Medewi Beach Away From Tourism

Medewi is a small beach village in west Bali. It is located approximately 75 kilometers west of Denpasar City and about 34 kilometers from Tabanan Regency. Medewi beach is the most least visited area in Bali. It is a desolate village and a good surfing spot for surfers who likes calm and relax atmosphere. The best waves are among July and August.  Visitors who visit this small beach village may experience what Bali was like before the growth of tourism.

The beach is divided into two main parts. The eastern part of the beach is rocky with pebbles and black sand. While the western part of the beach is more sandy and the sand is not as black as the eastern part. The Medewi Beach is not a good sunbathing spot, but it is a great place for having long strolls with friends and families. The sunset view from this beach is magnificent. Besides surfing and a good relaxing spot, visitors can see the activities of the local fisherman and some local kids playing on the shore which seems traditional. Visitors can also buy cheap seafood around the area. It is a great place to visit when having a holiday in Bali.  besides surfing and a good relaxing spot, visitors can see the activities of the local fishermen and some local kids playing on the shore which seems traditional.v the medewi beach is not

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Great sunset view from Medewi beach

Mount Agung Trekking - Bali Adventure Impressible Experience

For nature lover visitors, trekking attraction in Bali would be a desire. One of the best trekking attraction which interests both domestic and foreign tourist would be the Mount Agung climbing. Agung mountain is an active volcano, the last eruption was in 1963. This mountain is known as the most sacred mountain in Bali, it is believed that Hindu Gods reside in this mountain. On big religious ceremonies for Hindus, Balinese locals would do a spiritual climbing to reach the highest peak to give offerings and hope for welfare and prosperity.

Climbing Mount Agung, the highest mountain in Bali would give a great and unforgettable experience for all climbers. There are two peaks where climbers may choose which peak to climb. The first peak is located 3.031 meters above sea level and the second peak is located 2.000 meters above sea level. Climbers must have good stamina and be in a fit condition to climb the mountain.

Both the first and second peak offers great view and has the same start point, in Pasar Agung temple. Climbing up to the second peak (2.000 meters above sea level) is more popular for climbers, the trekking starts from the southern track. Climbers must start the trekking at 01:45am to be able to see the beautiful and spectacular sunrise moment at 6:00am. It takes about 4 hours trekking to reach the second peak. Climbing the first peak (3.031 meters above sea level) would need extra stamina, the start point for this peak starts from the western track. It needs about 5-6 hours of trekking to reach the peak, therefore, climbers must start their trekking at 12:00am.The price is about Rp 650.000 to climb the second peak and about Rp. 1.000.000 to climb the first peak. The fee include english speaking guide, a shuttle to Mount Agung and breakfast.

There are some attentions for visitors who would like to climb Mount Agung. As a sacred mountain, climbers are not permitted to bring foods with beef substance because cows are one of the most sacred animal in Bali. Visitors are not allowed to climb the mountain when there is a religious ceremony held in Besakih Temple and Pasar Agung Temple. Climbers should wear warm clothes as the temperature may reach up to 10 degree Celsius. It is suggested to bring at least 1.5 liters of drinking water per person because the source of water in the mountain is minim. The best time to climb mount Agung is in the dry season during April to October. Climbing on January and February should be avoided due to the possibility of heavy rain and even landslides.

 

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Goa Lawah Bat Cave Temple

Goa Lawah or Bat cave is a very popular tourist attraction, it is located in Pesinggahan Village, Dawan district, Klungkung Regency. It is about 50 kilometers away from Denpasar city and takes about 90 minutes to reach the temple. Goa Lawah is an unique Hindu temple placed in front of the cliff rock called bukit tengah, on the north side of the temple area there is a cave dwelt by thousands of bats. From the cave there is a view of the beautiful black sandy beach and also the view of beautiful Nusa Penida Island.

Goa Lawah is one of Bali's most special temple, the name Goa Lawah is given by Dang Hyang Nirartha when he stopped at this site. Dang Hyang Nirartha arrived in front of the cave where he saw many bats (Lelawah) that add the beauty of the cave, that is why the cave is called Goa Lawah. In front of the cave there are small shrines as a guard of the cave enterance. 

In the 17th century, the temple is used to worship the king of Klungkung and the bat cave was also used to test the innocence of people. The temple ceremony in Goa Lawah is based on two types. The main purposes of the ceremonies are to worship God in one manifestation of Shiva Lordto keep the strong of the universe potential. Goa Lawah is a very interenting placa to visit.

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Bali Kite Festival Another Interesting Attraction

Festival Layang-layang or Bali Kite Festival is a kite festival held every July in Padang Galak, Sanur Beach Denpasar. This kite festival is held every year since 1979, followed by local and foreign people from all ages. The kites are flown by teams of 10 or more people. The foreign people who participate the kite competition are the people from International Kite Flying Club. Traditional kites with various sizes from 4 to 10 meters are flown by the participants. This event also has a religious view which is intended to send messages to the Hindu Gods to create good crops and harvests.

There are 4 types of kites that are flown and competed in this festival. Bebean (fish shaped kite), Janggan (bird shaped kite), Pecukan (leaf shaped kite) are the main traditional kite and the last one is Kreasi Baru (new creation). Bebean is the largest kite that looks like a broad mouthed and split tailed fish. The Janggan kite has a main structure head with a long cloth tail that can reach up to 100 meters. Pecukan is a huge leaf shaped kite and it requires the most skill to fly the kite. Kreasi Baru are kites which may include any types of shapes it may be three dimensional figures representing Hindu Gods or other representatives. Red, white and black are the main colors used in a traditional kite. Both traditional and new creation kites are constructed from bamboo and cotton cloth. Each type of kites has its own competition and rated by the shapes and designs, size, colors, the best and longest flight and the neatness.

Flying kites are one of the tradition for Balinese people especially during the dry season. Bali kite Festival is an interesting event and visitors who visit Bali during this seasons should come over to Padang Galak beach to see this kite festival. There is a chance to see hundreds of beautiful and colorful kites flying on the bright blue sky of Bali. Some Gamelan orchestras are also played throughout the festival, this event attracts many tourists and kite flyers. 

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Bebean Kite	Bebean Kite
Janggan Kite	Janggan Kite
Pecukan Kite	Pecukan Kite
New Creation Kite	New Creation Kite
New Creation Kite	New Creation Kite

Bali Ogoh-Ogoh Parade | Cast Out Demonds Spirits

Ogoh-ogoh is a giant Balinese Hindu artwork statue-like puppet built on Ngerupuk day or the eve of Nyepi day in Bali. Nyepi is referred as "A Day of Silence" or Saka new year according to the Balinese Calender. It is celebrated a full day from 6am until 6am the next day. Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection the main restriction where no lighting fires, no working, no entertainment or pleasure, no traveling, and for Hindu the are not allowed to eat (fasting).

The form of Ogoh-ogoh is to represent Bhuta Kala. Bhuta means eternal energy and Kala means eternal time. This Ogoh-ogoh is made before Nyepi day mainly by young teenage boys. An Ogoh-ogoh is normaly standing on a pad built of bamboos, this pad is designed to place the Ogoh-ogoh while it is being lifted and carried around the village, there are normally 8 or more youth carrying the Ogoh-ogoh on their shoulders. The Ogoh-ogoh parade is presented on the night before Nyepi day accompanied by noisy Balinese Gongs and percussion. Ogoh-ogoh is paraded and rotated clockwise in every T-junction and crossroads around the village to drive out the influence of evil spirits that exist within ourselves, families and surroundings.

Ogoh-ogoh are mainly made in form of creatures and Balinese legend characters that live in the world, Heaven and Hell, such as dragons, animals, God and Goddess. After the Ogoh-ogoh has been pareded around the town, finally this artwork is burnt to ashes as a symbol of self-purification. Recently, this procession has attracted many foreign and domestic tourists. Many tourists tend to come and visit Bali before Nyepi days to see this Ogoh-ogoh parade.

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An Ogoh-ogoh being burnt