THOSE WHO’VE NEVER BEEN TO BALI MUST WONDER why we’d run this article, especially since the island has become synonymous with terrorist attacks in this part of the world. The others, who’ve experienced Bali in all its splendour, know why it’s imperative this article runs – it’s too much a natural and cultural treasure to omit, or to let fall into the fears of what may someday resurface. Bali is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Just eight degrees south of the equator, its 5,700km surface ranges from volcanic mountain ranges in the interior and terraced paddies in the foothills, gently tapering to its alluring urban nightlife and oft-storied beaches, and then surrounded by coral reefs that give rise to a wealth of surfing and diving opportunities.
The Balinese people are descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated from mainland Asia, first settling Bali in around 2500BC. The first historical record of human inhabitation is evidenced by potsherds (circa 100BC) with Brahmi inscriptions from the Indian Hindu people. Later came the Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293 – 1520AD), who founded a Balinese colony in 1343AD. Europeans first discovered Bali at the turn of the 17th century, with the Dutch establishing a Dutch East India Trading Company outpost soon after. Some fierce colonial wars soon followed, resulting in the Dutch governors retaining relatively little influence over the island’s religion and culture. After Japanese occupation in World War II, Bali became part of the Republic of East Indonesia, and then part of the United States of Indonesia in 1948.
Some 3.57 million people live on the island. Unlike most of Indonesia, 92% adhere to Balinese Hinduism (a combination of local beliefs and Hindu influences). The remainder of religious beliefs include Islam (5.7%), Christianity (1.4%), and Buddhism (0.6%). Balinese and Bahasa Indonesian are the most widely spoken languages. As is English in tourist areas. International tourism began in the 1920s, and Bali quickly became renowned for its scenic beauty, arts and crafts, the highly developed Balinese dance, and of course, the famous Balinese massage. Its economy once firmly rooted in agriculture (primarily rice cultivation), Bali became more and more dependant on tourism as the 20th century wore on. And all too abruptly, the ‘Bali bombings’ of 2002 and 2005 occurred, and a significant sector of its people faced a sharp decline in tourism. While those who’ve never visited adopted pre-conceived visions of war-torn dangers, those who’ve been before (including myself) lamented for its people.
The Expat’s mission is to promote Malaysia and the region, and to provide you the best of what SE Asia has to offer. While everyone has heard Bali’s newsworthy horrors, these events are in no way representative of the island’s people or culture.
The words that best describe the ‘true’ Bali are serenity, peaceful, quiet, and content – which is why such tragedies THOSE WHO’VE NEVER BEEN TO BALI MUST WONDER why we’d run this article, especially since the island has become synonymous with terrorist attacks in this part of the world. The others, who’ve experienced Bali in all its splendour, know why it’s imperative this article runs – it’s too much a natural and cultural treasure to omit, or to let fall into the fears of what may someday resurface. Bali is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Just eight degrees south of the equator, its 5,700km surface ranges from volcanic mountain ranges in the interior and terraced paddies in the foothills, gently tapering to its alluring urban nightlife and oft-storied beaches, and then surrounded by coral reefs that give rise to a wealth of surfing and diving opportunities.
The Balinese people are descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated from mainland Asia, first settling Bali in around 2500BC. The first historical record of human inhabitation is evidenced by potsherds (circa 100BC) with Brahmi inscriptions from the Indian Hindu people. Later came the Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293 – 1520AD), who founded a Balinese colony in 1343AD. Europeans first discovered Bali at the turn of the 17th century, with the Dutch establishing a Dutch East India Trading Company outpost soon after. Some fierce colonial wars soon followed, resulting in the Dutch governors retaining relatively little influence over the island’s religion and culture. After Japanese occupation in World War II, Bali became part of the Republic of East Indonesia, and then part of the United States of Indonesia in 1948.
Some 3.57 million people live on the island. Unlike most of Indonesia, 92% adhere to Balinese Hinduism (a combination of local beliefs and Hindu influences). The remainder of religious beliefs include Islam (5.7%), Christianity (1.4%), and Buddhism (0.6%). Balinese and Bahasa Indonesian are the most widely spoken languages. As is English in tourist areas. International tourism began in the 1920s, and Bali quickly became renowned for its scenic beauty, arts and crafts, the highly developed Balinese dance, and of course, the famous Balinese massage. Its economy once firmly rooted in agriculture (primarily rice cultivation), Bali became more and more dependant on tourism as the 20th century wore on. And all too abruptly, the ‘Bali bombings’ of 2002 and 2005 occurred, and a significant sector of its people faced a sharp decline in tourism. While those who’ve never visited adopted pre-conceived visions of war-torn dangers, those who’ve been before (including myself) lamented for its people.
The Expat’s mission is to promote Malaysia and the region, and to provide you the best of what SE Asia has to offer. While everyone has heard Bali’s newsworthy horrors, these events are in no way representative of the island’s people or culture. The words that best describe the ‘true’ Bali are serenity, peaceful, quiet, and content – which is why such tragedies was an exercise is luxury and serenity (Cinta Villa is a rental property from Alun-Alun Resort Sdn Bhd. For more information about this stunningly beautiful villa - featured on p.38 of our September 2005 issue - contact Alun-Alun Resort at 03-2273 6728 or visit www.alun2resorts.com). Elsewhere, you’ll find excitement and cultural enrichment. Everywhere, you’ll find friendly people. Don’t worry if you accidentally step on one of the many offerings of flowers, glutinous rice, and salt in bamboo leaf trays. Don’t worry if you handed money to your taxi driver with the wrong hand.
And most definitely, don’t worry about what may happen. What may happen seems the antithesis of Bali. Relax. Stretch out on the beach. Enjoy the sunrise. Explore the interior. Return a smile. Breathe in the sea air. Revel in peace. Rejoice in the gamelan music and the shadow puppet show. Melt into the massage. Take in the beach, the lush greenery, the moment, the quiet, the dance, the excitement and the calm, and those golden, calming sunrises. Don’t give in to your misplaced fears, for you’ll miss the whole point of your stay.
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