Bali
& Its People
A
friendly and remarkably artistic people, living
amid breathtaking panoramas, have created dynamic
society with unique arts and ceremonies and ceremonies,
making Bali an island almost unreal in today's
hectic and changing world. Terrace ricefields
dominate the landscape, with rivers and small
irrigation streams disecting a luscious green
landscape, filling the air with enchanting sounds
of running water.
Bali divided by a string of impressive and authoritative
volcanoes running almost through the center of
the island. Mountains and particularly volcanoes
are believed to be the home of the gods. Shrouded
in mystery and magic, they stretch skyward in
majestic splendor. Bali's main volcano is the
still active and sometimes explosive. Gunung Agung,
which is considered, sacred among local people
as it is believed to be the center of the universe.
Not just a view visitors leave with the same believe.
The
ancient kingdoms of the "Rajas" and
princes of Bali were dismantled by colonial governments
in the early part of this century, but many of
the royal descendants still own traditional palaces
and are very much respected as patrons of the
arts. Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali's
unique form of Hinduism called "Hindu Darma".
Classical dance dramas for example, are based
on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the
Mahabarata, but contain an element of local folklore,
perculiar to the island. The very soul of Bali
is rooted in religion and is expressed in art
forms that have been passionately preserved over
the centuries. It seems that almost every person
is an artist, spending free time applying skills
and images which have been passed down from generation
to generation and grasped from a very young age.
Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate
paintings and dances, extaordinary carvings, superb
weaving or even in decorations made for myriad
shrines which can be found in public area, on
roads, in paddy field or in homes, the island
is alive with art.
The
Balinese have been more exposed to international
tourists and generally speak more English than
people in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago.
They have managed to preserve their culture despite
overwhelming foreign influences brought to the
region by an ever increasing number of tourist.
Bali's international airport, Ngurah Rai, is in
the south of the island and is served by numerous
international airlines and charters. In order
to keep up with the growing number of visitors
and the need for their comfort, more hotel have
been built, ranging from small bungalows types
for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua
tourist resort area, near the air port, on the
southern tip of the island. Water sports have
naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers
superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving
and white water rafting.
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INDONESIA
