Sidemen.
lt writing about Sidemen because I am tempted to keep the secret to myself. The fear is that attention and ìsuccessî might send it in the same direction that Ubud has gone; in the direction of Dunkin Donuts and shopping malls, three-storey hotels, pollution and traffic jams. So I write this reluctantly, and feel compelled to attach this gentle reminder: If you go to Sidemen, tread lightly, and remember that a wise quantum physicist once stated definitively that ìseeing is changing. Observing is participating, and there is no such thing as an innocent bystander.(Kadek Susilawati)
Click to Continue
The Ubud
Area from the Bronze Age to the Information Age For millennia, Ubud and the areas immediately surrounding it have been ìcentre stage for the fascinating drama of Balinese history. During the Bronze Age (from 300BC), the Ubud area was already a wellspring of culture. This is evidenced by numerous archaeological finds in the area, including megalithic ruins and stepped pyramids, some of which are now the foundations of active Hindu temples. Remarkable Bronze Age artifacts around Ubud include the enormous bronze gong known as ìThe Moon of Pejeng. (Kadek Susilawati) Click details
History and Culture Of Bali.
The Balinese has already owned their belief and culture when Hinduism was brought into Indonesia about 2000 year ago. Around 400 AD, the Hindu Kingdoms in Central and East Java had their great influence over Bali, but when a new religion, Islam came in, the Hindu Kingdom in Java became less and less powerful, at that time a large number of priests, noblemen. Artists and their followers refused the new religion and escaped to Bali. They blended their belief and traditions with those of the local people, a blend of which is inherited by the present Balinese people, the rich culture which is instead of the scenic beauty of the island, has attracted noir and more visitors from time to time. Click to details
History of Balinese Dances
After the Majapahit warriors subdued Ball in the 14 century, Javanese mini principalities and courts soon appeared everywhere, creating that unique blend of cour and peasant culture, which is Bali highly sophisticated, dynamic and lively. The accompanying narrative for dance and drama is to a large extent based on court stories from pre-Majapahit Java. Even the Indian epics, another favourite of the stage, especially the wayang, use Javanese, cornplete with long quotes from the ancient Javanese Kakawin poetry. So Javanese culture, which disappeared from Java following Click Details
The capture of Bali Island.
Bali Island is an island west from Java. In World War II he played important role in conquest of Java Island. From Bali's airfields was important Allied Naval Base Soerabaja in range of Japanese bombers. Click Details
Java's Sailendra Dynasty.
At a point in time when Sri Vijaya had been the established leader in the Southeast Asian region for about 100 years, the Sailendra Dynasty of Java emerged.
HISTORY OF THE TRADITIONAL BALINESE.
The early history of the Traditional Balinese is the same as the history of the Traditional Siamese. The Siamese is considered by many to be a 'natural' breed - that is to say, one that developed without the intervention of man. Click Detail
Sri Vijaya.
The birth of the Malay empire, Sri Vijaya, as a great power in SE Asia began in the economic and political vacuum left by the fall of Funan. The Khmers, who had taken over the territory of Funan, did not take on Funan's former role as middle man in the China-India trade. Sri Vijaya took up the mantle as commercial intermediary between Asia's two great powers.
Balinese Painting and Technology: History
To understand the influence of technology and outside perspective on painting in Ubud a brief review is helpful. An excellent source for the history of Balinese painting can be found at Ubud's Neka Museum, whose collection is grouped according to chronology and artistic style. The descriptions below are adapted from Suteja Neka's book, The Development of Painting in Bali. Neka is a collector of Balinese art and founder of the museum.
HIGHLIGHTS ON INDONESIA
Indonesia did not exist yet during the Paleocene period (70 million years BC), the Eocene period (30 million years BC), the Oligocene period (25 million years BC) and the Miocene period (12 million years BC). It is believed that Indonesia must have existed during the Pleistocene period (4 million years BC) when it was linked with the present Asian Mainland.
A History of Gamelan (Balinese Music)
Gamelan music is the sum of diverse foreign influences. Pitch relationships from China, bronze instruments from southeast Asia, drums and modal practice from India, bowed strings from the middle east, and even military styles from Europe contributed to the traditional music we hear in Java and Bali today. Click details
The Treasures of Lombok
From the Seventeenth Century on, Lombok was under control of a few Balinese Monarchs. Trade for Bali was mainly through Lombok, because Bali was hard to reach for the very large ships. In the Nineteenth Century there was lively sea traffic with ....
Bali in the Middle Classic Period
In the late 10th century an East Javanese princess named Gunapriya married Udayana, a Balinese ruler of the Warmmadewa dynasty. After this marriage, Javanese cultural influence over Bali became very powerful. The Old Javanese language began to ...
Bali in the Late Classic Period
Geologists Bali's economy at the end of the Classic period had apparently not changed greatly since the beginning of the historic era. Agriculture was still the most important sector. In politics, religion, and coinage, .....
The Kingdoms of Bali
Bali, with its Hindus religion and rich cultural and ceremonial life, occupies a unique position in the Indonesian world. Although Bali's past is closely linked with that of pre-Islamic Java, the Balinese did not embrace Islam as it swept through the Indonesian Archipelago in the 15th century. Instead, ....
Puputan: End of the Kingdoms of Bali
For a Balinese ruler faced with defeat, surrender was never an option. Traditionally, the only honourable course of action was to end his life and set aside his temporal power in a fight to the death, a ritual of self sacrifice known as puputan. Literally ......
Friday 22 August 2008
Sunday 17 August 2008
Bali Travel Tips
Currency and Exchange
The rupiah is the basic unit of money, normally abbreviated to Rp followed by the value. Denominations of Rp 50 and 100 are in the form of coins, Rp 100, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills, and Rp 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 are only available in bills. Values below Rp 50 are rarely seen except as change and are often substituted by sellers with sweets in lieu of change. In Bali, carry a handful of coins or Rp 100 notes and do not exchange large sums of money even if you plan to be there for a long time. Take note though, due to the volatility of the rupiah, most mid-range hotels, all top-end hotels and restaurants, and some tourist attractions, car rental agencies and tour companies list their prices in US dollar. The rupiah is still acceptable but the exchange rate is usually more advantageous to the vendor than the tourist. The postal service in Bali has a type of postal traveller's check called cek pos. You can exchange your cash for these checks at a main post office and use them throughout Indonesia as traveller's checks or cash them at any post office. However, these traveller's checks cannot be accepted by individuals.
Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveller's checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorised moneychangers. Exchange rates offered by the moneychangers are generally better than the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are quicker. Look around for variable exchange rates advertised on boards along the footpaths or windows outside shops. Always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange as many moneychangers with better rates often charge a small commission.
Banks
Most major banks have branches in the main tourist centers and provincial capitals. But it would be difficult to find banks in smaller towns, and even if there were banks, the exchange rates may be woeful. Banking hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and until 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
Credit Cards
Many shops, large and small, accept plastic cards with a 3-5 percent added to the bill. Cash advances can be obtained in all major tourist resorts - Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. Automatic Teller Machines are mushrooming all over the place, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. Most of them are connected to international banking networks, thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by most of the bigger businesses. The amount signed for is in rupiah and the bill is then converted to your domestic currency.
Security
To ensure security and convenience, bring most of your money in traveller's checks, despite getting better exchange rates for cash. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea. US dollars are the most negotiable currency, particularly in remote areas. It would be a practical way to change as much as you can and feel safe carrying before heading into more remote regions.
Customs
Weapons, narcotics, pornography, and radio-cassette players are prohibited in Bali. Yes, it is strange that cassette players are not allowed into the island but this law is rarely enforced. Anything with Chinese characters written on it is forbidden. The same rule applies to fresh fruits, plants, animals, exposed films, and videos. Pets are strictly banned to prevent the spread of rabies. But if you insist on taking your furry friends along, an official letter is needed from your veterinarian stating that your pet is disease-free but this would not guarantee a quarantine. Feel free to contact your local Indonesian consulate/embassy for details.
You are only able to bring a maximum of one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume into Bali. Photographic equipment, typewriters and radios are admitted, provided that they are taken out on departure. All these must be declared via a customs declaration form that must be completed before arrival. Another subject is the import and export of currencies, one is not able to import or export the Indonesian currency exceeding Rp 5 million. In addition, export of national treasures are frowned upon - tortoise shell, crocodile skins, and ivory are not to be taken out of Indonesia.
The rupiah is the basic unit of money, normally abbreviated to Rp followed by the value. Denominations of Rp 50 and 100 are in the form of coins, Rp 100, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills, and Rp 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 are only available in bills. Values below Rp 50 are rarely seen except as change and are often substituted by sellers with sweets in lieu of change. In Bali, carry a handful of coins or Rp 100 notes and do not exchange large sums of money even if you plan to be there for a long time. Take note though, due to the volatility of the rupiah, most mid-range hotels, all top-end hotels and restaurants, and some tourist attractions, car rental agencies and tour companies list their prices in US dollar. The rupiah is still acceptable but the exchange rate is usually more advantageous to the vendor than the tourist. The postal service in Bali has a type of postal traveller's check called cek pos. You can exchange your cash for these checks at a main post office and use them throughout Indonesia as traveller's checks or cash them at any post office. However, these traveller's checks cannot be accepted by individuals.
Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveller's checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorised moneychangers. Exchange rates offered by the moneychangers are generally better than the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are quicker. Look around for variable exchange rates advertised on boards along the footpaths or windows outside shops. Always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange as many moneychangers with better rates often charge a small commission.
Banks
Most major banks have branches in the main tourist centers and provincial capitals. But it would be difficult to find banks in smaller towns, and even if there were banks, the exchange rates may be woeful. Banking hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and until 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
Credit Cards
Many shops, large and small, accept plastic cards with a 3-5 percent added to the bill. Cash advances can be obtained in all major tourist resorts - Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. Automatic Teller Machines are mushrooming all over the place, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. Most of them are connected to international banking networks, thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by most of the bigger businesses. The amount signed for is in rupiah and the bill is then converted to your domestic currency.
Security
To ensure security and convenience, bring most of your money in traveller's checks, despite getting better exchange rates for cash. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea. US dollars are the most negotiable currency, particularly in remote areas. It would be a practical way to change as much as you can and feel safe carrying before heading into more remote regions.
Customs
Weapons, narcotics, pornography, and radio-cassette players are prohibited in Bali. Yes, it is strange that cassette players are not allowed into the island but this law is rarely enforced. Anything with Chinese characters written on it is forbidden. The same rule applies to fresh fruits, plants, animals, exposed films, and videos. Pets are strictly banned to prevent the spread of rabies. But if you insist on taking your furry friends along, an official letter is needed from your veterinarian stating that your pet is disease-free but this would not guarantee a quarantine. Feel free to contact your local Indonesian consulate/embassy for details.
You are only able to bring a maximum of one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume into Bali. Photographic equipment, typewriters and radios are admitted, provided that they are taken out on departure. All these must be declared via a customs declaration form that must be completed before arrival. Another subject is the import and export of currencies, one is not able to import or export the Indonesian currency exceeding Rp 5 million. In addition, export of national treasures are frowned upon - tortoise shell, crocodile skins, and ivory are not to be taken out of Indonesia.
Friday 15 August 2008
Dreamland Access
same bay like bingin and impossibles.Drive the Uluwatu street (Jalan Uluwatu), direction Uluwatu and 3 Km before Uluwatu Beach you'll have a big entrance, with no guards, on your right, to what was suposed to be a big private condominium made by the sun of former Indonesian President Suharto (he was arrested).You enter there and drive in direction of the sea, in the middle of the road you'll have to pay some guys to let you in (not much) and then just follow the road signs.
Tuesday 12 August 2008
Dreamland beach: Too tempting for developers
Dreamland is the largest white sand beach on the western Bukit peninsula. That fact was not lost on Tomy Suharto, who with the help of rich friends tried to develop the place some years ago. For most Bali visitors Dreamland is a cool place to go for a beach afternoon, sip a juice in a local warung and forget about life for a while. Well that’s coming to an end thanks to the men with money who see a great piece of Bali as their ticket to cash. A golf course and condos are planned and Dreamland will not doubt be changed forever. Here’s a letter to the Jakarta Post on the subject.
Tropical nightmare
Dreamland, a place so aptly named for its dreamlike qualities, holds a special place in the hearts of many surfers and beach-goers, local and foreign tourists alike.
The quaint beach-side small food shops (warungs) coupled with an amazing a-frame wave, water so blue that it looks like it should belong in one of those brochures at your travel agent and a beach second to none, combine to create a dream that of late has been shattered and transformed into nightmare by the conglomerate behind a new golf course development.
The beach side warungs look more like a building site from hell now, completely ruining the beach’s previous atmosphere.
A huge desalination pipe to water the golf course now runs out into the surf, whilst diggers and trucks plow the land above, basically what was a place that still held some of the magic of Bali is slowly but surely turning into yet another tourist-filled commercial center that will only add to the pollution and continue the slow destruction of one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
My only hope is that other people like me will come to realize that playing golf in sweltering hot Bali is so out of context that the conglomerate behind the development will go bankrupt once again, thus bringing the whole operation to a grinding halt.
The angry feelings directed at the destruction of Dreamland seems to have made people blind to the fact that barely half a kilometer down the beach in Bingin, the locals are selling state-owned beach-side properties for huge sums to bules who are using the tidal pools as foundations to build their condo-style villas.
Although it is illegal, the state seems to be doing nothing. On top of this, these bules are not taking the problems that the increased amount of sewage and garbage will cause to the environment into consideration.
All these illegal buildings that are popping up at an incredible rate are being built without taking into account the impact upon the beauty of the place, sea and nature surrounding them.
The lack of interest from the local authorities has fanned the flames and has sped up a phenomenon that will ultimately be the destruction of the Bukit coastline from Dreamland to Uluwatu.
As a tourist who has been visiting Bali almost religiously for the past six years I have noticed this decay, so it seems incredible to me that nobody is doing anything about it! Please, somebody do something.
THOMAS HARLAND
Kometjie, South Africa
In hindsight one could of predicted all this. After all there is only so much beach front property and the large hotel companies hunger for it. What chance does a Balinese local have when confronted with that kind of financial power?
Tropical nightmare
Dreamland, a place so aptly named for its dreamlike qualities, holds a special place in the hearts of many surfers and beach-goers, local and foreign tourists alike.
The quaint beach-side small food shops (warungs) coupled with an amazing a-frame wave, water so blue that it looks like it should belong in one of those brochures at your travel agent and a beach second to none, combine to create a dream that of late has been shattered and transformed into nightmare by the conglomerate behind a new golf course development.
The beach side warungs look more like a building site from hell now, completely ruining the beach’s previous atmosphere.
A huge desalination pipe to water the golf course now runs out into the surf, whilst diggers and trucks plow the land above, basically what was a place that still held some of the magic of Bali is slowly but surely turning into yet another tourist-filled commercial center that will only add to the pollution and continue the slow destruction of one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
My only hope is that other people like me will come to realize that playing golf in sweltering hot Bali is so out of context that the conglomerate behind the development will go bankrupt once again, thus bringing the whole operation to a grinding halt.
The angry feelings directed at the destruction of Dreamland seems to have made people blind to the fact that barely half a kilometer down the beach in Bingin, the locals are selling state-owned beach-side properties for huge sums to bules who are using the tidal pools as foundations to build their condo-style villas.
Although it is illegal, the state seems to be doing nothing. On top of this, these bules are not taking the problems that the increased amount of sewage and garbage will cause to the environment into consideration.
All these illegal buildings that are popping up at an incredible rate are being built without taking into account the impact upon the beauty of the place, sea and nature surrounding them.
The lack of interest from the local authorities has fanned the flames and has sped up a phenomenon that will ultimately be the destruction of the Bukit coastline from Dreamland to Uluwatu.
As a tourist who has been visiting Bali almost religiously for the past six years I have noticed this decay, so it seems incredible to me that nobody is doing anything about it! Please, somebody do something.
THOMAS HARLAND
Kometjie, South Africa
In hindsight one could of predicted all this. After all there is only so much beach front property and the large hotel companies hunger for it. What chance does a Balinese local have when confronted with that kind of financial power?
Monday 11 August 2008
The Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa Bali Description
Location
Located uphill in Ungasan, south of Bali, DreamLand Villa is a new destination. About 20 mins from Bali International airport.
Rooms
Each Villa has a private pool and private garden with traditional Balinese Gazebo. A modern style bedroom interior completed by a state of the art facilities.
Restaurant
Terrace Restaurant with open kitchen to give a chance to the guests to see the activities in the kitchen to guarantee hygiene. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner.
General
39 Private Pool Villas with private garden & private pool, Balinese Gazebo. The new resort with a new destination for Bali.
Located uphill in Ungasan, south of Bali, DreamLand Villa is a new destination. About 20 mins from Bali International airport.
Rooms
Each Villa has a private pool and private garden with traditional Balinese Gazebo. A modern style bedroom interior completed by a state of the art facilities.
Restaurant
Terrace Restaurant with open kitchen to give a chance to the guests to see the activities in the kitchen to guarantee hygiene. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner.
General
39 Private Pool Villas with private garden & private pool, Balinese Gazebo. The new resort with a new destination for Bali.
Sunday 10 August 2008
PURA (TEMPLE) TAMAN AYUN - BALI
Taman Ayun diterjemahkan sebagai taman yang indah. kolam yang luas disekeliling pura dulunya sering dipakai oleh dayang-dayang puri kerajaan dengan perahu kecil. kolam ini pula yang ternyata aga menyulitkan gw waktu mencari angle tuk mengabadikan kecantikan pura ini, karena dikelilingi pagar dan tidak boleh dilewati. Taman ayun terletak di desa Mengwi Badung, sekitar 18 km barat laut Denpasar (atau 25 menit jika berkendaraan).
Mengutip pemaparan sebuah sumber, Pura Taman Ayun dibangun pada abad 17 (konon dibangun tahun 1634) oleh raja pertama Kerajaan Mengwi Tjokerda Sakti Blambangan dengan arsitek yang berasal dari cina. Awalnya pura ini didirikan karena pura2 yang saat itu tersedia jaraknya terlalu jauh untuk dijangkau oleh masyarakat Mengwi.
Mengutip pemaparan sebuah sumber, Pura Taman Ayun dibangun pada abad 17 (konon dibangun tahun 1634) oleh raja pertama Kerajaan Mengwi Tjokerda Sakti Blambangan dengan arsitek yang berasal dari cina. Awalnya pura ini didirikan karena pura2 yang saat itu tersedia jaraknya terlalu jauh untuk dijangkau oleh masyarakat Mengwi.
Saturday 9 August 2008
Kuta Market
JL BAKUNG Sari ( Kuta )
Art Market
Market Entrance
Kuta Art Market is a typical market in Bali. Its a great place to wander at sunset.
You can enter the market from Kuta Beach or via the entrance at the Tuban end of Kuta Square.
Although it has a great quantity of shops selling the same articles, you have a huge bartering power. You will find T-shirts, long / short pants , sarongs , shirts ( copy name brands and Hawaiian styles ) shoes, wood carvings, belts, kites just about everything you will need for you stay in bali or your poor friends back home.
market isles
Friendly faces Miles of shoes
You will find street hawkers around the outside of the market pedaling fake watches, caps, belts, lighters and anything else they can find. Make sure you barter hard and if they ask for dollars it is US dollars they want. ( see my shopping page for hints on Bartering )
Night hawker with watches Watches
A short strole along JL Kartika Plaza, away from Kuta square, you will find some great eating and some familiar signs
nearby shops All star surf Cafe
In the shopping complex on the left hand side away from Kuta Market and on the top floor, is the "All Star Surf Cafe" A regular haunt for the teenagers and young at heart. This Bar / Restaurant is famous for its "Sudo Sumo wrestling" and friendly atmosphere.
Or perhaps a pleasant, slow horse and cart ride back to your hotel.
( IF staying in the Legian / Kuta / Tuban area )
Horse and cart
Art Market
Market Entrance
Kuta Art Market is a typical market in Bali. Its a great place to wander at sunset.
You can enter the market from Kuta Beach or via the entrance at the Tuban end of Kuta Square.
Although it has a great quantity of shops selling the same articles, you have a huge bartering power. You will find T-shirts, long / short pants , sarongs , shirts ( copy name brands and Hawaiian styles ) shoes, wood carvings, belts, kites just about everything you will need for you stay in bali or your poor friends back home.
market isles
Friendly faces Miles of shoes
You will find street hawkers around the outside of the market pedaling fake watches, caps, belts, lighters and anything else they can find. Make sure you barter hard and if they ask for dollars it is US dollars they want. ( see my shopping page for hints on Bartering )
Night hawker with watches Watches
A short strole along JL Kartika Plaza, away from Kuta square, you will find some great eating and some familiar signs
nearby shops All star surf Cafe
In the shopping complex on the left hand side away from Kuta Market and on the top floor, is the "All Star Surf Cafe" A regular haunt for the teenagers and young at heart. This Bar / Restaurant is famous for its "Sudo Sumo wrestling" and friendly atmosphere.
Or perhaps a pleasant, slow horse and cart ride back to your hotel.
( IF staying in the Legian / Kuta / Tuban area )
Horse and cart
Friday 8 August 2008
Around Bali
Most international visitors arrive by air, either directly or via Jakarta, though island hoppers can catch frequent ferries from the neighbouring islands of Java and Lombok. There are direct flights to Jakarta and Bali from major airline hubs in Asia such as Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. There are direct flights from major Australian cities. The departure tax on international flights is about US$10.00 . Bali is well connected to most of Indonesia and has direct domestic flights to Java, Lombok and outlying islands on a daily basis. Fares have increased considerably in recent years but are still good value. Domestic departure tax is US$2.00 Transport from Ngurah Rai international airport, 2.5km (1.5mi) south of Kuta, is quite simple. Pay a set price at the airport taxi counter, or walk across the airport car park and hail a metered cab outside the airport's roadway exit. The impecunious (and lightly laden) can walk straight up the road to Kuta, although it's a more pleasant stroll along the beach. A ferry shuttles constantly between the western Balinese port of Gilimanuk and Ketapang in eastern Java. Boat/bus combination tickets between Denpasar and Javanese cities can be purchased. Ferries between the eastern Balinese port of Padangbai and Lembar on the west coast of Lombok depart throughout the day. A few ferries link Bali with other Indonesian islands.
Back to top ^
Getting Around
The main forms of public transport on Bali are the cheap buses and bemos that run on more or less set routes within or between towns. If you want your own transport, you can charter a bemo or rent a car, motorcycle or bicycle. The Balinese drive on the left, use their horns a lot and give way to traffic pulling onto the road. Tourist shuttle buses, running between the major tourist centres, are more expensive than public transport but are also more comfortable and convenient.
Back to top ^
Getting Around
The main forms of public transport on Bali are the cheap buses and bemos that run on more or less set routes within or between towns. If you want your own transport, you can charter a bemo or rent a car, motorcycle or bicycle. The Balinese drive on the left, use their horns a lot and give way to traffic pulling onto the road. Tourist shuttle buses, running between the major tourist centres, are more expensive than public transport but are also more comfortable and convenient.
Wednesday 6 August 2008
BALI PRIVATE VACATION VILLAS
Trained Spa Therapists Available Whenever Needed.
Car & Driver from Your Arrival until Departure.
Delicious Food Prepared by Your Private Chef.
24-hour Butler Service to Arrange Anything You Need.
Bali Holidays and Vacation Villas in Bali Indonesia
From the moment you arrive in Bali, you'll enjoy the friendly welcome of your private driver, your personal Butler and Balinese house staff, and the comfort and informality of staying in your own villa in Bali.
You can relax and totally unwind together with your family in spacious, comfortably furnished living & dining areas and large air-conditioned bedrooms. And you'll enjoy the tropical garden and the privacy around your own swimming pool (very important for many Asian ladies).
This will be a Bali vacation totally different from staying at impersonal and over-priced "luxury" hotels & resorts – it's an experience you'll never forget!
Car & Driver from Your Arrival until Departure.
Delicious Food Prepared by Your Private Chef.
24-hour Butler Service to Arrange Anything You Need.
Bali Holidays and Vacation Villas in Bali Indonesia
From the moment you arrive in Bali, you'll enjoy the friendly welcome of your private driver, your personal Butler and Balinese house staff, and the comfort and informality of staying in your own villa in Bali.
You can relax and totally unwind together with your family in spacious, comfortably furnished living & dining areas and large air-conditioned bedrooms. And you'll enjoy the tropical garden and the privacy around your own swimming pool (very important for many Asian ladies).
This will be a Bali vacation totally different from staying at impersonal and over-priced "luxury" hotels & resorts – it's an experience you'll never forget!
Bali Dreamland Villa
Dreamland Villa is an isolated villa located in Ungasan, south of Bali . Not only is it isolated, it is also very private with only 39 villas to spare. This peaceful refuge screams privacy, and those who are seeking for a more entertaining holiday might want to skip this option as its remote location doesn't make for a very exciting experience. It is though, an ideal location for honeymooners and couples looking to spend some quiet time away from the chaos of the outside world.
Opening its doors in July 2005, Dreamland Villa is one of the newer villas in the area and it shows as the interior and exterior are still pristine. The lobby area is relatively small compared to many but the welcome service is enough to make up for it. A refreshing tropical welcome drink and a cold towel is exactly what is needed after the long, winding and somewhat bumpy drive to its premises.
The villas comprise of one, two and three bedroom accommodations, all of which are fully equipped with the conveniences needed. The interior of each room is traditionally fashioned without compromising luxury and comfort. All the comforts of modern technology such as a flat screen 29” TV with in house movie and cable channels, home theatre system with DVD player, coffee and tea making facilities, shower jet massage, electronic bidet/toilet and many more to come with each villa. Its most interesting feature would be the private pool, the landscaped gardens and the Balinese gazebo that comes with it. With features like that, there's not much need to leave the comforts of the villa during your stay.
But what is Bali without the beach and it is exactly that which handicaps Dreamland Villa for it is not a beach front property. Walking by the beach or sunbathing would require one to travel 5-10 minutes by shuttle to Bali 's infamous Dreamland beach, known to many as surfers paradise. Might seem like a hassle, but the scenic drive will probably keep you occupied throughout the journey. Dreamland beach is relatively secluded and rather untouched and has managed to retain most of its natural beauty because of its remote location.
SD's verdict on Dreamland Villa
If you're looking for an isolated, private and peaceful place that has the perfect setting for a romantic honeymoon, Dreamland Villa would definitely be on the top of the list. Being far flung from the happenings of the island wouldn't be an issue once you're engrossed in all the luxuries of the villas. The villas are relatively large and spacious enough to accommodate the Von Trapp family and it has all the basic necessities minus the grand piano.
Opening its doors in July 2005, Dreamland Villa is one of the newer villas in the area and it shows as the interior and exterior are still pristine. The lobby area is relatively small compared to many but the welcome service is enough to make up for it. A refreshing tropical welcome drink and a cold towel is exactly what is needed after the long, winding and somewhat bumpy drive to its premises.
The villas comprise of one, two and three bedroom accommodations, all of which are fully equipped with the conveniences needed. The interior of each room is traditionally fashioned without compromising luxury and comfort. All the comforts of modern technology such as a flat screen 29” TV with in house movie and cable channels, home theatre system with DVD player, coffee and tea making facilities, shower jet massage, electronic bidet/toilet and many more to come with each villa. Its most interesting feature would be the private pool, the landscaped gardens and the Balinese gazebo that comes with it. With features like that, there's not much need to leave the comforts of the villa during your stay.
But what is Bali without the beach and it is exactly that which handicaps Dreamland Villa for it is not a beach front property. Walking by the beach or sunbathing would require one to travel 5-10 minutes by shuttle to Bali 's infamous Dreamland beach, known to many as surfers paradise. Might seem like a hassle, but the scenic drive will probably keep you occupied throughout the journey. Dreamland beach is relatively secluded and rather untouched and has managed to retain most of its natural beauty because of its remote location.
SD's verdict on Dreamland Villa
If you're looking for an isolated, private and peaceful place that has the perfect setting for a romantic honeymoon, Dreamland Villa would definitely be on the top of the list. Being far flung from the happenings of the island wouldn't be an issue once you're engrossed in all the luxuries of the villas. The villas are relatively large and spacious enough to accommodate the Von Trapp family and it has all the basic necessities minus the grand piano.
Friday 1 August 2008
Balinese culture stong in ubud
One could argue that Balinese culture is strong all over Bali. I don’t dispute that, but here in Ubud it seems the ceremonies are performed with more grandeur and people don’t do things by half measures. Arriving today on Jl. Kajeng, the first thing that greeted us was a line of Balinese women carrying bantens of fruit on their heads. Asia snapped a few photos, and thinking about it, its a great thing that these stereotypical images of Bali are real and happen all over the island, everyday.
Strolling down Jl. Raya Ubud, the busy main street I snapped a couple of older Balinese people in traditional dress. One was an older man, the other a lady who owned a basket shop, just down from Cafe Lotus. It will be a shame when Bali ends up like Java and other parts of the country, where jeans and t-shirts become the norm and sarongs are reserved for wedding and funerals.
Strolling down Jl. Raya Ubud, the busy main street I snapped a couple of older Balinese people in traditional dress. One was an older man, the other a lady who owned a basket shop, just down from Cafe Lotus. It will be a shame when Bali ends up like Java and other parts of the country, where jeans and t-shirts become the norm and sarongs are reserved for wedding and funerals.
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