Bali Popular Places

Popular Places

As Bali is a small island, there is nowhere that cannot be reached in a single day. You do not really need a fixed itinerary but only a general plan of places to visit and stay. Almost the entire island is ready and waiting for visitors from around the world, so it is better to be mobile, travel light, have a comfortable pair of shoes, and carry a positive attitude!

Bali is gentle and kind to the inexperienced traveler. Most of the local people have at least a limited knowledge of English, low cost accommodation is plentiful, transport is usually reliable, a wide choice of food awaits you, and there is safe drinking water

Denpasar

The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has countless community temples called Pura and one of them is Pura Jaganatha, which is dedicated to the Supreme God Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons is prevalent in all temples as it signifies the foundation of the world. Pura Jaganatha offers a fine array of prehistoric and modern art, while its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government-supervised Sanggraha Kriya Hasta has a wide display of handicraft and works of art. Between June and July is the Werdi Budaya, an annual art festival with performances, exhibitions, and art contests.

Sanur

Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south and faces the Indian Ocean to the east. On this beach, you will discover many wonderful hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities. Sanur is only a short distance from public transportation accesses in Denpasar, and trips to and from the city are available well into the night. Offshore reefs protect the beach from waves and it is thus a great site for windsurfing, boating, and various types of water-sports. Sanur is also famous for its black and white sorcery practices.

Kuta

Once a lonely village and the entry point to southern Bali since the 18th Century, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort especially for the young and young at heart. A favorite beach for surfers, it is less suitable for swimming due to strong currents; however, there are coast guards constantly on duty during the day. Kuta is one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia and accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular Balinese musical and dance performances here than anywhere else in Bali. This would be the ideal place to mingle with other people, locals as well as visitors abroad.

Nusa Dua

One of the most recent tourist centers, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels. This resort is known for its clean, white beaches and pristine waters. Nusa Dua differs from Bukit Peninsula despite being a part of it. It is sheltered by coral reefs, which makes it an ideal family beach.

Batubulan

Northeast of Denpasar, stone figures along the road mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from soapstone to decorate homes and temples. However, soapstone has a porous nature and the harsh weather of the tropics wears it down, thus renewal is necessary every other century. One is able to watch the carvers perform their skills at roadside 'factories'. Apart from stone carving, Batubulan is also known for its daily performances of the barong dance on a purpose-built stage near Pura Puseh.

Batuan

The old and famous center of the arts, it is noted for its dances, wood panel carving, and half-wayang, half-naturalistic paintings.

Celuk

A name synonymous with silver and goldsmiths, Celuk's art shops beckon visitors to sterling silver and gold butterfly brooches, garnet-studded bracelets, earrings and ear-clips of all designs. The bigger showrooms are on the main road and have marked prices that are quite high although negotiations are possible. Craftsmen use a tree stump with a protruding metal spike for an anvil, a bamboo stem to catch the filings, and a manually operated pump for heat.

Mas

Although Mas literally means 'gold', this village does not specialize in gold jewelry but in woodcarving. The Tilem Art Gallery is a fine place to view the highest quality woodcarvings, all sold at the most exorbitant prices. Carving was a traditional art for the priestly Brahman caste and the skills are believed to have been a gift from the gods. The inhabitants of Mas are also primarily Brahmans and trace their roots back to Danghyang Nirartha, the great Brahman sage.

Ubud

Renowned as the center for the arts, Ubud has been attracting and cultivating artistic talent since it became the seat of the aristocratic family in the late 19th century. Western artists and intellectuals who visited the area in the 1930s provided an enormous stimulus to local art, introduced new ideas and techniques, and began a process a of displaying and promoting Balinese culture worldwide. Ubud is charming not because of its beaches or bars, but for its art, music, architecture, and dance. Even having gone through tremendous development, Ubud is still pretty and relaxed, especially if you're staying in a secluded family compound or eating at one of the pleasant open-air restaurants. It is one of those destinations where people plan to stay a couple of days but extend it to a couple of weeks.

Goa Gajah

The 'elephant cave' harbors no elephants but a great number of stalls, selling and flogging cheap items to tourists. This cave was excavated in the 11th century, and its entrance is a monstrous head with gaping mouth and hands that appear to be pushing the entrance apart. It was believed to have been built as a temple but the sleeping niches and Buddhist ruins just outside the cave suggest otherwise. Within the cave at the end of the T-shaped passage is a four-armed statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. At the opposite end sits a set of three lingga, or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. To the side of the cave's entrance is a 1,000-year-old statue of Hariti, a Buddhist demoness cum goddess. She used to devour children but reformed to become a devout Buddhist and protector of children. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding waterspouts.

Tampak Siring

The sacred spring of Tirta Empul is situated here and revered by all Balinese. It is said that the god Indra created the spring when he pierced the earth to build the amerta, the elixir of immortality. The water is used by the Balinese for its curative powers for good health and prosperity. Regular ceremonies are held for purification, especially pregnant women and those who have survived a long illness.

the story of the dance in bali

The Barong Dance

"Lord of the forest" and magical protector of Balinese villages, the Barong is a mythical, shaggy half-dog, half-lion creature, with a long mane, fantastic fangs, and bulging eyes. It is propelled by two men who maneuver the costume with whimsical and mischievous movements to express its fun-loving nature. The Barong's opponent is Rangda, the evil witch who rules over the spirits of Darkness. The Barong dance epitomizes the eternal struggle between good and evil. The fight of Barong and Rangda is also a topic of traditional narratives performed in temples and takes various forms. The Barong will snap its jaws at the gamelan, prance around a bit, and enjoy the acclaim of its supporters - a group of kris-wielding men. Then ferocious Rangda will then appear lolling her long tongue, baring her threatening fangs, her neck draped with human entrails...not a pretty sight.

The duel begins. Each opponent tries to overcome the other with magical powers but when things do not look too good for the Barong, supporters will lunge at Rangda with krises to weaken or stall her. In retaliation, Rangda would put them all into a trance with her mystical powers and make them stab themselves with their weapons. Fortunately, the Barong possesses magic that is strong enough to cast a spell on the krises from harming the men. This part would be the highlight of the dance; the gamelan rings madly and intensely as the men rush back and forth waving their krises in a frenzy, sometimes even rolling on the ground in a desperate attempt to stab themselves. Often, there seems to be a plot to terrify the audience in the front row! Eventually, Rangda will retire, defeated. And once again, good will reign over evil.

Legong Keraton

The most graceful of Balinese dances, this is the epitome of classical Balinese female dancing. A legong, as the dancer is known, is often a young girl of eight or nine years, rarely older than her early teens. It was first created in the 18th Century and is usually the first dance to be taught to beginners. There are many forms of Legong, the most frequently performed dance being the Legong Keraton or Legong of the Palace.

The story of the Legong is very stylized and symbolic and one should know the story before actually watching the performance. The Legong involves three dancers - two legongs and their 'attendant', the condong. The legongs are identically costumed in gold brocade, which is bound so tightly that it is a mystery such agitated and rapid moves could be made. With elaborately made-up faces, plucked eyebrows that are boldly repainted, and hair decorated with frangipanis, the dancers relate the story with captivating movements.

A king takes the maiden Rangkesari captive. When her brother comes to release her, Rangkesari begs the king to free her rather than go to war. The king refuses and chances upon a bird carrying ill omens on his way to battle. However, he ignores the bird, meets Rangkesari's brother, and was thus killed in the fight.

The roles of the dancers may change according to the narration. However, the dance usually begins with the king's preparations for battle and ends with the bird's appearance.

Baris

A male equivalent of the Legong, Baris is a warrior's dance. Executed with energetic and warlike martial spirit, the Baris dancer has to convey the thoughts and emotions of a warrior preparing for action as well as confronting an enemy in battle. This dance is performed solo and requires great energy, spirit and skill. The warrior's changing moods have to be displayed through facial expressions and movements; he should be able to depict chivalry, pride, anger, prowess, and a little regret. Baris is said to be one of the most complex of all Balinese dances.

History Of Japan

History of Japan
Archeological evidence reveals that since upper Paleolithic period people were living in Japan. Scholars see the history of Japan into various periods to understand it better.

The Yayoi period (300 B.C to 300 A.D) in Japanese history points to the introduction of agriculture and as a result one finds the growth of differentiation in the society. The Kofun period (300- 538) is the time when greater political unity could be seen in then Japan. The country was united and the center of power lay in the province of Yamato. The emperor ruled from Yamato and form time to time the capital shifted from one city to another. It was during this time due to the external influence one finds the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. During this period one can also find Chinese influence under the rule of Prince Shotoku.

Further in 710 A.D. in the history of Japan the first permanent capital was established in Nara. Large Buddhist monasteries were built with political patronage. During this a lot of imported traditions solidified. The Fujiwara dominance came to an end in 1068 A.D. with emperor Go- Sanjo taking the reigns in his hands. In 1185 the Minamoto family ruled Japan but after the death of Yorimoto's death one finds that feuds started again until Kamakura were able to control effectively. The leading social class of this period was the samurai class that also supported the new sect Zen sect.

Another development in the history Japan was the introduction of the legal code that stressed the importance of loyalty to the master and stood for high morals. In 1259 the Mongols invaded China and eyed on Japan as well. The Mongols even attempted but due to bad weather conditions they had to pull out. By 1333 due to various reasons the influence of Hojo regents in Kamakura declined and emperor GO- Daigo came back to power.

But troubles and feuds never seized as Ashikaga Takauji challenged the emperor and thereby the latter had to flee to south of Kyoto leading the existence of two courts (south and north). By 15 and 16th centuries the Ashikaga influenced reduced and land owning and military families came to power. The new families were called the daimyo and often fought with each other.

In 1542 one finds the Portuguese influence in the form of traders and missionaries who introduced firearms and also the new religion of Christianity in Japan.

In the 1580's one finds that Toyotomi Hideyoshi took over the control and subdued the northern provinces and Shikoku and Kyushu in 1587. Tokugawa Ieyasu succeeded Hideyoshi and provided patronage to Europeans but also suppressed Christianity. The ensuing peace in the country led to the growth of literature and philosophy.

The Edo period (1688-1703) the culture flourished and arts forms also developed. The most important development in the Tokugawa Japan was the growth of Neo- Confucianism that laid stress on hierarchy, morals and education. But due to financial weakness and the increasing dependence of Samurai on the merchants led to he downfall of the Tokugawa government. In the 18th century external pressure increased in the form of Russian endeavor to establish trading relations with Japan. Soon to follow were the Europeans and Americans in the 19th century. One finds that in 1853 Commodore Perry was able to force the Tokogawa government to open up for trades.

Another historical event in Japan was the coming of the Meiji Restoration. Now the capital moved to Tokyo from Kyoto. In order to do away with the inequality serious reforms were undertaken to close the from the West. Now to establish democracy was stressed and differences between social classes were slowly weakened.

Another historical event of Japan was the growing clash of interest between China and Japan that led to Sino- Japanese war in 1894- 95. The clash of interest with Russia led to the Russo- Japanese War in 1904-1905.The history of Japan further reveals that with the death of emperor Meiji the rule by elder came to an end. Form 1912- 1926 during the rule of emperor Taisho there was the shift to parliament and democratic parties.

History reveals that Japan took part in the World Wars and underwent huge loses and one is reminded of the atomic bombing in the World War II