With
a reputation as being one of the most beautiful and diverse tourist
spots in Asia, Bali attracts almost 1,000,000 visitors a year,
from all around the world.
Geographically, Bali lies between the islands of Java and Lombok
and is one of more than 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian
Archipelago. Bali is small, stretching approximately 140 km from
east to west and 80 km from north to south. Slightly off center
and running east to west, are a string of volcanic mountains.
The tallest is Gunung Agung, which last erupted in 1963 and is
3,142 m. at its highest point.
Lying just 8o
south of the equator, Bali boasts a tropical climate with just
two seasons, wet and dry, a year and an average annual temperature
of around 28oC. The rich volcanic soil and healthy monsoon season
make this island extremely fertile and a range of crops are grown
here. The wide and gently sloping southern regions play host to
Bali’s famed rice terraces, among some of the most spectacular
in the world. In the hilly, northern coastal regions, the main
produce is coffee, copra, spices, vegetables, cattle and rice.
The Balinese people
have strong spiritual roots and despite the large influx of tourists
over the years, their culture is still very much alive. The main
religion is Agama Hindu Dharma, which arrived in Bali with the
spread of Hinduism through Java and Sumatra and Java during the
11th century. Although originally from India, the Balinese religion
is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous
beliefs, with customs that are very different from the traditional
from of Hinduism practiced in India today. With the arrival of
Islam in neighboring Java during the 15th century, a large number
of courtiers, artist, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali, creating
an artistic renaissance.
Naturally creative,
the Balinese have traditionally used their talents for religious
purposes and most of the beautiful work to be seen here has been
inspired by stories from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics. The
incredibly colorful cremation pyres and the everyday offerings
to the gods, placed in side every shop and business, are made
with an eye for detail and beauty.
The majority of Bali’s 3,000,000 people live, for the most
part, in tight village communities with large extended families.
The largest towns are the capital Denpasar, population approximately
250,000, and Singaraja in the north. The main tourist area is
Kuta, situated near the airport. The small sleepy village became
a major attraction during the tourist boom of the 70’s,
because of its famed white sand beaches, the surf, and stunning
sunsets.
Today, Kuta is
a major hustling and bustling resort town, with hundreds of hotels,
bars, restaurants and shops. Those in search of a little peace
and quiet tend to head for the more sedate resorts of Sanur and
Candi Dasa, on the east coast, or Lovina in the north. Nusa Dua,
another major resort on the southern-most peninsula of the island,
caters for the more-up market crowd and is home to almost all
of the bigger 5-star hotels, as well as one of Bali’s golf
courses. Then central village of Ubud, in the hilly region of
Gianyar, has also blossomed as a tourist attraction and is now
considered to be the artistic and cultural center of Bali.
