BALI AFTER DARK

Night life in Bali starts late, which means around midnight. Many visitors wonder where crowds of expats suddenly come from around 1:00 in the morning – even when all of Kuta has been very quiet during the whole evening, the IN-places often become crowded after midnight.

There's a simple explanation: during the early evenings many of Bali's night owls either still work, visit friends at home, or simply sleep. Most of them visit pubs, bars, or discos only in the early morning hours. Therefore, if you plan a night out don't start your dinner too early. Between 9:00 p.m. and midnight there are not many places we can recommend.

Visitors looking for company don't need to worry. Wherever you go in Sanur and the Kuta area, there are many other single travellers with the same problem around – day and night. In Bali's discos you'll meet also many "kupu kupu malams" ("night butterflies" or working girls) and young boys who compete with the females and service all sexes. All taxi drivers know the more popular karaoke bars and massage parlours in Kuta and Denpasar, and the various "Houses of ill Repute" in Sanur's narrow back lanes.

As reported in the BALI travel FORUM: "Prostitution is illegal in Bali. However, like in many countries, everyone turns a blind eye. Many girls can be found in nightclubs and bars in most areas. They look usually just like the girl next door, albeit with a bit more make up on, and they usually dress to please the eye. For the most part, they are gentle, easy to be with, and a lot of fun if you want to dance, drink and have a little fun with. Most will be yours for the whole night for about 500,000 Rupiah although prices range from 200,000 Rupiah to 1,500,000 Rupiah and more – depending on the season, the time of night and the situation".

SANUR & NUSA DUA

Some quite popular places in Sanur are the BORNEO PUB on Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the TROPHY PUB in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel. Both, however, close around 1:00 a.m.

The discos and pubs in Nusa Dua's 5-star hotels are often rather empty. They are mostly frequented by those visitors who stay in-house and are too tired to make the 30 minutes drive to Kuta.

THE "KUTA" AREA

Everybody looking for some action and fun in the evening goes to "Kuta" which nowadays means the area extending about 4 miles or 7 kilometers North from the original village of Kuta and includes now Legian, Seminyak and even Basangkasa. Here are most of the better entertainment places offering EVERYTHING single male or female visitors as well as couples might be looking for.

There are several places such as CASABLANCA etc. – down-market open-air pubs and very noisy discos full of stoned Aussies courting Javanese "Kupu Kupu Malams". PEANUTS Discotheque on Jalan Raya Legian at the Jalan Melasti corner (about the border between Kuta and Legian) has been re-opened very soon after it was gutted by a fire. The huge (air-conditioned) dance floor is often crowded, guests are a mix of locals and younger foreign visitors.

Closer to the center of Kuta you find the BOUNTY SHIP with a noisy, over-air-conditioned disco in the basement and the re-built PADDY'S not far from the original PADDY'S. Much more "IN" nowadays is the newer M-BAR-GO which features really good music and a better crowd than most other places. SKY GARDEN is also on the main road and an interesting place to go. The bar is on the top floor, the three storeys below feature all different lounge areas. The menu is huge but the food is often disappointing. When most places close around 2.00 or 3.00 in the morning, night owls of all kinds continue drinking at nearby MAMA'S until sunrise.

For a somewhat more civilized evening out, you can have dinner and a couple of drinks at the bar at either TJ's or KORI in Kuta, at the open street side bar at NERO Bali right opposite AROMAS Restaurant in Kuta, at the re-built MACCARONI CLUB in Kuta, at MADE'S WARUNG in Basangkasa (see BALI - Restaurants to Enjoy), or at the trendy HU'U Bar & Lounge near the Petitenget temple, LA LUCIOLA and THE LIVING ROOM.

One of the most "in" venues in Bali is KU DE TA right on the beach adjacent to the Oberoi hotel. This is the place to see and be seen, and from late afternoon there is a DJ providing rather noisy entertainment for Bali's beautiful people. This is a great place to watch Bali's famous sunsets, but expect to pay for a cocktail around US$10 and more.

Something more outrageous and only for open-minded people are the HULU CAFE shows in Garlic Lane between Jalan Padma and Jalan Melasti in Kuta/Legian, a place which called itself the "only real gay bar in all of Bali" with drag shows starting at 11:00 p.m. three times per week. The performances are actually kind of funny! Since the original HULU CAFE burnt down in 2008, the shows are now performed at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the BALI BEACH SHACK in the same lane

You'll find a large and quite popular HARD ROCK CAFE right at the beginning of Kuta's beach road with live music from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Expect to find many singles of all kinds here looking for company. If you think this is too noisy, too crowded, or the air-conditioning too cold for you, try the CENTER STAGE at the HARD ROCK RESORT located in the back of the CAFE. As the name implies, the band performs on a raised stage in the middle of the huge round lobby bar until 11:00 p.m. Both HARD ROCK outlets are expensive by Bali standards.

The JAYA PUB on the main road in Seminyak features also live music and attracts many Indonesian customers who don't mind the chilling air-conditioning and the sometimes horrible bands and singers. MANNEKEPIS, a pleasant Belgian pub/restaurant right opposite the QUEEN'S TANDOOR in Seminyak, features live Jazz on Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays and serves good meals at reasonable prices.

Seminyak's best place to have a drink and some fun after 11 p.m. are nowadays probably OBSESSION World Music Bar and SANTA FEE Bar & Grill, Jalan Abimanyu (also known as Gado Gado Road or Jalan Dhyana Pura). Life music, reasonably priced cocktails and the friendly girls attract many visitors until the early hours. Other popular night spots nearby in the same street are SPY BAR, LIQUID, Q BAR and MIXWELL ("for the alternative lifestyle"), SPACE and THE GLOBE. New bars and "Chill-Out Lounges" are opening all the time, and most of them feature DJ's and/or live music on certain nights. Just walk down the road and check them out !

Later, from 2:00 a.m., it's party time at the SYNDICATE, BACIO and DOUBLE SIX, a large open-air disco with several bars, big dance floor, and many tables. All three are located next to each other on the beach in Seminyak and charge an entrance fee of 30,000 to 100,000 Rupiah (depending on the day) for which you get a voucher for a free drink. Here and in nearby DEJA VU and LA VITA LOCA you'll find most of Bali's night owls drinking and dancing the night away until 4:30 a.m. or so. (The legendary GADO GADO Disco has been re-converted into a restaurant.)

Also, watch out for notices and small posters in Kuta and Seminyak announcing special events such as Full Moon Parties, House Warming Parties, Body Painting Parties, etc, etc. If these "parties" are announced to the public (even if only by word-of-mouth), they are open for everybody. You'll have to pay for your drinks, therefore, don't be shy.

source from http://www.baliguide.com

Beach

BADUNG DISTRICT

KUTA BEACH Description: Kuta is the center of entertainments and has become the favorite destination of multinational visitors. It has everything a tourist looks for i.e. white-sandy beach, rows of excellent bars and restaurants, discotheques, and entertainment spots for an enjoyable nightlife. Rows of kiosks selling souvenirs and everything a tourist need such as garments or latest CDs and cassettes are available along the main road with reasonable prices. Location: 11 km south of Denpasar. Kuta can be easily reached by public transport from Tegal bemo station in 30 minutes. SULUBAN BEACH Description: Suluban Beach is one of the places of interest belonging to Badung regency. It is known for its beautiful beach along with amazing wave; best for surfing. The natural beauty of the southern tip of Bali’s highland with its hollowing waves and peaceful surroundings has attracted more and more visitors to enjoy its serenity and peacefulness. Location: Suluban beach is one of several frivolous beaches located at Pecatu village on the southern tip of Badung District, about three km from Uluwatu temple. The beach is about 32km south of Denpasar, and can be reached through Kuta, Ngurah Rai International Airport, and Jimbaran. The sloping and bending road around the hill offers a panoramic view. NUSA DUA BEACH Description: Nusa Dua enclave has the most complete tourist facilities in Bali, including luxurious hotels, sporting facilities, shopping center and international convention hall, to mention a few. The empty, arid land of Nusa Dua started to develop in 1974 and the government trusted the management to Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC). Location: The distance between Nusa Dua and Denpasar is 30 km, through Kuta to the south, 12 km from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

DENPASAR MUNICIPALITY

SANUR BEACH Description: Sanur has been known worldwide literally a century ago, when the deadly, horrendous battle of Puputan Badung took place on September 20, 1906 as the Dutch troops anchored here. This beach was first introduced into international community by a Belgian painter, A.T. Le Mayeur, who married a Balinese dancer Ni Polok, and stayed here since 1937 and often held painting exhibitions of his own. The main attraction of Sanur is its calm beach. In the south east, one can observe Nusa Penida Island across the sea and in the eastern side, the panoramic view of South Bali along with its range of mountains is a spectacular sight that should not be missed. In a bright afternoon the scenery is simply beautiful. Location: Sanur is six km from Denpasar, one can get to this beach by car, motorcycle or regular public transportation. BENOA HARBOUR Description: Benoa is the marine activity hub of the island, for both domestic and international. Boating races are regularly held here with overseas participants hosted by Royal Bali Yacht Club, RBYC. From this harbor visitors can extend their vacation to other destinations, including Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Lombok, on their own boats or on cruises available here such as Bali Hai Cruise, The Bounty, Nusa Lembongan, to mention a few. Location: This harbor is six km to the south from Denpasar.

KARANGASEM DISTRICT

PADANG BAI BEACH Description: Padang Bai is an harbor area naturally sheltered by cluster of hills and has for centuries been serving as the island’s important sea port. Over the eastern hill of Padang Bai beach lay The Silayukti temple, built by Mpu Kuturan, one of Hindu’s most respected prophets from Java, around the eleventh century. On the western side is another temple called Penataran Agung temple, built by another Hindu holy man from Java named Danghyang Nirartha around the sixteenth century. Location: Padang Bai is located in the sub-district of Manggis, Karangasem, 53 km from Denpasar or 30 km to west from the Eastern Bali capital of Amlapura. JEMELUK BEACH Decription: Jemeluk is a famous among underwater lovers. Crystal clear and steady water, beautiful coral layer on which various kinds of decorative tropical fish live. Other attraction include traditional salting ground along beach towards Amed, besides the breath-taking view with the towering Mt. Agung in the background, hills with valleys, the vast blue ocean adorned with rows of the fishermen’s traditional rowing boats. Location: Jemeluk is located on the coastal area of Purwakerti Village, sub-district of Abang, Karangasem. About 101 km from Denpasar or 21 km from Amlapura.

TABANAN DISTRICT

SOKA BEACH Description: Soka is one of the most beautiful beaches in western part of Bali. Panorama view with chains of hills forms natural walls on the west side through to Batukaru Mountain Range on the north. On the eastside, Agung Mountain is seen in the distance and Indonesian ocean is on the south with the eastern tip of east Java in the backdrop. Soka beach hides thousand of natural miracles and legends. One can find a massive coral stone with size of about 30 cubic meters surrounded by sand and sea water believed to be cooking pot of Balinese mighty man named Kebo Iwa. On the west side of the cooking pot, there is a another coral stone depicting a traditional stove about 10x20 meters in size believed as the stove on which the mighty Kebo Iwa cooked his meal. Location: Soka beach is in Antap Village, sub-district of Selamadeg, Tabanan, 45 km from Denpasar or 84 km from Gilimanuk

JEMBRANA DISTRICT

MEDEWI BEACH Description: Medewi is a rocky beach with fairly good waves for surfing. Its sloping part on the west with a bit receding to the south where a number of traditional rowing boats jukung tied up makes an amazing scene mainly at sunset. Location: Medewi Beach is located about 100 meters from the Denpasar-Gilimanuk main road. It can be easily reached within one and half hours drive from Denpasar, or about 72 km. DELOD BRAWAH BEACH Description: Delod Brawah beach is a sloping, black-sandy beach, an ideal location for recreation and swimming. The black color comes from a natural process, especially the swampy (called Berawah in Balinese) area nearby. So then, the people who live on the north side called the newly-formed village Delod Berawah, south of the swampy area. On the north side of Delod Brawah beach is a former rice field where traditional water buffalo race called Makepung is regularly held. This is such an attraction only to be found in Jembrana. Location: The beach can easily be reached from the sub-district of Mendoyo, Jembrana, about 88 km from Denpasar. It is about 1,5 km to the south from Tegalcangkring through extensive rice field often visited by flock of herons and storks. PERANCAK BEACH Description: Perancak or Purancak is located on the southwestern coastal area of Bali, at Purancak Village. At the west tip is the legendary Purancak Temple facing west towards a river with its calm water whereas wild coastal vegetations grow on both side of the river. The ocean is just about 250 meter to the south with its clear blue water while the eastern tip of East Java is seen in the distance. On the right side of estuary are rows of traditional houses under the coconut trees with leaves waving in the breeze Location: Purancak beach is located about 10 km south east of Tegal Cangkring village, Negara, 96 km from Denpasar following the main road to Gilimanuk.

BULELENG DISTRICT

LOVINA BEACH Description: Lovina, from Love Ina (Indonesia), is known for its fantastic beach, calm water, black sand, colorful coral and various kinds of tropical fish. Its calm water is an ideal location for various marine activities, such as fishing, swimming, diving, snorkeling, or just immersing in the water. Added to all these attractions is an army of dolphins in their original habitat. Visitors usually depart at dawn to watch hundreds of this friendly fish one km offshore. Lovina also has some other interesting places nearby, such as Banjar hot spring, Buddhist Vihara, Gitgit and Singsing waterfalls. Location: Lovina beach is also known as Kalibukbuk. It covers a total of five kilometer distance of two sub-districts of Buleleng and Banjar, consisting of six villages including Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Anturan, and Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus. The famous tourist resort is located 10 km to the west of the northern capital of Singaraja. source from http://www.balitourismboard.org/

BALI TROPICAL FRUITS

Bali has an abundance of fruit with many varieties that are a lot more interesting than just your average apple or orange. Tropical fruits come in strange colours, shapes and textures, yet each is quite exotic in its own way.

Just about everyone seems to enjoy the mangosteen which has been referred to as the ‘Queen of Fruits’. Slightly smaller than a tennis ball with a deep purple skin, the inside reveals 4-8 pinky-white edible segments that are delicately sweet.

One of the oddest looking tropical fruit in Bali is the rambutan, also known as hairy fruit. This reflects the fruits most unusual skin of soft rubbery spines that are crimson in colour. Inside is a single piece of sweet translucent flesh that surrounds a woody seed. The whole segment is pooped into the mouth and the tangy flesh nibbled off leaving only the inedible seed.

Another unusual fruit is the salak, which is recognized by its teardrop shape and brown scaly snake-like peel. The fruit inside consists of a large segment and one or two smaller lobes that tastes pleasantly crisp with the consistency of a carrot. Salak is not a remarkable tasting fruit, yet it grows abundantly in Bali’s drier regions and is readily available at the local marketplace.

The seasonal fruit called durian is a great favourite within the Asian community and because it is such a delicacy it can be quite expensive. Known for its pungent odour that many Westerners find quite offensive, this controversial fruit is often banned from hotels and restaurants. Durian generally comes in the shape of a coconut, often larger, with a thick pale green outer rind that is covered with sharp thorns. Once cut open with a butcher’s cleaver, the inside reveals sections of creamy pulp that surrounds large seeds.

Banana, mango, papaya, pineapple and coconut are also some of the types of tropical fruits that are plentiful in Bali. A platter of seasonal fresh fruits or a delicious blended juice makes a refreshing holiday breakfast.

PUPUTAN BADUNG (WAR TILL THE LAST BLOOD FOR THE KINGDOM)

On 20^th September 2006, the island of Bali will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of a tragic event with great historical significance. This date commemorates the bloody suicidal battle led by the King of Denpasar against Dutch colonialists. Referred to as ‘the puputan’, or fight until death, this atrocious massacre took place in the heart of Denpasar where a park square is now located.

It is believed that the battle resulted in a chain of events when a cargo ship was wrecked off the coastline of Sanur. The local Balinese people helped to rescue survivors and salvage the cargo. However, the Chinese owner of the ship complained that the Balinese were in fact looting the cargo and this news filtered back to the controlling Dutch authorities. Inevitably the Dutch send a military expedition to investigate the complaint as they had been seeking any opportunity to try and oppress the Balinese. So it wasn’t long before a troop of Dutch soldiers marched into the capital of Denpasar to take up the issue of the shipwreck with the local King.

On the morning of 20^th September 1906, the King, his family and literally thousands of followers dressed in white clothing and prepared themselves to meet the Dutch soldiers. Armed with traditional swords, these Balinese warriors were made up of men, women and children, who were united in the quest to defend their King’s honour and reputation.

What should have been a peaceful discussion turned to bloodshed as the Balinese began to run amuk. They invincible charged into a hail of Dutch bullets and then turned their swords on themselves as if to deliberately seek death. It is estimated that over 1000 Balinese, including almost the entire Denpasar royal family as well as women and children were killed in this siege. This imbalance of power during the ‘puputan Badung’ frustrated the Dutch and brought significant shame to them as a colonial power.

The day following the catastrophe a mass cremation ceremony was held with the intention of directing the souls of the deceased to heaven. However, this resulted in a double edged tragedy as many of the remaining women who had not been killed in the battle jumped into the creation fire.

In a final act of arrogance, the Dutch then burnt the great palace of Denpasar to the ground. This incident marked a more complex press for control and foreign administration over the island of Bali and thus the onset of colonial tourism.

Today a monument stands tall at the Puputan Badung community square in front of the Governor of Bali’s residence in central Denpasar. It depicts three warriors bearing traditional weaponry in a stance that recaptures the final moments of glory before purposely seeking a suicidal path.

The Netherlands Indies expedition army during a thrust to Kesiman confronted by road barricades and ambushes built by the Badung troops. 19 September 2006.

Fieldguns in action during the thrust of the Netherlands Indies expedition army to Denpasar. 20 September 1906.

The palace of the second Puputan of Badung where the co-reigning prince of Badung, Gusti Ngurah Made Pamecutan, with his family and faithful followers died on 20 September 1906 between 16.00 and 17.00 in the afternoon. A scene from Puputan in Pamecutan, where the old prince of Pamecutan, Gusti Gde Ngurah Pamecutan with his family and faithful followers found death on the square not far from the Puri (palace). One sees the gold sedan chair in the middle of scores of dead people in the foreground on the right hand of the photo.

The disembarkment of troops of The Netherlands Indies Expedition army from one of transport ships on the roadstead of Pabean Sanur, 14 September 1906.

The mortal remains of the prince of Badung, Gusti Gde Ngurah Denpasar after the Puputan was carried by several faithful followers to the Puri (palace). The mortal remains is seen lying on a litter covered with mats. 20 September 1906.

Taken From : blog.baliwww.com

BALI FLORA and FAUNA

The tropical climate, with its biannual change of seasons, makes volcanic Bali a very fertile land. Many different kinds of tropical plants Wow well in the cool highlands and hot, dry coastal areas. The average humidity of 60% during the dry season and 100% during the rainy season influences fertility of the many types of tropical flora, which Wow in Bali.



The daily life of the Hindu Balinese, which is strongly characterized with a diverse range of rituals, makes plentiful use of the fauna and flora available on the island. Leaves and coconuts of the palm tree, bananas, fruits, and a diverse range of flowers are some examples of the flora that is used frequently in daily life. Fruits, such as the salak and the jeruk (citrus), are popularly used as offerings, and are known throughout the archipelago as a specialty of the fruits cultivated in Bali.


Aside from the areas near the seashore surrounding the island, the regency of Jembrana in West Bali is the largest provider of coconuts with its palm tree plantations, whereas many kinds of fruits and flowers are grown in the mountain areas such as Bedugul, Bangli and northern Badung. Tree trunks, found in most areas of Bali, are used as building material. For example, the kwantitan (jackfruit tree) is generally used for the construction of buildings in Bali.


Various kinds of animals are also used in Balinese rituals. Cocks, hens, pigs, and chicks are most often used in a variety of daily rituals, whereas animals that take a long time to grow are used for higher level rites, like the Tawur Bhuta Yadnya which happens in cycles of more than five years. Tigers, for example, are only used in the Eka Dasa Rudra ritual, which occurs every hundred years.


Bali is known for the Jalak Bali, which is extremely rare because of its very low population growth. Its habitat, the West Bali National Park, is increasingly affected by pollution, and poachers and smugglers have also caused the population of the Jalak Bali to fall. It is of deep concern that, unless it receives proper protection, the Jalak Bali may shortly become extinct in its natural habitat.

Kecak Dance

Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali. It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.
In the 1930's Wayan Limbak worked with German painter Walter Spies to create the Kecak from movements and themes in the traditional sanghyang exorcism ritual and the portions of the Ramayana. This collaboration between artists worked to create a dance that was both authentic to Balinese traditions but also palatable to Western tourist's narrow tastes at the time. Wayan Limbak popularized the dance by traveling throughout the world with Balinese performance groups. These travels have helped to make the Kecak famous throughout the world.

A troupe of over 150 bare-chested men serve as the chorus circling the flame at the centre where the dancer are performing.
The Kecak Dance tells the Indian story of Ramayana. Rama, a warrior and rightful hier to the throne of Ayodya, is exiled with his wife Sita to a faraway desert. There, an evil king spies Sita, falls in love with her, and sends a golden deer to lure Rama away. Sita is captured, and Rama rounds up his armies to defeat those of the evil king and rescue her. Rama is the man in green dancing in the center of the circle, the golden deer is in yellow in the back.
What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants. They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors. They don't sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.

Bali in Brief

Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital in Denpasar towards the south of the island. Bali is home to a population of over 3 million, the vast majority of which are Indonesia's small Hindu minority. Bali is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.

Bali lies between Java in the West and Lombok in the East. The island is 153 km long and 112 km wide (95 by 69 miles) with a surface area of 5,633 km². It is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines and picturesque rice terraces and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens cover its alluvial plains.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. The beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black and grey volcanic sand. Bali has two active volcanoes. Mount Agung, Bali’s highest peak, rises to an impressive height of 3,142 m (10,308 feet). It last erupted in March 1963. An eruption around 30,000 years ago, from Mount Batur, Bali’s second active volcano was recoded as of one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth. The mountainous region covers Bali from its centre to the eastern side of the island. It is due to this terrain that the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains and the coast.