NDC - Bali Tourism Information

Overview of Bali

With swaying palm trees that beautifully line its many white sandy beaches, Bali welcomes every visitor to her land of songs, dance, colors and culture that are intertwined with its natural beauty. An island shaped by region and dances, it offers visitor exciting treks through its lush jungle or leisurely walks through the vastness of its paddy fields and opportunities to savor the refreshing air of its mountainous retreats. Go diving, surfing, shopping or simply scour for its delectable local delicacies.

Bali is one such paradise island that so much endowed with natural beauty and fertile land where its people cherish their prosperous and harmonious way of life. Often tourists will stumble upon a parade of people adorned in stark gold, pink and purple costumes, carrying their generous offering of fruits and flowers to the stone temples. Bali is so inspirational, so alive!

Worship are held regularly on the great square of Besakih Temple

The Indonesia archipelago stretches from the island of Sumatra to Irian Jaya, and Bali is situated between highly populated Java and idyllic Lombok. In a way, Bali captures much of the soul and identity of Indonesia yet it has evolved a unique culture of its own, making it a very special place.

Amongst the 13,700 Indonesian island (900 of which are inhabited), Bali is the only Hindu state, and the rich blend of tradition and culture has had an incredible impact. Also, Bali is the last island running east to have a distinctly tropical Asian environment. Any island east of Bali lies east of the Wallace line, and life forms show signs of having a greater Australian and New Guinean influence. Strangely enough, it is also considered to be the most western of the Lesser Sunda Island, which stretch far as New Guinea.

Geographically, Bali is the ideal location for such a colorful and deeply spiritual culture. In fact the rich geography if the island has, most probably, actually been responsible for the extensive and fascinating cultural development.

Even though it is relatively small, approximately 5,000 square kilometers in all, Bali boasts a whole range of different environments. This compact landscape centers on a line of active volcanoes with alluvial slopes that spill down to coastal plains. Tropical rain forests fringe the mountains, eventually giving way to carefully cultivated rice fields and crop growth. Further down on the plains, water logged mangrove swamps lead to the ocean. A number of different rivers and streams, in turn, wind their way through a cross section of these environments and down to the coast, carving deep chasms as they go.

Bali waterfall on Telaga Waja river side

Bali enjoys a consistently warm climate, which is particularly mild in the dry season, and the mountains ensure there is a steady rainfall to periodically cool the island down through the rainy season. The mountainous regions maintain a refreshing temperature all year round, and can provide a great break from the greater heat and humidity of the plains.

The people of Bali, as diverse as the geography of the different regions and yet united by their strong religious beliefs, draw their strength and their meaning from this wonderful environment. The mountains are the focus of all daily activities, with holy Mount Agung as the great heavenward inspiration. All village, temples, family compounds, houses and furniture arrangements are designed to face “kaja”, or towards the mountains. The seaward direction “kelod”, on the other hand, is considered to be less sacred and at times impure, although the sea itself is not considered to be profane.

Mountain slopes provide the ideal setting for the luminous terraced rice paddies, which the transform to become vast paddiest fields. The Balinese have an ingenious irrigation system, which keeps these paddies well watered, and the rich nutrients from the volcanic ash ensure these fields are also well fertilized.

Rice is the staple food for all Balinese people, and sampling the steamed rice (nasi putih), red rice (nasi merah), or even colored yellow rice (nasi kuning) is a must. Or try a mixed rice dish served with different condiments (nasi campur) of fried rice (nasi goreng), even some sticky rice patties. Rice also has sacred significance, and it is offered back to even simply as a few grain sprinkled on a banana leaf. Dewi sri, the Balinese rice goddess, features strongly in local mythology and religious observance, and she often appears as a “cili” figure cut and bound from rice stalks.

The rivers are a focus for rural village life, as they are a source of water for both work and domestic activities. You will often find whole villages bathing in the rivers, washing their clothes, washing their cars, fishing from them, or simply splashing around and having a great time. Further, down the river path, many of the mud flats near the sea continue to be used by small family groups for making salt, an essential condiment in Bali.

At the edges of the land, the oceans are a source of holy water and the channel for preparing the dead for their afterlife. But there is still a great hear of the sea as the unknown, so even though fishing and seaweed farming are reasonably widespread and many activities revolve around the surrounding ocean, it is treated with great respect.

As a visitor, it is difficult not to be drawn in to the inherent magic of a place where the people and the land interact so closely, where the people draw so much meaning from the land and its spirits. You can see this magic in the long processions of flower and fruit-laden villagers on their way to the temples, or in the glittering dances acting out an ancient Hindu story. You can hear it in the lively clashes and clangs of the gamelan orchestra, or the quit whispers of continually offered prayers.

Beautiful Bali rice field

While in Bali, you may choose to participate in this magic by visiting one of the large numbers of temples, with ancient Hindu symbols carved in hugest slabs of stone. Or you may be lucky enough to have the opportunity to observe a temple festival or public information. You will, most likely, also want to at least see one of Bali’s famous dances.

Grab opportunity if you can, to see the graceful welcoming dance, in which young girls tilt their heads and move rhythmically to the gamelan beat, sharing their flowers offering with all. Another must see is the kecak dance, a hypnotic chant performed by scores of the men circled around a fire, where scenes from the Ramayana are re-enacted. Or the legong dance which includes a series of different dance scenes and styles, is always worthwhile.

The more adventurous can go trekking, four-wheel driving, white water rafting, and ride elephants or camels! There is nothing quite as exhilarating and spectacular as rushing down a river canyon or trekking through thick matted forests. It’s always possible to feel some of that tribal Balinese magic when you venture out into the more wilderness areas of Bali.

Or you may just be content to enjoy the beautiful beaches and countryside, knowing the spirits are with you. How can you not know when there are constant reminders of their presence?

Wherever you are, and whatever you choose to do, enjoy the warm smiles and open embrace of a people who appreciate their whole way of life and would love to share some of its magic with you.

The traditional prayer position of the hands and bow from the heart are welcoming gestures designed to recognize and honor your soul, and they are a true indication or your importance as a visitor to Bali.