Bali, one of over 17.000 islands in Indonesia, is famous for its scenic beauty, dynamic culture, and friendly people. Located just south of the equator, tropical Bali traditionally has a hot, wet season (November – March) and a cool, dry one (May – September). Towering volcanoes, some still active, contain large lakes which provide water for irrigating thousands of terraced rice fields, enabling up to three harvests per year. Over the centuries the Balinese culture has proven itself very resilient, managing to blend influences from Asia and West with their own traditions. Buddhism arrived from India during the early centuries of the first millennium followed later by Hinduism and trade contacts with China. Relations with Java began in the 11th century but full Javanese control of Bali did not come until 1334 and lasted only just over 100 years. Bali’s tourism has brought spectacular economic growth, a thriving hotel industry, and major improvements to transportation and communication facilities. The international fame of Bali’s culture has also brought a heightened sense of identity among the Balinese. Many villages produce arts and crafts, present music and dance performances, and hold elaborate religious ceremonies. As always, the Balinese take everything in their stride, absorbing and adapting from different sources. They are a flexible people, welcoming new ideas but at the same time retaining a unique life-style guided by their religious, social and cultural …
Balinese Cycle of Life and Religious Events
Article by Brendon Mills
The Balinese Hindu’s respect for Life and Death is significant. This can be viewed by a variety of rituals these folks undertake. For example you can discover many rituals for the un-born infant, after the infant is born, adolescence, marriage, death, and even soon after death.Right after the seventh calendar month of being pregnant is the time for the “housing of the soul” or Magedong-gedongan ceremony. On the fifth or the seventh day soon after a infant is born, a ceremony for the separation of the umbilical cord (Kepus Pungsed) is held. One calendar month and 7 days soon after birth, a shrine is placed next to the infant’s cot with flower and banana offering to the Dewa Kumara deity, who will defend the infant, right up until its first tooth appears.At the age of the 3 months, the infant is permitted to contact the ground and is given a name. Each and every six months or 210 days, the infant will have an Otonan or a celebration of the infant’s birth day in accordance to the Balinese calendar in the Family temple. The Otonan ceremony is constantly held from birth right up until the infant reaches adulthood, marries and at times even right up until they die.The Mesangih or Metatah (a tooth filing ceremony) will take place during adolescence, at a time when sexual desire has attained its peak. The teeth symbolize the “animal” or the uncontrolled facet of humans. Balinese Demons constantly have long canine teeth. By filing the man or woman’s teeth, six enemies will be eliminated; lust, greed, anger, intoxication, confusion and jealously.The Balinese marriage ceremony, Manusa Yadnya, is preceded by an engagement or Mepadik during which the bride and groom romantically “elope” together. They are supported by a group of accomplices, who defend the bride and groom for the duration of their honeymoon. The marriage procession then follows in a more formal manner.The Ngaben (cremation ceremony) ritual is a reminder of cosmic symbolism of life. The casket tower is a representation of the cosmos; with the corpse in the middle, symbolizing its place between the spiritual and the human worlds. The sarcophagus, in which the body is burned, is a vehicle to take the soul away. The ashes are collected and taken to the sea. Right after the Nyekah rite, the soul is afterwards enshrined in the family temple and the deceased is now an ancestor, right up until the following reincarnation.This information is provided by The Elysian Bali Villas. “Bali is our Life” Enjoy your private luxury Bali villa rental with us.
About the Author
This information is provided by The Elysian Bali Villa Rental. “Bali is our Life” Enjoy your luxury private Bali villa accommodation with us.
Some Suggestions to Reinforce the Identity of Traditional Houses
Article by Stewart Johnston
Basic materials will reinforce the identity of traditional houses. So, people who are interested in establishing a traditional house must be careful in selecting materials. Do not use the materials that obscure the concept of home.
The most important material is wood. Typically, traditional houses use hard wood that has high quality. The examples of hard woods include Borneo wood, Samarinda camphor, and also teak.
You should pay attention to the fact that wood is the main material in a traditional house. Therefore, if you want to build a traditional house, it is better to order the wood directly from its origin place. Take for example, if you want to build a typical house of Java, it is better to use teak from Wonosari.
It would be futile if the high quality material is not worked by skilled hands. For people who want to create a Balinese house, you should consider the use of architects and stylists of the original building in Bali. As the result, the concept of Bali becomes more sharp and vivid.
The design of the room should also be given special attention. It would be better if the wall, for example, remains plain and highlights the red brick to emphasize the ethnic impression. Use hardwood furniture in order to look durable and beautiful. Moreover, the addition of ornaments such as custom carpet, the sculptures of wood carvings, and classical vase can be selected. In this case, you do not need to use the original ornament, as long as the ornament you choose can match the theme of the room.
There is no harm to experiment around windows and doors. Custom ornaments, such as cloth or painting on doors and windows will highlight the natural impression of the room further. But, you should also pay attention to the space in the room. Houses with traditional nuance must look broad. Just store the decoration in the corner of the room and let your decorator furniture in the middle of the house.
Meanwhile, the home garden may contain stone ornaments such as statues or sculptures that are arranged interestingly. Elephant grass is very suitable as a rug in a traditional garden.
The traditional home owners also do not need to look for ethnic furniture. For people who have a limited budget, they can use modern materials, which are then coated with wood materials. For instance: walls of brick can be coated by wood.
About the Author
To get ethnic furniture, just add the carving art on the basic materials. To do that, used engraving machine is available for you. Meanwhile, photo engraving machine is for the personalization equipment. It is specially designed for picture and text engraving.
Heavenly Residence – Cliff Front Luxury Villa in Nusa Dua
Article by Florens Yessica
What is your idea of HEAVEN? Do you imagine peace and tranquility with a sparkle of romance?Now, imagine a place where all you can see within your sights is endless blue sky and crisp blue ocean.
Heavenly Residence
Perched on the cliff tops of Nusa Dua hills, Heavenly Residence is a collection of 3 privately owned villas, referred to as “the millionaire’s row of Bali.” The villas are just a 5 minute drive from the world renowned Nusa Dua Golf Club, but yet with barely a neighbor in site, you feel as if you are in your own private paradise, millions of miles from anywhere.
In the coming years, this will change due to the construction of seven 5* hotels in the vicinity. These hotels will be an extension of the present Nusa Dua hotel complex, the complex housing virtually all of the famous hotels.
Heavenly Residence is unique for both its’ situation, and its’ facilities. Firstly, it is a private villa residence as opposed to a hotel. The quality, furnishings, amenities and services however are often superior to those found in an International hotel or resort in Bali.
The situation is entirely unique, perched on the cliff edge, and it is difficult to visualize how the villa was actually constructed and where the concept came from. The villas go unnoticed from ground level, but are spectacular when viewed from the ocean. The result, unbeatable privacy combined with breathtaking views.
The Luxury Villas
VILLA “Oh my God”
With 4 bedrooms, this is the largest villa at Heavenly Residence. The villa is an architectural masterpiece which took over 18 months to build, with steps cascading down the cliff edge. The villa has been named OMG “Oh my God” as a result of the initial reaction of visitors on arrival, and their pure amazement. Not surprising considering the villa is 700 sq m (7,534 sq ft) and all that you can see on arrival is the endless Indian Ocean, with 180 degree panoramic views. the villa also boasts a 25m long infinity pool, with the water lapping over the cliff edge out to sea. The jacuzzi provides the perfect vantage point from where to relax and lap up your surroundings, watching the sea meet the horizon.
By the poolside, the villa boasts an ironwood sun deck and lawns, with equally spectacular views. The Villa has a capacity for up to 50 people, what could be a more perfect setting for a wedding, or glamorous event.The interior of “Oh my God” is equally stunning, with marble flooring and woven sea grass furniture. The villa is divided into what could be described as zones, each zone being identified by a varying clour of Thai silk. The games room for example is bronze, dining is charcoal, and lounge room blue.
The exotic villa also contains touches of Balinese culture, such as a 6m long abstract canvas in the lounge room, form Wayan Gabrig, a local artist.The white washed walls of the dining room remind us of the cliff edge on which we are set, accentuating the unique location of Heavenly Residence, the tropical coral fish tank bringing the ocean indoors to us.All four bedrooms are en-suite, marble furnished, and with Grohe taps and shower heads. A vast amount of mirrors are in place throughout the residence, giving an air of palatial spaciousness, as well as sea view from all possible angles.
Villa “O-WOW”
The second property does not lack the “wow” factor either, named again by the sheer amazement of guests on arrival. The villa is entered by a private lift from the underground car park that climbs the cliff face, and opens directly onto the garden. Style wise, it is more Javanese, with Borobudur- inspired lighting and carvings. The villa is again immense. 600 sq m ( 6,458 sq ft) and is equally as spacious as “Oh my God”
The design is a modern and minimalist interpretation of a Balinese compound, housing 3 bedrooms, all en suite, a studio – office, and in the landscaped grounds a pavilion can be found. As at “Oh my God” we find an infinity pool, with spectacular views, what better place to enjoy a cold drink, whilst “floating on the horizon”. Villa “Oh Wow” is ideal for two or three highly classed and educated couples to share.
Villa “O-La-La”
Villa “Oh-La-La is the smallest of the 3 villas, with three bedrooms, but as equally luxurious as the other two. With its’ own infinity pool, and magnificent gardens, the once again amazing views, this villa certainly can be described as heavenly.
All of the villas have infinity views, providing an almost optical illusion as to where the water changes from pool to ocean. and two of the villa also boast heated Jacuzzis and water-falls.
Heavenly residence Services and Facilities Summary:
All bedrooms are furnished with:. “Heavenly Bed & Mattress”. En – suite bathroom with extra large tub and shower. Dressing table in walk-in wardrobe in bathroom area. Air conditioning and ceiling fans. Large private balcony. Electronic safe. Hairdryer. Quality bathroom products
All villas are equipped with:. Complimentary Internet/ Wi.fi. Complimentary phone line with facility for incoming faxes. Top of the range 42 inch plasma TV home theater system with Cable TV. Spacious living and dining areas. Fully equipped, state of the art kitchen. Infinity edge lap-pool. Tropical gardens with water features. Electronic surveillance system. Complimentary library: DVD, VCD, magazines
Included are:. Welcome and farewell drinks. “Heavenly breakfast (daily). Unlimited purified mineral water, tea and coffee. Complimentary transfer service on arrival and departure
Staff:. 24 hour butler service. Around the clock Villa attendants and security guards. In- house chef. Maintenance personnel for pool and garden
About the Author
The author of this article has inspected over three hundred villas in Bali and would love to share this knowledge to all visitors to this beautiful part of the world. She knows the area intimately, and has selected the very best privately-owned villas in Bali specially Nusa Dua villas.
Go to Bali to get to know the friendliest people in the world. If you’d like contacts, please feel free to write me.
Video Rating: 5 / 5
An Unforgettable Story About Bali Diving
Article by Made Dertha
In 1982 I worked as an English speaking tour guide, but during my free time I learned Italian language by my own method autodidact using English – Italian; Italian – English dictionary and grammar book.. I spent about 2 hours a day to learn it, sometime early in morning, in the afternoon and sometime late at night. I succeeded to keep in my mind 2 words a day but I found much difficulty in learning the grammar because it is very different with my mother language Balinese and Indonesian, but I insisted to meet with success. Day by day, week by week and month by month, and….. finally I got it.
In October 1982 one of my friend who run a travel agent in Bali asked me to handle his clients, they were Italian and speak a little English. That was my first time to practice my Italian tongue. When I met them at Bali International Airport, the first question I must answer was “where is the best place to dive”. With honesty actually I didn’t know the answer, but I promised them for the good news the day after.
I visited my friend’s house and meet Bli Monyoh, a fisherman live in Sanur the village on the southeast coast of Bali. I knew he was a good fisherman and very smart in shooting fish, diving with his own talent using very simple dive equipment.
We talked about diving places and he told me that in order to discover most enjoyable dive, must visit 2 o 3 different places of the fascinating underwater world among the coral reefs. Mr. Bli Monyoh looked at his Balinese calendar to see a good day to go to the sea. My clients were crazy about dive.
The first day he brought us to Semawang at Sanur by his outrigger sail boat. Located in front of Sanur Tourist Beach. Dives at a few meters depth was rewarded by beautiful underwater panoramas, table and trophy shaped coral and sponges, a thousand of colorful fishes swim by in kaleidoscopic profusions. I am not a swimmer or a diver, I just sit on the boat and prepared the needs when they go up. Was a wonderful day.
The second day Bli Monyoh brought his companion a smart diver named Agung Toya, together with them some gun (exactly an arrow) unwound by a strong rubber band made of tire. Before living Sanur, Bli Monyoh laid an offering and perfumed incense in front of a temple and prayed to God. Along the road about one and a half our drive, he stopped several times for praying where there are temples for God’s blessing, safety and luck. Even before touching the water he did so.
When we arrived at Buitan was a very traditional fishing village, located at the district of Manggis Karangasem eastern Bali near Candidasa, I was amazed by the beauty of the nature, a spectacular panorama or the terraces ricefield, rural ambience and the Majestic Mount Agung at the far back, for Bali it is the place of the Supreme God “The Navel of the World”. The sea was magnificent, clear blue water, remained untouched by modern influences, seduce everyone especially beach and dive lovers. Now Buitan boast a luxury 5 stars hotel and some small accommodations in Balinese style bungalow.
When we were preparing everything for dive a cordial local man came close to us and gave his own wooden boat used for free in the hope of us catching a lot of fish. We sailed at 09.00 a.m in calm sea. About 50 m from the beach we arrived on the coral reef where the wave breaks itself. Under very good weather we could see a wonderful underwater world among the coral reefs.
My Italian clients brought their own dive equipments because they were the holder of PADI license. While the native divers used their own talent. Wow, wow, wow, what a great day, we fished a lot (only selected fish), one thing surprised me that Bli Monyoh got 4 king lobsters. At 11.00 a.m. we finished our adventure and the local man was waiting us on the beach ready with his woods fire, chili, onions, garlic, salt and coconut oil. We grilled our fish in relax atmosphere on the beach with nice breeze of the ocean, than enjoyed a delicious gala lunch in cowboy style. Wow amazing, we really celebrated and enjoyed a great day.
Now in Bali there are some exciting and fascinating, world renowned dive sites: Nusa Dua, Sanur, Padang Bay, Gili Tapekong, Tulamben, Amed, Nusa Penida and Lembongan and Menjangan Island.
So if you are a sea and dive lover why don’t you choose Bali for your next destination, this enchanting island is waiting for you with its fascinating underwater world. Plan your travel and book your preferred hotel or contact your travel agent. The quickest and the easiest way is, go online and choose Bali Dive. One of the most reliable dive center on the island now is Ena Dive Center (www.enadive.co.id).
About the Author
Made Dertha was an English and Italian tour guide for many years in Bali, writes for Bali Turista Tours where he is the Managing Director now. Bali Turista is focusing on Bali hotels and villas reservation. Just visit www.baliturismo.com and www.baliturista.com
Add the Glam Without the Clams
Article by Jason Scott
If you are looking at your plain, boring apartment and wondering what to do with it, consider hitting it with a big dose of ‘glam’. When you think of glamorous people, your thoughts go straight to Hollywood. Opulent, red carpet affairs, fame and fortune are all around you when you are in Hollywood. And when you look back in time to the glory days of Hollywood, you cannot help but remember Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Carole Lombard and Gloria Swanson. Along with their colleagues, who were also ‘beautiful people’, this Hollywood royalty graced the elegantly appointed Hollywood Regency, which created quite a ruckus in its day. The Regency was created by Billy Haines in the 1930s. Haines started as an actor, and then he turned to interior design where his bold design ideas won him international recognition. He crossed the lines and tried bold design moves, which ultimately proved to be very successful. For example, he mixed period styles, which we do without batting an eye today, but in his time it was quite a design stretch.
Step 1 Go Shopping in Grandma’s Attic
To replicate this style for your own apartment, you need to keep your eyes peeled. If anyone in your family has old furniture that they are getting rid of, claim first dibs. Perhaps anornate Rococo style candelabra that is hiding in your grandmother’s attic, or a decorative table lamp could work nicely into your design. Or even something as small as a Chinese medallion could add the finishing touch to your accessories. Vintage fabrics can really add depth to a room design.
Step 2 Tastefully Combine Rustic and Elegance
The trick here is tasteful combinations of vintage furniture. So think in terms of combining elegant pieces with simple pieces of décor to create a nice balance in your room. Or combine a rustic vintage piece with a highly refined piece of furniture. By adding an ornate wood carving from Bali to a room with otherwise simple décor, makes it pop as a focal accent.
Step 3 Comfort is Key
The point of the decor in your room is to be comfortable for people, not to overshadow them. You want your furniture to have interesting detail, but you do not want it to be large and imposing.
Step 4 Embrace the Eclectic Aesthetic
The beauty of the Regency style is that you can mix many different genres and styles. It is absolutely fine to place a Tiffany lamp beside a piece of metal wall art. Or you may want to place wicker chairs in front of heavy, velvet drapes, and they will fall well within the regency style.
Step 5 Work in Some Sparkle
The Regency style loves a little sparkle, so use lacquer liberally. You can coat your wicker chair with a generous coat of lacquer, and any other piece of furniture in the room will appreciate a coat as well.
Step 6 Create a Focal Point
You do want to remember to add focal points to your rooms, so consider a lavish piece of wall art in bold colors.
About the Author
If you enjoyed the style ideas, get inspired to create more beautiful spaces in the following articles.
www.balicheckin.com Uma Sari Cottages our recommended Ubud Bali accommodation for your Bali holidays Uma Sari Cottage a Bali holiday accommodation located on the edge of tranquil rice fields, just 5 minutes walks to Ubud village centre. Ubud is approx, one hours’ drive to north part of Bali from the international airport. Uma Sari Cottage only a few minutes walk away from the main road, important shopping and cultural destinations in Ubud Town, but at Uma Sari ubud Bali Cottages you might just as well be far out in the countryside. UMA SARI COTTAGE FASILITIES * Swimming pool * Laundry service * Safe deposit box * Free Shutlle Service to Ubud center * IDD telephone and fax at reception * Balinese buffets gladly arranged * Restaurant This video offered by http The place to reserve cheap Bali villas, resorts, hotels, Bali package tours, cycling tour, river tubing adventure, rafting adventure tour, water sport, Bali photo tour, Bali spa for your Bali holiday packages. Are you looking for Bali hotels and tours? Simply visit: www.balicheckin.com
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