Record to Bali's romantic side

Bali is more popular than remarkably with West Australian travellers besides many are choosing to spend key moments of their lives on the Island of Gods. screwy are the days when suspicious 20 friends up to Seminyak to celebrate a birthday was empitic as grievous. And a glut of cheap flights has seen the number of West Australians getting married on the Indonesian island rise dramatically, according to Michael Burchett, usher of the Bali Hotels circle (BHA) and usual master of the Conrad Bali.

"Access to Bali is so easy from Perth," Mr Burchett says. "People see undeniable as a central location, particularly if they have native in other parts of Asia or in Europe, besides they can combine the wedding with a holiday. "It's a special place with a positive rush and warm, amiable people.

What’s new in Bali and Lombok

In this excerpt from our latest Bali & Lombok guidebook, we have hunted down the fresh, the revamped, the transformed, the hot and the happening. Here are a few of our favourites:

1. Kerobokan, Bali’s food hot spot
The foodiverse on Bali has shifted to Kerobokan. Superb new restaurants include Biku, an artful, casual cafe; and Sardine, a fantasy of seafood.

2. Fast boats to the Gilis
It seems there are as many fast boats between Bali and the Gilis as there are dolphins in the ocean on the way. New connections to these three island paradises include Nusa Lembongan and Amed.

Loloh, The Bali Drink

If you often have dinner or lunch in Balinese restaurant serving surely Balinese authentic dishes you will be aware that Balinese fare is rich of various herbs and chili and coconut milk. And even though these ingredients result in good taste but consuming in large amount can affect to the healthy. Balinese people have a secret to balance the body after consuming strong tasty Balinese food.

When you eat Balinese dishes in large amount your stomach will be a little weird. You can feel that weirdness just like air fills your stomach and it becomes hard to defecate. For this problem, Balinese has a secret named Loloh. Loloh is a kind of traditional drink made from any kind of leaves and other ingredient like honey or young coconut. This beverage is effective to relieve the effect of those strong ingredients.

Rejang Asak at Manis Kuningan Day

If you want to see hundreds of girls dance around the villages in their best attire then you have to visit the village of Asak in Karangasem Regency on Manis Kuningan Day. Once every 210 day, a unique ritual is held in this village. Hundreds of Rejang dancers in their Payas Agung (grand attire) dance around the village (ngelawang), while dancing, they sing a prayer for the prosperity of the village. All the dancers are teenage girl or girls that have not married yet. They ceased to become dancers when they get married.

Tanjung Puting National Park

Imagine you are an explorer heading out to the jungle to see wild orang utans and other exotic tropical animals and you will begin to get a sense of what a visit to the Tanjung Puting National Park is like.

The park, which covers territory the size of Bali, is home to an amazing array of wildlife including it’s world famous orang utans. The park is also home to monkeys, birds and other wildlife, not to mention the pristine vegetation of the jungle itself. This is a world famous natural treasure which attracts a growing number of international visitors each year.

Bali Rich Ubud

Nestled in rural area outskirt of Ubud named Kadewatan, Bali Rich Luxury Villa & Spa is the place where traditional Balinese culture meets modernity. The guests of Bali Rich Luxury Villa & Spa Ubud enjoys Balinese splendor; a green parcel of landscape overlooking Wos River in a remote area. Meanwhile modern facilities, amenities, and signature hospitality will guide them to the ultimate relaxation that hardly to be found in other Bali Villas. Drive the car within 1 hour to Jl.Raya Kadewatan from airport; serenity and exclusivity await at Bali Rich Luxury Villa & Spa Ubud.

Sanur’s Culinary Surprise

People don’t go to Semawang in Bali’s Sanur to party until dawn, as one does in Kuta, or have a cultural immersion, as one does in Ubud. Instead, visitors head there to experience peace and quiet, wade in the ocean and watch the sun rise and set.

According to the “Lonely Planet” guidebook, Sanur’s tranquility is one of the reasons why it has been nicknamed Snore and is a favorite destination for expat retirees.

Bali December Highlights

December seems to be the most special month amongst other months in 2010. Three main holidays from three different religions will appear on December. Surely, as the community who tolerate other religions’ celebration, Balinese will respect any celebrations and hope everything will go smooth. December this year will be also filled by various festal events to welcome New Year 2011. Take a jaunt to Bali and experience the festal celebration of life!

Muslim in east Bali

Magibung is usually held to celebrate one’s Balinese birthday to show the solidarity. After following the ritual, the person who celebrates his/her birthday and relatives will sit encircling a big plate of rice and eat it together. It is simply to say that this habit is an integral part of Hindu in Bali. Yet, in fact, Muslim in East Bali adopts it as a necessary ritual on Idul Fitri.

Balinese Gamelan Shakes Russian Music

Jakarta - The clink of Balinese traditional music, Gamelan, performed by a team from Indonesian Fine Arts Institute of Denpasar shook Russian music community, a release from the Secretary of the Indonesia Embassy in Moscow, Johannes O S Manginsela, said Monday. The Indonesian team initiated their performance in the Philharmonic in Tula, 200 Km from Moscow.

With the theme "The color of Indonesia", the performance was part of the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-Russia diplomatic relations at the Indonesia Embassy, the Indonesian Fine Arts Institute of Denpasar, and supported by the Indonesia Education Ministry.

Highlights: Bali September, 2010

Do you plan to have vacation in Bali on September 2010? You are such a lucky person since there are various events that would be held in Bali on this month. Here are the highlights.

September 4th, 2010
Tumpek Wayang
Tumpek Wayang is celebrated every 210 days based on Balinese Pawukon Cycle. On this day, all equipments related to art such as musical instruments, puppet, and others are set to give them offerings. Balinese people believe Tumpek Wayang is a day to worship Sanghyang Iswara as the manifestation of the almighty God for the blessing given to the puppeteer so that the puppeteer could arouse people’s interest on art and creativity through his genuine soul or Taksu. However, a baby who was born on Tumpek Wayang is considered unlucky that her/his parents have to hold a special ceremony and puppet show on this day.

Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa

Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa, located at the southern tip of Bali island but has a different appeal.

Nusa Dua with BTDC (Bali Tourism Development Center) is known as the central star hotels in Bali. Hotels such as Westin, Ayodya Resort (formerly Bali Hilton International), Grand Hyatt, Nusa Dua Beach and the Nikko Hotel here.

Meanwhile, Tanjung Benoa is known as a center for water tours ranging from parasailing, banana boat, Jet Ski, Rolling Donut, Flying Fish, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Glass Bottom Boat + Turtle Island and other water sports can be enjoyed here. The beach here is not choppy and quiet so it is safe for a family vacation with your children.

Bedugul

Bedugul tourist resort, located in the district of Tabanan, offers a soothing atmosphere of the hills, and the beauty of the lake Tamablingan.

To enjoy the beauty of the lake here, enough to rent a boat you can get around the lake. It is also close to the lake you can dine lunch at local restaurant with a menu of Indonesia and also international cuisine.

Uluwatu

Uluwatu, which is located at the southern tip of Bali island and towards the Indian Ocean, is a charming tourist attractions. The temple that stands firmly on the rocks that jutted into the sea with a height of about 50 meters. In the afternoon enjoying the beautiful sunset, you can witness the famous Balinese dance performances up to foreign countries, the Kecak dance. Not only that, but for those of you who enjoy learning the history, pretending that this one will be full of historical value. Its history will be outlined as follows:

Ubud, A Wonderful Place at Bali

Ubud, located in Gianyar regency, offers arts and cultural attractions for visitors.

Since the boom of tourism in Bali, Ubud area was berkembangan become centers for the arts in Bali crafts ranging from wood carvings, gold and silver handicrafts, paintings and other art. Local cultural life of Bali was still maintained strong here.

Sukawati

You will find wonderfull souvenirs at Sukawati Art Market. With travel approximately 1 hour from Kuta, you will arrive at this art market that offers a variety of art goods at a price much cheaper than elsewhere. Maybe it could be said as "Malioboro" her Bali.

Tulamben

Tulamben is a village which is developed into a tourist attraction because it has the potential of marine diversity. Located in the village of Tulamben, Kubu Sub District, Karangasem District in the northern part of about ± 25 km from City Amlapura - the district capital -, 37 km from Candidasa attractions, and approximately 82 kilometers from Denpasar.

Dreamland Beach

Do you want to know the most beautiful beach in Bali than Kuta beach? The answer is certainly in the region Pecatu Dreamland beach (Uluwatu).

This beach is so beautiful and not as crowded as Kuta beach visitors. Of course with this situation you would be more comfortable and can enjoy the famous beach as a place to surf this.

With travel approximately 30 minutes from Kuta and Jimbaran Pecatu direction, you'll get here.

Kintamani

Kintamani, which is located in Bangli regency, is one of the favorite choice of tourist attractions, both domestic and abroad.Generally, in almost any travel agent or tour operator in Bali, Kintamani included in the itinerary (travel route) after visiting the Moon Stone (Barong Dance), or Sukawati Ubud tourist area as a shopping center.

Kintamani offers a fresh atmosphere of the hills with temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius, much like air in Bedugul. The main attraction of the area is the scenery of Mount Kintamani and Lake Batur. Mount Batur is a mountain that is still active and the second highest after Mount Agung at Besakih. The atmosphere is best when enjoyed lunch dishes while enjoying the beauty of the lake and mountains which give off smoke friendly.

The ‘Why’ of Bali

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.