scheduling appointments with any professionals you will want to access during your time.

Year around temperatures average 31 degrees Celsius (87 degrees Fahrenheit) with high humidity. Considering it is an island, you will likely spend a significant amount of time on the beach. Make a list of all the things that you will need to pack and bring with you, as well as a list of things to purchase once you get to the island. Keeping a list of things to pack will keep you from leaving important necessities at home, and help you to stay organized once you arrive.

Any first class traveler will spend a significant portion of time engaging in activities around the island. Create a preliminary itinerary with things that you want to do around the island during your stay. Within the itinerary, include contact information needed to make the accommodation for the activity. Leave enough space beneath the contact information to jot notes about finalized plans.

Once you have made all of the necessary appointments with tour guides, reservations at restaurants, booked your villa, boat and other rentals, create a finalized planner that contains all the information you need for your trip. This includes all confirmation numbers, lists, appointments, passports, ticket information and other required documentation.

Making sure that everything is planned before your arrival is the first and most important part traveling first class in Bali. It will give you a stress free vacation, and will allow you to relax and enjoy the island instead of stressing about everything. That’s the first rule to first class, luxury vacations: relax and have fun!

BEFORE YOU LEAVE…

Plan Your Bali Trip Ahead of Time!

First class travelers do not leave planning to the last minute. Before you even buy your plan ticket, you should be in the process of planning your Bali vacation. This means knowing what you desire to do, finding the best accommodations available.

The Island of Bali

As a member of the Lesser Sunda Islands off the coast of Indonesia, Bali is the most popular tourist destination in the country.

It is highly renowned for its sculpture, leather-working, painting, music and dance.

A recent spike in tourism has made it the premier destination for first class travelers.

A FIRST CLASS VIEW AT THE ISLAND

Religion on the Island

Although most of Indonesia is dominated by the Islam religion, that is not so on the island of Bali. Here, you will find the major religion being Balinese Hinduism Hindu Dharma. Just as Bali is a unique island, the religion is as well.

During your first class Bali vacation, consider exploring the local religion. Many famous temples are spread out throughout the country. Setting up an appointment with a local religious leader may allow you to get a private access tour to these sacred areas.

Speaking the Language

Both Balinese and Indonesian are spoken throughout the country. If you venture into areas not commonly seen by tourist, be sure to find a good local translator. Speaking to the translator before you even arrive in Bali may get you access into some local areas of the country.

Being a first class traveler means accessing things most tourist cannot. A translator is a great way to begin your first class vacation.

A Guided History Tour of Bali

Bali has an incredibly rich culture, and that spans back throughout its immense history. Austronesian people originally inhabited the island after migrating through the Maritime Southeast Asia from Taiwan.

Learn about this history through a private tour with a private Balinese guide and driver. Nothing says first class travel like a private tour given from an island native.

It is a unique experience that many overlook during their time on the island.

The best way to navigate the island is to allow a local to do it for you

Navigating Around the Island

Travelers have a variety of travel option for getting around the island. For everyday travel, consider renting a car. This will allow you to go anywhere in the country. A convertible vehicle will allow you enjoy the beautiful weather found year around on the island.

Public transportation is abundantly available throughout the country, should you need to travel infrequently during your stay. Private car services are the best way for first class travelers to go from point A to point B without having to rent a car or drive yourself. These services allow you access to a luxury vehicle and person driver during your stay on the island.

TRAVEL IN FIRST CLASS STYLE

Rent a Limousine for Your Trip

Nothing quite says first class transportation like traveling around in a limousine. Several companies throughout the island can provide you with this experience during your stay. Whether you need someone to pick you up from the airport, or need some transportation to lunch, you can enjoy high class travel with a limousine rental.

Some services provide you the opportunity to receive a guided tour of the countryside by your local, knowledgeable chauffeur. Depending on your plans for the vehicle, you can rent it and hire the driver by the hour, day or even for the entire duration of your stay on the island of Bali. If you are interested, most limousine service also offer luxury vehicles for those interested in a driver, but do not want to sport around a flashy limo during the drive across the island.

Speed the Winding Road on Motorcycle

Nothing says freedom like the wind in your hair, mounted on a motorcycle exploring the countryside. Renting a motorcycle for a day during your trip to Bali allows you see both the major tourist attractions, and delve in the more secluded areas of the country. For a really exciting experience, drive the motorcycle up the winding, mountain roads. End your drive at the top of one of the beautiful Bali mountains.

A Helicopter Ride Over the Island

Bali is a beautiful country that can be incredibly breathtaking when viewed firsthand. Companies providing helicopter rides understand how to get the greatest experience for travelers.

Most are distracted by the many things to do on the ground. Feel like royalty as you are given an experience that many tourists miss out on during a trip to Bali. A helicopter ride provides you a unique experience and a unique view of the Bali island.

EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE FIRSTHAND

Balinese Hindi Galungan Festival

The Galungan celebration is a time for Balinese Hindus to honor the spirits of honored ancestors and the creator of the universe. The festival itself is symbolic of the conquering of Dharma over Adharma (that is, good over evil). It is also a time of encouraging the Balinese to express their gratitude to sainted ancestors and the creator.

Bali works on a 210-day calendar, and the festival happens once during each cycle. Locals of Bali are the only ones formally invited to these ceremony. However, travelers get to experience the local color that fills the street with all of the decorations and richly-dressed women. Be aware, though. Finding local accommodations during these dates are more difficult. If you plan to go during the Galgungan festival, make sure you plan way out in advance.

Annual Arts Festival

Bali holds an annual Arts Festival. During this time, the island features an entire month of daily exhibitions, performance, handicraft and other culturally rich activities.

The entire comes out to celebrate and present offerings of music, dance and beauty. You can experience the beautiful culture of Bali.

When tourism first became big on the island, locals welcomed the visitors. However, they vowed to not allow the inflow of tourism to change the culture of the island. The Balinese say, “Tourism should be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism.”

The island has great pride in its traditional culture, and strive to preserve it in every way possible. Its annual arts festival is just one of the many ways that Bali can express its local culture to the tourists in the area.

Bali begins its festival in the villages. The seka are selected to perform at the regional level. Each selected group the create a display to present in front of the audience at the festival to display the village’s unique culture.

LEARN HOW TO RELAX…

Yoga on the Beaches of Bali

Yoga is a way for you to connect with yourself and the beautiful nature that surrounds you. Leave your room early in the day and begin with yoga on the beach.

Many will not have ventured to the beaches early in the morning, and you will have a secluded area in which to clear your mind, tune into yourself and nature.

Before you leave for your Bali stay, learn a basic yoga routine that you can preform by memory during you morning yoga on the beach in Bali.

“Still water runs deep.” – Indonesian Proverb -

Balinese Massage

Bali gives you many choices when it comes to massages on the island. If you prefer a spa environment, you can set up an massage appointment in one of the many spas located throughout the island.

The best type of massage to receive on your stay is the island’s original Balinese massage. You may can find a local to come to your accommodation for this type of massage. Balinese massage is a holistic, deep- tissue, full body treatment. It combines aromatherapy, reflexology, stretching and acupressure for a complete stimulation and relaxing experience.

Be Open to New Ideas

You will likely spend many hours make preparations for your trip to Bali. Much energy will go into creating the perfect itinerary to make sure that have the best, most relaxing time during your stay. However, things often happen that deter plans that have been made.

Instead of being rigorously attached to the plans you have made, be open to new ideas. Living life in the moments sets you up for optimal relaxation and fun during your first class Bali vacation.

Perhaps you will meet someone of importance during your stay. Being open to canceling your plans for a day may lead to even greater opportunities during your time on the island.

BOUTIQUE HOTELS: A QUIET GETAWAY

Personalized Service

Don’t expect to be treated like another number while staying at a boutique hotel in Bali. Boutique hotels pride themselves in personalized service to guests. You can expect professional staff that work to meet your needs before you request. You will be welcomed with a warm handshake, and likely be called by your name instead of a vague Sir or Madame.

Comforts Like Home

All boutique hotels have a maximum number of 100 rooms on the entire property. This means that staff have more energy to make sure that your stay at the hotel is as comfortable as home.

Everything is cozy in a boutique hotel. It is an effort to make you as comfortable as possible. Most of these hotels have unique themes that come from the local culture, adding even more quality to the experience.

Is a First Class Boutique Hotel Right For You?

First class boutique hotels are a wonderful accommodation solution for couples looking to have a romantic getaway on the island of Bali. Because of the atmosphere and services these hotels provide, it will help enable the intimate setting that you are looking to portray throughout your weekend.

Couples aren’t the only ones that can benefit from the quiet environment, though. Anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life for a truly relaxing holiday should consider a boutique hotel. Not only will you get the rest you are looking for, you will receive first class service throughout your stay.

Those who are looking to party throughout their stay should look for a different type of accommodation. Bali features many eloquent villas throughout the beachside that will be perfect for the host looking for an exciting, rambunctious stay on the island.

VILLA RENTALS: THE PARTY TRAVELER

Larger Location

First class villa rentals in Bali feature top of the line amenities and space. Most villas feature a large plot of land that is perfect for hosting large groups of people. You will also find private pools at most of the villa locations.

Beautiful landscaping, private land, tons of space, oceanside views are just a few of the perks to staying first class in a Bali villa rental during your stay.

An Attention Catcher

Don’t think that you can rent an entire Bali villa without attracting the attention of onlookers. You will feel like a celebrity as you pull up into your accommodations.

Impress new friends you make on vacation by bringing them back to your villa for a good time. Nothing say first class Bali traveler quite like staying in one of the many elegant Bali villa rentals.

Would You Be Suited for a Bali Villa Rental?

Bali villas are the perfect solution when a large group of people are traveling together. Most villas can hold a large number of residents very comfortably. Some have separate buildings on the property that allow for each guest to have a very private area of the property, while still being able to come together in the common areas and have a good time with one another.

Those who enjoy hosting large parties of people while on vacation are the perfect occupants for a villa in Bali. The large, private property, pool in the backyard, huge house, updated amenities and overall status that comes with the villa will enable you to mingle through you party with pride. You guests will dote on the amazing time they have when spending time with you in your villa.

So what are you waiting for? Go get the party started!

A FIRST CLASS WEDDING IN BALI

Wedding on the Beach

Beach weddings are popular throughout the entire world. Anywhere there is sand an ocean makes a breathtakingly beautiful wedding area. The great thing about a beach wedding is it can be as large or as small as you and your partner-to-be desire.

Kick off a happy marriage by renting a luxurious Bali villa to celebrate the reception, and stay the night as the first night as husband and wife. You won’t be disappointed when you decide to have your wedding at a Bali beach.

Make the Leap: A Cliff Top Ceremony

For a small, incredibly intimate ceremony, head to the top of one of the high cliffs located on the island. Bring a couple of the people closest to you to be witnesses at the ceremony.

A Bali minister can preform the ceremony for you with little hassle. As you take this leap into a new phase of life, try to not get so nervous that you take a leap off the cliff. That’s a sure way to ruin the mood.

After the Ceremony

The best perk about having your location wedding is that you can stay and send everyone else packing after the ceremony. Once the big day is done, stay another week or so in Bali and enjoy a beautiful, unforgettable honeymoon on the island.

Small, boutique hotels offer honeymooners an intimate setting to spend their first few days together as man and wife. When you decide to come out into the real world again, the island has all sorts of different activities, so that both of you will find something that you enjoy doing.

THINGS TO DO AT BALI BEACHES

Learn How to Surf in the Indian Ocean

Learn how to surf by finding a local surfer and setting up a lesson is the most exciting way to learn the sport while staying in Bali. While companies often provide tourists with surfing lessons in their list of services, a local will give you a truly unique experience during your stay in Bali. Carve out some time during your first few days on the island to find a surfer. Approach and offer him some money for his services.

Chances are, a local will jump at the opportunity to help you learn the sport. In addition to learning to surf, you may also learn things about the island first thing from local experience. You never know what kind of opportunities open up when you spend some time getting to know the locals. True first class travelers have local friends in places all throughout the world. It’s what truly brings you up to first class status.

An Underwater Experience: Scuba Diving

Spending time breathing underwater while seeing the beautiful scenery of the Indian ocean is an experience any class traveler to seek to have.

As always, seek out someone independent from a chain company if possible. However, if you cannot find anyone, a scuba diving excursion will prove to be worth the effort. Many companies offer a quick class for those that are not familiar with the experience, which is great for first time divers.

Rent a Yacht for the Day

Want to be first class on the sea? Be the owner of the yacht. While it’s likely that you can’t feasibly sail your yacht from the states to Indonesia, renting one for the day or entire duration of your stay is a viable substitution.

Yachts are a great place to host parties or spend and intimate evening with another person. Whatever you do, do it in style on a rented Bali yacht.

ENJOY FIRST CLASS FUN ON LAND

Ride an Elephant in Ubud

Ubud features an entire elephant farm. This island’s gentle giants offer visitors an exciting experience not found many other places. The Elephant Safari park is one of the places that you can experience riding on the back of an elephant. While this is one of the more touristy areas to engage in this activity, there are certainly less popular areas where you can ride on the back of an elephant.

However, if you choose to go to this hot spot for visitors, you will have the opportunity to hand feed the elephants after taking them through a ride in the forest and into the bathing lake to cool down. Book online to insure that you have an all access pass to the park for the day.

Interested parties can book a package online, or inquire about private tours through the elephant park for the day. A private tour secludes you from the rest of the tourist, making it a more special experience.

Watch a Buffalo Race

Buffalos are used for a variety of things throughout Southeast. They work in agriculture, produce milk, are a source of food….and entertainment. During the dry season, Negara holds buffalo races every other Sunday at 7am. Stay in Medewi, a town with nice accommodations to stay most comfortably before the. It’s a nearby surf town, so you can catch a wave after the race.

See Bali From the Top of a Volcano

Put on some hiking boots and head to the top of one of the many volcano peaks in Bali. For the best, first class type of experience avoid peaks that are highly populated by tourist.

Enjoy a special experience by bringing a picnic and someone special with you to the top of the mountain. Lunch atop of the mountain top is surely an experience that you cannot pass up in Bali.

The Galungan celebration is a time for Balinese Hindus to honor the spirits of honored ancestors and the creator of the universe. The festival itself is symbolic of the conquering of Dharma over Adharma (that is, good over evil). It is also a time of encouraging the Balinese to express their gratitude to sainted ancestors and the creator.

Bali works on a 210-day calendar, and the festival happens once during each cycle. Locals of Bali are the only ones formally invited to these ceremony. However, travelers get to experience the local color that fills the street with all of the decorations and richly-dressed women. Be aware, though. Finding local accommodations during these dates are more difficult. If you plan to go during the Galgungan festival, make sure you plan way out in advance.

Annual Arts Festival

Bali holds an annual Arts Festival. During this time, the island features an entire month of daily exhibitions, performance, handicraft and other culturally rich activities.

The entire comes out to celebrate and present offerings of music, dance and beauty. You can experience the beautiful culture of Bali.

When tourism first became big on the island, locals welcomed the visitors. However, they vowed to not allow the inflow of tourism to change the culture of the island. The Balinese say, “Tourism should be for Bali instead of Bali for tourism.”

The island has great pride in its traditional culture, and strive to preserve it in every way possible. Its annual arts festival is just one of the many ways that Bali can express its local culture to the tourists in the area.

Bali begins its festival in the villages. The seka are selected to perform at the regional level. Each selected group the create a display to present in front of the audience at the festival to display the village’s unique culture.

 

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

 

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.