Bali is enriched by it`s indegenious and unique culture, arts,
traditional dance & drama, custom, tradition, belief, spectacular
panorama. All aspects are blended in a balance of an eternal search
for peace.
Balinese Dance
Dance is the main art form in Balinese culture, performed at the
main temple festivals and in ceremonies of the cycle of life and
death. The range of dances in hotels and on special stages is only
a small fraction of what Balinese dance has to offer.
There are several dances that could excite you. There is the kecak
- perhaps the most popular of all Balinese dances, the barong, is
the magical protector of Balinese villages, the gambuh - a classical
form of dance-drama, the topeng, which is traditional masked dance,
the Baris or the warrior's dance, legong, the Dance of the Heavenly
Nymphs, the kebyar which is a flashy modern dance and the Shanghyang
Dedari, the ritual trance dance.
Temple
The most important institution in Bali, temples reflect the important
role religion plays in the life of the Balinese. A temple is a place
for communicating with the divine spirits through offerings and
prayers. On holy days, when the deities and ancestral spirits descend
from heaven to visit earth, the temples, become centres of activity.
Temple festivals are guide by purification by the sprinkling of
holy water. Whole communities take part in these festivals, bringing
baskets of food and flowers for offerings. While pura means temple,
a puri is the residence of local prince, which may function as a
cultural centre.
Music, dances, food, flowers, and fruits scarificed began as part
of temple rituals to please the Gods an to placate evil spirit.
Following the caste system of Hindu and some of its other rites
and beliefs like reincarnation, one of the greatest ceremonies are
cremations, meant to liberate the souls ready for rebirth. Burial
is only temporary to give the family time to prepare or waiting
for more to have a common cremation with the community.
Bali's Beaches
For many tourists visiting Bali, images of palm-fringed beaches
are uppermost in their mind and probably the biggest single reason
for purchasing thet ticket to paradise.
The reality is more than this. While the palm-fringed beaches do
exist, there are also the wild coastline and black sandy beaches
in the west, the exciting surf, the sparkling lagoons of Lembongan
island, as well as the quiet coves in the north.
Kuta Beach is by far the most popular and the whitest beach
in Bali, attracting all ages and nationalities. The beach extends
from Canggu to the airport in Tuban. It is ideal for those wishing
to combine a beach holiday with testing their surfing skills. Kuta
beach continues to grow in popularity and is a fantastic place to
soak up the warm sun.
Sunset Legian. This beach has been called the United Nations
of beaches where locals, expatriates and tourists mingle, bargain,
play football, indulge in a massage, catch up on reading, meditate
or exercise.
Tuban Beach. Between Kuta and the airport, Tuban Beach is
lined with big hotels. Less frantic than Kuta, it is a wonderful
place to simply grab a lounger, a good book and relax. It is safe
to swim here, thanks to the hotel lifeguards.
Sanur Beach. A calm, quiet lagoon area, Sanur Beach offers
great conditions for windsurfing, parasailing, and other recreational
activities. The chic address of many of Bali's rich and famous since
the 1930's, Sanur has a lively history and is still cherished by
many. The strecth from the Grand Bali Beach to beyond the Bali Hyatt
is served by a beach path, making it possible to enjoy the many
hotels and restaurants along the strip. The calm waters of Sanur
beach make it very popular with families.
Nusa Dua Beach. Nusa Dua was designed with luxury in mind.
Numerous bigname hotels line the beautiful sandy beaches which offer
excellent swimming in a protected lagoon. Some resorts have private
beaches however most are accessible.
Jimbaran Beach. Jimbaran is a sleepy cove where fleets of
fishing boats colour the scene. Since the opening of The Four Seasons
Resort Bali and the Bali Inter Continental, this once-quiet area
has now become a popular resort in Bali. Local families and tourists
are drawn by its beauty, and to enjoy the food of the superb and
calm waters attract many people. It is very popular spot for windsurfing
and small sailing craft, which are available for rent.
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