Think of Lombok as Bali‘s quieter, less crowded counterpart, with terrific beaches, world-class diving and snorkeling, beautiful scenery, and an interesting local culture. If you’re seeking a place to rest and recharge, you can’t do better than Lombok.

Geography and People

A fishing boat puts out to sea from Lombok (flickr user yeowatzup)

Just a few miles to the east of Bali and slightly bigger, Lombok is roughly circular, with a population of nearly 3 million people.

The island’s topography is dominated by the centrally-located Gunung Rinjani (Mount Rinjani), a volcano which rises to 12,224 feet, making it the third-highest volcanic mountain in Indonesia. The most recent eruption of Rinjani was in the summer of 1994. The volcano and its sacred crater lake, Lake Segara Anak, are protected by a national park established in 1997. The southern part of the island is a fertile plain where corn, rice, coffee, tobacco, and cotton are grown.

At over 12,000 feet, Gunung Rinjani cuts a striking profile as it looms over Lombok (flickr user bicrom)

Interestingly, the Lombok Strait–the passage between Bali and Lombok-separates the fauna of the Indonesian and Malaysian ecosystem from the very different fauna of Australasia. This division is known as the Wallace Line, named for Alfred Russel Wallace, the 19th century naturalist who first remarked on the distinction. Scientists theorize that the Lombok Strait was too broad and deep for animals coming from Java and Bali to swim across, enabling the evolution of different species of animals on Lombok and islands to the east.

Lombok’s people are 85% Sasak, culturally and linguistically closely related to the Balinese, but unlike Bali‘s largely Hindu population, they are Muslims. A notable non-orthodox Islamic group found only on Lombok are the Wektu Telu (“Three Prayers”), who, as the name suggests, pray only three times daily, instead of the five times required in the Quran. About 10-15% of the population is Balinese, with the small remainder being Chinese, Arab, Javanese, and Sumbawanese.

Lombok children smile during a local festival (flickr user praziquantel)

The more Islamic culture on Lombok compared to Bali may explain why Lombok is quieter than Bali in terms of parties and nightlife, which can be either a positive or a negative depending on your point of view. Lombok is also becoming increasingly popular for honeymooners.

Things to See and Do on Lombok

The most-developed center for tourist services, although not necessarily the most beautiful spot, is Senggigi, spread along an eight mile strip along the coastal road north of the main city of Mataram. Backpackers and those seeking serious peace and quiet congregate in the Gili Islands off the west coast.

Sightseeing highlights include:

• Kuta (no connection to Bali‘s overdeveloped Kuta beach). The surfing here is considered some of the best in the world. Kuta, on Lombok’s south coast, is also famous for its beautiful, untouched beaches.
• Tanjung Aan, a beautiful bay near Kuta beach, noted for its unusual, pepper-like sand. But be prepared for lots of hawkers (mainly children) selling souvenirs.



The curious sand of Tanjung Aan

• Taman Narmada. Located about eight miles east of Mataram, this park has a Hindu temple and a small pond replicating in miniature the crater lake at Gunung Riniani. The Balinese Pujawali festival takes place here every year. If you haven’t located the fountain of youth elsewhere, visitors can drink from the one here to secure long life.



Fierce statuary guards the temple complex of Taman Narmada (flickr user yeowatzup)

• Pura Lingsar. Built in 1714, Pura Lingsar is a spiritual center for both Balinese Hinduism and the Wektu Telu religion, with temple buildings dedicated to both faiths. You can feed eggs (available for sale outside) to holy eels in an enclosed pond dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The best time to visit the temple is December, where Hindu and Wektu Telu believers parade in traditional costumes and throw ketupat (sticky rice in coconut leaves) at each other.
• Shopping. High quality handicrafts and textiles are produced all over the island. Sukarare village is a good place to see these items being made, and the prices should be cheaper than in Senggigi shops.



A Lombok weaver at her loom (flickr user The Shopping Sherpa)

• Snorkeling and diving.. The clear, warm waters off Lombok’s coast offer limitless snorkeling and diving adventures. The Gili Islands, discussed below, offer particularly good options.
• Massage. You’ll probably be offered massages right on the beach, but if you want to ensure a quality experience, ask your hotel to recommend a masseuse.

The Gili Islands

The three delightful Gili Islands, just a few miles off the west coast of Lombok, are a small-scale backpacker mecca and Lombok’s most popular tourist destination. The islands are very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes playing reggae and serving up banana pancakes, and no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace. The beaches are without a doubt better than anywhere on Bali or Lombok, although there’s not much to do except enjoy the beaches and the water.

Neatly arrayed like giant stepping stones, the Gili Islands are the place to go for pure relaxation (flickr user yeowatzup)

From west to east, the islands are:

• Gili Trawangan, or “Gili T,” is by far the most developed with plenty of backpacker options and one swanky resort. Gili Trawangan is known as more of a party island and activities tend to revolve around the bar scene. There are no dogs on the island but according to one local, there are more cats than people. The local population is around 800.
• Gili Meno, the smallest and quietest of the islands, low-key with some simple places to stay.
• Gili Air, closest to the mainland and with the largest local population.



The crystalline waters of the Gili Islands

Strictly speaking, the name “Gili Islands” is rather redundant as gili simply means “small island” in Sasak, but the name has stuck and is universally used and understood in Lombok.

In a rare display of foresight, all forms of motorized transport are banned from the islands; your only choice of transportation is horse-drawn carts, known as cidomo, which are used to shuttle around people, diving gear and other supplies. However, as the islands are only a few miles in diameter, it’s entirely possible just to walk instead.

Cidomo are an environmentally sensitive way of getting around the islands (flickr user wiendietry)

Numerous boats leave from mainland Lombok and Bali to the islands daily (but only during daylight hours). Traveling between the islands requires either catching the infrequent shuttle boats or chartering one to take you across. The distances between the islands may seem swimmable, but do not attempt it–the currents can be fierce and several backpackers have died trying.

Things to See and Do on the Gili Islands

There are no sights as such on the islands themselves, but the snorkeling and diving are a major draw. You can rent masks and fins off the beach, or contact any of the numerous dive shops to arrange snorkeling or diving at choice spots nearby. Sea turtles are a common sight, especially around Turtle Point just north of Gili Meno.

It’s also nice to walk around the islands. The perimeters of the islands are conducive to a two or three hour leisurely walk with no strenuous hills. Just follow the coastline and put on your sunscreen for a nice morning stroll.

Gili Meno has a “bird sanctuary,” which is more like a bird zoo since the birds are caged. Access to the site is a short walk inland from the main strip on the west of the island.

The Gili Islands are also a great place to do nothing at all. Leave your watch in your bungalow, find a little beachside restaurant and enjoy a cool drink while you read or simply soak up the tranquility.

Sip your drink for as long as you want in little cafes like this one, right on the beach. No extra charge for the view

Eating and Drinking on Lombok

Despite the fact that the very word lombok means “chili pepper,” the local cuisine isn’t quite as spicy as you might expect. Probably the best known local dish is ayam taliwang, chicken stewed in a rich sauce of galangal, turmeric and (of course) chili. One very reliable meal choice is nasi campur, which is rice with any variety of side dish. There are also restaurants where the food is presented on a pyramid of plates within a window, with the price depending on which plate you choose.

Trying traditional Indonesian foods such as these will be a memorable part of your travel experience (flickr user feryindrawan)

Alcoholic drinks are not available everywhere throughout the island, as Lombok is mostly Muslim. However, local supermarkets offer a variety of local as well as international beers. The island’s most touristic city, Senggigi, has numerous bars and clubs with the usual international favorites. The local favorite, though, is tuak, a red or white fermented palm wine.

The sunsets are a highlight of any visit to Lombok (flickr user Julia Koefender)

Monks in prayer at Borobudur temple, near Yogyakarta (flickr user Belgianchocolate)

Yogyakarta, sometimes called Yogya and spelled Jogyakarta, is a bustling town of some 500,000 people and the most popular tourist destination on the island of Java, largely thanks to its proximity to the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also famous in Indonesia as a center of higher education. The touristic heart of Yogyakarta is the kraton, or sultan’s palace.

For visitors to Indonesia seeking a little history and culture to go with their beach holiday, Yogyakarta is a must-see.

The Indonesia Bank building–a good example of colonial architecture in Yogyakarta

Things to See and Do in Yogyakarta

Your visit could not come at a better time. On May 27, 2006, a Richter 5.9 earthquake struck the province of Yogyakarta, killing nearly 6,000 people and destroying 300,000 homes. Fortunately few historic sites suffered significant damage, but the area is still recovering economically. The money you spend as a tourist will help Yogyarkata get back on its feet.

Being one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, Yogyakarta has many historic buildings and monuments. The number one attraction is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono’s palace, known in Indonesian as Kraton Ngayogyakarta.

The Sultan’s Palace

Yogyakarta is the only province in Indonesia that is still formally governed by a precolonial sultanate, known as the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. The current sultan, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, was elected as governor of the region by the provincial house of representatives in 1998.

The courtyard of the sultan’s palace is a calm space in a busy city

The sultan’s palace, or kraton, encompasses the main palace, the sultan’s residence and grounds, and a large residential area where the sultan’s many servants used to reside. The kraton was completed in 1756. Notable attractions in the kraton complex include:

• The Main Court and the Residence. The Main Court showcases the grandeur of the sultan’s monarchy, while in the Residence you’ll see the private, but no less luxurious, lifestyle of the royal family.
• The Sultan’s Carriage Museum. This museum houses the sultan’s horse-drawn carriages, including two beautiful carriages imported from the Netherlands, known as the Golden Carts.



The Hindu elephant god Ganesh guards the kraton

• Taman Sari. Also known by the Dutch name waterkasteel (water castle), this is a partly ruined complex built as a pleasure garden by the first sultan in 1765. One of the bathing pools was dedicated to the sultan’s harem, and he had a tower overlooking the area so he could take his pick of the women below.
• Siti Hinggil Selatan. This palace is rarely used for formal occasions anymore. You can see wayang kulit, Javanese shadow puppetry, performed on weekend evenings.
• Masjid Gede Kauman, one of the oldest and largest mosques in Yogyakarta. Located on the west of Alun-alun Utara, the palace square, this mosque is where the sultan performs his religious rites and ceremonies. Non-muslim visitors should wear modest clothing and abide by mosque rules.

A mask of a fierce demon in the sultan’s palace

The Palace Grounds

Alun-alun utara, the northern palace grounds, was originally used for the sultan’s army training and hence closed to public, but the area was opened to the public during the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. Now, alun-alun utara is the venue for the quarterly parade known as Garebeg, in which the sultan’s servants place huge cone-shaped offerings of food on the alun-alun utara. After the parade, attendees scramble to get scraps of these offerings, as they believed these gifts from the sultan bring good luck.

Prior to the month of Indonesian month of Maulud, a public fair is held in alun-alun utara for 30 days. This fair is very popular and offers many kind of goods ranging from traditional handicrafts to melamine dishware from China. A unique snack sold in this event is galundeng, or deep-fried dough similar to a donut.

More Sightseeing in Yogyakarta:

• Tugu Monument. A well-known landmark located in the center of downtown Yogyakarta. Built by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI in the 19th century, the top spire was originally a round sphere representing the universe. During the Dutch colonial era, the spire was replaced with a golden cylinder.
• Benteng Vredeburg. A Dutch fort dating from 1765 located in front of Gedung Agung (President’s Palace). It’s a great example of Dutch colonial architecture, complete with a moat and ramparts overlooking the sultan’s palace.
• Kotagede. Before Indonesian independence in 1945, Kotagede was the central economic district of Yogyakarta, as it held the largest marketplace and was home to many wealthy batik merchants. Although some ancient buildings have been modernized or replaced with newer buildings, Kotagede remains a prime example of ancient Javanese architecture and city planning. Be sure to check out the local silver handicrafts.
• Imogiri, southwest of town, is the royal graveyard complex of the Yogyakarta and Surakarta royal families.
• Kotabaru, which was a residential area for Dutch officials, has a few historic homes as well as a colonial-style church, a monastery and a stadium.

Traditional three-wheeled and pedal-powered carts, known as becak, can be found in most parts of Yogyakarta. Be sure to negotatiate the price before you get in! (flickr user SR Eyes’)

Shopping

A variety of high-quality handicrafts are available throughout Yogyakarta, including traditional wayang puppets, sculpture, ceramics and silverware. Yogyakarta is also the home of batik fabric, which is sold everywhere. Countless handicrafts from outside Yogyakarta can also be found. For example, don’t be surprised if you come across souvenirs from Bali or Asmat, often at better prices than those on the islands. A modern, growing city, Yogyakarta has several stylish malls and a trade center that offers interesting goods and services at a reasonable cost.

Wayang kulit is a style of shadow puppetry which became common on Java as Hinduism advanced in the 1st century A.D. Wayang kulit puppets such as these make great souvenirs.

Pasar Beringharjo. Literally meaning “slanted land,” Beringaharjo is the largest traditional marketplace in Yogyakarta. The vendors sell many kind of goods, ranging from basic household items to handicrafts. Haggle furiously!

Eating

Originally, Yogyakarta dishes were known for their sweetness. However, as more and more people move to Yogyakarta, the city is beginning to see greater food diversity. Now you can find many kinds of interesting foods, ranging from sweet to spicy to fiery hot, and sometimes a fusion of other cuisines such as Chinese or Western.

The following dishes should be on every traveler’s agenda:

• Gudeg, a curry of jackfruit, chicken and egg served with rice, is the most famous local dish. A syrupy liquid in various shades of brown, gudeg doesn’t look particularly appetizing, but it can be tasty if done right.
• Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek (Mbok Berek’s Fried Chicken). Fried free range chicken with mild garlic and coriander flavor served with crunchy crackers.
• Nasi Langgi, locally known as Sego Langgi (Langgi Rice). Warm rice served with various side dishes.
• Kipo, bite size snacks made of green colored tapioca dough filled with sweetened grated coconut.
• Jadah Tempe, sandwich of rice cake and sweet beancake
• Es rujak or rujak es krim, a fruit salad made from mangos, papayas, apples, pineapples, cucumbers etc., mixed with palm sugar, lime juice, salt, chillies and (of course) ice cream (es krim). All flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty) in one plate.

Borobudur

Borobudur temple is about 40 minutes north of Yogyakarta by car. Built over a period of some 75 years in the 8th and 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world.

The sheer scale of Borobudur is breathtaking

Constructed out of an estimated 1,600,000 blocks of volcanic stone dredged from the river and assembled solely by human labor, the nine-terraced temple is a representation of the transition towards nirvana and is famed for its 1,500 intricately carved reliefs, covering a total length of four miles end-to-end. The volcanic Mount Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes on Java, can be seen steaming on the horizon directly north of the site.

The extraordinary stupas of Borobudur

The first archaeological study of the site was initiated in 1814 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the British founder of Singapore. Restored in 1907, the monument suffered from neglect and war and was again heavily restored in the 1970s under the guidance of UNESCO, which designated Borobudur as a World Heritage Site. The massive restoration process involved the removal and refurbishing of over one million blocks, rebuilding the foundation and adding drainage systems.

A statue of Buddha overlooks a corner of Borobudur

Borobudur consists of a single stupendously large structure, which can be divided into layers as follows:

• The platform at the base of the structure, which was clearly added on later and hides some reliefs, is of uncertain provenance and function. The main theories are that the platform was added to censor reliefs depicting earthly desires or–rather more likely–to buttress the subsiding structure and prevent it from collapsing. A section of the platform has been excavated at the southeast corner, showcasing some of the hidden reliefs underneath.

  

  Borobudur is famous for, among other things, its remarkable stone relief carvings

• The bulk of the structure consists of four square terraces connected by steep staircases. Each terrace has reliefs in two layers on both sides, recounting the story of the Buddha’s past lives and his enlightenment. The “correct” way to view the reliefs is to start from the east gate (the main entrance) and circulate clockwise.
• After the square terraces the structure suddenly opens up to reveal the final four circular terraces. Comparatively plain and unadorned, there are no more reliefs here, just several hundred domes housing half-hidden Buddha statues (many headless, some lost entirely).
• The peak of the structure is a central stupa. The two chambers inside the stupa are empty, and it is unclear whether they were empty from the beginning as a representation of nirvana, or whether they originally contained now-lost statues.

The view upwards toward the central stupa

On Waisak–Buddha’s birthday (held on the night of the full moon in May)–an elaborate and colorful multi-day Buddhist festival is held at Borobudur, culminating in a candle-lit, five mile procession by monks in saffron robes from the village of Mendut to Borobudur.

Prambanan

Prambanan is a collection of massive Hindu temples (candi) built by the 10th century Mataram Kingdom, rulers of central Java and defeaters of the Sailendra Dynasty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, in most any other country constructions on the scale of Prambanan would be quickly designated as a national symbol, but in Indonesia they are somewhat overshadowed by the even more awe-inspiring bulk of Borobudur just next door. The two sites are quite different in style though, with Prambanan being a collection of sharp, jagged pyramids instead of the vast horizontal bulk of Borobudur, and both are well worth a visit.

The Hindu temple complex of Prambanan looks very different than the Buddhist Borobudur

Visiting Prambanan

About 10 miles from Yogyakarta, the main site of Prambanan contains four temples scattered about a large, landscaped park. Note that some parts of the temple complex are still closed off and undergoing restoration following the May 2006 earthquake.

Candi Lara Jonggrang, or simply Candi Prambanan, is the largest and most-visited of the temples, just to the left of the entrance. While there were 232 temples originally built, most have long since crumbled and the main remaining attractions are the six temples of the central court, richly decorated with carved reliefs. Three of them, known as the Trisakti (“three sacred places”), are particularly important:

• Candi Shiva, dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer, is the largest of the six, rising to a height of 147 feet. There are fine reliefs in its forecourt and four chambers with statues. The largest chamber, to the east, contains a statue of Shiva himself, while the south has the sage Agastya, the west his son Ganesh (the elephant-headed) and the north his wife Durga. Durga is also known as Lara Jonggrang (“Slender Virgin”), a legendary beautiful princess turned to stone.



Pramabanan is full of finely-crafted Hindu imagery (flickr user bicrom)

• Candi Brahma, to the south, has a statue of Brahma the Creator inside.
• Candi Vishnu, to the north, tells the story of Vishnu’s avatar Krishna and has a statue of Vishnu the Preserver inside.

Opposite the three large temples are three smaller temples originally dedicated to the vehicles of the gods. Only the statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull, has survived.

The stonework at Prambanan is astonishly detailed (flickr user Hibino)

• Candi Lumbung and Candi Bubrah, two Buddhist temples, are located several hundred feet further north.
• Candi Sewu, a large Buddhist temple complex meaning “one thousand temples”, is less than a mile north of the entrance gate and contains a large central temple surrounded by a cluster of smaller ones. The sheer size of the recently renovated and intricately decorated central temple is impressive, but the statue niches are all empty.

Another night falls on the timeless stupas of Borobudur

http://www.indonesia.com/travel/4/Yogyakarta

An island just to the east of the main Indonesian island of Java, Bali defines the word paradise. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality, and spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving have made Bali Indonesia’s unparalleled, number-one tourist attraction.

What to See and Do

Bali is one of over 13,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago and is located just over a mile from the eastern tip of the island of Java. The island of Lombok is to the west. Bali, approximately 90 miles from east to west and 50 miles north to south, is home to about 4 million people.

South

• Seminyak is the most upmarket of the south coast’s beaches, with high-end accommodation and mostly high-end restaurants and bars to serve residents and tourists. The atmosphere is more sophisticated and laid-back than Kuta, the most famous Bali beach that now suffers from overdevelopment. Seminyak’s beautiful beach is quieter during the day, although this area too is developing fast.
• Legian is located north of Kuta and south of Seminyak. For surfers, this is a great place to go.
• Uluwatu Temple (Pura Uluwatu) is one of Bali’s six directional temples and Uluwatu’s only site of significance. More remarkable than the temple itself is its location, perched on a steep cliff 200 feet above the roaring ocean waves. There are more steep headlands on either side, and sunsets over Uluwatu are a sight to behold.

Uluwatu temple on its cliff-top perch

Central

• Ubud. Far removed from the party atmosphere at Kuta, Ubud can be described as a magical, wonderful cultural center, famous for its arts and crafts. Half (if not more) of the town and nearby villages seem to consist of artists’ workshops and galleries, mostly producing wares for tourists. There are some remarkable architectural sights, beautiful rice paddies and lush jungle, and the famous Monkey Forest–don’t bring any food you don’t want stolen!

North

• The north of Bali is cooler and mountainous. For travelers, the main attractions are Lake Batur, set in a vast volcano caldera, and Gunung Batur (Mount Batur). The two hour climb to the summit of Mount Batur, still an active volcano, to watch the sunrise is an unforgettable experience. Nearby is Pura Ulun Danau Batur, the second most important temple in Bali.



At over 5,600 feet, Mount Batur gives tourists who reach the summit a commanding view of northern Bali

• Menjangan. There are great diving and snorkeling opportunities around Bali, but one of the best is Menjangan, a protected island in Bali Barat National Park. Fish of every color swim over spectacular coral formations in crystal-clear water.

These clownfish are among the staggering variety of sea life you’ll encounter in the warm waters off Bali

East

• Amed. Most people come to Amed as a getaway, including expats from other parts of the island. It’s a favorite honeymoon destination for tourists and is also popular with divers and snorkelers. Sailing trips in small Balinese sailboats can be arranged as well.
• Besakih. High on the slopes of Mount Agung, Besakih is Bali’s most sacred temple. Guided tours of the temple complex are possible.



Besakih temple is the most sacred of more than 20,000 temples on Bali

• Tirta Gangga is famous for its water palace, a lovely maze of pools and fountains surround by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues.

All over Bali

Bali is a great place to get away from it all and relax. Numerous resorts and spas are waiting to pamper you in gorgeous natural settings.

A trip to Bali may be the most relaxing vacation you’ve ever had

Getting to Know Bali

Culture

Unlike any other island in largely Muslim Indonesia, Bali is a pocket of Hindu religion and culture, although Balinese Hinduism is so far removed from the original Indian variety that the casual eye will be hard put to spot any similarities. Every aspect of Balinese life is suffused with religion, but the most visible signs are the tiny offerings (sesajen) of flowers, glutinous rice and salt in little bamboo leaf trays, found in every Balinese house, restaurant, souvenir stall and airport check-in desk. They are set out and sprinkled with holy water no less then three times a day, before every meal.

Sesajen, or offerings–a common site on Bali

Balinese dance and music are also justly famous. As on Java, the gamelan orchestra and wayang kulit shadow puppet theater predominate. Dances include:

• Barong or “lion dance:” A ritual dance depicting the fight between good and evil, with performers wearing fearsome lion-like masks.
• Kecak or “monkey dance:” Actually invented in the 1930s by early German resident Walter Spies for a movie but a spectacle nonetheless, with up to 250 dancers in concentric circles chanting “kecak kecak,” while a performer in the center acts out a spiritual dance.

Festivals

There are an estimated 20,000 temples (pura) on the island, each of which holds festivals (odalan) at least twice a year, which means that there are festivities going on almost anywhere you go. Bali uses both the 210-day pawukon calendar and the lunar saka calendar, which more closely follows the Western calendar year.

There are some large festivals celebrated islandwide, but their dates are determined by two local calendars. The 210-day wuku or Pawukon calendar is completely out of sync with the Western calendar, meaning that it rotates wildly throughout the year. The lunar saka (caka) calendar roughly follows the Western year.

• Funerals, called pitra yadnya, are another occasion of pomp and ceremony, when the deceased (often several at a time) are ritually cremated in extravagantly colorful rituals.
• Galungan, a 10-day festival celebrating the death of the tyrant Mayadenawa. Gods and ancestors visit earth and are greeted with gift-laden bamboo poles called penjor lining the streets. The last day of the festival is known as Kuningan.
• Nyepi, or Hindu New Year, usually March or April. This is the one festival worth avoiding: on Nyepi, also known as the Day of Absolute Silence, absolutely everything on the island is shut down and tourists are confined to their hotels. However if you are in Bali in the weeks preceding Nyepi you will see amazing colourful giants (Ogoh Ogoh) being created throughout the island. On Nyepi Eve the Ogoh Ogoh are paraded through the streets, an amazing sight not to be missed, especially in Denpasar.

Nyepi is a very special day to the Balinese as this is the day that they have to fool all evil spirits into thinking that no one is actually on Bali–hence the need for silence. If this can be achieved, then it is believed that the evil spirits will go looking elsewhere for their prey and leave Bali alone for another year. Balinese people are very religious and life is full of ritual-Nyepi is one of the most important days in their calendar. Police and security are on hand to make sure that everyone abides by this rule.

Hinduism on Bali is unique because it is woven into and around the original Balinese animistic religion. In a true sign of tolerance and acceptance, the two have become one for the Balinese.

Rice paddies and a religious shrine–two staples of Balinese culture

Arts and Crafts

The arts are central to Balinese life, and during your visit you will be delighted by the sheer variety of painting, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, and other creative objects wherever you look. If you’re seeking high quality works of art to take home with you, Bali will not disappoint.

• Wood carving. Bali’s wood carvers are ubiquitous–just listen for the sound their mallets and chisels. All sorts of carved objects are produced. Only expert woodcarvers attempt the masks, such as those representing the demons Barong and Rangda, used in ritual dance performances. Mas and Puaya are two good places to find quality masks for purchase.



A traditional Balinese mask representing the demon Barong

• Painting. Bali has a long tradition of painting, especially rich floral designs and flame-and-mountain motifs known as the Wayang style. During your visit you may hear the names of two Westerners–Rudolf Bonnet and Walter Spies–who did much to revive traditional Balinese painting and bring it to the world’s attention.
• Textiles. Batik, a richly ornamented fabric, is popular among tourists and locals alike, although batik is actually from Java. Authentic Balinese cloth is called ikat, made of silk, cotton or, today, synthetic materials.
• Jewelry. Bali is known for its high quality jewelry, which is almost always handmade by local artisans. Traditional Balinese gold and silver work is now complemented by international styles and influenced by foreign designers living in Bali. The villages of Celuk and Kamasan are good places to look for jewelry.

Eating on Bali

Be sure to try the ubiquitous Indonesian dishes nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie goreng (fried noodles). These dishes should rarely cost more than Rp 25,000 (sometimes a bit more if you add chicken– ayam–or shrimp–udang), so their cost on a menu can be a good indicator of a restaurant’s relative cost and value.

Some of the most authentic food can be found from roving vendors called kaki lima, which means “five legs.” This comprises the three legs of the food cart and the vendor’s own two legs. Go to the beaches of Seminyak at sunset and find steaming hot bakso, a delightful meatball and noodle soup, served up fresh for a very inexpensive Rp 5,000. You can season it yourself, but be forewarned: Indonesian spices can be ferociously hot. Go easy until you find your heat tolerance level!

Fire danger: These Balinese peppers can be scorching hot–eat with caution!

Authentic Balinese food is common on the island, but it has made few inroads in the rest of the country due to its emphasis on pork, which is anathema to the largely Muslim population in the rest of the country. Notable dishes include:

• babi guling – roast suckling pig, a large ceremonial dish that must usually be ordered several days in advance.
• bebek betutu – literally “darkened duck”, topped with a herb paste and roasted in banana leaves. The same method can also be used for chicken, resulting in ayam betutu.
• lawar – Covers a range of Balinese salads, usually involving thinly chopped vegetables, minced meat, coconut and spices. Traditionally, blood is mixed into this dish, but it’s often omitted for tourists’ delicate constitutions. Green beans and chicken are a particularly common combination.
• sate lilit – Minced seafood satay, served wrapped around a twig of lemongrass.
• urutan – Balinese spicy sausage, made from pork.

Drinking on Bali

Not being Muslim, the Balinese have nothing against a drink and alcohol is widely available.

Indonesia’s most popular beer Bintang is ubiquitous, but local brand Bali Hai is nearly as popular. Bintang is a fairly highly regarded classic light Asian beer, but Bal Hai is a rather bland lager. Also available is the Bali-brewed microbrew Storm, available in several different flavors. Beer is, however, relatively expensive, though still cheap by Western standards.

Bali produces its own wines, with Hatten being the most popular brand, available in white, red, rose (most popular) and sparkling varieties. Bali’s traditional drinks are arak, a clear distilled spirit that packs a punch, and brem, a fermented rice wine sold in gift shops in attractive clay bottles that are much nicer than the taste of the stuff inside.

Very cheap (Rp. 10,000) are fresh juices or their mixes (watermelon, melon, papaya, orange, lime, banana or any other possible juice). In Bali, avocado (alpukat) is used as a dessert fruit. Blended with sugar and ice–and sometimes chocolate–this concoction is uniquely Balinese.

Almost all restaurant menus have a section devoted to various non-alcoholic fruit-based beverages. It’s not wise to drink the tap water on Bali, but bottled water is widely available, as are shops which will filter tap water-an environmentally friendly solution.

Sunset on a Bali beach

http://www.indonesia.com/travel/1/Bali

This time were going to do Travel Adventure by enjoying most beautifull Cave in South east Asia. Goa Gong (Goa = cave, Indonesian Language) was in lime hills that were located in the Bomo Village, Kecamatan Punung, around 30 kilometre from Pacitan City. The road to Goa Goang Pacitan has been very good so as could reach by any vehicle.

Inside the cave, weve been offering by some amazing cave views. This is so beautifull, we can see stalaktit and stalakmit lime stone formed naturally around the cave wall.

The entrance

goa gong pacitan

goa gong pacitan

amazing cave views

You do need to worry, inside the cave was available the tracing route that was made so that the safe and comfortable visitor. You can hire guide from local village to get more information about the cave history.

Goa Gong Pacitan on Google Maps

View Goa Gong Pacitan in a larger map