|
|
|
Home Page > Travelogues > Indonesia > Island of Bali Quick Access for this Page -- [ Introduction ] [ Travelogues ] [ Features ] [ Links ]
Click on the colored areas of the map to access a travelogue. The colors indicate different regions of the Indonesia -- scroll down for explanation and introduction for each location. (Original map comes from Microsoft Expedia) Introduction. Welcome to the Island of Paradise! The Island of Bali is a great But unquestionably, the Balinese survive on tourism. In
fact, Bali is so reknowned This section contains 14 separate travelogues based on locations I visited during two separate trips in 2002 and 2003. It covers about twenty different locations throughout the island and neighboring islands -- the SE Coast travelogue, for example, covers the beaches of Candi Dasa, the Dutch plantation house at Taman Ujung, and the bat cave of Goa Lawah). Most are worth visiting -- whereas a couple of them might fall on your once-we-did-everything-else list. Recent events (particular the bombing of Kuta in 2002) have raised questions in some people's mind about the security situation and perhaps has discouraged potential visitors. Although I am not in a position to comment on such matters directly, I can say from my personal experience -- having returned there in January 2003 -- that immediate steps were taken to prevent further incidents, and I felt perfectly safe. Naturally, I strongly encourage anyone with concerns about travel to any destination (not just Bali), to consult with your foreign ministry or equivalent to get the latest information. Travelogues. The coloring of the locations on the map above indicate different locations in Indonesia, as shown below. Some of these travelogues were contributed in part by Veronica Siwi.
Stories and Features:
Stories and Features:
Links. The below links connect you to external sites. The Country Links and City and Town links are official sites sanctioned by the national, state, or local governments unless otherwise indicated. The Travelogue links from Yahoo! Travel provide information about hotels and other services for major locations. (These links open a new window.)
|
|
experience -- wonderful food, terrific atmosphere, and some of the world's most
breathtaking scenery! It is also a land of art, music, and dance, with
rituals and traditions that date back centuries. The Balinese are
well-known woodcarvers, producing unbelievably massive and ornate sculptures
that commonly appear throughout Indonesia. Jewelry, gold and silver, is
also a major industry.
as
a tourist destination that many visitors don't realize that it is not a separate
country unto itself. The southern part of the island is dominated by
hotels, restaurants, bars, and markets -- most of them geared towards
visitors. The further north you go, the more native you get,
with
increases in traditional markets and the absence of brand name wares.
People come for many different reasons -- to catch a wave on Bali's great
surfing beaches, to enjoy the white-water rafting available on the lakes, or to
witness Hindu celebrations at its many puras, or temples.
and
the Nusa Dua peninsula, and most of the public harbors are here, loaded
with cruise ships to take people to the other islands or on dinner cruises
and other entertainment. It is also where most of Bali's best-known
shopping resides, where nearly all the clubs are (Planet Hollywood, Hard
Rock Cafe, etc.) and the five-star resorts. It would not be hard to
stay in the south for the entire vacation -- but there'd be a lot you
would miss! Travelogues in this region include the lovely cliffs and
Hindu temples of the 
monkey
forest (and mischievous macaques), the resort beach district of 
ts
specialty -- some in woodworking, some in painting, others in
jewelry. The galleries are basic and the markets are truly native,
simple large huts where goods are stacked high to the ceiling.
Bali's major art center is 
s
business center, where a number of small Indonesian businesses set up
headquarters on Bali. Gianyar is typical of Balinese towns with its
large temples and huge statues decorating the streets. It is also
near Bali's famous Elephant Cave (or Goa Gajah). 
are
home to large lakes and beautiful temple sites. One of the most
common day trips for visitors is to the seven-level temple of 
(shown below) -- which are both surrounded by temples and small villages
that offer a truly exclusive getaway. Finally, there is the
Presidential Palace of 
not
as developed as a tourist haven, though Bali is trying to change that
based on the need to relieve the crowds in Kuta). I grouped several
spots together in a piece called 
plantation
yard in Taman Ujung, and the resort beach front of Candi Dasa. 
greater evidence of this than their beautiful and symbolic
dances, mostly based on stories of Hindu origin that tell of heroes,
heroines, war, and magic.
The Kecak Dance is a prime example, telling the story of the warrior Rama
and his quest to reclaim his kidnapped love Sita. The dance is performed routinely on
Bali island, and some towns have regular performances (such as in
Batubulan, where I watched it). This is a wonderful way to spend an
evening on Bali!
terrorist bombing of 12 October 2002. It was interesting to see how
the island of Bali had changed, and how it remained the same, during that
time. It was also noteworthy to see how the tourist industry has
worked to overcome concerns about security and safety in order to bring
the tourists back.
