2nd Place - Bali Island

Good evening to my dearest reader!
How do you do today?
Did you enjoy your meals?
Before I proceed my blog now, I want to ask that what do you first things when i said of Bali Island at Indonesia?
1. Beach
2. Hard Rock Cafe been boomed
3. Spa Heaven
What else do you think beside this three reason above?
If you want to know more about Bali Island or you are ready to travel to Bali Island, you can read my blog because it is very useful for you!

READY?? GO~

Bali Island, is the most beautiful island in Indonesia. Whoever going there will be felt nice, relaxing, and enjoying the traditional spa at each hotel or some places that mentioned. Well, Bali Island located at Indonesia, the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.

To enter Bali, you are requiring valid passport with at least six months validity. So, when we are going to Bali Island, we as a Malaysian no need to apply any visa but need of our passport. Not only Malaysia’s people that going to Bali Island does not apply visa, they still got Thailand, Peru, Philipines, Singapore, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region, Vietnam are does not need to apply visas to entry Bali. While Egypt, Australia, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Japan, India, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and others example of others countries are need to be apply the visa entry to going to Bali Island.

Now, transportations are the most important part that to going to a destination. Without transportation, we are not able to reach to a destinations that we want. If we want go to Bali Island, we can have 1 choices only which is using Airlines whether we can choose Air Asia or Malaysia Airlines or any other airlines too. Last year, Air Asia did promote that direct flight to Bali Island (DPS) from Kota Kinabalu (BKI), but now we need to transit to Kuala Lumpur first then only can be reach to Bali Island. When we reach at Bali Island, we can take a taxi/buses/private car/trishaw/bicycling too.

At Bali Island, the language that they are often speaking is Malay or Bahasa Indonesia. They are seldom to use English as they language only those travel agencies that need to connect to other travel agencies at other places. Mostly the currency that Bali Island using is Rupiah Dollar or US Dollar. But beside using Rupiah Dollar or US Dollar, they are accepted with American Credit Card, Visa Card, and Master Card.

The main language at Bali Island is Bahasa Indonesia, which is quite similarities as our Bahasa Malaysia. Meanwhile, those who are working as travel agencies, they will learn English as their primary language in office because they need to communicate with the agencies in other countries. Meanwhile, the other language at Bali Island that we can know is Balinese. Beside that, the currency at Bali Island is Rupiah Dollar and United State Dollar (USD). If you did not exchange any Rupiah Dollar at there, they are still accepting the American Credit Card, Master Card and Visa Card.

The history of Bali Island is came from a full uniqueness which distinguishes it with other islands in Indonesia. In 1284, Bali was conquered by Kertanegar, the ruler of the Singasari until the turn of the century, saw Bali under its own ruler under the hands of King Bedaulu of Pejeng, east of Ubud. 1343 AD, is an important date in Bali’s history. It was the whole island was conquered by East Java under the might Hindu Majapahit Kingdom. The resulted in massive changes in Balinese society, including of the caste system. Balinese who did not embrace the changes field to the isolated and remote mountains areas and hills areas. Bali was inhabited by Austronesian People by about 2000 BCE who migrated originally from Taiwan through Maritime Southeast Asia. Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Indian and Chinese which particularly Hindu culture. A bombing in 2002 by militant Islamists in the tourist area (Kuta Area) were killed 202 people, and most of them are foreigners. This attack and another in 2005 severely affected tourism, bring much economic hardship to this island.

ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE TIME OF VISIT THE INTEREST PLACE ? ARE YOU READY??

Bangli

Bali houses Pura Kehen, Bali's second largest temple. The temple has three courtyards connected by steps, and is decorated with carvings and statues. A large banyan tree shades the lowest and second courtyards.

Batubulan

Batubulan is home to a number of stone carvers. Divinities and demons carved from sandstone (Paras) decorate (and protect) houses and temples along the road that takes you from Denpasar. Batubulan also has excellent dance and theatrical performances.

Bedugul

The mountain resort of Bedugul is well known for its golf course and Ulun Danu, a temple which seems to rise out of the lake to present itself beautifully. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are among the many watersports available in this area.

Besakih

The sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Gunung Agung (Mount Holy) is over a thousand years old and is known as the Mother Temple of Bali, the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Steps rise through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines, dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and Wishnu, are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings. Around them, stand eighteen separate sanctuaries, belonging to different regencies and castes.

Celuk

noted for silver and gold jewelry works. Their works are extremely meticulous and detailed.

Denpasar

The capital city of the Province of Bali, Denpasar houses government offices, banks, and many other offices. Yet it manages to retain its Balinese personality while its temples still mantain their presence and influence. Pura Jagatnatha, a temple dedicated to the Sang Hyang Widi (Supreme God), has been converted into a Musuem. The status of a turtle and two dragons in the temple signify the foundation of the world. The Pura's architecture resembles that of a Balinese palace. It houses a fine variety of early and modern art.Sanggraha Kriya Hasta is a government-supervised art center, home to a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. Werdi Budaya presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest, and other artistic activities.

Goa Gajah

Dating back to the 11th century, Goa Gajah is a cave temple believed to be built as a monastery. Two statues flank a demon head over the entrance, and a statue of Ganesha (Elephant) sits inside the cave. Further excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding water spouts.

Goa Lawah

Nine kilometers from Klungkung is Goa Lawah (Bat Cave). Thousands of bats make the roof of the cave their homes. Its entrances are guarded by a temple believed to be found by a sage nine centuries ago.

Kintamani

The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan give a view of the active Mount Batur and its lake. Seven miles in diameter and sixty feet deep, the caldera of Batur is pretty impressive. From Penelokan, a road lead to Kediasan on the shores of the lake where boats can be rented to cross over to Trunyan.

Klungkung

The Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, where Balinese royalty draws its blood line, sat in Klungkung. It is the oldest kingdom on the island, and its Raja the most exalted.The ceiling of Kertha Gosa (Royal Court of Justice), built in the 18th century, displays one of Bali's masterpieces. Much like Michelangelo's The Creation on the Sistine Chapel, the murals portray the punishment of hell and the rewards of heaven, elaborated in thousands of panels of wayang style. The floating pavillion, garden, and lotus ponds are a reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.

Kuta

Once a lonely little village on the road from Denpasar to Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now the tourist mecca of Bali, popular mainly among the young and adventurous. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west.The Sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking. Accommodations in Kuta range from a modest homestay for a few dollars a night to luxurious, five-star, international hotels costing several hundred to several thousand dollars a night. The street of Legian, situated directly behind the row of hotels that face the beach, is lined with shops of all varieties. You can find any Balinese handicrafts here, from the least expensive to the most exquisite; or unique stores such as the leather store staffed by two young Balinese men that will perfectly sculpt for you a leather jacket. At night, Kuta is alive with night life. Western influences create discotheques, dance clubs, and pubs. Gastronomical demands inspire a multitude of restaurants, serving traditional Indonesian and Balinese food to various ethnic meals from Japan, Switzerland, etc. As if these were not enough, various Balinese dance performances are staged in Kuta every night. One of the best Kecak performances is to be found in Kuta.

Mas

The village of woodcarvers, Mas is still the house of Bali's old masters. A number of art galleries exhibit some of their best works. Mas is also known for its masks.

Menjangan Island

Located on Terima Bay, off the northwest tip of Bali, Menjangan Island offers beautiful scenery. The water surrounding it is known for beautiful coral reefs and its wealth of tropical fish.

Nusa Dua

Part of the Bukut Peninsula in southern Bali, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels on this planet, gracefully integrating the beauty of the white beaches and clear water into the landscape of the hotels. Ronald Reagan stayed here when he visited Bali. The beaches of Nusa Dua allow you to gently surf along the northern side of the peninsula. If you care for bigger waves, the southern part of the peninsula can give you a challenge.

Peliatan

Located between Ubud and Mas, Peliatan is the center of traditional music and dance of Bali.

Sangeh

The ten acres of nutmeg trees in the Sangeh forest are considered sacred. Two temples stand in the middle of the forest, and another at the edge. Monkeys heavily inhabit this forest, and are also held sacred. They will come to you when you visit the temples. Make sure you protect your handbags, etc as the monkeys will steal them.

Sanur Palm

lined beach, curving from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel to the south and facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. I suspect this is where Nehru experienced Bali to utter "Bali is the morning of the world." Offshore reefs protect the beach agains the waves, and makes it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other watersports.Sanur is only a short distance from Denpasar, with public transportation readily available. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.

Tampak Siring Pura Tirta Empul

is the temple of Tampak Siring, built around a sacred spring. The temple and its two bathing places have been used by the Balinese for over 1000 years for good health and prosperity; the spring water has curative powers. Regular purification ceremonies take place here. Additionally, the people of Tampak Siring produce artistic bone and ivory carvings.

Tanah Lot

One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot temple is built atop a huge rock, surrounded by the sea. Build in the 16th century, Tanah Lot's rituals include paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found in the little caves at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.

Trunyan

Trunyan is an ancient village in Bali, inhabited by people who call themselves "Bali Aga" or old Bali. They live in ways that are much different from other Balinese. In Trunyan, the temple Puser Jagat (Navel of the Universe) has an unusual architecture and stands under a massive banyan tree. Instead of cremating their corpses, the Bali Aga simply place them under this banyan tree. The odor of death is mysteriously masked by a special arboreal fragrance emitted by the banyan tree.

Ubud

Ubud is the art center of Bali, which maybe a hard concept to understand, given the artistic nature of the entire living in Bali. But the Raja of Ubud, historically, strongly encouraged artistic development, especially in painting. Ubud's Museum "Puri Lukisan" houses a permanent collection of Balinese paintings, dating from the turn of the century. Dutchborn Hans Snel and American Atonio Blanco, among other internationally prominent artists, had both called Ubud their home. The Neka Museum is another excellent museum, with marvelous collections of traditional Balinese paintings by local artists as well as foreign artists who lived in Bali.Ubud today expands to other arts. You should not be surprised to run into a foreigner who happens to be living in Ubud, meditating or soul searching for his next book or poetry collection.
Most hotels in Ubud are small, homely hotels and homestays that will provide you with a room that faces the ricefields with bird sonatas together wake you in the morning.

Yeh Saneh

Few people know of this idyllic spot a little further east on the coastal road. A few meters from the splash of the surf is a cool freshwater spring around which a large pool and gardens have been built.

If you have any places want to know more, you can drop of your comment at here.

Hope you enjoy the blog!

Thank you.

God Bless You Always!!