Serangan Island | Bali Secret Place of Interest

Serangan is a small island located 10 kilometers south of Denpasar. Serangan island has a length of 2.9 kilometers and the width of 1 kilometer. It is only about 15 minutes to reach this island from Kuta and Sanur areas. This island is also called as "Turtle island" because this island is known as the nesting ground for green sea turtles. One of Bali's six sacred temples Pura Sakenan is also located in this small island. In the early 90's this island could only be reached by wooden boat, with reclamations, now this island can easily be accessed by a 110 meters bridge.The population is mostly involved in fishing industry, therefore many fishing boats can be found alongside the shore.

Serangan island is regarded as the most least visited location due to its very hot and humid atmosphere. But there are several unique features that makes this small island stand out. Citra Taman Penyu, a turtle breeding pen breeds sea turtles and hatching. This turtle education and conserving center is one of the tourist attraction in this island. Besides learning about turtle lives, visitors may participate in feeding times and regular turtle releases may also be participated by visitors. This island is also famous for water sports especially surfing and wind surfing. It is one of the best surfing spot in Bali especially during October to April the wave is good and ride able.

Pura Sakenan, one of the six sacred Temples in Bali is located in the western shore and is considered as the one of the Holiest temple in Bali. During big celebrations, various rare and sacred dances are performed in this Temple. Visitors must wear proper temple attire to enter this temple.

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Sea Turtle feeding
Serangan beach
Sea Turtle release	Entrance of the Sea Turtle conservation
	Sakenan Temple
Sakenan Temple

Gebogan Offerings | Bali Prosperity Blessing Symbol

Gebogan is a big offering that is made when there is an anniversary in a Temple. Gebogan can be 1 to 2 meters high, they are offerings of fruit that women carry to the temple. The really tall Gebogan offering require some skills to carry. This offering is mainly made out of arrangement of fruits, colorful flowers, small rice pyramids, grated coconut,  roasted peanuts and sweet traditional Balinese cake. All of the objects are stacked on top of one another forming a cylindrical towers. The offerings attached to a banana tree trunk by sharp bamboo skewers. The base of a Gebogan can be wooden or sometimes metal which support the weight of the Gebogan tower. A Sampian or coconut leaf decorations are also used as an ornament on top of the offerings.

Women usually carry the Gebogan on their heads, once they reach the temple, Dupa or incense sticks are put on the Gebogan, the Gebogan is then placed in front of the the Temple, bales, or open pavilions, while the maker of the Gebogan makes their devotion. The Gebogan will be blessed by the priest and it is offered to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God). When prayers have been said, the Gebogan is carried home and those who wants to eat the cakes and fruits, they may eat them. God has partaken of the Sari of the offering and it can no longer be used for religious purposes there are no prohibition to eat the food except for some high priests. Sometimes fruits and cakes are eaten right in the temple or the makers may give away their fruits and cake to other visitors of the temple.

Gebogan was traditionally served as offerings to God and a symbol of all that is found in nature. But now days, gebogan are also made for decorations and ornaments for special occasions and parties.

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A woman making Gebogan	Gebogan being offered to God
	The base of a Gebogan

Penjor - Bali Secret Majesty Symbol of God

Penjor is a bamboo pole decorated with coconut leaves and offerings on the base. It is symbolized as a mountain and the mountain itself is the symbol of universe that provides safety and welfare. Penjor is used by Hindu's in Bali as a part of important ceremonies and for celebrations on Temples. The purpose of Penjors on religious ceremonies and celebration is to show devotion to God and and also as a sign of prosperity thanks that was delegated from Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God). There are two Penjors recognized in Bali, Sacred Penjor and decoration Penjor. Sacred Penjor is a Penjor that is used as a part of religious ceremonies and celebration while decoration Penjor is a penjor that is used as a decoration mainly on wedding parties, art festivals and village contests. Decoration penjors does not contain offerings on the base.

The main materials that is used to make a Penjor is a curved bamboo. The curved bamboo is then decorated with coconut leaves, Pala Bungkah (roots such as potatoes or cassava), Pala Gantung (fruits such as bananas and oranges), Pala Wija (cereal such as rice and corns), Balinese traditional cakes, Chinese coins and a small shrine that is also created by bamboo called Sangah Cucuk with some offerings. All materials that are used to make a Penjor constitute to peoples basic needs to indicate that we should take care of those things.

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Process of making a Penjor
	Sanggah Cucuk (Small Shrine part of Sacred Penjor)

Jeruk Bali a Healthy Fruit

Jeruk Bali or Pomelo (Citrus Maxima) is a type or grapefruit that has a large size and has a different form from usual grapefruits or oranges. Jeruk Bali usually has pale green to yellow colored skin and sweet white, pink or red flesh. It has a unique taste and has a really thick skin that makes it hard to be peeled, several techniques are needed to peel this thick Jeruk Bali skin. The size of a Jeruk Bali varies from 15 to 25 centimeters in diameter and usually weighs about 1 to 2 kilograms. The price of a Jeruk Bali is about Rp 15.000 to Rp 35.000 depends on the size and the weight. The unique taste and appearance makes tourists interested to this fruits. Jeruk Bali is sold almost in every supermarkets and traditional markets, it is not hard to find this fruit in Bali.  

Besides the unique taste and size, Jeruk Bali also has a good property for our body. When we consume this fruit, we can avoid various types of diseases. Jeruk Bali contains Vitamin C, Lycopene that can act as antioxidants, Pectin that can lower cholesterol levels and lowers a heart disease risk and Potassium that include anticancer as well as healthy prostate. Jeruk Bali is also good for our skin and beauty, it can prevent us from skin cancer, skin allergy, acne and flecks.

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