Bali Art Galleries

The island of Bali is loaded with quality art galleries, owing partly to its plentiful foreign artists, who often have a great interest in authentic Balinese art.

Ubud is the main centre for all things Balinese, with the likes of the Neka Art Museum, the Antonio Blanco Gallery, and the Agung Rai Museum of Art. Le Mayeur Museum is another gallery of note and resides conveniently within the Sanur area of Bali, close to the beachfront, where its entrance is flanked by fine carvings.

Bali Art Galleries: Antonio Blanco Gallery

Address: Jalan Campuhan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, ID

Tel: +62 0361 975 502

Located in the Ubud region of Bali, the Antonio Blanco Gallery is one of the island's foremost art museums and the former home of the eccentric painter, Antonio Blanco. The 'Dali of Bali', as he was affectionately known, actually had a hand in the design of the museum, which houses many of his Balinese-style works. The grounds of the museum are stunning and well worth a stroll.

Bali art gallery open: daily - 08:00 to 17:00

Bali art gallery admission: charge

Bali Art Galleries: Neka Art Museum pictureBali Art Galleries: Neka Art Museum

Address: Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, ID

Tel: +62 0361 976 206

The Neka Art Museum, founded in 1982 by schoolteacher Suteja Neka, is Bali's favourite museum and is spread across several pavilions. Dutch-born Indonesian artist Arie Smit features throughout most of the collection and local and international contemporary works are also displayed. Paintings are labelled in English. Whilst admiring the Smit Pavilion, be sure to take in the views of the Campuhan Gorge.

Bali art gallery open: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00

Bali art gallery admission: charge

Bali Art Galleries: Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)

Address: Jalan Pengosekan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, ID

Tel: +62 0361 975 742

The Agung Rai Museum of Art is dedicated to German painter Walter Spiess, who fell in love with Bali and continued to incorporate the traditional Balinese style into his works. Apart from the fabulous works of art, every evening the museum puts on a traditional dance show at 18:00 just before closing time.

Bali art gallery open: daily - 09:00 to 18:00

Bali art gallery admission: charge

Bali Art Galleries: Le Mayeur Museum

Address: Jalan Hang Tuah, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia, ID

Tel: +62 0361 286 201

Le Mayeur Museum is another of Bali's galleries dedicated to a foreign artist. Adrien Yean Le Mayeur was a renowned Belgian artist who was greatly influenced by the Balinese culture and the museum shows off his Impressionist paintings and his collection of artefacts. The grounds are also of interest and feature a number of statues and shrines, as well as lots of seasonal flowers.

Bali art gallery open: Tuesday to Thursday - 08:00 to 14:00, Friday and Saturday - 08:00 to 12:00, Sunday - 08:00 to 11:00

Bali art gallery admission: charge

Bali Art Galleries: Museum Puri Lukisan

Address: Jalan Raya, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, ID

Tel: +62 0361 975 136

The Museum Puri Lukisan follows the rise of Balinese art and was set up by a Balinese prince and a Dutch artist in the 1950s. Paintings and sculptures are on display and there is even an exhibit dedicated to emerging local artists. The lush gardens are worthy of a visit on their own merit and feature shrines, paddies and lotus pools.

Bali art gallery open: daily - 08:00 to 16:00

Bali art gallery admission: charge, children under 15 years free

http://www.bali.world-guides.com/bali_art_galleries.html

Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua (meaning Two Islands) is the name of the peninsula that extends off the southern tip of the island of Bali, hosting a pristine complex of luxury hotels. A heavy concentration of big name international hotels lines the beautiful white sand shore that offers excellent swimming conditions in a protected lagoon. Located ten kilometres from the international airport, Nusa Dua is designed as an enclave of the most sumptuous and luxurious hotels in the world dedicated to big-spender tourists.

It is an idyllic place for honeymooner and those who are bringing the entire family, the white sand and shallow water are ideal for children to play in the sea while lifeguards keep a watchful eye.The roads in the area are well maintained and 24/7 security staff guard two entrance gates with full security procedures for every incoming and outgoing guest. It is no wonder then that year round Nusa Dua is an official venue for international conferences, congresses, meetings and other executive corporate events and annual festivals, attended by important worldwide participants.

Nusa Dua Beach Attractions

Apart from the high-class facilities presented by the resorts, Nusa Dua doesn’t have many things to offer as an attraction. However, there one place where you can escape from the resort’s fancy highlife without the hassle of going out of the complex. It’s Museum Pasifika – a wonderful place that houses some pieces of art collected from Asia and the Pacific island where you are welcome to visit every single day in a week from 10.00 to 18.00.

Ubud, A Place of Peace and Serenity

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, then Ubud is the place to be. Steeped in culture and enhanced by magnificent vistas, Ubud offers a respite from the humdrum of your busy life. In the past, Ubud was just a small village, but now it has grown into a thriving yet laid back cosmopolitan community. Ubud pampers visitors in body and soul. Fine dining restaurants and spas here will delight and relax the senses. A walk through the lush paddy fields, watching colourful processions of women gracefully balancing piles of fruit offerings on their way to the temple, are lasting impressions and simply breathtaking.

The best way to observe Bali’s traditions and culture is through mingling with the locals and watching their daily routine. In this town, you can visit the temples and villages that have remained relatively unchanged through the years.

Art galleries are also abundant. Masterful paintings and sculptures are waiting to be admired and appreciated, for who knows you may find the perfect painting or statue to grace your own living room?

This region is steeped in history and culture. Many remains from the old kingdoms of Bali can be found here, and unique arts and crafts are just waiting to be discovered. Known for its tranquillity, Ubud offers several natural retreats. The lush, green views and cool atmosphere makes morning and afternoon strolls most pleasant.

It’s no surprise that many people come to Ubud for a day or two and end up staing longer, drawn in by the culture and activities on offer. Ubud is where famed Elizabeth Gilbert found peace and her love as written in her best selling memoir “ Eat, Pray, Love”, which is now made into a film featuring Julia Roberts. Indonesia’s ownn celebrity Christine Hakim plays Wayan, the local alternative healer.

Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/277/ubud

Flora and Fauna in Bali

Bali has an interesting collection of animal and plant life. The rice terraces are the most common sight everyday in Bali, particularly in the heavily populated and extravagantly fertile south. Balinese gardens are a delight. The soil and climate in Bali can support a huge range of plants, and the Balinese love of beauty, and the abundance of cheap labour, meaning that every space can be landscaped. The style is generally informal, with curved paths, a rich variety of plants and usually a water feature. You can find almost every type of flower in Bali, though some varieties, such as hydrangeas, are restricted to the cooler mountain areas. Orchids are a special attraction, and orchid fanciers should see the collection at the botanical gardens near Bedugul.

There are various animals you might come across around the island of Bali. Chickens are kept both for food purposes and as pets. Balinese cattle are nearly as delicate as Balinese pigs are gross. Bali certainly used to have tigers and although there are periodic rumors of sightings in the remote north-west of the island, nobody has proof of seeing one for a long time.

Source : http://www.all-bali.com/florafauna.html

Diving in Bali

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nusa Penida

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

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.

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

Bali Island

Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.

Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.

Bali Island is a shopper's paradise particularly for casual and tailored clothing, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artifacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags through to tailor made leather jackets and coats, all at unbelievable prices. In fact, prices are so inexpensive, you're sure to need more room in your suitcase! Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta, Sanur of Nusa Dua or fixed price shopping at a Denpasar department store. Bali has it all.

For those that want to stay wet, Bali Island has world class scuba diving, snorkelling and wonderful day trips out to Nusa Penida for beach sports and coral viewing.

When the sun sets, the choices are still hard to make - a quiet romantic moon lit dinner or watch the spectacular Balinese Fire Dance or Kecak Dance. For those that want to party, Bali Island has it all with bars, discos and nightclubs.

As a truly international destination attracting visitors from all over the world, restaurants in Bali are extremely cosmopolitan yet inexpensive. Experience not only local delicacies like Nasi Goreng and Sate Campur but also Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Italian/European Greek, Moroccan and even Mexican cuisine. We must not forget Bali's wonderful seafood - local lobster at such prices that you will want to keep coming back for more.

For those more culturally inclined, Bali can offer the peace and tranquility of Ubud high in the hills; the spectacular Mother Temple at Besakih; the ancient capital of Bali, Singaraja and the floating palace at Ujung near the pretty beach area of Candi Dasa. The Scenery is nothing less than spectacular. Jungle, picturesque hillside rice terraces and the awesome magnificence of Kintamani Volcano.

The more active, wanting a break from the idyllic beaches, can experience wonderful golf courses in the mountains at Bedugul and beachside at Nusa Dua, the thrill of white water rafting or kayaking down the beautiful Ayung River; mountain cycling amid scenery you will never forget and organized rice paddy and jungle treks to see the side of Bali most tourists never encounter.

Bali Island, a truly international destination, offers every standard of accommodation ranging from charming yet modest bungalow style hotels in lush tropical gardens for the budget minded through to arguably amongst the most exclusive and sophisticated hotels in the world!

Source : http://www.all-bali.com/

General Information About Bali

Bali is a land that seems to have a magnet at its very heart. It is a feeling that is difficult to understand unless experienced but once visited you are surely compelled to come back and you may even want to stay forever, such is its pull. Maybe its Bali’s beauty, maybe the friendly people, or maybe even the influence from spirits that certainly abide in this place.

Bali goes under many names. Some call it the ‘island of the gods’, others Shangri-La. The ‘last paradise’, the ‘dawning of the world’ and the ‘centre of the universe’ are yet more names for this truly beautiful tropical island inhabited by a remarkably artistic people who have created a dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies.

Bali is small, just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own.

Daily life on Bali is culturally linked to satisfying and appeasing the gods, spirits and demons in the midst of breathtaking panoramas of cultivated rice terraces, impressive volcanoes and pristine beaches. Bali’s main volcano, Gunung Agung, is still active and sometimes explosive and is considered sacred among local people as it is believed to be the centre of the universe.

Lying just 8o south of the Equator, Bali can boast a tropical climate with just two seasons a year and an average temperature of around 28o Celsius. It has a whole range of different environments and activities for the tourist, many of which are covered in these homepages.

Economically and culturally, Bali is one of the most important islands of Indonesia. Rice is grown on irrigated, terraced hillsides; other crops include sugar cane, coffee, copra, tobacco, fruits and vegetables. Cattle and hogs are also raised. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particularly in woodcarving and in fashioning objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and silver threads, Songket, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton clothing.

Bali of today is one of the twenty six provinces of the Republic of Indonesia, divided administratively between eight districts that take their names and boundaries from the island’s old Hindu kingdoms.

Source : http://www.indo.com/geo/gen_info.html