BALI CANYON TUBING DRIFTED AWAY IN JOY BALINESE GAMELAN MUSIC FOR THE GODS
No.02 | SEPT 15–DEC 14 2009
WILL YOU COME BACK TO BALI? VIEW BALI THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE'S EYES
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
Om Swastiastu
W
e always bring you nothing but good news. This time, it is a tremendous pleasure for us to introduce a new brood in the big family of only Baru di Bali: The Mag Mini. As the little sister of The Mag, The Mag Mini functions to compliment the currentlybooming The Bali Bag; you know…that cool, little paper bag many tourists are carrying around. And you guessed it right; The Bali Bag is stepping into the next cool level with The Mag Mini in it. She may be little, but The Mag Mini talks a lot! From her, you can get information about everything Bali. Be it places to go, see, eat, drink, sleep, shop and many others – she shows you your ways around the island. But if you feel that The Mag Mini is just too mini, you can always turn to the big sister, The Mag. In any case, both The Mag Mini and The Mag aim to provide you with honest, original, quality information about Bali. We wish you a pleasant stay in Bali. Enjoy! THE TEAM
The Mag Mini
Shortcuts 04 06
CALL +62 (0) 361 737 913 MAIL info@barudibali.com VISIT Jl. Laksmana 9, Seminyak Copyright © 2009 - All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without written permission from PT Baru di Bali and CV Baru di Bali. Opinions expressed in ‘The Mag Mini’ are the writers' and not necessarily endorsed by PT Baru di Bali or CV Baru di Bali. PT Baru di Bali and CV Baru di Bali are not responsible or liable in any way for the contents (advertising included)
07 08 10 12 15
Balinese Gamelan Music for the Gods Will you come back to Bali? View Bali through Other People's Eyes Galungan & Kuningan The 2nd time of year Balinese Hindu's biggest holiday Pandora Restaurant Start the day deliciously Bali Canyon Tubing Drifted away in joy The Blanjong Epigraph Sanur has one of Bali's best-kept secrets Crash Course Bahasa Indonesia Phrases to help you survive in Bali
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
Balinese Gamelan BY NAMHAR
Known as an island whose native’s lives are inseparable from religious beliefs, the traditional music in Bali is intended to accompany the many rituals and other religious practices including dances. The traditional Balinese orchestra, known as gamelan, is composed of various forms of percussions (instruments that are hit) with overlapping and crisscrossing notes. It is believed that during the traditionally mandated religious events, the gods descend to inhabit their chosen shrines, awaiting the lavish musical entertainment. The people as the hosts are expected to provide this. For the procession of offerings into the temple, there is music; for the spilling of cremated souls' ashes into the sea, there is music; for the exorcism of evil spirits, there is music; and for the ritual filing of teeth, there is music.
FLICKR.COM
The Balinese also extend the sacred musical events with a wide range of more worldly occasions in which gamelan also plays a crucial role. There are flirtatious street dances, frenzied bull races and gamelan performances for guests and dignitaries. A regular cycle of gamelan competitions and festivals provides a forum for people to demonstrate their pride in their musical abilities and their dedication to the priceless cultural heritage for its own sake. Men and women usually perform in separate groups, with the exception of the ketengkong, the female singer who performs with male groups. Gamelan instruments are all kept together in the balai banjar (community meeting hall). Regular practice and rehearsal also take place in balai banjar; if you want to see it, just go to any balai banjar all over the island.
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
ARABELLA NETHERLANDS
DAPHNE NETHERLANDS
LO C AT I O N : K U TA B E AC H
LO C AT I O N : L E G I A N
I’m already planning where to go for my next visit to Bali. I’ve only been in Kuta learning to surf, but now I want to see the rest of Bali.
Yes, I’m going back to Holland tonight, but I wish I could stay. I’ve been to Bali twice already and still want to come back and enjoy the beach.
DONOVAN AU STR ALIA
DIANE U.S. A
JASON UNITED KINGDOM
LO C AT I O N : K U TA B E AC H
LO C AT I O N : TA N A H LOT
LO C AT I O N : N U S A D U A
I have to come back to Bali! I haven’t been to Lembongan yet to surf the waves there. Everybody says the waves are great in Lembongan.
If I can get more money to spend, I’m definitely coming back. I burned a whole in my wallet shopping here, I wish I could take everything back home. TM: try to look for The Bali Bargains in The Bali Bag. It's a great moneysaver!
Definitely! Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t come back to Bali and I can give you a million reasons why I should leave my job and live here.
MICHAEL RUSSIA
AVANA SOUTH AFRICA
FERDINAND I TA LY
LO C AT I O N : K U TA B E AC H
LO C AT I O N : D R E A M L A N D
LO C AT I O N : S A N U R B E AC H
If I want to get better at surfing I have to come back. I have completed the beginning classes but I want to get better and surf bigger waves.
I like Bali, but I’m not sure if I will come back. The beaches are nice but there are prettier beaches in South Africa. One plus though is the friendly people here.
Of course! Bali is a paradise! Who wouldn’t want to come back to paradise? Bali has everything I’ve been looking for in a holiday paradise. Beautiful!
WILL YOU COME BACK TO BALI?
06
T H E M A G M I N I 09/12
GALUNGAN & KUNINGAN repare yourself for the Galungan day which according to the Balinese calendar will fall this October 14th. The 10-day feast ends with Kuningan day, in which during that period of time it is believed that all the Balinese Gods will visit the Earth. In order to welcome and appease the Gods, ancestral temples are cleaned, special prayers and offerings are made and dances are presented. By late October 13th, the streets of Bali will be fully decorated with giant bamboo poles, creating a very festive
GALUNGAN & KUNINGAN
atmosphere. On the 14th, streets near the temples will also be crowded with people dressing up in colorful outfits; women are carrying the offerings on their heads and men holding palm leaf offerings in their hands. Aside from the Gods, it is also believed that the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes to rest at this time in their family temple. Those, whose ancestors have not yet been cremated, must go to the graveyards and place some offerings there.
07
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
Pandora START THE DAY DELICIOUSLY
veryone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Especially when you are holidaying on a tropical island like Bali, with tons of things to do in one day, breakfast should definitely not be forgotten. If you are staying in the Petitenget area or if you are just passing through, you will be glad to know that Pandora Italian Restaurant is now open
08
for (Italian) breakfast too! Now, you don't have to eat pasta on an empty stomach; Pandora brings you a breakfast menu with six different set meals. For this being the first breakfast review in The Mag, we decided to 'just' go for the best set menus Pandora had to offer; The 'American Breakfast' is served to you 'Italian Style' which means that you can fill a light and fluffy omelet with your favorite ingredients. Along with the omelet, crispy bacon
T H E M A G M I N I 09/12
Tarte Richotta Breakfast Set Menu A Roast Beef Panini
and tasty sausages are served. Next to the American Breakfast we ordered a more classic Italian start of the day; the Roasted Panini. The Panini (italian bread roll) can be filled with Parma ham, mozzarella cheese, roast beef and many other delicious fillings. We settled for the Roast Beef salad and cheese filling and were quite satisfied with our choice. Pandora's Fresh juices and strong quality Italian coffee are a great way to compliment your breakfast. For those people who want to start their day peacefully; sit back and enjoy
FOOD REVIEW P A N D O R A
a quiet breakfast in Pandora's garden. Under the Frangipangi trees, the early sun rays are quite pleasant while sipping on your espresso. Pandora's exterior simplicity makes it an ideal place to enjoy a reasonably priced meal any time of day. Breakfast at Pandora is up until 11 so party people do not have to set their alarms. And even if you can't manage to wake up by then, Pandora will be able to serve you a delicious lunch... or dinner. Selamat Makan!
09
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
OUTDOOR
Drifted Away in Joy B A L I
T
C A N Y O N
T U B I N G
his time, we’re taking you to get really up close and personal to an unspoiled nature, down at the very bottom of a hidden canyon. Unless told, exploring the exciting stream underneath would be almost impossible due to its remote location. The adventure takes place north of Payangan, which is around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kuta. Floating on running waters surrounded by breathtaking views from the towering cliffs provides the kind of experience that can’t be achieved in Kuta and thereabouts. Again, this is not an adventure that takes you to just sit in a car and visit places that have been visited by thousands of other people. The journey started when a special off-road car took us to the slope of the canyon. From there, we went on foot, passing yet other oh-so-gorgeous views: friendly man-made steps and suspension bridges overlooking beautiful cliffs with waterfalls on top and a running stream below. If only someone were shouting “roll…and action!”, we would’ve felt like being in the Indiana Jones’ set. There we
were, finally, on the bottom where our tubes were waiting for us to explore the magnificent natural beauty. Floating on the stream also gave us the chance to discover different species of plants and animals along the way. There are, however, several spots where the stream makes it a bit challenging for you to stay in your tube. In these spots, wooden footpaths are constructed to help passing the obstacles. Better yet, you can also ‘fly’ to pass the obstacles using the highly-secured constructed Flying Fox, with which you can literally fly through the canyon. Professional instructors and guides will always be around to assist you with everything you need. Thus, there’s no reason for you to miss this remarkable adventure. Bali Canyon Tubing Adventure offers its services for you to experience this excitement in one of the few forgotten places in Bali. Now you are able to experience this tremendous adventure by floating down the canyon. Pick up service (from and to Kuta and Semiyak areas) as well as buffet lunches together with several refreshments are provided. 11
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
The
Blanjong Epigraph
BY NAMHAR
e went to the Sanur’s off beaten path area called Blanjong in search for another Bali’s best-kept secrets. It is actually adjacent to the main tourist area; yet, out of the many people passing, only a very little number know that Blanjong houses a precious, genuine thousand-year-old antiquity called Prasasti Blanjong (Blanjong Epigraph). It’s thrilling to know that despite its location, which is not in a museum, this historical antiquity is very well taken care of. The epigraph was carved from quite a huge, solid stone pillar. The top of the epigraph
is completely encircled by a frame elaborately carved in two languages: Sanskrit and Bali Kuna (ancient Balinese script). The script tells about the government of the victorious King Kesariwarmedewa and the triumph of his military in conquering the island of Nusa Penida. The epigraph sits in a tiny glass booth that allows for good 360 degree viewing and photography of the main pillar and the smaller relics reverently arranged on top of it. On special Hindu days of celebration the stone pillar is dressed in the traditional Balinese Hindu black and white checked cloth and draped with a religiously symbolic yellow cloth. The glass casing is a good idea; we definitely don’t want some rich art collector snapping the thing up and stick it in front of his gallery. To get to Blanjong Epigraph, you can access the Danau Poso Street in Sanur —Blanjong area is across the Circle K on that street. The epigraph is sited at the end of a small lane (only a 10‑meter, dead-end pathway) next to the temple. There is no entrance fee or any donation needed to be made. We need to apologize, however, for giving you directions. This is because if you really make efforts to find this spot, you’d feel awarded only by reading the cover of Blanjong’s guest book that says, “Congratulations! You found it…lol”.
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
Facts
about
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
ali is one of the tens of thousands islands in the Indonesian archipelago that lies between the country’s most populated island, Java, and Lombok. It is also one of the country’s most developed provinces with the capital in Denpasar, located on the southern part of the island. Bali is divided into 8 regencies (Badung, Bangli, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Karangasem, Klungkung and Tabanan) and 1 city (Denpasar). Unlike most of the Muslim-majority Indonesia, around 94% out of Bali’s 3 million population adhere to Balinese Hinduism, which is a combination of the existing local beliefs and Hindu influences.
As the main tourist destination in Indonesia, Bali is renowned for its highly developed arts, including music, dance, sculpture, painting, metalworking and leather. The island is also the home of wildlife such as hundreds of bird species (including the endangered Bali Starling), Indian Muntjac, Mouse-deer, Leopard Cat, Black Giant Squirrel, and several species of macaque and leaf monkey. The island’s countless natural irresistible charms have awarded Bali as one of the world’s most visited holiday destination. With its tropical climate (temperatures averaging 31 degrees Celsius, 88 fahrenheit), Bali is warm all year round – which is perfect to explore its smoking volcanoes, stepped rice fields, remote beaches, towering cliffs, famous surf breaks and the majestic thousand- year-old temples. The hospitable and friendly natives of the Balinese and their way of life are by many considered as a magnet, inspiring those who have been in the island to go back again and those who have not to come.
Bahasa Indonesia is the language spoken through the whole Indonesia. The Balinese speaks Bali language with each other, yet you will be fine with these words and short phrases.
CRASH COURSE BAHASA INDONESIA
Apa Kabar? Baik, terima kasih Selamat pagi Selamat siang Selamat malam
How are you?
Permisi
Fine, thank you
Tidak/ Ya
Good morning
Saya lapar
Good afternoon
Saya haus
Good evening
Ada bir?
Sampai jumpa lagi
See you later
Nasi Campur
Sampai nanti
See you later
Dimana hotel?
Nama saya...
My name is...
Kanan / Kiri
Silahkan
Here you go
Previous Issue's Solution:
Maaf
Excuse me No/ Yes I'm hungry I'm thirsty Do you have beer? Mixed rice Where is the hotel? Right / Left Sorry
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
M AG M I N I | S E P T 15 – D E C 14 2 0 0 9
to Jl.Raya Seminyak
Mykonos Jl. Drupadi
Jl. Laksmana
We are Here