BALI
A friendly and remarkably artistic people, living amid breathtaking panoramas, have created dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, making Bali an island almost unreal in today’s hectic and changing world. Terraced rice fields dominate the landscape with rivers and small irrigation streams dissecting a luscious green landscape, filling the air with enchanting sounds of running water.
Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali’s unique form of Hinduism called (Hindu Darma). Classical dance dramas for example, are based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, but contain an element of local folklore, particular to the island. The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms that have been passionately preserved over the centuries. It seems that almost every person is an artist, spending free time applying skills and images which have been passed down from generation to generation and grasped from a very young age. Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings and dances, extraordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made myriad shrines which can be found in public area, on roads, in paddy field or in homes, the island is alive with art.
One of the approximately 14,000 islands that comprise the Indonesian archipelago, Bali anchors east of Java, separated by the small Strait of Bali, and surrounded by the Java Sea on the north, the Indian Ocean on the south, and the Strait of Lombok on the east. A string of volcanic mountains crown the northern part of Bali, with Gunung Agung (Mount Divine, literally) as the tallest at 3,142 meters. This volcano, as well as Mount Batukaru, Mount Batur, and Mount Merebuk is still active.
Extremely important to the agricultural life of Bali, especially for rice crop, the rivers of Ayung, Unda, Sungsang, Balian, Yeh Sumi, Petanu, and Saban carry the water from the highland to the seas. There are four major lakes: Lake Batur at the crater of Mount Batur, Lake Buyan, Lake Bratan, and Lake Temblingan.
Bali enjoys tropical weather, being only a few degrees south of the equator. It means that the sun rises at 6 AM in the morning and sets at 6 PM in the afternoon, everyday of the year. It means that temperature variation is very small, averaging around 26-30 Celcius, and it does not have four seasons (except the hotel, of course). It only has a wet season, typically from September to February, and a dry season for the other half of the year. But the difference is marginal; at the peak of the wet season you will see about a half-hour to an hour serious downpour in the afternoon, about perfect for a siesta. The rest of the time: nice, warm temperature, especially with a twist of sea breeze in the beaches of Kuta or Nusa Dua.
This climate endows Bali with a number of unique vegetation, including waringin trees (banyan), salak Bali, and a multitude of flowers from a very fragrant cempaka (Michelia champaca) to literally thousand kinds of orchids. Its fauna is equally rich. Bali is the native land to the Bali Tiger, which is almost extinct; Bali cattle, graceful animals not like other cows; bats that haunt caves like the Bat Cave near Kusamba; sea turtles of Nusa Dua; Jalak Bali or Bali Sterling (Leucopsar rothschildi) that has inspired countless number of painters and artists.
In 1990, the population of Bali is 2,778,000, 93.18% are Hindus, with a density of 500 persons per sq km, and an average growth of 1.18%. Bali's economy is one of the most vivacious in Indonesia, fueled by constant flow of tourism dollars and supported by agricultural production and trade revenues. Balinese people are gifted artists, producing garment, and arts & crafts that are exported. In addition to gorgeous nature and enchanting people and culture, Bali is also endowed with fertile land. Its economy is growing at close to 9% per year, with export values close to $150 millions.
Geography
Amongst the thousands of islands that are beautifully arranged from west to east in Indonesia, Bali is peacefully seated in the eastern part of the tropical country. Occupying an area of 5.632 kilometer, Bali's beauty sparks out as a dramatic view but overshadowed with the arrogance of the active volcanoes. The Bali's mountainous area divides the island into northern and southern parts.
Its exoticism lies on the beautiful silhouette of its white-sand beaches. Outside the main island, Bali promotes some of tiny islands on, they are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan & Menjangan Island that are undeniably paradises for divers and surfers.
Balinese puts high respect for the natural elements, including mountains, sea, springs, like lakes, rivers and other elements. They get acquainted with their physical existence while upholding a philosophy of being the sources for life. Hence, the nature and all the important elements have special space in the hearts of Balinese. The Balinese include them as important constituents in its spiritual and religious activities, exceptionally for Mount Agung, the highest mountain in Bali (3,141 meter) and Besakih Temple (the mother temple) of Balinese Hindus on its feet.
Traditions and Religions
Bali is densely populate & with over 3.5 million people, almost all of the Balinese Hindu Religion. The Hindu people retain the basic values that teach them of balance and harmony of all aspects in life, which is Tri Hita Karana.
Tri Hita Karana is a guidance on how to have a harmonious relationship with surrounding nature (Pawongan), others people (Pelemahan) and with Ida Hyang Widhi Wasa/God The Almighty (Parahyangan). The commitment to maintain and manifest the fundamental values into daily living is the thing that keeps Bali unique in life dynamic.
Balinese Hindus celebrates Galungan day and Kuningan day once in every six month and celebrate the New Year with special rituals called NYEPI. The Nyepi celebration is started with the conduct of catur Brata Penyepian (four forbidden things to do during the change of Saka Year) which includes amati geni (no light), amati lelunggaan (no trip), amati lelangguan (no entertainment) and amati karya (no activity). During Nyepi, all places in Bali for 24 hours will be left in silent and free from activities, including those in airport, harbours, terminals, and roads.
Synergy of Culture, Nature and Spiritual
Bali gives high values to nature, culture and spiritual life, which are all in synergy to create harmony and peace in the island.
Bali's charm is not only anchored in the beautifully crafted paddy terrace which is watered by Subak system (a system that has been implemented for many years). The island captures the heart of tourists through a selection of dance and cultural ritual festivities also in spiritual awareness that make strong foundation to live their life. Besides, the honesty of the Balinese attains great respect from the other people.
Nature
Bali is gifted with rich nature. Not mention the fertile soil, abundant water resources, or friendly but cool weather, Bali's land lets grow any plants. From rice produced at stunning paddy terrace to any plants and range of colourful flowers made for rituals, such as banyan tree, coconut, plumeria, lotus, hibiscus, cempaka and other plants, its own characteristics Bali defines.
For Balinese, nature and plants are highly respected elements. In fact, they have special event to give deep salute to the plants, which is Tumpek Uduh. So many rituals you will meet in Bali are mostly to bring harmony into life, either on the sea or springs, forests, and other places.
Culture
A bounce of cultural attractions and creations from Bali have been put on stage everywhere in the world. People admire every move on Balinese dances, spirit behind the gamelan, the story of the puppet show, beautiful crafts, brilliant paintings, clothes, and other art and cultural designs.
Beyond the creativity, the deep understanding to the tradition and decency to present a masterpiece of art to the Great Creator, Ida Hyang Widhi Waca, also plays important role in cultural creations and attractions.
Spiritual
Spiritual activities in Bali are most dominated by Hindu rituals. Everyday in life in the island of thousands of temples, a spiritual activity takes place, especially on sacred days for Hindu people.
A spiritual event also takes place to mark each phase of life from the day of the birth, into childhood, adulthood, wedding ceremony until they are departed. One ritual process for the departed, called Ngaben, is in fact famous amongst the international community.
Attractions - The Colour of Celebration
Do not worry that you will miss interesting things in Bali. There are more to see than its amazing nature and culture, such as how Balinese live their daily life. There is always a spiritual presentation in efforts to keep the nature and the God's creatures all in balance. Balinese celebrates life with full of joy reflecting the purity and gratitude to the life creator, Ida Hyang Widhi Wasa (God the Almighty).
To bring harmony into life, a Balinese has conducted some stages of spiritual procession since they were still in womb. They ride through the birth, maturity and mortality period with gratefulness and ceremonial procession. What an interesting event to follow through.
Bali, mostly Hindu/followers, lists a number of spiritual events, including a ritual event once on full moon or sleeping moon (tilem), great day of Galungan and Kuningan, and other sacred days. Through this event, they express gratefulness to God's blessings on life.
Balinese celebrates the change of year (year of caka) in unique way, the one and only in the world. The change of year in Bali is celebrated as Nyepi. The Nyepi procession is began with some ceremonials aimed at self-resurrection and natural rejuvenation to welcome the new days. They wash the ceremonial equipment on the sea or springs to bring back the purity. Then during Nyepi, Balinese remains dormant by conducting catur brata penyepian (four challenges on Nyepi day) that consist of: Amati Geni (no fire including furious feeling inside), Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment), Amati Lelungaan (no trip) and Amati Karya (no activity). On Nyepi, there appear no activity at the airport, harbours, and all roads in Bali.
Bali is kept in silent, dark around, and goes meditative.
(Source: http://www.tourism.baliprov.go.id/informasi/2010/11/about-bali)
LINK.............See tour program BALI & LOMBOK........????
WEST NUSA TENGGARA
The Wallace Line, named after 19th century naturalist, Alfred Russell Wallace, marks a point of transition between the flora and fauna of Western and Eastern Indonesia and acts as the Western boundary of West Nusa Tenggara, which includes Lombok Island and Sumbawa. Lombok is noticeably different to its close neighbor, Bali. The northern part of the island is mountainous and lush with tall trees and shrubs. The South on the other hand is arid and covered by savannas. Large Asian mammals are absents and replaced instead by large numbers of marsupials, lizards, cockatoos and parrots. The difference becomes more pronounced as one moves further east where dry seasons are more prolonged and the land is dry and bush-like, and so in many areas corn and sago are the staple food, instead of rice. At first Islam time come to these islands in the 16th century, four Hindu Kingdoms co-existed in apparent peace what is now called West Nusa Tenggara and is still the religion embraced by those in the west of Lombok, which are primarily Balinese. Lombok experienced strong Balinese influences in the past, but has still retained a unique identifies. The indigenous people of Lombok, the Sasaks, are predominantly Moslem and have a strong, distinguished tradition, as do the people of neighboring Sumbawa. Soft white sand, virgin beaches are typical in Lombok, where the motto is 'You can see Bali in Lombok, but not Lombok in Bali'. Famous for its 'tenun ikat' hand-woven textiles, the island has exceptional charm and its relatively undiscovered, except for Senggigi City, which becoming a major resort area. Regulars shuttle flights from Bali and Surabaya as well as ferries provide excellent transportation links within the islands of the province as well as with the rest of the country.
The two largest islands in West Nusa Tenggara province are Lombok in the west and the larger Sumbawa Island in the east. Mataram, on Lombok, is the capital and largest city of the province. The province is administratively divided into six regencies and one municipality, Mataram. The Sasak ethnic group mainly inhabits Lombok, with a minority Balinese population then, Sumbawa and Bima ethnic groups inhabit Sumbawa. Each of these groups has a local language associated with it as well. The population of the province is 3.821.134; 71 percent of the population lives in Lombok.
Geographically
Geographically, West Nusa Tenggara Province is located 115'45 - 119°10 east Longitudes 8°5 - 9°5 south latitudes. Its area boundaries is:
North Side: Java Sea
South side: Hindia Ocean
East side: Sepadan Strait
West side: Lombok Strai
Wide Area
The wide area of West Nusa Tenggara is 49.32,19 Km2 that contains of 20.153,07 Km2 land and 29.159,04 Km2 of sea. The two big islands is Lombok Island with its wide area about 4.738,70 Km2 (23,51%) and Sumbawa Island with 15.414,37 Km' (76,49%) wide area. Beside that, it also surrounded by thousands small islands, such as Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, Gili Gede, Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong, Moyo Island, Bungin Island, Satonda Island, Kaung Island, and Panjang Island.
Government Administrative
Administratively, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara is Mataram city and contains of 7 regencies and 2 cities. The four regencies/cities are located in Lombok Island and 5 regencies/cities state in Sumbawa Island.
(Source: Indonesia tourism )
