Bali, the fabled “Island of the Gods”, has been enchanting visitors for centuries with its rich cultural traditions and spectacular panoramas. Bali offer many things, from lofty, mist enshrouded volcanoes and cool mountain lakes down through terraced rice fields to a golden strand lapped by azure waters, every square inch of Bali offers a fresh and unforgettable image.
No less enchanting are its people, some 2,7 million souls whose artistry and piety are recognized throughout the world. Balinese Hinduism, a complex fusion of Indian cosmology, Tantric Buddhism and homegrown mythology, is the primary faith of Bali’s inhabitants, and so deeply woven into the fabric of their daily lives that the line between the spiritual and the material is blurry at best.
Those of you keen on delving into the island’s fascinating culture will have plenty of opportunities, as colorful ceremonies and traditional performances occur with the regularity of sunrise. Most hotel offer nightly dance shows of one form or another, tailored to tourist audiences but none the less exquisite. The hill town of Ubud, the island’s premiere arts centre, also has a full schedule of performances, and the nearby stonecutter’s village of Batubulan is famed for its Barong lion dances.
The shoppers among you will find Bali a treasure house of handicraft and fine works of art. The Balinese are incredibly gifted artists and craftsmen, and their material creations are imbued with the same sense of wonderment with which they regard their universe. Stone and wood carvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the island.
As or recreations, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing, even bungy jumping and white water rafting await the adventurous in Bali.
