BALI QUAD WILD OFF ROAD ADVENTURE HISTORY OF TANAH LOT HOW A TEMPLE CAME TO BE ON A ROCK
No.01 | JUNE 15–SEPT 14 2009
BALI IS… VIEW BALI THROUGH OTHER PEOPLE'S EYES
M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
Jl . R aya Singapadu, Suk awati, Gia n yar - Bali Phone: +62 361 294 356/7 | Fa x: +62 361 298 608 w w w.bali-zoo.com
| em ail: info@bali-zoo.com
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
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)
History of Tanah Lot How a Temple Came to be on a Rock 06 Bali is View Bali through Other People's Eyes 07 Balinese Checked Cloth Powerful meaning behind the black and white pattern 08 Khaima Restaurant Amazing Moroccan Cuisine 10 Bali Quad Wild off Road Adventure 12 Herons of Petulu Viewing the Beautiful Herons of Bali 15 Crash Course Bahasa Indonesia Phrases to Help You Survive in Bali
History of Tanah Lot M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
O
ne of Bali’s most recognized tourist sites is the Tanah Lot temple. Famous for its temple that stands firmly on a rocky foundation centered in the shore of the Tabanan coastline, Tanah Lot is often featured on postcards and regularly visited by those who wish to enjoy its beautiful sunset views. Tanah Lot is where followers of the faith come to pray, seeking blessings, meditate and also seek spiritual guidance. The origins of how the temple was erected are mostly shrouded in myths and legends. Tanah Lot is derived from the Balinese words “tengah lot” which means "Land in the Middle of the sea". According to legend, a wandering Hindu sage named Dang Hyang Nirartha built the temple sometime during the 15th Century in the time of the Majapahit Kingdom. Whilst carrying out his “Dharma Yatra” (Duty of pilgrimage) at Rambut Siwi, it is said he was led by a holy light eastward from this place; he followed this radiant light which led him to its source which was
a fresh water spring. Not far from this place, he found a huge rock in the shape of a bird which was locally known as “Gili Beo” (bird shaped coral rock). Seeing the rock-island's beautiful setting, Nirartha decided to rest there and whilst resting, some fisherman came and presented him gifts. He then spent the night on the little island meditating and praying. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the mighty God Siwa.(also known as Shiva) In 1980 the temple’s rock face was starting to crumble due to the heavy waves hitting the rock face and also the area around the temple started to become dangerous. To help prevent further erosion the Japanese government provided a loan to the Indonesian government of Rp. 800 billion to conserve the historic. As a result, over one third of the rock which can be seen is artificial rock created under the Japanese upgrade works.
M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
RICHARD CALIFORNIA , USA
CHRIS AND FAMILY UNITED KINGDOM
…A beautiful island. It’s my first time here and I love the beaches and the surfing is great. I’ve spent 30days on the island and will be headed home tomorrow, but I am definitely coming back again, maybe to stay.
…Paradise. Just look around you, no wonder everyone is smiling here. It’s my first time here and I will definitely be coming back. Bali is a great place to bring the whole family.
HERTTA AND FRIENDS FINLAND
ANGELICA SWEDEN
NANO & UTIK J A K A RTA , I N D O N E S I A
…Surfing. I heard that Bali was a surfer’s paradise so I had to come here to learn how to surf. This is my first time here to Bali and I’m enjoying every moment of it here with my friends.
If I had to put it in one word, it’s kinda hard, but Bali to me means nice beaches, great surfing and parties. I’m studying tourism in Bali and have been here for a few months. I will be very sad when I have to go back home.
…Beautiful beaches. Having been to Bali many times before, but this long weekend to Bali is extra special because I get to spend it with my girlfriend. I love to walk on the beach with her before we head out to party at night which is the reason why she loves Bali.
DWAYNE G O L D C O A S T, A U S T R A L I A
LELE & GORANA I TA LY
RYAN & MAXINE P E RT H , A U S T R A L I A
G:
…Surfing and clubbing. Every time I come to Bali there are only two things that I ever really do, which is surf all day and party all night. When I get back to Aus, then I finally sleep. 06
…Beautiful traditional dances. The dancer’s clothes and the dances all together are very beautiful and enchanting. L: …Pretty difficult for me to say, but I guess it would have to be the beach life. The beautiful beaches, the surfing, all of it are beautiful.
R: If you asked me this question the first time I came here I would answer partying, but this is my third time here. My answer now would be affordable travel; everything in Bali is very cheap. M: …Shopping. The markets offer so many beautiful things and a very affordable price. T H E M A G M I N I 06/09
BALINESE CHECKED CLOTH veryone visiting Bali will quickly notice the black and white (sometimes with grey) checked clothes wrapped around guardian statues, pavilions, temples, banyan trees, people and even stones. This cloth, which is called poleng, has a lot deeper meaning than only its role as decoration, for it is considered as something incredible and powerful that has a special meaning for the Balinese Hindus as a representation of the cosmic duality. The Balinese see the world in terms of opposites, good and evil, day and night, mountain and sea, hell and heaven, right and left, young and old, male and female; in other words, one cannot exist without the other. The squares of equal size are perfect black and perfect white; they intersect and are not parallel. Grey squares contain strands of both and show that you cannot have one without the other. White represents good, the gods and health; black represents evil, the underworld and disease.
BALINESE CHECKED CLOTH
Poleng can be woven or printed on white cloth. Woven materials have a grey squares as well as black and white, created when the white and black yarns of weft and warp intersect. The black and white squares may be of different sizes depending on the cloth. When worn, the side of the material with bigger squares is worn on the inside, smaller squares on the outside. In Barong-Rangda dances, Rangda's warriors wear poleng as protection. The gamelan accompanying the dance is also wrapped with poleng, sometimes with red border. If poleng has a red edge around it, it represents the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is clear, therefore, that this cloth is closely associated with the gods while for humans, this cloth offers protection. It is sometimes used in temple ceremonies to cover the ground, so that people walking on it will be free of all possible evil spirits.
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M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
Khaima
AMAZING MOROCCAN CUISINE hoosing what to dine on your holiday in Bali can be quite confusing, with the many choices of eateries available. If you are seeking something different, far off the culinary beaten track, you must sample the authentic Moroccan cuisine that Khaima has to offer. Situated on the famed eat street in Seminyak, Khaima delivers a truly Moroccan setting, with delicious food to match.
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The outside appearance of Khaima is that of a traditional Moroccan blue man’s tent, but as you enter the restaurant, you feel like you’re in a beautiful Moroccan palace with colorful glass lanterns hung from the ceiling and tangerine colored walls. Towards the back of the restaurant you’ll find a lounge area where you can relax and enjoy your meal or try the 12 fruity tobacco varieties of Sisha (Arabian water pipe). Every Friday and Saturday night, a belly dance is featured to entertain the guests.
T H E M A G M I N I 06/09
Imported Lamb Mechoui Couscous Chicken Tagine with Import Lemon and Olives Traditional Moroccan Tea Set
On our visit to Khaima, we were presented the most favored dishes that the kitchen had to offer, which were; Khaima sampler (an array of small servings consisting of Saffron Chicken Briwatte, Kefta Briwatte, Tuna Briwatte, Chacouka salad, Zaalouk salad and carrot salad), Chicken Tagine with Imported Lemon and Onions (served with potatoes and bread), and Imported Lamb Mechoui Couscous (Marinated Australian Lamb Kebab served with seven vegetables on top semolina). All meals are served with the traditional Moroccan flat bread, used to mop up the flavorsome sauces, especially useful for the Tagines. The zesty flavor of lemon FOOD REVIEW K H A I M A
along with the tangy taste of olives mixes well with the exotic herbs within the tagine. To accompany the couscous, an herb broth is served which is poured on top of the couscous and when eaten with the tender lamb it is like an explosion of flavor in the mouth. For that extra taste of Moroccan authenticity, all spice-mixes used in cooking are imported directly from Morocco. The dishes we tried were all spectacular in taste and presentation. So if you’re in the mood for an exotic meal, different from the usual tastes and settings found on the eat street of Seminyak, Khaima is an excellent place to go.
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M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
OUTDOOR REVIEW
Let’s Buggy Baby! B
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N CASE YOU STILL HAVEN’T
learned that Bali is a lot more than
just the long-stretched beach of Kuta, then you better read this piece carefully. Having said that, you must be thinking of an unspoiled spot on the island that is away from the crowds and untouched by tourism influences. You think right. But not only that, for you also need to prepare yourselves to be surprised on how this other part of Bali could provide you with an amusing joyride. Fasten your seatbelts before we go on with the unforgettable quest. Yet, we need to remind you that it is essential to bring along some proper equipments and, most importantly, an adventurous spirit! The place I’m talking about is located not far from one of the oldest mountain villages of Bali called Payangan. It is an area comprising of green hills, rice fields, villages and steep canyons with running waters. Imagine yourselves venturing these natural charms through the paths that offer the views beyond descriptions. Adding more spices to the fun, you should venture it with the powerful, off-road engine of a Buggy Car or Quad Bike—a perfect way to do it.
The highlight would be when you reach an edge of a green ravine. Enjoying the magnificent views of the surroundings from a traditional hut and breathing fresh mountainous air are just flawless. Thirsty or need some refreshments? No need to worry, for a cup of coffee or tea is provided to compliment the relax moment. Feel free to scream your lungs out in this part of the area; the echoing sound will throw the words back at you. Oh, make sure that you put on adequate shoes for this adventure. The Buggy Car should be perfect for two passengers. The four-wheel Quad Motorcycle has also a passenger’s seat that is attached to the driver’s seat—just like in regular motorcycles. However, it is not really that comfortable; provided that you need to hold strong the driver in order not to bump around or fall. Falling out of a Quad is a rare case though, for safety measures have been put and implemented within the structures of the motorcycles. Bali Quad offers its services for you to experience this fun activity. 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 | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
BY NAMHAR HE VILLAGE OF PETULU
near Ubud (on the way to Kintamani) would seem like a normal rural community with rice fields, houses of typical Balinese architecture, the friendly faces of the residents and, of course, the village temples. Yet, when the clock strikes four in the afternoon, this what-seemed-to-be-normal place would turn special because thousands of flying white and yellow feathers flock to their homes on the trees on two sides of the road in the village: Petulu is also the home of thousands of herons. Just like any other communities, these herons live side by side with their fellow humans in the neighborhood. The Balinese in Petulu treat the herons with full respect by letting the birds to share the village and live together with them in harmony. The herons could find their freedom walking around, flying around and hopping from one tree to another without having to worry about being shot or anything.
Several view points in the middle of rice fields are built by villagers for the visitors to enjoy interesting scenery when the herons return home to the trees. From these points you can enjoy the hot Balinese coffee or tea while preparing your camera, binoculars or even the angle where you could get the pictureperfect view from. A couple of books are also provided for visitors to read on spot. No one could provide any explanation on why these herons, which according to a villager started to occupy the area in 1965, chose the trees of Petulu village as their home. However, the local legend says that these birds are the reincarnation of thousands of men and women who died during a civil unrest (a communist party regime) that occurred in Bali (and other areas in Indonesia) in the 60s. This is probably why the villagers of Petulu treat their feathery fellows as equal as they treat human beings.
M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 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.
CRASH COURSE BAHASA INDONESIA
Apa Kabar? Baik, terima kasih Selamat pagi Selamat siang Selamat malam
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. 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
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 | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9
M AG M I N I | J U N E 15 – S E P T 14 2 0 0 9