The people

Some of the TOP Hotels in Bali

Bali's most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast. The island's other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud , a still charming but undeniably commercialized overgrown village, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa : The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury property strategically located only 15 kilometers away from the... Nusa Dua
Aston Bali Resort & Spa : The Aston Bali Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel located on the waterfront facing golden sandy beaches... Tanjung Benoa
Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel : Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel is situated in the coastal village of Sanur, an ideal location from which to explore... Sanur
Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites : The Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites is located in Sanur Village just two kilometers from the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel....Grand Bali Beach Hotel also is a nice hotel in Sanur.
Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga : The Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga is a deluxe property strategically located only 20 kilometers northeast from the Ngurah Rai... Nusa Dua
Grand Hyatt Bali Hotels located in Nusa Dua and The Oberoi Bali located in Seminyak, Maya Ubud located in Ubud, The Alilia Ubud, Chedi, Hard Rock Hotel Bali located in Kuta beach, Melia Bali located in Nusa Dua and Padma Bali located in Kuta

90% of Bali's population practices Bali-Hinduism. There is also a sprinkling of Muslims in the coastal towns, Buddhists in the mountains, and Christians everywhere (Belimbingsari is a small Christian village in the far western part of Bali). Five hundred Arabs and Indians, who mostly deal in textiles, live in Denpasar. Ten thousand Chinese are found in the main trading centers of Denpasar, Singaraja and Amlapura, running most of the businesses. There are also hundreds of resident European artists, aid workers, English teachers, jewelry and clothes makers, etc. The Balinese are small people with round delicate features, long sweeping eyelashes, heart-shaped lips. Extraordinarily creative people who practice a highly theatrical culture, Bali's cults, customs, and worship of god and nature is animist, their music warmblooded, their art as extravagant as their nature. Culturally, the Javanese lean more towards refinement, keeping themselves in check in life and art, whereas the Balinese enjoy more the flash sensations, big meals, laughs, terrors. He's more lavish in his colors and decorations, likes explosive music and fast jerky dancing. Today there's still a distinction made between the wong majapahit or descendents of 15th Century migrants from the fallen Majapahit Empire of East Java, and the Bali Aga, the secluded original inhabitants of the island who retreated into the mountains where they are found to this day, still hostile to outsiders. Caste is indicated by name on Bali with the classical Hindu division into 3 main classes: the Brahmans with the title Ida, the Kshatriyas with the title Deva, and the Vaishyas with the title Gusti. The indigenous population, Bali Aga, are sudras, or casteless though none are untouchable. Women often have independent incomes and are in charge of not only cultivating the fields, but also of all the landmarks in her family's life considered important or magic: birth, the first cutting of nails and hair, filing of teeth, piercing of earlobes, marriage, and death. Women carry loads of up to 30 kg or more and 1'Y m tall on their heads, while men take up the rear empty handed. A young Balinese girl can train herself to carry up to 40 coconuts, stacks of fruit, or great water jars on her head without even using her hands, all this while riding her bicycle down a bumpy country road. Women delousing themselves or each other is a great social pastime. They wear bras like European women do bikini tops. Unmarried girls often have a loose lock of hair hanging down the back over one shoulder with a flower (gonjer) dangling in it. As in many Indonesian societies, women are sent out of their homes while menstruating to board in a special house set aside for the purpose. A Balinese man believes that ff menstrual blood ever touches his scalp he will become impotent for the rest of his life, following his wife around like a dog. The birth of ooy and girl twins is a calamity in a village, an evil omen. It's thought that the twins had committed incest in the womb and rigorous purification ceremonies are carried out. If a child is sick too often its name is simply changed. The Balinese believe that each part of the house corresponds to a part of the human anatomy: the arms are the bedrooms and the social parlor, the navel is the courtyard, sexual organs are the gates, the anus is the garbage pit in the backyard, legs and feet are the kitchen and granary, and the head is the famil, shrine.

Nusa Lembongan is situated 12 miles south east of Bali. It is one hour traveling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef, which hosts a myriad of marine life, The waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco-system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. The local people farm seaweed. This seaweed is cultivated, harvested then exported all over the world for use in cosmetics, food stabilizers and medicines. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato, and fishing.Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island, thirty years ago.Although the island is small there are many things to do. Fishing, diving, surfing, mangrove exploring, discovering natural fresh water springs, underground cave house exploring, cycling around the island. A visit to the bat caves on a nearby island, or a picnic at dream beach. Try catching mud cabs in the mangrove area at the back of the island. There is something for every one at Nusa Lembongan.