The island on the south side is washed Indian Ocean, and from the north - the Bali Sea. The western part of the island is separated by the Bali Strait from the island of Java, the eastern side of Bali - by the Lombok Strait from the island of Lombok.

Everything you need to know about Bali

All tourists who have ever vacationed in Bali can confidently declare that the island is a fabulous place created by nature and carefully preserved by the local population in its pristine beauty.

The island does not differ in territorial expanses, but it cannot be called very small either:

• the area of ​​Bali is 5780 km²;
• its length from east to west reaches 150 km;
• and the length from north to south is 80 km.

Not everyone, going on vacation to Indonesia, knows one of the features of the island of Bali: that across the entire island in the direction from west to east stretches Mountain chain with an increased zone of volcanic activity.

And some are especially surprised by the fact that there are two active volcanoes in Bali:

• Gunung Agung (3142 m);
• and Gunung Batur (1717 m).

The capital of the island is the city of Denpasar, which is also the largest city in Bali.

Everything you need to know about Bali's climate

The climate in Bali can be described as equatorial monsoon. On the island, there are not all 4 seasons of the season, to which many Russian tourists are accustomed.

IMPORTANT!
It is worth knowing that it is customary to distinguish 2 seasons in Bali:

• dry season, lasting from June to October, ideal for relaxation;
• the wet season lasting from November to March, often referred to by tourists as the "monsoon season in Bali".

The largest number precipitation falls in January - February. wet season in no case should it scare away those who want to spend time on the island: thunderstorms usually pass at night and their duration is approximately 2 hours. In Bali, all seasons are good for a holiday, and perhaps a little rain during your holiday will save you from the sweltering heat. The average annual air temperature does not fall below 26ºС. The water temperature in the ocean never drops below 26ºС, the average annual water temperature fluctuates at around 28ºС.

All the most necessary information about the population of Bali

According to the 2010 census of the population of Bali, it is known that the total inhabitants of the island are 3,890,757 people. The Balinese are very proud of traditions and are immensely proud of them. The most important and revered inhabitants of the island are babies, whose souls, following the faith of the local population, are closest to heaven. Each inhabitant of the island, being born, receives a gift from the priest. The whole life of the Balinese is accompanied by certain ceremonies and rituals performed in the allotted time period of life.

The following can be said about regilia on the island of Bali:

• about 84% of the population profess Hinduism, namely its Balivian variety, called "Agama Hindu Dharma";
• about 13% of the inhabitants are Muslims;
• only about 2% of the population are Christians;
• less than 1% practice Buddhism (all Buddhists in Bali are Chinese or visitors to permanent place residence by foreigners).

The locals are always happy to have guests. The flow of tourists has been growing over the years, and the attitude of the Balinese towards visiting guests has not worsened at all.

Official language

Indonesian. The indigenous local population speaks Balinese. The Balinese, whose field of activity is related to tourism, are quite good at expressing themselves in English language, especially the younger generation.

Resort towns in Bali

All resorts in Bali are good in their own way. You can get the most plausible ideas about each of them only when you are in Bali.

Main resorts:

• Sanur - perfect place for family holidays;


• Nusa Dua ( Nusa Dua) - the most prestigious resort place in Bali, which everyone unanimously calls the most expensive place islands;


• Benoa is the best place to get a complete picture of Bali, looking from the windows of the properties with views of the ocean and the nearest islands;


• Jimbaran - a resort where modest bungalows side by side with luxurious 5-star hotels with ocean views;


• Kuta (Kuta) - the most popular and democratic place in terms of prices for a young audience of tourists, where a huge number of opportunities for surfing in Bali are concentrated;


• Legian (Legian) - a resort that is closely adjacent to Kuta, but is distinguished by tranquility;


• Ubud is an area that tells all about the creative life in Bali.

Currency in Bali

Indonesian rupiah (IDR).
Currency exchange rate:
1$ - 9550 rupees;
1€ - 12440 rupees.

Difference in time

Difference in time:

• between Bali and Novosibirsk is - 1 hour (in favor of Bali);
• between Bali and Moscow - 4 hours (in favor of Bali).

Visa to enter Bali

All citizens of Russia who dream of a trip to the island should know if a visa is required for Bali upon arrival at the airport. When entering the country, an individual stamp is affixed to the tourist's passport.

The visa is valid for 30 days. The visa fee is $25.

Bali is a unique island where you need to be personally at least once in your life.

It has everything for a comfortable stay: the beautiful beaches of Bali, the beauty of which is not forgotten and

Geography

Map of Bali island

The area of ​​the island is 5780 km², the length is 150 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. The so-called Wallace Line, stretching from Bali and Lombok to eastbound, serves as a boundary between the flora and fauna of tropical Asia and the natural zones of Australia and New Guinea.

Relief

Bali is the extreme point Sunda Islands in front of the islands of Small Sunda and Nusa Tenggara. A mountain range stretches from west to east of Bali - a zone of high volcanic activity. Two large active volcanoes Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Gunung Batur (1717 m) are located in the northeastern part of the island. Volcanic activity causes high soil fertility and affects the development of culture. The large eruptions of Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung in 1963, which led to numerous casualties, devastated eastern regions country, forcing many Balinese to emigrate.

Among the others mountain peaks the highest are Batukau (2278 m) and Abang (2152 m). This mountain range with a limestone plateau located in the south, which is called "bukit" - hills, divides the territory of the island into two completely different regions. Northern, rises quite sharply from a narrow coastline to the mountain slopes. The climate here is relatively dry, favoring coffee cultivation. In this part of Bali there are two rivers that irrigate the rice fields around Singaraja and Seririt. The southern region is a terrace stretching from north to south, on which rice is grown. Numerous rivers flow through gorges with lush vegetation. The southwest is small, well-irrigated tracts of land and arid lands of coconut palm plantations.

Climate

Flora and fauna

4 types of forests grow in Bali: humid evergreen tropical in the west, deciduous in the northwest in remote areas, savanna forests and mountain forests. Moist evergreen forests are represented in Bali Barat Park (translated as "Western Bali"). Here you can find rare species of plants, huge centuries-old trees that are under protection. Many plants of the ficus family, fig and banana groves. Deciduous forests grow in the northwestern part of Bali. They change their foliage with the seasons, and this flora is dominated by sapote trees. Mountain vegetation is rarely located above 1500 m above sea level, these are mainly casuarina and filaos. Banana palms in Bali are sacred, they grow very well, propagated by roots, and feed many animals: monkeys, squirrels, bats.

Palm trees are especially well represented in Bali. The leaves of borass palms, dried and pressed, are used to make “lontars”, on which sacred texts are written. Sugar palm leaves are used to make bouquets that are brought to temples as ritual offerings. There are other types of trees, such as ebony, or ebony, as well as balsa wood, extremely light - a convenient material for traditional masks. There are many bamboo trees, some species of which reach 30-40 cm in diameter. They can be found almost throughout the island, and bamboo is also a versatile building material for the Balinese.

Landscape architecture has become a real industry. The abundance of labor and fertile soil, on which everything that is planted easily takes root, contributes to the development of horticulture, especially in the south of the island and in the Bedugul region. Red, pink and white hibiscus, jasmine, bougainvillea, white and pink laurels, water lilies, lotuses and rather exotic plants such as angsoka, chempaca (yellow magnolia), manori and orchids.

Population

A total of 3,890,757 people live on the island (2010).

Bali is a Hindu society living on the territory of a Muslim country and constantly in contact with foreigners. All this only fuels interest in local customs. The Balinese themselves are quite proud of their traditions and usually strictly follow a code of conduct. Tourists visiting the island should take this for granted and adapt to local customs.

Balinese people are quite friendly towards tourists, but not towards Indonesians from other islands. Despite the abundance of tourists, the attitude towards them does not deteriorate significantly, unlike most popular resorts.

Cities

• Denpasar is the capital and The largest city islands.
• Singaraja is an industrial city in the north of the island.
• Kuta is a resort town.
• Ubud is the center of Balinese artistic life.

Administrative division

Together with the adjacent islands, Bali forms the province of the same name in Indonesia, which is part of administrative region Lesser Sunda Islands. The province of Bali is divided into 8 districts (kabupaten) and one urban municipality (kota):

№	Adm. unit	Adm. center	Territory km²	Population people (2010)
1	Jembrana County	Negara	841,80	261 618
2	Tabanan County	Tabanan	839,30	420 370
3	Badung County	Mangupura	418,52	543 681
4	Gianjar District	Gianjar	368,00	470 380
5	Klungkung County	Semarapura	315,00	170 559
6	Bangli District	Bangli	520,81	215 404
7	Karangasem County	Amlapura	839,54	396 892
8	Buleleng County	Singaraja	1365,88	624 079
9	Denpasar	Denpasar	123,98	788 445
	Total		5780,06	3 891 428

Religion

Hindu temple in Bali

The majority of Balinese (93.93% of the population) practice a form of Hinduism called "Agama Hindu Dharma". About 5% of the population are Muslims. They reside mainly in Denpasar, Singaraja and small coastal towns. There are few Christians and Buddhists - these are the Chinese, the indigenous population, as well as foreigners living on the island (English, Australians, Dutch, French, Italians, Russians and others).

In total, there are about 20 thousand temples in Bali.

Terrorist activity

Transport

Central and most important transport hub on the island is Ngurah Rai Airport. This is a modern and well-equipped airport located near Denpasar, 3 km from Kuta, 15 km from Nusa Dua and 12 km from Sanur. It is served by a large number of taxis available day and night.

The most inexpensive form of transport is large modern buses (less than $ 1), which appeared just recently, in 2011. There are still very few lines, but now work is underway to expand the transport base and build stops. In fact, only one Nusa Dua line (a well-known tourist place) is functioning - Batubulyan (a city in the center of the island, not far from the zoo, a bird and reptile park, a center for the production and sale of batik)

The most common transport among the local population is a moped or scooter. There are a great many of them, they drive from young to old (from 10 years old). Local police respond only to 2 terrible offenses: driving without a helmet and driving over the stop line. Everything else (driving in the opposite direction, driving without a license, high speed) they ignore.

Cars in Bali are super slow. everywhere there is an economical small-capacity engine. And they themselves are usually large, roomy (microbuses), because families usually have many children and it is less convenient to carry them in a regular sedan.

Numerous agencies are available for tourists and guests of the island, where you can rent cars, motorcycles and move around the island on your own. However, not everyone will decide to take this step, because. traffic is left-handed and is now quite active. Automatic transmission is very rare. So hiring a driver is a perfectly reasonable decision. Moreover, the cost of this service is low, from $30 to $50 per day.

Tourism

After the recognition of independence, tourism was rather poorly developed, and the infrastructure was in its infancy. Even in the days of hippies who flocked here from all over the world, there were only small bungalows without electricity on the beaches of Kuta, cheap rooms with no amenities and meals. sea ​​food for a few cents. However, in Sanur, tour operators have already mastered tourism for the rich. The government of Indonesia, whose economy was very dependent on oil exports, needed to find other sources of income, and it greatly contributed to the development of the tourism industry.

At first, these efforts were aimed at changing in the eyes of the entire world community the unsightly image that had taken hold of the Indonesian ruling elite after the military coup.

A professional analysis of the situation in Bali and a plan for the development of tourism was made in 1969. The project was financed by the UN under the guarantee of the World Bank. Particular emphasis was placed on the Bukit-Badung area. In 1978, Balinese Governor Ida Bagus Mantra invited interested parties to pay attention to the rich culture of the island. Since that time, music, dance, religious festivals, sculpture and painting have played the same role in the tourism business, as well as the constant improvement of infrastructure. The airport is being reconstructed, luxury hotels and modest budget hotels are being built to cover the entire social spectrum of travel enthusiasts. Rice fields are being drained and aqueducts are being built in the most arid regions. Inexpensive has been replaced by elite tourism. Now world-famous stars come to Sanur for their wedding ceremonies, and European ministers spend their holidays at the “Mediterranean Club” in Nusa Dua.

From 2001 to 2008, the annual women's tennis tournament Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic was held in Bali, in 2009 it received the status of the Tournament of Champions and became known as the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.

On October 18 - 26, 2008, Bali was the venue for the 1st Asian Beach Games, which took place on the beaches of Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Mertasari, and Serangan Island became the venue for sailing competitions.

In 2009 Bali hosted the 16th Asian Archery Championship.

There are several golf courses in Bali. In 1994, Bali Golf and Country Club's golf course was selected to host the Alfred Dunhill Masters.

Bali is a real surfer mecca, where good waves there is practically all year round. In the summer (May-September), east winds prevail, so surf spots on the western side of the island, such as Batubalong, Kuta, Balangan, Padang Padang, work well. IN winter time(November-March) due to southwesterly winds, spots from the southeast side begin to work well, such as Serangan, Nusa Dua, Geger and Greenball. Bali often hosts world-class surfing competitions such as the Padang Padang RipCurl Cup. There are Russian and international surf schools and camps.

Attractions

• Pura Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple in Bali.
• Taman Ayun is the main temple of the Mengwi kingdom.
• Botanical garden in the crater of the volcano.
• Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan.
• Uluwatu Temple, where the kechak dance performance takes place.
• Temple of Tanah Lot.
• Royal graves.
• Waterfall Git-Git
• Gunung Kawi
• Goa Gaja - temple in the jaws of a demon
• Tirtagangga

Notes

1. Indonesian Central Statistical Agency official website
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia . - Soviet Encyclopedia. - T. 2. - S. 572.
3. Ageenko F. L. Proper names in Russian: Dictionary of stresses. - M .: Publishing house of NTs ENAS, 2001. - S. 35. - 376 p. - ISBN 5-93196-107-0
4. Encyclopedic dictionary of geographical names / Kalesnik, Stanislav Vikentievich. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1973. - 808 p.
5. Abramenko V. G. Southeast Asia(directory). M.: Crystal, 1996. - 168 p.
6. Orlinkov A.F. Geography of Asia. M.: Nauka, 1994. - 296 p.
7. Petrov S.S., Petrova I.G. A large reference book of Asian countries. M.: Thought, 1997. - 134 p.
8. Volodin A.A., Mikhalev P.I. Balinese Hinduism. St. Petersburg: Iris, 2001 - 98 p.
9. "Bali death toll set at 202". BBC News
10. CNN report
11. Golovina E. I. Bali. M.: Le Petit Fute, 2001. - 192 p.
12. Tales of Bali. Arranged by J. Hoijkas-van Leeuwen Bomkamp. Per. with him. Z. A. Mirkina. M.: "Nauka", 1983. 272 ​​p.
13. Indonesian Sailing Federation.
14. "The Road to Bali Begins" - article on the official website of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions (English).
15. Bali Golf and Country Club - description at allbalitours.com (eng.).

Literature

• Demin L. M. Bali Island / USSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of the Peoples of Asia .. - M .: Nauka, Head. ed. east lit., 1964. - 304 p.(reg.)

Bali

Bali is one of the provinces of Indonesia, located between the islands of Java and Lombok. Bali is the largest tourist destination in the country. The island is famous for its highly developed art, magnificent natural resources and fabulous temples.

General information

Bali is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The population of the province, according to 2012 data, is 4.22 million people. Most of the population (over 90%) professes "Agama Hindu Dharma" - a form of Hinduism.

The history of Bali covers the period from the Paleolithic to the present day. The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. During its rather rich history, Bali was under the influence of the Javanese Singasari dynasty (in the XIII and XIV centuries), since 1511 the island was a colony of Portugal. In 1597, the island of Bali became a Dutch colony, until the middle of the 20th century, when on December 29, 1949, the Netherlands recognized the independence of Indonesia.

The major cities of Bali are the capital of the province - Denpasar, the industrial city of Singaraja, the resort of Kuta and the cultural center of Bali - the city of Ubud. In 2010, Bali was awarded as best island for leisure and travel, thanks to the attractive environment, diverse attractions, the friendliness of the locals, great international and local restaurants.

The inhabitants of the island are proud and strictly observe their traditions. When visiting Bali, you should follow a few strictly established rules.

• Public hugs and kisses are not allowed.
• It is forbidden to point at objects with your foot.
• When visiting the temples of the island, you should wear a special long cape - a sarong.
• It is forbidden to stand in front of a Balinese who is praying.
• It is not customary to appear in public places without a shirt or in a swimsuit.

Weather in Bali

The island is located in the equatorial-monsoon climate zone. In this regard, there are 2 seasons in Bali: dry (May - October) and wet (November - April). Most of the rain falls in January and February. During these months, the nature of the island comes to life, the vegetation acquires a rich emerald color.

The air temperature practically does not change throughout the year. Its average annual mark fluctuates around 26 °C. The coolest month is July, the hottest month is February. The best time to visit Bali is from May to August.

Transport Bali

TO public transport the islands include rickshaws and cheap three-wheeled minibuses - bemo. Between major tourist centers Comfortable buses run in Bali, the fare in which is slightly higher than in ordinary buses.

There is still no rail service in Bali. The local population of the island travels mainly on mopeds and scooters. For independent movement in Bali, you can rent a car, moped or bicycle. Please note that traffic in Indonesia is on the left side of the road.

Districts of Bali

Kuta is the busiest area of ​​the island. It attracts tourists with vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches with fine golden sand and an atmosphere of cheerfulness.

Nusa Dua - luxury resort located in the south of the island. The resort is the safest and calm place on Bali. This is a closed area intended for recreation of foreign tourists.

Jimbaran - popular resort located 20 km from the airport. The area is famous for its white sandy beaches, gentle calm seas and restaurants serving superbly cooked seafood.

Sanur - popular for family vacation resort. This is a quiet area with smooth and wide sidewalks, numerous green spaces, flowers and huge trees.

Chandi Dasa and Tulamben(Candidasa and Tulamben) - an ideal place for diving. A popular place in the area are the wreckage of the American ship Liberty that sank off the coast. This is a haven for corals, mollusks and various fish.

Ubud is an area located in the center of the island. It is surrounded by picturesque hills, virgin jungle, rice fields and rivers. The magnificent landscape of the area attracts numerous photographers and artists.

Bali nature

The nature of Bali strikes with a variety of landscapes and magnificence of colors. The island is of volcanic origin. Here are located active volcanoes, the most famous of which is the gigantic Gunung Agung (3142 m.). Most beautiful place islands - east coast majestic mountains and sea coast.

Natural attractions of the island

Sacred volcano Kintamani with two craters, one of which is the picturesque lake Batur. Climbing to the top is popular among tourists, which lasts for 2 hours.

Gunung Agung Volcano located in the center of the island. Several fascinating tourist routes have been laid to its top.

Monkey Forest - nature reserve located in the south of the city of Ubud. Over 200 long-tailed Balinese macaques live here. On the territory of the reserve there is an ancient temple, which is considered a refuge for evil spirits.

Elephant Park is a nature reserve located in the Taro jungle. Guests of the park can feed and touch the elephants, and even go on an elephant safari. The walk is also available for children.

Bedugul mountain reserve, located 18 km from the city of Denpasar. On its territory there are picturesque Botanical Gardens with a variety of trees and numerous species of orchids.

The Coral Garden at Chandi Dasa and Tulamben Resort is a dense thicket of soft and hard corals, which are home to a variety of reef fish species.

Menjagan Marine Park famous for its cleanliness, magnificent corals, bright tropical fish, sea shells, stars and sponges.

Reptile Park, located near the city of Kuta, is rich in a variety of reptiles, including Komodo dragons and huge pythons.

The Bird Park is a rainforest with numerous enclosures, home to over 250 species of birds.

Lake Bratan in the center of the island. According to legend, everyone who bathes in the lake gains youth and longevity.

Git Git Waterfall in northern Bali is a truly magical place that can be reached along a scenic trail through the wild jungle.

Bali Barat National Park occupying 10% of the area of ​​the island. On its territory there are mangrove and mixed forests, savannas, islands, coral reefs and volcanic mountains. The park is inhabited by Balinese starlings, which in natural conditions there are no more than 30 individuals.

Bali beaches

The island is primarily popular with hobbyists. beach holiday, thanks to ecologically clean beaches with golden sand and warm sea. The southern part of the island is mostly covered with white sand, the western and northern parts are black.

The most popular beaches in Bali

Kuta Beach is the pearl of Bali. This place is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. In addition to the traditional sunbathing and swimming in the warm sea, guests can enjoy a variety of activities, from surfing to great shopping.

The Jimbaran resort beach attracts novice surfers with its small waves. Among the entertainment available is the rental of a fishing schooner, where you can participate in traditional fishing.

Beaches for lovers a relaxing holiday located in the Sanur area. This is the perfect place to swim in the calm ocean, explore the beauty of the rich underwater world, and just enjoy the sun on the white sand.

Attractions Bali

Among popular places islands - numerous temples, historical, religious and cultural monuments.

Tirta Ganga Water Palace(Tirta Gangga) - a great combination of ancient traditions and unique Balinese culture. The palace is located in the east of the island, among fabulously beautiful rice terraces.

Ujung Water Palace(Ujung) - a beautiful and well maintained complex of buildings surrounded by water and huge gardens.

Taman Ayun Temple with many beautiful pagodas overlooking a magnificent courtyard. The temple was the main Hindu sanctuary of the Mengwi kingdom.

Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple on the island. Located on the slope of Mount Agung and is grandiose complex of three large sacred temples (Shiva Temple, Vishnu Temple and Brahma Temple) and 20 smaller shrines.

Uluwatu Temple, located on top of a cliff hanging over the ocean. Every evening, in front of the entrance to the temple, the famous kechak dance is held, in which about 150 performers in bright national costumes take part.

Tanah Lot - famous temple islands. He is often depicted in Bali guidebooks and on souvenir postcards.

Temple of Ulun Danu on Lake Bratan. This ancient building, numbering in its lifetime about 3 centuries. The temple is dedicated to the life-giving power of the lake, which nourishes plants, animals and people.

Goa Lawah is a dark and mysterious temple on the east coast of Bali. The name of the temple is translated as "Cave of bats", which live in the building itself in the amount of several hundred.

Buddhist monastery Brahma Arama Vihara(Brahma Arama Vihara), built in the traditional Buddhist style. Inside the temple there are golden Buddha statues, the walls are decorated with traditional Balinese carvings.

catholic temple in the village of Palasari - a snow-white building, skillfully decorated with Balinese carvings. A notable feature of the temple is the harmonious combination of 2 cultures. In the room are Catholic angels dressed in traditional Bali clothes.

Gunung Kawi temple complex, erected in the XI century as the tomb of King Anak Wangsu. The complex is divided by a picturesque river into 2 parts. On one side are the tombs of the king's wives, on the other - the main temple, where the king himself was buried. A staircase with 371 steps leads to the temple.

Pura Saraswati temple complex(Pura Saraswati), erected in honor of the goddess of water and knowledge Saraswati.

Goa Gaja or Elephant Cave is a temple, the entrance to which is made in the form of a demon's head with an open mouth. The walls in the inner part of the cave are decorated with magnificent stone ornaments depicting animals, people and plants.

The most visited museums in Bali

• Historical Museum (Denpasar).
• Art Museum (Ubud).
• Museum of Private Art Collections Neka (Ubud).
• Rice Museum (Tabanan).
• Archaeological Museum Purbakala (Gilimanuk).
• Kamasan Art Center (Klungkung).
• Art Museums: Puri Lukisan (Ubud), Taman Werdhi Budaya (Denpasar) and Gunarsa (Klungkung).

Holidays Bali

The island is famous for its unique culture, which includes traditional and modern dance, painting, sculpture, music, metalwork, fabric painting and wood carving. Balinese culture is reflected in numerous festivals and holidays, which are determined according to the two local calendars wuku and saka. For upcoming events, please contact your local tourist office.

The main festival of the island, according to the wuku calendar, is the Galungan festival, which is held annually for 10 days. During this period, gods and barongs (mythical deities) descend to earth for celebration.

Another important annual holiday, according to the saka calendar, is Nyepi, the day of silence. On the eve of the holiday, noisy rituals are carried out to drive out evil spirits. Directly on the day of the holiday, residents try not to leave the house, sit in silence, without light and do not even cook food. Thus, the inhabitants show that the island is completely uninhabited.

In Bali, bright religious holidays are constantly held throughout the year. According to the local religion, the power over the island of Bali was transferred to the sacred people by the supreme god Sangiang Vidhi. The inhabitants of the island try in every possible way to thank the gods for their trust by worshiping idols and performing sacred rites.

Traditional dances with a large number of performers in bright national costumes are a unique sight. Balinese dance is a grandiose theatrical performance, the main idea of ​​which is the eternal struggle between good and evil. The most spectacular of these are the dramatic barong-kris dance and the mesmerizing kechak dance performed at sunset at Uluwatu Temple.

Bali Restaurants

The best restaurants in Bali

• Sakala Bali is an impressive contemporary European cuisine restaurant. It is famous for its large selection of dishes and excellent wine list.
• Ju.Ma.Na is a romantic outdoor restaurant. The restaurant is represented by French and Japanese cuisines.
• Fair Warung Balé is a great family restaurant with local cuisine. Renowned for excellent food low prices and smiling staff.
• Pearl French Restaurant is one of the best restaurants islands. It is famous for its romantic atmosphere, excellent French cuisine and high prices.

Traditional Bali Cuisine

• Babi guling - roasted pig.
• Betutu - stewed or fried poultry (chicken or duck).
• Bubur Sum-Sum - rice porridge with palm sauce and grated coconut.
• Bubur Injun is black rice pudding.
• Sate Susu - beef brisket served with spicy chili sauce.
• Sate Lilit - minced meat on a stick with the addition of hot spices.
• Rendang - meat with coconut milk and spice paste (ginger, turmeric, garlic, chili, etc.).
• Gado-Gado is a salad made from boiled vegetables served with a peanut sauce.

Bali Hotels

The island presents magnificent hotels of world famous chains - Four Seasons, InterСontinental, Hilton, Hyatt, Sofitel and others.

The best hotels in Bali

• The Samaya Bali (Ubud city) is a luxurious hotel, very popular for a romantic pastime. It offers luxurious villas with a beautiful garden and a cozy courtyard with a swimming pool.
• Komaneka at Rasa Sayang (Ubud City) is a comfortable hotel located near the Monkey Forest. It offers a wonderful SPA-salon and a small swimming pool. Each room is equipped with a balcony and a comfortable daybed.
• Damai (Lovina Beach) is an extraordinarily beautiful five-star hotel. This is truly a heavenly place that attracts newlyweds and just lovers. The hotel is famous for its excellent restaurant, the best in the region.

Shopping in Bali

Bali is primarily famous for its high quality batik and finely crafted wooden sculptures. It is customary to bargain on the island, while the offered price should be divided by at least 4 - this will be the real price of the goods.

The best areas for shopping are Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. the largest shopping malls the islands are Galeria and Discovery Kartika Plaza.

The Kuta area is famous for its large shopping centers, the largest of which is the Matahary retail chain complex. Here you can find everything from souvenirs to clothes of famous brands. The quality is pretty high.

Ubud area is cultural center islands. Here you can buy high-quality batik and unique products self made skillfully made by local craftsmen.

Entertainment in Bali

Popular things to do in Bali

• Excursions to the tops of sacred volcanoes.
• Rafting on mountain rivers flowing in the picturesque jungle.
• Elephant safari through Balinese villages and rainforest.
• Submarine diving into the ocean.
• Traditional fishing.
• Visit the mysterious island of Komodo, where huge lizards live.
• Visiting fabulous temples.
• Exciting diving.
• Acquaintance with the ancient customs and traditions of the Balinese.

The best places for families with children

• Waterbom Bali - a water park surrounded by tropical forests with numerous water slides, a relaxation area and a children's area.
• Peek A Boo is a large amusement park with playgrounds for young children. For older children available playground located outdoors with swings and slides.
• Bali Zoo is the only zoo on the island with many species of animals, reptiles and tropical birds. Exotic animals include: Sumatran tigers, which are the smallest in the world, giant monitor lizards and huge cassowary birds. For children, the zoo has a special area where you can climb trees or ropeways under the supervision of an instructor.

The center of Bali's nightlife is the resort of Kuta with numerous bars, clubs and discos. Night life starts around midnight and ends around 4 am.

The best nightclubs in Kuta

• The most famous club on the island is Double Six with glass walls and a cool pool.
• The popular nightclub SkyGarden, covering an area of ​​3 floors. On the first one there is a cafe, on the second one there is a dance floor, on the third one there is a magnificent evening restaurant. A feature of the nightclub is the open roof.
• Night club MBarGo, covering an area of ​​2 floors. On each of the floors there are dance floors where different musical styles are played.

The fabulous island of Bali is an ideal place for all types of recreation: romantic, beach, family, ecological, extreme, etc. Bali attracts with its unique culture - bright religious holidays, fascinating dances, magnificent cremation ceremonies, gastronomic masterpieces and skillful handicrafts. No wonder the island is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Bali is the epitome of tropical perfection, tranquility and fabulous holiday. An island of mountains and volcanoes, jungles and temples, palm trees and endless sandy beaches, waves and coral reefs. Millions of tourists from all over the world annually make raids here, eagerly breathing in the air of wanderings and adventures, conquering the waves and the depths of the sea.

This island is far from the largest in Indonesia (it is usually referred to as small islands), but definitely one of the most famous in the whole world.

Bali on the map

• Geographic coordinates - -8.361280, 115.163996
• The dimensions of Bali are as follows: from west to east about 150 kilometers, and from north to south about 80. Its area is 5780 km 2
• The island belongs to the Lesser Sunda Islands of the Malay Archipelago. Bali is located between the majestic island of Java (to the left of Bali) and the island of Lombok to the right. By the way, Lombok is almost equal in size to the island of Bali.

The insanely beautiful and colorfully crazy island of Bali is filled with a huge number of attractions. And these are not only original and ancient temples, which, according to some sources, number up to 20 thousand. No wonder it is also called the “island of a thousand temples”, although, probably, it should have been called the “island of THOUSAND temples”. Officially, there are 6,000 temples on the island, but together with home or family temples, there are already under 20,000. This is also amazing nature, dense, in some places impenetrable tropical jungle and diverse wildlife.

Nature of Bali

On the island, 4 types of forests perfectly coexist. The western part is dominated by classic evergreen (no, not coniferous) tropical forests. In hard-to-reach places of the northwestern part there are deciduous forests. As you understand, the leaves from the trees in these forests periodically fall off. There are still savannah forests, and, finally, mountain forests grow in the highlands (as a rule, their height does not exceed 1500 meters above sea level).

The vegetation in Bali is extremely rich. Banana palms, which are considered sacred here, have grown throughout the island and provide food for numerous monkeys, bats and even squirrels. Giant bamboo trees (although according to the biological classification it is grass) up to 35 meters high and up to 40 cm thick trunk. Figs (emphasis on the first syllable) and banana groves are common on the island. A large number of representatives of the ficus family. And the palm trees different types and countless, among which are traditional coconut palms for the tropics.

In Bali you can meet interesting plant Sapodilla. Natural latex is produced from its bark, which is used in the manufacture of chewing gum.

Beautiful orchids and yellow magnolias adorn the greenery of the island with their flowers.
Animal world to match the plant. There are several hundred species of birds alone. There are also many monkeys, flying dogs and bats in Bali. Incredibly beautiful butterflies amaze with their colors. Coastal waters are abundantly populated with tropical species of fish, shellfish and corals.

It is worth noting that the island is rich in inanimate nature. There are as many as 2 volcanoes, and both are considered active. These are Gunung Agung at 3142 meters high and Gunung Batur 1717 meters above sea level. They are located in the northeast of the island. By the way, these volcanoes erupted quite recently, in 1963, which caused numerous victims. After that, some local residents were forced to leave the island.

Climate Bali

There is no traditional division of the year into seasons. No winter, no summer. It is customary to single out only two seasons. The dry season is from June to October, and the wet (or rainy) season is from November to March. Usually during the wet period, the amount of precipitation increases and the weather can be very changeable. Although in some areas of the island this division is almost imperceptible. We can safely say that Bali is the island of eternal summer. Even during the rainy season, almost every day you can see the sun warming this amazing corner of the planet with its rays.

The proximity of the island to the equator determines its almost constant, warm climate. The average annual temperature is about 26 ° C. True, it can be cooler in the mountains. The water temperature in the ocean is 26-28 o C, which is very, very comfortable. But the humidity here is always high, which is typical for tropical islands.

Inhabitants of the island

The local population is the real attraction of Bali. The main part of modern Balinese is the descendants of the Indians. Once upon a time, India was a prosperous kingdom, and owned both the island of Java and the island of Bali.
Now the island is inhabited by approximately 4.3 million people. The language on the island is Balinese, but it is more of a dialect of the official language of Indonesia, Bahasa Indonesia (or simply Indonesian, since "Bahasa" is translated as "language").

An interesting fact is that Bali is a Hindu society located on the territory of a Muslim state. The religious movement here is called Agama Hindu Dharma, this is the Balinese variety of Hinduism. The Indian god Shiva is highly revered.

The locals are very honored and proud of their customs and traditions. On the island of Bali, an interesting symbiosis of ancient traditions and achievements of the 21st century is clearly visible. Beautiful modern hotels side by side with centuries-old temples. Often the architecture of hotels is closely intertwined with the local quirky style. Therefore, on the island you can find hotels reminiscent of Balinese palaces and temples or, for example, similar to local colorful villages with houses under thatched roofs.

Chapels are provided for believers in hotels. As a rule, many hotels encourage Balinese holidays in their territories. For this, local musicians and dancers are invited. This is not only entertainment for tourists, but also the popularization of traditional Balinese culture.

Despite numerous tourists and various modern innovations, the local culture of the Balinese is only flourishing. This is largely due to the fact that part of the income from tourism is invested in the improvement of temples. Moreover, every year different festivals and ceremonies are held on the island more and more colorful and diverse, which, in turn, arouses interest in Bali even more.

Do not think that the Balinese are illiterate natives who can only entertain tourists. This is a very developed and hardworking people. Do you know that in the local language there is no concept of "artist"? Art here is a common phenomenon for the Balinese. Music, dancing, creating sculptures and paintings are a natural and, one might say, everyday part of the local culture and life.

Craftsmen and farmers use both ancient knowledge and modern technologies in their activities. Moreover, both those and others (and indeed all Balinese) are simply obliged to be able to sing and dance. Locals know a lot about beauty and its creation. Now in Bali there are many souvenir shops and shops where you can buy handicrafts of Balinese masters and quite modern things.

Attractions Bali

That's what, and there are a lot of attractions on the island. Numerous Hindu temples built in the middle of the last millennium, and many of which are still active. They hold religious services and ceremonies. Tall and active volcanoes. And in general, the island of Bali is one continuous attraction.

In particular, it is worth a visit (or as it is also called the Temple of the Earth). Just remember - the road to the temple is only accessible at low tide. Tanah Lot is one of the seven water temples around the island. It is generally accepted that the combination of these temples protects the island from evil forces.

If you like funny and carefree monkeys, then you should definitely look into the Monkey Forest. Do not be afraid, this is not a dense unexplored jungle, but a kind of park, which is located in the city of Ubud. Here the monkeys live in their natural environment. They are fed by park rangers and tourists. But be careful, animals can rip off your jewelry or steal your phone. Well, if they don’t like you at all, provoke or tease, then the monkeys can easily bite you. Be careful.

Well, the Monkey Forest is behind, now we are heading to. This temple is located near a cave inhabited by a myriad of bats (they are very revered on the island). In the evenings, this giant horde flies out of the cave and grabs gaping tourists and goes on a night hunt. Often tourists come here just to look at it.

These are just some of the highlights of Bali.

Tourist activity

The island of Bali quite recently, literally at the beginning of the 20th century, was a virgin tropical paradise, practically inaccessible to tourists. But gradually he entered the world tourism podium.

In the 20-30s of the twentieth century, the island began to be explored, and already in the 60-70s, strings of "flower children" of hippies stretched to the southern part. For these crazy citizens, the island of Bali has become a kind of Mecca. Then the hippie movement faded away, and the popularity of the island, on the contrary, “went uphill”. And now it is one of the most famous, rated and attractive resorts in the world.

Now the island has a large number of different hotels(more than 5500), capable of satisfying both capricious tourists and unpretentious travelers. They are located, as a rule, on the coast, and have a different category of stardom.

In any case, there are many different hotels on the island for every taste and budget. There are plenty to choose from.

Entertainment in Bali

In addition to the usual entertainment for tourists, diving and surfing are very developed in Bali.

The island is surrounded by a large number of coral reefs. This is naturally just ideal conditions for diving, and for a simple dive with a mask and fins (commonly called snorkeling).

The purity of the ocean combined with the graceful beauty of corals create an amazing and unique underwater world. Multi-colored small fish quickly maneuver among the reefs. A school of silverfin tuna whirls into a huge, sparkling tornado.

The surface is also teeming with life. Four-meter waves attract surfers like a magnet. Riding the wave of Bali is one of the cherished goals of any surfer.

You can surf on the island all year round, but the best time for professionals is from March to October. It is at this time that the waves in the ocean grow above 4 meters, and crowds of experienced surfers rush to conquer them.

But there is a place on the planet where incredibly desperate surfers try to conquer the biggest waves. These are the famous waves in Portugal. They rise to a height of 30 meters and are able to surprise the most sophisticated traveler.

In the rainy season, when the waves are smaller, they are already stormed by novice surfers.

Surfing is one of the main specializations of the Balinese. A large number of special shops for surfers and different schools for teaching this elegant but extreme art openly and behind the scenes push tourists to “master the board”.

Thousands of people with surfboards under their arms - this is normal in Bali. The best beaches surf spots are mostly found in the southern part of the island. Although you can catch a wave on its entire coast.

It's no secret that Bali has been hosting competitions in this exotic sport for decades.

But that's not all. Tourists can watch incredible buffalo races. There are also bloody events in Bali cock-fights. Although they are considered illegal, they are often included in some ceremonies and holidays.

And again, we must not forget that the island of Bali is, first of all, a unique geographical, ethnographic and simply cultural object our planet. Luxurious hotels and local villages in the vicinity, modern resorts and ancient temples, high volcanoes and stunning beaches. All this is Bali.

But Bali has a significant drawback.

The biggest disadvantage of Bali

And now we want to tell you about one huge minus of the island. This is an annoying and sad thing, but you should know about it. It is very difficult, but you have to accept it. So - the biggest drawback of Bali is that ... you will never be able to explore, absorb all its uniqueness, be surprised by all the diversity of the island, enjoy all its enchanting beauties and visit all the beaches and see all the sights within one (and perhaps even and not one) tour.

Of course, a few lines above are just a lyrical digression, but still, unfortunately, all these events will take much more time. Well, this is a very good reason to return to Bali again.

• Swimwear is only recommended on the beach and hotel grounds
• it is highly undesirable to sunbathe topless or even naked
• distribution or use of drugs the death penalty, but you can safely buy hallucinogenic mushrooms
• The Balinese eat using only their right hand. The left is considered unclean or defiled. Local residents never use it to transfer and receive things and objects. This hand is not accepted to wave
• it's not customary to kiss in public places
• In Bali, to this day, there is a division of people into castes. There are 4 of them. Shudras are the poorest and largest caste, Brahmins are temple attendants, Kshatriyas are military and civil servants, Vaysya are merchants. The last 3 castes are considered privileged, all the nobility belong to them
• polygamy is allowed on the island. You can have up to 4 wives, and consent for the second and subsequent wives must be obtained from the first wife
• multi-colored umbrellas are very common in Bali. It is believed that they are protection from evil forces. Usually the colors of umbrellas correspond to certain castes.
• here officially 230 public holidays, so festivals and solemn processions through the streets of cities are a common occurrence
• Marriage is a very important step for the Balinese. The wife must go to live in her husband's house. The family must have children. Only in this case, the Balinese will be able to take part in religious ceremonies and rituals. If a divorce suddenly happens, then the woman returns to her parents' house and has the right to take only her personal belongings. Children usually stay with their father. In Bali, they are considered to belong to a man.
• the burial ceremony on the island is rather incomprehensible to Europeans. The fact is that in Bali people are cremated (in other words, burned). But this procedure is very expensive, so they try to cremate people in groups, thereby dividing the costs among several families. And until the required number of the deceased is reached, they are temporarily buried in the ground. They are then dug up and cremated. And this ceremony takes place with noise and fun.
• Especially revered on the island of Bali is ordinary water. In ancient times, the religion of the island was called Agama Tirta, which means "religion of the sacred water." It is believed that water has a creative and cleansing power.

There are dozens of beaches in Bali. Some of them are popular, others are considered "secret", that is, little known among tourists. There are almost no "Paradise" beaches. Fans of lying in a sun lounger with a cocktail in their hands, occasionally going into the calm expanse of the ocean, will have a hard time.

One of the most popular is the beach - a youth party resort in Bali. This is a real mecca for surfers. Constant waves, lack of corals at the bottom and developed infrastructure have turned Kuta Beach into the most densely populated holiday destination on the island. After Kuta, Seminyak Beach begins and. Everything here is almost the same as at the neighboring beach, but more “respectably”. The waves are constant, but not so strong. You can rent a sun lounger, an umbrella and have a bite to eat in local cafes. Those who do not consider themselves surfers and come to Bali for relaxation should pay attention to the beach at. The ocean is much calmer here. Ebb and flow are not noticeable. The beach is covered with pure white sand. Beginner surfers and just lovers of swimming live here. Another calm beach of the island is Sanur. White sand, crystal blue water, no waves throughout the year... What else do you need for a lazy holiday and good diving?

Hotels

There are a lot of hotels in Bali. These are well-known world chains, and democratic guesthouses with amenities on the floor. And given that many people come to Bali to live, renting villas and bungalows is common on the island. Having settled for a month or more in a real Balinese house, you can feel the life of the island, plunge into the colorful and unique life of the local population. The cost of bungalows and villas on the island is small, especially such housing is beneficial for companies of 4 or more people.

Most of all in Bali hotels with 4 and 5 stars. As a rule, these are low-rise (it is forbidden by law to build buildings higher than palm trees), neat residential buildings with a garden and a swimming pool. The service here is good, the staff is polite and helpful. Tipping is not accepted. At the same time, Bali has one of the highest hotel fees in the world - 21%. It is either already included in the price of the room, or paid by tourists separately. This question should be clarified immediately when booking a hotel.

Attractions

Tanah Lot temple is often depicted on postcards from Bali. Its name translates as "Land and Sea", and it is located right on sheer cliff. It is believed that one priest built the temple in the 15th century, who lived here alone, and sensing that the place was sacred, ordered to build a temple here. The place is very exotic and atmospheric.

Besakih Temple is another favorite place for tourists. For the Balinese, this is the holy of holies. The temple is located on the most revered Mount Agung, the abode of all the gods. They pray on the mountain and even lie down to sleep only with their heads to it. Besakih Temple is called the mother of all temples on the island. It is also the largest religious complex in Bali. Here you can see how the sacred rituals and rituals of offering to the gods take place. When you get here, you understand how devout the Balinese are and how much their faith means to them.

In the Bedugul area is the magnificent Bali Botanical Garden. A place that captivates with its beauty. There are often fogs here, and huge strawberry plantations surround the garden. On the 57 and a half hectares of the slope of Mount Pokhon, there are about 650 species of trees, 400 species of orchids, 104 species of cacti, as well as bamboo, roses and much more. There are about two thousand different plants in total. If you are going on a tour to Bali with children, add the botanical garden to your list of must-see places. Toddlers can run barefoot here while parents relax on the grass watching the wedding ceremonies of Balinese couples.

The water palaces of Ujung and Tirta Ganga are some of the most beautiful structures on the island. They were built by the last Raja of Bali - Karangasem, using Dutch architects. It turned out not only beautiful, but also useful. The palace complexes serve as an irrigation basin for the surrounding fields. Arriving here, you will see magnificent ensembles of water labyrinths, fountains and palace structures of extraordinary architecture.

The village of Butulan is worth a trip to see how they create the same stone statues that are found everywhere in Bali. Images of gods and ordinary people guard houses and temples, greet you at the entrance to shops and beaches. All of them come from Butulan - the center of stone carving. Artisans work tirelessly here, creating more and more new mythological characters. Any statue can be bought.

To see how rice grows in Bali, you need to go to the Ubud area. Here are the famous Tegallalang rice terraces. Rice will grow very quickly, in 3 months, so the view of the local scenery is constantly changing. First, the undulating terraces on the slopes of the hills are filled with water, then green shoots break out of the water. Soon the plantations become all emerald, and when it's time for harvest, the fields take on a golden hue. Interestingly, even after harvesting rice, there is something to see on the terraces. The Balinese bring domestic ducks here to peck at the remains of the grains. The spectacle is very curious.

Kitchen

Bali has a peculiar cuisine, but almost all tourists like it. The dishes are not spicy, as in Thailand, while the Balinese also use a lot of seasonings. The famous combination of 8 spices is in use: coriander, cumin, cloves, white and black pepper, nutmeg, candle fruit and sesame. All dishes are based on rice and, unlike other provinces of Indonesia where Islam is practiced, pork is eaten in Bali.

To get acquainted with the Balinese national cuisine, we advise you to try the famous dish "Babi Guling". This is a suckling pig, which is marinated in herbs for a long time, and then roasted on a spit for several hours. Meat is served with vegetables and sauce. Tip: if you decide to try "baby gooling", go to a cafe before lunch. Pigs are cooked in the morning, and after they run out, cafes (varungs) are closed.

One more National dish Bali - betutu. It takes at least 24 hours to prepare. Chicken or duck is marinated, then fried and stewed with spices. The most delicate betuta is served with rice and a special sauce made from coconut oil, onion and chili pepper.

For dessert, you can try martabak. Simply put, it is a thick pancake stuffed with chocolate, bananas and nuts. It is most pleasant to enjoy a dish, washing it down with traditional hot tea or coffee.

Souvenirs

There are a lot of masters in Bali. They pass on their crafts from generation to generation, doing a certain thing in entire villages and even cities. Going to the villages of Mas and Kemenukh, you will find a huge number of wood carving workshops. The Balinese make figurines and furniture out of wood. Moreover, it is so skillfully that having bought a wooden souvenir as a keepsake, you will admire the talent of the master for a long time to come.

The small village of Cheluk in Bali is famous for the production of jewelry. It is called the silver heart of the island. Here they create silver products in a unique national style. Those who wish are also shown the process of making rings and earrings. Jewelry in Bali is of very good quality, but at the same time they are inexpensive.

An excellent souvenir will be batik, which is skillfully created in the city of Gianyar. There are as many as 40 fabric factories here. Craftswomen apply drawings on cotton fabric with special paint. Patterns of Balinese batik are recognizable: usually they are colored national ornaments, as well as mythological characters and gods.

It is also customary to bring healthy food from Bali. Spirulina algae, goji berries, chia seeds and black rice - all this abounds on the island. Superfood is inexpensive, so it is quite possible to buy for yourself and as a gift. You can complete your shopping in Bali with organic cosmetics, buying natural oils, soaps, Ayurvedic creams and shampoos, as well as toothpastes and much more. It is based on natural ingredients that have been used in Bali for hundreds of years: honey, cinnamon, ginger, sandalwood, jasmine and aloe. Cunning merchants assure that all miracle jars are charged for longevity and prosperity.