this extraordinary island  of  truly special  , how  charming people  with their artistic approach to life where  Hinduism  being  spiritual  compass to life guidance,  in tropical paradise presents unique mix of relaxing  atmosphere  and mood . Despite over  3 million people domiciling the island , calm environment  prevails .   With all possibilities for true dynamic sportive and adventure type of activities  one can find solace and peace  on that island . Bali  Island , already since early days of   1st century AD , called  “ Bali dwipa”   has  highest  in the world concentration  of temples , shrines and religious  structures . “ It is true Island of a Thousand Puras (Temples)”   or the “Island of the Gods”, where shrines  and temples  to  Brahma, the creator  , Vishnu, the preserver  and  Shiva, the destroyer , are evident all over the Island.

 In these revered  places celebration  and  worshiping  of Hinduism  often in unique way  through  animism concept  takes place . Hinduisms , here  in Bali ,  merges many concepts  of daily living  into big  picture of cosmic order  which Balinese  believe in .  Banyan trees respected and used  as the natural form of shrine or temple , colourfully adorned in special colourful wraps ,kind of sarongs ,  provide with its canopy , shade from the tropical sun and also spiritual shelter  for  worshipers.   On this island settled  by Austronesian people from around 2000 BC , the  religion of  Hinduism was introduced  already  by  around 500 BC . This religion and unique geographical position of the Island where  power of mother nature  is evident in many way through  the Ocean being giver of food  , provider of amazing sounds of waves poncing on the shores of the  coast line  altered  in the past  by the tremors and eruptions  of volcanos which  in their dormant  form present many  aspects  for  understanding the spirituality of the nature  ,allows Balinese  people  see their position here on this Island as the part of spiritual Universe .  Phenomena where  all physical aspects of the environment have spirit and  interact with one another . In Hinduism of Balinese  people ,  Agama Hindu Dharma  the spiritual concepts of  fusion of  Indian Shivaite  and Buddhist  tradition make them truly honest , gentle and peaceful  people . Visitors  are welcome  here  with true  character of  equatorial world of  Lesser Sunda Islands  which  beside Island of Lembongan also consist Island of Lombok , easily reachable from Bali .

Bali is true delight to visit . Welcome smiling faces of   Balinese people dressed in pretty batik material cloth . Men  wearing  white UDENG head gear  and women  in Kebaya and Batik sarongs is visual delight . Colours of the nature  with turquoise waters of the sea , blue of sky , green of the rice and black and white checked material wrapping the Banyan trees  provides variety of unforgettable memories .  The religious and associated festivities like offerings of gifts to the Gods  are special experiences .  Often performed  by the sea on the beach . Here different worlds meet .  Under  the colourful  umbrellas  with frilly  tassels  shimmering in wind,  carried  with pride on  the woven palm leaves trays , rich offerings  containing earthly foods , flowers and sometimes birds and animals , sometimes even cigarettes,  are presented  to the Gods of the sea .  The umbrella in Bali is not just only to protect from Sun  it is symbol of protective power of GOD  which throws the divine shadow on everything in the Universe .  At the same time  when the offerings are given on the beach in the ceremonial  fashion , on these beaches  tourists  seek  relaxation , abilities to enjoy sport activities  and also pay due respect to the nature by looking after their bodies  while swimming , sunbaking or enjoying Balinese massages .   Beaches in Bali are temples of spirituality and also hedonism .  Psychedelic colours of boats on  golden sand awaiting   launch on turquoise waters for the fishing ,  huge kites with vibrating sounds on blue sky is truly mesmerizing impression .   It is pure joy to be here in Bali and pay respect to bodily , mental and spiritual  needs .

Bali provides tourists with comfortable , wonderfully designed and decorated with artistic flavour places of accommodation . Spa resorts , villas , hotels  are  well appointed  and positioned at major places of attractions .  Beaches ,  Seminyak ,  Kuta ,Legian , Sanur  ,  interior villages like Ubud  or neighbouring Islands with  Nusa Lembongan  being forty minutes fast boat ride ,  provide wide range of fun and variety  of relaxation  and joy  of life , while holidaying in Bali . The gentle Balinese massages  are beside wide range of joys while  holidaying in Bali, very welcome  activities. After sports  , shopping   and enjoyment of  delightful food , relaxing  massage is truly enjoyable and  unwinds  the body and mind .      

Some of the beaches  renown  already for sometime , provide surfing and waves for  fun while new section of Bali Seminyak , not long ago small village  now provides facilities for  sophisticated fun while staying at  extraordinarily  elegant hotels and  Spa Resorts  and also  boutique Villas . “ Tony’s Villas “ presents choice of very quiet spacious , in leafy environment ,  villa stay in Seminyak . On other hand   Sanur beach on other hand is the part of Bali where  long walks , bike rides are presenting variety of relaxations   while staying here at well appointed hotels  . Here all sort of water sports are available . Snorkelling , paragliding ,  Para-surfing  and swimming in warm waters of the ocean .” Mercure Resort “  is well positioned for these joys of holiday and is presenting to the guests  beside  great accommodation , huge gardens  presenting tranquillity  for these who wish to relax after busy night life of Bali .  From Sanur also fast boats of “ Scoot “  Company  depart to Nusa Lembongan . Here on Lembongan  Island  water sports  ,  walks and exploration of the island provide  opportunities to limitless  fun . For some who seek calm  and  quiet atmosphere   Island of Lembongan  presents  also peaceful holiday at pleasantly appointed  Villas  and Spa Resorts . One of great places with views on the Mt. Agung volcano on Bali  and eco style villas is “ Naturalle Villas” on Lembongan .

Some daily excursions into the interior of Bali are available and provide chance to visit   Balinese villages and see the Balinese working on picturesque rice terraces . Ubud is one of very popular town  to call while in Bali .  Boutique hotels , markets , monkeys forest and opportunities to visit eco- farms where Balinese coffee is planted  are available to the visitors. Beside this Ubud is the place to make short visits  to the terrace rice fields which some of provide opportunity to stay at Villa pleasantly situated  by the rice fields  and riches of rural life style of Bali . From Ubud  the  Lake Batur  with great vistas on  Mt . Batur  and Mt . Agun  which is 3100 m. High  is also place worth a visit .  While touring eastern part of Bali interior , very  special and enriching  experience is  visit to   Tirta Empul Temple . This spiritual  complex and Temple  was built in 962 A.D. during the Warmadewa dynasty .   Here many people do special pilgrimage to  cleanse their spirit and mind while  submerging  in holy waters of the Temple spring.  From here one can see  modern villa on the hill. Which was built for President Sukarno’s visit in 1954. Now  this elegant ,  overlooking Temple  villa  is used  to provide accommodation for important guests.

Bali  is definitely place to consider  as the destination to visit . Many international airlines fly  to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, often called Denpasar International Airport, being positioned  only  13 km south of Denpasar , where one can start the Bali experience .  Garuda Indonesia , Singapore Airlines ,  AirAsia , Jetstar   fly directly to Denpasar  while some who  present  services  to neighbouring countries have also special deals . One of these  carriers  is LOT Polish Airlines .

Terima kasih- Thanks for reading and exploring Bali on the website   and Selamat dating  – Welcome to Bali .

WMIG Bali  September 2014

Websites   to visit to plan the travel to Bali  :

Transport :

Airlines:

http://www.lot.com/gb/en/?gclid=CLCBrZLo7MACFUtwvAodE5wApQ – LOT Polish Airlines

http://www.singaporeair.com   – Singapore Airlines

http://www.jetstar.com   – Jetstar Airlines

https://www.garuda-indonesia.com   – Garuda Indonesia  Airlines

http://www.airasia.com/au/en/home.page?cid=eab308axiaa&gclid=CPfftovp7MACFU1wvAodNXIAZw  – AirAsia Airlines

Sea Inter-islands  transport

Accommodation:

http://www.balitonys.com/   – Tony’s Villas Seminyak  Bali

http://www.naturalevillas.com/   – Naturale Villas  – Nusa Lembongan –  Island off Bali

http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-5474-mercure-resort-sanur/index.shtml- Mercure Resort Sanur Bali

 About Bali :

 http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/73/bali- official  Indonesia Tourism website  about Bali,

 http://www.balitourismboard.org   – official Bali website