Bali vacation

History of Bali

Bali has been inhabited for a long time. Sembiran, a village in northern Bali, was believed to have been home to the people of the Ice Age, proven by the discovery of stone axes and adzes. Further discoveries of more sophisticated stone tools, agricultural techniques and basic pottery at Cekik in Bali's far west, point to the people of the Neolithic era. At Cekik, there is evidence of a settlement together with burial sites of around a hundred people thought to be from the Neolithic through to the Bronze Age. The massive drums of the Bronze Age, together with their stone moulds have been discovered throughout the Indonesian archipelago, including the most famous and largest drum in Southeast Asia, the Moon of Pejeng, nearly two meters wide, now housed in a temple in east Ubud. In East Java and Bali, there has also been a concentration of carved stone sarcophagi, which we can see in the Bali Museum in Denpasar and Purbakala Museum in Pejeng.

Bali was busy with trade from as early as 200 BC. The prasasti, or metal inscriptions, Bali's earliest written records from the ninth century AD, show a significant Buddhist and Hindu influence; especially in the statues, bronzes and rock-cut caves around Mount Kawi and Gajah Cave. Balinese society was pretty sophisticated by about 900 AD. Their marriage portrait of the Balinese King Udayana to East Java's Princess Mahendratta is captured in a stone carving in the Pura Korah Tegipan in the Batur area. Their son, Erlangga, born around 991 AD, later succeeded to the throne of the Javanese kingdom and brought Java and Bali together until his death in 1049. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ME PLEASE raisarwa@live.com or phonecell 62 8814614752

Place of interest

KINTAMANI VOLCANO:

The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan give a view Mount Batur and Lake. The calderas of Batur is impressive; 7 miles in diameter and 60 feet deep.

From Penelokan, a road leads to Kedisan on the shores of the lake where boats can be hired to cross over to Trunyan.

Click here for details of our "Special Deals" Tariffs on available cars with driver

TRUNYAN:

This ancient village is inhabited by people who call themselves "Bali Aga" or original Balinese who have maintained many of their old ways.

The Puser Jagad Temple has an unusual architecture and stand under a massive Banyan tree.

safari tour

Bali Volkswagen Safari Tours - Go Topless!

Volkswagen Safari Tours definitely isn’t the type of tour that just anyone can appreciate, especially those creatures of comfort who are used to traveling in full air-conditioned vehicles. But, if you have an adventurous streak and inkling to see the ‘real’ Bali, then you are in for a treat.

Recently Bali Tribune had the opportunity to participate in a VW Safari tour along with four other visitors from England and Australia. We left the dust and crowds of Kuta behind and traveled in a rainbow convoy of three vehicles along the winding back roads of Seminyak. Once away from the tourist hustle and bustle, the drivers stopped briefly to let down the canvas roofs.

It was a perfect day, the sky almost cloudless with just the right amount of breeze to splay ones hair in every direction.

Although the VW or Volkswagen, as it is more commonly known, has a fairly noisy engine it was surprising the speed that our 1976 machine displayed. Our humble Balinese driver/guide, must have been a rally driver in a previous life as he expertly maneuvered the vehicle around sharp bends.

The convoy traveled through some quiet unknown roads and past some spectacular rice fields in the various stages of harvest. Workers were bundled in layers of clothing and conical hats to protect them from the harsh tropical sun as they thrashed sheaves of dried rice stalks. Groups of small village children laughed and waved as we droved by, obviously amused at the crazy tourists in the noisy machines.

Our first stop point was on the isolated Tabanan coast at Yeh Gangga Beach. After a refreshing cool drink and snack of lightly fried bananas, our group alighted two large horse drawn buggies for the five-minute trek to the beach. We were greeted by several majestic looking horses in shades of chestnut and black who were to be our companions for the next hour or so. The ride along the black volcanic sand beach was invigorating and the Manado mixture horses willingly trotted past the newly opened Waka Gangga Resort, with stops at an ancient temple, small waterfall, bat cave and back through the sleepy village. The time atop our four-legged friends flew by and before long we were back in our newly painted cream, yellow and fluorescent orange VW's.

Once again we wove and bumped through a series of small and un-serviced roads observing quaint villages and weather worn temples. The particular day that we were out was an auspicious day on the Balinese calendar and was especially good for a groom and his entourage of family to pick up his prospective bride from her family compound. We saw numerous processions of such with everyone decked in their finest sarongs and gold jewelry.

As our vehicles steadily proceeded through the Tabanan Regency the air became distinctly cooler in the higher altitude. The surrounding vegetation here was richer with deep red hibiscus flowers growing wildly along the roadsides alternating with tall shoots of bamboo. Our descent was steady until we reach the most stunning emerald shaded rice terraces on the island. The area of Jatiluwih has been relatively untouched by technology and comprises of literally acres of fertile land with a minimum of houses scattered in between. We had a rest at a small hillside café constructed from rods of bamboo and were served cups of sweet muddy Balinese coffee.

The last leg of our trek the drivers must have been hungry as we spiraled down from the mountainous location through villages of smiling children to our lunch destination at the Ayung River Rafting headquarters. Set on the lush sloping riverbank, the area is home to a host of chattering monkeys and a handful of regally poised camels who have adapted perfectly to their tropical environment. After a delicious buffet lunch downed with icy cold drinks we were offered the chance to participate in the afternoon river raft. On a full stomach nobody had the energy to venture the stone steps down the bank to the river. So we sat back and relaxed in the restaurant with its backdrop of splendid greenery.

The flexibility of the drivers from VW Safari’s makes a refreshing change from normal tours. They are quite willing to stop off for photos or anywhere that happens to catch the guests’ eye. There is none of the usual mundane stops at the overpriced art shops and silver dealers, where prices are hiked to give guides a slice in the commission pie.

On the trip back our group was more than a little merry, noses reddened from exposure to the sun and drunk from the sights and sounds of the ‘real’ Balinese countryside. The sky overhead was darkening with rain lurking close by. It was time to put up the canvas tops and return home.

Go Topless - VW Safari Tours operate daily with both half and full day tours starting at a very reasonably priced US $ 65. 00 Max. 3 passengers / car. The tour we experienced was the Tabanan Tour and guests have the option at the end of the day to stop off at Jimbaran Bay, in the south of Bali, for a succulent beachside BBQ dinner at the Bamboo and Baruna Seafood Café. An alternate route is the Kintamani tour, which also travels through some splendid natural terrain and stopping off at places of interest.

Go Topless - VW Safari Tours is a wonderful visual experience with perfect scenery for budding photographers. If you can handle windblown hair and the roar of the vehicle's 25-year-old engine, then you’re in for a great day out. Sunscreen and cameras are a must. For further information, simply E-mail us.raisarwa@gmail.com

Welcome to Bali Rent Cars...

We are here to better organize and arrange your car rental needs for a holiday or business stay. We provide various types of cars including mini jeeps, family vans or mini-buses. All vehicles are in good condition engines, well maintained and safety.

Car rates relate to the condition and year of vehicle. When advising the type of vehicle that you would prefer, please clarify condition or rate of your choice and book your rental car in advance to guarantee your booking.

Our daily self-driving tariffs are inclusive of car insurance, unlimited mileage in around Bali and 21% government tax and service charge.

Select a rental car from our quality fleet based on required specifications.

Bali Rent Cars is a 100% Balinese owned company offering a quality car rental service in Bali. Our car rental friendly service include pick-up at the airport or delivery to your hotel, home or anywhere within Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and Ubud areas.

Hot spring

Tabanan Hot Water

Tabanan Hot Water is one of tourist destinations in Tabanan regency, west part of Bali. it is about 15 minutes from Tabanan town and close to Batukaru Temple. It is set on the hill bank and the river valley just in front of it. There is a main pool located in the lowest level and just beside of river meanwhile other small pools are set on the bank. This hot water is come from the Batukaru mount and flows to the hill bank at Penatahan village, the location of Tabanan Hot Water.

Race paddy

Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Jatiluwih is a favorite tourist destination in Bali famous with the beautiful rice terrace unfolding from the foot of mountain until the coastal side. It is one of places to visit in Bali with the beautiful view as according to its name from Jati and luwih, where Jati mean really and Luwih meaning especial, good, and beautiful or the equivalent. The local paddies are planted in this place look typically of the high relative size plant if it is compared with other pre-eminent paddy planted by most farmers in Bali . Despitefully, Jatiluwih also famous with its organic agriculture system due to the location is located in the in the plateau of Watukaru Mount which is suitable for the agriculture development.

Other Unique

Jatiluwih also keep the unique religious ceremony attraction which is famous know as Patirtaan in Petali Temple on Wednesday Kliwon Ugu (Based on Balinese Calendar). The local residents believe that Petali Temple is a worship center of The Hyang Widhi Wasa (the God) as agriculture power. Beside of Petali Temple , there is also Pucak Rsi Temple is located in this area. As a tourist object, Jatiluwih provides the public facilities like parking area, toilet, resting bale and Wantilan for tourist who is enjoying the beautiful panorama. Some restaurants have been built to serve the food and beverage. Watukaru Tour is an exciting tour to visit Watukaru Temple and other tourist destinations like Jatiluwih.

village

Welcome to Bali Village

Bali Village is one of the nine stake holders of Bali Tourism Board. Bali Village takes the role and is in charge of destination promotion. Since its founding in 1995, this non-profit organization has established itself as the premiere gateway between Bali and the world. Beginning with a handful of partners, our village has now grown to more than 200 members strong. By working to raise Bali's global profile and to promote its unique natural and cultural attractions, Bali Village has become the island's most respected community marketing and promotion organization.

With a mission to support the development of quality through promotional, marketing and information-sharing activities, as well as to empower its members to participate in an increasingly competitive international marketplace, Bali Village has a responsibility to focus on the future. We work consistently to open new opportunities and devise innovative strategies to increase benefits for our members. As we look to the years ahead, we will be strengthening our networks and expanding our effort to reach markets all across the globe.

As an integrated organization that coordinates all components of tourism, from accommodations, travel agents, theme park and day tour activities company and public relations services, Bali Village is uniquely positioned to chart a course for sustainable tourism in Bali over the years to come. www.balivillage.com