The island of Bali is considered to be one of the most beautiful natural and cultural tourist destinations on the planet, this place exudes a very special positive energy generated by its various Hindu temples, its beautiful beaches and bays, its natural landscapes and its exquisite gastronomy that makes you want to enjoy all its goodness. Through this article, we invite you to learn a little more about this beautiful and paradisiacal island.
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Where is Bali?
The island of Bali is a group of islands in the Malay Archipelago, west of the Bali Strait, about 3 kilometres from Java, east of the Lombok Strait. The island of Bali belongs administratively to the country of Indonesia and the province of the same name, it has a length of 140 kilometres from east to west and 90 kilometres from north to south, for a total area of 5,636 km2, it has a population of 3,500,000 inhabitants and its capital is Denpasar, the official language is Indonesian although the Balinese dialect is also spoken.
The island of Bali consists of a chain of mountains running from east to west; Mount Agung rises to 3142 metres above sea level, it is a conical volcano with a crater 800 metres in diameter and its last volcanic activity was in March 1963.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs, the beaches located in the south are of white sand and those located in the north are of black sand due to the volcanic actions that surround it, its main routes of communication are by means of highways, the island of Bali has the International Airport the Denpasar-Ngurah Rai which is located in the town of Jimbaran on an isthmus which is a generally narrow and elongated strip that connects two areas, in this case the southern zone with the central zone of the island.
Why visit this island?
The island of Bali has everything to satisfy the demands and expectations of all its visitors, with an exceptional hotel structure, beautiful natural sites, beaches, historical monuments, a culture and gastronomy unique in the world, and most importantly, its people who are waiting to offer you their services in a comfortable and safe way.
Bukit
Bukit is located on a peninsula in the south of the island of Bali and is known as the viewpoint of Bali, the tourist development of the area is complete since in this place there is a hotel infrastructure, restaurants, beaches and the most spectacular bays of the island, so if you are in Bukit, we suggest you to visit the following places:
Uluwatu
The village of Uluwatu is located to the south of Bukit in the island of Bali, it is a little distant from the airport, but it has a good quantity of beaches that are considered as the most beautiful of Bali, in this place you will also find the temple of Taman Ayun, as well as beaches for the practice of surfing.
Balangan
The village of Balangan is located on the top of a cliff, so the view of the island of Bali from there is impressive, in this place you will find 5 star hotels and very good restaurants, but also cheap places with very good food at affordable prices, the beaches of this sector have a strong swell, so you will find some surf schools and in the evening this is the best place to watch the sunset.
Best places to stay in Bali
Each part of Bali has its own charm and the range of hotels is varied. Most accommodation is in the south of the island, where the best beaches and services are found. If you prefer a quieter area, many divers choose to stay in the north of the island.
In the south, one of the most popular areas is Kuta, a bit chaotic but where you’ll find the best party nights. If you are looking for a good time at night, this is the place to be as there are restaurants, discos and bars. There are also several shopping centres and water parks. It is the most popular choice for surfers as the atmosphere is more youthful and there is cheap accommodation such as hostels and rooms to share.
If you are looking for something quieter but with all the services, Seminyak is the place to go, ideal for all ages and families. Accommodation is more luxurious than in Kuta, but there are also cheaper options.
The beaches of Bali
On the island of Bali you will find some of the most extraordinary coastlines in Indonesia, and in addition you can enjoy quiet beaches for the family or for rest and total relaxation, beaches with very strong waves for the enjoyment of surfers, beaches where you can enjoy good music and dancing, so if you are in Bali, we recommend you enjoy the following beaches:
Jimbaran Beach
This beach is located south of the airport via Denpasar and Nusa Dua, in this place the wind blows very strong so the beach is perfect for lovers of windsurfing, bodysurfing and sailing boat, on the beach there is a coral reef so the waves are not very strong. There are restaurants and a good hotel infrastructure around this beach.
Kuta Beach:
This beach is located in the south of the island in the Bukit peninsula, it is also known as the beach of the party, it has 8 kilometres of fine sand and the music is as much in the day as in the night, in this beach you can practice all the water sports, here you will find the services of renting chairs, parasols, there are restaurants and sellers that will offer you food at very economical prices, in the place there are also spa centres if you want to pamper your body and your skin.
Legian Beach:
This beach is located in Kuta, it is very quiet, you won’t find the sound of music, all you will hear is the sound of the waves and the wind, as well as the shelter of the trees that are very close to the shores, in this beach you will find restaurants, chair rental, awnings and companies that offer their services for the practice of water sports.
Sanur Beach:
This beach is the favourite of snorkelling and diving lovers, the coast is protected by marine reefs, so it is a beach with crystal clear water and very little waves, so it is highly recommended for the family, there you can hire the services of a boat that has a glass floor to observe the marine life, in this place you can also observe the kite festival that takes place two kilometres from the beach between the months of May and September.
Seminyak
This beach is located in the luxury area in the south of the island of Bali, it is a long beach, its sand is white and it is surrounded by luxury shops and restaurants as well as 5 star hotels.
Padang Padang
Padang Padang is a private beach and it is catalogued as one of the best beaches of the island of Bali, its sands are white and fine and its waters are of crystalline and turquoise colour, in this beach you will find the services of restaurant, of rent of chairs, awnings, as well as companies that offer their services for the practice of water sports. In addition to its virtues, this beach became famous because it was the setting for the film Come, Reza, Ama, starring Julia Robert and Javier Bardem.
The temples of Bali
Unlike the rest of the Indonesian islands, where the predominant religion is Islam, which bases its philosophy on the scriptures of the Koran, the population of the island of Bali is 90% Hindu Balinese, other minorities are Muslims, especially the inhabitants of the coastal area, Christians and Buddhists, so you should not miss visiting some of the temples located on the island of Bali, among which are those that we indicate below:
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Dedicated to the goddess of water, Dewi Danu, this temple, located on the shores of Lake Bratan and the mountains, is a place of pilgrimage where devotees bring their offerings and ask for water to have a prosperous harvest.
Pura Besakih
The temple Pura Besakih or Temple Mother, located near the volcano Agung, is considered one of the most important and sacred temples of the island of Bali, is a huge infrastructure conformed by 22 puras or temples, possesses 7 terraces that represent the layers of the universe, to enter this place you can only if they profess the religion of Hinduism.
Tirta Empul
The Tirta Empul temple is built over a spring of sacred water, which has healing properties for those who bathe in it. This is a public site, and visitors are asked to respect the rituals and bathing in accordance with Balinese tradition, and to refrain from taking photographs.
Taman Ayun
The temple of Taman Ayun or Temple of the Beautiful Garden is located on the road to Tanah Lot, it is considered one of the most beautiful in the region, it is not open to the public who do not profess a religion, but from the outside you can appreciate its beautiful facilities such as the pagodas and the beautiful garden.
Pura Luhur Ulu Watu
This temple is located in Bukit, its name means Pura that is built in the edge – Ula in a rock – Watu in the cliff that is located to 75 meters on the level of the sea, it is considered one of the 6 temples related to the spiritual pillars of the island of Bali, from this sacred place you can observe the incredible beauty of the beaches of Bukit, as well as the magnificent sunset.
Bali Climate
The hot season on the island of Bali begins in mid-October and lasts until the end of November with an average temperature of 31°C, an average maximum temperature of 32°C and an average minimum temperature of 25°C. The cool season starts from the end of June to August with an average temperature of 30°C, the average minimum temperature is 23°C and the average maximum temperature is 30°C.
The rainy season begins in November and lasts until March, with a 34% chance of precipitation. The dry season begins in April and lasts until November, with a 6% chance of rain.
The windiest season starts in the month of May and lasts until October with an average speed of 12 kilometres per hour. The calmest season is from November to early May with an average wind speed of 8 kilometres per hour.
The warmest water temperature is from November to mid-May with an average temperature of 28°C. The coldest water temperature is from November to mid-May. The coldest water temperature is from June to mid-August with an average temperature of 26°C.
The best time to visit Bali is from May to September as the chances of rainfall are minimal.
Flora and Fauna
The flora and fauna of the island of Bali is very rich and diverse, due to the type of climate in which the island is located.
The flora found on the island is listed below:
- Monsoon forest or tropical rain forest: The screw tree, Lontar palms, bamboo, ceiba, fig trees, among others.
- Dry tropical forest: Teak, cow’s claw, mahogany, jabillo, among others.
- Tropical cloud forest: cedar, giant grasses and shrubs of various sizes, orchids, bromeliads, araceae and other species.
- Humid savannah: grasslands and scrubland.
- In addition, in the north of the island of Bali, agriculture is mainly focused on the cultivation of rice, coffee, fruit and vegetables.
The fauna of the island of Bali is as follows
- Mammals: Macaque monkeys, orangutans, tapirs, tigers, wild boar, elephants, deer and other species.
- Reptiles: Monitor lizards, agamas, Komodo dragons, geckos and snakes.
- Sea life: barracuda, bonito, lobster, parrot fish, shrimp, shark or octopus, among others.
Bali History
It is recorded that human settlement on the island of Bali dates back to 2500 BC, Hindus arrived on the island with their culture, and there is evidence in the pottery and ceramics found on the island with the word Brahmi, which belongs to the alphabet used by the people of Southeast, East and Central Asia in the 4th or 3rd century B.C. The name Dali Dwipa – Island of Bali – has been depicted in various inscriptions such as the Blanjong sign dating back to 913. The name Dali Dwipa – Island of Bali – has been depicted in various inscriptions, such as the Blanjong script of 913.
The Mayapajit Hindu Empire from 1293 to 1520, based on the island of East Java, established a colony on the island of Bali in 1343. This Mayapajit empire was established on the island until the end of the 15th century, when the territory of the island passed under the control of their vassals, who were those who worked for the empire, later the troops of the Muslim kingdom conquered the territories of the kingdom of Kediri, who were those who dominated the territory of Indonesia until the year 1527.
With the rise of Islam in the Indonesian archipelago, the aristocracy, artists and intellectuals of Java sought refuge on the island of Bali, which contributed to the further strengthening of Hindu culture, literature and religion.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the island of Bali was once again ruled by the Hindu Mayapajit dynasty, who established a kingdom in this area that was independent of the other dependencies of the Indonesian archipelago until 1908, when the Dutch colony intervened.
The first people of European origin to arrive on the island of Bali were the Portuguese after a shipwreck off the coast of Bukit in 1585; in 1597 the Dutch sailor and explorer Cornelis Houtman arrived on the island and claimed the land for the Dutch crown, whereupon Holland established a trading colony through the Dutch East India Company, competing with the British and Portuguese traders of the time.
The kings of the island of Bali traded with the Dutch Company for slaves, which they exchanged for opium, but under the pretext of eradicating the slave-for-opium trade, Dutch representatives asserted their claim to total control of the island through several wars fought between 1846 and 1849.
The Dutch carried out Christianisation campaigns but these failed as the islanders refused to follow the religious manifestations of Christianity, but the Dutch tightened their grip on the island in 1906-1908 under the pretext of preventing the plundering of ships sailing near the island, Holland intervened militarily on the island of Bali, In an act of rebellion and refusal to surrender to the enemy, the original inhabitants of the island burned themselves to death in a ritual sacrifice known as the Puputan, and it is recorded that around four thousand people died in this act of rebellion.
This situation of the conquest of Bali was harshly criticised by European countries who criticised and accused the Dutch troops of abuses in their colonial campaigns, so the government of the Netherlands established a policy of ethics in the colonies they had in Indonesia and began a campaign of colonial power of goodwill, respecting the religion and local culture. Tourist activities began in the 1920s.
The island of Bali was occupied by the Japanese army in 1945 and liberated by the Allied forces in the same year. In 1946, the Dutch attempted to reoccupy the island, but the Allied Forces prevented them from doing so, so the Dutch created the legal status of the State of East Indonesia, which included the island of Bali and the islands of the Moluccas archipelago. This situation led to four years of conflict, so the Dutch freed the Republic of Indonesia from their dominion and colonial pretensions, granting it independence on 27 December 1949, at a meeting held in the city of The Hague, in the province of Holland in the Netherlands.
If you enjoyed this article, we invite you to visit the following links:
- Island of New Caledonia
- Saona Island
- Madeiran Islands