Bali

Black Sand, Dolphins, and Coral Reefs – Life in Lovina

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black-sandLovina, located on the northern coast of Bali, is yet another different experience when vacationing in Bali.

As the travel resort sites like this one give you an idea, Lovina is a little less about noisy dance festivals and exotic, sacred monkey jungles and more about the ultimate beach-goer’s tropical paradise. It’s also a little more urban than other parts of Bali.

The beaches are famous for the black sand, which is a frequent result of nearby volcanic activity over geologic time. All water sports are popular here, including snorkeling, diving, swimming, and sailing. The main attraction here are the dolphin sighting tours, where hundreds of the friendly and playful sea-going mammals naturally congregate and frolic among the boats which set out at dawn to greet them.

Reports are that July and August are the busiest months, so going in the off-season could be both a money-saver and a way to enjoy more of the local’s attention to yourself. Regardless of when you go, Lovina is a relaxed, slow-paced beach-side resort town that will provide an unforgettable vacation experience.

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Bali Tourism

Balinese Tourism – A Few Tips For Dodging The Crowds

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Balinese-TourismBali is making no idle boast when it calls itself the jewel of Indonesia – it’s one of the most popular resort destinations in the world.

A recent survey of tourism throughout Indonesia found that a whopping 80% of Indonesian tourists visit Bali and Bali alone!

For those of you who prefer a vacation with a more relaxed pace, here’s some tips on getting the most out of your Bali experience:

  • July and August are the peak of tourist season. Pick any other month and enjoy fewer crowds as well as huge discounts for the off-season.
  • Stay at a Bali luxury villa instead of a hotel. Hotels tend to charge jacked-up rates compared to what you get, and are naturally more crowded too.
  • Avoid major holidays for any major country. Christmas and New Year’s bring crowds. School holiday weeks in April, June, and September draw large amounts of Australian visitors.
  • Aim for a quieter destination. Candidasa, Sanur, Amed, and Nusa Dua all tend to be quiet coastal towns that cater to the older travelers. Slower pace and more casual atmosphere.
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Bali Culture

All About Balinese Nyepi – The Strangest Holiday You’ve Ever Heard Of

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nypeHow do you typically celebrate New Year’s? With fireworks, cheering, horns, loud music, parties, and general hubbub? Well, in Bali, they celebrate Hindu New Year (Saka), which is done just the opposite – it’s called “Nyepi”, the day of absolute silence!

Like some religious holidays on western calendars, Nyepi is observed somewhere in either March or April, so you have to check with a local authority for the exact date. Tourism matters, such as airport activity and stores, will be closed. In fact, the entire island shuts down for the day, with the only activity being for strict emergencies. It’s almost eerie how quiet it is. Even the police enforce this, urging citizens not to play music or bustle about to much.

What on Earth is going on? The idea is that evil spirits come once a year to Bali looking for trouble, but if you fool them into thinking that Bali is entirely uninhabited, they’ll move on to somewhere else and leave Bali alone for another year. No really, that’s the rationale! Tourists should avoid this holiday in most cases, but if you can manage to be there for it, it is one of the most unique cultural experiences you can find. But please be respectful, as this is one of their most important holidays!

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Bali Culture

A Short Guide To Traditional Balinese Dances

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brongTourists at a Balinese luxury resort will frequently be invited to watch some local live shows.

These take the form of traditional dance ceremonies performed the same way for centuries, all of them having some significance. There’s a good variety of these and they all have their own little cultures.

Here’s a few of the kind you’re most likely to encounter:

Barong – The “lion dance”. It’s kind of a passion play about the fight between good and evil. Done with lion masks and a lot of visual spectacle. Barong dances tend to be performed in just about any tourist stop in Bali, so it’s not hard to find one.

Calonarang – A darker, more spiritual dance about casting out evil spirits. Be respectful when you see this one, because it has significance in Balinese spiritualism. There is a witch-queen character called “Rangda” who figures in the story, so look out for her.

Kecak – The “monkey dance”. As Balinese as the monkey temple itself, this dance goes to the roots of the animism branch of spirituality. Nevertheless, it’s an eye-popping spectacle with up to 250 chanting dancers in concentric circles.

Legong Keraton – The canonical historic dance of Indonesia, this one dates back to the 12th century at least. It is performed by young girls and is about young nymphs in breathtakingly beautiful costumes. Shorter versions are performed specifically for tourists, but treat yourself to a full-length version.

 

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