Nefatari Villas

Nefatari Villas consists of five villas, three single units and two family villas. This one of Bali villas is exotically situated in amidst verdant rice paddies. This villa is only 50-minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport and is located in the upland area of Ubud, know worldwide as Bali’s artistic and cultural heart.

This villa’s amenities are: full air-conditioning, ceiling fans, ppen-air bathroom with hot & cold running water, IDD Telephone, in-room safe, computer connection capabilities, color television and DVD player, twice-daily maid service, mini-bar stocked with complimentary snacks, soft drinks and bottled water, an all-inclusive, complimentary breakfast, and private swimming pool.

And this villa’s services are: shuttle service to and from central Ubud, Airport shuttle service, bicycles (guide available for a nominal charge), excursion arrangements, lunch and dinner served in our Bidadari Restaurant or in guest’s villa (on request), daybeds may be made up to accommodate a third party in room at no extra charge, and DVD lending program.

The Story of Legong Dance

Bali is well known to the whole world as a paradise on earth. The beautiful scenery, the beaches and the mountains are not the only main attraction. Bali is also known for the tradition. People in Bali still do rituals in their daily life. They have tens of traditional dances, ceremony, clothes, music instruments and others. Bali really is a paradise on earth, an exotic island rich in culture.

Amongst all, Legong, has become one of the most famous traditional dance in Bali. This dance is often put in a show as a way to attract tourists. But, just like any other traditional dances, Legong also has some stories behind it. A story that tells who started the dance, who created it and the how to choose the dancer and why them.

The story of the birth of the legong is started in early nineteenth century. A prince in Sukawati was in a coma condition caused by his ill. In his coma he saw two beautiful nymphs dancing a feminine and delicate dance. Not only he saw the dance, he heard the sound of music that accompanying it as well. Struck by the mysterious and beautiful sight and sound, later after his health revival, together with artists of the village, he transformed his imagination into reality. So, born the Legong, another performing arts form, as a gentle touch of the arts to the already arts fertile island.

At first legong, as well as other dances at the time, allows only male dancers. Many decades later, female dancers take place, brought Legong dance to the new height as we see today. Girls from the age of five aspire to be selected to represent the community as Legong dancers. Only the most beautiful will be chosen to dance and representing the nymphs as seen in the dream.

Legong is usually performed in a stage called Kalangan. This is an open space with a kind of horse shoe half circle created by the spectators. With a big tree, usually an enormous banyan tree overshadows the stage, and an elevated beautiful carved candi bentar gate as the back drop, from where the dancers emerge, the stage is complete. Watching legong performance in such a place under moonlight at night is quite an experience, for some, this also means a revelation.

http://baliarticles.com/2009/07/10/the-story-of-legong-dance/

Balinese Cock Fighting

Bali, besides known for the nature beauty, is also known for the culture and tradition that color the people’s daily life. One of the most popular traditions in Bali is cockfighting. Cockfighting is a very old traditional in Bali. Cockfights have a ceremonial purpose of ritually spilling blood, an important pacification of the demons that escorts Hindu temple festivals. In fact, cockfight is required, not just allowed at every Balinese temple festival or religious ceremony. The blood is an offering to the hungry forces of evil, the butas and kalas.

The cock that is used in this cockfighting is treated specially. They are fondled, massaged, plucked, bathed, deloused, and fed the choicest mixtures of corn, rice, egg, and proprietary strength-building ingredients. It is said that a mixture of chopped grilled meat and jack-fruit leaves thickens the blood and prevents serious bleeding when injury results on the fight.

Most cockfights begin in the afternoon. Only the larger temples have morning starts. It will be very festive during the event. Ladies set up stands and sell many things ranging from fruit, rice cakes, sate, and shaved ice with sweet, brightly colored syrups. Men play cards and shoot dice. But today, vendors sell plastic buckets, photographs, calendars, stuffed animals, and toys for kids.

The ceremony starts when the cocks are brought to the arena in small, flexible bamboo cages. The cages are lined up around the edge of the arena, inside the barricade, and their handlers’ squat behind them. Then a white-clad priest advances to the center of the arena and presents offerings on the ground to the butas and kalas, chanting over them, ringing his bell over them, and finally pouring rice wine on the ground. Then he makes similar offerings to the gods in a shrine built up off the ground at a corner of the arena. Blood is on the way.

The ceremony ends when it has already three rounds. But the crowds will not just stop there. The males will just be there chatting about the match or anything else. This traditional ceremony is now rarely met. But if you interested to see, you can ask some local people to take you to villages that still run this ceremony.

http://baliarticles.com/2009/07/17/balinese-cock-fighting/

Ungasan bay villas

Ungasan Bay Villas is one of many villas in Jimbaran that situated on an elevated piece of landscape that captured the sweeping views over the entire Jimbaran Bay and out towards Tandjung Benoa. This villa unites all elements of typical Balinese design with modern Asian flair, and this villa will offer you optimal comfort and privacy. This villa has been designed in an L-shape structure with semi-flat rooftop and full length glass doors in every room. The main living room integrates a dining room and lounge space as well as a fully equipped kitchen.

Ungasan Bay Villas Bali is suitable for travellers who feel the need to keep in close contact with business and domestic affairs back home. This villa features a charming outdoor area with a decent sized swimming pool edged by stone pavers and a hand carved decorative wall that depicts the intense creativity of local artisans. Some of this villa facilities are: 2 villas with 2 bedrooms each, bathtubs and showers in all bedroom en-suite, living and dining area, TV with satellite channels, DVD and CD, fully equipped kitchenette, safety box, and private swimming pool in each villa.

http://baliarticles.com/2010/05/24/ungasan-bay-villas/#more-141

Bali diving

Bali diving. With its warm water, extensive coral reefs and abundant marine life, diving in Bali offers some superb diving possibilities. There are a number of operations conducting diving trips for visitors, and there are also package tours specifically for scuba divers. If you are traveling independently, and you just want the occasional dive, make sure you bring your scuba certification. Most of the main qualifications are recognized, including those of PADI, NAUI, BSAC, FAUI and SSI. Keen divers might also bring their own mask and regulator, though all the equipment is available for rent.

Scuba Diving in Bali, Indonesia is amongst the best in the world and this is still relatively unknown news. Enthusiastic divers heading for Sulawesi, Monado, Flores, Sumba, why not dive for a day or two in a scuba divers heaven, Bali, Indonesia.

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Dive sites in Bali

Menjangan Island / West Bali

West Bali dive sites typically offer pristine waters, colourful marine life and milder conditions suitable for divers of all levels. Divers who enjoy wall diving will appreciate the areas prime spots around Menjangan islands, but there is interest for every one here, with a deep wreck dive, some unique night diving and many snorkelling sites.

Most of the regents dive sites are found around Menjanan island. Diving is regulated here. Spear fishing is not allowed and all marine life is protected.

Menjangan' s white sandy beaches make a nice location to break for lunch. Underwater, the drop-off along the south shore and eastern tip, facing the Bali Sea, are home to lots of colourful small fish and vertebrates, lacy sea fans and a variety of sponges. The sandy, gradual slopes of Menjangan' s north coast is a final resting place for Bali' s oldest dive able shipwreck, the Anker Wreck. Even large pelagics are sometimes seen at Menjangan. Occasionally sightings of Whales, Whale sharks and Manta rays have been reported. Drift diving is usual, but currents are quite mild and all levels of divers can enjoy this area.

The northwest area has had his share of destructions. El Nino, storms have been hard on the corals. The marine life however is teaming and vibrant.

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Tulamben

Day-trippers travelling from Sanur to the east Bali dive locations of Tulamben and Amed will get a look at our traditional Bali. The drive is approx. 3 hours. Diving in Tulamben is normally done from shore, where entry can be challenging.

Many people prefer to stay overnight in Tulamben rather than day trip here. The local people are very friendly and Bali International Diving Professionals both support and know the local community. We have been diving in this area before it became developed as a popular dive destination. By diving in Tulamben you are also supporting the local community. Only in Tulamben will you see young and old women alike carrying diving equipment on their heads, to the dive entry points, to earn their living.

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Amed

Amed and the villages south east of this area are becoming more popular with tourists. Life goes back in time here. For most of the year, the water is generally calm, most of the year, with minimal to manageable currents. Many sites make excellent drift dives.

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Central Coast

The sound of crashing surf on the shores is a part of the Oceanside feel, and the dive sites are part of the seascape. The imposing Gili Tepekong and the four outcrops of Gili Mimpang are directly offshore. Consistent currents flow with the full and varied marine life along the shallow reefs and walls that surround these mysterious islands.

Padang Bai, is a small, busy fishing village. Its sandy bay a convenient haunt for divers. The reefs around Padang Bai have white-sand bottoms and can be magical if the visibility is good. This is not always the case. When the channel is calm you can do a daytrip from Padang Bai to the reefs of Nusa Penida.

Gili Biaha or Ikuan, is a rocky outcrop just of Tanjung Bias Putih. Bias Putih point is a few meters north-west of Gili Tepekong. The west side is mainly chosen for diving as it is more sheltered from current and offers better diving conditions.

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Nusa Penida

There are 3 islands here, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan. These are located off Bali's southeast coast.

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Sanur

It has been said that diving in Sanur is a waste of time, however, Bali International Diving Professionals have seen wonderful small creatures like the seahorse and mantis shrimp in this area. We feel that this is a good dive location for novice divers and refresher course participants and for those who do not have much time. The minute marine life and coral formations make this an interesting, as well as a convenient, dive site. Sanur certainly doesn’t offer Bali’s best diving, but if you want a quick and easy dive this is the place to visit.

http://www.diving-in-bali.com/

Elephant Back Safari

Long ago, on a step hillside between the mountain and the sea on the splendid island of Bali, there once lived a village of people renowned for their believe to God and their love for nature. They considered all the wild animals and plants to be their friends. In those days there were many deer and few people. And tigers never bothered the village. They lived together in peace and harmony.

Home to hundreds amazing animals representing more than 50 species, including some of rare and endangered species. Combining Balinese cultural ambience with African Savannah, Bali Safari and Marine Park featuresthe following exhibits featuring Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, white tiger, leopard, komodo dragon and cheetah are just some of the fascinating creatures that can be seen at the Bali Safari and Marine Park.

Fulfilling its mission of conservation, education and recreation through one of our attractive Elephant Show devoted to animals involved in conservation and education projects and so much more excitement by riding the elephant with our Elephant Back Safari around the African Savannah and get to see your favorite animal up close! in Animal Encounter make the Bali Safari and Marine Park's leading familiy attraction and adventure in Bali.

Taman Safari Indonesia is a member of WAZA (The World Associations of Zoo and Aquariums), SEAZA (The South East Asians Zoo Associations), CBSG (Conservations Breeding Specialist Group) and PKBSI (Indonesia Zoological Parks Associations).

Belly Dance Festival Asia 2010 in Bali, Indonesia
Belly Dance Festival Asia is a world-class dance festival featuring top artists in the field of Middle Eastern dance. Each dancer brings individual unique style to the event, making this an extra-ordinary collection of diverse styles of belly dance.
These master instructors share their art expertise with students and professionals each day of the festival and the troupe of artists perform nightly in an amazing theatrical show. We also feature the best of local dancers for a true cultural exchange. This modern approach to an ancient art form is ground breaking and innovative. Our goal is not only to entertain people of all backgrounds but to also educate them in this beautiful mysterious art form.

About Bali, Indonesia
The island of Bali in Indonesia is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines as the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world. We are proud of the event as it is held in one of the magical islands in Indonesia.

http://www.bellydancefestivalbali.com/