Info about Bali
Bali: Melting Pot of many Cultures
Bali is the crucible of many cultures. Hinduism, Islam, Dutch and Chinese traditions meet and fuse in this enchanted and magical destination. No wonder it is one of the most favored destinations in the world tourist map. Bali is one of the 33 provinces of Indonesia. Though Indonesia is predominantly Muslim in population the majority of the Balians are Hindus. The cultural life of Bali is heavily influenced by the country’s ancient link with ancient India. The dance, music, sculpture, painting, leather, metalwork etc are unique with various elements contributing to its difference. To the tourist emaciated in the hum drum life of modern metropolis Bali is the ultimate destination for unwinding.
The Indian element in the life of Bali dates back to the first century A D. The first European contact with Bali was made by the Dutch who arrived in 1597. The Dutch maintained their influence till the middle of the twentieth century. With the independence the tourism potential of Bali came to the lime light.
Bali as a cultural destination is due to the very philosophy of life entrenched in the approach to life followed in Bali. They call it Tri Hita Karana which means the three things that cause welfare. The relation between the Supreme Being and the relation between the fellow beings which include the entire universe is the central core of this approach. So, a short sojourn in Bali can recapture the importance of our relation with nature and God which itself give wholesomeness to our lives.
One of the beauties of life of the people is the interesting village life they lead. Each village is an independent unit; all their basic needs from cradle to grave can be satisfied there. It can be assumed that life is somewhat simple there. The life is tied to religion and nature. The tourists who visit these villages and discover the happiness of the people are apt to see how people achieve happiness with minimum of things.
Bali is a haven for those who love shopping. Handicrafts are Bali’s forte. Furniture carved in wood or crafted from bamboo is famous here. There is also an amazing variety of silver jewelry to feast the eyes. The wood carvings and stone sculpture are also much liked by many visitors. One of the pitfalls of the shopping in Bali is the absence of a system of fixed price. The tourists are forced to bargain which is a difficult exercise. If you are not clever in bargaining you may end up paying a heavy price.
As for food and spirits Bali offers a range of delicacies. The price of food in high end hotels is not cheap but they are hygienic. As you move into the villages food is cheap. They have some excellent salads in addition to dainty meat and fish. As for spirits you get different types of wine and several brands of spirits like arrak and rice brandy. Indeed the locally produced coffee tastes good.
There are also the additional attractions like the cockfight in Bali. The environmental groups now come down heavily on these entertainments but it goes on regularly. There is also the practice of black magic rampant in this place. The general impression is that Bali is a place worth going to if you want a really refreshing holiday.