What a holiday in bali, indonesia really looks like. Flora and fauna. Main attractions. What to see

"Gods! Perfume! Demons! I am all yours,” we mentally shout, barely seeing from the window of the cabin of the aircraft the approaching piece of land in the shape of a heart: the plane is landing. The mystical island of "Thousand Temples"... Bali Airport is easily recognizable by the surfboards on the baggage conveyors and such a native aroma of incense in the offering baskets on the way to Duty Free. Everything invites you to try out this mysterious energy that is far from simple. ancient island.

For some, Bali is a paradise on Earth, which embodied all the ideas of an easy life full of affordable pleasures for every taste: beach parties, three hundred and sixty-five days of summer, downshifting, trips along blinding coasts, volcanoes, rice terraces ... For others - place of spiritual practices, yoga, tantra, meditation. Point of purification and reset in the spirit of “Eat. Pray. Love." For the third ones, these are the best surf spots all year round and unforgettable diving. Everyone comes to Bali with different expectations and budgets, but no one leaves here the same.

Even becoming one of the most popular resorts in the world, Bali does not lose its exoticism and strong connection with the traditions of the ancient Hindus who landed here before our era.

Bali is my second home. And I would like to talk about this.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by crowds of taxi drivers eager to take you anywhere in Bali. All of them are waiting for a trade that captures the Asian soul (a matter of honor). Get ready that the price set initially can be safely reduced by three times, and at the same time everyone will be happy with the deal. Unfortunately, the well-known online taxi services (Uber, GoJek, Grab taxi) do not operate at the airport, they are not allowed to enter here. Therefore, you can book a ride directly with the driver or at the taxi counter.

By bus

If you really want to save a lot of money, then you can take the Sarbajita bus from Jakarta (or from another large city in Java or Lombok) and spend about 24 hours on the road for only 25 USD.

You can choose the comfort of VIP-class "a, business, executive or economy; of course, the entire cabin is air-conditioned and modern. Tickets are bought at local tourist shops. If you are traveling in economy class, it is better to be light, because sometimes there is no luggage compartment Be prepared for your neighbors to smoke non-stop and play guitar all the way.This is the Asian fun of hour-long journeys along the narrow roads of Java, so famous for frenzied traffic.

You can find such buses at any international station and happily get to Bus terminal Ubung Denpasar, administrative center Bali, from where you can easily take a taxi to the hotel.

By car

Traveling by car is a great adventurous decision. It can be transported by ferry to the port of Gilimanuk in northwest Bali for a modest fee of about 15 USD. That's how we had a great trip around East Java on a small carimune.

By ferry

Even if you chose to travel by bus, part of the journey will have to be done by ferry, and this is a real tourist life hack. Initiation into travelers.

There is a port of Ketapang in Java (that's where we need it), close to which it is located bus station and a train station with links to Probolinggo (for Bromo), Yogyakarta, Malang, Bandung, and the capital. Ferries from this port to Bali run every 15 minutes, and the journey takes a little over half an hour.

I hasten to warn you: ferries and boats in Indonesia have not gained a reliable reputation, and if you have already entered this “slippery” path of a hitchhiker tourist, get ready for crowded and often dirty saloons and ... rookie captains.

However, the road to the port of Gilimanuk in Bali has many bonuses, ranging from the price (about 7 USD) to the ability to transport mopeds and bicycles for a small surcharge. Gilimanuk Port in the north of Bali is not famous for spectacular sights, so you can catch a local taxi and go to your hotel.

Visa

A visa to Bali is a topic of discussion and hot discussion on the forums of freelancers, tour operators and independent travelers. However, everything is simple.

If you have serious plans for a one-way trip, then before leaving, you should take care of a tourist or social visa, which will be valid for 6 months. The difference is that for a social visa at the Indonesian Consulate in Moscow, you will need a letter from a sponsor, an Indonesian citizen, and presumably your dearly beloved friend, inviting you to visit your homeland. In Bali, such "friends" are easily found for a small fee of 15 USD in special visa agencies for expats. Tourist visas, according to the innovation, can now also be extended if the same agencies are already on site to help with a sponsorship letter.

There are more simple ways obtaining a visa: a free stamp upon arrival at the airport, and the country is open for you for the next 30 days. And if the plans are a little longer, you can pay 35 USD and stay on the island for 60 days, extending your visa after 1 month of stay.

I, like many people living on the island, choose a social visa, flying out of the country every 6 months to a city where there is an Indonesian embassy, ​​combining a pleasant trip with a useful necessity. During these three days, you can enjoy the city of the future Singapore or take a cruise around the islands around Kota Kinabalu, you can walk along the streets of Georgetown in Penang or look at the city from the high-rise buildings of Kuala Lumpur.

Clue:

Bali - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 5

Kazan - 5

Samara - 4

Yekaterinburg - 3

Novosibirsk - 1

Vladivostok 2

Bali - monthly weather

Clue:

Bali - monthly weather

conditional areas. Descriptions and features

In the question of where it is better to live in Bali, how many people, so many opinions, and from everyone you can hear completely opposite reviews about the same place. For each stage of my stay on the island, I chose different areas for life. In Bali, you can rent an apartment or book a hotel room or a whole bungalow. After reviewing my recommendations and deciding on a place, you can look for a convenient option for you or on.

• You don't know anything about Bali but want to hang out, drink Bintang and catch your first wave? your choice. It is never boring here: active nightlife, shops, surf schools - every meter is adapted for tourists.
• Do you like fashionable restaurants, beach clubs, atmospheric cafes, glamorous society and expect this from your vacation? And this is what the island has to offer. Seminyak. However, be prepared that neither in Kuta nor in Seminyak can you find the very spirit of Eat. Pray. Love, the locals wittily changed it to Eat. pay. leave.
• Looking for a balance between having fun and enjoying the rice terraces and already know how to surf? Then you will fall in love with Changa and its surroundings - Petitengen, Umalas, Kerobokan. Just like in Kuta and Seminyak, life is in full swing here, but in a completely different rhythm. Black volcanic sand beaches, mid-level surf spots, houses with rice terraces outside the window, supermarkets, breakfasts in hipster cafes... But the most important thing that makes Canggu special is the people: designers, freelance artists, musicians. That's why Changu is dear to me, it's so easy to find like-minded people here.
• Or maybe you are an experienced surfer or just love beautiful beaches. Then only the Bukit Peninsula. Many years ago, this small island grew with mangrove forests to Bali, and still has its own microclimate. For real waves, people come to Padang-Padang, Uluwatu, Dreamland, Bingin, Green Bowl, Balangan ... Each of the fifteen beaches of the peninsula is no more than 15 minutes on a scooter. 15 minutes and every day you can enjoy the rocky shores, white sand, turquoise ocean, fantastic sunsets.
• The best places to stay with young children are, and Jimbaran. Here are the calmest beaches and comfortable infrastructure. known as one big resort. Our compatriots very often choose this area for an all-inclusive holiday. By the way, you can compare offers and prices for such a vacation.
• Are you a diver? Then head east: to Karangasem and Amed. We come to these places with a group of friends to snorkel and dive to the bottom (there are Russian dive schools). These are new lands on the tourist map of Bali. Bali Aga live here - indigenous Balinese, reverently observing the traditions of "Agama Hindu Dharma" from time immemorial. Villages untouched by modern civilization. There is no need to linger here for long, the road calls to continue the journey north to Singaraja, an even more secluded area where time has stood still. At dawn, here in Lovina, you can watch pink dolphins swimming in flocks near the shore.
• Did your spiritual path and the search for enlightenment bring you to Bali? Then you are in the heart of the island, in. Retreats, yoga and meditation studios, wellness centers, restaurants pleasing the eyes of nutritionists... And, of course, art-filled air. Probably the soul of Bali is somewhere here. It is not for nothing that they say on the island that it is located in a “place of power”.

Main attractions. What to see

The incomprehensibility of the island is that even long-livers, expats and Indonesians, do not stop discovering more and more new places and secret spots. Even famous landscapes appear in different colors every time.

Centuries ago, the ancient islanders created an inexplicable culture, endowed every corner of the island with magic, and we still solve their riddles...

Top 5

If you are in Bali, your must-list should definitely include time for:

Beaches. Which is better

Black volcanic sand... garbage banks ... three-meter waves ... If this is not what you came to Bali for, then you are here:

Temples. Which are worth a visit

The island of a thousand temples of unique architecture, once born under the influence of Hinduism, animism and mushroom culture... Just as it is impossible to visit all of them, it is also impossible to miss the most magical of them:

• Pura Tirta Empul. One of the most sacred places in Bali. According to legend, the god Indra struck the earth and opened the source of immortality. Today there are baths for ablutions. Each of the 15 fountains has its own name and a special ritual purpose: spiritual cleansing, cleansing from evil, antidote, etc. It is located in the center of the island, in the Tempaksiring district.
• Pura Luhur Lempuyang. Fairytale heavenly temple. Lovers climb 1,700 steps to seal their union high above the ground. The name of this temple is translated as “dizziness”, and, indeed, not only a painful rise, but also the crazy happiness of contemplating beauty can turn your head.
• Pura Goa Lawah. At sunset, you can watch a monstrously beautiful sight: flocks of bats fly out of the caves. According to legend, the Basuki dragon also lives in the cave. Many people also come here to nearest beach to be cleansed after the cremation ceremony of the dead.
• Pura Tanah Lot. Temple on the water, famous for its picturesque views at sunset. Built on a rock in the middle of the sea, Tanah Lot is cut off from the mainland at high tide and this is what makes it so attractive to visitors. By the way, you can read a note about him on our website.
• Pura Luhur Uluwatu. The waves of the Indian Ocean are lapping the coast, and you are standing on a cliff. This is Uluwatu, famous for pre-sunset kechak dances, mischievous monkeys, gardens and viewing platforms with an overview of the entire Bukit peninsula.

It is very important to come to the temple with your knees covered. This is not only a demand of the banjars standing at the entrance, but also a tribute to the people who host you. “Open legs are unclean,” the Balinese say.

The cost of tickets usually does not exceed 30,000 IDR (less than 2 USD), and often it is simply offered to make a voluntary donation to maintain the temple.

Tanah Lot

To avoid misunderstandings when handing over the bike after the contract expires, it is important to take photographs so that you are not credited with unnecessary damage to the vehicle.

* Take care of yourself on the roads!

Four passengers is not the limit

Proximity to the equator keeps the temperature around the same level all year round. In lowland areas, the night minimum is about 24°C, and the average daytime temperature is 32°C in the shade. It can be much colder in the mountains. The rainy season in Bali falls between December and March, although the sun shines through almost every day. From June to September it is dry, in the remaining months the weather is changeable. Humidity on the island is high at any time of the year.

Lifestyle, architecture and painting

In Bali, you can stay everywhere in inexpensive guest houses and rooms, which thousands of Balinese families have carefully built and improved over the years. Here you will get a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the life of simple Balinese with its complex rituals and customs. Bali also has an impressive range of hotels in all price ranges, most of which enchant with their architecture, scenery, music and dance traditions.

The architecture of many hotels is reminiscent of Balinese temples or water garden palaces; others resemble hamlets with thatched houses. On this island, world-famous architects were able to realize their wildest dreams. Wherever you stay, be sure to immerse yourself in Balinese customs. In the hotel gardens there is a chapel where believers can pray. Many hotels welcome local festivities on their territory, invite dancers, musicians for performances that are part of everyday Balinese life.

On local language there is no word "artist"; sculpture, painting, dance, music, weaving and mask making have always been a natural part of Balinese life. Rice farmers perform the ceremonial dances they learned as children, craftsmen make beautiful things, weavers create ikat garments, and the elegant houses that are built here are in harmony with the surrounding nature. All the inhabitants of the island know how to enjoy beauty and create it. Today's Bali is also a shopper's paradise, where you can buy everything from traditional crafts to casual and beachwear. Most of the workshops have adapted to the needs of tourists and are export-oriented, producing their products in large quantities. Ancient techniques adapted to new conditions without losing quality standards. It seems that every year there is something new and fresh. The Balinese are very mobile and versatile, turning to new materials, designs and techniques unknown to their ancestors. Even 20 years ago, it was impossible to see painted tropical fish and birds, patchwork bedspreads and modern household utensils in the markets. Much of the income from this trading boom is spent by successful villagers on decorating their temples and organizing even more extravagant and colorful ceremonies than ever before. The wave of tourism that has swept the island of Bali has changed the culture of the island, but Balinese traditions are flourishing like never before, continuing to amaze and delight the rest of the world.

Religion

A special form of Hinduism has taken root in Bali. For locations and opening hours of Christian churches, ask your hotel receptionist.

How the Balinese give names

Why are there so many people with the same name among the Balinese?

The fact is that in Shudra or Khaba families, it is customary to call the firstborn Vayan, Putu or Gede, the second child - Made or Nengah, the third - Nyoman or Komang, and the fourth - Ketut. The list is then repeated, so that the fifth child (or, more rarely, the ninth) again they call Wayan, the sixth Made, etc. They add I to male names, and Ni to female names.

The representatives of all (castes of merchants) The boys are called Gusti Ngurah and the girls are Gusti Ayu. Kshatriyas (know) call their children Kokorda, Deva or Anak Agung (with the addition of Istria after the female name). in brahmin families (priests) boys are called Ida Bagus, and girls are called Ida Ayu. If the child was born from a mixed marriage, then he is given a double name, in which the first is the name of a representative of a higher caste; for example, the son of vesya and hab will be called Gusti Ngurah Gede.

All these names indicate the status of a person and complement the name given at birth.

Language

The official language of Indonesia, Bahasa Indonesia, is different from Balinese but is spoken and understood by the majority of Bali's 3.4 million people.

Most of the Balinese you will meet in the hotel, restaurants and shops will speak English in one way or another. The island understands the national Indonesian language, Bahasa Indonesia, but in communicating with each other, representatives of different ethnic groups use their own language.

Bali beaches

Below are the most comfortable beaches in Bali. It should be noted that the beaches of the Bukit Peninsula are considered the most beautiful.

• Sanur. Here are the most popular hotels, shops and restaurants. Sand beach; however, swimming is limited at low tide. The atmosphere is a cross between bustling Kuta and calm Nusa Dua.
• Kuta. The huge sandy beach is patrolled by lifeguards. Great surfing, however you can only swim between yellow and red flags. A large selection of housing, an abundance of clothing stores, a lot of young people, a rich nightlife.
• Tuban. This is the southern, calmer continuation of Kuta Beach. There are more large hotels, a less lively streetscape, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
• Legian. Deserted beach; surfing and swimming here should be practiced with caution. Bars, discos and restaurants are located mainly at its southern end, while the north is relatively quiet.
• Seminyak. Wide sandy beach north of Legian. In that quiet place you can not only surf and swim, but also relax in one of the luxury hotels, as well as dine in some restaurant that serves the most delicious dishes in Bali. Nusa Dua. A resort with a lovely sandy beach. Here you can sail and swim in complete security. Some hotels are far from restaurants and shops. The resort is isolated from island life and attractions.
• Jimbaran. There are only a few hotels on this superb, slightly sloping beach. There are excellent conditions for swimming and yachting. Near a small village. The beach is located south of the airport and away from most tourist spots. Candida. Narrow sandy beach surrounded by rocks. Those who wish can rent a cottage for a reasonable price. From here you can make a trip to the eastern part of Bali and the mountains.
• Lovina. This long, shallow beach with black (actually dark grey) sand is located in the north, away from the airport. Here, inexpensive housing, you can dine in one of the coastal restaurants; good conditions for diving and walking in the mountains.

When to go?

Of course, the dry season from April to October is ideal in every respect, and especially the two summer (in Bali, on the contrary - winter) months of July and August. At this time, the amount of precipitation is minimal, swimming trunks hung out on the balcony dry in a few hours, and not days, as in the rainy season. Excursions to volcanoes and temples surrounding them will bring maximum pleasure and will not be spoiled by low clouds and all-covering fog. On the other hand, it is during these months that hotel prices reach their peak, the number of Europeans per square meter of the beach exceeds reasonable values, and continuous traffic jams form on the roads. High season!

In December - January, Australians and local tourists flock to Bali like locusts on a green field. Prices are skyrocketing again, reaching their peak around Christmas and New Year. Recently, a powerful Russian landing party has joined the Australo-Asian duo, celebrating two weeks of vacation as the last in their lives.

So, it is best to go to Bali in April-June and September-November. At this time, there is not much rain, the choice of hotels is very wide, and their prices are very reasonable.

An additional and very significant factor when choosing is the weather at other resorts. In spring, the water in the Mediterranean Sea is still very cool, not to mention the Black Sea. In Thailand, by contrast, the last two months of spring are the hottest time of the year, and temperatures can go over 40°C. In late autumn, the Mediterranean resorts are already cool, and in Thailand it is raining with might and main. Eternally deserted Egypt can not be taken into account - this is another league. In the winter months, those Russians who fall ill with this island or want to try something new go to Bali. Thai resorts at this time have the best weather, as opposed to the Indonesian rainy season, although prices are also at their peak.

Of course, all of the above factors are by no means fatal, and if you want to spend a week or two on the beach, you can easily neglect them. The Indian Ocean is warm all year round, and our man will always find something to do when it rains outside. But if the trip plan includes events active rest, you should be prepared for the unexpected (but rather expected) the whims of nature. Climbing the volcano may be inaccessible due to slippery paths, and instead of the planned river rafting, you will have to sit and sadly wait for the rain to stop, as luck would have it, endless.

Actually, this is the very main Balinese specialization, which our numerous vacationers do not suspect, overcoming more than ten thousand kilometers just to swim and lie on the beach. With great surprise, they discover dozens of stores with clothing and equipment for surfers and thousands of surfers themselves, experienced and beginners, gray-haired and very young, storming the waves of Kuta and Uluwatu.

"Everything on the board!" - this invisible call pushes the audience in colorful shorts to surf beaches, the best of which are concentrated in the south of the island. The Indian Ocean, which forms a powerful wave, in combination with coral reefs, gives excellent left-handed and right-handed crests, twisting into the so-called pipes. Their height and power strongly depend on the season, but the presence of several coasts in the waters of the Bali sea allows you to do surfing all year round.

In the dry season, from March to October, under the influence of the southeast monsoon, the waves on the southern beaches reach a maximum height, sometimes exceeding 4 meters. This is the perfect time for the advanced surfers that occupy the beaches of Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Dreamland on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula. The wet northwest monsoon tames the waves, making them safer, and Kuta and Legian are the golden age for beginners trying to ride the naughty shell. It can be very funny to watch them in massive numbers trying to perch on their boards for hours, flopping clumsily into the water. The east coast from Nusa Dua to Padangbai and the north in the Lovina area at this time are quite suitable for experienced surfers. The height, variety and year-round waves have made Bali one of the world's surfing meccas, and for more than 30 years competitions have been held here. the most beautiful view sports.

Video: Surfing in Bali

Diving

Surrounded on all sides by coral reefs that splash with a lot of exotic fish and other underwater life, Bali is made for diving and its simplified version of snorkeling. (diving with mask and snorkel). The most popular place for beginner divers Taman Sari (Taman Sari) located in the north of the island. Diving Academy Bali (Bali Diving Academy)- this is a whole factory of diving, including a school and several cottages. The first two days of classes take place between the classrooms and the pool, the next 2 days include field trips and reef dives. Based on the results of training, a nominal international PADI certificate is issued, giving the right to scuba dive in all countries of the world. Diving schools are scattered throughout the island, and the prices are about the same. A typical 4-day course costs $350 - 400, a 2-day PADI Advanced Open Water course will cost about $250 more. The cost includes classes, equipment, and transportation.

Finally, the coveted certificate has been received, and the newly minted explorer is eager to settle in the depths of the sea, preferably with colorful corals. Popular dive sites around Bali:

• Amed (amed), (East Coast)- the best corals in Bali with colorful fish, the walls reach 40 m.
• Nusa Penida (Nusa Penida) and Nusa Lembongan (Nusa Lembongan) (islands 15 km off the southeast coast)- suitable only for advanced divers due to strong currents, rewarding with beautiful corals and rare fish species.
• Padangbai (Padang Bay) (East Coast)- secluded coves around the port abound with corals, in which sea turtles, reef fish and small sharks hide.
• Chandi Dasa (Candi Dasa) (East Coast)- for lovers of reef walls, many of which reach several tens of meters.
• Mysterious bay (secret bay) (west coast, between Bali and Java)- a place teeming with underwater life. Calm clear water ideal for underwater photography.
• Tulamben (Tulamben), (northeast coast)- the best place for "river diving" (surveys of sunken objects). American ships from the Second World War lie at a depth of up to 30 m. Corals and fish are also abundant, but there are even more divers. Many people come here for night dives.
• Deer Island (Pulau Menjangan)- located 120 km northwest of Bali, part of the National marine reserve. It is famous for year-round clear water, visibility reaches 50 m! There is everything that a person with a balloon behind his back needs.

On average, one dive day costs $80-100, including equipment rental and delivery. Trips for 2-5 days on the "all inclusive" system are in great demand ($100 - 130 per day). Even disabled people can get a certificate and dive - there is a corresponding school "Bali International Diving Professionals" in Sanur.

Snorkeling enthusiasts can travel with divers to "fish spots", paying only for the rental of masks, snorkels, flippers and the road-accommodation-food. In any case, it costs 2 times cheaper than scuba diving. Most often, snorkelers choose Chandidasa, Padangbai and Nusa Lembongan reefs.

Video: Diving in Bali

Southern resorts of Bali

The tourist area in Bali is mainly concentrated in the tiny area of ​​​​Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak and Nusa Dua, where guests are sent directly from the nearby airport. The sandy beaches here are so beautiful, and the water is so warm and gentle, that it is hard to believe that for a long time the Balinese, traditionally moving away from the ocean, did not pay attention to them. Now millions of people from all over the world flock here, thinking about nothing but the sun, sand, warm ocean and water sports.

East Bali

In contrast to the mild relief of the south, the slopes eastern mountains the islands descend to the ocean, forming rocky shores with small coves. The sand there is gray or white with silver sparks, the result of old lava coming down.

Rajas once ruled the island from their capitals of Karangasem (now Amlapura) and Klungkung. Coming from the south, the road passes business Gianyar, also once the capital of the Raja. The brick palace in the city center still serves as a home for his family and is not accessible to the general public. The main occupation here is weaving; many small factories and workshops along the road are open to tourists. You can, in particular, observe the manufacture of fabric using the ikat technique. (in Balinese endek): how threads are dyed before starting work, etc.

north coast

Before the era of air travel, most people arrived in Bali from the north. The first military expedition from Holland landed near Singaraja, which became the administrative capital of the island and the main colonial port. Now almost everyone flies to the south of the island and only a few take the trip to the north coast, although the trip there takes only three hours.

The north and south of Bali are very different. In the north, it is hotter and drier, it is much less populated, there is a higher percentage of Muslims, and some of the inhabitants are descended from merchants and immigrants from other islands. Between the ocean and the shore lies only a narrow strip of land, and in some places it does not exist at all. Cacti are as common as palm trees in this region, and the rice crop depends entirely on irrigation, although the best rice is grown in the fields of the North. In some places there are also vineyards.

With no airport, no capital status, no tourism income, Singaraja is not as big as Denpasar. As expected from the former capital, in the port area of ​​Bulelenga (the city that gave its name to the state that existed in the past in the north of the island) and its old center is dominated by colonial-style buildings. However, there is nothing here that can attract the attention of tourists; there are no suitable places to stay for the night, therefore, in order to stay comfortably, it is better to drive some distance from the city.

West Bali is the most “wild” part of the island, 70 percent of the area is occupied by the protected untouched lands of the State Park. In places, Mountainous, desert western, rugged Bali stretches for 128 km from the northwestern outskirts of Denpasar to the far western point of Gilimanuk Island. Once connected to East Java by a strip of land now flooded by the waters of the Bali Strait, the area has always had a distinct Javanese character and a significant Muslim community. On the southwest coast of Bali, there are magnificent beaches with pliable black sand, and the highest waves beat against the shore, seducing connoisseurs of surfing.

Sport

Open the list of attractions of Bali, of course, its beaches, washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. However, the choice of outdoor activities is not limited to swinging on the waves. In addition, here you can watch exotic buffalo races and cockfights that terrify many tourists. The latter are very much loved on both islands, sometimes even included in religious ceremonies and festivities, and this despite the fact that their holding is recognized as illegal.

Water sports

warm water, stunning corals and colorful fish, especially in the northern and east coast Bali, Nusa Lembogana, make snorkeling over the reefs an unforgettable experience. If you don't have your own equipment, you can rent it from a hotel. Magnificent diving is promised to you by Menjangan, Nusa Penida, Tulamben and the Gili Islands. For beginners, special tour operators provide the necessary equipment and training. Make sure the company you choose is licensed and the instructors are internationally certified.

The best dry season surf in south and west coasts (Medevi, Changgu, Kuta and down to Uluwatu), and in the rainy season on the eastern (Nusa Dua, Sanur). Almost everywhere, local boys are ready to take surfers over the reefs in boats. The level of difficulty here is not at all childish - from medium to extreme. Surf school "Rip Curl" (Tel: 0361-735-858; www.schoolofsurf.com) offers courses of different difficulty levels, lasting from one to five days.

In Jimbaran Bay, you can windsurf on almost all the beaches. Equipment is available for rent in Kuta, Benoa, Lovina and Sanur. The conditions, however, are far from ideal for beginners. Falling into coral is not only very painful, it can disrupt the fragile reef ecosystem.

Speed ​​rafting on the Ayun River is also popular in Bali. Travel companies such as Sobek and Bali Adventure Tours , will take you from your hotel to your starting point on the Ayun River, near Ubud, and provide you with everything you need for this impressive trip.

Precautionary measures

Even if the ocean looks completely safe for swimming, you need to take precautions. Just below the surface of the water, especially at high tide, rocks, corals, and unexpected holes can lurk. Sharp fragments of coral can injure you, so it is better to enter the water in rubber slippers. Waves breaking on coral reefs are especially dangerous, so you can swim and dive only when the water is calm. Listen to the advice of the locals, don't swim past the flags, don't surf alone, and be realistic about your options.

On the land

The golf courses in Nusa Dua, Pechatu, on Bukit, Nirvana, near Tanah Lot, and in the mountains, in the Balinese country club "Handara Kosaido", are of a very high level. They host competitions with the best players in the world. Sanur has a nine-hole course. Many hotels have tennis courts that are floodlit at night. When the sun begins to go down, impromptu football and volleyball teams from locals and visitors to the island gather on the beaches of Kuta, Tuban and Legian.

Hiking and cycling around the island is a real pleasure. You should not start them from the southern resorts, because they are quite far from the brightest places. Go for walks in the hills: it's cooler there. In Ubud, at the Bina Wisata Information Center or at your hotel, you will be told about routes along the Campuan mountain range or through the picturesque rice fields. Ubud bookstores sell detailed maps of the area; we recommend, for example, "Bali Pathfinder" and "Ubud Surroundings" - they will help you navigate the island's walking paths. Popular bird walks in Bali by Victor Mazon (tel.: 0361-975-009) include lunch, water supply and binoculars. Puri Lumbung Cottages in Munduk, southwest of Lovina, offer walking and cycling programs. Complex programs include many hours (minimum two hours) Climbing Gunung Batur.

Massage, both relaxing and therapeutic, is a Balinese tradition; all guests of the island can enjoy it. On the beaches, many men and women offer massages for very low fees. There are excellent massage centers and spas in many areas where you can get highly professional massages including mineral baths. The average price of the procedure is 15 US dollars. Hotels and resorts offer similar services, but in more refined conditions and for much more money.

Travel companies such as Sobek (tel.: 0361-768-090; www.balisobek.com) and Bali Adventure Tours (Tel: 0361-721-480; www.baliadventuretours.com), offer a variety of cycling and hiking tours. One of the most popular rides is the scenic hillside bike ride from Gunung Batur.

Spectator sports

In Negara, in the west of Bali, buffalo races are held regularly. On them, bulky animals run at amazing speed. (60 km/h), pulling brightly decorated wagons behind them. In Sanur and on the windy Bukit peninsula, kite flying is a passion of the locals. There, as well as in Kuta, beautiful, hand-painted kites can be purchased from stalls or peddlers.

Entertainment

Traditional music, puppets and dance performances

Music in Bali either hypnotizes with the sounds of a gamelan orchestra, or attracts with a disco beat in the clubs of Kuta or Seminyak, where the fun begins at midnight and continues until the morning. In other resorts, nightlife is not so vibrant.

The art of dance and drama in Bali falls into two streams: one for the guests of the island, the other for the hosts. Check with your hotel, travel agency or information office to find out what performances will take place during your stay. Most likely, you will be recommended one of the commercial performances that take place in some villages, mainly in the Ubud area. Tickets (including transport) can be purchased from the tourist office in Ubud, street vendors and most tour operators. More and more hotels include cultural events in their packages. Some of them are of very high quality, because the guest dancers and musicians try to show their best side. But of course, performances in front of inexperienced tourists consuming their dinner are very far from what is shown in front of an understanding local audience, not to mention the sacred service before the gods.

For students studying the art of drama and dance, it is a great happiness to see a unique temple ceremony. If you receive an invitation, be patient: the start time of the action is very arbitrary, and the ceremony itself lasts several hours.

Shadow puppet theater performances, wayang kulit, are not often shown to tourists due to too complex plots and a long time (some plays last about 4 hours) making it difficult for foreigners to understand. But you have a chance to join the temple ceremony.

Gamelan

It is impossible to describe or forget the bell-like sounds of Balinese folk music. (gamelan). Walking down a village street, you're sure to hear a musical rehearsal or see musicians dressed in "stage" shirts and sarongs loading their instruments into the car to go to a concert. Gamelan bands tend to accompany most dance performances and every temple festival. There are tens of thousands of such orchestras on the island, and each has its own personality. In any banjar (residential area) there is at least one - with its own unique set of valuable instruments: gongs, metallophones (metal versions of the xylophone), drums, cymbals and flutes. Their harmony scale is five or seven notes, as opposed to the Western octave. Music is a single complex, all performances, which last several hours, are accompanied by improvisations.

Gamelan music came to the island of Bali from Java and still flourishes here, however, over the four centuries of separation, it has acquired its own character.

Legong. This dance is the most popular among the guests of the island. It is performed by three girls: two soloists aged no more than 12-13 years old and one accompanying dancer. Each is wrapped in iridescent golden cloth, and on their heads is a gilded leather headdress adorned with plumeria flowers. Regular dance version (legong is short) tells the story of the king and the princess he kidnapped. The soloists, using various hand positions and facial expressions, depict a failed seduction.

Kecak. This idea originated in the 1920s. under the influence of ritual ecstatic dances. About 150 men in sarongs lean around a flickering lamp and recite a hypnotic recitative, while a scene from the Hindu epic Ramayana, popularly known as the "Dance of the Monkeys", is played out in the center of the circle. In the center of the story is Rama and the army of monkeys led by Hanuman.

Panembrama. The show opens with girls carrying trays of flower petals, which they sprinkle on the stage as a sign of hospitality. The actual dance, designed to attract the gods, was called pendet in temple ceremonies and was performed by older women.

Junger. Twelve boys and twelve girls stand in groups of six, forming a square. The girls kneel down and sway like reeds in the wind, and the guys with glued-on fake mustaches try to impress them by pacing in front of them like fighting cockerels.

Joged. This name combines several dances that are accompanied by an orchestra of bamboo xylophones, flutes, drums, cymbals and gongs. First, one young woman dances, then the audience, whom she chooses from the audience, joins her. If someone decides to flirt or show off, she will simply slip away from him. Few Western tourists manage not to look rude and tactless, but this is more a game than an art.

The mythical, lion-like creature of the barong, covered with long hair, with a huge golden tiara studded with mirrors, is usually depicted by two men. Barong fights against the witch Rangda, the mistress of all sorceresses. When attacking its prey, it holds a white cloth in its long claws as a weapon. Her eyes are bulging, her fangs are flashing, and flames are escaping from her mouth. The barong's allies, men armed with knives - rats - try to attack Rangda, but she enchants them with spells. Having fallen into a trance, the fighters raise their weapons against each other, and only the appearance of a barong saves them from death. At daily performances for tourists (for example, they take place every morning in Batubulan) trance is no doubt imitated. However, in the villages, late in the evening, you may well meet men with wide-open, "crazy" eyes, clearly in an unconscious state; they remain in it until the priest sprinkles them with holy water.

Other dances. Other performances shown in Bali include scenes from the Ramayana and are staged as dance performances with exquisite dances, magnificent costumes and a gamelan orchestra. Topeng dancers are masked, which means they only want to show character and emotion through movement. The scenes that the dance illustrates are taken from the history and mythology of Bali.

A solo dance whose performers use only the upper body is called kebyar. The baris dance is danced by a soloist or a group of men, expressing the emotions of a warrior in battle.

Purchases

Bali produces a wide variety of handicrafts. Most of the decorative arts have a connection with religious rites, such as temple decorations, sacrificial offerings, or ceremonial clothing. The fertile land produces enough food so that people can not strain themselves every day in the fields and have enough time to create beauty. It is noteworthy that, although the number of products is increasing due to the very increased need for souvenirs, they are still made by hand, exclusively in traditional ways. In some villages, souvenir shops have workshops where carvers, artists, potters, etc. work.

The climate and insects did not allow things to be stored for a long time, so you are unlikely to find truly antique items in Bali. Signs on shops: "Antiques to order" - will finally dispel all illusions.

This craft, the most common on the island of Bali, is devoted to residents of dozens of villages. In the most famous of them - Mas - hundreds of carvers and an equal number of shops. You can also be invited "behind the scenes", where fathers pass on their skills to their sons, and women polish or decorate products. The best examples are excellent sculptures, but even the simplest and cheapest crafts can be very touching souvenirs. Among the countless figurines of the Garuda bird and masks, one can find something truly beautiful.

The idea, brought from the West, to carve life-size funny or grotesque figures on tree growths also took root on the island.

Jewelry

The village of Cheluk has specialized in the manufacture of gold and silver jewelry for centuries, and when tourism came to the island, its location on the Denpasar - Ubud road came in handy. Dozens of tourist buses stop here in front of large shops, but small workshops are also worth a look. Masters are subject to both simple bracelets and complex products that require filigree technique. Since jewelry stores have opened in almost every Balinese resort, it has become completely unnecessary to go to Cheluk. Make sure your silver items are 925.

Clothing and fabrics

Bali has a huge selection of cheap beach and casual wear, as well as more expensive designer items. Particularly impressive is the variety of dresses, shirts, sarongs and capes made from traditional batik presented in Kuta.

Batik is a fabric dyed using hot wax. Before starting the dyeing process, wax is applied to certain areas of the fabric so that the paint does not get on them. To obtain a more complex pattern, the procedure is repeated several times. Batik for dresses and sarongs supplied to fashion stores is mainly made in Java, while Balinese batik is more crudely made. Merchants will surely claim that their clothes, made from cheap printed cotton, are batik. It's very easy to check them. The embossed design never completely penetrates the other side of the fabric, and besides, real batik has thin colored streaks - the result of dye penetrating into tiny cracks in the wax (printed fabrics can mimic this feature). Real batik is actually much more expensive. Sarongs made of batik are very expensive also because their pattern is not repeated. You can usually buy batik in textile shops in Kuta, Ubud and Denpasar.

Endek, or ikat. This fabric-making technique, in which the warp or weft threads are pre-dyed, originated in Bali and other Indonesian islands. In Bali, Tenganana-Pageringsingan weavers do geringsing, or double ikat, where both the weft and warp are dyed. Real ikat is very expensive, beware of fakes. In good textile stores, you can find simple, primitive examples of ikat, especially from such Indonesian islands as Sumba, Flores and Timor.

Painting

If you want to buy unique works, you need to research the market. Browse the large collections to appreciate the finest examples of painting. Highlights include the Neka Art Museum and the Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud, as well as the Taman Budaya Art Center in Denpasar. Keep in mind: a high price does not guarantee the authenticity of the painting.

Rest

Look out for basketry from Bona, buy leather dolls from Sukawati, and decorative umbrellas at roadside stalls east of Klungkung.

In the shops you can also find products from other islands: songket embroidery and fabric from Sumatra, samples of primitive art from Irian Jai and silver from Sulawesi.

Essentials

Some supermarkets and night shops in Denpasar, such as Tiara Dewata on Jalan Jenderal Sutoyo, have books, shoes, cosmetics and even a playground with a swimming pool. Tuban is home to the large Discovery Mall, others can be found in Kuta, Nusa Dua, Ubud and Senggigi. In many tourist areas, modern grocery stores, marked with a large red letter "K", as well as mini-markets are open around the clock, and you can buy everything you need there.

Avoid old banknotes

Don't settle for accepting old, shabby rupees. Then it will be difficult for you to exchange them.

Bargain

Haggling or not, you will definitely have to do it, unless, of course, you go shopping in a modern supermarket with fixed prices. Below are a few tips to help make this process easier.

• If possible, walk along the entire row of shops or shops. The same thing in one place can cost 18,000 rupees, and in another 55,000. Hotel shops have the highest prices, but they come across real treasures that you will not find anywhere else.
• It is better to shop alone, without a group or guide: the latter, as a rule, receives a percentage of the proceeds from the sellers.
• Don't be the first to talk about price, let the seller do it.
• Beginners often make the mistake of immediately offering half of the requested amount. The seller could agree to a fifth, or even less, but the buyer will never know about it.

Children are loved in Bali and your children will be taken care of as if they were their own. Some resorts have daytime children's programs, early evening they are shown movies and offered babysitting services if you want to go somewhere without your children. In inexpensive losmen hotels and guest houses, the children of the hosts may want to make friends with you, and the older girls may want to babysit the little ones.

Children will certainly be delighted with the pool and the beach, the water slides in the water park in Tuban, and if conditions permit, they will be able to learn snorkeling, sailing and windsurfing. Little tourists will surely enjoy Taman Burung Bali's beautifully planned bird park. (daily 9.00-17.30, admission fee) home to over a hundred species of birds, and at the Bali Tritop amusement park in Bedugal (daily 8.30-18.00, admission fee), where they, and adults too, will bravely make their way from tree to tree along suspension bridges, through spider nets, bungee ropes and “flying foxes”.

Festivals and holidays

The Balinese calendar consists of 30 weeks (wuku), seven days each. However, other "weeks" are superimposed on them, lasting from one to ten days. Every 210 days there is a five-day Galungan festival dedicated to the divine ancestors. It always starts on Wednesday. In front of the gates of each house, bamboo poles, “panjors”, decorated with bright flowers and palm leaves, are installed - this is how the Balinese meet the gods and spirits of their ancestors, who, according to legend, visit them at this particular time. And ten days later, on Kuningan (All Saints' Day), everyone gets their blessing.

Most of the festivals are held according to the Balinese calendar, which is different from the Western one, so their dates change every year. Please check with the Bali Tourism Authority for festival times.

March or April. Nyepi or Balinese New Year. Celebrated immediately after the new moon following the spring equinox. On this day, no planes fly to or from the island, shops are closed, the streets are deserted, no lights are lit. The days before Nyepi pass in great turmoil: from the temples, special processions carry out objects of worship for purification in sacred springs or in the ocean. On the night before Nyepi, people take to the streets and, with the help of gongs, drums, cymbals, fireworks, drive out evil spirits - huge monsters made of papier-mâché, which are called "ooh-ooh". From the dawn of this day until the dawn of the next, no one on the whole island has the right to leave the walls of his house. This ban also applies to tourists, but if the hotel has its own garden, hidden from the eyes of the outside public, you can take a walk there.

• Mid June - mid July. Balinese Art Festival. It takes place during the month at the Taman Budaya Arts Center and in other cities.
• June or July. The battle of mekare-kare pandans takes place between the young men of the village of Tenganan, who are armed with "whips" made of sharp pandanus leaves.
• July. Padanggalak kite festival in Sanur. Teams from different villages make and fly huge kites.
• July - October. Buffalo racing in Negara. They originate from the usual plowing of the land. Every second Sunday the fattest and most beautiful buffaloes compete with each other in speed.
• August 17th. Indonesia Independence Day. It is celebrated by hanging flags, street processions, dances and other events.
• September. Carnival in Kuta. For ten days there is live music, performances, beach games, competitions and exhibitions.
• October. The annual Ubud Writers and Readers Festival attracts writers and literature lovers from all over the world. The Nusa Dua Festival presents the finest examples of dance and drama. Galungan. It is celebrated in accordance with the Balinese calendar every 210 days. At this time, temples are festively decorated, “panjors” are set up on the streets - bamboo poles elegantly decorated with flowers and palm leaves.

Listed below are national holidays that are celebrated throughout Indonesia. These days, public institutions and banks are closed, but shops, especially in tourist areas, are usually open. In addition to these dates, there are many Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian holidays.

• 1st of January. New Year
• August 17th. independence Day
• December 25th. Christmas

Food and drink

Bali's countless establishments, where it is very pleasant to have lunch or dinner, can be divided into three types: restaurants in hotels, city restaurants designed for tourists, and establishments visited by local residents. And everyone deserves attention.

Where to eat

Hotels usually have at least one restaurant. Large resorts can have quite a few of them, with a variety of Japanese, Chinese, international and Indonesian cuisines. Some establishments are quite lackluster, some are excellent, but the prices there are appropriate.

Many hotels host themed culinary evenings such as seafood or pasar nalam. (night market) when tempting stalls tempt with dishes from all over the Pacific or all the peoples of Southeast Asia. Good Ridgestaffel (Dutch name for a rice table)- a great way to taste traditional Indonesian foods. The program of such events, as a rule, includes some kind of entertainment.

Most restaurants and cafes used to belong to the Chinese (and many still do) so the cuisine there is mixed. Nasi goreng, which has practically become a national dish, is made from fried rice lightly seasoned with pepper and garlic, with finely chopped vegetables and a small amount of meat, chicken or shrimp - as a rule, the menu offers a choice. Nasi rames is white rice with vegetables and meat, bak mie goreng is a similar combination but based on rice noodles. In nasi kampur, the rice is topped with meat, vegetables and eggs. Instead of bread, Indonesians eat krupuk, large, well-done crackers.

The spiciness of the food is toned down to suit the tastes of foreigners. If you like well spiced dishes, ask pedas (acute). Some places serve sambal, a very spicy chili, lime and shrimp paste.

If you want to dine inexpensively, you can choose between one of the street stalls (warung), canteens (rumah makan) or modest restaurants serving standard Indonesian dishes.

What to eat

Try also alternative cuisine, and it is better to start with Australian (you will find her in Kuta).

Although Hindus don't eat beef, they don't show disgust when cooking it for others, so you can order a great steak from meat brought back from New Zealand and Australia. Of course, you will also find restaurants with cuisine from other nations.

Now there are seafood restaurants on the island of Bali, where you yourself can choose your favorite "lunch candidate" and hand it over for cooking. Giant prawns and lobsters are very expensive, and the price is usually quoted per 100 grams, so keep that in mind so you don't get overwhelmed by the bill. This system is practiced, in particular, by many beach restaurants in Jimbaran.

Bali has its own fast food: pisang goreng, banana patties fried to a crisp, and sate, mini-kebabs cooked on coals of tender meat, shrimp or fish, served with freshly squeezed lemon juice and peanut sauce. Few foreigners dare to taste crispy dragonflies.

Balinese dishes

Specific Balinese dishes are served mainly during national festivals, but their simpler versions can be seen on the menu of some city restaurants, and the chefs of large hotels sometimes show their skills by including these dishes in the buffet. Bumbu Bali restaurant in Tanjung Benoa specializes in traditional Balinese dishes and offers training in its own culinary school.

At all large temple ceremonies or family celebrations, a lavar is indispensable; an experienced chef prepares it by combining boiled and finely chopped pork or chicken, steamed vegetables, chopped coconut, garlic, shallots, chili and fresh spices. Multi-colored lavar is served on a banana leaf, often pre-mixed with raw minced meat, blood and lime juice. The lavar served in hotels usually lacks raw meat and blood.

Local ducks can appear on the table in the form of bebek betutu, for which the duck is rubbed and stuffed with a "fiery" mixture of chili, garlic and spices. Sometimes a whole duck is cooked by wrapping it in banana leaves and simmering in a clay oven; it turns out that at the same time it is steamed, and fried, and smoked, as a result, the meat literally falls off the bones. The restaurant version of this dish may disappoint you. The Dirty Duck restaurant in Ubud can give you an idea of ​​what roasted Balinese duck is like: the meat can be separated from the bone with your fingers.

In the rest of Indonesia, where the majority of the population is Muslim, pork is forbidden, but Hindus eat it. Roasted pig on a spit (baby gooling)- a rare luxury on big holidays, but quite often it is served in hotels. It is stuffed with crushed chili peppers, garlic, ginger and spices, and then slowly roasted over an open fire. Not far from the palace in Ubud there is an informal place "Ibu Oka", always filled with locals and foreigners; they serve delicious lunches with fried pork. It is also believed that Ibu Oka has the best baby gooling in Bali.

Since the left hand is considered unclean according to local beliefs, pass dishes and take food with the right hand.

Dessert

As a dessert, it is best to choose fresh fruits: mangoes, bananas, passion fruit, tangerines, oranges and the lesser known rambutan (small red fruit covered with hairs), "cream apples", anonu and salak, also called "snake fruit" (it is covered with hard brown scales). Black rice pudding is boiled rice with sweetened coconut milk. We also recommend trying pancakes, usually served with fresh pineapple and bananas.

Beverages

Oranges, bananas, pineapples, and some tropical fruits make delicious juices, just make sure they're prepared under hygienic conditions. Bottled water and drinks are sold everywhere in Bali, even in small kiosks. A typical Indonesian meal is usually accompanied by not very strong tea without milk. Try also excellent local beer.

The best Balinese rice wine (burden), sweet and viscous, as a rule, is the basis for fruit cocktails (recommended with lime and ice). The most delicious of the local grape wines is Hatten Rose, and besides, it is quite inexpensive. Imported drinks are also widely sold - both beer and stronger ones - but their prices are very high due to customs duties and taxes. The most popular local beer is called Bintang.

Restaurants with views

In Bali, true gourmets can taste the finest dishes in an absolutely incredible setting at prices that are quite comparable to Western ones. Perhaps the most memorable view will open to you from the Four Seasons Sayan restaurant. Next to it is "Amandari", the view from it is not much inferior, but the Indonesian-style dishes are excellent. You can see the sea and the sky from Di Mage in Karma Kandara on the Bukit peninsula, or from the terraces of the Amankila restaurants, which are perched on a rock near Candidasa. The restaurant on the hill in the village of Damai Lovina will show you an absolutely heavenly sea view and offer a unique menu of "new Indonesian cuisine" that you will not find anywhere else. For those who are not willing to pay more than $15 for lunch, the best place is the balcony of the restaurant "Indus" on the outskirts of Ubud, overlooking the mountains above the river. This is a great place for a romantic dinner, and besides, the restaurant staff will take you from Casa Luna to Ubud for free.

Accommodation

Balinese style, which combines Western comfort, generous tropical nature, distinctive architecture in harmony with the environment, and sustainable design, has gained worldwide fame. On this island you will find hotels of all price categories, combining the signs of "Balinese style" and their own, unique charm. There are more and more luxurious villas located in magical, breathtaking locations, private accommodation with excellent service. In addition, entire villa complexes operate as hotels with a five-star service standard. Large international hotels with a similar price level are built in such a way as to give a unique Balinese atmosphere. Less expensive two-, three- and four-star hotels are mainly designed for package services and are located in resort areas. They are comfortable, moderately exotic, accommodation in such hotels is often included in the package of the whole tour or is offered at a discount in travel agencies specializing in Bali. Smaller hotels in this price range are distinguished by their individuality, rustic decor and scenic location. Almost all Bali hotels are relatively inexpensive.

Losmeny, small family hotels are also popular here. The concept of "family boarding" means that you stay with local residents who provide you with accommodation and breakfast or full board. The words “losman” and “family hostel” are used interchangeably and can mean anything from a small beach resort to an ordinary house where the owners rent out rooms, first showing them to future tenants to negotiate a price. The rate usually includes only accommodation. In more modest hotels, breakfast is usually included in the price; in standard hotels breakfast is paid separately. There is little or no price difference between single and double occupancy.

All hotels (but not in all losmen) 10% tax and 10% service charge are added to the tariff. In total, 21% is added to the initial cost of living.

Airports

Bicycle and motorcycle rental

Bicycles are a favorite means of transportation for locals and a great way to get to know the country at a leisurely pace. You can rent a variety of bicycles; average price 40,000 rupees per day. You can also rent a bike from your hotel, or they will recommend where you can do it. Take a modern mountain bike, on steep slopes you will appreciate its low gearing, and on rough roads you will appreciate the shock-absorbing tires. Be sure to check the condition of the spokes, tires and brakes, you will also need a working signal and, ideally, lights (although it's still better not to drive at night). In case of a puncture or breakage, take your iron horse to the workshop, it can be found in almost every village.

Renting a motorcycle is recommended only for experienced drivers. Unpredictable situations while driving, uneven road surfaces, potholes and potholes require a fair amount of skill. You will need an international driving license suitable for motorcycles. Some vehicles are someone else's property, so the agreement can be informal, with questionable insurance. You can leave your passport as a deposit and pay in advance. Be sure to check the condition of the motorcycle before using it.

Car rent

Many companies provide the opportunity to rent a car.

Such offers are often made by intermediaries who refer you to another company and have a commission. Tariffs of local agencies are much lower than international ones. Prices for one day rental in Bali companies range from 100,000 rupees (10 dollars) up to 300,000. These include collision insurance, unlimited mileage, transportation services. You pay separately for petrol. To drive yourself, you must have an Indonesian or International driving license. You are expected to pay the full rent in advance. Some companies accept major credit cards. If you order a car for a long time or reduce the requirements, the price may be reduced. Whenever possible, compare offers from several agencies.

If you are going to travel away from the main road, it is better to take a jeep type car with high ground clearance.

The condition and functionality of rental vehicles vary greatly, so take a test drive and check everything you can before you hit the road. (wipers, horn, spare tire, lights). Make sure that all damage is recorded in an official document.

Insurance. Limited insurance is required. The best agencies enter into agreements with large insurance companies and issue policies. In the rest, they usually assure that the minimum insurance is already included. Try to get written evidence of exactly what cases it covers. Before you sign a lease, read it carefully.

If the rental and driving conditions are not very attractive for you, hire a car with a driver. In this case, a half day rental will cost approximately 300,000 rupees, and a full day will cost 500,000 rupees. This hired person will be responsible for the condition of the car, resolve problems, and possibly also perform the functions of a guide and translator. Travel agencies can provide you with a car and driver at a very reasonable price; even lower it will be at the touts near the tourist centers. You can ask other tourists or hotel employees about which drivers to hire - this way you can meet very good professionals.

Car driving

Although officially left-hand traffic is accepted in Bali, in many places it is rather chaotic. In the south of the island, the roads are often clogged with motorcycles darting between large cars with three or four passengers, chickens and belongings. One-way streets can cause you to deviate significantly from your intended path, and some sections of main roads often look like one long, densely populated village street. In some places, especially north of Klungkung and Mengwi, there is much less traffic, and therefore driving becomes more pleasant.

Most of the road surfaces are of good quality, but in remote areas the roads are uneven and winding, there are few signs and they are located far from each other. Always carry your driver's license with you. In the city, the maximum speed is 30 km/h, on highways 60-80 km/h. A left turn is allowed with a warning red signal.

Fuel and oil

Suitable for most rental cars, gasoline is available in the required quantities and is labeled "Premium". Gas stations are only found in the main towns, but in most villages there are dealers selling gasoline in containers or in bottles, they will dispense the amount you need, but at a slightly higher price. Look for the "Premium" sign (sometimes "Permium"). Diesel pumps are marked with the letters SOLAR. Gasoline prices are very low compared to Western ones. "Premium" costs 4500 rupees per liter (about 15 rubles).

Cloth

Travel light, you are unlikely to need anything other than the usual summer clothes; moreover, summer and beach items can be purchased inexpensively directly in Bali. The local sarong suits both women and men. Too open clothing is appropriate only in resort areas. If you intend to enter the temple in shorts, a tank top or a bikini, this will offend the locals, so it is possible that you will not be allowed in. True, often the problem can be solved by renting a sarong. We also advise you to dress more formally when visiting. public institutions. It is better to be in the sun, even for a short time, in clothes with long sleeves and a hat. When going out somewhere in the evening, take care to protect your hands and feet from mosquitoes. Temperatures are much cooler in the hills, so if you're planning a hike there, be prepared for a chilly night.

Indonesians know a lot about fashion, and most vacationers in resorts like to dress up for the evening. The standard semi-formal wear for men is a batik or white shirt.

We recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, ear plugs (barking dogs at night and pre-dawn cries of village roosters can be disturbing), rubber slippers for coral beaches and reefs, as well as mosquito repellant - finding them in Bali can take a lot of time.

Safety

Take the usual precautions and you'll be fine. Keep expensive items in a hotel safe, don't leave valuables when you go swimming. Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places, bemos and other public transport. They practically didn’t hear about major robberies here, but they can grab a bag. Do not wear expensive jewelry and take only the amount of cash you need with you. If something valuable has been stolen from you, you should contact the police to file a complaint. required documents to submit to your insurance company.

Possession, sale, import and export of drugs is strictly prohibited and punishable by imprisonment or death. Almost anyone who offers you drugs will be an informant. Although hallucinogenic mushrooms are quite legal and freely sold.

Police officers wear brown uniforms and a badge with a name and number. The hallmark of traffic policemen is a white or green cap; they can move both on specially marked vehicles and on ordinary ones.

All government officials are usually polite and friendly, but keep in mind that cases in police stations are handled slowly, with bureaucratic delays.

Customs regulations

It is forbidden to carry weapons, drugs and pornography. If you have medicines that can be mistaken for drugs, it is better to stock up on a doctor's note or a copy of the permit.

Import and export of more than 10 million rupees is prohibited. There are no restrictions on foreign currency and traveler's checks. You can bring no more than 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 g of tobacco into Indonesia. For more information, please contact the airport customs office. (tel.: 0361-751-037).

Electricity

Many hotels use 220V (50 Hz) and sockets with two pins. But sometimes there is also a voltage of 110 V, so it is better to take an adapter with you.

Embassy of the Russian Federation

The Russian Embassy is located in the capital of Indonesia - Jakarta at the address:

Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. X-7, 1-2, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12940, Indonesia.

Tel.: (8-10-62-21) 522-29-12/14.
Fax: (8-10-62-21) 522-29-16.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.indonesia.mid.ru

The Consular Section

Tel.: (8-10-62-21) 522-29-12/14. Fax: (8-10-62-21) 522-29-15.

Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Bali, Mr. Nuku Kamka:
Perumahan Bali Kepsapa Resort, Block Cendrawasih No. 18, Ungasan-80361 Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia. Tel.: (+62361) 279-15-60. Fax: (+62361) 279-15-61. Email: [email protected]

Emergencies

In an emergency, you may need the following phone numbers:

• Center for Emergency Situations - 112
• Police - 110
• Fire Department - 113
• Ambulance - 118
• Search and Rescue - 111/115/151

Guides and excursions

The best ways get to know most of Bali's attractions - organized tours and car rentals with driver and/or guide. Local travel agencies can offer itineraries with guides, book a hotel room (often at discount prices) and arrange travel by plane or ferry to Lombok and other islands. In addition, you can book a one- and two-day trip to Java with a visit to the Hindu and Buddhist temple complex Prambanan and Borobudur shrines, located near the city of Yogyakarta. One of the oldest and most reputable travel companies is "Pacto Travel Agency" (tel: 0361-288-449; offices in Sanur and Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel). The well-deserved reputation of Bali Discovery Tours, headquartered in Sanur (Tel: 0361-286-283; www.balidiscovery.com) will help you in everything - from the selection of hotels and tours to the organization of transport.

On the streets of Ubud, Kuta and Sanur you will meet a large number of young people shouting the words: "Transport, transport" - and gesturing how they turn the steering wheel. Some travelers hire one of these barkers, who they find most attractive, as a guide, and if all goes well, they continue to use his services in the future. Many hotels have representatives of travel agencies offering excursions. Prices there are usually higher than in local companies. Ask friends who have visited these places who they would recommend as a conductor and guide.

If you, wanting to experience the unique Balinese atmosphere, make up a route and book hotels on your own or pursue certain goals related to the acquisition of Balinese art, sports, hiking, yoga and meditation, shopping or cuisine, then we advise you to prepare your trip in advance.

Medical services

If necessary, call the ambulance on 118, but a taxi will take you to the nearest hospital faster. Foreigners will receive standard care or emergency medical care, as well as evacuation at the International SOS Clinic in Kuta (Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai 505X, Tel: 0361-710-505) or at Bali International Medical Center near Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua (Jalan Ngyrah Rai 100X, Tel: 0361-761-263). The medical staff at the reception points speaks English.

Never drink tap water! And cheap bottled water is available in Bali. To avoid dehydration in this climate, drink at least 4 liters of water a day.

IN local restaurants widely used monosodium glutamate (MSG), its local name is vetsin (vetsin). If you have high blood pressure or a glutamate allergy, eat plain grilled meat or fish without sauce, as well as fresh fruits and salads. Always indicate that you want a glutamate-free meal: tanpa vetsin.

Before traveling, make sure you have the appropriate vaccinations, in particular against polio and tetanus. Malaria is no longer a threat in Bali, but if you are going to visit south Lombok or the Gili Islands, especially during the rainy season, it is best to take the necessary precautions.

Medications (apotik) presented in Bali in a good assortment.

Health care paid in cash. Take health insurance with you everywhere, including material costs.

Disorder of biorhythms can occur on the second day. Doctors advise first to be content with light meals, drink soft drinks and get more rest. Being outdoors will help you adjust more quickly to the sun and the new climate and time zone.

Drinking more fluids, resting more and eating light food should also be in case of diarrhea - then the problem will disappear in one to two days. Many go on an effective diet of plain rice, bananas, and tea. If symptoms include vomiting, see your doctor.

Be sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Keep out of direct sunlight between 11.00 and 14.00.

Try to take a shower twice a day, whether you come from the street, the beach or excursions. For walking down the street, flip flops are ideal shoes, in small hotels and losmen wear them in the shower and while taking a bath. In the simplest dwellings in the bathroom, there can be a waist-high tub. (buck mundy) with a scoop. Water yourself from a bucket and in no case stand in a tub!

There are quite a lot of poisonous snakes in Bali, so avoid walking through the thickets at night. In the event of a snakebite, the victim must be transported to the hospital as soon as possible. Dogs in Bali look mean and unkempt, but they are unlikely to bother you. In general, animal rabies is quite common here.

Many hotels will clean or wash your clothes in one day, while adding 21% to the price (tax and service). IN small hotels there may not be dryers, which in wet weather will delay the execution of the order, but the prices will be lower: less than 3000 rupees per item.

Lost property

If any of your belongings are lost or stolen at the hotel, please contact the receptionist. He, in turn, may recommend that you contact the police. The appeal may take a considerable amount of time, but it must be done in order to file a claim. To find the lost outside the hotel, try to go back the same way.

Currency

The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian rupiah (Rp or IDR). Banknotes of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 rupees and coins of 1, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rupees are in circulation.

Banks and currency exchange

From Monday to Friday, banks are open from 8.00 or 8.30 to 15.00. Exchangers work longer. The currency exchange office at Denpasar Airport is open 24/7, but there is a fee. There are ATMs connected to Cirrus and other international systems in almost every city. They release rupees at a slightly better rate than elsewhere. Be aware that ATMs can run out of money, especially on weekends. Hotels can also provide an exchange service, but at a disadvantageous rate. Currency exchange offices usually have a good exchange rate, but their employees are adept at cheating customers, so be careful. 300 rupees is approximately equal to 1 ruble, and 1 dollar is equal to 12,000 rupees (November 2014).

Warn your bank that you are planning to travel to Indonesia, and find out what dangers your account may be exposed to when making financial transactions using the Internet. For example, scammers sometimes copy credit card numbers from accounts and make fake credit cards that they use for rampant spending.

Credit cards

Almost all hotels in Bali, except for the cheapest, accept credit cards of major international systems. The same applies to many restaurants, shops and car rental companies, although they may add 3-5% to the cost of a service or purchase to cover the commission they have to pay. You may be asked for a passport for identification purposes. Some banks and large exchange offices may lend cash with credit cards, but will charge a 4-8% fee for this.

Traveler's checks

They are accepted in most hotels, travel companies, shops and restaurants, as well as exchanged at banks and exchange offices. Traveler's checks can be very useful in case of theft and breakage of the ATM.

Opening hours

Most shops in Bali are open daily from 9.00 to 19.00 or 21.00; some are closed on Sunday.

Businesses and firms usually work from 8.00 to 16.00 or from 9.00 to 17.00 from Monday to Friday.

State institutions operate from 8.00 to 14.00 from Monday to Thursday and from 8.00 to 11.30 on Friday.

State museums (including Le Mayer Museum in Sanur) open from 8.00 to 14.00 from Tuesday to Sunday. Museums Neka and Puri Lukisan in Ubud are open daily from 9.00 to 17.00.

Mail

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8.00-14.00, Fri 8.00-11.00, Sat 8.00-12.30. Note that there are usually a lot of people at the post office, and the post office in Denpasar is not in the center, its address is Jalan Raya Puputan, Renon. It is more convenient to buy stamps at post offices (age pos), which are in many shops and large hotels (sold to everyone, no matter where you stay). Important letters should be registered.

Public transport

city ​​buses

It is a cheap but always crowded mode of transport for the island. Tourists on a budget use it to get to the ferry to Java and Lombok.

Tourist buses

Usually used to transport tourists from one attraction to another. They are more expensive, but more in line with Western standards. If you are traveling in a group of three or four people, then it will be more profitable to hire a charter flight for a bemo.

Bemo

These are mini-buses that follow a certain route, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. Some bemos are painted in certain colors and are therefore easily recognizable. Prices are fixed, but you may be cheated if you do not know the exact rate. Ask your hotel staff about bemo routes and prices, and see how much other passengers are paying.

Although it is believed that there is an official tariff for taxi services, many taxi drivers try to inflate the price. Always check with the hotel for an estimate of the cost of the trip and arrange payment in advance if the car does not have a meter. But even if there is a meter in the car, drivers try not to use it or convince you that you should pay more. Insist that the counter be turned on.

Dokar or andong

This is the name of a pony-drawn two-wheeled cart in which passengers and not only are transported. (e.g. bags of rice). Check the price before using it.

Ferries

Freight and passenger ferries link Gilimanuk in the west of Bali with Java, and Padang Bai in the east of the island with Lembar in Lombok. Small boats are also used for the crossing; they ply to nearby islands as needed - when there are passengers willing to pay for this service.

speed boats

A large number of speedboats connect Bali with Nusa Lembongan, Lombok and Gili Trawangan.

Air service between the islands

Several local airlines fly from Denpasar to Mataram. Bali is connected by airlines to neighboring islands, as well as to all major cities in Indonesia.

Phones

When calling to Indonesia, dial that country code (62) , then local code (skipping leading 0) and local number. Local codes: 0361 (Denpasar, Gianyar, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Tabanan, Ubud), 0362 (Buleleng, Lovina, Singaraja), 0363 (Candidasa, Karangasem), 0365 (Jembrana, Negara), 0366 (Bangli, Klungkung), 0368 (Bedugul), 0370 (Lombok).

When calling from Indonesia, dial 001 or 007, country code, area code (skipping leading 0) and local number. To call an international operator, dial 102.

Phone calls are charged in hotels separate fee, sometimes quite large. It is most convenient to use one of the phone cards issued by international telephone companies (then hotels will charge only for local calls).

In the well-equipped offices of WARTEL, which are located in most cities and resort areas, you can make both local and international calls inexpensively and without delay.

Cell phones

In Bali, they can be used if they are connected to the GSM network. For mobile phones, you can purchase prepaid calling cards; you will receive a local number starting with 08.

Time

Bali is 8 hours ahead of UTC (GMT+8), and Moscow at 5 o'clock.

Tips

A tip of 10% is customary in most hotels and some restaurants, but no one expects it in small establishments. In addition, they are given:

• taxi drivers 5000-10 000 rupees,
• personal driver or guide 10%,
• porter 2000-5000 rupees per piece of luggage.

toilets

The comforts familiar to Europeans, although different levels comfort, is in all Balinese hotels. They may not exist at all in rural areas. If you are going to travel around the island, take toilet paper. Where there are no facilities for draining water, use a bucket or tub.

tourist offices

Local tourist offices do not have many printed materials, but they can give you verbal information about the places, dates and times of events and ceremonies.

Denpasar. Bali Government Tourism Service (Jalan Supratman, Niti Mandala Renon, tel: 0361-222-387). In this institution, unfortunately located far from the tourist spots, you can find booklets and information about the events on the island.

Ubud. Bina Wisata information center (located opposite the palace, on Jalan Raya, men.: 0361-973-285) Probably the best in Bali.

Information for the disabled

Only very modern hotels have rooms adapted to the needs of guests with handicapped. Many hotels are scattered over the hilly area. There are many steps in temples, in cities and villages the streets and walking paths are replete with all sorts of obstacles that impede the movement of disabled people. To enter almost every store, restaurant or hotel, you have to climb steep and usually uneven steps.

Visas

Citizens of the Russian Federation traveling to Indonesia for up to 30 days do not need to apply for a visa in advance - this is done upon arrival at the airport. For registration, a passport is required, the validity of which is at least 6 months at the time of entry into the country, a hotel reservation or a private invitation and return ticket. The cost of the visa is 25 US dollars.

How to get there

You can get to Bali by plane. If you are planning a trip during high season (July - September and at Christmas), then it is better to book plane tickets early.

In Indonesia, there are, in fact, two real international airports: Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta and Denpasar's Ngurah Ray. The status of a world resort has made Bali easily accessible from any region of the planet. Moscow and the "island of the gods" are connected by regular flights of Singapore Airlines (Singapore Airlines) with a stopover in Singapore and direct charters of Transaero in the autumn-spring season. All tours to the island of Bali are sold with flights from these two airlines. Many independent travelers choose Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, as the cheapest point of entry to Southeast Asia and then fly to Denpasar with inexpensive local companies - for example, Air Asia (www.airasia.com).

You can also use flights to Jakarta a / k " Qatar Airways» via Doha and Kuala Lumpur, a/k «Emirates» via Dubai, and fly to Denpasar with one of the many Indonesian regional airlines ("Garuda", "Merpati", "Lion", "Batavia", "Sriwijaya", etc.). With rare exceptions, there are no non-stop flights from Russia, and the journey can take from 14 hours to a day. It's time to envy the Australians, for whom a flight to Bali is something like a two-hour voyage from Moscow to Sochi. For Russians, who, by a fateful coincidence, find themselves 10,000 km from their longed-for paradise, ticket prices usually start at $1,000. "Last-minute" air tickets with a departure in the coming days from $750 can be found on the website www.tourdom.ru.

The Ngurah Ray airport, named after the national hero who died in the famous battle with the Dutch, is quite conveniently located. Close to the main resorts: Sanur (Sanur) located 14 km, Nusa Dua (Nusa Dua) at 11, Legian (Legian)- in five, and to Kuta (Kuta) You can even walk if you want. (2 - 3 km). At the exit, tourists are waiting for a flock of annoying taxi drivers who are ready to take them to the ends of the world at three times the price. Since payment in Bali is accepted only in rupees, you should exchange some amount at the exchanger, which is located at the exit. The rate here is usually good - a little lower than in Kuta. Here, at the exit, there is a taxi bureau, where they issue vouchers for trips at fixed prices, i.e. by counter. This is the most convenient way to protect yourself from airport bombs. You can just go to the parking lot and catch a taxi at the exit from it - taxi drivers are much more accommodating there. In any case, a trip to Nusa Dua should not cost more than 70 - 80 thousand rupees, Kuta - 20 thousand, Jimbaran - 50 thousand. There is no public transport at the airport; bemos travel from Denpasar to Nusa Dua along the highway passing half a kilometer from international terminal, on the left side of the exit.

Bali is one of the most mysterious and attractive places on our planet. Fabulous tropical nature combined with amazingly clean sandy beaches make this little corner truly heavenly. Not surprisingly, many tourists want to personally check out where the island of Bali is.

Geography

Bali is located in the southeastern part of Asia. Its geographic coordinates are 8º S and 115º E. It belongs to the state of Indonesia and is part of a huge archipelago of the same name. Bali Island is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, located in its extreme western part. From the south, its shores go to the waters of the Indian Ocean, and from the north it is washed by the Bali Sea, which is part of the system Pacific Ocean. The large island of Java, separated by the narrow Bali Strait, adjoins the western tip.

Proximity to the equator dictates the climate. Between June and September, the dry season begins, with little rainfall, although very high humidity remains. Most of the moisture falls from the sky during the calendar winter and in March, when the rainy season is observed here. At the same time, eternal summer reigns in Bali and the air temperature in the flat part never drops below +25º.

There is a fairly high population density. With an area of ​​over 5.7 thousand km², over 4 million people live in Bali. Northern and central part the islands are occupied by mountains, maximum height which exceeds 3 thousand meters, and plains prevail in the south. The main peaks are:

Batukaru
Abang
Agung
Batur

The remoteness of the island of Bali from Russia

Many people who have visited these places now know firsthand where the island of Bali is located. Many of them were able to appreciate the charms and beauties of the local nature, so they will surely come back here again.

• Hot tours to Indonesia
• Tours for May Worldwide

Bali is the most popular and, accordingly, the most developed Indonesian resort in terms of tourism. It attracts tourists with its pristine landscapes, tropical forests, imposing Kintamini, Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung volcanoes, ancient temples and, of course, endless beaches. Relatively recently, tourists from Russia also realized this, and therefore the number of Russian citizens per square kilometer of Balinese territory has increased significantly.

Bali is a treasure trove of foreign culture. And sometimes it seems that for the Indonesians themselves, the cultural tricks of the local population are also a curiosity. If your choice fell on this island, by no means limit yourself to a Bounty-style beach holiday. No, it seems that Bali was not created for this at all. And the stubborn tides along the most beloved beaches by tourists are like an unspoken confirmation of this. What is Bali for me?

How to get to Bali

Until the end of March 2019, Aeroflot will operate direct flights to Bali from Sheremetyevo Airport three times a week on Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft.

Find flights to Bali

Districts of Bali

The main party center of Bali, a place where life is in full swing, regardless of whether the sun is hot or the moon is shining, is the "sweet couple" Kuta and Seminyak. The format of recreation here is very similar: both here and there round-the-clock parties, megawatts of light and sound, busy streets with bars and restaurants. However, Kuta, with its democratic nature, simplicity and cheap alcohol, is especially attractive to young people. In addition to fans of parties and night parties, numerous fans come to Kuta to conquer the wave: the conditions for surfing here are simply ideal. Accordingly, the surrounding area is full of rental shops, schools and private surf instructors.

Guides in Bali

Entertainment and attractions

Ubud is considered the cultural capital of the island. Mostly artists, artisans and dancers live in the city. Every evening performances are held in all the temples - you can see the dances "kechak", "barong", "legong" and the puppet theater "Wayang Kulit".

A corner of virgin nature and unearthly beauty hides the Bali Barat National Park on the western tip of the island. It is home to representatives of the equatorial savanna, mangrove and deciduous forests, and its coastal waters contain 110 species of coral. On the territory of the Botanical Garden, in addition to the pleasure of contemplating luxurious plants, you can get a dose of adrenaline. There is an adventure park "Bali Treetop" with a network cable cars, bungee and suspension bridges.

They provide a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the animal world and get to know its inhabitants better. Any child will love the prospect of spending a whole day with the elephants - feeding them, bathing them, and even painting. Bali Waterbom is considered one of the largest water parks in Asia. It is located in the center of Kuta and is surrounded by 4 hectares tropical garden. Spend a day in the ocean - such an opportunity is provided on floating pontoon beach clubs near the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. They are equipped with a system water slides and swimming pools, there is an opportunity for snorkeling and diving, children's animation and restaurants - everything for a family holiday.

In the Monkey Forest in Ubud, kids can watch monkeys (but be careful, tailed ones can play and attack a person), admire flying beauties in the Butterfly Park, and swim with sea turtles on Gili Island. And by the way, surf centers in Kuta start putting beginners on the board from the age of 5.

A real pirate ship is moored to the beach of the Nusa Dua resort. The crew of the ship constantly requires cabin boys aged 4 years. While lessons are going on at the sea wolf school, parents of young pirates can find something to do in a restaurant. The Pony Club riding center invites young riders from 3 years old not only to ride small horses, but also to take care of them. Teenagers will especially like Bali Treetop Adventure Park - there are all conditions for conquering the jungle on bungee ropes, ziplines and other units.

It will be useful for schoolchildren to visit the Green School in the town of Sibang near Ubud. This jungle campus operates in an environmentally friendly way. Hulls - from bamboo, energy - from solar panels, sewerage and plumbing - with the highest degree of purification. Representatives of different cultures and nationalities receive education in it, including learning to respect nature.

• Which resorts in Indonesia are suitable for families with children in November

December

In Bali, eternal summer reigns. Swimming, sunbathing and water sports are available here all year round. Thanks to the equatorial-monsoon climate, instead of winter, the island begins the rainy season - from November to March, it rains at night and in the morning. Most often they are fleeting and by lunchtime there is no trace of precipitation. If the rainy weather drags on, then in just a few hours you can reach the neighboring islands, on which there is usually sunny weather. The most comfortable time in Bali is from May to October - when it is warm, dry and clear, and the southeast wind brings a pleasant freshness. The peak of the dry season falls on the calendar summer, in the evenings it gets a little cooler.

Geography

Map of Bali island

The area of ​​the island is 5780 km², the length is 150 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. The so-called Wallace Line, stretching eastward from Bali and Lombok, serves as the boundary between the flora and fauna of tropical Asia and the natural zones of Australia and New Guinea.

Relief

Bali is the extreme point Sunda Islands in front of the islands of Small Sunda and Nusa Tenggara. A mountain range stretches from west to east of Bali - a zone of high volcanic activity. two large active volcano Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Gunung Batur (1717 m) are located in the northeastern part of the island. Volcanic activity causes high soil fertility and affects the development of culture. The major eruptions of Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung in 1963, which resulted in numerous casualties, devastated the eastern regions of the country, forcing many Balinese to emigrate.

Among the others mountain peaks the highest are Batukau (2278 m) and Abang (2152 m). This mountain range with a limestone plateau located in the south, which is called "bukit" - hills, divides the territory of the island into two absolutely different regions. Northern, rises quite sharply from a narrow coastline to the mountain slopes. The climate here is relatively dry, favoring coffee cultivation. In this part of Bali there are two rivers that irrigate the rice fields around Singaraja and Seririt. The southern region is a terrace stretching from north to south, on which rice is grown. Numerous rivers flow through gorges with lush vegetation. The southwest is small, well-irrigated tracts of land and arid lands of coconut palm plantations.

Climate

Flora and fauna

4 types of forests grow in Bali: humid evergreen tropical in the west, deciduous in the northwest in remote areas, savanna forests and mountain forests. Moist evergreen forests are represented in Bali Barat Park (translated as "Western Bali"). Here you can find rare species of plants, huge centuries-old trees that are under protection. Many plants of the ficus family, fig and banana groves. Deciduous forests grow in the northwestern part of Bali. They change their foliage with the seasons, and this flora is dominated by sapote trees. Mountain vegetation is rarely located above 1500 m above sea level, these are mainly casuarina and filaos. Banana palms in Bali are sacred, they grow very well, propagated by roots, and feed many animals: monkeys, squirrels, bats.

Palm trees are especially well represented in Bali. The leaves of borass palms, dried and pressed, are used to make “lontars”, on which sacred texts are written. Sugar palm leaves are used to make bouquets that are brought to temples as ritual offerings. There are other types of trees, such as ebony, or ebony, as well as balsa wood, extremely light - a convenient material for traditional masks. There are many bamboo trees, some species of which reach 30-40 cm in diameter. They can be found almost throughout the island, and bamboo is also a versatile building material for the Balinese.

Landscape architecture has become a real industry. The abundance of labor and fertile soil, on which everything that is planted easily takes root, contributes to the development of horticulture, especially in the south of the island and in the Bedugul region. Red, pink and white hibiscus, jasmine, bougainvillea, white and pink laurels, water lilies, lotuses and rather exotic plants such as angsoka, chempaca (yellow magnolia), manori and orchids.

Population

A total of 3,890,757 people live on the island (2010).

Bali is a Hindu society living on the territory of a Muslim country and constantly in contact with foreigners. All this only fuels interest in local customs. The Balinese themselves are quite proud of their traditions and usually strictly follow a code of conduct. Tourists visiting the island should take this for granted and adapt to local customs.

Balinese people are quite friendly towards tourists, but not towards Indonesians from other islands. Despite the abundance of tourists, the attitude towards them does not deteriorate significantly, unlike most popular resorts.

Cities

• Denpasar is the capital and largest city of the island.
• Singaraja - industrial city in the north of the island.
• Kuta is a resort town.
• Ubud is the center of Balinese artistic life.

Administrative division

Together with the adjacent islands, Bali forms the province of the same name in Indonesia, which is part of administrative region Lesser Sunda Islands. The province of Bali is divided into 8 districts (kabupaten) and one urban municipality (kota):

Religion

Hindu temple in Bali

The majority of Balinese (93.93% of the population) practice a form of Hinduism called "Agama Hindu Dharma". About 5% of the population are Muslims. They reside mainly in Denpasar, Singaraja and small coastal towns. There are few Christians and Buddhists - these are Chinese, indigenous people, as well as foreigners living on the island (English, Australians, Dutch, French, Italians, Russians and others).

In total, there are about 20 thousand temples in Bali.

Terrorist activity

Transport

The central and most important transportation hub on the island is Ngurah Rai Airport. This is a modern and well-equipped airport located near Denpasar, 3 km from Kuta, 15 km from Nusa Dua and 12 km from Sanur. It is served by a large number of taxis available day and night.

The most inexpensive form of transport is large modern buses (less than $ 1), which appeared just recently, in 2011. There are still very few lines, but now work is underway to expand the transport base and build stops. In fact, only one Nusa Dua line (the famous tourist place) - Batubulyan (a city in the center of the island, near the zoo, the park of birds and reptiles, the center for the production and sale of batik)

The most common transport among the local population is a moped or scooter. There are a great many of them, they drive from young to old (from 10 years old). Local police respond only to 2 terrible offenses: driving without a helmet and driving over the stop line. Everything else (driving in the opposite direction, driving without a license, high speed) they ignore.

Cars in Bali are super slow. everywhere there is an economical small-capacity engine. And they themselves are usually large, roomy (microbuses), because families usually have many children and it is less convenient to carry them in a regular sedan.

Numerous agencies are available for tourists and guests of the island, where you can rent cars, motorcycles and move around the island on your own. However, not everyone will decide to take this step, because. traffic is left-handed and is now quite active. Automatic transmission is very rare. So hiring a driver is a perfectly reasonable decision. Moreover, the cost of this service is low, from $30 to $50 per day.

Tourism

After the recognition of independence, tourism was rather poorly developed, and the infrastructure was in its infancy. Even in the days of hippies who flocked here from all over the world, there were only small bungalows without electricity on the beaches of Kuta, cheap rooms without amenities and seafood dishes for a few cents. However, in Sanur, tour operators have already mastered tourism for the rich. The government of Indonesia, whose economy was very dependent on oil exports, needed to find other sources of income, and it greatly contributed to the development of the tourism industry.

At first, these efforts were aimed at changing in the eyes of the entire world community the unsightly image that had taken hold of the Indonesian ruling elite after the military coup.

A professional analysis of the situation in Bali and a plan for the development of tourism was made in 1969. The project was financed by the UN under the guarantee of the World Bank. Particular emphasis was placed on the Bukit-Badung area. In 1978, Balinese Governor Ida Bagus Mantra invited interested parties to pay attention to the rich culture of the island. Since that time, music, dance, religious festivals, sculpture and painting have played the same role in tourism business as well as continuous improvement of the infrastructure. The airport is being reconstructed, luxury hotels and modest budget hotels are being built to cover the entire social spectrum of travel enthusiasts. Rice fields are being drained and aqueducts are being built in the most arid regions. Inexpensive has been replaced by elite tourism. Now world-famous stars come to Sanur for their wedding ceremonies, and European ministers spend their holidays at the “Mediterranean Club” in Nusa Dua.

From 2001 to 2008, the annual women's tennis tournament Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic was held in Bali, in 2009 it received the status of the Tournament of Champions and became known as the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.

On October 18 - 26, 2008, Bali was the venue for the 1st Asian Beach Games, which took place on the beaches of Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Mertasari, and Serangan Island became the venue for sailing competitions.

In 2009 Bali hosted the 16th Asian Archery Championship.

There are several golf courses in Bali. In 1994, the golf course of Bali Golf and country club was selected to host the Alfred Dunhill Masters.

Bali is a real surfer mecca, where there are good waves almost all year round. In the summer (May-September), east winds prevail, so surf spots on the western side of the island, such as Batubalong, Kuta, Balangan, Padang Padang, work well. In winter (November-March), due to southwesterly winds, spots from the southeast side, such as Serangan, Nusa Dua, Geger and Greenball, begin to work well. Bali often hosts world-class surfing competitions such as the Padang Padang RipCurl Cup. There are Russian and international surf schools and camps.

Attractions

• Pura Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple in Bali.
• Taman Ayun is the main temple of the Mengwi kingdom.
• Botanical garden in the crater of the volcano.
• Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan.
• Uluwatu Temple, where the kechak dance performance takes place.
• Temple of Tanah Lot.
• Royal graves.
• Waterfall Git-Git
• Gunung Kawi
• Goa Gaja - temple in the jaws of a demon
• Tirtagangga

Notes

1. Indonesian Central Statistical Agency official website
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia . - Soviet encyclopedia. - T. 2. - S. 572.
3. Ageenko F. L. Proper names in Russian: Dictionary of stresses. - M .: Publishing house of NTs ENAS, 2001. - S. 35. - 376 p. - ISBN 5-93196-107-0
4. Encyclopedic dictionary of geographical names / Kalesnik, Stanislav Vikentievich. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1973. - 808 p.
5. Abramenko V. G. Southeast Asia (reference book). M.: Crystal, 1996. - 168 p.
6. Orlinkov A.F. Geography of Asia. M.: Nauka, 1994. - 296 p.
7. Petrov S.S., Petrova I.G. A large reference book of Asian countries. M.: Thought, 1997. - 134 p.
8. Volodin A.A., Mikhalev P.I. Balinese Hinduism. St. Petersburg: Iris, 2001 - 98 p.
9. "Bali death toll set at 202". BBC News
10. CNN report
11. Golovina E. I. Bali. M.: Le Petit Fute, 2001. - 192 p.
12. Tales of Bali. Arranged by J. Hoijkas-van Leeuwen Bomkamp. Per. with him. Z. A. Mirkina. M.: "Nauka", 1983. 272 ​​p.
13. Indonesian Sailing Federation.
14. "The Road to Bali Begins" - article on the official website of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions (English).
15. Bali Golf and Country Club - description at allbalitours.com (eng.).

Literature

• Demin L. M. Bali Island / USSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of the Peoples of Asia .. - M .: Nauka, Head. ed. east lit., 1964. - 304 p.(reg.)