Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is an ideal holiday destination for all ages. It has a wonderful blend of modern tourist facilities combined with excellent shopping opportunities and a rich heritage. A unique aspect of Bali is its active Hindu culture. Many Hindu-Balinese rituals are reflected in daily life and can be seen in numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces.
Banana Boat Riding is a thrilling activity for all but the smallest children. This activity can be found on numerous beaches throughout Bali and is a wet & wild experience.
There are a myriad of festivals in Bali. Some are dedicated to the art of woodcarving or the birth of a goddess. Other festivals include temple festivals, fasting & retreat ceremonies, cleansing festival, special prayers for the dead, nights of penance (sivaratri), harvest festivals (usaba), blood sacrifices and house deity anniversaries (odalan sangguh).
Bali uses three calendars (the Western, the Saka and the Wuku calendars) so finding a fixed date for local festivals on the western calendar can be difficult or inaccurate. Therefore, when you first arrive in Bali it is advised that you seek out a tourist office and get a list of current festivals and events from them. As Bali has festivals almost daily especially temple festivals, the tourist office will fill you in on these local festivities, many of which are not listed below due to the fact that the dates for the celebrations fluctuate from year to year.
You will mostly likely come across a festival or ceremony during your stay in Bali. Temples are beautifully bedecked with flowers, palm leaves, flags and bamboo towers, complete with noisy parades, food offerings and prayers that add religious fervour to the festive ambience.
Balinese ceremonies are normally held during late afternoons or evenings when the day is cooler. Balinese believe that the island is owned by the supreme god Sanghyang Widhi and has been handed down to the Balinese in sacred trust. To show their appreciation, the people fill their waking hours with symbolic activities and worship. If you see a procession of women garbed in traditional wear, carrying small bowls or balancing towering offerings on their heads, or a group of batik-clad men with head-cloths, just put on a shirt, grab your camera and mingle with the crowd - you will always be welcomed.
Bali boasts many beaches, each very different from the other. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to tuck into a book, or an action-packed scene of surfers and sun-worshipers, Bali has got it all!
Ngurah Rai International Airport is situated in the south of the island, not far from the resorts of Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur. It is about 15km from Bali’s capital city of Denpassar.
There are a range restaurants and shops, including duty-free and souvenir, in the airport. Several banks and currency exchange is also available, but do not offer great rates, better to visit one in town. Information desks are located on the first floor of the international arrivals terminal.
Automatic Teller Machines are quite common, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. Most of them are connected to international banking networks, thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network.
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