Introduction to Bali

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BALI

Bali's culture, unique arts and ceremonies, gentle friendly people and scenic beauty make it an island unreal in today's changing world. The main destination for pleasure tourism to Indonesia, Bali's International Airport, Ngurah Rai, is the country's eastern gateway and is served by the national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia Airways, on its internal and international routes as well as by other international airlines and charters. Cruise ships anchor at the ports of Benoa and Padangbai. Overland routes extend to Java and Lombok islands by boat ferries.

Only 5,623 square kilometers in size, Bali has many roads which criss-cross the island, connecting villages with the capital, Denpasar,

and the tourist belts of Sanur and Kuta, which are located on the eastern and western coasts of the southern tip of the island. Candidasa and Lovina on the eastern and north of the island as well as Ubud in the center. Nusa Dua and Jimbaran on the southern peninsula is currently the "high class" beach resorts.

Balinese culture is based on its unique form of Hinduism called "Hindu Bali" which it retained after the Islamisation of Java and developed through the centuries. Though the caste system is observed, it is not as rigid as in India. Religion is the source of traditional customs in family and community life. Its influence is also strongly felt in the arts.

With a completely different lifestyle from the rest of Indonesia, the Balinese have managed to preserve their culture despite the overwhelming foreign influence brought by the increasing number of visitors (tourists). Bali's "Rajas" and royal families were deprived of their Kingdoms during the Dutch colonial government over 300 years ago. Many of them still have their palaces and are now respected as patrons of the arts. Dancing and music are highly stylised forms of art and the classical dance drama is based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and local folklore.

The island of Bali is mountainous in its centre with a cluster of volcanoes of which the active Gunung (Mount) Agung is considered sacred. Terraced ricefield dominate the landscape, with small streams bringing water for irrigation.

The attraction of Bali is in its unique art and culture. It almost seems that every person is an artist in some form, whether it is painting, weaving, carving, basketry, etc. or even in the making of the decorations which are placed at the many shrines in public areas, on roads, paddy fields or in the house. Villagers spend their free time in these arts or that of music and dancing, which is taught from a very young age. The soul of the Balinese is their religion and it finds its expression in the arts.