Bali Travel Info: July 2016

Thursday, July 28, 2016

10 things you can do that will transform your Body, Mind, and Spirit on the island of Bali

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Bali is called “The Paradise Island,” “The island of God,” and “The morning of the world.” Bali is an island of intense spiritual and creative energy; Bali is also one of the most peaceful and beautiful places on earth.

The rich Balinese culture has much to share with those who are seeking a spiritual path and a unique way of life. One of the global philosophies is Tri Hita Karana, The three elements must be in harmony for a person to exist in a healthy state, the harmonious relation of a person to God/ the supreme supernatural power, to the environment/ macrocosm, to the macrocosm (their bodily needs, their thoughts and their feelings). The Balinese has seen these three causes bring prosperity, wealth, safety, and happiness.

The beauty of the island you can see from the dramatic landscapes of volcanoes, rice terraces, rivers, lakes, beaches, underwater corals, traditional villages, the cities and hillside you won’t miss the Balinese temples and shrines. The thousand temples on the island is the evidence of the majority of Balinese are the Hinduism of Bali, is an amalgam of indigenous animism, Buddhism and the Hinduism of India.

Here are 10 things you can do that will transform you:

1. Visiting Bali You will close with nature

Anywhere you go or stay, you will surrounded by nature. Especially if you stay in Ubud or even in the hustle bustle of city life in Denpasar. I am sure you find yourself in a beautiful garden. Balinese love, beauty and creativity, and any corner you go you will see garden or landscapes. Balinese Hinduism’s practice is respect nature. Anywhere you go you will see offerings. On the road, in the office, in the car, on a motorbike, in the lake, in the river, and in the temples. The offerings offer to the gods and God to say thank and ask for blessings everyday, this is one of Balinese way of lives.

All the good things you can experience in Bali is to be outside, enjoy the white sand beach or black sand beach, hiking in a beautiful secluded waterfall or rice field, visit a coffee plantation, rafting, biking, snorkeling, diving, horse riding and much more.

Visiting Bali is a good time for being active. Don’t forget to pack your comfortable shoes, so you will enjoy a nice walk anywhere you go. The island offers many activities of body, mind, and spirit like yoga classes, dance classes, temple ceremonies, visiting Balinese healer, purification ceremony, and much more. Or you can just enjoy the morning market walk, visit around your stay or walk along the beach.

2. Bali will slow you down

If you come from the culture is always busy, and deadline is rushing you, but Bali will slow you down. The hot weather of the tropics will take you to the pool, river, or the beach to cool down. If you don’t want to be outside, join a meditation group indoor with AC. Or you can chill out in a vegetarian restaurant by the rice field full of cool breeze.

3. The sacred island, known for its magical energy for centuries.

It’s the perfect setting for a nurturing yoga and meditation retreat. Every morning you can visit free yoga with sunrise in Sanur beach, explore postures to develop flexibility, and meditate in the temples for self-love and inner calm.

Many temples in Bali you can visit: Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Batukaru, Besakih, Ulun Danu, Tirta Empul, and the last but not least the Bat Cave temple (Goa Lawah) where a mythical giant snake Naga Basuki is said to reside. When you are lucky, you will see the giant snake. When I came to this temple on full moon night for meditation, I was very lucky to be able to witness the giant snake appear from the cave. The snake is considered sacred by the Balinese.

4. Plenty of SPA massages on the island, please visit one or visit a healer compound ask for messages or to connect with God or ancestors.

5. Take cooking classes, visits to holy waters and village walks, you will return with mind and body restored.

6. Visit special Spring water temple of Tirta Empul of purify body, mind, spirit, also visit traditional herb plantations.

7. Visit vegetarian restaurants around Bali with delicious dishes and magical atmosphere around the rice field, mountain, beach, or river.

8. Join or mingle with the locals and visit their family temple ceremony and witness the trance ceremony in person.

9. Watch at least one Balinese dance or drama performances. Or take Balinese dance classes.

10. Enjoy solitude: Bali is a very romantic place to date yourself. You won’t believe in being solitude is one of my favorite body, mind, and spirit rejuvenation.

Author,Ekarini

Sunday, July 24, 2016

The Penglipuran village in Bali is awarded as the 3 top cleanest village in the world

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Author, Ekarini

Bali’s Penglipuran village is awarded as the 3 top cleanest village in the world besides Giethoorn village in Belanda, and Mawlynnong in India. The village is located in Bangli regency, one of the nine regency in Bali. When you travel from Denpasar, about one hour and a half (45 kilometers) to the Bangli regency. The Penglipuran village is a traditional village which has their own character, belong to the district Kubu- Sub district Kubu and untouchable by modernization lifestyle. It’s located at the height of 700 meters above the sea level as giving the fact the fresh air and cooler weather than southern Bali island. It is very pleasant to walk around the clean village.

The Penglipuran’s panorama, it’s clean village, and its unique culture attracts a lot of visitors from all over the world. The place is also easy to reach from the neighboring tourist area, and the village is not far from the coolness of Kintamani, Tampaksiring and Tirta Empul (Gianyar Regency).

History:

The name of the Penglipuran village, according to the mythology of the elders of Penglipuran village, came from the word “Pengeling Pura” (remember your temple), it literally means remember your ancestors from the Bayung Gede. This mythology was connected with the movement of their ancestors from the Bayung Gede village at Kintamani to become permanent residents at Penglipuran village along with their culture and traditional lifestyle.

The village administration is very simple, it consists of a custom village with one Banjar and administration is very easy to manage.

The Balinese traditional houses which are divided into two parts, the west and east of single road. All the houses have the same form of the front. This section is made of dirt material for walls and bamboo for the roof. The front of the house has Angkul-angkul or gate which functioned as a building guard. At the special religious ceremony, this section will be a place of offerings and is used as a place to worship God and ancestors.

The houses were lined from top to bottom of the hill. Among the houses have a very clean village street. Mostly Village roads are quite, but it will be more people on the road in the afternoon when people go home from their work, and for some mingle with their neighbors to socialize. The main road stretching from north to south are not made of asphalt, but from the rock mountain that is modified into paving or stone ConBlock.

The Village territory is divided into three parts is called the Tri Mandala. In the north corner of the village there is a shrine (the main theater), it's called Pura Bale Agung (Upgrading), which became the main place of Balinese Hindu ceremony. And in the middle there are parks and residential homes.

In the lowest part of the village, there is a cemetery complex (Setra). The concept of the Tri Mandala does not only apply to village spatial layout, but the Tri Mandala concept is also apply for residential each house. The house follows the concept of the Tri Mandala: On the front part of buildings, there are buildings Angkul-angkul or gate and an empty space is called Natah ; the center is the family gathering place, and at the very back there is a toilet.

When is the best time to visit the Penglipuran?

You can visit the village anytime, but if you would like to see more attractions of the village including special ceremonies in the village. I choose the months of April, May, June, and July are considered the best time to visit the village for more attractions.

Monday, July 18, 2016

8 Reasons Why Surfers are addicted to come to Bali to Surf

Bali Travel Info

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Some surfers said, “Bali is the best surfing spots for me, and I am addicted to come here.” I can see that! I am sure several reasons make they always come back to catch the magical waves in Bali. The main reason is warm water, perfect waves, cold Balinese beer, and happy faces.

Besides the perfect waves, when you come to surf in Bali you will find yourself in the breathtaking nature and culture of the Paradise island and become one with the mother ocean. Bali offers accommodation from low price to high it will suit your budgets every season. Bali offers of any level of surfer and many other surfing features to enjoy with reasonable price. Don’t forget, Bali offers everything on your break, from luxurious spas to perfect nightlife, single mingle, or family friendly hang out.

Here are the 8 reasons you should surf on Bali island:

1. Bali is the world Beautiful Place

The first you land your feet on the island, you will feel the magical air of the island. Stay in the one of stunning view one of the beach hotels, relax on white sand beaches, take a hike in the jungle, standing on the top of the cliff to witness a magical view. Bali cooperates all things for you to have a great time while you holiday.

After surf breaks feature breathtaking scenery, such as ornate temples, picturesque country villages and calming rice fields. Don’t miss these favorite destinations on the island includes Uluwatu, with its incredible beach caves below and an standing on the hill Hindu temple and Green Bowl, an isolated spot, which during low tide, reveals a bowl-shaped ocean floor that causes the water to reflect the greenery of the surrounding hills. Bedugul, Tanah Lot, Kuta beach, Padang-Padang beach, Sminyak, Sanur beach, Nusa Dua Beach and Canggu beach.

2. Bali meets any Budget Surfer

Bali offers for any budget traveler to enjoy the magic island. No one can beat Bali prices from backpackers to luxury hotels and resorts you name it. For surfers, you can find reasonable accommodations, but still near the beach. I am sure you will find the budget

suits your plan, and without break your bank.

3. Bali Offers More than Surfing

Your plan is to have a surfing trip, but you don’t want to miss what Bali can offer you. I am sure you don’t want to surf 24 hours right? In your free time and away from the waves to see the sights, enjoy the nature, biking, rafting, diving, attending temple ceremonies, spas, cultural activities, traditional health, and maybe check out a nice restaurant or bar. Luckily, you’ve come to a place that has it all.

4. You Can Surf in Bali all Year Around Day and Night

When the dry season month from June to September is a high season and the busiest season of the year. If you don’t want to be around so many people, you can come to Bali around low season, a rainy season. Rainy season doesn’t mean rain all day, At this season you can take advantage of all discounts on accommodations and more on the island because of less tourists. This rainy season provides a great opportunity for surfers to take advantage of smaller crowds at breaks and cheaper rates for hotels, resorts and surf schools. The positive fact that temperatures become noticeably cooler and the vegetation becomes more lush and beautiful. During Bali’s rainy season, the winds change and open up surf spots on the Bali east coast.

5. Bali Is the Best Place to Mingle With World Surfers

Almost everyone in Bali knows about surfing because many surfers come from all over the world. The American Bob Koke, who surfed the waves at Kuta Beach, Bali in the mid to late 1930s. Because of WW II, the surfing time open again until the late 1960s and early 1970s, when traveling surfers began discovering surf spots off Bali, made especially famous. They made the classic surfing film Morning of the Earth by Albert Falzon. Since then Bali is a famous. Surfers discovered the island’s world-class breaks and peaceful atmosphere, surfing has grown into an institution on Bali. This makes it a great place to meet other surfers, learn how to surf from qualified instructors and took advantage of more than 50 established surf spots already discovered and made accessible by Bali’s surfing destinations.

6. Bali Is A Cheap Place to Learn to Surf

, A well-established international surfing community and schools staffed by qualified, expert instructors of the island of Bali, It is without a doubt Bali is one of the best places to learn how to surf at the same time to enjoy the beautiful beaches. Bali offers more than 50 of surf spots makes possible for the beginners to find a perfect spot to learn.

7. Bali Is World Class Surf Break

The beautiful Bukit Peninsula of the around Jimbaran Bay area, between Nusa Dua and Kuta beach, there is a stunning and the best surf spot for every surfer. It is pro-level waves like Uluwatu and Padang Padang, there are also great beginner waves like Padang Padang Right’s mellow beach break.

8. Bali Is A Consistent Condition For Surfing

Bali welcomes all surfers from beginners to experts. There are around 60 surf spots in Bali you can explore. Here are a few locations for you:

Medewi Beach

2-3hrs drive northwest along the coast from Kuta.

Description:
Very fun workable wave for beginners to intermediate surfers with very little barrel sections. Mostly sand bottom lefts and rights.

Best time:
Wet & dry season, early mornings are the best before the wind picks up and it gets blown out.

Best Swell Direction:
South

Best Size:
4-6ft

Best Winds:
Early morning and light
Offshore in N/NE
Cross offshore in NW & E

Crowd Factor:-
Usually mellow with a mix of international surfers.

Balian Beach

Balian is located about 30min before Medewi on the west coast. Once again, I recommend to leave as early as possible to avoid the heavy traffic.

Description:
Playful A-Frame that breaks in front of a river mouth. Long lefts with shorter rights. The occasional barrel sections, but mostly long rippable walls.

Best time:
Wet & dry season, early mornings are the best before the wind picks up and it gets blown out.

Best Swell Direction:
South

Best Size:
4-6ft

Best Winds:
Early morning and light
Offshore in NE
Cross offshore in N & E/SE

Crowd Factor:
Usually mellow with a mix of international surfers.

Canggu Beach

Canggu is located just north of Seminyak and has 3 main breaks. It has become extremely popular.

All these waves can range from waist to head high for Intermediate surfers and head to double head high for Advance surfers only. Don't be fooled as these waves can really pack a punch if you're careful. The best tide is mid to high.

Best time:
Wet & dry season, early mornings are the best in the Dry season before the trade winds pick up and in the Wet season anytime as the winds are usually light.

Best Swell Direction:
South - South West

Best Size:
3-6ft

Best Winds:
Early mornings and light
Offshore in NE
Cross offshore in N & E

This place gets extremely busy during peak season and is usually filled with a mix of pro juniors, tourists and locals.