Waka Bali

Bali is the name of a province in Indonesia, and also the name of the largest islands that are part of the province. In addition consists of the island of Bali, Bali province consists of the islands smaller in the vicinity, namely the island of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan Island, Nusa Island Ceningan, and attack the island.

Bali lies between Java and Lombok Island. Denpasar is the capital of his province, located in the south of the island. The majority of Balinese are Hindu.

In the world famous Bali as a tourist destination with a unique variety of art-culture, especially for the Japanese and Australian tourists. Bali is also known as Island of the Gods and Pulau Seribu Pura.

Geography

Bali Island is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands along the 153 km and 112 km wide approximately 3.2 km from the island of Java. Astronomically, Bali is located at 8 ° 25'23 "south latitude and 115 ° 14'55" East Longitude tropical climate that makes it like other parts of Indonesia.

Gunung Agung is the highest point in Bali as high as 3.148 m. The volcano last erupted in March 1963. Mount Batur is also one of the mountain in Bali. About 30,000 years ago, Mount Batur erupted and produced a terrible disaster on earth. Unlike in the north, the southern part of Bali is irrigated lowland rivers.

Based on the relief and topography, in the middle of the island of Bali lies the mountains that extends from west to east and between the mountains there are clusters of volcanic Mount Batur and Gunung Agung volcano and no mountain is Mount Merbuk, Gunung Patas, and Gunung Seraya. The existence of these mountains cause by Geographic Area Bali is divided into 2 (two) parts that are not the same, namely North Bali with a narrow lowland and less sloping, and the South of Bali with a broad lowland and sloping. Bali slope consists of flat land (0-2%) covering 122,652 hectares, undulating land (2-15%) covering 118,339 ha, steep land (15-40%) covering 190,486 ha, and land is very steep (> 40% ) covering 132,189 ha. Province of Bali has 4 (four) lakes located in mountainous areas are: Lake Beratan, Buyan, Tamblingan and Lake Batur.

The capital of Bali is Denpasar. Places Ubud Other important as the art center is located in Gianyar regency, while Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua are some places that a tourist destination, both tourist and beach resorts.

The total area of Bali Province is 5636.66 km2 or 0.29% of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. Administratively, the Province of Bali is divided into 9 districts, 55 districts and 701 villages.

Boundary region:


North Bali Sea
Southern Ocean Indonesia
Western Province of East Java
East Nusa Tenggara Province




Bali History

The first inhabitants of the island of Bali is expected to come in 3000-2500 BCE who migrated from Asia. Relics of the stone tools were found in the village Cekik located in the western part of the island. Prehistoric times and then ended with the arrival of Hinduism and Sanskrit writings from India in 100 BC.

Culture of Bali and then get the strong influence of Indian culture, the process is more rapid after the 1st century AD. Name Balidwipa (Bali Island) began to be found in various inscriptions, including inscriptions Blanjong issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD and mentions the word Walidwipa. It is estimated that around this time that Subak irrigation system for rice cultivation began to be developed. Some religious and cultural traditions also began to develop at that time. Kingdom of Majapahit (1293-1500 AD) who are Hindus and centered on the island of Java, had established the kingdom of subordinates in Bali around the year 1343 AD It was almost all over the country are Hindus, but as the arrival of Islam stood Islamic kingdoms in the archipelago, among others, led to the collapse of Majapahit. Many nobles, priests, artists, and other Hindu community when it withdrew from the island of Java to Bali.

The Europeans who first discovered Bali is Cornelis de Houtman from the Netherlands in 1597, though a Portuguese ship had previously been stranded near Cape Mount, Jimbaran, in 1585. Dutch East India Company began to implement through the soil colonial Bali, but continue to get resistance, so until the end of the power of their position in Bali is not as solid as their position in the Java or the Moluccas. Starting from the northern region of Bali, since the 1840s the Netherlands has become a permanent presence, which was originally done by pit the various rulers of Bali that mutual distrust each other. Dutch major attack by sea and land against the Sanur area, and followed by the area of Denpasar. Bali party who loses in number and weaponry do not want to experience shame to give up, thus causing the war to the death or bellows, which involves all the people both men and women including the king. An estimated 4,000 people were killed in the incident, although the Netherlands has ordered them to surrender. Furthermore, the Dutch governors who ruled only a few gave its influence on the island, so that local control of religion and culture generally remained unchanged.

Japan occupied Bali during World War II, and then a military officer named I Gusti Ngurah Rai Bali forming forces 'freedom fighters'. Following Japan's surrender in the Pacific in August 1945, the Dutch promptly returned to Indonesia (including Bali) to re-establish its colonial rule as a state before the war. This was opposed by the forces of resistance Bali who was using Japanese weapons.

On 20 November 1940, Break Puputan Margarana battle that occurred in the village of Marga, Tabanan, Bali middle. Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai, who was 29 years old, led his troops from the territory east of Bali to take the offensive to death on the Dutch troops are armed to the teeth. All members of the battalion were killed in Bali is everything, and make it as a last Balinese military resistance.

In 1946 the Dutch made Bali as one of 13 areas part of the new State of East Indonesia was proclaimed, named as one of the rivals for the Republic of Indonesia which was proclaimed and headed by Sukarno and Hatta. Bali then also incorporated into the United States of Indonesia when the Dutch recognized the independence of Indonesia on December 29, 1949. In 1950, Bali officially leave perserikatannya with the Dutch and legally became a province of the Republic of Indonesia.

The eruption of Mount Agung that occurred in 1963, had shaken the people's economy and caused many of the Balinese transmigrated to other areas in Indonesia.

In 1965, along with the failure by the G30S coup against the national government in Jakarta, in Bali and many other areas there was a crackdown against members and sympathizers of the Communist Party of Indonesia. In Bali, it is estimated more than 100,000 people were killed or missing. Nevertheless, the events in the early days of New Order is up to now has not managed to be disclosed by law.

Terrorist attacks have occurred on October 12, 2002, in the form of the 2002 Bali bomb attacks in Kuta Beach tourist area, causing as many as 202 people were killed and 209 others injured. Bomb attacks in Bali 2005 also occurred three years later in Kuta and Jimbaran beach. Such events received extensive international coverage because most of the victims were foreign tourists, and caused the Bali tourism industry faces severe challenges in recent years.

Demography

Bali residents about a number of 4 million souls, with 92.3% majority Hindu religion. Other religions are Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism.

Apart from tourism, the Balinese are also living from agriculture and fisheries. Some also choose to become artists. The language used in Bali is Indonesian, Balinese, and British in particular for those who work in the tourism sector.

Bahasa Bali and Bahasa Indonesian is the language most widely used in Bali, and as other Indonesian citizens, the majority of Balinese people are bilingual or even trilingual. Although there are several dialects in the language of Bali, the Balinese people generally use a form of Balinese language intercourse as an option in communicating. Traditionally, the use of various dialects of the Balinese language is determined based on the color chess system in Hinduism Dharma and membership of the clan (the term Bali: Soroh, gotra), although the implementation of these traditions tend to decrease.

English is the third (and the primary foreign language) for many of the people of Bali, which is influenced by the great need of the tourism industry. The employees who work at tourist information centers in Bali, often also understand some of the foreign language competence is sufficient.


Traditional House


Houses of Bali in accordance with the rules of Asta Kosala Kosali (the Vedas which adjust the layout of the room and building, as Feng Shui in Chinese Culture)

According to the philosophy of the Balinese community, dynamic in life will be achieved if the realization of a harmonious relationship between aspects pawongan, palemahan, and parahyangan. For that, the construction of a house should include these aspects or the so-called "Tri Hita Karana''. Pawongan is the occupants of the house. Palemahan means it must have a good relationship between residents and the environment.

In general, buildings or areas of traditional Balinese architecture is always filled with ornaments, a carved, equipment and provision of color. Ornamental pattern contains a specific meaning as an expression of beauty and the delivery of communications symbols. Decorative forms of fauna species also function as ritual symbols displayed in the sculpture.


Dance

Balinese dance in general can be categorized into three groups, namely the guardian or the sacred art of dance performances, art bebali or dance performances for ceremonies and also for visitors, and balih-balihan or the art of dance for the entertainment of visitors.

Balinese dance expert I Made Bandem in the early 1980s never classify these Balinese dances, among others, who belong to the guardian for example Berutuk, Sang Hyang Dedari, Rejang and Line Gede, bebali among others are Gambuh, Pajegan Mask, and Wayang Wong, whereas balih-balihan among others is the Legong, Parwa, Arja, Prembon and Joged, and various other modern dance choreography.

One of the dances are very popular for tourists is the Kecak Dance. Around the 1930s, Wayan Limbak worked with German painter Walter Spies to create this dance based on traditional Sanghyang and parts of the story of Ramayana. Wayan Limbak popularizing this dance while traveling the world with his troupe of Balinese dancers.
Young dancers are dancing grouse dance, contemporary choreography by Ni Luh Suasthi Bandem.
Kecak Dance.

Dance guardian

* Sang Hyang Dedari
* Sang Hyang Jaran
* Tari Rejang
* Line Dance
* Dance Janger

Dance bebali

* Mask Dance
* Gambuh

Dance-balihan balih

* Legong Dance
* Arja
* Joged tube
* Drama Gong
* Barong
* Pendet
* Kecak Dance
* Candidate Charcoal

Apparel region

Apparel Bali region is extremely varied, although it briefly seemed the same. Each area in Bali has a symbolic and ornamental characteristics, based on activity / ceremony, sex and age of its users. Social and economic status a person can be known based on the mode of dress and ornaments worn jewelry.

Man
Children wearing Udeng Ubud, white shirt and cloth.

Traditional men's clothing generally consists of:

* Udeng (headband)
* Fabric hem
* Umpal (shawl fastener)
* Cloth Wastra (tank top)
* Belt
* Keris
* A variety of jewelry ornaments

Often, too, worn clothes, shirts, jackets, and footwear as a complement.

Woman
The dancers wore little bun, songket and prada fabric.

Women's traditional clothing, usually consisting of :

* Bun (bun)
* Sesenteng (kemben songket)
* Fabrics Wastra
* Belt prada (Stagen), twisted hips and chest
* Shawl songket shoulders down
* Woven tapih or sinjang, next in
* A variety of jewelry ornaments

Often kebaya worn, cloth chest, and footwear as a complement.

source: wikipedia

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CULTURE OF BALI

Balinese culture is perhaps most known for dance, drama and sculpture. The culture is noted for its use of the gamelan in music. The island is also known for its form of Wayang kulit or Shadow play theatre. It also has several unique aspects related to their religions and traditions. Balinese culture is a mix of Balinese Hindu religion and Balinese custom.

A gamelan is a kind of musical ensemble of Indonesian origin typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings, and vocalists may also be included. The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. A gamelan as a set of instruments is a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together — instruments from different gamelan are not interchangeable.

The word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel", meaning to strike or hammer, and the Malay-Indonesian suffix "an" makes the root a collective noun.

Wayang kulit, shadow puppets are prevalent in Java and Bali, are without a doubt the best known of the Indonesian wayang. Kulit means skin and refers to the leather construction of the puppets that are carefully chiseled with very fine tools and supported with carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods.

The stories are usually drawn from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata or the Serat Menak. The island of Lombok has developed its own style of Serat Menak called Wayang Sasak.

There is a family of characters in Javanese wayang called Punakawan; sometimes referred to as "clown-servants" because they usually are associated with the story's hero and also provide humorous and philosophical interludes. Semar is the father of Gareng (oldest son), Petruk, and Bagong (youngest son). These characters did not originate in the Hindu epics, but were added later, possibly to introduce mystical aspects of Islam into the Hindu-Javanese stories. They provide something akin to a political cabaret, dealing with gossip and contemporary affairs.

The puppets figures themselves vary from place to place. In Central Java the city of Surakarta (Solo) is most famous and is the most commonly imitated syle of puppets. Regional styles of shadow puppets can also be found in West Java, Banyumas, Cirebon, Semarang, and East Java. Bali produces more compact and naturalistic figures, and Lombok has figures representing real people. Often modern-world objects as bicycles, automobiles, airplanes and ships will be added for comic effect, but for the most part the traditional puppet designs have changed little in the last 300 years.
Historically, the performance consisted of shadows cast on a cotton screen cast an oil lamp. Today, the source of light in Java is most often a halogen electric light. Some modern forms of wayang such as Wayang Sandosa created in the art academy at Surakarta (STSI) has employed spotlights, colored lights and other innovations.

The handwork involved in making a wayang kulit figure that is suitable for a performance takes several weeks, with the artists working together in groups. They start from master models (typically on paper) which are traced out onto kulit (skin or parchment), providing the figures with an outline and with indications of any holes that will need to be cut (such as for the mouth or eyes). The figures are then smoothed, usually with a glass bottle, and primed. The structure is inspected and eventually the details are worked through. A further smoothing follows before individual painting, which is undertaken by yet another craftsman. Finally, the movable parts (upper arms, lower arms with hands and the associated sticks for manipulation) mounted on the body, which has a central staff by which it is held. A crew makes up to ten figures at a time, typically completing that number over the course of a week.

The painting of less expensive puppets is handled expediently with a spray technique, using templates, and with a different person handling each color. Less expensive puppets, often sold to children during performances, are sometimes made on cardboard instead of leather.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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BALINESE TEMPLES

Why's Bali called the island of the thousand temples?

It is not surprising that Bali is called the island of the thousand temples. Everywhere you see a temple.
There are so many temples that the Government does not bother to count them. There are small temples, very small temples with only a very few shrines; there are large temples, very large temples with more than 50 shrines, such as the Temple of Besakih , the mother temple of Bali. There are even lonely shrines on the oddest places where one does not expect them at all. Every family, every compound, every clan or society has a temple; you mention a society or organization and has a temple. In the compound where the family lives there is the family temple. The desa, village itself must have at least three temples;
Pura Puseh
Pura Desa and
Pura Dalem

The clan has its own temple. Subak or irrigation organization has a temple, called Pura Subak or Pura Bedugul. Every place where the water to irrigate the rice field is divided has a temple or at least a shrine. Bali has a whole has a temple, the pura Besakih or the mother temple, where every sect and nobility have their own temple. The balinese are worshippers of ancestors. The family does this in the family temple or house temple. The village does this in the Pura Puseh and all Bali does this in the temple of Besakih.

In South Bali the house temple is always in the North-East corner of the compound in regions South-West of Mount agung. The reason for this is that the top of Mount Agung is the highest spot in Bali and the highest is for God, Ida Sanghyang Widhi.
Because the people should pray towards and God lives on the top of Mount Agung as the highest spot in Bali and Mount Agung happens to lie in the East that is why in South Bali the house temples is in the North-East corner of the compound. In North Bali it is the South-East corner where the house temple is built.

The number of shires in the house temple depends on the wish of the family and it also depends on where the family originally comes from. That is why the visitors in one house temple sees only a few shrines and in another, right next to it, much more. But in a house temple there must be at least two shrines, the “Sakti Kemulan”; the Kemulan is for God and the purified ancestors and the Sakti is for the producing power of God. No matter how poor the compound is the house temple is there. This house temple can be very temporary built only of bamboo, but it can also be very elaborate; the shrines are very nicely carved and painted with gold leaves.

Only the purified dead, that is to say the dead, who have been cremated, join God in the Kemulan shrine in the house temple. With some high caste people the family makes a shrine for every ancestor who in his life had done a great service to the family, and accordingly in the house temple of such a family there are more than one ancestral shrine. Near the entrance to a compound there is always a guardian shrine in front of or behind it; sometimes there are two shrines in front of it, flaking it. The guardian shrine is for the spirit that has to guard the primes.

As told before a full-fledged village has to have at least three temples:
Pura Puseh, where the founders of the village are worshiped, always lies in the Kaja sphere, towards the mountains, so it lies on the highest spot in the village; Lord Brahma the Creator, resides there.

Pura Desa, the village temple, is built in the center of the village, where Lord Wisnu, the maintainer, is worshipped, because in Pura Desa the activities of the village manifest to maintain the welfare of the village and its inhabitants. In old societies, Pura Desa always has the Bale Agung, a long wooden building where the villagers monthly come together and sit to discuss village matters. The Bale agung is also the place where the Ngusabha ceremony, a ceremony to honor Dewi Sri, the rice Goddess is held. Pura desa with a Bale agung is called Pura Bale Agung, because not every Pura Desa has a Bale agung.

In the Kelod share, towards the sea, so on the lowest part of the village, lies the cemetery. Near it the pura Dalem is built. This is the right place for Pura Dalem, because it is the temple of death or the temple for the dead. Of course Lord Siwa, the Destroyer, resides and is worshipped there.

The site of the three main temples is in accordance to the deep belief of the Balinese that the mountains are for god; the plains, the center of the country, are for the people and the sea, the lowest part of the country, is for the demonic forces.
Besides the three main temples there is the clan temple, called Pura Ibu, Pura Pemaksan or Pura Panti. Outside the village out in the rice fields, is the Subak temple, maintained by the organization of irrigation and farmers, where naturally Dewi Sri, the Rice Goddess is worshipped.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)


Kehen Temple

Kehen temple is one of ancients temples in Bali where were housed there old bronze-made manuscripts Located on the southern slope of Bangli hill
about two km from town.


Makori Temple

This temple consists of many stones hidden in the forest it does not look like an ordinary temple in Bali, but it is a place where people pray to their God. Batur Temple; or commonly called Ulun Danu temple is situated at 900 meters ,above seal level of Kalanganyar Batur village, Kintamani District of Bali.


Watukaru Temple


The temple is surrounded by thick vegetation and invigorating fresh air. In this temple there are old Balinese remains is situated at Wangaya Gede village about 21 km North-west from Tabanan town.


Pucak Penulisan

Bukit penulisan is situated at 1745 meters above sea level about 3 km from Kintamani, or 30 kms from the capital town of Bangli regency, on the east side of the road leading.


Pancering Jagat

The temple of Pancering Jagat is location at Trunyan village, Kintamani District. The name of the temple is derived from the megalithic statue with 4 meters high.


Jagadnatha

Located at JalanMayor Wisnu, lies at the north of Bali's Museum and on the east side of Puputan Suquare. Besides facing to the west this temple is located by strategically and easy to be found by the huge Padmasana.


Maospahit

City which cara Located in Denpasar clerestoried the old time temple and this ancient temple located at Banjar Gerenceng more less 950 m to the west from Four Face Statues (Patung Catur Muka).


Besakih

Besakih Temple is the biggest temple in Bali, which is considered the mother of all temples available. It is located 40 Km from Amlapura the Capital City of Karangasem Regency.




Tanah Lot

From the village of Marga, the trip west returns to the main route leading to Tabanan. At the crossroads of Kediri, a side-road branches to the sea.





Goa Lawah

The road continuing east parallels lovely seascapes with a full view of Nusa Penida, inviting sunbathing, picnics and refreshing swims. One passes close to the sinister Goa Lawah, the Bat Cave, whose walls literally vibrate with thousands of bats-their bodies packed so close together that the upper surface of the cave resembles undulating mud.


Tirta Empul

The hallowed spring of Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring dates from legendary times. In popular folklore, it was made by lndra when he pierced the earth to create a spring of amerta.





Sakenan


To active Sakenan Temple from Denpasar to south with 8,5 Km we will arrive boat Pirelli, and we see through crock of mangrove for 30 minutes. In crossing through mangrove we will see the Benoa Harbor on the West Side, On the East Side we can see Nusa Penida Island which means the Administrative Area of Klungkung Regency.


Taman Ayun

A turnoff toward the mountain leads to the principality of Mengwi which, until 1891, was the center of a powerful kingdom originating from the Gelgel dynasty.




Pengerebongan

This temple located at Kesiman Culture Village, Kesiman Petilan Village, District of East Denpasar, and Denpasar municipality. This temple is one of their temples of Dang Kahyangan at District of East Denpasar, a lot of tourist come to visit this temple as specially be held the Ngrebong Ceremony. It means the Tabuh Rah ceremony is continued by cook-fighter to attend.

(From Bali Vision, http://www.balivision.com/article_resources/temples.asp)

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BALINESE DANCES

INTRODUCTION TO THE BALINESE DANCE

Balinese dance simply thrives on the performing arts and Sanur is no exception. On the surface, Sanur may appear little more than a sleepy hotel resort, dotted with art-shops and restaurants. If you peep behind the scenes, however, you will find that this ancient fishing village is the home to a wonderful array of performing art forms, one of which is known as Pelegongan, commonly known as Legong dance. Pelegongan, however, also covers the instrumental repertoire which may include pieces from both the Legong and the Barong repertoire.

Sadly, about halfway through the twentieth century this ancient tradition began to fade away, replaced with more modern music and dance forms, then popular with the younger generation.
They have been working together with local dancers to preserve rare forms of Balinese dance. They now specialize in classical Legong dance and are honoured to have some of the most talented dancers in Sanur and Denpasar as members of their association. Through ongoing practices and performances, they hope to preserve as many dances as possible from the extensive Legong repertoire. Their dancers are accompanied by our antique Pelegongan gamelan – something of a rarity in Bali these days. Their male dance forms include the mask dances such as Jauk Manis and Keras, as well as Sandaran (Telek & Jauk), Barong, Rarung and Rangda.

(From Mekar Bhuana, http://www.balinesedanceandmusic.com)


Barong Dance

This Balinese dance is about a contest between the opposing forces of chaos and destruction ("Rangda") and order (the "Barong"). Performances in Suwung and Kesiman (suburbs of Denpasar), and in Batubulan daily from 9:00 or 9:30 AM.; in Banjar Abasan, Singapadu, daily from 9:30 AM., and at Puri Saren in Ubud, Friday from 6:30 PM


Legong Dance

A highly stylized, extremely difficult dance performed by young girls. Choreographed to the finest details, and no improvisation allowed. Performances at the Peliatan Stage, Friday from 6:30 PM, at Pura Dalem, Puri Peliatan, Saturday from 6:30 PM, at Pura Peliatan in Ubud, Sunday from 7:30 PM, and at Puri Saren, Ubud, Monday from 7:30 PM.



Kecak Dance


A ritual dance created in the early 1930's for the movie "Island of the Demons" by the German painter and intellectual Walter Spies who combined the chorus of the "Sanghyang" trance dance with a story from the "Ramayana" legend. Very impressive with its circular chorus of sometimes over 100 bare chested male singers. Performances are held at the Arts Center, Denpasar, daily from 6:30 PM, and in Banjar Tegal, Ubud, Sunday from 6:00 PM.


Fire Dance

The Fire Dance is an exorcist dance against spirit possession. Girls in trance dance barefoot among glowing coals. Performances in Bona Kangin, Gianyar, Friday. Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 PM. In Bonasari, Gianyar, Friday, Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 PM, and in Batubulan, daily from 6:30 PM.


Ramayana Dance

There are occasional performances of this Balinese dance Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa. This cultural dinner show is available on Tuesdays from 8:00 PM at Rp. 240,000 + 21% tax and service charges per person.

(From Bali Guide, http://www.baliguide.com/balinesedances.html)

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Introduce Bali

Bali has been inhabited since early prehistoric times firstly by descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated through mainland Asia to the Indonesian archipelago, thought to have first settled in Bali around 3000 BC. (citation needed) Stone tools dating from this time have been found near the village of Cekik in the island's west.

The end of the prehistoric period in Indonesia was marked by the arrival of Hindu people from India around 100 BC as determined by Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds. The name Balidwipa has been discovered from various inscriptions, including the Blanjong charter issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD and mentioning Walidwipa. It was during this time that the complex irrigation system subak was developed to grow rice. Some religious and cultural traditions still in existence today can be traced back to this period. The Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) on eastern Java founded a Balinese colony in 1343. When the empire declined, there was an exodus of intellectuals, artists, priests and musicians from Java to Bali in the 15th century.
The First European contact with Bali is thought to have been when Dutch explorer Cornelis de Houtman arrived in 1597, though a Portuguese ship had foundered off the Bukit Peninsula as early as 1585.(citation needed) Dutch rule over Bali came later, was more aggressively fought for, and they were never ultimately able to establish themselves as they had in other parts of Indonesia such as Java and Maluku.

In the 1840s, a presence in Bali was established, firstly in the island's north, by playing off various distrustful Balinese realms against each other. The Dutch mounted large naval and ground assaults first against the Sanur region and then Denpasar. The Balinese were hopelessly overwhelmed in number and armament, but rather than face the humiliation of surrender, they mounted a final defensive but suicidal assault, or puputan. Despite Dutch pleas for surrender, an estimated 4,000 Balinese marched to their death against the invaders. Afterwards the Dutch governors exercised little influence over the island, generally allowing local control over religion and culture to remain intact.

Japan occupied Bali during World War II during which time a Balinese military officer, Gusti Ngurah Rai, formed a Balinese 'freedom army'. Following Japan's Pacific surrender in August 1945, the Dutch promptly returned to Indonesia, including Bali, immediately to reinstate their pre-war colonial administration. This was resisted by the Balinese rebels now using Japanese weapons.

On 20 November 1946, the Battle of Marga was fought in Tabanan in central Bali. Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai, 29 years old, finally rallied his forces in east Bali at Marga Rana, where they made a suicide attack on the heavily armed Dutch. The Balinese battalion was entirely wiped out, breaking the last thread of Balinese military resistance. In 1946 the Dutch constituted Bali as one of the 13 administrative districts of the newly-proclaimed Republic of East Indonesia, a rival state to the Republic of Indonesia which was proclaimed and headed by Sukarno and Hatta. Bali was included in the ‘’Republic of the United States of Indonesia’’ when the Netherlands recognised Indonesian independence on Dec. 29, 1949. In 1956 Bali officially renounced the Dutch union and legally became a province within the Republic of Indonesia.

The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung killed thousands, created economic havoc and forced many displaced Balinese to be transmigrated to other parts of Indonesia.

In 1965, after a failed coup d'etat in Jakarta against the national government of Indonesia, Bali, along with other regions of Indonesia most notably Java, was the scene of widespread killings of (often falsely-accused) members and sympathizers of the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) by right-wing General Soeharto-sponsored militias. Possibly more than 100,000 Balinese were killed although the exact numbers are unknown to date and the events remain legally unclosed.[citation needed] Many unmarked but well known mass graves of victims are located around the island[citation needed].
On October 12, 2002, a car bomb attack in the tourist resort of Kuta killed 202 people, largely foreign tourists and injured a further 209. Further bombings occurred three years later in Kuta and nearby Jimbaran Bay.

Geography
Bali lies 3.2 km east of Java and approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to west, the island is approximately 153 km wide and 112 km north to south (95 by 69 miles, respectively), with a surface area of 5,633 km². The highest point is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover centre to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the easternmost peak. Mount Batur (1,717 m) is also still active. About 30,000 years ago it experienced a catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth.

In the south the land descends to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, drier in the dry season and overflowing during periods of heavy rain.
The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, and the present provincial capital and largest city, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud (north of Denpasar), with its art market, museums and galleries, is arguably the cultural center of Bali.
There are major coastal roads and roads that cross the island mainly north-south. Due to the mountainous terrain in the island's center, the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains. There are no railway lines.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the south east has both: the main beach and the secret beach have white sand and the south beach and the blue lagoon have much darker sand. Pasut Beach, near Ho River and Pura Segara, is a quiet beach 14 km southwest of Tabanan. The Ho River is navigable by small sampan. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot, this is not yet a tourist area

BALI — THE "ULTIMATE ISLAND"
In spite of many changes caused by the rapid development of Bali's economy, local and international tourism, and communications (television, fax, pagers, GSM hand phones, Internet), the influx of people from other Indonesian islands, and the strong influence of the government and "big business" in Jakarta, the island of Bali in Indonesia is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

Bali's wide variety of attractions, the physical beauty of the island, and the year-round pleasant climate make Bali a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island".

The friendly people and the absence of any serious criminal activities guarantee visitors a totally relaxing stay – which is a very pleasant surprise for guests who repeatedly felt threatened in Barbados, Jamaica, and other "dream islands" in the Caribbean.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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