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel, has opened in Bali in October 2005, the property consist of 26 private pool villas and resort facilities located in the heart of Seminyak, most fashionable of Bali neighborhood.The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel recognizes the trend for affordable luxury without compromise. We offer a level of design, attention to detail and service normally associated with exclusive 5 star properties at a more reasonable price point.
The Kozy Villas - $$$$

7 Villas

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Located in the heart of Bali is famous Seminyak Area, The Kozy Villas has become a favorite spot for our returning customers as it offers you a time saving journey to the HOT SPOTS of Bali. It�s a perfectly fine location for any type of International Travelers honeymooners, family, business or individuals. Your privacy, comfort, convenience and entertainment is taken care of by The Kozy Villas and its Central location. The Kozy Villas Bali, featuring 7 private and vigilantly designed villas with swimming pool in each, built with complete passion resembling an exotic and luxurious ambience which uniquely concepts a blend of culture with a touch of minimalist blueprint. Experience 5 star hospitable services feeling the privacy, coziness, quality, reliability, relaxation and entertainment all at once. Our concept allows you to taste the freedom of mind, at the same time enjoy the surreal serenity in a Private Villa Retreat situated in the heart of Seminyak the centre of shopping, wine, dining, night life and entertainment. Feel The Difference, when you sense the reality, experiencing the beautiful drops of sunlight spreading magnificently over the villas with just the right gush of breeze touching your skin. Further enhancing your unique feeling in Bali, would be the hospitable team, attributed to what we call Personal Care. In complimentary, we are the only villa offering you connecting doors between villas Stay closed to friends and family at the same time enjoy your privacy. Immerse through your private entrance indulging in the ultimate serenity as you view the beautifully lit Swimming Pool tucked in your Private Landscapes. Relax while you enjoy the tropical sunshine, gushes of breeze and the tingling melody of the traditional Angklung at your Sun Deck. At a direct view to the magnificent landscapes lies the private chill out and dining area with complete kitchen facilities furnished with cutleries and kitchen utensils. Get comfortable at your kozy King Sized Beds also available Twin Hollywood Set Up and enjoy a Tropical Dream come true as you wake up to the staggering views of your landscapes. Attached to the bedrooms are the En Suite bathrooms with a bathtub, where you can enjoy and pamper yourself with a Hot Bath.
The Kunja Villa Hotel - $$$$$

18 Villas

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The Kunja is a boutique hotel offering 18 fully serviced private villas conviniently located in Petitenget Seminyak. Idyllically located on the outskirts of Bali s trendy Seminyak area, only minutes away from one of the island s most famous stretch of golden-sand beaches, myriad of restaurants and shopping boutiques. Kunja comprises 4 spacious three-bedroom villas and 14 one-bedroom villas; each appointed with a large central living area, private swimming pool with sundeck, full-service kitchen, en-suit bathrooms and large tropical garden.
The Kunthi Villas - $$$$

7 Villas

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The Kunthi Villas Bali is set to ignite the imagination and the raise the standard in luxury private accommodation in Bali. Located on the quieter outskirts of Bali most happening district of Seminyak, The Kunthi Villas are strategically positioned for guests to sample the cosmopolitan dining and shopping scene of the area. Complimentary transfers are available to all popular eateries and bars in the area including the likes of Ku de Ta. A combination of one and two bedroom villas 7 in total all link to a central walkway that flows the full length of the property. A fully enclosed air-conditioned lobby emulates a stylish lounge where guests can choose from a library of selected reading materials, DVD and CD for in-villa entertainment pleasures. An integrated living, dining and kitchen environment merge under an individual flat roof structure, surrounded by a pond and is open to the elements. Unrestricted air circulation and natural lighting recreate the healthy outdoor lifestyle that is favoured by the Balinese in traditional village compounds. State-of-the-art kitchen appliances are available for those who prefer to initiate their own meal preparations.
The Samaya Villa - $$$$$

24 Rooms

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The Samaya Seminyak,bali is located on the quiet side of Legian Beach and bordered by The Indian Ocean. Only 30 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport,5 minutes from shopping and entertainment option in Legian, Seminyak and Kuta area. All villas are elegantly appointed and situated within two hectares of tropical gardens and designed to maximize guest comfort and enhance the sense of total privacy.
The Sanyas Suite - $$$$$

10 Rooms

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The Sanyas Suite is located on Jl. Cendrawasih No. 9, Peti Tenget, Seminyak-Kuta. Sanyas is a Sanskrit word that means laying aside. In Hinduism, it also means renunciation to remove the attachment to the rat race of daily life and temporal things, as a step to reach true happiness. A place of contemplation, The Sanyas Suite is designed with a sanyasin philosophy. It is a place appropriate for reaching happiness. In fact, it is designed for relaxation and rest from your daily routines with beautiful architecture and comfortable furnishing. It is where you can find inner tranquility. Each Suite is generously equipped with own swimming pool, large living room, separate dining area and kitchen. It has easy access to downtown Seminyak, but yet shielded from the noise of traffic.
The Seminyak Suite Hotel - $$$$$

17 Rooms

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The Seminyak Suite is composed of 17 tastefully designed private villas in a contemporary style that explores various attributes of Balinese living. Each villa is set within its own personal garden compound, featuring a swimming pool and all necessary home comforts. Located above our main lobby, Square Restaurant offers a unique culinary experience in an environment that is sophisticated and stylish. It is open for all-day dining, serving authentic cuisine from a menu that transcends the continents of Europe and Asia.
The Seri Villas Seminyak - $$$$$

9 Rooms

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The Seri Villas - Seminyak is a peaceful oasis, tucked away in the heart of Petitenget on Balis southwest coast. This intimate boutique resort is ideal for couples, famililies or small groups of friends, who are looking for luxurious, chic boutiques, sophisticated nightlife and the magnificent Seminyak Beach, renowed for it legendary sunsets and surf breaks.
The Sura Bungalows - $$$$

4 Bungalows

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Tropical Bali living experience. Thatched roof bales, overlooking sapphire swimming pool, open verandahs and living rooms that invite the landscaping in. Set in a lush tropical garden, each bale has its own fully equipped kitchen to make your stay even more convenient. Its location is very ideal for those looking for a holiday retreat or family is get away. Quiet and relaxing, it still offers the charming view of rice fields. Still, The Sura is within walking distance to the center of tourist attractions where designers� and antiques shops, fashion boutiques, and chic cafes parade along the road. Swimming Pool, Safety Deposit Box, Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Car Rental,24 Hour Doctor on call, In Room Massage, Facsimile, Internet Service,Small Library, Restaurant Orders Pickup service, Iron & HairDryer upon request, Fully Staffed-Service, Daily Breakfast andafternoon Tea and Coffee.
The Ulin Villas & Spa - $$$$

14 Villas

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Located on the tropical Island of Bali. The Ulin Villas and Spa offers only 14 Luxury boutique villas provide the ultimate privacy and totally unique lifestyle experience. It is a harmonious balance between traditional Balinese design and simple yet contemporary elegant interior. Each villa features in The Ulin Villas has private entrance, private swimming pool with bio system water treatment, air conditioned bedroom, well appointed living and dining lounge, designer kitchen, en-suite bathroom with over-sized bath, IDD telephone system, the latest technology of wireless internet connection and state of the art entertainment system. All villas are set in manicured tropical garden, each within their own walled courtyard. A tropical retreat from a morning breeze, a noonday sun and a romantic evening rendezvous. With our warm, friendly and immaculate service we endeavor to provide a majestic lifestyle and the ultimate boutique villa experience. The Ulin Villas and Spa is a dejavu on the magical island of Bali Dining and Party Our experienced chef will happily cooked and served your meal for lunch, an intimate dinner in a romantic ambiance of your own villa, or poolside barbeques in authentic Balinese style.
The Villas - $$$$

50 Villas

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Our exclusive accommodations offer privacy and luxury with all the conveniences of a full service hotel. Every Villa has its own private swimming pool. The Villas Bali is located in Seminyak, one of Bali trendiest areas. Within walking distance, you will find many chic boutiques offering a wide range of comfortable styles. Local art galleries and a wide variety of home decorating shops are also located within walking distance of the Villas. The Villas consists of fifty private residences, each with its own swimming pool and tropical garden.
Tonys Villa - $$$

22 Rooms

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Tonys Villa offers new traditional Balinese style villas and a tranquil place in the peaceful area of Kerobokan. A distinguished place to hide out in the restful surrounding, where the fanciful natural beauty of sights and sounds harmoniously blend with genuine grandeur village atmosphere.
Uma Sapna - $$$$

12 Rooms

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Uma Sapna blends privacy and comfort with art. Culture and design for a unique holiday experience in a place to soothe the senses mind, body and soul. self-contained villas are perfect for honeymooners or for the discerning traveler seeking an escape,just the way they like it. The resort is situated in a residential environment in the heart of Balis upscale Seminyak village. Ngurah Rai Airport is approximately 20 minutes by car. Ubud is about 45 minutes drive. Shopping and international dinning are within 5 minutes walking distance
Villa Air Bali - $$$$$

4 Villas

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Villa Air Bali is a deluxe boutique villa resort, situated within one hectare of lush and tranquil gardens in the heart of the fashionable district of Kerobokan bordering Seminyak. Our resort comprises of 16 villas (11 one-bedroom villas, 2 two-bedroom villas, 2 spa villas and 1 three-bedroom villa). All of them are with private swimming pools, Jacuzzi and bale pavilion in a private setting. With modern Balinese architecture featuring sophisticated Asian designs, our resort offers guests the opportunity to escape from the clamor of our hectic urban lives and to immerse in rich culture of Bali.
Villa Aya - $$$$

35 Room/Villas

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The bedroom offer an intimate atmosphere with the luxurious of decoration of Balinese design in wooden furniture completed with private swimming pool with garden view for your tranquility. The bedroom offer an intimate atmosphere and bathroom area exists of an indoor and semi open-air bathroom with hot & cold water shower and bathtub where the understated elegance meet.
Villa Coco - $$$$

15 Rooms

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Villa coco is located right in the heart of Seminyak, one of Bali is trendiest nightlife and restaurant districts. The villa is just 5 minutes walk from the famous Seminyak is Beach and 15 minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport of Bali. Villa Coco Bali accesses the main street via a private lane with convenient walking distance to enjoy some of the areas most talked about restaurants and nightlife venues in Bali not to forget the Seminyak is vibrant main street with its choice of International boutiques and interesting home ware shops to browse in. This Villa ideal location means more time to enjoy your holiday instead of traveling.
Villa Kresna Sunset Village - $$$$

0 Rooms

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Set amongst the rice fields just behind the Bali Oberoi Hotel, Villa Kresna Sunset Village perfectly suits your needs for a private place in Bali. Only 8 minutes walking distance to the beach and 15 minutes walking distance to Kudeta Restaurant. Quiet, secure and strategic area.All Villas are designed as Atrium houses some with a plunge pool and fish pond in the center of each unit. For a longer swim you can try the Sunset Village pool, which is surrounded by 5 suites set in a tropical garden.
Villa Kresna Tropical Resort - $$$

0 Rooms

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Villa Kresna, located in Seminyak, southwest Bali, offers a multitude of advantages for your short stay or longer residence in Indonesia.Villa Kresna Tropical Resort is a small, tranquil and secure hotel with a comfortable and stylish interior. The resort consists of two villas (Villa Frangipani and Villa Hibiscus), six Lotus Suites and two Cempaka Rooms.
Villa Kubu - $$$$

20 Rooms

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Villa Kubu are a unique group of luxurious Bali villas. A 10 minute walk to Seminyak Beach nestled amongst the trees and birds, unruffled and peacefu perfectly for your precious holiday. A short walk to Seminyak Beach there is a colorful array of international restaurants, bars and designer shops and only a few minutes walk to the Oberoi and Double Six beach cafes. Located only 10 minutes from downtown Legian Seminyak and 15 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Great place to relax and rejuvenate in the private apartments with swimming pool, amidst lush tropical gardens, all accommodation luxuriously designed solely for your comfort.
Villa Lalu - $$$$

0 Rooms

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Villa Lalu is a villa resort centrally located in the village of Seminyak in the Kuta Beach area of southern Bali and only 5 kms north of Bali is international airport. Our villa resort is situated at the end of a quiet lane and next to traditional Balinese temples, but within a short walk of our front door are some of Balis best restaurants. stylish boutiques, popular nightlife venues and the famous Blue Ocean surfing beach.
Villa Seminyak Estate & Spa - $$$$

10 Villas

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Villa Seminyak Estate & Spa awaits you with a combination of traditional and Luxury private pool villas with private swimming pools, As a Luxury Private Bali villa, is the perfect group or family villa, Honeymoon, Holidays deals, holiday package, and vacation choice for a memorable get together with friends or for your family holiday. Discover the joys that luxury private villa living in Bali can bring for an ultimate Luxury private vacation experience. Located in the heart of Bali s trendy and chic district of Seminyak, fashion, shopping and entertainment district. Villa Seminyak Estate & Spa is dedicated to providing guests with the finest villa accommodations for their Bali holiday. As a premier villa in Bali, Villas Seminyak Estate & Spa offering you total privacy yet giving you the full services of a hotel. Each villa is tastefully decorated to evoke a sense of peace ensuring that you feel totally relaxed when you stay at Villa Seminyak Estate & Spa. A split level restaurant environment set against a lagoon backdrop is available for all-day dining serving. Discover the joys informal dining and feast on extensive menu of international, Asian and Balinese specialties.