Ubud : is famous for it's regularly nightly traditional dance performances

Ubud is located 35 km northeast of Bali's International Airport. It is attractive to tourists for a variety of reasons. On a relatively small island with a horde of attractions, Ubud is centrally located, and even the closest beach is only 15 minutes away.

The Ubud area is around two- to three hundred meters above sea level and surrounded by rice fields, which makes it noticeably cooler than then other tourist destinations in Bali. Neighbouring villages are well known for unique bamboo crafts and furniture, wood- and stone carving and many other crafts.

Ubud is arguably the best place to use as a base if you're visiting Bali; if you're looking for culture, comfort, nature and inspiration. Ubud is surrounded by most of the things that bring people to Bali -- scenic rice fields, small villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers, cheap accommodation and unique luxury hotels. And it's central location makes it easy to get from Ubud to the mountains, beaches, and major towns.

Ubud is famous for it's regularly nightly traditional dance performances, which are part of the traditional culture and are arranged for tourists on a regular schedule. Hindu-Balinese ceremonies take place on a nearly daily basis, especially in the European summer, which is the driest and coolest season here.

Ubud is popular in part today because it is the best place in Bali to break out of the tourist mode and get off the beaten path, although far from undiscovered. Hotels are plentiful; home stays and Indonesian guesthouses (losmen) are easily available to the foreign tourist. Many tourists simply base their entire stay in the city and travel to other destinations from Ubud.

Accommodations in Ubud are also somewhat more reasonably priced than in the beach towns of Bali. But atmosphere is perhaps the major attractions. One visitor summed it up this way: Kuta is madness, Sanur is sterile, and Nusa Dua is culturally isolated; Ubud is the place to go.

Gayatri Mantram: Vedic Mantram Of Gayatri

Every time the Balinese pray in a temple, the following Vedic mantra of Gayatri or Tri Sandhya is almost always recited and chanted.

Meanings:

Om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam, bargho devasya dimahi; dhiyo yo nah prachodayat	The Supreme who pervades the three worlds bhur bhuvah and svah, the radiant supreme divine being; may he bestow his pure divine light to our mind and intellect.
Om narayanad evedam sarvam yad butam yacca bhavyam, niskalangko niranjano nirvikalpo, nirakyatah sudho devo eko narayanah nadvityo'sti kascit.	From Narayana thus all these evolved, which have been existing and which will come to exist. He is divine, without form, overcome any confusion, ever existing. He is radiant, pure, one without a second.
Om tvam sivah tvam mahadevah, isvarah paramesvarah, brahma visnusca rudrasca purusah parikirtitah.	You are Siva, You are Mahadeva, Isvara, Paramesvara, Brahma, Visnu and also Rudra, the supreme soul, source of everything.
Om papo ham papakarmaham papatma papasambhavah, trahi mam pundarikaksa sabahyabhyantara sucih.	O The Supreme, I am full of sorrow, my action is full of sins, my soul so destitute, and my birth is also so poor. Save me from all this sorrow, purify my body and mind.
Om ksamasva mam mahadeva, sarvaprani hitankara, mam moca sarvapapebyah palayasva sada shiva.	Forgive me O Mahadeva, redeemer of all sentient beings, save me from all this sorrow, guide me, redeem and protect me, O Sada Shiva.
Om ksantavyah kayiko dosah ksantavyo vaciko mama, ksantavyo manasa dosah tat pramadat ksamasva mam.	Forgive my sinful deed, forgive my wrong speech, forgive my sinful mind, forgive me for all those misdeeds.
Om santih, santih, santih.	O The Supreme, peace, peace, peace.

Lovina beach : Calm waves and black sand

Calm waves and black sand meet at Lovina beach of north Bali.

The coastal villages of Anturan, Tukad Mungga, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus are along an 8 kilometer stretch of tranquil black sand beach.

Located only four kilometers west of Singaraja, the capital of North Bali, and a ninety-kilometer drive from Denpasar. This resort currently has many restaurants especially those offering seafood, some star hotels, and many good and truly relaxing accommodations

For those without diving licenses, one may get liscensed in a matter of a few days of courses in Lovina. The diving enthusiast will probably want to move on to Menjangan Island, Bali's most famous diving site. It is an hour's drive from Lovina where one would then take a 30-minute boat ride onto the island. As part of Bali Barat National Park, Menjangan Island is well known for it's clearest water in the Indonesian archipelago, where you can go diving or snorkeling amongst the coral reefs and fish in the sparkling clear water. Another popular attraction is the dolphin watching. A small traditional boat called, jukung, may be hired form the villagers in the morning to bring us off shore to meet these smart and cute creatures.

Other interesting sites nearby include the Buddhist Vihara in Banjar village, hot springs, and Singsing waterfalls.

Ulun Danu temple : is dedicated to the goddess of serene lake Bratan

This temple is located on a lake that fills the crater of ancient mount Bratan in Tabanan area, in the northwestern part of Bali, in an elevation of 1239 meter above sea level.

The weather is usually cool and fresh, bringing the calmness of nature closer and closer to the mind of whomever witnessing it.

The lake is so generous, giving life to many people in the surrounding area and down in the plains, by it's streams and springs. This Ulun Danu temple is dedicated to the goddess of serene lake Bratan, as a manifestation of Brahman as Wisnu, the preserver. The Balinese worship the goddess of the lake, Devi Danu at Pura Ulun Danu Temple, because the lake provides the water source for the surrounding farmlands and rice fields.

Lampuyang: Another temple of great significance to the Balinese

Another temple of great significance to the Balinese is Lampuyang which can be seen on a hillside as you near Amed. It has recently been renovated and the white facade stands out against the tropical forests. By pass the main temple and continue up to the upper level and you will find yourself, at times, beyond the clouds.

Lempuyang temple is located on Lempuyang Mountain, Karangasem Regency, east Bali. The Balinese Hindu’s named it Sad Khayangan Agung Lempuyang Luhur, which is the place for Hyang Iswara and Hyang Agni Jaya. Puja Wali/ piodalan (sacred day) is held every six months, exactly on Umanis Galungan, Kamis (Thursday) wuku Dungulan, or the day after the Galungan ceremony.
To go to Lempuyang temple from Denpasar, it is about 80 km, a 2 hour journey to the east. Along the way, you will see beautiful scenery, rice field panoramas and rivers. There are 3 ways to go there, that is:

1. Kemuda/Purwayu way; passing Ngis Tista Village, Kemuda, Penataran Agung Lempuyang Luhur at Purwayu, Telaga Mas, Pasar Agung to Lempuyang Luhur.
2. Basangalas way; passing Ngis Tista Village, Basangalas, Banjar Gamongan, Telaga Sawang, Lempuyang Madya-Parahyangan Mpu Gni Jaya straight along towards Luhuring Lempuyang Madya, Pasar Agung and finally to Lempuyang Luhur.
3. Karangasem Regency way; from Bukit Village a straight-line to Jumeneng Village, Kenusut Temple, Pasar Agung and then to Lempuyang Luhur.

Be careful, because in the rainy season the pathways are very slippery and muddy. But for those of you who like adventure and love to see the mystery of nature, the journey will bring much fun and pleasure to you.
Lempuyang Temple contains a lot of mysteries from a long time ago, when Sang Hyang Pasupati recommended Hyang Gni Jaya together with Hyang Putra Jaya and Dewi Danuh to save Bali from disaster. Later, according to the villagers, as well as for praying, there are also people who come to Lempuyang Temple for other purposes, such as to recover from illnesses, avoid evil, and there are even politicians or officials who pray that their authority will be forever or to try to obtain a certain position. Usually they come in the middle of night, in order to avoid the public.
Please come to Lempuyang Temple and obey the rules on entering that sacred place, so that your safety will be guaranteed. Ask for any guidance from the Pemangku Pura (the person who is responsible for the temple) or any official so that your journey will be safe.

The barong dance: is depicted as fearful, a little naive..

The Barong is animated by two dancers who enter into a costume : one of them occupies the front part of the animal, the other one its rear part.
The head of the animal is made out of a wooden mask, and the dancer cracks its jaws during the dance.
Its furr is made out of long and silky hair, it is decorated with gold and mirrors and carries a beard decorated with flowers.
The barong is depicted as fearful, a little naive, but has a lot of courage and is devoted to good deeds.

Barong Dance is a unique art which the barong it self is a symbol of the power of God. Barong dance usually performed at the temples during big ceremony, called odalan, Galungan and festivals.

(Tari Barong adalah suatu kesenian yang unik dimana Barong adalah simbol kekuatan Tuhan. Tari Barong sering dipertunjukkan di pura-pura pada setiap "odalan" / upacara besar, Galungan dan di tempat festival.)

Batur Temple

Batur Temple

Batur Temple or commonly called Ulun Danu Temple is situated at 900 meters above sea level of Kalanganyar Batur village Kintamani District on the east ern side of the main road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja via Bangli. The temple faced west ward where Mount Batur and remains of its solidified black la vas serve as backdrop and Lake Batur stretches far down the slope, enhanced the beauty of nature around the temple. Formerly, before it is in its present location Batur Temple is located on the south western slope of Mount Batur since the devastating eruption in 1917 which de stroyed everything, including the temple itself, then initiated by the head of the village along with other prominent figures, they brought the surviving shrines with them and rebuilt Batur Temple to the higher place at Kalanganyar on its present location. The ceremony in this temple is held annually commonly called Ngusaba Ke Dasa.

(Pura Batur yang lebih dikenal dengan Pura Ulun Danu terletak pada ketinggian 900 m di atas permukaan laut tepatnya di Desa Kalanganyar Kecamatan Kintamani di sebelah Timur jalan raya Denpasar-Singaraja. Pura ini menghadap ke Barat yang dilatarbelakangi Gunung Batur dengan lava hitamnya serta Danau Batur yang membentang jauh di kaki Gunung Batur, melengkapi keindahan alam di sekeliling pura. Sebelum letaknya yang sekarang ini, Pura Batur terletak di lereng Barat Daya Gunung Batur. Karena letusan dahsyat pada tahun 1917 yang telah menghancurkan semuanya, termasuk pura itu kecuali sebuah pelinggih yang tertinggi. Akhirnya berkat inisiatif kepala desa bersama pemuka desa, mereka membawa pelinggih yang masih utuh dan membangun kembali Pura Batur ke tempat yang lebih tinggi yakni pada lokasi saat ini. Upacara di pura ini dirayakan setiap tahun yang dinamakan Ngusaba Kedasa.)

Penglipuran: A Traditional and Unique Village

This village can be reached through roads connect¬ing district of Bangli with Kintamani. From Bangli townto the north up to Kubu Village about 5 kilometers, then have a left turn, one will arrive at Penglipuran and will be received with warm welcome by the villagers. The air is fresh because it is located at 700 meters abo ve sea level. From hrstorical point of view, according to the village elders, the words Penglipuran' is drived from the words 'Pengeling Pura'means a holy place for remembering their ancestors. It is reasonable since their ancestors came from Bayung Gede village, still In Kintamani district. Since from Bayung Gede to Penglipuran is quite along distance there fore the people of Penglipuran, established the same temple as the temple In Bayung Gede. We can drow conclusion from this matter that the people of Penglipuran is still remembering their origin. Another opinion stated that Penglipuran'is derived from the word Penglipuran'means 'relaxation'since on the royal period this place was a good spot for resting place.This village has cultural potency which is up to the present time still well preserved in the from of tradi¬tional Balinese buildings; which differentiate this village from others.The population is 743 person, most of them are farmers and just few as civil servants. Dances and handi¬crafts are well developed in this remote village.

(Desa ini dapat dicapai melalui jalan yang menghubungkan Bangli dengan Kintamani. Dari Kota Bangli ke Utara sampai ke Desa Kubu kira-kira 5 km lalu belok kiri Anda akan tiba di Penglipuran dan akan disambut dengan hangat oleh warga desa. Desa ini berudara sejuk karena terletak 700 m di atas permukaan laut. Dari sudut pandang sejarah dan menurut Para Sesepuh, kata "penglipuran " berasal dari kata " pengeling Pura " yang berarti tempat suci mengenang para leluhur. Tempat ini sangat berarti sejak leluhur mereka datang dari Desa Bayung Gede Kecamatan Kintamani, sementara dari Desa Bayung Gede ke Penglipuran jaraknya cukup jauh, oleh karena itu masyarakat Penglipuran mendirikan Pura yang sama sebagaimana yang ada di Desa Bayung Gede. Dalam hal ini berarti masyarakat Penglipuran masih mengenal asal usul mereka. Pendapat lain mengatakan bahwa "Penglipuran" berasal dari kata "penglipur°" yang berarti "penghibur" karena pada jaman kerajaan tempat ini dijadikan tempat peristirahatan. Desa ini memiliki potensi budaya yang hingga saat ini masih dilestarikan dalam bentuk rumah tradisional yang membedakan desa ini dari desa-desa yang lainnya. Jumlah penduduknya 743 orang kebanyakan dari mereka hidup sebagai petani dan hanya sebagian kecil sebagai pegawai negeri. Tari-tarian dan cendramata b-,rkembang dengan baik di desa terpencil ini.)

Terunyan : Oldest Villages, descendents of the aboriginal Balinese

Terunyan Villages

The name of Terunyan is derived from the word “Taru” and “Menyan”; the smell of a fragnant tree of incense which grows in that village. The village consider that the tree is very important because the corpses of the dead person are just laid down on the open grave under the tree and left the face open; where as their bodies are simply covered by white clothes and by “ancak saji”. This method of burying corpses is called “Mepasah”.
The village of Terunyan lays on the banl of lake Batur or on the west foot of Abang hill of Kintamani District. It is a village inhabited by the 'Origines' of Bali Aga with its unique cultural aspects. This village is attainable only by boat from Kedisan village, crossing along lake Batur in 30 minutes.

(Nama dari Desa Terunyan berasal dari kata "Taru dan Menyan", pohon berbau harum yang tumbuh di desa itu, orang-orang disana percaya bahwa pohon itu sangat penting. Mayat orang yang meninggal diletakkan di atas kuburan terbuka di bawah pohon tersebut dengan wajah terbuka dengan hanya memakai kain putih dan "ancak saji". Cara penguburan ini disebut "Mepasah".
Desa Terunyan sebagai bagian dari kecamatan Kintamani terletak di tepi Danau Batur atau di Kaki sebelah Barat dai Gunung Abang. Penduduk desa ini adalah keturunan asli bali Age. Dengan aspek kebudayaan yang unik, desa ini dapat dicapai dengan boat dari desa Kedisan, menyeberangi Danau Batur selama ± 30 menit.)

Nusa Dua

Crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beach of Nusa Dua makes Nusa Dua a perfect spot for luxurious resorts to which your exhausted bodies, after a Barong performance at Batubulan and a long climb of the steps of the Mother Temple Besakih, will want to rest. Some of lux hotel in the world find their home in Nusa Dua Bali. You can relax in the Thalasso spa of the Grand Mirage Resort a day of surfing or Diving. Or you can tee off into the sunset, while watching the gentle waves come from the blue sea and caress the banks surrounding the luscious greens. Tranquil swimming pools under the coconut trees seem to be one with the distant blue sea. Art galleries and numerous shops surround them.

Kuta Beach, the first favorite beaches

The beach of Kuta is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist.

Kuta in addition to being the sunset Site Number One, with its daily spectacular sunsets, it is also the centre of night live activities in Southern Bali and a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restourant up the streets as well as the Bachfront,hotel etc ready accomodate you.

The beach of Kuta is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport’s runway, which gives you a breathtaking landing experience. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, waves will invite you to test your surfing

Kuta is very short drive away from the airport, and transportation is readily available to take you from and to Kuta to and from anywhere else in Bali.