Bali Attractions
These Are a Few of my Favourite Things…
Pretty much over the decades I have seen and explored Bali to the max. On my travels there are those places that have re-visited and been disappointed mainly because of the ‘overkill’, due to the mass tourism that exists now on the island, where tourists and travellers alike are being charged ridiculous prices for entry fees and then getting hassled non-stop by persistent hawkers. And, there are those beautiful, quiet places that were gems to find and these were generally off the so-called tourist track and now, as I am led to believe, are also being included on tour itineraries. So, I decided to put together a few of my favourite places that maybe some of you have already seen, but if you haven’t, then it will give you something to look forward to on your next sojourn.
Date: July 8th, 2008 |
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Sanur Village Festival
It’s back again for its third year after two very successful previous years. This fun and cultural events festival highlighting Balinese art and cultural performances will be this year around the area of the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel on Jl Pantai Segara. But, it’s not only art and culture performances that will be the highlight. There will also be a food bazaar, bonsai and orchid exhibition, contemporary music performances and for the fashion aficionado, a delightful fashion show. Of course there are numerous other activities sure to please all during this five day event. As with the same last year, there will be an international cartoon exhibition, and the popular jukung festival of local village boats. Naturally the music festival will no doubt draw big crowds to the beach and all in all, this promises to be the greatest festival up until now. The kids are never left out of the activities and the kite festival will delight them and no doubt all the adults as well. One part of the festival that I am looking forward to seeing is the photo contest. The theme for the photos have to be centred around the Sanur area and prizes are up for grabs.
Date: June 24th, 2008 |
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Threads of Life
The Indonesian archipelago occupies an esteemed place in the world of textiles. Peoples of this vast chain of islands use a wide variety of woven, embroidered and resist-dyed techniques to prepare fabrics of great ingenuity and beauty. – Indonesian Textiles: Michael Hitchcock .
More and more traditional textiles and their ritual use are disappearing, becoming endangered if you like, across the archipelago. Unless practices are handed down through generations then indeed their fate is cast. However, there is a couple, Jean and William Ingram, who have lived in Bali full-time since 1993, and now reside in Ubud who have forged a unique co-operation with Yayasan Pecinta Budaya Bebali in order to have these natural-dyed and handmade ritual textiles and their production survive. Threads of Life can be found in the centre of Ubud and is a place highly recommended for those lovers of Indonesian textiles. You can purchase textiles on the premises, watch the various techniques in the processing, or even get involved and sign up for one of the participation classes. The two hour class is an Introduction to Indonesian Textiles and the three hour class is an introduction to textiles and their use in Indonesian Culture.
Date: June 18th, 2008 |
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Bali Arts Festival Programme
The 30th Bali Arts Festival was officially opened yesterday by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and it apparently was quite a colourful affair with dignitaries present like the Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik. As I mentioned in a previous article, the month long event will feature traditional dance and drama, discussions and exhibitions as well as artist delegations from 22 countries. Unfortunately I cannot make it to festival this year due to previous commitments but for those in Bali at the moment, I strongly urge you to go and see at least some of the performances. Here’s the programme of events for the Bali Arts Festival courtesy of Bali Paradise:
Date: June 15th, 2008 |
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Bali Arts Festival
Without a doubt my favourite festival is the Bali Arts Festival and it will be held from June 14 to July 12, and will feature a plethora of local and international performers. This is a wonderful spectacle and a great introduction to Balinese artistic traditions and culture for those who are first-timers to the island. Even for the regulars, it is a festival not to be missed. The events take place throughout each day for an entire month. There will be handicraft exhibitions, cultural performances, music, classical palace dances and also historical exhibitions. What …
Date: June 8th, 2008 |
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Ice Skating Rink Opens
Many times in my younger years I have tried ice-skating in England and as an adult in New Zealand. I even tried it in Australia but it doesn’t matter what country I do it in, I fall flat on my bum. I reckon I have damn good balance but standing up on slits of metal just ain’t happening for me. Seriously, I give up unless they start putting trainer wheels on the skates. For those with the skills needed and are lovers of sheets of ice then the newly opened Bali Skate Run is right down your alley. The weird thing is you will be skating on ice in a tropical country. I think I’ll just do my thing as a spectator!
Date: July 7th, 2008 |
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Royal Cremation: Ubud
There is one thing that I encourage all visitors to Bali to do is witness a cremation. Culturally and spiritually inspirational, Balinese cremations are a colourful and, depending on the caste level, an extravaganza to rival any funeral in the world. Naturally, over the decades I have seen many but I was fortunate in the late 80’s to see preparations and then the whole funeral procession and subsequent cremation of a person of Brahma lineage. Respect for and worship of God and ancestors is the basis of the Balinese religion. The combination of Hindu elements makes the whole process a moving experience and one that is not to be missed.
Date: June 20th, 2008 |
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Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesia
Indonesia’s hottest junior surfers will be joined by a truly international field of the world’s best junior’s to put on a display of hi-fi surfing from June 18-22 at Bali’s most popular lava bottomed black sand right-hander of Keramas Beach, as the opening event of the Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesia blasts off. The waves at Keramas Beach consistently offer up hollow sections, steep walls, and perfect ramps, providing the amping juniors just the right forum in which to show off their complete repertoire of high scoring manoeuvres. All this talent, together with the promise of a new swell on the horizon, promises to bring an overload of high-grade action for the lucky spectators on the beach.
Date: June 18th, 2008 |
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Bali International Triathlon
Dust off your running shoes, grease-up the bicycle and find your swimming gear. It’s on again – the Bali International Triathlon to be held from June 27 to 29. In its second year, the triathlon looks to attract even more competitors than the previous year. According to sources there are 250 athletes from a variety of countries as well as local runners. This is grueling race as any of you would know if you have ran or swum in a marathon as it tests not only your physical fitness but also your mental concentration. The …
Date: June 12th, 2008 |
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Sheppy’s Bar and Restaurant
I am always on the lookout for a good warung or restaurant that serves delicious cuisine wherever I travel in the archipelago and on my last sojourn to Bali, I discovered a great place. Sheppy’s restaurant is located on Jalan Melasti in Legian and I must have passed this place many times but never really noticed it. Across the road from the traditional markets, Sheppy’s is owned by an Australian and offers not only excellent food, but great service from a friendly staff. I particularly liked Sheppy’s because of its openness to the street making it a nice to place to people-watch, enjoy a meal or just a drink. The restaurant is very clean and one thing that really impressed me was the toilet. It was super-duper clean and not like you find in many places on the island of Bali. Candika and I ate at Sheppy’s many times after discovering the place and each time I was definitely not disappointed. The menu far is a good selection of Indonesia and western foods, all cooked to perfection and reasonably priced.
Date: June 3rd, 2008 |
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