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Check out our Fun Facts page often - we'll keep it updated on a regular basis, with fascinating tidbits about the history, geography and culture of Bali and other parts of Indonesia, as well as information vital to tourists.


Effective February 14th, 2024, all visitors to Bali will have to pay the new foreign tourism fee of 150,000 rupiahs (approximately USD $10). The levy can be paid online or at most points of entry, including the airport.
Prior to gaining independence in 1945, Indonesia had been colonized, at various times, by the Dutch, Portuguese, British, and during World War II by the Japanese.
Three Sumatran orangutans, who had been trafficked to Thailand, were recently (Dec. 2023) returned to Indonesia. The orangutans, ages seven years, seven years, and five years, had been living at a wildlife sanctuary in Ratchaburi, Thailand. With this recent repatriation there are no more trafficked orangutans being cared for by Thai authorities. The return of the orangutans was part of a joint effort by Indonesia and Thailand, to go after the illegal wildlife trade.
The first bullet train in Southeast Asia was officially launched on Oct. 2nd, 2023. The train, nicknamed "Whoosh", can reach a speed of 350 kilometers (approximately 220 miles) per hour. It's currently operating on the island of Java, between Jakarta and Badung. It previously took three to three and a half hours to travel by rail between these two cities. With the new high-speed train, the travel time is 45 minutes.
The Indonesian national flag is a simple design with a strip of red at the top and a strip of white underneath. The symbology of the flag dates to the Majahapit Empire of the 13th to 15th century, in which red represents courage and white represents purity.
During the Dutch colonization of Indonesia, which lasted almost 350 years, hundreds of artifacts were looted and taken to the Netherlands. At the request of the Indonesian government, 472 objects were recently returned. The repatriated items include four 13th century statues from the Singasari Kingdom. The statues, which are considered to be masterpieces, depict gods and goddesses from Hindu mythology. They will be housed at Indonesia's National Museum.
Effective June 21, 2023, President Joko Widodo has officially changed the status of Covid in Indonesia from pandemic to endemic. The president stated that new cases of Covid in Indonesia are "almost zero". He also announced that 99% of the population has developed antibodies and that the immunity level of the Indonesian people is at 98%, thanks to a highly successful vaccination campaign, with 452 million doses administered to date.

Effective May 31, 2023, the governor of Bali has instituted new regulations for tourists. (Some of the regulations were previously in place, but they will now be actively monitored.)

Regulations include:
- Tourists may not enter sacred places, except for prayer, and Balinese clothes must be worn when entering sacred places. Respect for sacred places must be shown, including not climbing on sacred buildings or sacred trees.
- During ceremonial processions tourists must respect Balinese customs and traditions.
- Tourists are required to stay in accommodations that have official permits.
- Littering is strictly prohibited, as is the use of single-use plastics such as styofoam and plastic straws.
- Tourists must dress modestly when visiting public places, temples, villages, etc.
- For visits to tourist attractions, tourists should be accompanied by a licensed guide.
- Foreigners are prohibited from working or conducting business in Bali, including the purchase or sale of cultural items or sacred objects.
- Money can only be exchanged at licensed currency exhange establishments.
- If driving in Bali (which Bali Barong Tours discourages) you'll need an international driver's license. Helmets are required when driving or riding on any two-wheeled vehicle.
- Using "harsh words", creating disturbances, or behaving impolitely is prohibited both directly and via social media. And it is forbidden to spread hate speech or false information.

At Bali Barong Tours we support these regulations, as they promote respect for the local people and culture, as well as creating a better environment for tourists who are visitng Bali for the right reasons. But we lament the fact that putting these regulations into effect became necessary.

According to the website Indonesia Expat, the Governor of Bali has announced that there will be a quota on the number of visitors coming to Bali. The date of implementation, number of tourists allowed, and other provisions of the quota system, are yet to be determined. The local government plans to negotiate with the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and other tourism-related entities. Governor Koster was quoted as saying “Who wants to come to Bali next year, get on the list now. We are going to apply the system." (May 5, 2023)
It's no wonder that the Moluccas (a small group of Indonesian islands) are known as the Spice Islands and that Indonesian food is so tasty. There are approximately 30,000 species of spices in Indonesia.
Bali's governor announced, on March 12th 2023, that visitors to the island would be banned from renting motorbikes. There's no word as to when this will go into effect, but Bali Barong Tours supports the move. Injuries (in some cases quite serious) caused by tourists on motorbikes have been an ongoing problem for years.

According to the independent World Population Review, Indonesians are the shortest people in the world, with an average (adult) height of 158 centimeters (approximately 5.18 feet).

An article in Tempo.co cites a study on the human genome, from the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, which found that all Indonesians are immigrants who come from a mixture of a number of genetic groups of Homo Sapiens. These groups migrated from Africa tens of thousands of years ago. Though there are other factors, this migration (which mixed different human groups) is considered to be one of the main reasons that Indonesians are shorter. Genetic data from this research project shows that the Indonesian archipelago was once the center of civilization.

The Jakarta Post reports that recent plans to increase entrance fees at Komodo National Park and Borobudur temple in Central Java have been scrapped by the Indonesian goverment. There had been previous reports that fee increases at these sites would go into effect as of January 1st, 2023. Though entrance fees could still increase at a later date, for now this is good news for tourists.

Raja Ampat, in West Papua, is home to Indonesia's largest population of reef manta rays. In 2007, the local Raja Ampat government designated a marine protective area to help save the reef manta rays. As recently reported (Nov. 24, 2022) in the Jakarta Post, a research team collected data from 2009 through 2019 and the published results indicate that the rays have made a strong comeback. The study focused on two different areas of the two million hectare Raja Ampat protected zone. Both areas show that the reef manta rays are thriving. The area of southeast Misool showed an especially strong increase in rays, with a 10.9% population growth per year. One of the best ways to visit Raja Ampat is on a SeaTrek Adventure cruise.

Wild orangutans can be found in only two places in the world. One is on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the other is on the island of Borneo (the Indonesian part of Borneo is called Kalimantan). Orangutans are a near relative of humans, sharing approximately 97% of our DNA. Orangutans are about seven times stronger than humans. They can lift 500 pounds and their bite force is almost twice as strong as a leopard's bite. Despite their great strength, orangutans are considered to be the gentlest of all apes and it's rare for them to get into fights.

In December, 2021, the Indonesian navy rescued 33 protected sea turtles from poachers. The turtles were released into the sea at Kuta Beach in Bali this past weekend. The naval operation's Rear Admiral told reporters that the ecosystem around Bali would benefit when the turtles reproduce. Locals cheered the turtles as they made their way into the sea.

A male orangutan, who had been raiding village gardens after losing his habitat to fire, has been resettled in Gunung Palung National Park in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). Upon being released into an area of rainforest that's far from any villages, the orangutan - who conservationists named "Jala" - immediately fled his crate and sped up a tree. Jala is the second orangutan this year (2021) to be relocated to Gunung Palung.

Two pieces of good news from Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo:

Ten orangutans were recently released back into the wild after having been in rehabilitation centers. Release of rehabilited orangutans had been held up due to Covid-19, and extraordinary measures were taken to keep them from exposure to Covid during the release process. (Orangutans and human share 97% of their DNA.) It is estimated that there are only 100,000 Borean orangutans left in the wild, which represents a loss of half the population during the past 60 years. The recently released orangutans include five males, three females and two babies, both of which belong to one of the females.

The other exciting new is that there has been a documented sighting, in Indonesian Borneo, of a bird that hasn't been seen since the 1840s. Very rare even 170 years ago, it has long been assumed that the bird was extinct. Known as the black-browed babbler, the bird was rediscovered by two locals who realized that it was a bird they had never seen before. They captured, photographed and then released the bird. The photos were forwarded to ornithologists who are amazed and confounded by the discovery. A representative of the Global Wildlife Conservation stated that the bird is often called the "biggest enigma in Indonesian ornithology" because even in the 1840s its origin and home territory were uncertain.

Conde Nast Traveler magazine's 2020 Readers Choice Awards lists Indonesia as the 6th best country in the world! We couldn't agree more that Indonesia deserves to be high on the list. (Of course, we're a little biased so we think it should have been number one.)
It's generally accepted that Bali has more temples per square mile than any other place in the world. No one knows the exact number, but including royal temples, village temples, family temples, etc., it is estimated that there are probably several hundred thousand temples in Bali.
In Bali, a cremation is the most important of ceremonies because how a cremation is carried out will determine whether or not the person who has died will be reincarnated. Cremations are quite costly and families typically have to save up in order to afford a good cremation. So, the body of the deceased person is often buried first and cremated later. One way to save a fair amount of money is for multiple village families to hold joint cremations. However, if the deceased is a priest, a royal or a member of the brahmana caste, burial is not an option. Those individuals must lie in state until the cremation; they cannot lie in impure ground.
The Gili Islands (also known as "The Gilis") are three islands located off the northwest coast of Lombok. Express boat service operates from two different harbors in Bali to the northwest of Lombok and on to the Gili Islands. Tourists who stay in Lombok can visit the three Gilis as a day trip via private local boat or private speedboat. Gili Trawangan (Dragon Island) attracts backpackers, has restaurants and bars, good snorkeling and trails to the summit of a hill in the center of the island. Gili Meno (Snake Island) is the smallest and least developed of the Gilis and good snorkeling with the possibility of seeing rare blue coral. There's a path that circles the island for a walk of one to one-and-a-half hours. Gili Air (Turtle Island) has the largest local population with a Muslim village in the center of the island.
Gamelan orchestras are made up of a number of percussion instruments such as gongs, kettle-style drums and xylophone-style insruments. White gamelan music varies from village to village, there's a clear distinction between gamelan that's played in Bali and gamelan that's played on the island of Java. Balinese gamelan is louder and enthusiastic - sometimes even sounding a bit chaotic, whereas Javanese gamelan is quieter and more mellow.
Spa visits are very popular with tourists to Bali and prices for massages, facials and other spa treatments are quite reasonable - even at high-end hotel spas. But, if you really want to save money consider spending several days at a hotel that's away from the main tourist areas. Spa treatments at off-the-beaten-path hotels can cost one third (or even less) the amount of an equivalent treatment at a high-end hotel spa.
Aside from temple priests, there are others in Balinese Hinduism who are considered to be holy men. For example, a "dalang" (shadow puppeteer) falls into this category. Dalangs are consecrated in a manner that's similar to the consecration of a priest. Before each performance the dalang says prayers to bring his puppets to life.
There are plans in the works to close Komodo island to tourists for a period of one year, in 2020. No specific date has been set for the closure, but other islands in Komodo National Park will remain open - including Rinca, which is home to almost as many Komodo dragons as can be found on Komodo Island. A handful of dragons can also be found on the islands of Padar, Gili Motang and Nusa Kuda. The closure of Komodo Island will facilitate a conservation program that's aimed at preserving the habitat and increasing the number of dragons that live on the island. The plan is controversial because so many locals rely on tourism for their livelihoods.
"Kepeng" ("pis bolong" in Balinese) are Chinese coins with a hole in them. These coins are used in offerings and temple decorations. Up until the 20th century, there was no local currency in Bali, or elsewhere in Indonesia, and though most transactions were done by bartering the Chinese kepeng served as Bali's currency.
A map of the cosmic order is depicted in the Balinese mandala, which is an eight-pronged star. Each point represents a specific direction and is associated with a particular god and that god's color, consort, weapon, body part and sound. For example, the Southwest is represented by the god Rudra; the intestines; the sound "mang"; the sword; and the color orange. At the center of the mandala the gods and colors merge into Siwa, representing a higher unity.
While most Indonesians are Moslems and most Balinese are Hindus, there are several enclaves in Indonesia where the locals are mainly Protestants or Catholics. These areas include Toraja and Minahasa on the island of Sulawesi; Nias Island and the Batak highlands in northern Sumatra; the East Nusatenggara islands; and large areas of West Papua.
A couple of new conservation parks have recently opened and both are worth visiting. The Kemenuh Butterfly Park is home to a variety of butterflies from different areas of Indonesia. It also has a breeding center for the giant Kupu Kupu Barong (which is actually a moth).

The brand-new (opened in March, 2019) Kemenuh Dragonfly Park, Orchid Garden & Bonsai is divided into three sections. The Orchid Garden boasts a large variety of exotic blooms while the Dragonfly section breeds and displays a variety of dragonflies in a natural environment. The Bonsai garden displays numerous samples of this artform. There are also six villas for rent at this facility. Guests staying in the villas receive complimentary entrance to the Park.

Anyone who is interested in Balinese dance, music and musical instruments, not to mention Balinese history, will find the book
"A Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali
Balinese Dance, Drama & Music"
by I Wayan Dibia and Rucina Ballinger, with beautiful illustrations by Barbara Anello, to be fascinating reading.

There has been a lot of new construction in Bali in recent years. Prior to construction being initiated certain ceremonies have to take place at the construction site. If a sacred structure is going to be built, gold, silver, copper, iron and bronze have to be buried in the foundation, along with a coconut that has been wrapped in threads of five different colors. For other buildings, a white cloth is wrapped around a brick and placed in the foundation.
The small Indonesian island of Bawean is home to the endangered Bawewan deer. At one time there were fewer than 12 Bawean deer left on the island. But, thanks to a breeding center built in 2003, the number is now estimated at several dozen. Even though they're in a breeding center, Bawean deer are considered to be wild. And, because they have a high stress level, their lifespan can be short.
Masks and symbolism are both a big part of Balinese culture. Masks are used prominently in Balinese ceremonies, dance performances and shadow puppet performances. When you watch a dance performance take a look at the colors of the individual masks. A particular mask symbolizes specific characteristics of that mask. For example, a red or black mask signifies a rough or coarse person; a white mask represents a refined person; a green mask indicates a representation of Rama.
The Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets, located in an area of rice fields not far from Ubud, is home to over 1,300 masks and over 5,700 puppets, which have been collected from various areas of Indonesia as well as from several other countries. The masks and puppets are displayed in four traditional Javanese teak houses known as Joglo. The Joglo were dismantled and resurrected on Setia Darma's grounds, which are over one hectare in area. (One hectare = just under two and a half acres.)
Balinese Hinduism is different than Indian Hinduism in a variety of ways. There are more detailed distinctions, but some of the main differences are that the Balinese caste system is generally ignored in terms of how the Balinese live their lives (i.e. marrying outside their own caste) and there are no untouchables in the Balinese caste system. Also, Balinese Hindus do not worship cows and, with the exception of priests, Balinese eat beef. Balinese Hindu temples are structured differently than Indian Hindu temples. Balinese temples don't have roofs (which allows the gods to visit) and they normally don't have statues of gods in the temples. Also, the Balinese place a great deal of importance on worshipping their ancestors.
Textiles are an important part of Balinese culture. Even rocks and statues are adorned in textiles, especially during ceremonies. Chemical and natural dyes are used in the production of Balinese textiles. Natural dye sources include plants, including petals, bark, seeds, fruit and leaves. In particular, natural dyes may be made from indigo plants, turmeric, mangosteen and the root bark of the morinda tree.
Of the 98 countries for which such data is available, males in Indonesia have the shortest average height at just 1.58 meters (5.1837 feet).
"Bali" means "offering" in Sanskrit. It is thought that Bali's name may have come from the ancient epic Ramayana in which a monkey named Subali or Bali steals his half-brother's wife. Subali is killed by Rama and given, as an offering, to the half-brother, Sugriwa.
Indonesia's coastline is the second longest in the world at an impressive 54,716 kilometers (approximately 34,000 miles). This based on totaling the coastlines of all of Indonesia's over 18,000 islands.
Gates leading into village and home compounds typically have a free standing wall situated a few feet in front of them. The purpose of the wall, which is called aling-aling, is to keep evil spirits from entering the grounds. The Balinese believe that evil spirits can only move in straight lines, which can't be done with an aling-aling blocking the way.
Thanks to an inspired idea and a grant of approximately $29,000 from the local government, the small village of Kampung Pelangi, located near Semarang in the north-central Java island, is drawing visitors from Indonesia and elsewhere, and the local economy has benefited from this new-found tourism. Now known as Rainbow Village, the attraction is the vibrantly and colorfully painted public buildings, shops, posts, footbridge railings, and houses. The decision was made to paint each building at least three bright colors. Some of the locals have added even more colors, murals, polka-dots, etc. The result is what could very well be the most colorful village in the world. Over 200 houses have been painted so far and the plan is to paint even more houses in the future. Nearby Semarang is a port city where some cruise ships call.
The Balinese believe that mountains are the dwelling places of the gods and mountains are often symbolized in items of every day life. For example, a cone-shaped mold is often used to serve rice. And the largest temple offerings are also shaped like mountains.
Dating from the mid-18th century, the island of Sumba was the source of slaves for sultans and kings in Bali, Lombok, Flores and southern Sulawesi. Even families with limited finances owned slaves. Though the slave trade officially ended in the 1860s (at which point in time the northwest coast of Sumba had been, for all intents and purposes, depopulated), slavery on these islands continued until the early 20th century.
Including royal temples, mountain, river, rice and water temples, market temples, family, clan and village temples and temples to specific gods or goddesses, it is estimated that there could be literally hundreds of thousands of temples in Bali. Though there's no way to know for certain, it is believed that Bali has more temples per square mile than any other place in the world.
The Balinese believe in reincarnation and their hope is that they'll return to the same family from which they previously came. However, they also believe that they could return as a higher caste person, a lower caste person, or an animal of any kind - whether a mammal, a single-celled creature or anything in between. The form in which a person returns is dependent upon the karma that they generated in their previous life.
Electricity didn't come to Balinese villages until 1974, when Ubud and Batuan were added to the power grid. At that time Ubud was a sleepy art village, rather than its current status as a flourishing and vibrant town.
Masks play a big role in Balinese dance. Because the masks are representative of gods and heroes, they are viewed and treated with much respect. Located in the village of Blahbatuh, the temple of Pura Penataran Topeng is home to the six oldest masks in Bali.
Symbols are important in Balinese culture and in some cases an animal serves as a symbol. For example, geese symbolize the three levels of the universe because they live in the air, on the land and in the sea.
Tolerance is a part of Balinese Hinduism. Though made up of various kingdoms, there has never been a religious war in Bali.
Located at the small and nondescript Pura Penataran Sasih temple in Bali's Pejeng village, the Moon of Pejeng is the world's largest single-cast bronze kettle drum. The drum is believed to be over 2,000 years old. According to local legend, it was originally one of the wheels of a chariot that pulled the moon across the sky. The wheel fell off the chariot and landed in Pejeng.
Brem is a rice wine that's made from glutinous rice, to which yeast has been added. Brem is commonly used in Balinese ceremonies.
Most tourists bypass Bali's capital city of Denpasar and never actually venture into the city. But, shoppers can find some very good bargains by heading into the city, rather than just buying their souvenirs in the main resort areas. In particular, Denpasar is known for its gold shops and fabric shops.
Tourism to Bali officially began in the 20th century. The first hotel in Bali opened in 1928, and the first beach hotel (at Sanur Beach) didn't open until 1956.
As of June, 2015, UNESCO has officially added two Indonesian National Parks as members of their "Man and Biosphere Programme." Mt. Bromo-Mt. Semeru-Tengger-Mt. Arjuno National Park in eastern Java and Taka Bonerate-Selayar Islands Marine Park in South Sulawesi join eight previously recognized Indonesian biospheres out of a worldwide total of 647 members from 120 countries.
Built in 1755, the Sultan's Palace (Kraton) in Yogyakarta, Central Java, is still the residence of the Sultan or king of Yogyakarta. Visitors can explore the palace, which is an excellent example of traditional Javanese architecture.
The island of Bali has two volcanoes that are considered to be active. Mt. Agung is the highest at nearly 10,000 feet (over 3,000 meters) and Mt. Batur, a popular destination for sunrise volcano climbs, at over 5,600 feet (over 1,700 meters).
The Balinese Saka calendar is based on a period of 210 days, calculated in two ways. There are seven days per week x 30 weeks in a term = 210 days. Or, there are 35 days per month x six months in a term = 210 days. Two terms make up a year of 420 days. Many ceremonies and holidays (including Galungan - Bali's most important holiday) take place twice a year, which translates to every 210 days. Balinese celebrate their birthdays based on the Saka calendar, but if you ask a Balinese person how old he or she is, they'll probably give you their age based on our western calendar.
The Bogor Botanical Gardens, located 60 kilometers (37.5 miles) from Indonesia's capital of Jakarta, are home to over 15,000 species of plants, including 3,000 varieties of orchids and 400 different types of palm trees.
There are approximately 50 national parks in Indonesia. Not all are easy to reach, and many require that visitors have a permit and are accompanied by a guide - including Barat National Park in Bali.
Indonesia is considered to have the most diverse flora and fauna in the world. According to the Embassy of Indonesia, the country is home to 12 percent of all mammal species, 17 percent of bird species and 25 percent of all fish species. Indonesia is also home to 10 percent of all flowering species, including the Rafflesia arnoldii, a plant that produces the largest flower on earth and which can only be found in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The tallest Buddha statue in Indonesia was recently built (2013) in Gilimanuk, in the northwest corner of Bali. Located inside the Empu Astapaka Monastery, which is named for a Buddhist sage who visited Bali in the 15th century, the statue is 25 meters (approximately 82 feet) high. Until now, Gilimanuk was best known as the ferry port for crossings to east Java.
Bali's newly upgraded and enlarged airport has officially opened (mid-September, 2013). Among the upgrades to the international arrival terminal is the expansion of the visa-on-arrival counters to a total of twenty counters, which should speed the arrival process dramatically. In addition, there are more baggage carousels and immigration counters than before. The expanded airport includes many new food facilities, including some with outdoor seating and a new (not yet completed) parking facility. The migration from the old teriminal to new terminal is still taking place, so not all international carriers will arrive at the new terminal immediately. And, there are bound to be kinks in the moving process. But, once everything has been completed and the growing pains have been worked out, travelers should notice a much more streamlined entry process.
There's a wonderful variety of traditional textiles in Bali, but sadly some of the intricate weaving techniques may be lost within the next generation. One of the rarest techniques is Gringsing which involves an elaborate process of dyeing and binding of threads. Though Gringsing can be found in the traditional aboriginal village of Tenganan in eastern Bali, there are only a small number of women who still practice this technique.
In 1815, Mt. Tambora, on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, produced the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The explosion sent 12 cubic miles of rock, dust and gas into the atmosphere, causing the Northern Hemisphere's "year without a summer." The blast is said to have been 10 times greater than the eruption of the more famous Indonesian volcano, Krakatoa.
Of the over 17,000 islands in Indonesia, only about 6,000 are inhabited and not all the islands have names. So as to aid in search and rescue operations in the archipelago, the United Nations has asked Indonesia to name all its islands. Ironically, though so many of Indonesia's islands are uninhabited, the island of Java is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
Komodo National Park, home to the famous Komodo dragons, has been named one of the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" by the New Seven Wonders Foundation. The Park received a reported 200 million votes in a global poll.
With the recent opening of a new larger airport (in early 2012), the island of Lombok is poised to become a major destination in Indonesia. Expansion of tourism facilities over the next few years includes upgrades to roads and other infrastructure, new hotels and an 18-hole Jack Nichlaus designed golf course, which is scheduled to be completed in three to five years. Now is the time to visit Lombok - while it's still a quiet, relatively undeveloped island.
The Bamboo Chocolate Factory, which is housed in the world's largest commercial bamboo building, opened in November, 2011. Located not far from Ubud, the chocolate factory offers tours to visitors, as well as a variety of chocolate products.
Though the island of Java is now mainly Muslim, it was the Javanese who first brought Hinduism to Bali, in the 11th century. Over the next couple centuries, Bali went through periods of rule by various dynasties. Finally, in the 14th century, the once powerful Majapahit kingdom collapsed and artists, dancers and thinkers exiled themselves to Bali. A new culture evolved, as did a the intricate form of Hinduism that's unique to Bali.
The classical Legong dance is considered one of the most difficult to learn because the dancers (young girls) must time their dance movements to a gong (traditional instrument). In addition, the steps and pace of the dance are more complex than in other Balinese dances. The gongs used in Legong are smaller than those used in other performances, and they produce a particular sound. The costumes worn by Legong dancers are elaborate and beautiful.
Though most tourists bypass Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, the city is home to over 30 museums, including the Wayang (puppets) museum, the Maritime Museum, with its large models of boats from a variety of Indonesian islands, and Museum Gajah (the National Museum) which focuses on the history, ethnography and archaeology of Indonesia.
Most visitors to the island of Lombok stay along the west coast, or in the northwest corner of the island, where there's easy access to the offshore Gili Islands. But, those who venture to the southern part of Lombok can visit craft villages such as Banyumulek (pottery) and Sukarara (traditional songket cloth woven with gold and silver threads). The southern coast of Lombok has clear turquoise water with good swimming beaches, surfing and wind surfing.
There are approximately 300 species of wild birds in Bali including white herons (which can be seen roosting in the trees at Petulu village), egrets, sea eagles and kingfishers.
The Indonesian archipelago boasts over one quarter of all the marine life in the world.
The Indonesian coat of arms bears the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which translates as "Unity in Diversity."
Wayang kulit, or shadow puppets, are a unique art and entertainment form in Bali. The puppets are manipulated behind a white screen, with light and shadows producing an effect similar to holding your hand in front of a white movie screen. The puppets are are designed with sharp features and a lace-like pattern. A story is told, using a cast of puppet characters. During village celebrations, shadow puppet performances can run late into the night.
Goa Gajah, which translates as Elephant Cave, is a temple inside a cave. In ancient times, Goa Gajah was used by both Hindus and Buddhists, and that history is reflected in statues that still exist at the site. Some sources date Goa Gajah from the 11th or 13th centuries, while other sources claim it goes back as far as the 9th century.
The annual Flower Festival in Tomohon takes place during June and July. A flower tournament is held, with participants coming from all over Indonesia. Visitors can also view the flower floats that parade through town. Because of its cool climate, Tomohon, located not far from Manado in northern Sulawesi, is famous throughout Indonesia for its gardens and flower production.
The Wallace Line is an imaginary line, designated by the 19th century naturalist Alfred Wallace, who noticed that the fauna in the western islands of Indonesia was similar to animals found in other parts of Southeast Asia, whereas the wildlife in the eastern islands of Indonesia had similarities to their New Guinea and Australian counterparts. The Wallace Line runs between Borneo and Sulawesi and between Bali and Lombok. Though only about 18 kilometers apart, at their closest point, Bali's fauna is Asian whereas Lombok's resembles the fauna of New Guinea and Australia.
The summit of Mt. Agung, Bali's holiest mountain, rises to just over 3100 meters above sea level (about 10,300 feet). The effects of the volcanic eruption that took place in 1963 are still evident along the lower slopes.
In Bali, names are determined by caste and order of birth. For example, a male child of the Brahmin caste will be named Ida Bagus and a female of the Brahmin caste will be Ida Ayu. Though there are some exceptions, in the Sudra caste, which makes up 90-95% of the population of Bali, the first born child is named Wayan, the second child is named Made or Kadek, the third child is named Nyoman and the fourth child is named Ketut. The cycle then starts over, with the fifth child having the same name as the first child. Because there are so many people named Wayan or Made, many Balinese choose to be addressed by their middle names or last names.
There's a larger variety of different plant species, on the island of Borneo, than in all of Africa. The island of Borneo is shared by three countries; Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. The Indonesia part of Borneo is called Kalimantan.
Though highly endangered, and very difficult to find, Indonesia still has a small number of tigers living deep in the jungles of Sumatra. There are also 60 to 80 rhinos living in the Rhino Sumatra National Park.
The Minangkabau people, who live on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, are a matrilineal society, with the women owning land, houses and other property. Inheritances pass from female to female. This is particularly unusual because the Minangkabau are also strict Muslims, with the religious components of their lives being dominated by males.
It's estimated that there are only about 2,500 to 3,500 wild Sumatran elephants still roaming the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The Bali Elephant Camp is home to rescued elephants, brought to Bali along with their Sumatran handlers as part of a conservation effort.
The word "ketchup" comes from the Indonesian word "kecap," which means "sauce." The letter "c" in "kecap" is pronounced "ch."
Roughly one third of the active volcanoes in the world are located in Indonesia.
Approximately 80 percent of the world's nutmeg comes from Indonesia. And, the nutmeg is the only tree in the world whose seed produces two different spices. Both nutmeg and mace come from the nutmeg seed.
Because Balinese society is based on Hinduism, there is a caste system. However, unlike the caste system in India, there are no "untouchables" in Bali. In addition, it is not at all unusual for members of different castes to socialize and intermarry. When meeting someone for the first time, Balinese are quick to ascertain that individual's caste. If an individual's title denotes that he or she is a member of a high caste (such as Brahmin) they will automatically be treated with the respect that that caste has traditionally merited.
Lingsar temple, the oldest temple in Lombok, is used as a place of worship by both Hindus and Moslems.
The Balinese aren't big on desserts, but when they want to sweeten something they use palm syrup, which is made by cooking palm sugar in water. We're big fans of palm syrup - especially when it's poured over laklak (rice cakes).
In Java, you may notice that some of the men have very long fingernails on one or more of their fingers. There are a variety of theories, but no one seems to have a definitive answer as to the reason for the long fingernails. Some say it's just for fun or for style. The most popular theory is that it shows that the individual doesn't do manual labor. However, it's possible that the origin goes back to a shadow puppet story in which Bima, the physically strongest of five famous brothers, had one long nail on his thumb.
Balinese routinely participate in purification rituals. The idea is to purify their inner being and mind of anything negative, making room for purer thoughts and deeds. Though the process is spiritual, they use a variety of practical analogies to describe the reasons for purification. For example, they point out that you clean your closet to get rid of clothes you no longer wear, making room for new clothes. Or, you delete old files on your computer in order to make room for new files.
Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and, with 17,000 islands, it's also the world's largest archipelagic country. Indonesia, which gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1945, is divided into 30 provinces, of which Bali is one.
At Sangiran, near Yogyakarta and Solo City on the island of Java, visitors can tour the excavation site where the fossilized remains of Java Man were found.
Cremations are an important and elaborate event in Bali. Because of the monetary cost, families often wait a long time before cremating a family member who has died. It's common practice to pool resources and cremate a number of departed villagers at once.
Balinese people regularly consult traditional healers known as dukuns or Balianas. Some dukuns heal with magical drawings, others use medicinal herbs and many use acupressure to cure a variety of ills. Visiting a dukun can be a social experience; treatments and consultations generally take place in a village compound with other people coming and going.
Some of the very best diving in the world can be found throughout the Indonesian archipelago. From Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea) in the east, through Maluku, Komodo, Flores, Sumbawa and Moyo, up to Sulawesi (including Manado in the north and Wakatobi in the south) and even Kalimantan, Indonesian diving is a well-kept secret known to few people other than the most avid divers. Those who don't want to travel to more remote areas of the country can find exceptional diving in the north of Bali and in the east of Bali (where there's a shipwreck that can be dived), as well in Lombok, which includes the Gili Islands.
Bali's history is one of ancient kingdoms. As depicted in a number of Balinese dances, there were times when the kingdoms were in conflict with each other. Though a small island, each village or district had its own king and some of that tradition carries forward today, in a ceremonial way.
For adventurous visitors to Indonesia, consider a trek up Mt. Bromo, in eastern Java. Start trekking after midnight, or set out a few hours later by jeep and pony, in order to reach the summit by sunrise. To get to the base of Bromo, you'll have to travel overland from Yogyakarta or Surabaya in Java, or take a ferry from west Bali to eastern Java, and travel overland from there.
Ikat is a traditional type of weaving practiced in Bali, Lombok, Flores and other islands in Indonesia. In ikat, the threads are tie-dyed prior to being woven. The village of Tenganan, in Bali, is known for its double ikat weaving. One piece of cloth can take months to produce.
The moat that surrounds the Royal Temple Taman Ayun (built circa 1740), is said to represent the cosmic union of sea and mountains.
Very few visitors to Bali know about Kebun Raya - the Botantical Gardens in Bedugul, Bali. A popular destination for weekend excursions for the locals, the gardens are nearly empty during the week. There are over 650 species of trees and over 450 varieties of orchids, in addition to many other plants found nowhere else in Bali. It's a lovely spot to hike or have a picnic.
Farms in Bali keep getting smaller, as they're divided between sons. With smaller farms it becomes more difficult to make a living, so many Balinese are turning from farming to tourism, in order to make a decent living.
In Bali mature coconuts are used for cooking and young coconuts are a popular drink; the coconut water is considered to be good for digestion. It takes a year for a coconut to reach maturity.
The lotus plant (its flower is seen in the Bali Barong Tours header above) has stalks that grow to one meter high. This elegant, intriguing plant grows in the mud of lakes and ponds, throughout Bali. It's often seen growing alongside water lilies. Most parts of the lotus are edible or used for medicines. It's also an important symbol in the Hindu and Buddhist religions.
Malaria was eradicated in Bali years ago, though it can be found in other areas of Indonesia. In the old days, when Bali still had malaria, boiled papaya leaves were used as a preventive.
Bali isn't just surrounded by water. The island also has four inland lakes. Lake Batur, the largest, is in a volcanic crater. The other lakes are Beratan, Tamblingan and Buyan.
Many farmers in Bali are switching from traditional crops to commercial flower growing. Growing flowers is more lucrative; demand is always high for flowers, thanks to their use in offerings.
In Bali, religious offerings are made up of a variety of items, such as flowers, rice and fruit. The items may vary, depending upon the nature of the prayer or ceremony for which the offering will be used. The make-up of the offerings has always been handed down by word of mouth. Now, for the first time, some Balinese priests are compiling a written record of what items should be used for each ceremony.
Incense is used widely in Bali - in temples, homes and in offerings made to the gods. Because no one knows exactly where the gods might be at any given time, the Balinese believe that the smoke from the incense will find its way to the gods, assuring that their offerings and prayers will be delivered.
Komodo dragons, found on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Padar, Rinca and Flores, are the largest species of lizard in the world. These "dragons" are actually monitor lizards. They grow up to 10 feet long (over three meters) and, for short periods, can run as fast as a dog.
Village life in Bali centers around the growing and harvesting of rice - by far Bali's most important crop. However, the island produces a number of other agricultural products, including high quality coffee, vanilla, cloves, palm products and a variety of exotic fruits.
During some of the temple festivals in Bali, visitors may have the opportunity to see worshippers go into trance. Check our Calendar of Events page for dates of these temple festivals. As a sign of respect, and for access to otherwise off-limits areas of the temples, visitors are encouraged to dress in Balinese clothes.
One of the finest kecak dances performed in Bali takes place at ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art). However, it is only performed twice a month - on the evenings of the new moon and the full moon.
Visitors to Bali can participate in a turtle release program at Pemuteran. The donation paid to release a turtle helps to fund the program.
In addition to the numerous Hindu temples in Bali, there's a lovely Buddhist temple, in the north near Singaraja. The temple has colorful stupas, as well as a stupa that looks like a minature Borobudur.
Though Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia (including Bali), there is also a language known as Balinese. An effort is being made to preserve the Balinese language and to make sure that young people learn it. As part of that effort, radio programs in Balinese can now be heard on the island.
Grapes have been grown in Bali since the beginning of the 20th century. But, it wasn't until 1994 that a small wine industry began to develop in Bali. Wine vineyards can be found in northern Bali, near the town of Singaraja.
Prior to turning three months old, Balinese babies are carried everywhere. They're not allowed to touch the ground until they've reached the three month mark.
A "kamben" is a piece of batik cloth worn by both men and women in Bali. The kamben is wrapped around the waist and fashioned into a skirt.
When attending Hindu ceremonies in Bali, never walk in front of people who are praying, and never sit higher than the priest or the offerings.
Indonesia has approximately 400 volcanoes, of which 100 are considered to be active.
For the third year in a row (2004), Travel & Leisure magazine's readers have named Bali the "Best Island" in the world.
When in Bali, be sure to try Black Rice Porridge, which is made with black glutinous rice, pandan leaves, palm sugar and coconut milk. The pudding is cooked for a couple of hours and then served with coconut milk, or bits of whole coconut, as a topping.
The town of Ubud boasts four important art museums. Because of the tropical climate, and the fact that none of the museums are air-conditoned, it is feared that many significant works of art will be lost in the years to come. Works at the oldest of the musuems, Museum Puri Lukisan, are especially vulnerable. The museum is trying to raise funds for a new building and restoration of their collection.
One of the most interesting ceremonies in Bali is the tooth-filing ritual, which symbolizes the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is believed that tooth-filing helps rid an individual of invisible forces of evil, thereby making him or her more beautiful - both spiritually and physically.
There is no word in the Balinese language for "art."
When in Bali, you'll notice that place names are spelled in a variety of ways. The letter "c" is pronounced with a "ch" sound. The letters "tj" are also pronounced as "ch." For example, just outside Ubud is a village called Campuhan. Sometimes it's spelled Tjampuhan. Or, for the sake of tourists, you might see it spelled Champuhan. It's all the same place; the pronunciation is "ch." Another example: the beach resort of Candidasa is pronounced "Chandidasa."
There are over 580 different languages and dialects spoken in Indonesia - some say there could be as many as 1,200 dialects. Bahasa Indonesia, the country's offical language, is similar to Malay. Though Bahasa is now the predominant language in Bali, there is a concerted effort to keep the Balinese language alive.
During important holidays (such as Galungan), the Balinese decorate long bamboo poles, which are then placed at entrances to their houses. These elaborately decorated poles are called Penjor.
All over Bali you'll see black and white checkered cloth - often draping statues of Hindu figures. The concept of good versus evil is a key part of Balinese Hinduism. White and black are representative of good and evil.
Located near Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Built in the 8th century, Borobudur was buried by 1,000 years of volcanic eruptions. In 1814 it was discovered by an English colonel, during the British occupation of Indonesia.
Bali's Butterfly Park boasts numerous species of butterflies, including the famous Kupu Kupu Barong (giant butterfly).
Orangutans can be found on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan (Borneo), where visitors can view the apes at Rehabilitation Centers. "Orang Utan" translates as "man of the woods."
One of the most popular dances in Bali is the Barong and Kris dance. What is a Barong? Move down to see the answer. What is a kris? A kris is a sword.
In the 1930s, German painter Walter Spies, who lived in Bali, asked Wayan Limbak, a Balinese dancer, to adapt a traditional exorcism ritual into dance form. The result was the famous kecak dance. Wayan Limbak died in 2003 at 106 years of age.
Throughout Bali - in temples, houses and elsewhere - you'll see colorful, decorative umbrellas. The umbrella is a symbol of protection.
The instruments of a gamelan orchestra include gongs, drums, cymbals, xylophones, bronze kettles and other percussion instruments. The instruments are intricately carved, creating art for the eye, as well as the ear.
What's a Barong? A Barong is a mythical creature. In the struggle between good and evil, the Barong represents good.
Kelimutu National Park, on the island of Flores, features three colored crater lakes. The water in one lake is black, one is a very dark green and one is a light turquoise-blue. Over the years the lakes have changed color; at one time one of the lakes was red in hue. The colors are continuously changing.
The Seniwati Art Gallery, in Ubud, Bali, is unique in that it features art by women. In fact, "seni" means "art" and "wati" means "women," in Indonesian. There is also a school and a children's art gallery. Because other art schools only accepted boys, Seniwati established a schoolgirls' workshop in 1993. There are now 40 girls enrolled, ranging from five to 15 years of age. Visitors to Bali are welcome to visit the gallery and observe classes.
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