Bali Life Day and Night

Bali Life Day day & night

Day tours to beaches arts and crafts centers plus fun. For this and more I rented a scooter on Legian Road which runs parallel to the beach in Kuta for about eight dollars per day listed all damages and pictured them actually there were only minor and went back to the hotel. 

I quickly learned that this was a tough deal even worse than in Thailand. People on the road never give space to anyone they fight even for the last centimeter; Actually, if someone want to know the real mentality of the people just travels on the road. The motorbikes (scooters) disappear only slowly at the fringes of Denpasar where beautiful panoramas with paddy-fields open up.

Bali Indonesia day & night plus Lombok

Some dark clouds came over the ocean but most time the sun was burning. I used the Mandara Toll Road from south Kuta to bypass the traffic chaos of Denpasar. Back in Thailand, people are always complaining about the traffic problems I think they never were in Indonesia where it definitely is exponentially worsted anyway, welcome to Bali.

Bali Pictures

The idea was to get on the Baturiti Road and heading north to Beratan Lake which is a drive through the center of the island. The narrow and winding road  cuts through large tracts of terraced paddy fields and several temples and villages adorned with colorful tropical flowers lined the route, read more.

On the other day I took the Ubud direction where they have unique art shops and great souvenirs, home decoration and more. This place is dedicated to arts and crafts and they do a good job I was just wondering if only creating artwork makes a living for almost the whole village, read more.

This is a place where the Hindu Gods still live, nobody saw them until now but they live in the mind of the peoples where finally all gods live anyway.  This is one of the many islands of Indonesia, the primary difference to the other islands of the country is the Religion, all other Indonesians are mostly Muslims, Bali people are mainly Hindu.

The island is of volcanic origin, and the mountains are in the northern third of the island, highest peak is Mount Agung (3140 meters), a volcano which hasn't erupted since long time. There are other volcano which through out lava, fire and ash more often notable Mt. Batur at Lake Batur which is a bit northwest of the highest peak of the island which is Mount Agung.

The picture above I took around Gretek (see the map) at the north east coast which is a rather rough part of the Indonesian Island but definitely a pretty one.

Travel information

Most traveler arrive via the airport, some with the ferry from Lombok which slowly becomes a competitor. The nature is for sure attractive, atmosphere is more relaxed and prices are lower in general. The picture above was shot from Legian Beach Kuta.

Best places to visit on the island actually there are many but the traffic situation is not very good which means it is difficult to get anywhere in a reasonable time frame.

History and geographic data

Island size is 5632 sq-km, population is about 3 million, this is one of the 27 provinces of Indonesia. History goes deep into the past and is strong connected to Hinduism and less the influence of Arabs who brought Islam.

The first signs of Indian Hindu in Bali can be traced back to the 8th century. For the time after there are references to the first dynasty of rulers in the 10th century.

History was a bit similar to Myanmar and Cambodia which is rather normal considering having the same two large neighbors India and China.

The island came under the influence of the Javanese kings of Singhasan, from 1343 the island was annexed into the Kingdom of Madjapahiut. Between the 15th and 16th Centuries there was a massive influx of Hindus who escaped problems with Muslims in the other parts of the country asylum were given to them.

In the 17th Century Bali island was divided into nine principalities. In 1743 the island became a Dutch protectorate; the Dutchman had been here since 1597 by a trading post and got the island under control by the middle of the 19th Century.

Hindu and Muslims

Usually there is tolerance; with some exception, as we have seen some time ago when lunatic Islamist run wild. But for Hindus and other this “drop in the ocean” is also called "Island of the Gods", and "island of thousand temples". Hinduism is somehow visible everywhere in particular at the many temples where people pray to different gods such as Brahma, Wisnu, Shiva and other. Each temple has its own festival once a year and crowds of devotees from all parts of the island are taking part, its marvelous and colorful coming together.

Economically it's agriculture

A creative craftsmen and artists scene is mainly around Ubud in the center of the island, but not only there. Actually a trip to Bali without visiting this Indonesian Craft Center is like not been on the island altogether since there is the soul, read more. 

Tourism, Bali hotels, travel and tours brings arguably the most money into the country, and the holiday business has a steady growth rate since the opening of the International Ngurah Rai airport at Denpasar in the early 196X.

After tourist infrastructure was subsequently expanded, but they have forgotten the streets, most are in a miserable condition except a few 4 lane stretches around Denpasar. How it really should be made can be seen in Phuket Thailand, where an excellent road network was built over the last decades.

Rice harvest in Indonesia

Paddy is the most important agricultural product on the island the vast fields fenced by groves of coconut palms are mainly in the southern half, but not only there. Over the centuries the typical rice terraces have been carved out, corn, fruits and coffee are also grown. A lush tropical vegetation dominate the landscape, the predominant colors are green and the blue-green sea.

Picture of paddy-fields are always a real attraction.
Tropical Flower are "eye candy" have a look.
Exotic Fruits are plenty and tasty.