Around Of Tanah Lot Beach

Sunset is the best time to visit this isolated temple on the west coast. Its distinctive silhouette is a photographer's dream and nightly they crowd the coastline awaiting the spectacle. Perhaps the answer is to arrive in the daytime to see the temple avoiding the crowds and to leave long after sunset. As in Besakih, and in Goa Lawah, commerce has spoilt much of this otherwise beautiful spot.

Location: Arround Of Tanah Lot Beach

Treat women well

A story written by Daniel Iswahyudi andriewongso.com website for our worth reading. Very inspiring, here is the source of the article penuturannya appropriate.

A friend once told me, that what we do to others, perhaps we will soon forget, but we unknowingly will imprint in the hearts of others.

This happened in the Trans-Atlantic flight on October 14, 1998. A woman sitting next to a black man. The woman appears uneasy, ask a flight attendant to find another empty seat, because he did not want to sit next to someone who was fun.

The stewardess said that the plane was full, but he will try to see if there are empty seats in first class. All the other passengers noticed it was surprised and upset. Not only because she was being rude and outrageous, but that she might be moved to first class.

The man who sat beside her feel very uncomfortable seeing it all, but enough to control myself and not react. The atmosphere in the cabin was full of tension. While the woman was satisfied, because the feeling will be moved to first-class cabin, away from the passenger next to him unpleasant.

A few minutes later the stewardess came back and told the woman:

"Sorry, bu. All the seats on this flight really full. Luckily I found a seat in the cabin dosong class. But it needs a little time, because to make changes so I had to get permission from the captain of the aircraft. He said that we should not force people to sit next to someone who was pleasant and ordered me to make changes immediately. "

Other passengers could not believe what they heard and the woman with a look of triumph on his face, getting ready to leave the seat up.

Then the flight attendant had turned to the black man in the passenger and the woman said: "Sir ... Will you join me for a moment be bothered to move to a first-class cabin? On behalf of this flight, the captain had given apologies seat next to someone who is less fun. "

And all the passengers in kabinpun applauded. They stood up to give awards to the solution of such sikon crew performed very well

That year, the captain and pramugarinya received awards for their actions on the flight. In this connection, the company realized they had to prioritize adequate training to their employees. Penerbanganpun company immediately to make changes! Since the event was, in all their offices and in the display clearly visible to all, posted the following article:

People may forget what you say to them.
People may forget what you do with them.
But they will never forget the impression that you leave in their hearts.

So it is true what the wise man once said: "Everything that you want so that people do to you, do ye even so to them." If we want respect, then respect others. If we want to be loved, love someone else. If we want to always accept the good, then treat others well.

Others that could mean the people around us: Wife, husband, children, parents, boss, subordinate, relations, or even an Office Boy, and our servants.

Ubud festival for writers, readers begins

More than 80 writers from 23 countries will again bring their inspiring ideas and voices to the annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, to be officially opened at the Ubud Royal Palace.

The opening, with Balinese art and cultural performances, will mark the beginning of the four-day literary fiesta, to be attended by Nobel laureates and international literary figures.

Janet De Neefe, the festival founder and director, said this year’s theme is based on the Balinese Hindu words suka duka, meaning compassion and solidarity.

This deep philosophy will become the main theme of all panels, debates, book launches and other literary activities that will certainly produce thought-provoking discussions,” De Neefe said.

Located around 40 kilometers north of Denpasar, the hilly and cool Ubud has long been a haven for local and international artists.

The festival is about connecting communities and celebrating ideas among cultures, de Neefe said.

The four-day event, running from Oct. 7 through Oct. 11, will include discussions, book launches, international publishing forums and writing and editing workshops.

A highlight of the festival is the International Publishing Forum, making its second appearance this year, to be hosted by the Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI) together with the Lontar Foundation and the Association of Indonesian Translators.

Noted authors at this year’s festival include journalist and writer Fatima Bhutto, the niece of the late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Her book, A History of Bhutto will be published next year.

Another is Riaz Hassan of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, who wrote Inside Muslim Minds.

Other award-winning authors to attend include Jamie James, LLyod Jones from New Zealand and Hari Kunzu from the United Kingdom.

Veteran Indonesian authors include NH Dini and several flourishing young writers.

Book launches will include Left Unsaid by Margo O’Byrne and The Forgotten Massacre by Peer Holm Jorgensen, which gives a different view of the darkest periods in Indonesian history.

On the long list of writers attending the festival is also Thant Myint-U of Myanmar, the author of The River of Lost Footsteps, A Personal History of Burma.

Meaning Galungan and Kuningan

According to the meaning of the language, it means war Galungan. In Sundanese there Galungan word that means war.

Hindu Dharma Parisadha concluded, that the ceremony Galungan Pawedalan means universal or Oton Gumi. Does not mean that Gumi / Universe was born on the day of Buddha Keliwon Dungulan. But the day was set for Hindus in Bali to offer college suksemaning idepnya before Ida Sang Hyang Widhi the creation of the world and everything in it. On the day that the people grateful for the gift of Ida Trance Wasa Widhi who has been pleased to create everything in this world.

In a series of warnings Galungan, since we Redite Pahing Dungulan visited by Kala-tiganing Galungan. Sang Sang Kala Tiga Bhuta is Galungan, Sang Sang Bhuta Bhuta Dungulan and Amangkurat. Mentioned in the literature-literature that: they are a symbol of self-centered (keletehan). So in this case the people of war, not against enemies of the physical shape, but when keletehan and adharma. Struggling, fighting between the dharma to beat adharma. Judging by the names, presumably it can be interpreted as follows:

1. The Bhuta Galungan.
Galungan means war / battle. Based on this, should we mean that on the day we Redite Pahing Dungulan bhuta new arrivals (when) the attack (we had just been attacked).

2. The Bhuta Dungulan.
He visited us on the day Pon Dungulan Soma next day. The word means bow Dungulan / beat.

3. The Bhuta Amangkurat
Wage Anggara Dungulan day we dijelang by the Bhuta Amangkurat. Amangkurat equal to rule the world. Intended major world domination (Bhuwana Great), and the small world is our own bodies (Bhuwana Alit).

In short, our first attacked, then lowered, and finally mastered. This is what will happen, really keletehan will dominate us, if we passively to these attacks. In this context Sundari-Gama taught that in these days people jnana anjekung den prayitna Nirmala, lamakane den kasurupan. Let the people take courage not to be affected by bhuta-bhuta (keletehan-keletehan) the heart. This is the essence of Abhya-Kala (mabiakala) and metetebasan done on the Penampahan day.

On the day Wuku Saniscara Keliwon Brass (Tumpek holidays or Brass), Ida Widhi Trance of the Gods and Pitara-pitara down again to earth to bestow gifts of these basic needs.

On the day it is made of yellow rice, a symbol of prosperity and dihaturkan offerings, offerings of thanks and eyelash suksmaning we as human beings (people) receive the gift of Hyang Widhi of clothing materials and food are all delegated by him to his people on the basis of love - love. In the tebog or selanggi containing yellow rice is planted a puppet-wayangan (angels) who bestow grace on us all prosperity.

Thus briefly details in celebrating Galungan and Kuningan in the implementation of the inner aspect. Adapun kesimpulan dari makna Hari Raya Galungan dan Kuningan:

- In a welcome and celebrate the feast days were, cheer up grace Hyang Widhi within the limits of religious ethics and national concern.
- Explain the liver, in order to become Cura, Dira and Deraka (brave, strong and sturdy), in the face of life in the world.
- Save and use the simplest of the cost.
- Last and most important is that even beg Hyang Widhi grace with sincerity.

BALI ACCOMMODATION LOCATOR

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa & the Bukit (Southern peninsula)

Bali's southern peninsula is where you find today most of the island's international 4- and 5-star Bali Hotels and Resorts - set in Nusa Dua's manicured and not very Balinese garden environment. Nice beach with shallow water, no high waves. All kinds of water sports, 18-hole golf course. Nusa Dua Galleria center with a variety of rather expensive restaurants, shops, and department stores. Some more reasonably priced restaurants are located in adjacent Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village. No night life to speak of. About 12 km/7.5 miles from the airport.
An increasing number of private villas is being built on the Bukit, the hill South of the airport. Many of these offer spectacular views of the sea, Kuta, Denpasar, Sanur and Bali's mountains. The climate is much cooler and much more dry – even if it rains in most parts of Bali you can expect sunny days here.
Recommended Accommodation: Aston Bali Resort 5*, Ayodya Resort 5*, Grand Mirage Resort 5*, Inna Putri Bali 5*, Nikko Bali Hotel 5*, The Bale 4*, St. Regis Bali Resort 5*, and an increasing number of beautiful, fully staffed Private Villas.

Jimbaran Beach (West coast, South of the airport)
Probably Bali's best beach with decent hotels and accommodation: nearly white sand, waves not too high for swimming, wind surfing, and sailing (no motorized water sports activities); not too many tourists, and no beach vendors (yet). A few up-market hotels and resorts, and a fast increasing number of unpretentious but good seafood restaurants right on the water front. Highly recommended for watching Bali's famous sunsets. Located just a few miles south of the airport.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Inter-Continental Resort 5*, Four Seasons Resort 5*, Ritz Carlton 5*, Bvlgari Bali 5*,

Tuban, Kuta (West coast, North of the airport)
An increasingly busy area with many hotels and resorts of all categories right on or near the beach (powerful waves, strong currents). Many restaurants and shops along the main road. Located between Kuta and Bali's international airport.
Recommended Accommodation: Discovery Kartika Plaza 5*, Ramada Bintang Bali 5*.

Kuta Beach & Legian (West coast, South Bali)
Crowded beach (many vendors, masseuses, beach boys, etc, high waves, strong currents) lined by numerous hotels and resorts, mostly in the 2- to 4-star categories. In early 2000 the beach road from the Hard Rock Resort to the Bali Intan Hotel has been extended to the "DOUBLE SIX" disco, and many hotels such as the Legian Beach, Bali Mandira, Bali Padma, Jayakarta Hotel and others have lost their direct beach access and a large part of their garden.
Kuta and Legian (grown into one township during the past decade and spreading further north every month) are the centers of Bali's night life with a great number of restaurants, pubs, open bars, discos, and all kinds of super markets, department stores, and shops selling casual wear and beach fashions, antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs. Daily traffic jams and many, sometimes quite insistent hawkers have made this very untypical and rather ugly part of Bali a nightmare for many visitors.
Recommended if you are looking for action, excitement, or just for a night out, but certainly not for a family vacation or romantic honeymoon.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Padma Hotel 5*, Hard Rock 5*, Inna Kuta Beach 4*, Mercure Bali 4*.

Seminyak to Batubelig and Tanah Lot (West coast, South Bali)
Until recently this used to be a rather rural, mostly residential area, stretching a few miles north from Legian. Good, off-white, sandy beach with powerful waves and some strong currents, and getting less crowded the further you move to the North. Fast increasing number of hotels and villas, good but reasonably priced restaurants and Bali's most interesting pubs and discos as well as shops selling casual wear, furniture, antiques, decorative items and handicrafts.
Recommended for visitors who wish to be somewhat away from the tourist crowds but appreciate easy access to the restaurants and shops of Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. Access to other parts of the island is equally good as you don't have to pass through crowded Kuta. Between Seminyak and Batubelig, and in the beautiful, still rural area stretching further North to Canggu and up to Tanah Lot you'll also find some of Bali's most attractive vacation villas.
Recommended Accommodation: Resor Seminyak 5*, Sofitel Seminyak 5*, The Legian 5*, The Samaya Bali, The Oberoi 5*, Le Meridien 5*, and a good choice of fully staffed Private Vacation Villas.

Sanur Beach (East coast, South Bali)
This is where you'd find 25 years ago all of Bali's international standard hotels although the beach was never outstanding. Today the beach has further deteriorated, and Sanur has become rather quiet compared to Kuta and Nusa Dua but is still popular with old-time visitors and some foreign residents.
Recommended Accommodation: Bali Hyatt 5*, Inna Grand Bali Beach 5*, Inna Shindu Beach 3*, Sanur Paradise Plaza 4*, and some Private Vacation Villas.

Ubud and Surroundings, Central Bali
The town of Ubud is to Bali what Jogyakarta is to Java - culturally speaking. Ubud is where most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians, carvers and weavers live and work, and there are a number of very good museums and art galleries. Because of its location at the base of the mountains (about 19 miles or 30 kilometers north of Denpasar) temperatures are slightly lower than in the lowlands, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation.
The town itself has developed rapidly during the past decade, and today the main roads are lined with art shops, handicraft and souvenir shops, as well as many restaurants and cafes. Until late afternoon tourist groups and other day-visitors are roaming shops and eateries. After sunset, Ubud becomes more quiet.
Accommodation ranges from very cheap, very basic "losmens", quite expensive but equally basic "losmens", to some of Bali's best-known and most expensive boutique hotels and beautiful private villas. Most of these are located in Sayan a few miles away overlooking the picturesque Ayung river valley.
Recommended Accommodation: Alila Ubud 4*, Four Seasons Sayan 5*, Kori Ubud Resort & Spa 1*, The Viceroy Bali, and a few very attractive Private Vacation Villas.

Candidasa & Lovina, East & North Bali
These two tourist centers in the East and North of Bali have become popular meeting places for all those visitors wanting to get away from the tourists. Both offer a number of often quite simple but adequate hotels and restaurants. Beaches around Candi Dasa, however, have kind of disappeared during the last decade after most coral reefs in the area were destroyed, and many visitors do not like the black sand covering most beaches in the North of Bali.

Balinese Festivals

Being in Bali lets you experience the endless series of offerings, purification, processions, dances, and dozens of other religious rites that Balinese devote their lives to. They believe that life on earth is one stage in the continuity of existence. The cycle begins at birth and it is a cherished event. The umbilical cord is preserved and kept for life, and the birth is attended by the entire family and a holy man who invokes spiritual powers to aid the delivery. Death is merely a rite of passage when the soul is freed. It will commence its great journey before being reborn into a future generation.

There is a myriad of festivals in Bali. Some are dedicated to the art of woodcarving, the birth of a goddess, and percussion instruments. Other festivals include temple festivals, fasting & retreat ceremonies, parades to the sea to cleanse villages, special prayers for the dead, nights of penance (sivaratri), harvest festivals (usaba), blood sacrifices, and house deity anniversaries (odalan sangguh).

Religious Festivals

Religious festivals include odalan, which signifies the anniversary of a temple's founding. These festivals last a couple of days to a week. Temples are beautifully bedecked with flowers, palm leaves, flags and bamboo towers, complete with noisy parades, food offerings, and prayers that add religious fervor to the festive ambience.

Melasti, another religiously inclined festival, is a purification festival held the day before Nyepi. On Melasti, villagers will dress in their finest and make their way to the sea or holy springs. They would carry umbrellas, offerings or flowers, and fruit and sacred statues. The statues are affectionately washed with water, and pigs would be sacrificed by holy men as offerings to their gods. This festival must be carried out amid the din of gamelan and drums and lots of merry shouting. All must then fall silent the following day on Nyepi.

Nyepi is a festival that marks the beginning of a new lunar year and usually falls during the spring equinox (late March or early April). On this day, everyone in Bali including tourists must remain silent. No one is allowed to work, travel or partake in any indulgences. Visitors are advised to observe this custom and to stay within their lodgings for the day. It may seem like a day is wasted, but the previous night's festivities would have sapped substantial energy and spirit to make up for the day of stillness. It is believed that evil spirits will leave the island, thinking that the place is uninhabited due to the complete stillness.

Galungan is another festival related to religion. It is observed in the eleventh week of the 210th day in the Balinese calendar and celebrates the creation of our world. Bali's most significant annual event, locals will spend the day visiting family, friends and neighbors decked in their finest and indulge in heavy feasting.

Ten days after Galungan is Kuningan. This festival commemorates the end of the holiday season. On this occasion, ancestors are worshipped and honored with celebrations held at the water temple Tampaksiring, along with other events at Bangli and Ubud.

The restoration of balance between good and evil is also commemorated. Eka Dasa Rudra is the island's most important festival and is originally held every hundred years. It is now being revised to hold the festival more frequently and the next one is yet to be announced.

Non-Religious Festivals and Holidays

If you are in Bali between July and October, you will have the opportunity to experience the Negara bull races. The pampered bulls are spruced up with accessories, hitched in pairs to makeshift chariots, and steered by jockeys who combine their riding skills and tail twisting to induce maximum performance.

Then there is also the rice harvest festival, which is dedicated to the rice god Dewi Sri. This is a blessed season for the villages and the entire place will be repainted and decorated with flags. An atmosphere of happiness pervades. Small straw rice-god dolls are placed throughout the fields and villages as a tribute.

Indonesia's Independence Day falls on August 17, when the Republic of Indonesia achieved independence from the Dutch.

Balinese ceremonies are normally held during late afternoons or evenings when the day is cooler. They also hold firm to the belief that the island is owned by the supreme god Sanghyang Widhi, and has been handed down to the Balinese in sacred trust. To show their appreciation, the people fill their waking hours with symbolic activities and worship. If you see a procession of women garbed in traditional wear, carrying small bowls or balancing towering offerings on their heads, or a group of batik-clad men with headcloths, just put on a shirt, grab your camera and mingle with the crowd - you will always be