Nusa Lembongan Beach Resort Bali

Nusa Lembongan is a small island located in southeast of Bali. This island is becoming one of Bali's popular attraction. It is located about 15 kilometers off the coast of Sanur, Bali and takes about 30 minutes by fast boats. Administratively, Nusa Lembongan is a part of sub distric of Klungkung regency. The island is approximately 8 square kilometers in size with a permanent population estimated about 5000 people. Nusa Lembongan is surrounded by coral reef, white sand beach , limestone cliffs and mangroves. The north eastern part of this island is covered by 212 hectares of mangrove and the waters around Nusa Lembongan have at least 247 species of coral and 562 species of reef fish. The climate in this island is almost the same as Bali, but it is noticeably drier especially during May to September. The main activities in this island include surfing, diving, snorkeling, fishing, mountain biking, hiking and many kinds of water sports are also available.

There are two main beaches that attract tourists:

• Jungut Batu: This area is traditionally attracted backpackers and surfers to th island. The white beach in Jungut Batu is pleasant and sunsets are best viewed along the main Jungut Batu beachfront.
• Mushroom Bay: Mushroom Bay is locate in the southwest of Jungut Batu. It has a great white sand beach along with waterside restaurants.

The culture and language spoken in this island is mainly the same as Bali, locals here are Hindu and Temples are easily found in this island. Visitors may be able to see some local men do a cock fight. Visitors may find lots of excitements in this island.

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	Water sports in Lembongan island
A good surfing spot	A cruise ship to Lembongan Island

Padmasana Balinese Shrine

Padmasana is a Balinese Hindu temple. It is a shrine to Hindu people of Bali to worship Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God). Padmasana is the symbol and image of macrocosm or the Bhuana Agung (the universe). Padmasana can be found in all Hindu Buildings all around Indonesia. Padmasana comes from Kawi language (old Javanese) it is derived by two words, Padma means lotus flower or center and Asana means seat or throne. The meaning of Padmasana is the image of universe (macrocosm) which is Sthana (a place to stay) of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God). The main function of Padmasana is is a place to worship Almighty God. The symbols on a Padmasana represents the natural levels that Hindu people believe as Tri loka. Tri Loka consists of Bhur Loka (earth), Bwah Loka (atmosphere) and Swah Loka (heaven). This symbol can be seen from Bedawang Nala (big turtle in Hindu mythology) with Antaboga and Basuki (two dragons).

Padmasana consists of 3 main parts. The foot is called Tepas, the body is called Batur and the Head is called Saris.

• The foot (as the base) there are Bedawang Nala, Antaboga dragon and the Basuki dragon carving. There are also carvings of lotus flowers.
• The body (as the center) there is a many types of carvings. The main carving is The Astadikapala Gods (guardian of 8 cardinal directions).
• The Head (Sari) there is a throne made out of carved stones.

Based on the location, Padmasana is distinguished by direction of winds into 9 types.

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Discover Real Arts at Museum Pasifika Bali

Museum Pasifika is an art museum located in Nusa Dua Bali. It is located in Nusa Dua's Bali Tourism Development Corporation's area. The museum was founded by Moetaryanto P and Philippie Augier in 2006. Museum Pasifika presents more than 600 artworks by 200 artists from 25 different countries. The museum has attracted many domestic and foreign visitors, the collection is dominated by cultural and Balinese life themes. Museum Pasifika also serves an educational role, a visit to this museum gives various techniques, insights and inspiration.

There are 11 main display rooms in this museum. Rooms one to five displays Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, French, and Indo-European artworks. Room six is used for exhibition. Room seven is dedicated to art from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Room eight represents Polynesian Tahitian paintings. In room nine displayed arts from Vanuatu and the pacific islands. Room 10 shows Oceania and Pacific artwork. The last room, room 11 exhibits paintings from Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Philippines. 

The entrance fee to Museum Pasifika is Rp 70.000 for adults and free for children under 10 years old. This museum also provides guided tour for visitors who wants to know deeper about the history and museum background. This tour is available for group requests presented with various choices of languages. Electronic devices are not allowed in this museum, but photography for personal use in is permitted in collection galleries only. Museum Pasifika is opened daily from 10:00 until 18:00. This museum was awarded by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as its efforts in promoting Indonesian Art, Culture and Heritage.

Inside the Museum:
 

Barong Shirt a Newest Bali's Fashion Trend

Barong is pictured as a lion-like creature and a character in the mythology of Bali, Indonesia. Barong is the king of spirits, leader of the hosts of the goods. There are some variants of Barong in Bali such as Lion Barong, Boar Barong, Tiger Barong and Dragon Barong.

One of the most famous Balinese item that is bought by both domestic and foreign tourist is the "Baju Barong Bali" or "Balinese Barong Shirt". It is a classic t-shirt with a feminine touch. There are various types of Barong picture on the t-shirt with many different color, models and size choices. Baju Barong Bali is a lightweight cotton jersey made out of soft fabric that makes it comfortable to wear. It is suitable to this shirt when you are having a visit to the beach or having a vacation in a warm climate area.The price for one piece of Baju Barong Bali Varies from Rp 20.000 to Rp 40.000, depends on the size and the model.

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Purnama - Tilem Day Bali | The Secret Day Full Moon and New Moon

In Hindu religion, there are two types of ritual, Nitya Yadnya and Naimitika Yadnya. Nitya Yadnya is a ritual that is held everyday like the daily offerings and Tri Sandya (3 times praying everyday) while Naimitika Yadnya is a ritual that is held at a specific time, Like the Purnama and Tilem ceremony.

Purnama and Tilem Ceremony is held every 15 days in each month. within one year, Hindus celebrate Purnama 12 times and Tilem 12 times. Purnama is the day when the moon emits a bright light celebrated on full moon. Tilem is called the death month it is termed as darkness, celebrated on a New moon day.The philosophy of the lunar cycle (Purnama and Tilem) taught Balinese people that life is filled with Light and dark, good and bad, black and white, life and death called Rwa Bhineka. The two opposite things will always come in turns. We should not be exaggerated when getting happiness and do not over do when experiencing suffer.

On Purnama or full moon, Hindu people worship to Sang Hyang Chandra as the God of moon. On Tilem or new moon, Hindu people worship to Sang Hyang Surya as the ruler of the sun. Balinese people believe that full moon and new moon emit a certain energy that affects the life of living creatures on earth. Hindu people perform prayers with special offering added on Purnama and Tilem.

Salak Bali a Unique Taste of Snake Fruit

Salak or Snake fruit is an Indonesian original fruit. It is called Snake fruit because this fruit is covered by scales that looks like a snake. Salak Bali or Salak Gula Pasir (white sugar salak) is a type of Salak that is planted in the eastern part of Bali, Karangasem regency. Salak Bali grows well in Karangasem because it is located 800 - 1.000 meters above sea level and the fertile soil after Mount Agung's eruption in 1963. The harvesting time of the fruit is 6 months, farmers harvest their fruit during the rainy seasons from December to April. The price of Salak Bali varies from Rp 15.000 to Rp 30.000 per kilogram depending on the time of the year, easily found in super markets, traditional markets and in some tourist attractions.

Salak Bali is different from other types of Salak because of its sweetness. It has a pointed top which makes it easy to be peeled by hand. After peeling the skin, there will be a thin layer of silky membrane on the fruit. This membrane should be removed before eating the fruit. Salak Bali usually contain 3 lobes with sweet and slightly starchy taste.

Sibetan village, Karangasem regency, produces wine from Salak. Many tourists come to see the process of making Salak wine. Peeled slices of Salak is placed into a barrel with a mixture of yeast, sugar and water, the barrel will be left for 6 months. The wine has a content of 13% alcohol, it is sold Rp 100.000 per bottle. Besides Salak wine, some people also produce Salak chips , Salak jams and salak sweets.

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Salak Wine	Salak sweets
Salak Chips	Salak plantation
Salak jam

Canang Sari A Religious Balinese Offering

Canang Sari is one of the daily offerings for Balinese Hindu people to thank Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) in praise and prayer. It is the simplest household offering. Canang Sari is derived from two words Canang means a small palm leaf basket as the tray and Sari means essence. Canang itself has two syllables from Kawi language Ca (beautiful) and Nang (purpose). Canang Sari may be found all over the island in Balinese temples, village temples, small house shrines, and even on the ground.

Each flower color on a Canang symbolizes a Hindu God.

• White colored flower that points to the east as a symbol of Iswara.
• Red colored flower that points to the south as a symbol of Brahma.
• Yellow colored flower that points to the west as a symbol of Mahadeva.
• Blue or Green flower that points to the north as a symbol of Vishnu. 

A Canang Sari is completed by placing an amount of Kepeng (the coin money) and the paper money. which is indicated to make up the Sari (essence) of the offering.

This Canang Sari is offered everyday to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) as the form of thanking for the peace that had been given to the world. Canang Sari is not offered when there is a death from one of a family and community member or several days after a family member's cremation ceremony. For tourists that visit Bali, there are some places where you can try and study how to make a Canang Sari, it requires a bit effort to create a Canang Sari, but it is one of an interesting activity to do when tourists visit Bali.

Some different types of Canang Sari: