Jajan Bantal Different Taste of Balinese Snack

Jajan Bantal is a well known traditional snack all over Bali. It is a snack made out of sticky rice and in the middle of Jajan Bantal is stuffed with peas and fruits (mainly Bananas). The sticky rice is wrapped in a coconut leaf, tied with a rope and steamed. This snack is basically made for a ritual offering in certain ceremonies and brought to temples. But sometimes it is just made as a snack, served in tea and coffee times as well as breakfast. Especially on family and friend gathering, this snack is one of the main snack that is served for the guests. Jajan Bantal is sold and can easily be found in all traditional markets in Bali, sometimes it is also served in hotels.

This snack is a simple snack, firstly the sticky rice is soaked in water for about 12 hours. Then it is steamed, after the sticky rice is steamed, it is mixed with shredded coconut, sugar and salt. When it is done, bananas or beans are stuffed in the midle of the sticky rice before it is wrapped by the coconut leaf. It is then boiled until the snack is well cooked. The snack doesn't last long, it is better to be consumed immediately after the cooking process. The interesting taste and texture makes Jajan Bantal as a popular snack in Bali. 

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Kecak Dance a Spectacular Dance Performance

Kecak Dance is a Balinese dance performed by more than 100 men. Kecak Dance is also known as Ramayana Monkey Chant, the dance is performed by a 100 men or more sitting in a circle wearing checked cloth around their waist. What makes this dance interesting is that the music is made by the dancers percussively chanting "cak" and throwing up their arms, swaying, standing up, lying down as the story develop.The story of kecak Dance is a fragment from a Hindu epic, Ramayana. It tells about the story of Rama Prince with a help of monkey-like Vanara who defeats the evil king Ravana to rescue Princess Sita. Kecak Dance is classified as a sacred ritual dance. During the performance, spiritual entities will enter and possess the bodies of the dancers.

The dance is usually performed before sunset when the last rays of the sun slowly disappears behind the sea. Then the story continues in the darkness where the dance is only lit by the light from flames and torches. Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali's most sacred temple, in this temple, visitors can witness the Kecak Dance with beautiful sunset backdrop. The dance starts at 18:00pm but the tickets are available to be purchased from 17:00pm, for adults, the price is Rp 100.000 and for children is Rp. 50.000. Besides Uluwatu temple, Kecak Dance is also performed in other places such as Ubud and Tanah Lot. Kecak Dance is an interesting Balinese Dance performance that can entertain both domestic and foreign tourists from all ages. 

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Nusa Penida Offers Great Natural Beauty

Nusa Penida is an island located in the southeast of Bali. Among other small islands that surround Bali such as Serangan, Lembongan Island and Ceningan, Nusa Penida is the biggest island. Administratively, the island belongs to Klungkung district. Nusa Penida is a small island, the population is about 45.100 people and the island area is approximately 202.6 square kilometers. Unlike other small islands, there are only little tourist infrastructure in Nusa Pendida, hence, the island is not full with foreign tourists like the main island, Bali. Visitors can reach this island from Sanur, Kusamba and Padangbai by fast boats.

Nusa Penida is also an interesting island to visit, though the island is not handled as well as Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida offers great underwater view. The atmosphere in this island is dry and the land is dominated with limestone and highland with hills. The inhabitants in Nusa Penida earn their livelihood as farmers, fishermen and merchants. The amazing diving spot in Nusa Penida include Penida Bay, Batu Lumbung (Manta Point), Batu Meling, Batu Abah, Toya Pakeh and Malibu Point. Besides diving, snorkeling and some water sport activities are also provided. For visitor who wants to have a swim at the beach, Nusa Penida offers great beaches for swimming with calm and clear sea water.

 

Another activity that can be done in this island is trekking and having strolls through the natural hills. The hills and trekking spot is still natural without modern touch gives great natural beauty for all visitors who come for trekking. Nusa Penida is a great alternative for visitors who wants to experience natural beauties in a calm atmosphere.

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