THE BALI ART FESTIVAL

In evening of 20 June 1979, the people of Denpasar and some other areas in Bali poured out onto the Puputan Badung Square on Surapati Street to witness the first ever Bali Art Festival Even though they often had performance of art at the temple or at the banjar (traditional meeting place), the Bali Art Festival attracted a lot of attention from the local people who were interested enough to travel long distances to witness the event. Art performances of the eight regencies were presented at the procession of the Bali Art Festival and thus opened the eyes of the Balinese upon the rich collection of art and culture of the island.

The variety of Balinese art and culture had motivated Professor Dr Ida Bagus Mantra, who was the ruling governor of Bali to put them together in one stage performance. The exploration and the preservation of art and culture potentials in Bali were propagated by Ida Bagus Mantra while he was still Director General of Culture. Ideas to collect the variety of Balinese arts and culture had already been proposed when the provincial government built the Werdhi Budaya (Art Center) in Abian Kapas village in Denpasar.

The choice of location for the Taman Budaya at the cold suburban area of Denpasar and the building construction displays structural steps of exploring, preserving and developing the arts. Building for permanent exhibition, periodical exhibitions, stage performances, and the Ardha Candra open stage are built to cater for the activities of Balinese artist, to explore, to display, and to develop the various arts. The establishment of STSI (the Institute of Indonesian Arts) on the north side of the Taman Budaya further strengthens the concept of whole preservation of Balinese arts.

The construction of the Taman Budaya and the organization of the Bali Art Festival really support each other. Year after year, the Bali Art Festival takes place at the Taman Budaya, encouraging the great flow of people to witness the presentation of traditional and creative performances by local artists. Many kinds of performances, which are rarely brought to stage, then have opportunity to be presented the Bali Art Festival each year. In addition to performances of dance and music, which are the highlights of the festival, classical literature reading, the fine arts, handicraft, and also creative and contemporary art work fill up the month-long event.

As a result, the Bali Art Festival does not only take part in the preservation of traditional Balinese arts, but it is also an event for tourism. The mid-year festival, which takes place between June and July, is a good time for presenting the arts on a large-scale performance as a tourist attraction. To organize the event in conjunction with the school holidays, and the peak season for tourism, Bali Art Festival is always flocked with visitors.

Until 2015, the Bali Art Festival celebrated the 27^th year of its organization. Children, who were used to be held in their mothers’ arms in the first five years of Bali Art Festival, then took part in as artists in the event, being seen by generation of 2000. It seems that the Bali Art Festival as an event for introducing and passing on the arts has become a medium of constant creativity for the Balinese.  

EAST BALI HORSE DRAWN BUGGY RIDE TOUR

The horse drawn buggy tour route are:

Firstly we stop at the largest market for bustle commercial sell and buy in the east of Bali island, then continue to attractive rural village into Bali's country side in the magic hearth of Bali for withness first hand the daily life of rural rice farmers, but during the trip you can stop whenever you choose to take photos and visit the local people, following 12 kilometers from the small village with beautiful rice field until the largest villages, we can see a Bali with amazing culture including a visit to see villagers harvesting rice if harvest season (you can join in) the tour guides will lead you leisurely passing long the quiet and secret back roads through the village and varied landscape of Bali. You will be able to see detail about the village daily life such as: vegetables farming paddy fields, then our journey will arrive in Gelgel was one the city of Bali' most powerful Dynasty, the town's decline started in 1710, and finished when the Dutch bombarded the place in 1908. From here, we go to the famous village where the classical Kamasan painting style originated, you can see their workshops and their studio along the street, the paintings depict traditional stories real Balinese calendars, the quality here is the best, the village here is also home to Gold & Black Smiths, Silver Smith with any design of arts, then the tour continue to the Kertagosa, The Hall of Justice and Bale Kambang; the ceiling of the beautiful "floating house" is painted in Klungkung Style, again, the defferent rows of paintings deal with various subjects the last visit to Museum Semar Jaya; Museum has an interesting collection of archeological, then drive by car to the local restaurant recommended for your Indonesian Buffet Lunch, after lunch back to your hotel.

Price Per Person:
Adult   : USD 65.00/Person
Child   : USD 45.00/Person

Pick-up Time at the hotel Area Kuta/Nusa Dua : 08:00 - 08:30 am
Pick-up Time at the hotel Area Ubud/Sanur       : 08:30 - 09:00 am

ROAD TO BALI

The only airport in Bali is the International Airport “Ngurah Rai”, located 14 Kilometers from the island’s capital Denpasar. It is one of the biggest airports in Asia. The main runway is capable of taking all kinds of planes. It has two terminals, one for domestic flights and the other one for international flights. The buildings have typical Modern and Balinese Architecture, completed with AC, VIP rooms, duty-free shops, banks, and various passenger services counters. Bus and taxi service is managed by the association of Bus & Taxi owners.

Ship to Bali may anchor at the harbor of Benoa (Denpasar, South part of Bali, have two side harbor one side for luxuries boat/cruises and the other side for fishing boat and merchant ship), Padangbai (Karangasem east Part of Bali, connecting Bali island and Lombok island) or Gilimanuk (Negara, West Part of Bali, connecting Bali Island and Java).

BALI NATURE

Land Scape & Seascape

If in other countries landscape & seascape are luxurious things and expensive, on the country, they are common things in Bali. The beauty of the land is the part of this life, so it is natural that people should protect it without any feeling that protecting is a must for them. Even though the technological development and the need of modern technological implements force some changing in its progress, it will become as nothing if we compare it with the other parts of the island which are allowed to be virgin forever. The beauties of the land exist anywhere; inserted between the very tiring tours, or peeping between the split setting sun’s smiles.

The Climate

The climate is fairly pleasant, with only two seasons a year, the dry season from March to September and the rainy season from September to March. However, very often the rain becomes too friendly with the people and it drop any time it pleases even during the dry season. The sky is cloudy and the air is humid, the sunshine always illuminating it during the years. Temperature ranges from an average minimum of 25^oC to an average maximum of 33^oC, except at the hill sides (of course!) where the temperature could sometimes drop to an average of 18^oC or even lower.

The Flora

Rice is the chief product of the fields besides tropical vegetables, maize, peanut, and beans – especially Soya-beans. The plantations mainly produce coffee for local consumption and export, oranges which are also for local consumption and export, coconuts, bamboo, and within the last year’s people cultivate clove, tobacco, and Jambu Mete (Anacardiun Ocidentale).

Local timbers are not of good quality for building, the Jati (Teakwood) on this island are not too good. Wood for Bali is supplied from Kalimantan and Java, especially during the last years, as the local timbers become shorter and shorter.

The best woods for sculpture are ebony (black or black-brown), sabo or sawo (Manilkara kauki, brown and heavy), bentawas or mentaos (White and heavy), nangka (jackfruit-wood, yellow and brown, heavy) waru (Hibiscus, white, light, used only for painted carvings), randu (Kapok-wood balsa, white, light, used only for painted carvings), pangkal buaya (crocodile-skinned wood, white, heavy), kepelan (green brown, light, used only panels and frames), and pule (white, light, used only to make masks).

Besides the certain fruits which are only available during their seasons like mango (August to November), lychee (July to September), Watermelon (January to May), mangos teen (January to May), Durian (December to April), the hair-ringed fruits /Rambutan (January to May), and several others, there are various kind of fruits which are available anytime and anywhere. All the year people sell bananas, papayas, oranges, pal melons, pineapples, belimbings (Averrhoa Bilimbi), jackfruit, salaks (snake-skinned fruits), and many others.

Tropical vegetables for local consumption are supplied by the local farmers. Sub tropical vegetables are cultivated on the hillsides, but the variations are not more than cabbage, cauliflowers, beans, peas, lettuce, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots.

Flowers are planted to use in the many offerings the women prepare everyday. There is no intensive flower production, but farmer’s plant sub-tropical flowers and orchids on the hillsides to supply the cities, especially Denpasar and its surrounding tourist resorts. The famouse flowers are bunga pucuk or kembang sepatu (Hibiscus rosasinensis), jepun or kamboja (frangipani), kenanga or sandat (Canangium odoratum), cempaka (Michelia champaca), melati (Jasmin), and mawar (Rose). Banyan tree is only planted on the temple yards or holy places.   

The Fauna

Various birds fly everywhere. Some of them are good singers but the others, especially the small ones and chirp anytime, are good rice-eaters which are hated by farmers. Reptiles are found anywhere. One can always find the harmless garden lizards, iguanas, cicaks, toke (gecko) – two kind of small wall-lizards which are always found hunting for mosquitoes on the house walls – or sometimes an ular sawah (rice-field snake), a kind of black-brown small sake, which is harmless too. One can always find the exceptionally beautiful butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and many other insects.

Turtles are hunted for their meat, an important part of offerings for a certain ceremony; Pigs are raised by the Balinese house-wives while the Balinese husband keeps the colorful domestic cocks for fighting. Farmers breed their cattle not only for the beef but also to use for work in the rice fields. There is no ranch in Bali, but since long time ago this island is active exporter for Hong Kong and Singapore.

Buffalo are found only in the western parts of the island. Very often one finds a group of wild deer on the west coast, swimming across the narrow straits to or from the reservation of Blambangan peninsula in East Java. In the west part of Bali there Bali Starling Conservative to protect the Bali Starling (Jalak Bali) that almost totally disappeared.

NYEPI (DAY OF SILENCE)

Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isaawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar (in 2014, it falls on March 31). It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. Nyepi, a public holiday in Indonesia, is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New year.

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

The lead up to Nyepi day is as follows:

Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis (three days before Nyepi)
Melasti is meant to clean the pratima or arca or pralingga (statue), with symbols that help to concentrate the mind in order to become closer to God. The ceremony is aimed to clean all nature and its content, and also to take the Amerta (the source for eternal life) from the ocean or other water resources (ie lake, river, etc). Three days before Nyepi, all the effigies of the Gods from all the village temples are taken to the river in long and colourful ceremonies. There, they have are bathed by the Neptune of the Balinese Lord, the God Baruna, before being taken back home to their shrines.

Tawur Kesanga (the day before Nyepi) The Bhuta Yajna Ritual
Exactly one day before Nyepi, all villages in Bali hold a large exorcism ceremony at the main village cross road, the meeting place of demons. They usually make Ogoh-ogoh (the fantastic monsters or evil spirits or the Butha Kala made of bamboo) for carnival purposes. The Ogoh-ogoh monsters symbolize the evil spirits surrounding our environment which have to be got rid of from our lives . The carnivals themselves are held all over Bali following sunset. Bleganjur, a Balinese gamelan music accompanies the procession. Some are giants taken from classical Balinese lore. All have fangs, bulging eyes and scary hair and are illuminated by torches.The procession is usually organised by the Seka Teruna, the youth organisation of Banjar. When Ogoh-ogoh is being played by the Seka Teruna, everyone enjoys the carnival. In order to make a harmonic relation between human being and God, human and human, and human and their environments, Tawur Kesanga is performed in every level of society, from the people's house. In the evening, the Hindus celebrating Ngerupuk, start making noises and light burning torches and set fire to the Ogoh-ogoh in order to get the Bhuta Kala, evil spirits, out of our lives.

Nyepi
On Nyepi day itself, every street is quiet - there are nobody doing their normal daily activities. There is usually Pecalangs (traditional Balinese security man) who controls and checks for street security. Pecalang wear a black uniform and a Udeng or Destar (a Balinese traditional "hat" that is usually used in ceremony). The Pecalangs main task is not only to control the security of the street but also to stop any activities that disturb Nyepi. No traffic is allowed, not only cars but also people, who have to stay in their own houses. Light is kept to a minimum or not at all, the radio or TV is turned down and, of course, no one works. Even love making, this ultimate activity of all leisure times, is not supposed to take place, nor even attempted. The whole day is simply filled with the barking of a few dogs, the shrill of insect and is a simple long quiet day in the calendar of this otherwise hectic island. On Nyepi the world expected to be clean and everything starts anew, with Man showing his symbolic control over himself and the "force" of the World, hence the mandatory religious control.

The Nyepi Rituals are performed as follows:
•    Amati Geni: No fire or light, including no electricity
•    Amati Karya: No working
•    Amati Lelunganan: No travelling
•    Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment

Ngembak Geni (the day after Nyepi)
Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is over and Hindus societies usually visit to forgive each other and doing the Dharma Canthi. Dharma Canthi are activities of reading Sloka, Kekidung, Kekawin, etc.(ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics).

From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, eg humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. Balinese Hindus have many kind of celebrations (some sacred days) but Nyepi is, perhaps the most important of the island's religious days and the prohibitions are taken seriously, particularly in villages outside of Bali's southern tourist belt. Hotels are exempt from Nyepi's rigorous practices but streets outside will be closed to both pedestrians and vehicles (except for airport shuttles or emergency vehicles) and village wardens (Pecalang) will be posted to keep people off the beach. So wherever you happen to be staying on Nyepi Day in Bali, this will be a good day to spend indoors. Indeed Nyepi day has made Bali a unique island.

BALI PROVINCE ADMINISTRATION

Bali is one of Province of Indonesia Archipelago led by an elected Governor. For governmental administration purpose the island is divided into 8 Kabupaten (Regencies): Badung, Bangli, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Karangasem, Klungkung, and Tabanan, and one municipality, the Kotamadya of Denpasar. Each Kabupaten (Regency) is headed by a Bupati (Regent), while the municipality of Denpasar is led by a Walikota (Mayor).

Every Kabupaten, and Kotamadya, consists of several Kecamatan (Districts), which are headed by Camats (the Chief of the District). A Kecamatan has several Desa-Administratips, the administrative village, with an elected Chief of Administrative Village Kepala Desa/Perbekel in every village to manage the governmental administration. Beside the Kepala Desa/Perbekel there are several traditional Chiefs of village, The Bendesa Adats, who are responsible for the traditional and religious affairs in every Desa Adat (Village Custome), the Traditional Village. Usually a Desa Adat has a smaller area than the Desa-Administratip, which means there are several Desa Adats in a Desa-Administratip.

The smallest society is a Banjar, the association of a number of families, with its various sub-associations (women association (PKK), youth club (Sekaa Truna Truni), Traditional Music Club (Sekaa Gong), Dance Group, etc). A Banjar is led by its two elected Chiefs, The Kelian Dinas who assists the Kepala Desa/Perbekel, and the traditional chief Kelian Adat who assists the Bendesa Adats. The condition and the progress of a Banjar’s members could be easily indicated by the condition of its Public hall Balai Banjar, and its alarm-drums tower, the Bale Kul-Kul.

ABOUT BALI

Bali is one of the province of Indonesian archipelagos, which is divided into 8 districts Gianyar, Klungkung, Karangasem, Bangli, Buleleng, Tabanan, Jembrana, and Badung regency, plus the city is the provincial capital of Denpasar.

Bali province itself is an island called Bali and has other small islands namely Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Menjangan Island.

Bali is famous for its cultural tourism, has grown since the arrival of Dutch merchant ships led by Admiral Cornelius de Houtman in 1679 in order to set sail in search of spices, when he got in Bali, it became obvious there were no spices at all but many unique inhabitants with completely different life style from those of any other islands they had ever seen. Finally Houtman sailed back to his base-port of Batavia, in Java, with nothing but a bundle of reports about a “new” island he had found, the island which was called by its habitants : “Bali !” and from then on the name of Bali spread rapidly throughout Europe, and the world.

Today, Bali, which is still called Bali, lives in the 21th century along with other parts of the world. Nearly three and half century after it was “found” by Houtman its requirements probably are not too much different from the needs of any other region but Bali today is not the same as the Bali Houtman had seen three and half centuries ago. There have been improvements made by the progress of modern technology for the comfort of Bali’s guests. However, what so called changes have been made are not more than an outward appearance, just gratifications to comfort the guests’ outward life, while inwardly the culture of Bali itself is still the Bali of centuries ago.

The ceremonies the people perform for their deities, and the customs the people retain, or the traditions they protect among the fast stream of technological developments, all are kept up as is the life style itself.

JIMBARAN

Jimbaran Bay is fringed by one of the best beaches in Bali. The sand is fine and white, and the calm waters make it very suitable for swimming, children and adults alike. The southern end of the beach close to the Four Seasons Resort is the quietest but the whole stretch is very pleasant indeed.

Arrive at around 5PM, take a seat in one of the restaurants located on the beach, order food drink, and enjoy the romantic sunset while waiting for your orders. The sunsets in Jimbaran are very beautiful.

A traditional fish market is located at the northern end of the bay right by the beach at the junction with Jalan Tukad Ayung. The catch comes in every morning here and customers include most of Bali's fine dining restaurants. All manner of fish and shellfish are on available. Best to visit between 6AM-9AM.

NUSA DUA

Nusa Dua is known as an enclave of large international 5-star resorts in south-eastern Bali. It is located 40 kilometres from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, and administered under Kuta South District. Nusa Dua means two islands.

Geger Beach is located in Sawangan, about 3 kilometers from the southern area of Nusa Dua. The sea here is calm so farmers grow seaweedhere and tourists swim here

Immediately north of Nusa Dua enclave is the peninsula of Tanjung Benoa that includes less exclusive hotels and Benoa village. A multi-denominational area, it includes a mosque, and Chinese and Hindu temples in close proximity. Much of the beach's sand was eroded away following the mining of the nearby barrier reef for construction materials.

Benoa Port is also located here for yachts and small ships previously, but in December 2012 became Benoa Cruise International Terminal of turnaround port to serve both embarkation and debarkation of cruise passengers. As turnaround port tourists can arrive by plane and leave by a cruise ship or conversely.[2]

On December 26, 2012 the Bali Governor signed permit to utilize, develop and manage the Benoa Bay area. Reclamation of an 838 hectares by PT Tirta Wahana Bali International will be used for luxury tourist facilities such as hotels, villas apartments, international hospital, and entertaintment centers including a Disneyland-like theme park.

BLUE POINT BEACH

Bali island seemed almost inseparable from the words "Beautiful Beach Tourism" because it is rich in fact Bali Beach Beautiful including Blue Point Coastal Tourism Bali. Keep in mind, if the Blue Point Beach is different from other beaches in Bali, even in Indonesia. Blue Point beach is located in the area of Uluwatu exactly one line with 2 other attractions that Dream Land Beach and Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument. Well, what is the difference between Blue Point Beach with other beach in Bali? And what is beauty to be found on the beaches?

According to its name 'Blue Point' which means (The Landscape with a Blue Beach) because it's when you've got Blue Point Beach Resort, which will make you excited is a blue color ocean as far as the eye could see, and nothing else? Of course not! Blue point that makes it look different to the other beaches in Bali is located surrounded by high cliffs, where his regular sand beach surrounded by the sea. From the cliff you will see the scenery so spectacular, the ocean is dark blue pamper your eyes.

For those of you who want to enjoy the beach, you have to climb down first through the steps that have been supplied by local people, located between the cliffs. When you've arrived at the shore, you will see high waves his average is 2-4 meters, then the Blue Point Beach surfers make this as one of their favorite beaches.

But for those of you who want to enjoy the crystal clear beach with a smaller waves, you can come down from the left of the Blue Point, there are a stairs that lead you to the seashore where the way to the shore you will pass a cliff cave, then go into the cave, after penetrating the cave, you will see the open ocean, there's the one part of the beach with its 'sand'. Here is his usual foreign and local tourists, sunbathing and soaking in the seaside.

DREAMLAND BEACH

Dreamland Beach is a tourist resort located in the south of Bali in an area named Pecatu. Dreamland beach surrounded by cliffs towering, and surrounded by a fairly large rocks around the beach. This beach is the location within the complex Pecatu Graha Bali (Kuta Golf Links Resort) which is about 30 minutes from Kuta beach.

Dreamland beach itself is almost similar to the Kuta beach. White sand and a steep gully eye sight are so appealing to the eye. Location of white sandy beach just below the narrow steep rock walls perfect for enjoying the sunset or simply watch the surfer’s attractions. The waves were high and great demand by fans of water sports surfing (surfing), even Dreamland surf spot has become a sort of new to the area of Bali.

Dreamland was given the name because it was first in the area there is a housing project and tourist attraction. But the project is delayed and neglected while the villagers Pecatu who once lived as farmers really hope the project is completed and they could pursue other business in the field of tourism. Because that land around the beach called Dreamland

GARUDA WISNU KENCANA

Designed and built by Nyoman Nuarta, one of Indonesia’s foremost modern sculptor, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue or GWK and its pedestal building will be standing 150 meters tall with its wings span 64 meters across.

Made from more than 4000 tons of copper and brass, the statue is picturing Lord Wisnu, as the source of wisdom, riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda as the manifestation of conscience toward Amerta, the perennial goodness.

The statue and its pedestal will be surrounded by more than 240 hectares cultural park which was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. The cultural park will provide attractions for both local and foreign visitors with supporting facilities such as Lotus Pond, Festival Park, Amphitheater, Street Theater, Exhibition Hall, as well as Jendela Bali The Panoramic Resto and souvenir shop. At present time, the statue of Wisnu, the statue of Garuda, and the hands of Wisnu have been placed temporarily in three different plazas within the park.

GWK Cultural Park is intended to educate, especially the young generations about the importance of preserving and cultivating world’s cultural heritage.

The Statue of Wisnu

As the anchor point of GWK, the 20 meter tall copper statue of the Lord Wisnu has been placed temporarily on the highest hill of Ungasan where visitors can enjoy sunset or sunrise over the magnificent view of Kuta, Benoa and Sanur.

The statue of Wisnu is an illustration of the Almighty God in maintaining and caring all life and its being. The god Wisnu is the owner of Amerta in the form of water as the source of fertility , giving wealth and life to the universe.

The Statue of Garuda

Right behind the Plaza Wisnu is the Plaza Garuda where the 18 meters tall statue of Garuda placed temporarily.

At the present time, Plaza Garuda becomes the focal point of a massive alley of carved limestone pillars which covers more than 4000 sqm open space area namely Lotus Pond. The colossal limestone pillars and monumental Garuda statue make Lotus Pond a very exotic space. With its room capacity that can accommodate up to 7000 people, Lotus Pond has gained good reputation as the perfect place to hold big and international events.

The Statue of Wisnu’s Hands

The statue of Wisnu’s hands was added to GWK Cultural Park in 2007. It’s one step closer to finishing the complete Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. This piece was placed temporarily on Tirta Agung area.

KUTA

Once a lonely little village on the road from Denpasar to Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now the tourist Mecca of Bali, popular mainly among the young and adventurous. Kuta beach is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west. The sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport's runway, which gives the visitors a breathtaking landing experience. Kuta Beach bustles with tourists' vendors and locals. It's the most popular beach in Bali and the island's number one party zone. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, the waves will invite to surfing. Rapid development and an influx of visitors haven't kept the surfers away and Kuta still remains one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle.

While the surfers are still part of the Kuta scene, it's the shopping, nightlife and party vibes that attracts thousands of visitors. There's a huge choice of accommodation, restaurants and entertainment. The accommodation in Kuta range from a modest home stay for a few dollars a night to luxurious, five star, international hotels costing several hundred to several thousand dollars a night. Legian Street, situated directly behind the row of hotels that face the beach, is lined with shops of all varieties. We can find any Balinese handicrafts here, from the least expensive to the most exquisite; or unique stores such as the leather store staffed by two young Balinese men that will perfectly sculpt a leather jacket. (They are all extremely talented artists). _At night, Kuta is alive with night life. Western influences create discotheques, dance clubs, and pubs. Gastronomical demands inspire a multitude of restaurants, serving traditional Indonesian and Balinese food to various ethnic meals from Japan, Switzerland, etc. As if these were not enough, various Balinese dance performances are staged in Kuta every night. One of the best Kecak performances is found in Kuta.

GITGIT WATERFAL

Gitgit Waterfall is a beautiful tourist destination in north part of Bali. Gitgit waterfall is located in the plateau area with the height about 35 meters and it is surrounded by tropical tree and emits the constantly natural water debit during the year. Waterfall voice around the charming nature was amazing and it was the separate attraction which can be enjoyed by each visitor who comes to visit. There are some plantations protecting the rain forest around the waterfall and in this place we often met the wild monkey to get the water from this waterfall.

Gitgit Waterfall is one of the famous tourist destinations in Bali which is located in Gitgit countryside, Sukasada sub district and about 10 Km from Singaraja Town or about 70 Km from Denpasar. It is set at height land about 300 meters above sea level. Beside of Gitgit, there is another important spot point like the monument for hero struggle of Singaraja resident who dead on the battle against the Dutch colonialist. This monument is called Bhuwana Pangkung Bangka. This Monument is extant monument and idol of people struggle action against the Dutch colonization. This monument is located in Gitgit countryside and Sukasada sub district and about 17 Km from Singaraja Town . It is situated on the hill bank. The facilities are available at Gitgit Waterfall is consisted of the parking area, restaurant and art shop. It is not far from the waterfall place, there is a place for taking a rest while enjoy the beauty panorama of rice terrace and Buleleng Beach. In order to visit the Gitgit waterfall, all visitors will follow the walkway down until the spot point. This road is one of the omissions in Dutch era where the local resident uses it to access other regions. On 1975, this waterfall is opened as tourist destinations in north part of Bali . Since it is appointed as a tourist destination in Bali, many tourists from domestic and foreign countries visits this waterfall and it is one of the famous tours in Bali visit this place.

SEMBIRAN

If somebody ask about the oldest village in Bali then the answer should be one: Sembiran. It is the nme of a village, thet lies about 30 kilometers to the east of Singaraja.

It was fond there that 17 out of its 20 temples contain a number of Megalithic relics. The inhabitants beliave that they are the descendants of the people of Medang Kemulan kingdom, a kingdom in East Java of the 8th century. Eo far the language spoken there is influensed by the Bahasa Kawi, the ancient Javanese language. It is much different from the dialect of Bahasa Bali, the language which used by the Balinese in any other part of the island. They call themselves "Bali Aga" or "Bali Asli", the original Balinese natives. Sembiran can be reached drive up by a car for about 3 kilometers from the main road between Singaraja and Amlapura. Standing on this steep hill visitors can see to the North as far as the Java Sea, with the group of hills in between, and terraced fields spread miles away.

MUSEUM GEDONG KIRTYA

The idea come from two Dutchmen, F.S. Leifrinck and Doctor H.N. Van der Tuuk, at collect and house the Lontar book (palm leaf book). Then a private institution named "Kirtya Liefrinck-Van der Tuuk" was establish in 1928, with its main duty collecting and studying Lontars from all over Bali and Lombok islands. Then this library is under the management of the Indonesian Government, in this case Education and Culture. The name was changed several years ago into a clearer name: Perpustakaan Lontar Gedong Kirtya, the Gedong Kirtya Lontar Library, and nowaday the library status changed become a museum (Museum Gedong Kirtya). The collection was increased by a large number of Lontars and ordinary book of Balinese literature, including some prasastis, the written metal-plate documents of the earliest Pejeng Dynasty (9th century).

LOVINA

Thae village is called Kalibukbuk, 12 kilometers to west of Singaraja, but since there is a bungalow compound named Lovina there people use this last easier name for the beach reaort.

Far away from the city's pollution Lovina offers its special powers of attraction with its quiet atmosphere and seascape as far as the eye can see. Bamboo huts spread over the coconut grove shades, in harmony with the stretched fishermen's net along the shore. Here and there the rice-field lie in silence. During the night the frogs snd crickets and grasshoppers and earthworms never forget to present their beautiful natural music.

This a long beach beach link several villages in row along the road to Gilimanuk: Tukad Mungga, Kalibukbuk, Tasikmadu, Bunut Panggang, Yeh Kuning, and Temukus.

ULUWATU TEMPLE

Unlike the other temples in Bali which always face the South, or the West, or the South-West, the temple of Uluwatu is facing the North-East. That means it has a close link with Rudra, the deity who has seat at the South-West point of the compass.

This temple was built, most probably, in 976 AD, when Bali was under the rule of Warmadewa and his family. Since it was here that a well known priest Dang Hayang Niratha to Moksha, release from the cycle of life and death which in Balinese language is called Ngaluhur, it is called Pura Luhur, the place where the holy priest was Ngaluhur.

Very often this place is used by mystics to practice meditation. The temple is located at the top of rocky cliff, about 50 meters above the sea level. Anytime it can be shaken by the strong wavew of the Indian Ocean. In the evening the visitor can see the Sunset while enjoy performance of Kecak Api (the Fire Kecak dance).

KERTAGOSA

Kertagosa was built in the 17th century, when Bali was ruled by the dynasty of King Kresna Kepakisan. Kertagosa itself is the name of building, one of the buildings in alage area around the king of Klungkung’s palce. The palace itself, Puri Semarapura, was destroyed during the war between the Dutch and the Kingdoms in Bali, at the beginning of the 20th century.

Separated from the Puri (Palace) lies a complex of justice buildings they are the Hall of Justice “Kertagosa”, the Floating Hall “Bale Kambang”, and the water pool surrounding, which all are called “Taman Gili”. The ceilings of these buildings are covered by paintings on fibrous cement  sheets. The original paintings were done with traditional Balinese colors on canvas, then letter replaced a new in 1930 by using the fibrous cement sheets, and again were renewed in 1960. the paintings are the sample of early traditional arts before being influenced by outlandish styles and techniques.

TENGANAN

A legend tells the story of king Bedahulu who lost his favorite horse one day, and found it dead somewhere else. The people of Tenganan who were following him that search then asked the king to reward them the land as far as the smell of the dead horse covered.

But the farther they walked the more the smell accompanied them, and it only ended after a few days when their leader pulled out a large piece of rotten flesh from under his dress.

Tenganan is one of the Bali Aga villages in Bali, the village of original Balinese, with its own customs and traditions differing from other parts. This place is known as the only place where people make the famous Kamben Gringsing, a special tied-dyed woven cloth using traditional colors. Sometimes its complicated process takes as long as five years for a piece.

The unique ceremonies in this village mostly occur one a year. One of them is the famous Rejang dance with the Gamelan Selonding accompaniment (Selonding: a kind of percussion music which is only found in this village), and the Perang Pandan attraction or Mekare – kare, a ceremony in which the men have to fight with thorned pandanus palm leaves for weapons. The medical care for the wounded dancers is the responsibility of the magicians who will, in this ceremony, show their magic powers.