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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bali Culture Tour


Goa Gajah Gunung Kawi Penglipuran Besakih Kerta Gosa Klungkung Traditional Market

Visiting Bali is most people dream to spend their holiday in. Not only the beauty of that island that will attract them, but more than that. Spending holiday in Bali is believed as one of the ways to raise someone’s prestige among others.

For this sight seeing activity, we suggest you to choose a tour board or full board tour that provides you with all the benefits you need. This type will enable you to calculate accurately the amount of money you will spend during your vacation in Bali. Therefore, you will be able to anticipate unpredictable expenses during the holiday.

Most of tourists who visit Bali have very limited time to be spent. There are not many places to see, then. Culture Bali Tour invites you to observe the Balinese culture. And at the same time, you will be able to have a closer and deeper contact toward it. Have a nice vacation in Bali…..

Friday, July 25, 2008

Bali Exotic

Bali Exotic Wedding

Bali Exotic Wedding
Getting Married in Bali

People all over the world consider Bali to be a true paradise. Besides leisure and relaxation, Bali also offers many beautiful and romantic locations for those in love to experience a unique wedding. Bali is the chosen venue for sweethearts from all over the world to be legally married. It is possible for most nationalities of the world to be legally married here in the beautiful island of Bali.

Bali Exotic Wedding International (PT. Bali Exotic Wedding) was established in 2000 specially to assist foreigners who choose to be married here in beautiful Bali. We also have experience in planning other functions such as wedding anniversaries, wedding receptions, or birthday parties. We can be relied upon to ensure perfect preparation and co-ordination of every aspect of your wedding. We have successfully arranged many beautiful wedding ceremonies, receptions and parties over the years.

Whether there are just two or you have a huge group of friends and family traveling with you, we are at your service and will be pleased to assist.
Many couples, who are already legally married to each other, choose Bali as the most romantic place to renew their vows and to experience marriage in the island of the Gods. We can, of course, assist you in this too.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Vilas in Legian


Legian
The Daun
Price: From US$ 300 >, Legian, Villas within walking distance to the Beach
Villa de daun is an exclusive villa retreat encompassed within a one-hectare tropical landscape in the heart of Bali’s celebrated Kuta beach resort.
Villa Baliana Bali
Price: Less than US$ 300, Legian, Villas within walking distance to the Beach
A centrally located two story solid brick, three bedroom home set on a 1,000 m2 block with around 150 m2 of living space. One of very few homes of this standard in such close proximity to 'Legian Beach'

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Bali Traveller Tips


Passport & Visas

A 2 (two) month tourist visa will be automatically issued for visitors from all West European countries, ASEAN countries (Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and , Thailand, Canada and USA while others countries not mentioned above would have to obtain from their local Indonesian consulate or embassy. Passport must be valid for 6 (six) month upon entry into Indonesia territory and you also should have proof of onward passage. For details on obtaining other types of visas, please contact your local Indonesian consulate or embassy in your country.

Currency

The Local currency is the Rupiah as the basic unit of money. The smallest denominations in the forms of coin are Rp. 5, Rp. 10 (very rarely seen nowadays), Rp. 25, Rp. 50, Rp. 100, Rp. 500, and Rp. 1000. And in the form of bills are Rp. 100, Rp. 500, Rp. 1000, Rp. 5000, Rp. 10.000, Rp. 20.000, Rp. 50.000, Rp. 100.000. The exchange rate againts US dollar is has fluctuated widely recently but is now heading toward stability. Please be sure to check the current exchange rate before you changing money at local money changer. If you have an internet connection you may log in to Http://www.bii.co.id for the updated exchange rate. Most major credit card and traveler's checks are accepted in almost big store and hotels in Bali. Also be cautions when paying with credit cards as most merchant will add 3% againts the total of transaction for the cards.

Health

Travellers coming from infected areas are recommended to obtain International health certificates of vaccination against smallpox, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid and paratyphoid. For those who intended to stay for a longer period of time in Bali, it is recommended to have gammaglobulin injections.

Good advise for visitors when they have infamous "Bali Belly" during their stay in Bali is to take Lomotil and Imodium as an first medications. It is also advisable to drink a strong, hot tea and avoid all fruits and spicy foods at the first sign of discomfort (diarrhea and cramping). It will help to lessen the cramping if you do charcoal tablets (the brand name is Norit). To stop from dehydration, Oralite (mineral replacement salts) is a good choice and is available at nearly every store or local pharmacy. In the worst cases caused by viral infection, get a doctor for an antibiotics prescription.

To avoid Malaria, visitors should consult their doctor for a supply of malaria-repressant tablets. Chloroquine is available widely in Bali and much cheaper than abroad.
Drinking-it's best-drink bottled mineral water. Be cautions for the sun as it is become very intense in the afternoon especially in dry season.

Dress and what to wear

Balinese Show respect by dressing neatly and modestly. Very informal dress in certain situations can be seen as an insolt to those you meet and Bali has a humid climate and it is best to bring along all-cotton sundreses, shortsleeve shirts. Bali has become a center of garment manufature so you may find a casual fashion at a cheaper prices. Local traditions in Bali encourages visitors to take off the shoes before going into a house. For formal occasions, mean usually wear batik or ikat shirts and dark trousers while for women usually opt for modest dresses. Pay attention when entering a temple in Bali. It is suggested that guest wear pakaian adat- the full native dress of a kain, kebaya and sash for the women and a kain, saput (overskirt), niche shirt and sash for the men.

What to bring

Do not carry too much luggage as you will be surprised to see if you soon become out of space of your luggage when you travel to Bali as so many beautiful, inexpensive things to buy. You might bring insect repellent, a flashlight if you plan to stay in the hotel near the village where the road to go to your hotel may be a bit dark, sunscreen, a supply of prescription medicines and an extra set of prescription glasses.

Animal Quarantine

Bali is free of rabbies. When planning to carry your pets with you, please prepare an official letter from your vetenarian stating that your pet is disease free. However this is also not a guarantee that your pet will not be quarantined. Please consult your nearest Indonesian consulate or embassy for details.

Culture and local customs

Indonesian laws forbids visitors from bringing weapons, narcotics and pornography material into the country. Fresh fruits, plants, animals and exposed films and video might be checked.

You may carry a maximum of two liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume. Photograpgic equipment, typewriters and radios are granted admittance provided these will be taken out on departure. Visitors are encouraged to declare all the equipment and the amount of foreign currencies they carry by completing a declaration form upon arrival. This is usually handed over at the immigration counter. The limit of the foreign currencies you may import or export is US$5.000 and for Indonesian currencies is Rp. 50.000,-

Export of national treasures is prohibited as well as tortoise shell, crocodile skin, and ivory products.

To the Balinese, the world is their living room and its foreign visitors their guests. Decades of tourism have somewhat diminished this positive attitude, however people in Bali remain notably friendly and courteous. Balinese people also remain substantialy conservative, for tradition is the backbone of their highly civilized culture thereby please do your best to respect their traditions and attitudes. The Balinese are a very polite people and smiles are an island-wide characteristic. Shaking hands on introduction is common for both men and women. It is consider bad or taboo if you use the left hand to give or to receive something- as the left hand is used for hygienic purposes. Also pointing with your left hand is consider rude and the same case for crooking a finger when calling someone.
A good principal when shopping is never to ask for the price if you do not intended to buy, and always bargain before payment.

Weights & Measures

Indonesia use the metric system of measurement. 1 kilometer is equal to 0.6214 miles; one meter is equal to 3.2808 feet; one kilogram is equal to 0.2642 U.S. gallons or 0.22 imperial gallons. To convert Celcius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32; to convert Fahrenheit to Celcius, substract 32 and multiply by .55.

Electricity

In most places, it is 220 volts, 50 cycles, but check first as 110 volts is still used in some areas. The plug is two pronged round. In most good hotels, a voltage converter usually available on request.

Business Hours and Holidays

The goverment office hours usually starts at 08.00 am and finish at 05.00 pm except for Saturdays when office hours usually shorter but some goverment office closed. This is also applied for banks and private office. The labor working rules suggest 8 working hours a day plus 1 hour for meal time and 40 hours working days in a week.

Religion is way of life for Indonesia and especially Bali where there are no days without ceremony and offerings. There are only five major religion in Indonesia: Muslims (90% of total population), Chatolicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, and Buddhism and each of these has their own official holidays in a year.

Airport & Flight

Airport Tax
International : Rupiah 100,000 per person
Domestic : Rupiah 30,000 per person

Please make sure that you reconfirm your flight at least 3 days prior to departure. Show your guide your ticket the day after your arrival in Bali and he will reconfirm for you.

Departure Information
If your departure transfer from your hotel to Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar, has been booked with agent, confirmation of the pick-up time from your hotel will be placed in your hotel key box or with the reception one day prior to your departure. Pick-up time is approximately 2 to 3 hours prior to your flight departure time.

Check out Time
at hotels in Bali is normally 12 noon. If your pick-up time for departure is in the late afternoon, please check with your hotel reception to see if you can keep your room for an extra hour or two. (Note that hotels might charge you for this facility and this will be at your own expense).
Please make sure that you have settled your HOTEL “EXTRAS” BILL (drinks, meals, telephone, laundry, etc) in plenty of time so that you are ready when the guide comes to pick you up.

Please check that your LUGGAGE IS CLEARLY LABELLED with your name and address (inside and outside) and that it is locked. Contact your hotel’s Bell Captain at least 15 minutes before leaving the hotel so that he has plenty of time to collect your luggage from your room. Your luggage will be transferred to the airport. Please note that you will personally have to take it through the security check. Luggage trolleys are not allowed through security but porters are available and they charge RUPIAH 500 per piece of luggage. Just to remind you - keep your passport and tickets in your hand luggage !.

If you are CHANGING PLANES IN JAKARTA, please note the following information :
Two boarding passes should be issued by Garuda Airlines when you check in at Denpasar airport, one for you Denpasar to Jakarta flight and one for Jakarta to your next destination. You can thus proceed directly to the boarding lounge at Jakarta airport for your next flight.

If you are issued with only one boarding pas by Garuda Airlines, you must make your way immediately upon arrival at Jakarta airport to the TRANSFER DESK to collect your boarding pass for your onward flight. Denpasar airport has a restaurant and duty free shopping facilities.

Driving Information

Getting Around

Although the island is only 140 kilometers (84 miles) long by 80 kilometers (48 miles) wide, a week would not be enough to appreciate all of Bali's beaches, temples, volcanoes, and towns. Bali has several beach areas on the southern coast, where 90% of its visitors stay. Each has its distinctive appeal, and they are within easy reach of one another.

Travelling by hire car, stopping when you want to explore the villages, mountains and beaches, is a great way to discover the beauty of Bali. About two hours drive North-east of the Denpasar Airport and Kuta, you'll arrive at Candi Dasa. From here you can explore the coast further north, or return to drive inland into the hills. The central inland village of Ubud, is about one hour from the airport and Kuta. Along the way you'll pass many villages and find that most of them specialise in handcrafts of a particular type such as exquisite wood-carvings and unique jewellery.

Car Hire

Car hire is easy on Bali. Large international rental companies offer good deals, but local companies are very competitive. The most popular rental vehicle is the Jimny - a small, Suzuki Katana jeep with ample ground clearance. The Jimny has a tiny 800 cc engine, two seats in the front, and two to four bench seats in the back. The larger Toyota Kijang seats six and is very economical and lightweight. The majority of hire-cars have manual 'stick-shift' gears as opposed to automatic transmission.

TIP - Shop around for a good rental deal. Check out the net, Bali's local papers and Magazines for the best prices.

TIP Carefully check the condition of your car before accepting terms (especially the horn, as this is used to warn other road users of your presence).

TIP - All rental cars should have registration documents and registration plates prefixed with the letters: RC (for 'Rental Car'). These are legal requirements for renting and without them the police could stop you and impose fines. Registration plates should also include both Balinese and Lambok licensing for use on both islands. Inform the rental company if you intend to use the vehicle on both islands and request appropriate documentation.

TIP - During the major holiday periods of Galungan and Nyepi, hire vehicles are in great demand from Balinese locals going home for the festivities, so it is advisable to book your vehicle in advance of these periods. Car Hire with Driver Known in Bali as 'chartered transport'. Although prices vary, depending on the places you wish to visit (and the distance covered), a car with driver will run about 15,000 - 20,000 rp per day (12 hours). Negotiate with the driver before agreeing a deal and check what extra costs will have to be paid such as petrol, meals, etc. Insurance Requirements Some rental companies offer insurance for an added fee. Check the small print as the conditions of policies vary considerably.

TIP - Maximum write-off damage will require an approximate payment of US $25 variable according to the individual policy, but minor damage such as a smashed wing or headlight could result in the hirer paying the full cost of repair which can be very expensive. Licence Requirements An International Driving Permit is required in addition to your own national Driving Licence. These are obtainable from motoring organisations in your country.

WARNING - Driving in Bali without a licence can incur a fine of 2,000,000 rp. Seat Belts Seat belts are fitted to some vehicles, but there are no legal requirements to use them. If you intend to rent a motorcycle, helmets will be supplied by the hire company for the rider and passenger. It is a legal requirement to wear one and it has to be in good condition. Which Side of the Road Traffic drives on the left. Priority It is your responsibility as driver to avoid all other road users. Any vehicle has the right of way to pull out in front of you. Drivers in Bali rely on audible warnings, so use the horn regularly to let them know of your presence and in particular when overtaking. Likewise, other drivers will use their horns to let you know of their presence.

WARNING - Be extra vigilant when driving at dusk or at night in rural areas. Many bicycles and carts are not illuminated by lights and street lighting is to be found only in the larger towns. Routes Indonesia's main roads are generally excellent surfaced highways, though overland travel may be hampered by the IMF's insistence that the government remove price subsidies on petrol. In Badung regency especially, there are certain roads that change priority from two-way to one-way during the course of the day. Be extremely careful as road priorities can change without warning and the police will fine anybody driving in contravention of altered road priorities. Speed Limits There is a maximum speed limit of 70 kph. Petrol Expect to pay over 1,150 rp a litre.

Emergency Numbers

The emergency telephone numbers are as follows:
Ambulance 118
Fire 113
Police 110

Handicraft Product From Bali

We are manufacture, wholesaler Handicraft and painting in Bali island.

Sinar Bali provides many type of handicrfat such as :

bali aromatic incense, spa products, zen garden, cinnamons handicraft, candle holders, frame, silver, bronze items, fountains, game, abstract carving, bali painting and many more

.... Our Bali Handicraft price are negotiable and we guarantee lowest price .........

Within our product range of more than 10.000 bali handicraft products,
we are sure you find what you are looking for, but if you not found in our cataloque, tell us what you're looking for ....what a description of the items you desire ( photos if possible ), we can get it for you.
Bali Wooden Frame
Best Bali wooden frame
see more...
Bali Flower
Best Bali flower
see more...
Bali Wooden Frame
Best Bali wooden frame
see more...
The best way to convinced you to place and order is to meet us personally. That's why we invite you to come to Bali.

If you can't come to Bali only to meet us, why don't you put Bali as your next holiday destination. Bali is one of the best holiday / travel destination in the world we have so much to offer here........if you come to bali, we invite you to come to my showroom or if you have plenty of time we'll take you arround. We hold that we are not the best, but we would try our best to give you best products, best service at best price, this is our duty and have close business.

We sincerely hope to have business cooperation and business dealing with the importer, wholesalers and distributors from the all over world and have closed, regular works together.

Handicraft Village

from sanskrit for Seventh Heaven Khayangan estate brings you to a place where the gods themselves may choose to dwell, a blend of new and old, taking the romance of the past and encapsulating it with the comfort and technology of today in bali"s ultimate five star luxury resort.
Designed by jasmine saunders-davies, and built by Cheong Yew Kuan, one of Asia's leading resort and luxury villa architects,khayangan estate is a fully self contained,luxury estate set in 1.5 hectares of lush tropical gardens,located at the edge of the cliff, adjacent to bvlgari resort on the bukit bali.
Eight traditional javanese joglos-once the homes of java aristocracy- have been lovingly restored and refitted with contemporary luxury interiors and state of the art fixtures and fitings to bring you an unforgettable holiday experience.
khayangan estate invites you to luxuriate in your sprrounding;swim in the infinity edge pool,indulge and be pampered at the private cliff top luxury spa,dine on sumptuous cuisine prepared by our in-house chef,play tennis, work out, or simply spend sunset in the cliff-side pavilion over looking selonding beach an the Indian Ocean, champagne in hand, farewelling the day.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Claris Bali is wholesaler of bali handicraft, garment and accessories from Bali.


We provide type of handmade products, good quality of garment and beautiful accessories. We are not the best, but we try to give you best products, best service in best prices, this is our duty and business goal.

All handicraft and the other products are made by professional craftsmen, using only the highest quality materials. The craftsmen have an understanding and much knowledge about all the materials used, ensuring exceptional standards of work and vigorous quality controls, those producing the highest export quality of them.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Bali Handicraft Product

Bali Handicraft Product: Indonesia - Bali handicrafts products as bali home decorations, wooden crafts, bali statue, wood carving, gifts, wooden mirror and bali natural handbags. More then 2000 kinds bali craft and gifts products.

bali product Bali wooden handicraft
We have many kinds bali handicraft products from wood like bali wooden cat, wooden flower, wooden animal, Christmas, bali wooden fish, frame and mirror, mash, puzzle, magnet, holder, hanger, and other kinds.
bali home decoration

Bali Home Decorations
We have special bali handicrafts products for home decoration like bali wall decoration, Bali umbrella, garden lamp, lamp for bedroom, wind chimes, candle stick and cushion cover.

bali gift

Bali Gifts
Bali gift products as key ring, bali kite, miniature surfboard, drummed, puzzle, bali incense and essential oil.

bali handbags

Bali Natural Handbags and Boxes
Special Balinese handbags and box from atta and rattan. The handbags is hand make with combination rattan, natural material, cloth and atta. We can made to order for this products.

bali products Bali Kitchen Accessories
We have many kind product for kitchen accessories like bowl from wood and aluminum, place mate and trey, and coconut shell and caster.

The Luxury Bali SPA








Guests to Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa will receive the following services and amenities while staying in our Ubud Bali hotel.

The Legend

Centuiries ago, a holy man from India, Rei Markandya saw a distant light rising from the earth to the sky and returning again. So Rei organized a large group of men and women to find the place which was the source of the light. On this first journey he found what is now the beautiful island of Bali. By the time Rei and the search party eventually found the place of the light in the central mountains of Bali, much of the group had died. So Rei returned once again to Java and formed yet another group of men and women to find Besakih again and this time build a sacred temple on the site.

On the journey, Rei was led to stop and meditate at a place where two rivers met. It was at Campuhan (which actually means two rivers meet) that Rei Markandya received the inspiration he needed on how to build what is now one of the most revered and beautiful temples in all the world. Campuhan has continued to be a source of light and inspiration for many, attracting artists and musicians of worldwide notoriety such as Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet, Colin Macphee, and Noel Coward.

To mark this place of holy inspiration, a small temple was built on the banks of Campuhan and the surrounding land granted to the royal family of the town near Campuhan, Ubud. Ubud means medicine in Balinese and refers to the healing power of this most sacred ground. Tjokorda Raka of the Ubud Royal family has had a dream of opening up this and sharing the rejuvenating life of this place with visitors of other cultures.

General Information

Bali, one of some 13,000 islands comprising the Indonesian Archipelago, had an auspicious start. According to legend, when the world was formed Bali was put afloat on the back of a giant sea turtle with fragrant skies above. Bali has approximately 3,500,000 inhabitants of which probably 80% are Hindu Balinese. The remaining having come from neighboring islands of Java, Lombok, Madura in search of employment.

Bali lies just 8.67° (965 km) south of the equator. As such the weather is tropical - consistently hot and sunny. Days are almost universally 12 hours long with sunrise is approximately 6:10 a.m.; sunset at 6:30 p.m. depending on the time of year. The daytime temperature averages between 27° C to 32° C (80° F to 90° F) in the southern lowlands (the main tourist venues). Humidity is quite high - a sticky 75% so often times it feels much hotter. Average temperature in the mountains is between 20° C to 25° C (70° F to 80° F). At night the mountains can get downright chilly - so bring a sweater if you plan to overnight there.

Bali’s tropical monsoon climate has two distinct seasons; dry (May to September) and wet (October to April). Monsoon refers to the wind, not the rain. However even in the wet monsoon there’s a better than even chance that it will be sunny for a good part of the day. Weather wise May, June and July are generally considered the best.

A Short History

Bali was first settled by Chinese immigrants sometime around 2500 BC and after working on it for 2,000 years the complex irrigation system that is still the focal point of Balinese agriculture and way of life today was established. Things remained pretty much unchanged until the 11th century. Around 1010 AD a Balinese Prince named Airlangha took over East Java intending to unite it with Bali under his rule. Successful, he subsequently appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, to rule Bali. As such there was a great deal of commerce between Bali and Java bringing with it an exchange of politics and arts. It was at this time the Bali adopted the Javanese language, Kawi that is still used today.

Airlangha's death brought on several wars waged by Javanese Kings to continue the Javanese control of Bali. Finally in 1343 Bali succumbed to Javanese control when it was defeated by a General by the name of Gajah Mada from the Majapahit Empire, the last Hindu Javanese empire.

When Islam began spreading south from Sumatra into Java in the 16th century, the Majapahit empire collapsed and a large number of aristocrats, priests, and artists fled to Bali. From then until the Dutch arrived in 1597 little changed except the culture continued to be refined - which is where we pick up the story.

The People of Bali

The Balinese were not able to develop and sustain their extremely complex agricultural economy for centuries on end without a very organized community structure. The basis of this community structure is the Subak and the Banjar. Everyone who owns a rice paddy must join the Subak in their village. The Subak controls who will plant rice and when (plantings are staggered so that pestilence is minimized). As well and more importantly the Subak ensures that all farmers receive their fair share of irrigation water since traditionally the head the Subak was the farmer whose field was at the bottom of the hill and water first had to pass through everybody else's field before it was allowed to irrigate his.

The other important community structure, the Banjar, organizes all other aspects of Balinese life (i.e. marriages, cremations, community service, festivals and the like). When a man marries he is expected to join the village Banjar and must participate in community affairs. Meetings are held at a large open air building called the Bale Banjar.

Religion

Although the Balinese are Hindu and worship the Hindu trinity Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, the Balinese religion is very different from the Indian variety. The Balinese do have a caste system but there are no untouchables. The caste system is most evident in the language which has three levels: a low level for commoners, a mid level to address strangers and a high level only used when addressing aristocracy.

The Balinese are an unusual island people in that they have never been sea faring people. They believe that good spirits dwell in the mountains and that the seas are home to demons. Most villages have at least three main temples: one of which is the Pura Puseh or ‘temple of origin’, is dedicated to the village founders and which faces to Mt Agung - home to Pura Besakih the mother temple on Bali. Together with the other two village temples each house may several temples and as well as rice fields, markets etc. etc. etc. Now you can see why Bali is often referred to as the Island of the Gods.

The Balinese are extremely devout and no day goes by without making offerings to the gods. These daily offerings - called Banten are a major part of Balinese life. You will see these offerings nearly everywhere in Bali. Made of flowers, cigarettes, cookies, rice and even sometimes money (the actual items used are not as important as the process of making and offering it to the spirits) these offerings are given to the good spirits in hopes of continued prosperity as well as to the evil spirits as an appeasement.

Simple Etiquette

The Balinese are inclusive by nature and take great pride in their heritage and therefore do not mind visitors observing ceremonies and traditional dances, just as long as you follow a few simple, basic points of etiquette. (After all, how would you like a group of foreign speaking tourists invading your wedding or funeral of a close relative to snap a few photos?). First, dress appropriately - smart casual is appropriate - swim wear is not appropriate. Two, be quiet and respectful. Cameras and camcorders are ok - but do be unobtrusive.

Also do not step in front of anyone to snap a photo and do not sit higher than the local priest presiding over the ceremony. As well, do not touch or pat anyone (including children) on the head.

When visiting temples be aware that you should wear long pants or a sarong with a selendang tied around the waist (men and women). Whilst you can take your own every major temple has selendangs to borrow for a small donation. It is extremely bad form (in fact it’s taboo) for women who are menstruating to enter a temple.

Lastly a word about being stuck in traffic. If you do find yourself stuck in traffic for no apparent reason you may have come up on a Balinese procession on the way to temple. Be patient. No amount of honking the car's horn is going to speed things up and it's rude to try and pass.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Bali Handicrafts - Handicrafts collection from Bali

Bali Handicrafts - Handicrafts collection from Bali

Welcome to Bali Duo

Bali Duo is a new site designed to provide potential customers and clients an online friendly use website to search and order thousands of Bali handicraft and furniture products such as Sterling Silver Jewelry, Bali Sandals, Bali Handbags, Bali Shalls, Bali Accessories and many other handicraft products with their prices for wholesale and retails services.

Bali is an island where many artists resided and have in many years this magical island is known for its best authentic produces such as stone carving, wood carving, paintings, silver jewelry, arts and crafts and many more.

Therefore, through this site we would like to bring you the opportunity to purchase online your products of interest for both individual and business purposes.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Painting Of Bali


Paintings of Bali have experienced remarkable evolution. Traditionally another means of expressing religious and mythological ideas, paintings of Bali have been subjected to a number of influences, including deep interaction with Western painters who came and lived in Bali. As with any other artistic expression found in the island, these influences have been uniquely adapted into Bali's personality, creating new nuances and styles of paintings that are distinctly Balinese. Instead of religious or mythical characters of wayang, contemporary paintings present nature, daily lives of Balinese, or even tourists. The shades of coal gray that dominate traditional paintings are now accompanied by vibrant play of color capturing Jalak Bali or Gunung Agung in the morning sun.

The Raja of Ubud was known for his fondness of arts and paintings, and his openness to foreigners. Thus Ubud became the center of arts, welcoming into its heart renowned artists such as Bonnet, Spies, Blanco, Snel, et., many of whom came and never could leave Bali. Today's Ubud is only slightly different. You should not be surprised to run into a foreign writer who has spent months living in a homestay facing a rice field terrace while writing his next book. Fabulous museums of paintings such as the Puri Museum Lukisan, the Neka Museum, and the Rudana Museum have in their permanent collections some of the best paintings ever produced by Balinese or foreigners who found their physical and artistic home in Bali.

Textile Of Bali

Textiles of Bali


The Batik of Bali provides another venue of showing the artistic excellence of the Balinese people. Their beautiful designs, inspired by religious mythologies to everyday encounters, spread throughout the world. Originally stimulated by Javanese motifs, dominated by wayang and other mythological characters, contemporary batik artists have also experienced artistic development that parallels that of paintings. Modern batik artists express themselves through various subjects, from objects of nature such as birds or fish to daily activities such as cremation (ngaben) procession or tourist attractions as well as religious and mythological stories, accompanied by modern interpretation.

The Ikat and Double Ikat are two amazing techniques that the Balinese have perfected. A piece of Ikat cloth is woven in such a way that the ink is 'tied' (which is what 'ikat' literally translates to) in one of the two threads. A Double Ikat recursively repeats this technique; both threads contain ink. The ink will bleed to its neihboring area, and the result is a piece of cloth with distinctive, subtle patterns.

The village of Tenganan is well known for its superb double ikat work. A good piece of double ikat may take months to complete, and it usually belongs to the family heirloom. Certain patterns, such as the black and white, checkered, double ikat are considered to have protective powers against the evil spirits. Thus, they are used a lot to cover or to dress statues that guard the entrance to a temple or sacred masks like Barong.

A piece of ikat shirt or a batik wrap-around, each can be had for as little as a few dollars, are must have. Local garment shops will gladly supply you with these or any other kinds of Balinese garments that might interest you.

Shoping In Paradise


Shopping in Bali is not simply walking into a shop, picking something from a shelf and paying for it. Shopping is an art. In every traditional market and art shop around Bali bargaining is a must.

This traditional way makes shopping in Bali a fun time, where you can feel the warmth of human value in every transaction. Before you begin your shopping tour on this island, please obtain cash because most places do not accept credit cards.

Even if you are not a seasoned negotiator be prepared to enjoy the bargaining process. It is a fun activity and be patient and you will get the 'best (and maybe even local) price'. In some places you can bargain until you get 50% off. Always go in at less than a third of the price (maybe even a quarter) and bargaining and even walk away, until you get the price you want. Then make sure you pay the right money.

I remember seeing a man negotiating for an umbrella on Kuta beach. He did well in the bargaining process and got the price to Rp5,000 and paid up with a Rp50,000 note. But he went away happy believing he had a bargain. Isn't that the most important part of bargaining - to be happy with your purchase. So where can you go to spend your Rupiah?


Denpasar
As the capital of Bali, Denpasar is the center of "market" activity for local people. The biggest traditional market stands near Badung's river, Kumbasari market. It can give you an insight into the traditional Indonesia market where local people do their daily shopping. Fruit, vegetables and meat can be found in the basement; on the second level is the place for spices and dried goods; while household wares, clothing, art and craft is on the third level. Here you can get a very good price if you're smart in bargaining. In the northern part is Gajahmada Street, where you can find handicrafts and some shoe shops and restaurants. In the eastern part is Sulawesi Street, the place for all kind of fabrics on its both sides with some shops providing household ware in between. The area here is very colorful with all types of material from the traditional 'songket' (cloth woven with strands of gold or silver) to modern day stretchy and shiny material. Why not buy your cloth by the meter and have a suit or dress made up by a local tailor. In the southern part is Hasanudin Street where you can see gold shops, selling jewelry to local people but, of course, the visitor is welcome to buy but please bargain. On the west Side of the market is the place for people to buy coconut leaf and ceremony supplies.

Kuta area
As an international village almost all of the shops and restaurants here are for tourist market. You can find handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, CDs, furniture and leather crafts on each side of the road. But you can also see many street hawkers with their various offerings along the road. If you do not want to buy anything from them, do not make eye contact and do not ever look at their products, for if you do, they will follow you along the street and pester you to buy something.

Sanur area
The shopping center in Sanur is on Jalan Danau Tamblingan where the situation is almost the same as Kuta but with very few hawkers. Many products are on offer in the shops and nice restaurants.

The Bypass
The Bypass is the term for Ngurah Rai Street, perhaps the widest road in Bali. If you travel from Nusa Dua to Sanur you will see on the road has many antique, pottery, natural stone and furniture stores. You can get excellent pieces and prices if you look carefully and remember to bargain.

Batubulan area
Batubulan, on the border of Denpasar and Gianyar, is the home of stone sculptures. You can find various kinds of style here, from traditional to modern, small to large. The craftsmen can make up your order and even arrange to ship it to your address back home.

Celuk area
On the way to Ubud you'll pass Celuk, the place for gold and silver jewelry. The artisans in this area are well known for their quality and various designs. Huge art shops along the main road give you a chance to compare prices.

Sukawati
This area is popular because for its Art Market. If you ask Balinese where to find art and craft with the cheapest price, they will recommend Sukawati. Here you can find cloth, paintings and statue, jewelry and also Balinese ceremonial items.

Ubud
This well-known village offers you fine arts with an international standard. Respected galleries such as Agung Rai, Sumertha, Rudana, Sika and Neka are recommended visiting as well as the big names of Hans Snel and Antonio Blanco.

Tegalalang
Various woodcarvings can be found in this village and its neighbors. Very colorful carvings of flowers, animals and other designs are displayed along the road.

Bono
This village is the home of bamboo. The villagers create furniture and mats from bamboo; they also make some articles from lontar leaf.
Kamasan
This village in Klungkung is popular with its own style of painting called Kamasan where a drawing is made in black ink then colored by natural pigments.

Tenganan
Tenganan, the Bali Aga (the original Balinese people) village in Karangasem, is the only place in Bali that produces Geringsing fabric. All the material for Geringsing is taken from nature and its process is very traditional. No chemicals are used in the process. There is a legend that when dying the cloth red, human blood was used. Nowadays a vegetable dye is used. But the price of this fabric is expensive.

Bali Handicraft News

The Balinese sculpture with natural media - wood, stone, bone, horn, deadwood, and even gnarled tree roots. Nowadays, souvenir-caliber wood carving is churned out and successful creations are mass produced. Any visitor to Bali is likely to be exposed to wood carving in all forms, be it the traditional ornate carved doors, the carved figures of gods, or the countless carved items in craft shops. Wood carving is a craft practiced all over Bali. Open your ears to the tapping sound of the carver’s mallet and you would know that there is one around. It would be taxing to separate traditional and foreign influences. However, Balinese are intense observers of the outside world, effortlessly incorporating and adapting foreign themes into their work.

For quality wood carving, head to Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu, which is north of Ubud. It is a great area to meet woodcarvers; it is best to take note of the artist’s name and visit him at the workshop to negotiate a better price. Bali is a perfect place for western artists to study their crafts. There are wood carving lessons in which you can learn to carve your own mask in about three weeks.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bali Music and Dance


Bali Music and Dance

Music, dance and drama are all closely related in Bali, in fact drama and dance are synonymous. The most important thing about Balinese dances, however, is that they're fun and accessible. Balinese dances are not hard to find; there are dances virtually every night at all the tourist centers.

The Gamelan

Balinese music is based around an instrument known as the gamelan. The gamelan is such a central part of Balinese music that the whole 'orchestra' is also referred to as a gamelan. Gamelan music is almost completely percussion. Though it sounds strange at first with its noisy, jangly percussion it's exciting and enjoyable.

Kecak

Probably the best known of the many Balinese dances, the Kechak is also unusual in that it does not have a gamelan accompaniment. Instead the background is provided by a chanting 'choir' of men who provide the 'chak-a-chak-a-chak' noise.

Tourists especially enjoy the performance staged by the Kechak dancers. This dance is also deeply rooted in local tradi- tion and Indian mythology and is inspired by Ramayana, an epic poem written in Sanskrit. The dance brings to life the tale of King Rama, his wife Dewi Sita and his brother Laksamana who were exiled to the forest for 14 years following some complex scheming in a struggle for power. In the forest, they are persecuted by Rahwana, the ogre king who then abducts Dewi Sita and makes her a prisoner of his palace on the Island of Lanka (Ceylon). Rama strikes an alliance with the monkey people whose army de- feats Rahwana’s troups, making it possible for King Rama to rescue his wife. In each Kechak performance, a hundred or so dancers play the monkey army while a few female dancers are assigned specific roles (Dewi Sita, Trijata). The performance generally lasts one hour and takes place in the evening, preferably around 7 PM.

Barong & Rangda

It's the most popular dance for tourists. A straightforward battle between good, the barong, and bad, the rangda. The barong is a strange creature, half shaggy dog, half lion, propelled by two men like a circus clown-horse. The widow-witch rangda is bad though and certainly not the sort of thing you'd like to meet on a midnight stroll through the rice paddies.

The Barong dance is truly a triumphant display of bright colors and graceful movements. Greatly appreciated by the tourists, special performances are staged for their benefit, generally in the morning, and last one hour. The villages of Batubulan as well as Tegaltamu and Singapadu, small towns located 30 minutes from the capital, are known for putting on the best performances. There is, however, more to the Barong dance than the folkloristic dimension, It is, in fact, an integral part of the island's culture and has an evident sacred connotation. It isn't rare, in fact, to see the Balinese dancing the Barong during their religious ceremonies, regardless of the presence of tourists. Inspired by an episode taken from Mahabharata, an epic poem written in Sanskrit. the dance evolves around the character of the Barong, the king of the jungle. A mythical animal, not clearly identified (perhaps a lion), he is the symbol of virtue and good, subject to the continuous struggle against the evil forces that threaten life and the integrity of the forest, this being an element very dear to the Balinese population. In detail, the Barong embodies everything that can be beneficial to man, and help him defeat illness. black magic and any other kind of misfortune. The evil entity against which he must relentlessly fight is personified by Rangda, queen of death and devourer of children. She is characterized by a dark and gloomy mask from which a red tongue of fire hangs. The entire dance is centered around the struggle between these two rival characters. The Barong is interpreted by two dancers whose rhythmic movements bring to life the beautiful and elaborate cos tume they wear. a large animal head skillfully carved out of wood, brightly colored in red, white, black and gold. It is adorned with a crown extending outwards from the sides of the head, and by a prominent necklace which hangs from the neck, The final touch of the costume is a tail made out of bison leather which is elaborately finished and guilded. The first character to appear on the stage is the Barong with his swaying gait: his dance is meant to express the joy of living. He is followed by a group of armed supporters who stand ready to defend him.


When Rangda strikes her terrible blows. It isn't at all rare for the dancers playing the Barong's followers to become so engrossed in the sacredness of the per- formance that they go into a real trance. A cloud of characters surround the Barong on stage. Rangda, goddess of death, personification of evil, the young girl servant Kalika; Dewi Kunti, queen of the kingdom of Hastina and her stepson Sadewa who will be sacrificed in order to placate the anger of Rangda, the minister Dewi Kunti; Patih who ex- presses sorrow for the fate of Sadewa (Rangda will have to enter his soul in order to make him accept the sacrifice), and then the monkey supporters of the Barong, producers of palm tree wine (nira). A very important element in the entire dance is the large orchestra, known as gamelan, which is essential to underscore the ritual nature of the performance. Many are the instruments that make up the orchestra: some metal xylophones which stand out not only because they are so numerous but because of their power ful and imperious sound; there are also drums as well as flutes, the rebab (a type of violin) and the gender (typical xylophones). All together, these instruments are essential in guiding the dance and underscoring the rhythm of well coordinated movements. These along with the joyful colors are the most alluring elements of this remarkable perfor mance. At the end of the dance, the masks of the Barong and of Rangda, as proof of their sacred nature, are stowed in a special room inside the temple. They are covered very carefully, especially Rangda's mask, because its deadly powers are greatly feared. It's a way of saying that the ritual victory of the Barong, that is of good, which marks the end of the dance, is only temporary: tomorrow the eternal and unresolved conflict could begin again.

The end of the Barong dance is like an entirely separate performance. Also known as the Kris dance, it is named after the famous Malese dagger. The idea is based on the philosophical concept rwa bhineda. good and bad, evil and goodness which have always been present and have always existed together albeit in a constant and inevitably unresolved conflict. Nothing will change in the future. While man is left free to try to develop his positive attitudes and let them win over the negative ones, he must nonetheless resign himself to the fact that the presence of both good and evil is a law of nature and as such must be accepted. When the dance is performed, Rangda is the evil spirit which enters the bodies of his victims, usually followers of the Barong, and pushes them to the edge of suicide. The dancers attempt to stab themselves in the chest with their krises until they are finally stopped by the beneficial appearance of the Barong. It is he who will save these unfortunate beings by revealing that the notion of good and evil will always be inevitably present in the world and in everyone's life and that they must therefore accept it.

Keris Dance

In the Barong play, Bali's mythical guardian, Barong, battles Rangda, the demon - Queen. barong's supporters are a group of Balinese men with the natural ability to enter a trance state. They are armed with a kris ( traditional sword). Rangda insults Barong and taunts the menenraged and in a trance they attack her! But her powers are so strong that they are knocked out. When they come to they are so distressed by their failure, that they try to impale themselves on their kris. But their trance state amazingly protects them from injury.

Legong

It's the most graceful of Balinese dances. A legong dancer is known as young girl, often as young as eight or nine years, rarely older than her early teens. There are various forms of the Legong but the Legong Kraton is the one most often performed.

Baris

The warrior dance, known as the Baris, is traditionally a male equivalent of the Legong femininity and grace give way to energetic and warlike martial spirit.

Ramayana Ballet

Basically, it tells the same story of Rama and Sita as told in the Kechak but without the monkey ensemble and with a normal gamelan gong accompaniment.

Kebyar

It's a male solo dance like the Baris but with greater emphasis on the performer's individual abilities. There are various forms of Kebyar including the Kebyar Duduk and Kebyar Trompong.

Barong Landung

The giant puppet dance take place annually on the island of Pulau Serangan and a few other places in southern Bali.

Janger

The Janger is a relatively new dance which suddenly popped up in the '20s and '30s. Today it has become part of the standard repertoire and no longer looks so unusual.

Topeng

A mask dance where the dancers have to imitate the character represented by mask. A full collection of Topeng masks may number 30 or 40. Closely liriked to religious ceremonies and processions, and danced as a ritual interval, the Topeng dance ultimately takes on a sacred connotation. As a matter of fact, foreigners are allowed to see the dance only if they behave appropriately and respectfully. Actually, some performances are staged only for the benefit of the tourists, but do not enjoy the same following of the Barong and Kechak dances. Peculiar components of the Topeng dance are the masks used to hide the faces of the dancers. Specific attributes are used, instead, to identify the characters (a mustache and thick eyebrows for the elder, arrogance and defiance for Patih, and so on). The rhythm of movements (perfectly in accordance to the age and role of the character) is underscored by a large orchestra, the garnelan, which is essential for the success of the performance.

Jauk

Also a mask dance but strictly a solo performance.

Pendet

It's an everyday dance of the temples, a small procedure to go through before making temple offerings.

Sanghyang (Fire Dance)
The Sanghyang trance dance originally developed to drive out evil spirits from a village. The Sanghyang Dedari dance is performed by two young girls who dance a dream-like version of the Legong but with their eyes closed. The Sanghyang Jaran, a boy dances around and through a fire, riding a coconut palm hobby-horse. In both dances, a priest is always on hand to help bring the dancers out of theritrance -state at the end of the performance.

about denpasar


Imaging from an inspiration, covered wit spirit, willing hard and never ending struggle. Combined with people creativity creating art work, with a high esthetical value.This indeed makes a community of Denpasar countinuouses in competing and producing on the international market.

Denpasar is a capital city of Bali province has been developed as a centre of economic. Its vission as a city which is culturaly decided is carried out and in line with the promotion of exporting and out of all guests, were almost 70 % of bali's industry are located in the area of Denpasar.

The Export commudity progressed of the capital city of Denpasar exist parencing a gradual proggres each year. Tis is indeed is sign that the city still to have a prospective obesious market. But however they are some efforts to improve the quality and productivity. Reffering to that conditions, the Goverment of Denpasar allways earries out the training and promoting that the bussiness means and craftment of Denpasar will be able to compete on the international market

Sunday, July 13, 2008

"Wholesale "Bali"" handicrafts""....."



You've come to the right place for quality Bali handicrafts from an Indonesia based wholesale craft supplier. Bali Direct is a well-established manufacturer, wholesaler and exporter of quality Indonesian craft products. Our product range includes all the classic Balinese products like wind chimes, photo albums, stoneware, miniature surfboards, incense, hand crafted terracotta ceramic, candle and incense holders, sarongs, fashion accessories as well as many more handcrafted gift and home ware items from not only Bali but the entire archipelago of Indonesia.
Bali handicrafts, culture, arts and crafts... the connection.

Bali is a dynamic centre of arts, culture, religion and people. What comes out of this is a unique magical blend of mysticism, righteousness, peace, tolerance, creativity and, of course, the famous Balinese friendliness. These very attributes come together and serve as a root for the creation of what has developed and grown into a truly wonderful art and craft industry that Indonesia has become world renowned for.

Indonesian handicrafts in the global market place.....

Hand crafted gifts and arts and crafts from Indonesia have continued to gain in popularity over the years. Bali handicrafts now adorn the homes of millions of consumers the world over. At some time or another, you may have come across a hand crafted item that has caught your eye. Perhaps a melodic bamboo wind chime, or a cute brightly painted cat, maybe a leaf covered photo frame, an elegant wooden sculpture, a hand woven cushion cover. These, and many other such items often originate from right here in Indonesia. Indonesian handicrafts have rightly earned a dominant place in the highly competitive international giftware and furnishings market place. Millions of dollars of handicrafts are now being exported all over the globe annually to gift shops, supermarkets, department stores, wholesalers, importers and distributors. Bali Direct supplies quality Bali handicrafts to such entities and currently exports to at least forty countries all over the globe.



People and empowerment.....

Demand has meant that the Bali handicraft industry has thrived and it now provides employment and business opportunities for quite literally thousands of people. In addition to providing a livelihood for those in the handicraft industry, it has given a big boost to the economy. To truly appreciate how the handicraft industry functions and provides a living for so many people, one has to go off into the hills, far off the beaten track. For it is in the remote villages that you will find the true artisans of all of the handicraft products that Bali has become so famous for. It is here that whole Balinese communities are hard at work turning bits of wood, bamboo, metal, leaves and clay into truly amazing and marketable products. That's real empowerment for you!

Bali handicraft supply....

We draw on the production power of these remote Indonesian communities and provide assistance to manufacturers and artisans in the form of marketing via the internet and through direct promotion campaigns. This helps to keep the handicraft industry alive in Indonesia and provides many of the home industry manufacturers with a channel to sell their arts and craft wares. Many handicraft products that we supply are the creations of the highly skilled artisans mentioned above, but we are also a supplier of our own unique craft items that we have developed with the help of the very same people. Simply put, without them we would not have been able to achieve any of this. To this end, we look forward to continuing our drive to keep supporting the communities of Indonesia by helping them to bring their unique skills and crafts to the world market place.

Come on in and see for yourself all the handicrafts that Indonesia has to offer. You'll be truly amazed!

Friday, July 11, 2008

29th Bali Art Festival 2007


Bali Art Festival is a staging event of Balinese traditional artistry which is performed every once a year. In this year, this even has been executed to the 29 times and carried out during one month from 16 June - 14 July 2007. There are 13 thousand actors/actress which are merged into 156 sekaa (group of Balinese actors) will properly perform their artistry from dance, gamelan traditional, child/adult game, exhibition of gold, silver, batik, clothes of traditional Bali and others.

Bali Art Festival, Balinese Culture

Why this event is held?

Globalization growth that is happened in Bali is one of threat for Balinese culture where foreign culture tends to more aggressive and worried that a august artistic value exist in Bali society will lose. Therefore, Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra - former Bali Governor trigger the idea to preserve this Balinese culture by performing a staging artistic event once a year and it is more recognized by Bali Art Festival. This event invites all components from actor/actress of entire Bali to show their ability and expected can dig the art potency which is not yet popular in Bali .

Bali Art, Denpasar BaliWhere the event is executed?

Bali Art Center is a center of art event performance in Bali provides complete art demonstration facilities. The open stage which have been built and decorated by beautiful ornament with Balinese architecture is very good place to perform the art performance like drama, dance, music and other. This place is more known by the name of Arda Chandra Open Stage. The other side, a lot of buildings has been built to show the artistry or exhibition. In courtyard of Art Center is also used as a place to demonstrate the Balinese artistry which more popular in Bali society like Jogen Bumbung Dance (the dance is accompanied by made gamelan from bamboo) or game. Bali Art Center is located in Nusa Indah Street, Denpasar Town or 30 minutes drives from Bali's International Airport .

What else can be visited on Bali Art Festival?

Bali Art Festival beside provide a lot of entertainment amusement start from dance, drama, puppets, game, gamelan and art competitions, there is another side which can be enjoyed like exhibition. This exhibition provides the multifarious of artwork like gold, silver, batik, cloth, Balinese Traditional costume, painting, handy craft and other. At the west side corner of Bali Art Center is a place to sell the various of food and beverage. The Balinese Traditional Foods are also available in this place.

When the right time to visit Bali Art Festival?

Balinese Dance, Topeng DanceIt is open from 09.00 until last time performance (around 12.00 midnight). The best time to visit this place is the night time from 19.00 – 22.00 hours. You will meet the various of Balinese attraction in several stage including the Balinese art exhibition offering the competitive price. If you visit in the day time, some of Balinese performance and attraction are may be held based on the schedule. Bali Art Festival is a very good moment for you to see the Balinese artistry exhaustively. You will see the Balinese art truthfully and played by all reliable and professional actors/actress inclusive of Popular Sekaa (A popular actors/actress group ).

Released on 19 June 2007
At 15:30 pm - by Balistarisland.com

"handicraft""bali""wood"

Precise identification of wood samples can be very difficult indeed, especially when one considers how many different types of wood there are. For this requirement, it will suffice to bring in five samples and teach the student to distinguish between them. Unless you are already an expert at identifying wood, you would be well served to visit a specialty lumber establishment and ask for a few samples of five species. These types of stores are staffed by extremely knowledgeable people. You may also have luck at a hardware/lumber store such as Lowes or Home Depot. These stores will often display their hardwoods in a different section away from the construction lumber (which is mostly fir and pine). They commonly carry oak, maple, and poplar lumber, and less commonly, cedar. Beech, oak, and luan (a cheap grade of mahogany) are usually available in plywood form. You may also be able to get free samples at a hardwood floor store.

When you have your samples, label them on one side so you can be sure of their identities.

Wooden handicraft

Pine
Pine
Pines is among the most commercially important genus of tree, valued for its timber and wood pulp throughout the world. Pine wood is widely used in high-value carpentry items such as furniture, window frames, paneling and floors. Pine is readily available at commercial lumberyards, being among the least expensive forms of lumber. Pine is light yellow to white with a reddish tinge. It darkens to an orange tint with age. The wood is soft and easily shaped with both hand and power tools, making it a very popular choice for wood craft.

Balinese Handicraft Villages


Bali is famous for its culture, art and handicrafts. A visitor might browse what is on offer in the Kuta area, but want a more dedicated place, focusing on one kind of product. Here is where you will find a particular type of handicraft.

Babat: Sandstone carvings, silver & goldwork.
Bangli & Tampaksiring: Coconut, cattle-bone, and buckhorn carvings.
Batuan: Woven goods. Known for traditional woven cloth and carved and decorated painted wooden panels.
Batubulan: Stone sculptures. Lining the street are many stone figures and statues. Buddhas, demons, and ornaments for family
shrines are sold here. You can watch the carvers at work in certain places.
Blaju & Gianyar: Weaving center. Many quality sarongs are made here. Good place for textiles.
Bona: Close to Gianyar. Known as the place where the best bamboo comes from, hence the bamboo furniture. Also a center for
plaited baskets, hats and sandles.
Bratan & Celuk: Weaving, gold & silver. Celuk is a mile long street lined with silversmiths. You can buy ready made stuff
or order custom work.
Goa Gajah: Baskets, shell carvings.
Klungkung: Wood & hornwork handicrafts, bone carvings, fine woven silk. Also shops selling Chinese porcelain, ornamental gold
and silver jewelry.
Mas, Peliatan & Ubud: Carving & painting centers. Some very good carvers are found in Mas.
Penestanan: Paintings and beaded purses.
Puaya: Close to Sukawati. Puppets made from old Chinese coins. Leather puppets also made