Bali and Lombok & festivals of Bali
By: Patricia
By: Rob MorganBali, Lombok, and the three Gili islands of Air, Meno, and Trawangan form the nucleus of Indonesia’s tourism industry. This tourism area includes two provinces - Bali and West Nusa Tenggara.  Photo By Fadil Basymeleh
Just east of Java, Bali, with its legendary status, needs no introductions. Bali has held the imaginations of travelers captive for centuries with its exotic culture of arts, dance, music, and other unique traditions blended in a way that creates a deep and memorable impression on visitors.
Photo By dæxus
The Balinese people have perfected the art of holding onto a traditional lifestyle while developing a modern, 21st century tourism industry. Come here if you’re looking for a lush tropical wilderness. Come here if you’re seeking some of the best scuba diving in the world. Come here if you’re a surfer looking for fantastic reef breaks. Come here if you want to party around the clock. Come here if you want to sleepily pass your days on a powdery, white sand Beach. Come here with your family, or come alone – you won’t be disappointed.
Photo By Fadil Basymeleh
Bali’s provincial capital is Denpasar and is where the international airport is located. The highlights of Bali are Amed, Candidasa, Danau Bratan Area, Gunung Batur Area, Kuta, Lovina, Nusa Lembongan, Padangbai, Sanur, Tirta Gangga, Tulamben, and Ubud.
Photo By Steph Gary and kids
Lombok is just 25 miles east of Bali and is quite easily accessible by air and boat. It is often referred to as “the unspoiled Bali”, or “the laid back Bali.” Lombok is truly a tropical paradise. Most visitors begin their stay in Senggigi – the most developed tourist area on Lombok. It has a wide variety of accommodation, restaurants, night clubs, travel agents, and shopping options. On the south coast, beautiful Kuta Beach has legendary status with surfers and Beach lovers. Trekkers from around the world marvel at their experience in Mount Rinjani National Park At 3726 meters, Mount Rinjani is Indonesia’s second highest peak and a very active volcano. Mataram is the capital of the province. It’s a fun and interesting city to explore for visitors who are interested culture and history. East Lombok offers a rare chance to experience traditional life in rural Indonesia.
Photo BySteph Gary and kids
The three islands of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan offer the chance to experience the best island life has to offer. Cars and motor bikes are not allowed, so there is a quiet atmosphere of sun and fun in a tropical paradise, and all that goes with it.
Festivals in Bali Culture, Heritage, Mythology, history and Balinese Life all combined make for a fascinating place to visit and breathe in. This tiny island is a bastion of belief and religious practice, which echoes in all parts of life on the island. From taking offerings to religious shrines to the larger and more breathtaking festivals, this article will spread some light on the events that you too can see and feel all parts of Balinese life manifest.
Bali Spirit Festival (South of Ubud – late March)
Photo By LE_M@SC
This festival has humble roots in spreading the love for yoga, music and dance. Yet through these beginnings a large and expansive event has taken place. There are large sponsors of the events and it is very well covered in the media. The wonderful thing about it is, that no matter how much or how little knowledge you have of yoga, music or dance you will find something for you here. It is extremely well organized and draws leaders and masters who are able to share their passion.
Usaba Sambah Festival (Tenganan Pegringsingan – 5th Month of the Tenganan Calendar / June)
Photo By Johannes P. Christo
This festival is held in the town that is said to be ancestral home of the Balinese people. This area of Bali has its own distinct culture and heritage, which this festival recognizes and celebrates. For the spectator one of the most interesting and unusual spectacles to witness is the Maling-malingan, young man battle each other with thorny pandanus leaves for weapons. There are mixed beliefs as to what this battle represents, one belief is that it is a staging of fights between thieves, the other belief that it is to prepare young men for battle.
Bali Arts Festival (Across Bali yet mainly in Denpasar – Mid June to Mid July)
Photo By Indrani Soemardjan
The Best of Bali, simple as that. If you are looking to sample all that Bali has to offer then this is the time to do it. There are many little side events going on around the Bali but it is all brought together for the main event, which is at the Taman Wedhi Budaya arts center. At this wonderful 6000 seat amphitheater villages come together to compete for glory. You will witness great performances mixed with a warm and family orientated atmosphere. There are also many other events that are fun for the whole family, such as the Bali Kite Festival in Padang Galak, Sanur, where kites up to 5 x 11 meters compete in the sizes above for supremacy.
Galungan (Early to mid July)
Photo By adhiwus.com Photography - Bali
The eternal fight of Virtue (Dharma) over Evil (Adharma), these opposing elements have been at war for millennia but the Balinese people have found the answer before us all, Virtue wins. Galungan is the festival to recognize and celebrate this amazing victory. There are 10 days of merriment on the streets of Bali highlighted by local culture and a sense of great joy. This is what makes it truly special is that it is not just a hollow parade, it is a celebration that local people feel and experience with pure passion. You will see dancing dragons on the streets, doorways decorated to welcome guests, temples are the focal point of prayers and offerings and it reaches its heights on the 10thday, Kuningan, gifts of food are exchanged and smiles are plentiful. It is said that the Hindu supreme god, Sanghyang Widi also comes to earth to join the celebrations.
Makepung Bull Races (Jembrana – Sundays July & October)
Photo By myudistira
How would you celebrate a god harvest? Of course with a bull race with a collection of your best friends, well this is what the people of Negara do and why not indeed. It is a visual feast as the amazingly decorated bulls and chariots come charging down the racetrack at speeds that you honestly can not believe. The jockeys have dedicated months of practice for this race and the atmosphere is competitive and electric. Before and after the main event you can enjoy great food and a fair feel of stories of the racing is shared between locals.
Nusa Dua Festival (Nusa Dua – October)
This event come from a high level of demand and always wanting to please the Balinese people have organized this additional festival for tourists. It is a wonderful display of culture and music. Bring the whole family as it is 100% free and there are plenty of things to see and enjoy. There are well over 1000 participants dressed beautifully in traditional Balinese clothing and moving to the haunting and deep tone of the gamelan orchestras.
Sanur Village Festival (Sanur – Mid to Late November)
Photo By kuuan
In order to inject fresh energy with a hint of traditional life, Sanur holds a 4-day event that has something for everyone. It is very well organized and promises to continue to grow in popularity. You can enjoy cultural performances, street stalls selling all your souvenir needs, live jazz, flora and fauna exhibitions, water sports and great food that keeps you fully charged to do all the other activities available.
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (Ubud – October)
Photo By Ubud-Bali
Where on this world would you like to sit down read a book, discuss, analyize, meet people with similar passions and gain inspiration for your literary masterpiece? Bali, Ubud, of course. In recent years the event has attracted well over 15,000 participants and continues to grow in fame and prestige. This event brings together a wide and diverse spectrum of individuals who shape and develop how we will enjoy the next great legendary novel.
Balinale International Film Festival (Across Bali – Mid October)
This low-key relatively unknown event has leaped and jumped into the public eye as more and more huge names in the industry are becoming involved in Balinale. You can see what is coming up in the future of the movie world and even have your say in what you think you will like to see being produced.
Bali has been known for its serene beauty and sleep feel yet the Bali of today is holding on to its traditions and culture and blending it with progress and dynamic development. The events that will happen in the future will no doubt surpass what are available today.
About the blogger: Rob has been living in Indonesia, for four years now. He is currently working as a teacher in Jakarta, and in his spare time he get out on his mountain bike and discover new trails among tea plantations of West Java. Travelling has been in his blood for over 15 years and it is a great adventure that he hopes will continue for many more years to come. Meet Rob here: http://www.gotravelindonesia.com
Also follow GTI on Twitter |
| Meet travelers |
Join GotSaga for free! You can share your sagas and much more with millions and are offered a wide variety of tools to enhance your travel experiences for sagas yet to come.
