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About Bali

Bali - which means "offering" and is popularly known as the "Island of the Gods" - casts its spell on most visitors. It's a religious oasis where two million Hindus, out of a 2.8 million total population, live and breathe their faith 24 hours a day.

Bali lies just below the equator in Southeast Asia, part of the world's largest stretch of volcanoes. Peppered with mountains, lakes, rivers and forests, it has 2,147 square miles of fertile land and history. Legend states that the Supreme God, Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa, created the sky for Gods, the Earth for animals and seas for fish. He decided to create man in an earthly paradise. Pulling a fish from the water, He held it to the light. Its tail became the Kutri peninsula, its gills Lake Batur, and its backbone the range of mountains shimmering across the length and breadth of the island.

Many have felt Bali's blessedness and India's Jawarhalal Nehru immortalized it in the 1950's when he dubbed it the "Morning of the World."  It isn't surprising that the rest of the world see Bali as the living symbol of heaven on earth, where man and Gods, nature and spirits co-exist harmoniously in the best of all possible worlds. What is surprising is that the Balinese agree with this and take the unusual position that the grass is indeed greener on their side of the fence.

Tourists (1.2 million a year) have their impact. Why do travelers flock to Bali? Many are eager to witness the non-Western, uninhibited Hindu culture which is Bali's charm. And the Muslim Indonesian government, understanding the economic benefits, tries to maintain it in several ways. Hotels are restricted to certain areas. Tourists aren't allowed in the center of temples. And the rigidity of Balinese social structures keeps tourists at the "onlooker" level.

Bali has an extraordinary sense of community, transcending Western ideals of liberty and individualism and putting cooperation above competition. They believe that this keeps them from differentiating between rich and poor. By following individual ways, people don't share.

Shadow puppetry, dance, theater, carving and other art forms are abundant. Nearly all arts are religious, because all life is religious for the Balinese. Painters aren't possessive about their work, and even create many of their canvasses together. 

With Bali's powerful belief that religion is woven into every part of life, it's no wonder that the Balinese tell brothers and sisters worldwide: "Keep Hinduism, it's the great religion. All must learn its essentials. We must be strong in faith and devotion. God will always bless us."

Recommended reading - check out Bali Travel Books & Guides

Hindu Religious Belief System : Balinese Food : Balinese Culture : Balinese Dance : Bali Temples : Dining Out in Bali (a comprehensive guide) :

Visit East Bali - Click here for an overview
 

Regencies of Bali
 

About Kuta  : About Legian : About Tuban : About Ubud : About Sanur : About Seminyak : About Jimbaran : About Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa :  About Denpasar : About North Bali : About East Bali : About Central Bali : About West Bali : About Indonesia :

Maps - Bali : Kuta, Tuban & Legian : Ubud : Sanur : Seminyak : Jimbaran : Nusa & Tanjung Benoa : Denpasar : East Bali : North Bali : Central Bali : Indonesia : Java : Travel Routes North - South Bali :

Holiday Activities  : About Ngurah Rai International Airport : Dance & Drama : Balinese Temples : Travel in the Tropics - Health Information : Learn the Indonesian Language Basics : Golf in Bali :
 

History
Although there are no artifacts or records dating back to the Stone Age, it is believed that the first settlers in Bali migrated from China around 2500 BC. By the Bronze era, around 300 BC, quite an evolved culture existed in Bali. The complex system of irrigation and rice production, still in use today, was established around this time.

History is vague for the first few centuries. A number of Hindu artifacts have been found dating back to the 1st century, yet it appears that the main religion, around 500 AD, was predominantly Buddhist in influence. A Chinese scholar, Yi-Tsing, in 670 AD reported on a trip, to India, that he had visited a Buddhist country called Bali.

It wasn't until the 11th century that Bali received the first strong influx of Hindu and Javanese cultures. With the death of his father around AD 1011, the Balinese Prince, Airlanggha, moved to East Java and set about uniting it under one principality. Having succeeded, he then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. During the ensuing period there was a reciprocation of political and artistic ideas. The old Javanese language, Kawi, became the language used by the aristocracy, one of the many Javanese traits and customs adopted by the cause.
 

1478: Muslims overthrow Java's Hindu Majapahits, making Bali a refuge for their Hindu nobles, priests and intellectuals.
1906: Dutch invaders attack Denpasar, Bali's capital, massacre 3,600 Balinese and capture the whole island.
1950: Dutch are overthrown and Bali becomes part of the Republic of Indonesia.
1963: Bali's highest peak, Mt. Gunung Agung, known as the "navel of the world," erupts after a 120-year dormancy, killing 1,500 and leaving 85,000 homeless.
1977: Television enters homes, offering first glimpse of world tourists come from.

Currency
Indonesian currency comes in whole units only, as seen (1⁄100 Rupiah, cents) have been eliminated due to inflation.

Indonesian bank notes are typical paper notes, although polymer notes have been issued on two occasions. In 1993, five million polymer 50,000 Rupiah notes were issued to commemorate "25 years of economic development", featuring Soeharto on the front and Soekarno-Hatta airport on the back, with a plane taking off to symbolize Indonesia's growth. The 1999 series 100,000 Rupiah note was also plastic/polymer issued because, according to Bank Indonesia, plastic would be harder to counterfeit and would last longer. However, the notes were not popular in banks as counting machines were unable to count them accurately, and the current series is now made from paper.

There are two series of banknotes currently in circulation, with the current series gradually replacing the 2004 series. Pre-1997 notes are no longer legal tender but can be exchanged in Bank Indonesia offices. As the smallest current note is worth approximately US$0.10, even small transactions such as bus fares are typically conducted with notes, and the 1,000 Rupiah note is far more common than the 1,000 Rupiah coin.

There are presently two series of coinage in circulation: metal alloy coins from 1995–1997 and lightweight aluminum coins from 2002–2005. Due the low value and general shortage of small denomination coins (below 100 Rupiah), it is common to receive sweets in lieu of the last few Rupiah of change in supermarkets and stores.

Bring travelers cheques or US $100 but be aware of the following: Notes must be the new ones with no tears or markings and many moneychangers are there to cheat you.

Never change money where the moneychanger is operating a booth inside another shop. The rate is usually higher and you may be short changed by sleight of hand. Use establishments which are moneychangers only and count your money before you leave.

The best rate is obtained from ATM machines. These are now everywhere and they don't try to rip you off either! However - the local machines do not automatically spit your card out with money and receipt so it is very easy to leave your card inside the machine. You must wait until the screen asks "Do you want another Transaction - Yes or No". Press no and out pops your card. Why this is, nobody seems to know but 100s of cards must be lost daily. You have been warned!