Thursday, May 18, 2006, 06:20 AM
1. Visitors are welcome to attend any ceremony held either at a family-compound or a temple provided that they are properly dressed or at least put a sash around their waist - this means you must wear a sarong and modest clothing to show respect to the host or Deities of the place visited.
2. Sarongs can almost always be hired at temple gates, or you may be able to use your own if you have one (always ask). In any case, a sash may also be required (which is generally hired). Pay due respect to local customs and dress correctly when visiting temples.
3. However, at a temple, a visitor is kindly requested not to enter the main-court during worship-time
4. Ladies menstruating are kindly requested not to enter any temple or holy place
5. Many places in Bali still trade in the traditional way, where the buyer offers a price, the seller scoffs indignantly, asks a higher price, the buyer offers somewhere between and eventually the sale is made somewhere within the range of the opening bids.
6. The hasslers: Walking down the streets of Bali's major tourist villages is often quite a chore. There will always be someone trying to sell watches, perfume, transport or other items such as paintings, post-cards or wood-carvings. These are the inevitable hassles that one must face. To reduce the stress of conflict, try to ignore unwanted sales-pitches, keep walking, and retain your composure even under duress of pressure sales tactics.
7. Driving a vehicle in Indonesia (Bali) is done on the left side.
8. You will need a police report to replace a stolen passport or for your personal insurance claims.
9. If you are stopped by the police for a traffic violation, you may be requested to appear before a court in Denpasar. A possible way of avoiding this situation is to offer to pay the fine on the spot. Obviously, you should not suggest a bribe to any police officers, however many officers will be willing to levy an on the spot fine (which may be negotiable by clever bargaining) so you may avoid a court appearance.
10. Don't leave your valuables on the beach while you are swimming.
11. Hotel rooms aren't a safe place for your valuables-leave valuable possessions in a safety-deposit box and lock your room. Many losmen and guest houses allow you to use your own padlock.
12. All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months past the date of arrival, and must have proof (such as tickets) of onward or return passage. Visas are not required for nationals of many countries, including, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. For others, tourist visas can be obtained from any Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. Your travel agent can assist.
13. The maximum stay permitted for tourists is two months, and is not extendible. Those intending a longer stay must contact the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in their home country before leaving.
14. Receiving or giving something with the left hand is impolite.
15. Always swim between the red and yellow marker flags on the beaches. The areas between the flags are patrolled by surf lifesavers. Swimming outside the flags is a foolish risk, as the placement of the flags specifically identifies safe patrolled sections of the beach.
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( 3 / 1617 )Monday, May 15, 2006, 02:06 AM
Indonesia is located in the equator line - it has two seasons, dry season during April to October with July and August is usually the perfect time to go when the sun shines everyday. The rest of that sometimes humid & cloudy - yet still good for holiday (because rain often pour during the night and sun shines again in the morning. Visit the Bali weather forecast for this reasons!.Many of Indonesian students visit Bali during July and August where they have "promotion of class". In the same months, European and Australian have summer or school holiday. Other month is around Christmas and New Year when many Indonesian from other areas visit Bali for Christmas holiday. During this high and peak season, most of hotels and some activities such as car rental will charge additional fee so called High Season or Peak Season surcharge.
Most of local festivals and ceremonies in Bali is calculated using traditional calendar. Annual Bali Art Festivals takes place in July/August, Nyepi Holiday (no activities allowed, including no lamps, no traffic or flight) occurs once a year, Galungan and Kuningan is twice a year. Check calendar of events for such ceremonies as well as temple festivals.
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( 2.9 / 447 )Friday, May 12, 2006, 02:15 AM
From May 03 - 13, 2006, Balinese Hindus are celebrating the victory days of good spirit over evil spirit. These celebrations are the most important in the Pawukon calendar. However the most religious celebration is conducted on Galungan Day, which falls on May 03, 2006
;)
On this day period is believed that the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes where they must be entertained and given offerings.
This is a good time to come and see Bali since all house compounds and entrance gates are decorated with Penjor, the long, over-hanging bamboo poles decorated with elaborate creations carved and woven from leaves and natural fibers. Schools close and commerce ceases, as attention focuses solely on the devotional activities associated with this special holiday. Offerings are also made at the gravesides of those awaiting cremation and their final release into the world of spirits
Three days before Galungan is called Penyekeban day, which falls on Sunday, April 30, 2006 – the day on which to cover up fermented cakes. Green bananas are sealed in large clay pots and covered with coconut husk in order to ripen them quickly: huge quantities of bananas are required for Galungan offerings.
Likewise, Penyajaan day, which falls two days before Galungan Day, or exactly occurred on Monday, May 01, 2006. The day is devoted to making many colored cakes of fried rice dough. These are much loved by the Balinese and are used as offerings in numerous ceremonies. Mountains of these cakes can be seen in markets, as a busy housewife will often not have time to make them herself.
One day before Galungan is called Penampahan day, which falls on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 when many pigs are slaughtered for the traditional Galungan morning feast. An essential feature of the menu is the traditional lawar, a spicy hash made of finely chopped pork and dozens of spices. The preparation to make dozens of sticks of the traditional Balinese satay is also done in this slaughter day for the mourning feast and for making the offering to the dead people, which have not been cremated yet.
The following day of Galungan is Umanis Galungan, which falls on Thursday, May 04, 2006 when the devotional duties and feasting are over and families take to the road to visit families and friends and really get into the holiday spirit.
The celebration of the triumph days will last on Kuningan Day, which falls ten days after. It is actually falls on May 13, 2006, when the colorful offering are also offered by every house compound throughout Bali Island.
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( 3 / 380 )Friday, May 5, 2006, 06:14 AM
Kecak is the most unique Balinese dance which is not accompanied by any orchestra / gambelan but by a choir of approx seventy men it has its origin in an old ritual dance, “Sanghyang” or Trance dance. In the Sanghyang dance a person in a state of trance communicates with the deities or ancestors. Using the dancers as a medium, the deities or ancestors convey their wishes in the 1930’s the old Indian epic Ramayana was included into the dance. Briefly the story runs as follows : Due to a wise prince of Ayodya Rama the legal heir to the throne of Ayodya was exillied from the realm of his father Dasarata. Accompanied by his wife Sita and his younger brother Laksmana they went into a forest called Dandaka. While they were in the forest the demon king Rahwana found them and lusted after the beautiful Sita. Accompanied by his prime minister Marica, they made a trick to steal Sita. Using his magic power Marica transformed himself into a golden deer. Disguised as a golden deer they succeeded in luring Rama and Laksamana away from Sita. Rahwana making use of this opportunity, kidnapped Sita and took her to his palace Alengka. Discovering the deception Rama and Laksamana, set out to rescue Sita from the clutches of the demon king assisted by the huge army of monkeys under the command of their king (Hanoman). Rama succeeded in getting his wife back safely.
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( 3 / 442 )Friday, May 5, 2006, 06:05 AM
The endless metaphysical battle between good and evil is symbolically reenacted by two weird characters, Barong and rangda, who by their very performance re-inforce the magic power of the village and restore the balance between these two contrary forces. The Barong represents of the good force of nature. It is strange creature that danced by two men inside a highly decorated framework that represents a stylized animal, often a kind Chinese lion. Barong adversary is Queen of the Whiches, an ugly creature with a long tongue, fangs and pendulaous breasts. The two opposite forces that Barong and Rangda portray as they fight is enough to send the followers of the Barong into trance as they try to attack Rangda with their keris (sharp knife). But Rangda’s magical power turns their swords way and toward themselves. Barong’s power saves them from harm, and the result is draw.[ add comment ] | permalink |
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