Holidays in Bali - The Indonesian Paradise

Image via Wikipedia

Bali is a beautiful Indonesian island situated on the western side of Lesser Sunda Islands, in between Lombak and Java lying east and west side, respectively. This Indonesian island is one of the major and highly favourite tourist destinations, with its culture, beauty, beaches, music, paintings and rich art work.
Taman Ayun Temple Taman Ayun (beautiful garden) is a magnificent tourist spot built over a high table enclosed and bordered by ponds. The whole pond surrounding gives this temple a floating look, which attracts many tourist and visitors holidaying in Bali. The inside of the temple has merus, shrines and bales.
Bali Bird Park
When on a holiday in Bali with family you can always visit this tourist spot and have a great family time together. This bird park is stretched across an area of 2 hectares and has amazing variety to offer to tourist and visitors. When on a holiday in Bali, you can always check out the superb collection of over 1000 of species from across the world and some being the rarest ones.
Pura Besakih - Mother Temple
Situated high on the top of mount Agung, Pura Besakih is a collection of shrines with the core temple being the Mother temple. Spread across huge hectares of area, the temple acts as a major tourist spot and brings out the spiritual and cultural side of this Indonesian island to tourist and visitors. A must to visit place, Pura Besaikh is known to be the largest Hindu temple and witness huge amount of visitors and devotes. Ubud Monkey Forest
Rich with greenery, Ubud is a forest sanctuary which has a magnificent walking pavement surrounded by thick foliage. When holidaying in Bali, you can always enjoy this green tourist spot adding to the beauty of this Indonesian island. The forest is known for the huge presence of monkeys, Balinese macaques.
Goa Gajah
This tourist spot is an elephant cave situated in the valley on the outskirt of Ubud next to Bedulu. This 700 years old cave was revived in year 1920 and 30 years later it was unearthed completely. When holidaying in Bali you must not miss this ancient tourist spot with beautifully carved striking entrance, the place is surrounded by bathing pools like most of the Bali temples.
Beaches
Apart from various tourist spots available to cherish a holiday in Bali the major attraction comes in form of its beaches. This Indonesian island is known for it water and beach activities, resorts and fun. Some of the stunning beaches found in Bali are Sanur beach, Soka beach, Lovina beach, Medewi beach, Kuta beaches, Legian beach, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.
Best time to visit or holiday in Bali
Known to have only two seasons, dry and wet, Bali can be visited any time of the year for a great holiday. But the best time to visit Bali is usually the months from April to September. If you are holidaying in Bali only for the beaches, then the best months to visit are June to August.

Wayang As One of the Indonesian Traditional Art

Wayang known since prehistoric times of about 1500 years before Christ. Indonesian society held belief [pagan] worship of ancestral spirits called or Dahyang Hyang, manifested in the form of [the statue] or image.

Wayang is the Indonesian traditional art developed primarily in Java and Bali. UNESCO has recognized puppet show on November 7, 2003, as a work of amazing cultural stories in narrative and beautiful heritage and valuable (Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity).

There are puppet versions played by people in costume, which is known as the puppet people, and there is also a collection of puppet plays puppet puppeteer. Puppet plays is such a mastermind puppet or puppet show. A story told in the wayang performance usually comes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

Wayang show in every country has its own technique and style, thus puppet is made in Indonesia Indonesian people who have a genuine story, style and extraordinary puppeteer.

Sometimes repertoire Panji stories and stories Menak (Islamic stories) performed well.

Puppet, by the predecessors of this country really means very deep. Sunan Kali Jaga and Raden Patah was instrumental in developing the Puppet. The Guardian in the land of Java is arranged into three parts. First Wayang Kulit in East Java, the Wayang Wong or Wayang Orang in Central Java, and the three Wayang Golek in West Java. Very connected each one another. Ie "Where the contents (Wayang Wong) and Where the Skin (Wayang Kulit) should be sought (Wayang Golek)".

Types of wayang

Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet)

Wayang Kayu (Wooden Puppet)

Wayang Beber

Wayang Orang

Wayang Suket

The types of wayang kulit by region or ethnic origin

There are also puppet who uses language like Local Melayu Betawi, Palembang and Banjar language:
1.Yogyakarta, Surakarta
2.Gagrag
3.Banyumasan
4.Bali
5.Banjar (South Kalimantan)
6.Palembang (South Sumatra)
7.Betawi (Jakarta)
8.Cirebon (West Java)
9.Madura (now extinct)

The Indonesian Art of Sculpting

Since the beginning of time, men have had the interest for shaping simple objects into entirely new different objects. Human beings have learned to adapt to his surroundings, and this resilience of men has made them more in tune with their environment, enhancing their talents.

Modeling objects is somewhat similar to this concept. This process entails the usage of a material flexible enough to be manipulated through methods such as heating and molding. This manipulation is done to recreate the object it is being modeled after.

Sculpture is definitely a form of art that differs from culture to culture. All cultures may use the same material and same model, but how each culture implements their own cultural design, concept and beliefs would separate one work of art from another.

The Indonesian Symbolism

The Indonesian culture renders high respect and adoration for the nature that surrounds them. That's why in most of their art forms, themes of natures are always incorporated in their designs. Such designs they use are intricate and very expressive. Furthermore, the Indonesian design sticks to colorfully bright and sharp details.

Indonesia's close ties with its religious beliefs have led their art forms, specifically their sculptures, to be mythical in theme and design as well. These and other designs basically symbolize how significant life, nature and religion are to the Indonesian culture. Another addition to the already long list of themes significant to the Indonesian culture is the close ties that families form with one another which have so far inspired the Indonesian art tradition.

Indonesian Sculpture

Similar to wood carvings, sculpture in Indonesia follows the unwritten rule that the sculpture should incorporate the Indonesian's concept of life, nature and religious beliefs. Indonesian sculpture involves many processes of polishing and touches that highlights the truthfulness it should possess. Indonesian sculpture is also never limited to fixed model positions. Instead, it has the ability to portray extreme movement and expressive features. Most important of all, the richness of the Indonesian ethnicity is evident in every unique piece of art, especially their sculptures. Each unique piece also represents the unique cultural diversity that resides within the boundaries of Indonesia.

Sculpture and other forms of art not only serve as a hobby for the Indonesian society but a way to preserve their rich cultural heritage as well. At indonesia-exporter.com and other websites in the Internet featuring sculptures, further appreciation for the Indonesian art can be seen.

Bali — Arts and Culture

Gain insight into the challenges facing a traditional society affected by an international tourist population and increasing development. The program is based in Bali, a microcosm of the contending forces and contradictions at play throughout Indonesia. The 13,000-island nation of Indonesia has historically attracted traders and settlers from throughout the world. The country’s long history of adaptation continues today as global marketplace influences dramatically alter the natural and cultural landscapes.

A predominantly Hindu island in this otherwise Muslim nation, Bali offers a blend of religious and cultural influences, a rich artistic heritage, and a window into the continued importance of religion in daily life. Students examine the interaction between traditional Balinese arts and culture and the economic and political spheres of society.