Life is good in Bali

5 Nice Guest Houses in Ubud under $50

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 09:17:00 +0000

Ubud has been known as the most favorite vibrant village in Bali for wanderers and so that even Julia Roberts (as Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat Pray Love movie) has flown away just for a little refreshing morning cycling on the edge of beautiful paddy fields in Ubud.

So for those of you who love serenity and convenience, and at the same time also looking for a hotel that suit the budget, then here it is 5 nice guest house in Ubud under $50;

1. Ala's Green Lagoon Hotels

This guest house is surrounding by paddy fields of Ubud, and offers accommodation built-in a traditional island style with brick and stone walls, that includes outdoor pools wherever the high views of the encompassing rice fields are provided. It located near the Ubud Palace, ten minutes walk to the famous main market, and also the Monkey Forest. Bali International airport could be a 75-minute drive away and the hotel staff will organize the transport for guests.

Other nice facilities includes bicycle rental, concierge, family room, laundry service, room service, tours, sports, outdoor pool and off course internet access. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and Wi-Fi in public areas.

Check rates on Agoda

2. Sandat Bali Ubud Guest House

It is a great base to explore this high-spirited village and offers easy access to the village's must-see destinations. Provide facilities such as; 24-hour front desk, airport transfer, babysitting, bar and BBQ, bicycle rental, car hire, car park, coffee shop, concierge, currency exchange, express check-in/check-out, laundry service, luggage storage, restaurant, room service, shared kitchen, smoking area, tours, massage and spa, outdoor pool, and also free Wi-Fi. And beautiful greeny gardens all over the house.

Check rates on Agoda

3. Inten House

For those of you who want to live like locals in a very Balinese traditional house, this is quite the place. In Bahasa, inten means diamond. Suit for the timeless building style of this hotel.

Four rooms spread over two floors provide a warm and cozy place away from home. Modern comforts such as fan, shower, balcony, free Wi-Fi, complimentary bottled water can be found in selected rooms. There are also airport transfer, bicycle rental, car hire, express check-in/check-out, laundry service, lockers, room service, safety deposit boxes, shared lounge/TV area, shuttle service, smoking area and tours.

Check rates on Agoda

4. Eustace Place

Check rates on Agoda

5. Secret Garden Guest House

Perfect spot for having meditation and relaxation, Secret Garden Guest House is located in a very tranquilty village of Bali. It's near vilage's top attractions: Monkey Forest Ubud, Komaneka Gallery and also Seniwati Gallery.

This affordable hotel is also offers many facilities to comfort your stay in Bali. There are bicycle rental, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour room service, car park, airport transfer, and tours. Some rooms include seating area quite nice for reading, shower, complimentary bottled water, in room safe, desk, provided to help guests recharge after a long day. All through the day we can enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of the gorgeous garden around the house.

Check rates on Agoda

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Read also:

4 Luxury but Affordable Hotels in Kuta Bali

Museum Puri Lukisan Ubud: All About Painting, Carving and Marketing

Museum Puri Lukisan Ubud: all about painting, carving and marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:26:00 +0000

Here's another well-known art museum in Ubud, Bali, besides The Blanco Renaissance Museum. It's called The Museum Puri Lukisan.

The Museum Puri Lukisan is the oldest art museum in Ubud, Bali. Its mission is to preserve, develop and document modern-traditional Balinese art. This is home to the finest collection of modern-traditional Balinese painting and wood carving on the island, spanning from the pre-war (1930-1945) to the post war (1945-present) era. The collection includes important examples of all of the artistic styles in Bali including the Sanur, Batuan, Ubud, Young Artist and Keliki schools.

Since the formation of the Pitamaha Artist Cooperative in 1936, the founders (notably Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati and the two foreign artist Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet) dreamed of a museum that would exhibit the best examples of Balinese paintings and woodcarvings, preserving Bali's artistic heritage amidst the proliferation of tourist handicraft. The Museum Puri Lukisan is the realization of that dream. To this day, the Pitamaha ideals are still upheld and alive.

Find Nice Hotels in Ubud here...

What's in the museum?

First up, they offer free welcome drink and snacks at the restaurant, near the entrance. Quite a place to sit back and relax after the wild ride at Ubud's traffic. Time for some iced coffee and reading the brochure.

And after this, let's take a walk.

There are four main buildings:

Building I Pitamaha Gallery, a place for Pre-War modern-traditional Balinese paintings and here also artworks from the Pita Maha groups, including works by I Gusti Nyoman Lempad.

I Gusti Nyoman Lempad (~1862-1978) is a true master and "Renaissance Man". He is a legendary figure locally and internationally. Lempad's specialty was applying his creative genius, and passionate personality to rendering classical scenes, in a relatively formal way. Although he maintained close friendships with the foreign artist who lived in Bali, including Rudolf Bonnet and Walter Spies, Lempad never compromised his distinctive identity as a Balinese artist. he design palaces and temples in and around Ubud, including parts of the Puri Lukisan Museum.

(The Dream of Dharmawangsa (1957), one of the masterpieces of the museum collection)

Building II Ida Bagus Made Gallery, Post-War modern-traditional Balinese pantings are here, and including works by Anak Agung Gde Sobrat and Ida Bagus Made Poleng.

Ida Bagus Made Poleng (1915-1999) was a prolific painter who had a profound distrust of art dealers and collectors. He scrutinized his admirers and solely a couple of collectors passed his check. The late Indonesian President, Sukarno, was one among such collectors that Ida Bagus Made revered. His works are well asked for and are within the assortment of the many museums within the world.

Anak Agung Gde Sobrat (1919-1992) came from an aristocrat family. His grandfather, a well-known wayang puppeteer, taught him to carve the rawhide puppets and familiarized him with the Hindu epics: the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Under the tutelage of Walter Spies, he learned to paint Balinese landscapes with surreal perspectives, and later from Bonnet he developed the techniques for portraiture.

Building III Wayang Gallery, a space for Wayang Painting collection (Kamasan style) and also for any special exhibitions.

Building IV Museum of Marketing 3.0, in contrast with the other buildings in the museum area, this brand new building is very futuristic. Known as the one and only Marketing Museum in the world.

The crazy idea to build this museum came from Hermawan Kartajaya, a master of marketing in Indonesia and also co-author with Iwan Setiawan and Philip Kotler of Marketing 3.0: From Products to Customers to the Human Spirit
The spontaneous idea was welcomed by Philip Kotler who was uneasy due to the poor public perception of marketing. Then Tjokorda Gde Raka Sukawati of Puri Saren Ubud, who happened to have breakfast with the two marketing guru, supported the idea. Didn't take too long that the Puri Saren family decided to fully supports this unique idea. It was also decided that the Museum of Marketing 3.0 would be located in Puri Lukisan, the oldest museum compound in Bali owned by the Puri Saren family.

Inside this museum, there are displays of individuals of noteworthy achievement in the field of human spirit marketing. There are Anita Roddick, Jeff Bezos, Herb Kelleher, Ingvar Kamprad, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, Walt Disney, Muhammad Yunus, etc. and the companies; Astra, Whole Foods, Mayo Clinic, GE, etc. Quite an inspiration.

Visiting Hours
The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. except for the Balinese holidays; Nyepi, or Galungan and Kuningan.

Entrance fee
The admission is Rp75,000 for adults. Children under 15 years old accompanied by an adult are free of charge. This policy does not apply to children in groups. Please email info@museumpurilukisan.com to arrange for group tours and discounts.

Contact Information
Address: Jalan Raya Ubud, Gianyar 80571, Bali Indonesia
Phone: 62 361 971159 (office) / 62 361 975136 (gift shop)
Email: info@museumpurilukisan.com

Find Nice Hotels in Ubud here...

5 Nice Guest House in Ubud Under $50

Source:
museumpurilukisan.com
mm3-ubud.org
sketsabudaya.blogspot.com

4 Luxury but Affordable Hotels in Kuta Bali

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:28:00 +0000

Whether your preference be arty, minimal, homey, historic or luxury, Bali can accommodate all tastes and budget with a wide range of affordable hotels.

These fabulous four are my choices of luxurious but affordable hotels in Kuta Bali, which rates are start from $30. Here we go:

1. Ossotel Legian Hotel Bali

This nice one is located in Legian, close to the famous Kuta beach and also Padma beach. Surrounded by several kinds of restaurants and shopping area. i would call the hotel design is a bit arty and sophisticated.

Guests will enjoy luxury rooms with featured with Wi-Fi, 88-meter lagune swimming pool, bar and grillery, 24-hour personalized concierge service, a private beach club, and free parking.

Check rates on Agoda here

2. Park Regis Kuta Hotel

Ideal for fun and relaxation, Park Regis Kuta hotel is found within the Kuta/Tuban space of the island. From here, guests will relish quick access to any or all that the spirited town has got to provide. The location is also perfect for sightseeing choices and native attractions.
Offering hotel guests superior services and a broad vary of amenities, Park Regis Kuta hotel is committed to making sure that your stay is as comfy as possible. The hotel provides room service, cleaning, laundry service, concierge, family room to make sure our guests the best comfort.

The ambiance of Park Regis Kuta hotel is mirrored in each bedchamber. TV LCD/plasma screen, balcony/terrace, seating, hair dryer, satellite/cable TV are just a few of the facilities which will be found throughout the property. There are also top-class recreational facilities like spa and massage, pool (kids), fitness center and children's playground.

Check rates on Agoda here

3. HARRIS Hotel & Residences Riverview Kuta

Conveniently settled simply a 15-minute drive from the Legian shopping mall and Kuta Beach, HARRIS hotel & Residences Riverview Kuta boasts 142 fantastically designed rooms and residences. The property offers a range of residences that feature spacious bedrooms fitted with customary amenities.

This hotel is a stunning and distinctive that options spectacular views of the pool and garden, four swimming pools, Harris restaurant, Harrissimo Italian culinary art, reflexology, meeting facilities, and Wi-Fi. An ideal destination for couples, a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or perhaps business travelers, the hotel features a host of fun activities like rafting, cycling, and theme parks like Waterbom and Butterfly Park. All in all, as the spirit of orange building color, HARRIS Hotel & Residences Riverview Kuta is an exciting place of stay.

Check rates on Agoda here

4. Sun Island Hotel Kuta

Nestled within the heart of Kuta / Tuban, Sun Island hotel Kuta is a perfect spot from that to get Bali. Placed solely zero kilometre from town center, guests are well settled to relish the town's attractions and activities. With the city's main attractions like Discovery mall, Waterbom Park, Kuta Beach, Padma Beach inside close reach, guests to the hotel can simply love its location.

Sun Island Hotel Kuta additionally offers several facilities to counterpoint your stay in this Island of God. The building provides parking area, restaurant, room service, safety deposit boxes, elevator to make sure the guests the best comfort.

They provide 134 rooms, all of that exude an environment of total luxury. Whether or not you're a fitness enthusiast or are simply probing for the simplest way to unwind after a tough day, you may be pleased by top-class recreational facilities like out of doors pool. Discover an enticing mix of skilled service and a good array of options at Sun Island Hotel Kuta.

Check rates on Agoda here

BOOK NOW

5 Nice Guest House in Ubud Under $50

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Source:
Agoda.com

Taman Nusa: traditional houses of Indonesia

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 14:36:00 +0000

Have you got a trip to Taman Nusa on you last visit to Bali? If you have not, you should try to make a visit next time to this unique place. It is situated on Jalan Taman Bali, Blahpane Klod hamlet, Sidan village, Gianyar County, approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Denpasar. Here, visitors can see replicas of the works of Indonesian society from prehistoric to modern times, museums, art and culture performances and craft exhibitions. The major site are the traditional houses of Indonesia from the very East to the very West.

As a country with over 350 cultural ethnic groups, the cultural diversity of Indonesia deserves to be explored. You could discover the unique cultures and witness traditional houses of Indonesia with one single visit to this Taman Nusa in Bali. The main attraction of this destination is the chance to see and experience distinctive cultures which is an unforgettable experience and offers the rare opportunity to embrace a purely village atmosphere.

Indonesian architecture can not be defined in a singular form, for each distinct island and region has their own unique identity ranging from one era to another. The ancient vernacular tradition is characterized by post foundations, an elevated living floor and a pitched roof with an extended roof ridge and outward leaning gable ends. The classical heritage of Hindu- Buddhist temples is portrayed in the form of candi, a stone structure raised on a basement and surmounted by a stepped pyramidal roof, ornamented with antefixes and finials. The ideological Islamic architecture reinvented previous building traditions to suit Muslim requirements identified symbolically, and the Dutch adopted indigenous architectural elements to create the colonial architecture called Indies Style.

As such the Taman Nusa implies the direction for the farther development of architectural tradition for major culture which had reached certain peak in the architectural expression.

Galungan was a special moment in Taman Nusa. At that time, tourists could watch the art of entertainment presented in the form of dances and traditional music such as legong and bleganjur gamelan music.

Most interestingly, there was also a uniquely designed Pasar Senggol. This place is held at the cafeteria adjacent to the dance stage area, so, tourists can enjoy a meal while watching the dance.

Tourist attraction featuring a wide range of cultures such as customary houses, works of art and typical cuisines of Indonesia seems increasingly livelier and more unique. Moreover, there are typical Indonesian community activities such as the making of local handicrafts by weaving.

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Sources:
taman-nusa.com
bali-travelnews.com

Books about Bali:

The Festival of Batur Lake at Kintamani 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 06:13:00 +0000

Batur Lake in Kintamani, Bangli regency, will host a festival next week that is expected to attract more tourists to the destination that has been recognized by UNESCO as a geopark and included in its Global Geopark Network.

In its second year, the three-day festival, starting on Oct. 19, will feature a range of Balinese cultural performances presented by local artists.

There will also be various competitions, including baleganjur (traditional music), photography, making gebogan (fruit offerings) and penjor (decorated bamboo poles), as well as decorating traditional boats.

“We will also hold some other interesting events, like a culinary competition, trekking, fun bike event, and Kintamani dog festival,” said Bagus Surya from the organizing committee.

Local people will also take part in the handicraft exhibition and culinary bazaar, in an effort to improve local industries in the Bangli regency.

Bagus said the festival aimed at increasing local people’s awareness to preserve their culture and traditions, as well as attracting foreign tourists to come to Kintamani, a popular destination in the 1980s and 1990s, but now seeing a decline in tourist numbers due to poor management.

Batur is one of the biggest active calderas in Indonesia, even worldwide, and has long been an icon of Bali’s tourism. Nyoman Artika, secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for Bangli, told Bali Daily that Kintamani was no longer a competitive tourism destination due to the absence of good management.

“Its image as an enjoyable tourist destination is fading because of its lack of good management and regulations,” he said.

Through its UNESCO recognition, the local administration expects the area to become more famous globally and is aiming for 1.5 million tourist arrivals to Batur each year by 2014, a huge number compared to last year’s figure of only 400,000.

This ambitious target to increase tourist arrivals to the famed mountain and lake is facing many hurdles because the administration itself has yet to be able to deliver proper basic services for tourists. Although fees and taxes are imposed on hotels, vendors and tourists, the administration has failed to provide the basic facilities to make tourists comfortable.

Tourism stakeholders agreed that Kintamani still had a long way to go to become a world-class destination, the primary obstacles being its poor infrastructure, water scarcity and frequent electricity blackouts.

Source: Bali Daily

More on festivaldanaubatur.com

Books about Bali:

View at Batur Lake Bali Indonesia - 30"W x 20"H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys

The Delicious Beauty of Pia Legong

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:47:00 +0000

Find Nice Hotels in Bali here...

Not just the typical island souvenir, Pia Legong was present as the work of a young boy who falls in love with an old recipe, which originated from the ancestral heritage. Pia Legong proceed through space and time from the old days taste even more special in the present who could not inevitable. Desire to create an authentic sense of pia, making its founders continue to test to produce a work of rich flavor and full of meaning.

In 2006, Pia Legong is present as one of the tasteful snack in her red legong. It is the color that is created specifically on the pia packaging box as the best offering for the entire audience. Legong red color splendor offerings are expected to represent the highest of the company, to you. For Pia Legong, you are the king. Box with this special design, made the best of packaging which keeps the continuity of pia to stay awake well into the hands of the buyer.

The name taken from a Legong dance in Bali, which means the fluidity of movement and beauty of all the grace of a basic dance movement. Flexibility is likely to be part of the philosophy of dynamic Legong dance is almost surely rarely appeared since the beginning of the 20th century. Inspiration is what makes the founders chose the name as the identity of the pia Legong creations. Due to the nature of this pia matter, derived from decades ago, as a traditional snack that is not less ancient.

In the hands of its founder, the pia is dynamic bend in the modification of the recipe and mature thinking. The result is a flavor that can be created dynamically follow the tastes of the audience from time to time, in the elegant appearance of high artistic value. So if strung together in a word, Pia Legong present and remind us of the cultural richness of aesthetic and ethical sense of a mutually sustainable. That is the beauty and delicacy as well as in every bite.

With great love, the production process Legong Pia made his own from the corner of the home kitchen is not large-scale factories. Legong Pia ability as a home industry in its production capacity, clearly limited. Made handmade by the owner every day, from early morning until sunrise ahead, make a guaranteed Legong Pia went into the hands of buyers in the state fresh from the oven. The love of its owner with people, which maintains the spirit of Legong Pia continues to perform better from day to day.

Since it was first established, Pia who sold out in one day, will be back the next day. Therefore, to get a box of Pia Legong, you can just come straight to the place of manufacture as well as workshops. No such display patisserie in general, as we sell new Pia mature and move directly into the hands of the buyer immediately. Pia Legong doesn't use 'stocking system'. Total production was made exactly according to the ability of the manufacturer. Premium quality materials and proper grilling techniques, making Pia Legong not rely on chemicals or other additives as preservatives. Pia dry texture of the skin that have a multi-layered and crispy characteristic maintain durability of pia itself naturally. Abstain from using any type and form of preservatives, expiration time became very limited. For chocolate and cheese pia, Pia Legong can be stored up to 30 days in sealed packages. Specific content of green beans, more briefly, only 7 days.

These are Pia Legong products:

Green Beans Pie (Mung bean pie)

Classical sense of originality in every bite of pia, is guaranteed to bring your tongue back in the past traveled charming. Green beans in the preparation of homemade cooking options, making the flavor never be forgotten. Pia perfect leather wrapped green beans processed until the original baked, the smell could not be rejected. So Appetite!

Chocolate Pie

Characteristic of this pia, lies in the original chocolate that is processed in the skin layer by layer in this crispy pia. It was a perfect blend. Milk Chocolate wrapped in the pia crispy skin, making the combination of chocolate flavors and blends perfectly in this legendary pia. So Chocolatier!

Cheese Pie

For fans of cheese, do not miss Pia cheese dish that characterizes us. So cheesy! The flavor of the cheese pia is very generous. This most choosen kind is indeed rich and addictive. The Pia has a crunchy texture, and it contains chopped chunks of cheese that fit on the tongue. Made of high quality cheddar cheese, make sure to never passed this one. Guaranteed, melt the cheese in the pia make anyone, fell in love with this one option. Happy cheesy!

Before coming to the store, make sure that Pia Legong you want to buy is available, by checking it in advance by phone (0361) 789 8777.

Kitchen House of Pia Legong:
Jl. By pass Ngurah Rai, Ruko Kuta Megah 12/L Kuta, Bali.

Source: PiaLegong.com

Related Books:

Legong - Dance of the Virgins (1935)

The Food of Bali: Authentic Recipes from the Island of the Gods (Food of the World Cookbooks)

Diving in Menjangan Island

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:02:00 +0000

If you love diving and adventure under the sea, you have to come to the island of Menjangan. It is located in the West Bali National Park. Water areas around the island is the destination of the travelers, since the underwater panorama is so wonderful. In fact, the underwater panorama of Menjangan Island is one of the most beautiful in the world.

Reefs made up to resemble terraces and on the wall to a depth of 50 meters. There is a blue coral, table coral reefs and various other types, and all of them were protected by government. People said that the beauty of the underwater panorama in this area is not less than the panoramic underwater in the Caribbean.

No wonder, this region has long been the scene of diving activities by foreign tourists. Usually, the tourists were crossed over to Menjangan Island in the morning and return to Bali island in the afternoon. Using a motor boat, crossed to the island of Pulau Menjangan Bali or vice versa, it takes about 30 minutes.

To get to the dive sites in Pulau Menjangan, tourists can go on to Labuhan Lalang the crossings. Located approximately 10 kilometers north of Port Gilimanuk. Go to the location of this crossing, travelers subject to a levy of Rp 2,500 per person and can hire a boat for Rp 250 thousand for five hours.

These boats can carry a maximum of 12 passengers. Typical of this boat is, the deck is made of glass so that tourists can enjoy the panoramic view from the boat underwater. The design was prepared for the tourists who are reluctant to dive, but want to enjoy the underwater panorama.

Those who want to dive in the waters of Pulau Menjangan, but worry about getting lost in the sea because they do not know the terrain, can hire an experienced dive guide. If you are reluctant to dive, you can enjoy snorkeling at the beauty of the underwater panorama. And after all that, you can spend time lounging, swimming, or bathing on the beach in this uninhabited island.

As the name implies, this island was inhabited by many deer (menjangan). While relaxing in this island, don't be surprised if a bush horned animal suddenly appeared from behind. That was a deer. The deer population on the island used to quite a lot. However, due to a number of irresponsible people hunting them, the deer population on the island, shrinking. Government seems to realize it. Conservation by the government to Menjangan Island by putting it in West Bali National Park zone, is a step to protect the habitat of deer from extinction.

Not only coral reefs and deer, West Bali National Park, also known as the Bali starling bird habitat or white starling. Couple years ago, hundreds of birds and blue-eyed white fur that inhabit the forest area in West Bali National Park. However, again caused by ignorant hands, a bird that cost could reach Rp 50 million per cow was hunted down and destroyed now. Luckily, there are still starlings breeding on Nusa Penida, Klungkung regency.

Related books:

Diving Bali: The Underwater Jewel of Southeast Asia (Periplus Action Guides)

Nyepi: Balinese Day of Silence

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 07:32:00 +0000

What if suddenly the whole world become quiet along one day. No one is out of the house, no cars, and no lights anywhere at night in the city. The only sound was the dogs barking, leaves rustling in the branches, and the chirping of birds.

That's what happen in Nyepi Day; the annual Day of Silence, a Balinese Hindu holiday that ushers in the New Year. For a full 24 hours starting at 6 a.m., Balinese Hindus were urged to remain silent and engage in introspection.

The environmental activist initiated 'Nyepi concept' for the whole world. They called it The World Silent Day. This has been campaigned through Nyepi Day movie which played in front of the UNFCCC delegates in Nusa Dua couple years ago. Nyepi is introduced as an event that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the island of the Gods themselves Nyepi can reduce emissions by up to 20 thousand tons.

PROMO: Nyepi Package Hotel Deals!
Bali Rani Hotel
Grand Kuta Hotel and Residence
Harris Hotel Seminyak

According to Hinduism, there are four restrictions that must be obeyed during Nyepi day, the so-called Chess Berata Penyepian:

First, Amati Geni, which means restrictions to lit a fire, cooking, and lights.

Second, Amati Karya, means the absence of all kind work activities. We may not doing nothing at home, all day and all night long, except meditating in order to purify the mind.

Third, Lelanguan Amati, which means no fun or entertainment. Do not watch TV, do not play games, listen to music, do not eat nor drink, and do not tweet or update your facebook.

Fourthly, Observe Lelungan, means no traveling. This causes the streets and around the city is just like a ghost town.

Nyepi primarily aims to purify human nature, and also of the universe. Therefore, before and after the day of Nyepi there are some common rituals performed by the Hindus. They made offerings for Buta Kala (the symbol of evil), so he would not disturb people (called Mecaru ceremony), parading around the ogoh-ogoh, that is a kind of sculpture that is usually made grim-faced and ugly as a symbol of Buta Kala, which is then burned (called Pengrupukan ceremony).

There is also a ritual that wash away all the dirt into the sea as a symbol of purification (called Melasti ceremony), and the last after D-day there are events and mutual visits between relatives and and ask for forgiveness. This is all done so that Hindus have an inner readiness to undergo the new year.

And what about the non-Hindu in Bali?

"This day is a chance for family gatherings at home," said Intan Alwi (34), moslem woman who live in Bebalang, Bangli. "Well, me and my family loves Nyepi day because everyone in the family will stay at home, so we have time to talk or having a quality time as a family, although it's only for one day. We rarely have that chance on the normal daily life cause everyone has his own business outside the house."

To ensure the smooth continuity of Nyepi, in every village there are special security officers called Pecalang. They were dressed in black and white custom and they will walking around to ensure no fuss, no lights from the houses, and also in case if there are people who have rushed to the hospital.

Nyepi can be one day off or a pause that is effective for each person to take a breath for a moment to think more clearly again the next day. While also letting nature take a break from the touch of human hands. So i think it's a good idea if local knowledge is not only happening in Bali, but also in Indonesia or even worldwide. World Silent Day will be a great day if one day come true.

Let's vote at worldsilentday.org

Books about Bali:

Fragrant Rice: My Continuing Love Affair with Bali by Janet De Neefe

Sticky Rice Cake in Brown Sugar Sauce

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:33:00 +0000

Sticky rice cake in brown sugar sauce
(Jaja batun bedil)

I really love this sweet cake. Suitable as a dessert after a spicy Balinese meal. Named 'bullet cake' (batun bedil), because it appears like a basket of small bullet.

Here is a recipe to make this cake. Very easy. Enjoy :)

Dumplings:

1 cup glutinous rice flour
½ cup tapioca flour
¾ cup water
¼ tsp salt

Make dumplings first. Place rice and tapioca flour in deep mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add water and salt, mix well and knead dough until it can be rolled and shaped. Dough should not be too dry. Roll small dumplings 1 cm (1/2 in) in diameter. Bring 4 liters (8 cups) of water to boil. Add dumplings, bring back to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set dumplings aside.

Sauce:

3 cups water 1 cup coconut milk 1/3 cup palm sugar syrup 1 pandan leaf Pinch of salt To make sauce, combine water, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandan leaf, and pinch of salt in small stockpot. Bring to boil. Add flour dumplings and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool and serve at room temperature.

To make palm sugar syrup:

Combine 2 cups of chopped palm sugar with 1 cup of water and 2 pandan leaves. Bring to boil, simmer 10 minutes, strain and store in refrigerator.

Source:
Baliguide.com

Books about Bali:

The Food of Bali: Authentic Recipes from the Island of the Gods (Food of the World Cookbooks)

The Bali Cookbook: Over 100 Delicious Recipes from Bali's Most Famous Chef

Dancing Out of Bali (Periplus Classics Series)

The Life and Loves of Antonio Blanco

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:08:00 +0000

Western explorers of the past is always hungry for exotic places to visit. So then came the phrase, "See Bali before you die."

Antonio Blanco (1912-1999) was a painter of Spanish and American descent. He was born in the Philippines, but grew up in the United States.

His desire to come to Bali inspired by Covarrubias's book, The Island of Bali. In 1952, he first stepped on the island of Bali, at the harbor area of Singaraja. At first he was not sure about staying in Bali, because the picture about Bali he gets from the book did not match what he saw. Then someone at the port of Singaraja advise him to go to Ubud. Blanco agreed.

When he arrived in Ubud, then he felt a tremendous atmosphere. The place is leafy, quiet, rice fields everywhere and winding rivers. The agrarian culture that surrounds Ubud, made Blanco fascinated. He was easy to get along with people of all classes. He also was very close with the royal family of Puri Saren, who owns Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud.

One day the King of Puri Saren Ubud, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati brought him walking around in the area of Ubud. At an altitude areas, they stopped. Blanco was so stunned by the scenery around him, and he was greatly admired the height of land.

Suddenly the King exclaimed, "You want to stay here, in this land?"

Blanco surprised. He then said, "But I have no money, no paintings have been sold."

The King smiled and replied, "You do not buy, I give you this land."

Blanco was very excited. Then, on that land, he built a very simple huts, where it eventually became the studio cottage painting.

The King of Ubud simply asked Blanco to promote Ubud to the world. Since then, Blanco was very excited to work at his paintings. And the atmosphere there was very supportive for his creative work as a painter.

And here comes the woman. We cannot talk about Antonio Blanco without talking about women because they are the focal point of his paintings. We could say that Antonio is a painter of the eternal feminine. He is a maestro of romantic-expressive painting.

A year later, he married a traditional Balinese dancer named Ni Ronji. She then become a source of inspiration of many of his paintings.

The Blanco Renaissance Museum, his lifetime dream, was opened on December 28, 1998. The place expose more than 300 works of Blanco.

The life and work of Antonio Blanco was so inspiring that an Indonesian film company decided to turn his biography into a movie. At first, the movie was produced as a television mini series entitled Api Cinta Antonio Blanco. Following the success of the mini series, the story adapted into a giant screen version, The Color of Love (1997) and Bali Forever (2007).

The Books:
Island Of Bali by Miguel Covarrubias

Museums In Indonesia, including: Museum Rudana, Museum Puri Lukisan, Purbakala Archaeological Museum, Le Mayeur Museum, Museum Semarajaya, Blanco ... Bali Museum, Fine Art And Ceramic Museum

Bali Star Coral for Valentine's Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:02:00 +0000

Alex Carroll is auctioneer what may be the world's rarest timekeeper this Valentines Day... and hopes to raise trillions for brotherly love with the payoffs.

The world's most expensive clock up to now (a Breguet) sold at a Sothebys auction sale in 1999 for $ 5.7 Million. This one is rarer. Because unlike the Breguet clocks of which writtens matter and reproductions have already been had this one is out of the question to replicate or repeat.

The 20 Million yr old handcrafted Crown Jewel of the Sea timekeeper is the only one of its variety in the world. It is made from a one-of-a-kind by nature nitty gritty formed piece of fossilized Bali Star Coral paired with the worlds largest collection of extremely uncommon naturally meat formed compositions of red sea glass.

It comes with a coordinated Au pendent created with the most unflawed piece of naturally heart and soul formed red sea glass ever found oneself.

The Crown Jewel of the Sea timekeeper is # 1 in Carrolls limited edition serial of handcrafted "Heart Rock Clocks" - of which alone 100 be in the world.

It is the only one of its variety in the series. All of the earnings-es from it will be given to the achievers brotherly love of option.

Setting out Bid: $ 1,000,000.00.

Will Prince William get the clock for his rook and the chandelier for Kate with all the gains going to their brotherly love? It's more than likely. Buckingham Palace is home to the world’s largest collection of rare clocks, and both William and Kate enjoy the beach (they spent their honeymoon in that location), and the creator, Alex, has contacts to the royal family.

So, how about your Valentine's day gift this year? :)

Here are some gift ideas:
Valentine's Day Top Gift Ideas
Jewelry - Gifts for Every Valentine, Selections up to 70 Off
Find the Perfect Jewelry Gift
Sterling Silver Coral Heart-Shaped Bali Inspired Pendant, 18"
Flowers for the One You Love
Clothing - Valentine's Day Shop
Valentine's Day - Romance Movies

Books about Bali:
Diving Bali: The Underwater Jewel of Southeast Asia (Periplus Action Guides)

Balinese Temple Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:47:00 +0000

Every temple and shrine has a special date for it annual ceremony, or called odalan, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this, practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day, etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a temple is considered it’s birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used, then the celebration always happens on a new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the umbul-umbul, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the temple gate put up penjor, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land. Most beautiful to see are the girls in the colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which they carry their load on their heads.

Sources:
International Bali Post

Books about Balinese:

The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, and History in a Peasant Village
The Balinese (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology)
Balinese Gardens
Introduction to Balinese Architecture (Periplus Asian Architecture Series)

The Mystical Trunyan

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:29:00 +0000

The village of Trunyan is squeezed tightly between the lake and the outer crater rim of Batur, an almighty volcano in Kintamani. This is a Bali Aga village, inhabited by descendants of the original Balinese, the people who predate the arrival of the Hindu Majapahit kingdom in the 16th century.

It is famous for the Pura Pancering Jagat temple, but unfortunately visitors are not allowed inside. There are also a couple of traditional Bali Aga-style dwellings, and a large banyan tree, which is said to be more than 1,100 years old. At Kuban sub-village close to Trunyan is a mysterious cemetery that is separated by the lake and accessible only by boat – there is no path along the steep walls of the crater rim.

The village of Trunyan itself is situated at the edge of Batur Lake. This location is inaccessible except by boat, and it takes around half an hour across the calm waters. Getting to Lake Batur takes around two hours drive to the northeast of Denpasar along the main road to Buleleng and through Bangli Regency.

Unlike the Balinese people, the people of Trunyan do not cremate or bury their dead, but just lay them out in bamboo cages to decompose, although strangely the is no stench. A macabre collections of skulls and bones lies on the stone platform and the surrounding areas. The dead bodies don’t produce bad smells because of the perfume scents from a huge Taru Menyan tree growing nearby. Taru means ‘tree’ and menyan means ‘nice smells’. The name of Trunyan was also derived from these two words.

The women from Trunyan are prohibited from going to the cemetery when a dead body is carried there. This follows the deeply rooted belief that if a woman comes to the cemetery while a corpse is being carried there, there will be a disaster in the village, for example a landslide or a volcanic eruption. Such events have been frequent in the village’s history, but whether women had anything to do with it is a matter of opinion...

You can visit both the village of Trunyan and the Kuban cemetery by charted boat from Kedisan. Sadly, nowadays the boat trips are now blatant tourist traps, as touts and guides strongly urge you to donate your cash to the temple project or leave a donation for the dead. These touts ruin an otherwise fascinating experience. (IBP)

Sources:
International Bali Post
Pic: arumsekartaji

Related books:

The Secret Temple of Kintamani
Indonesian Folktales (World Folklore Series)
Locality and Belonging (European Association of Social Anthropologists)

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Seafood Sensation: Dinner Experience at Jimbaran

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:32:00 +0000

People should have, at least one time in their life, a dining experience in Jimbaran, Bali.

Yes, various kinds of fresh seafood cuisine served at our table while we are enjoying the beach at night. Have a nice dinner, close to the strains of the waves, did provide extraordinary sensation, with those tempting fresh seafood dishes at our table.

Jimbaran is very well-known as one of the beaches in Bali that offer culinary night packages to the visitors. The place has become the new downtown in the quiet village Kedonganan. Restaurants serves seafood scattered all along the coast.

The dinner style at Jimbaran Bali begins with a warm welcome from the waiters, and guests may sat in chairs provided. Chairs and tables arranged in the sand beach extends from the entrance to the restaurant to the sea.

The waiter promptly provide appetizers: fried peanuts. And when the main course is served; each given a plate of seafood ranging from fish, shellfish, squid, shrimp or even crab sauce plus fed coconut oil and onion pieces.

While we enjoy the food, the singers will come to entertain, with acoustic instrument; guitar, violin, bass or percussion. While eating and enjoying the music, we can freely look into the dark sea that reflected light from the lights of fishing boats or see star-studded sky.

Books about Bali:

Jimbaran la nuit: Roman (Voix d'Europe) (French Edition)
Lonely Planet Bali Encounter

Bangli: A Quiet and Nice Place to Write

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:10:00 +0000

If you are a writer, then you will love living in Bangli. It's such a quiet place to write. More than any other place in this island.

I've lived in Bangli for decades and realize that this place is not easily affected by changing times. One thing that has not changed in Bangli; its nature as the cleanest and most comfortable district in the country. We even had won awards from the government for that.

Bangli located 40 kilometers from Denpasar or right in the middle of the island of Bali. This is the only district in Bali which is not facing the ocean and has no beach. Bangli Area is about 521 km2, and population of about 200.000.

Up till 1907, Bangli was one of the nine kingdoms of Bali. The capital has a famous Hindu temple, the Pura Kehen, which dates from the 11th century.

King Ida of Lord Sri Guru Adikunti Kentana that reigned at that time make every effort to address the spread of plague. After recovering the situation at 10 years of Paro Light, Maula market day, POND, Chandra, Wuku Klurut or rather May 10, 1204, he ordered his son Dhana Goddess Ketu invites residents back to Bangli. Together in order to improve their homes.

The king also ordered that all the people in the Temple Loka Serana, Village Bangli, adding offspring. Residents allowed to clear the forest to make fields and waterways.

Today, the district store a number of promising potential of the human resources, including the beautiful panorama of Mount and Lake Batur located in the district of Kintamani. Kintamani is renowned worldwide as a tourist attraction panoramic cool climates.

Trunyan village in Kintamani are also popular attraction in Bangli. It is a Bali Aga (ancient Bali) village that has a unique procedure for handling the bodies of people died. The best time to visit the village of Trunyan between the hours of 10am until 2pm, when fog blanketed this area yet.

There is also Pura Langgar in Bangli; the temple area, which is include Langgar (mosque) building in it. It is a symbol of the nature of inter-religious tolerance in Bali.

Climate and air circulation around the mountains make Bangli relatively high rainfall. The rainy season, which is generally avoided by tourists, took place in January, March, April, and December.

Some Bangli's artists creates bamboo crafts, woods crafts, garments, custom clothes, and accessories made by gold, silver and brass, etc. Several excellent products in agricultural sector from Bangli are Arabica coffee and citrus (orange).

Well, how about spend your time to write in Bangli next time you visit Bali?! :)
See you around.

Books about Bali:

The Secret Temple of Kintamani
Life Cycle Ceremonies in Trunyan, Bali: Upacara - Upacara Lingkaran Hidup Di Trunyan, Bali

Hatten Wines: Original Taste of Bali

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:09:00 +0000

Looking for some nice wine? ;)

In Bali, there apparently has been producing wine with grapes from the original homeland. Namely Hatten Wines, located in Sanur. Gus Rai, the owner, has long struggled in the business of alcohol in wine products (coconut gin) and brem (coconut wine). He has been producing wine fermentation since 1994.

Although relatively new manufacturer, but in fact, Hatten Wines have gained world recognition in the International Wine & Spirits Competitions 2003, and continuously export their products to Europe and around the world.

Bali's tropical climate seems to have created a unique wine character that is not found elsewhere in the world. One of the grape varieties that thrive in Bali namely Alphonse-Lavallée, who grew up in Northern Bali, in the beautiful lush area of Singaraja.

In this area, Hatten Wines own and harvest 14.5 hectares of succulent grapes. With over 14 years of development and improvement Hatten Wines now have 8 enjoyable wine styles. Hatten Wines aim is to produce quality wines that are suited for both the tropical climate and the spicy and delicious food of Indonesia.

Here are some Hatten Wines tasting notes for you :)

Rosé

AGA Red

AGA White

Alexandria

Jepun

Tunjung

Pino de Bali - White

Pino de Bali - Red

Both Pino White and Red are well integrated with alcohol, the finish is sweet on the palate and a touch hot. Delicious before dinner drink, highly recommended with a cheese board.

Two Islands – Chardonnay

Two Islands – Shiraz

For more info:
Hattenwines.com

Great works of wines:

Oenophilia Bali 12-Bottle Wine Rack, Ebony black/brown
The Wine Bible
The Little Black Book of Wine

The Black and White of Bali

noreply@blogger.com (Rina Nazrina) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:25:00 +0000

You may often see this in black and white cloth in Bali. People put it everywhere. As their clothes, wrapped around trees, fitted on statues, put on the table, as banners, umbrellas, and other decorations. It's just everywhere.

What exactly is the meaning of this black and white thing for the people of Bali?

It's actually called saput poleng, means a cloth with the opposite color. Saput poleng has become part of the religious life of Hindus in Bali. The cloth was used for sacred and profane.

I Ketut Rupawan, from the Institute of Hindu Dharma Denpasar has doing scientific research. The thesis was later edited into a book in such a way and is now circulating more widely in society.

According to Ketut Rupawan's research, saput poleng form was diverse. For example in terms of color, size, decoration, edge decoration, fabric, and size of the boxes. Based on color, there are three kinds of saput poleng, there called rwabhineda (black and white), sudhamala (white, gray, black), and tridatu (white, black, red). But the first kind of saput poleng used by ancient Hindus are rwabhineda.

The development of this color also reflects the level of human thought, from the simple to the more complex development.

Philosophical meaning of saput poleng rwabhineda, is to realize rwabhienda itself. According to Hindu ideology, rwabhineda means two opposite properties, namely black and white, good-bad, north-south, the long-short, high-low, and so on.

If it is associated with Tri Murti God, red symbolizes Brahma as the creator, black symbolizes Vishnu as a custodian, and white symbolizes Shiva as the fuser. Tri Murti God is associated with birth, life and death.

Books about Bali:

Bali: Sekala & Niskala
Healing Performances of Bali: Between Darkness and Light
Rangda: Bali's Queen of the Witches
Bali: A Travel Adventure (Travel Adventure Series)