The sixth annual Biznet Bali International Triathlon returns to the island of Bali on June 24, 2012! Nestled between the Ayana Resort and Spa, the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay and the Intercontinental Bali Resort, the weekend features an Olympic distance event and Sprint distance event. Join us for a unique destination race combining a luxurious race setting with a challenging course.

Each participating triathlete will be provided with the following:
* High Quality Race T-shirt
* Competitor Swim Cap
* Competitor Water Bottle
* Ticket to pre-race dinner event
* Access to post race awards festival on the beach with local musicians
* Opportunity to participate in discounted tours and watersports activities throughout Bali
* Discounted hotel rates for athletes and their families
* Jenggala’s ceramic awards for all top 3 category winners and overall winners

The top male and female winners of the Sprint Distance Race will be awarded a 6 day, 5 night package at Ayana Resort & Spa. The top male and female winners of the Olympic Distance Race will be awarded a 6 day, 5 night package at Four Seasons Bali. The top three athletes in each competing division will receive awards.

Check there website: www.balitriathlon.com

Nyepi

Ogoh-ogoh being paraded in Ngrupuk or The Bhuta Yajna Ritual.

Nyepi is a Balinese “Day of Silence” that commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to Bali’s calendar (in 2011, it will be on March 5th). It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New year Gudi Padva in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh andKarnataka in India.

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

On the day after Nyepi, known as Ngembak Geni, social activity picks up again quickly, as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another, and to perform certain religious rituals together.

Rituals

• First, The Melasti Ritual is performed at the 3-4 previous day. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi Wasa and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. The ritual performed in Pura (Balinese temple) near the sea (Pura Segara) and meant to purify Arca, Pratima, and Pralingga (sacred objects) belongs to several temples, also to acquire sacred water from the sea.
• Second, The Bhuta Yajna Ritual is performed in order to vanquish the negative elements and create balance with God, Mankind, and Nature. The ritual also meant to appease Batara Kala byPecaruan offering. Devout Hindu Balinese villages usually make ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of bamboo and paper symbolizing negative elements or malevolent spirits. After the ogoh-ogoh have been paraded around the village, the Ngrupuk ritual takes place, which involves burning the ogoh-ogoh.
• Third, The Nyepi Rituals is performed with the following conditions:
  • Amati Geni: No fire/light, including no electricity
  • Amati Karya: No working
  • Amati Lelunganan: No travelling
  • Amati Lelanguan: Fasting and no revelry/self-entertainment
• Fourth, The Yoga/Brata Ritual starts at 6:00 AM (e.g. March 26, 2009) and continues to 6:00 AM the next day.
• Fifth, The Ngebak Agni/Labuh Brata Ritual is performed for all Hindus to forgive each other and to welcome the new days to come.
• Sixth and finally, The Dharma Shanti Rituals is performed as the Nyepi Day or “Day of Silence.”

Predictions for the Year of the Rabbit 2011

The planetary alignment affects the way we interact with each other. From an astrological standpoint, 2011 is the year of the metal Rabbit. The energy of the Rabbit affects us in many different ways. In Chinese astrology, we can deduce information on how the cosmic energy of the Rabbit affects the world.

World Events

In the year of the Rabbit, we will continue to witness conflicts stemming from Northeast and East Asia. Conflicts that had sparked tensions along the North and South Korean borders will persist as there will be no concrete resolution for both the Koreas. 1950 witnessed to beginning of the Korean War and it carried on until 1953. To add to the problems in East Asia, the sickness star and the Grand Duke of Jupiter points towards that direction. The last time the sickness star was in the East, there was a breakout of SARS in late 2002. Do not be surprised if another outbreak of disease comes about in the back half of 2011.

World Economy

Tariff barriers and protectionism will be raised in this year of conflict. As the United States economy continues their recovery phase. They will want to protect themselves from Chinese imports. From an economic standpoint, I had written this last year:

“2010 will be a turbulent year as governments work together to solve global financial issues and tackle epidemics. Inflation will continue and the value of the US dollar will continue to erode; therefore, investments in the commodity space such as gold, copper, silver and other base metals would be beneficial”

Evidently, the year of the Tiger in 2010 had brought about incredible returns in gold, copper, silver and base metals. 2011 will see a continued rise in metal, more likely in the base metals as construction materials are in greater demand. Those metals would include nickel, zinc, aluminum and steel. Prices for corn, wheat, cotton and other agricultural products will probably produce stellar returns. The previous two Rabbit years were years to forget for stock market followers. 1987 witnessed a world financial crisis as the stock markets crashed around the world. 1999 saw the beginning of the end of the dot com bubble.

Health

Last year, there was a considerable amount of discomfort for many in the shoulder and neck areas. The Tiger year was an unforgiving animal from an energetic standpoint when it came to operating a vehicle. The cosmic energy of the Rabbit brings about different types of health concerns. Since it is a Metal Rabbit year, the health problems would stem from the lungs and the liver. There would be an increased possibility of being infected by hepatitis so travel with care if you decide to go to undeveloped regions of the world. In the middle of 2011, the lungs would be considerably vulnerable to pollution and the weather.

Romance

Those who were born in the year of the Tiger, Horse or Dog would experience greater possibilities of romance. If you are single, this is the year to go out more and attend special events.

Summary

Economic growth in 2011 will pick up in many parts of the world but parts of Asia will be vulnerable to asset bubbles. The Grand Duke and the Yellow Five star in the year of the Rabbit points directly at China, Taiwan, Japan and parts of Korea. Instability in the region especially in both the Koreas will continue. The fame star for 2011 flies to the West. Moderate recovery is expected and one of the driving forces should come from technology. Much of the technological innovation comes from Silicon Valley and breakthroughs will rightfully come from that region in 2011.

Jerry G King

EzineArticles.com Expert Author

Buying  A Bali Villa

Bali is undoubtedly one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Every year hundreds and thousands of people visit Bali and have the time of their lives. Given that it is a holiday hot spot, Bali is also a great place to buy property. Yes, you heard it absolutely right.

The reason for Bali blooming into a real estate paradise is balanced to a great extent on the fact that it is a holiday heaven. People from all over the world come for holidaying in Bali. They put up at hotels and lodges or rent villas to stay in. With the kind of real estate potential, Bali has shaped into a destination where people from all over the world are looking to invest. Buying property in Bali might soon become a fantastic business proposition with the kind of demand it is starting to have in the international market.

The villas in Bali are gorgeous to say the least. These villas are further divided into many different categories. You can buy an average Bali villa if you want. Or you can even go for a luxury Bali villa if you are willing to spend a bit more. However, certain things need to be looked into before buying a villa in Bali.

So what are the things you need to look into while buying a Bali Villa?

Find the right villa in the right place

The entire island of Bali is beautiful. It has picturesque locales that are soothing to the eyes. As a buyer you would certainly be tempted to buy a villa anywhere in Bali. However, as is the case with every tourist destination, Bali too has its own favorite areas. Places like Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak, etc. are some of the best bets for you while doing location hunting. These places are not only majestic with their natural beauty, but they are also popular among tourists. They are home to some of the finest Bali villas.

Lots of options make choosing that more difficult

Have you ever come across a situation where you have to choose one chocolate from a box which consists all your favorite chocolates? Buying a Bali Villa is a case of similar tough choice. The villas in Bali are exquisite and artistic and as a buyer you would fall in love with almost all of them. Most of the people often fall in a dilemma as to which villa they should opt for.

Ideally it is recommended that you do not dig into too many Bali villas as this would leave you confused at the end of the day. The right way to go about it is to first make sure in which area you would buy the villa. Once you have decided on the area you can start your search extensively. Another important factor to keep in mind is your budget. This would save your time and your energy. There is no point in looking at a list of luxury Bali Villas if you are not going to buy one.

Buying a villa in Bali would be much easier if you keep in mind the above factors. So do not waste further time and start looking at www.pambali.com for your dream Bali villa today!

The Khayangan Estate is situated on a 1.5-hectare plot of land. It’s a 5-star cliffside residence that overlooks the famed Selonding beach. The owners of this property are Mark and Jasmine Saunders-Davies and were avid collectors of old broken down Javanese Joglos. They wanted to preserve these historical buildings. A Traditional Javanese joglo is a tall building that has four sides with a very high pointed but dull ceiling. It’s a hat like structure that is shaped to shield sunrays and rain. They are made from wood and have very detailed carved ceilings, posts, and walls. Unfortunately, due to the climate of Indonesia, many joglos have fallen apart.

One day the couple decided to create the Bali villa that they have been fantasizing for years. Their plot was to create something that was traditional, simple, and eco-friendly. They renovated the joglos that they collected throughout the years and modernized them, but at the same time kept them true to their architectural heritage.

The owners of this Bali villa wanted to mix traditional forms with contemporary aesthetics that takes influences from both Asia and Europe.They chose one of the best architects from Singapore by the name of Cheong Yew Kwan, who specializes in indigenous styles of architecture. He believes in preserving the environment, which was one of the main attributes that the owners we’re looking for in choosing the right architect.

The joglos used in this Bali villa complex we’re so dilapidated, that they were all redone with concrete foundations and wood shingles for roofing. They had to use recycled teakwood for flooring, doors, and some of the furniture. The front panels were taken out and replaced by glass, which gives a more modern twist to the villa. Cheong aligned all of the joglos in a semi-circle so each of the structures would have an amazing view of the Ocean.

Khayangan in Sanskrit means “Seventh Heaven”. It’s definitely a great rental property for people spending their holidays in Bali. You will feel at ease knowing you are in an eco-friendly environment with solar heating panels and a chemical free swimming pool.  It’s a dream Bali villa that was made for ultimate relaxation, not to forget that it is also close to world-class surfing beaches. If you are interested in booking this Bali villa or something similar, contact Pambali today at info@pambali.com. We can go through all your options until we find the perfect Bali villa for your getaway.

An Italian businessman by the name of Kiko A Croserio began building his Bali villa in the year 2000 and put the finishing touches on it in 2003. He named his villa in Bali Puri Sejuk, which means, “cool palace”. His dream villa in Bali was to have one constructed mainly in bamboo. He wanted a natural and rustic feel to his home so he used materials such as pressed clay, mud, wood, pebbles, natural stones, and terrazzo.

Kiko A Croserio did the interior designing and landscaping himself, but chose a famous Indonesian painter by the name of Wolfgang Widmoser to design the rest of his Bali villa. He hand picked Widmoser because of his expertise in using bamboo to construct Bali villas.

This Bali villa is situated in the fishing village of Seseh where it’s rural and blessed with true beauty. It was built on a 2,990-sq-yard piece of land that offers endless views of the Indian Ocean, and also overlooks the well-famed Tanah Lot temple. There are not that many villas in Bali that are located near the ocean because the Balinese people believe that the ocean is full of evil spirits. Kiko’s Bali villa is an exception because the sacred and powerful Tanah Lot temple protects it.

This estate has an all-natural swimming pool that is surrounded by tropical palms and frangipani trees. Curvy forms are followed from the house into the garden, where the pool meanders around a grass lawn. There is a tiny island in the middle of the pool and a bronze and metal sculpture, which was handcrafted especially for this area.

An outside dining area with asymmetric bamboo canopy is a super spot for al fresco dining as it has views over the pool and to the ocean beyond. During the day, the bamboo poles may be covered with fabric for shade. The refectory-like wooden dining table with benches is somewhat austere.

This Bali villa is a perfect getaway for guests who want to be away from all the hustle and bustle of Kuta and Seminyak. It’s an ideal place to relax and enjoy everything that nature has to offer. If you are interested in booking the Puri Sejuk villa, our company, Pambali, can make it a reality. We have over 350 villas in Bali and can assist you in finding the right one. Contact us through info@pambali.com if you have any questions or comments.

This year Nyepi Day fell on March 16^th. It is a day in the Balinese Hindu culture where the island is silent and the people fast and meditate. It’s a day of self reflection. From 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next day the whole island of Bali comes to a sudden halt. Nobody is allowed to be on the streets as special officials monitor and enforce people to stay in their homes and keep silent. Everyone is restricted from work, lighting fires, using electricity, traveling, talking, any kind of self entertainment, and for some, not eating anything at all.

Nyepi is predominately a Hindu holiday, but other people who live in Bali or visit the island observe this day of silent too. They may not believe in what the day is all about, but they participate out of respect for the Hindus on the island.

For people who spent their holidays in Bali during Nyepi and did not wish to participate in keeping the day for self reflection, they were taken in consideration. They were allowed to watch television and enjoy all the amenities of their hotel or Bali villa, but they were not permitted to be out on the streets or on the beach. They had to stay in their hotels or villa in Bali. Even all the busy touristic areas that are usually jam packed with people such as Seminyak, Kuta, and Ubud became total ghost towns.

During this day of silence, no airplanes were allowed to land or take off at the Denpasar International Airport, as it was completely shut down for 24 hours. Although no one was allowed on the streets, they made special exceptions for people to be transported to the hospital for any type of serious emergencies such as women who were in labor and life threatening causes. Planes were only granted special permission to leave Bali for people who had serious traumatic injuries, which needed special attention to be flown out of the island. The only people that were allowed on the streets were what they call in Bali the Pecalang, which are security guards and police who enforce the prohibition rules.

The day after Nyepi is called Ngembak Geni. Slowly everything came back to normal, as the streets were busy again. There were many ceremonies that were performed around the island and people celebrated for accomplishing a day of total self reflection and meditation. The Balinese Hindus repented and forgave each other for all the wrong they have committed. It surely was a very festive day in Bali, Indonesia.

Have you ever been to Bali, Indonesia on the eve of Nyepi, and wondered what those scary, demonic, and monster statues were on the side of the roads? Those effigies are what the Balinese people pertain to as the Ogoh Ogoh’s. These large figures are primarily built for the Hindu Ngrupuk parade held the night before Nyepi day. This festive day is called the Balinese New Year’s Eve. Every Balinese Hindu participates in this sacred event.

The Ogoh Ogoh is usually constructed by an appointed group of talented artists in each village around Bali. They collaborate all their ideas into designing and building very intricate pieces of art. Before, they were made out of a wooden frame, woven bamboo, and paper mache. Now, they are constructing larger and stronger structures, which require the use of a metal frame, wire mesh, and sponge.

There are also Ogoh Ogoh competitions that are held for this festival in Denpasar. The youth challenge each other in constructing the best and most unique Ogoh Ogoh. This competition allows the youth of Bali to shine and show off their talents. It also gives them the opportunity to express their artsy and creativity side.

These statues are made to symbolize all the evil things that are put upon this island, such as spiritual impurities and any outside forces that cause harm or malice. They also represent Bhuta-Kala in the Hindu religion, which means eternal energy and eternal time. They are later destroyed to release all negative energy.

An Ogoh Ogoah is usually placed on a board made of wooden planks and bamboo. It stands upright on this board while it is lifted and carried by ten or more men on their shoulders. The Ogoh Ogoh is then paraded around the villages and burnt to a crisp at a near by cemetery to symbolize self purification, and also the exorcising of evil. It is an amazing sight to see and hear as the youth of the villages accompany the parade by setting off colorful flares and playing loud music.

During this celebration, the Ogoh Ogoah is turned counter clockwise about three times. They do this on the T- junction and crossroads in every village. It represents the contact of the bodies with the spirits. The Balinese people believe that if this act is done it will bamboozle the demonic spirits so that they flee and stop harming innocent human beings.

Jenggala Ceramic is situated in the heart of Jimbaran, Bali. It is world-renowned to be the home of the finest hand made ceramic and glassware productions in all of Indonesia. Talented artists and designers from Indonesia and abroad collaborate together to create unique, elegant, and high quality pieces of art to be displayed and sold all over the world.

Jenggala was established in 1976. It started off in a very small warehouse in Batu Jimbar, Sanur, by a famous New Zealander artist and potter Brent Hesselyn, a local Indonesian Wija Waworuntu, and his daughter Ade. Throughout the years, the demand of Jenggala products grew and became more popular in the international market. Now products are being shipped all of the world. Eventually they moved to Jimbaran, where visitors and tourists come to shop and take home magnificent pieces of art.

This place is very sophisticated and special, which consists of a gallery, an exhibition area, a factory, a do it yourself paint/pottery making section, and also an excellent café.

The gallery is where the artists display all the beautiful hand made products to be sold including new collections that are constantly being produced. The new collection sets they currently have on display consists of wobble mugs, Spirit of Winter, Frangipani, Bamboo, Pincuk, Valentine, Hand bag, Jenggala Lighting, and Ketupat collections.

The exhibition area is a part of the building where up and coming artists as well as acclaimed artists from Indonesia and abroad, can come to promote their work. They are also invited to share their knowledge and viewpoints to the artists of Jenggala, so that their products are constantly developing and evolving. This area is also open to the public to see these artists make hands on demonstrations.

The factory is where the artists do their magic to create the masterpieces for the store. Each piece is made with love and is given special care from the get go, from processing of materials, blending, shaping, and finishing each piece. The glazes that are used are all lead-free.

The paint and pottery section is an area where children and adults can use their creative abilities to design and paint their own pottery. First they would choose the type of ceramic item they would like to use (plate, mug, cup, saucer, or bowl) then they would choose their colors and start painting their masterpiece. Stencils and sponges are provided. When the pottery is finished being designed, the friendly staff will take it to be fired in the factory, which usually takes 2-4 days.

One of the perks of coming to Jenggala is their café, which serves delicious light meals, fresh brewed coffee, and tea.

Jenggala is definitely a place to visit when in Bali and is very close to near by towns such as Nusa Dua, Kuta, Seminyak, and Bukit areas.

In many countries, showing public display of affection is frowned upon, but once a year the Med-Medan festival (kissing ritual event) is put on for everyone to see. This special event is only performed in one village in Bali, which is in Banjar Kaja Sesetan, Denpasar.

This fascinating and eye-catching event is held the day after Nyepi, which is known to be the “Day of Silence” for the Hindu Balinese people. During the Med-Medan festival, teenage boys and girls dressed up in beautiful ceremony clothing are lined up facing each other, with the girls on the southern side of the field and the boys on the northern side. As they stand there with pumping adrenaline running through their veins, they follow the beat of the Blenganjur instrument. The couples start to charge each other as the sounds of the Blenganjur grow faster and faster, until their puckering lips meet. The adults supervising this event act as referees. After a few minutes of intense kissing, the adults pour buckets of cold water of the teenagers until they separate. This is repeated over and over again until every person in the line gets his or her turn. Prior to the main ritual event, local villagers pay their respects, pray, and respectfully ask the gods for their blessings at the local temple. This event attracts many locals and tourists on the island, but only locals from the village of Kaja Sesetan are permitted to take part in this festival. In fact, it is mandatory for all teenagers residing in this village, to participate in Med-Medan.

The purpose of this event is to ensure protection to the village from bad happenings. The head of the Banjar in this village said that one year they decided not to have the celebration, and two pigs where found fighting each other in the field. The crazy thing about this situation was that they could not be pulled apart from each other. To him, it resembled the Med-Medan ritual and it was a way for the Gods to tell him that this event should never be missed. Ever since that incident, the festival has never been canceled. This famous ritual event may soon come to an end as the National Legislators look to shut it down. Soon, people who participate in this may be fined or even get some jail time. The local villagers still believe that if the Gods want to keep this ritual going, nothing will be able to stop it.