Bali's True Nature

Nature in Bali is quite unique. Separated from Java by a slim strait just 2 kilometers wide, this small islands is only a 30-minutes ferry hop from her Islamic sister, Java, but a unique Hindu aura is immediately apparent upon stepping over this quiter shores. Tough the islands is just 8 degrees south of equator and the sunlight equally scorching, life is visibly more relaxed; shadows seem cooler, voice softer, movement more gentle. It is this mood of subtle glances and slow, genuine smiles that has for centuries attracted Western tourist attentions, a mindset of time-honed Balinese traditions laced with deep respect for this small island's unpredictable nature.

Balinese Community

Bale Banjar (Community center)

Although Balinese rituals may at times seem complicated, the names of those born on the island are quite simple since-boy or girl- there are only four to remember.

All first-born children called Wayan, second born are Made, third born are Nyoman, fourth born-children are Ketut, and the fifth child's name begin the sequence again with wayan and so on.

Bali Intoductional

WHERE IS BALI?

The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.

GEOGRAPHY:

The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.

Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.

About Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.

With a population recorded as 3,891,000 in 2010, the island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. in the 2000 census, about 93.2% of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. It is also the largesttourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. Bali, despite being a tourist haven for decades, has seen in recent years a surge in tourist numbers.