Mountains and particularly volcanoes are believed to be the home of the gods. Shrouded in mystery and magic, they stretch skyward in majestic splendor. Bali 's main volcano is the still active and sometimes explosive. Gunung Agung, which is considered, sacred among local people as it is believed to be the center of the universe. Not just a view visitors leave with the same believe.
The ancient kingdoms of the "Rajas" and princes of Bali were dismantled by colonial governments in the early part of this century, but many of the royal descendants still own traditional palaces and are very much respected as patrons of the arts. 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, perculiar 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, extaordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made for myriad shrines which can be found in public area, on roads, in paddy field or in homes, the island is alive with art.
The Balinese have been more exposed to international tourists and generally speak more English than people in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. They have managed to preserve their culture despite overwhelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever increasing number of tourist. Bali 's international airport, Ngurah Rai, is in the south of the island and is served by numerous international airlines and charters. In order to keep up with the growing number of visitors and the need for their comfort, more hotel have been built, ranging from small bungalows types for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua tourist resort area, near the air port, on the southern tip of the island. Water sports have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting.

GETTING THERE

Bali’s international airport, Ngurah Rai, is in the south of the island and served by numerous international airlines and charters.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Denpasar. The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples called “Pura“. The Pura Jagatnatha is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Vidi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signifies the foundation of the world. The Pura Jaganatha Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, and its architectural design is based oil that of a palace. The goverment-supervised “Sanggraha Kriya Hasta “has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The “Werdi Budaya“ presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exbitions, and an art contest.

Benoa Harbour. The main harbor of Bali which is located about 6 km to the south of Denpasar. It caters the needs of local and International sea journey. This harbour has
become the home base of different cruises (Bali Hai cruises, Bounty Cruises, Mabua,
Wakalouko, etc) towards the eastern islands, and international yacht races are frequently
organized here.

Kuta. It is a popular beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Life guards are on constant duty during the day. Kuta offering a beautiful sunsets. Accomodation ranges from international hotels to home-stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with locals as well as visitors from abroad.

Nusa Dua. The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxorious hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean white beaches and clear waters. The surf is gentle along the northern side of the peninsula, bigger along the south. The most convenient form of transportation to and from Nusa Dua is by taxi.

Ubud. The center of Balinese painting, Ubud’s Museum “ Puri Lukisan “ has a permanent collection of modern works of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. There are several art galleries and homes of famous artists Dutch-born Hans Snel and American Antonio Blanco. Ubud has several small hotels, located in the foothills of the central mountain range and terrace pddy fields, giving it a cool and pleasant climate.

Peliatan. Peliatan is located between Ubud and Mas. It is known as the center of traditional music and dance.

For more places of interest, please visit
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