Nusa Dua Beach Area Guide

Everything you need to know about Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua (meaning Two Islands) is the name of the peninsula that extends off the southern tip of the island of Bali, hosting a pristine complex of luxury hotels. A heavy concentration of big name international hotels lines the beautiful white sand shore that offers excellent swimming conditions in a protected lagoon. Located ten kilometres from the international airport, Nusa Dua is designed as an enclave of the most sumptuous and luxurious hotels in the world dedicated to big-spender tourists.

It is an idyllic place for honeymooner and those who are bringing the entire family, the white sand and shallow water are ideal for children to play in the sea while lifeguards keep a watchful eye.The roads in the area are well maintained and 24/7 security staff guard two entrance gates with full security procedures for every incoming and outgoing guest. It is no wonder then that year round Nusa Dua is an official venue for international conferences, congresses, meetings and other executive corporate events and annual festivals, attended by important worldwide participants.

Where to Stay in Nusa Dua Beach
Spectacular luxury resorts are the norm in Nusa Dua, with many incorporating contemporary Balinese style buildings and beautifully landscaped gardens, ponds and pool areas. Deluxe ocean view suites and stunning architecture like the Javanese Imperial Palace style at the Aston Bali are quite breathtaking.

Nusa Dua Beach Attractions

Apart from the high-class facilities presented by the resorts, Nusa Dua doesn’t have many things to offer as an attraction. However, there one place where you can escape from the resort’s fancy highlife without the hassle of going out of the complex. It’s Museum Pasifika – a wonderful place that houses some pieces of art collected from Asia and the Pacific island where you are welcome to visit every single day in a week from 10.00 to 18.00.
Nusa Dua Beach Activities

The Nusa Dua Resorts and Hotels area offers a wide range complementary fun activities and facilities designed for all family members. Unfortunately, only few facilities are opened for public. Try golf at Bali Golf and Country Club presents 18 holes whereas a spectacular view of Indian Ocean serves as a background or driving a 700cc motorized ski while exploring the beautiful blue sea lapping against the sand stretching three kilometres from Nusa Dua to the coastal side of Tanjung Benoa.

Experience an unforgettable ride from atop a camel’s back at Geger Sawangan Beach could be a fun thing to do with entire family or just play tennis at the court where the International athletes swing their racquet every once in a year at Tennis International Commonwealth Tournament at Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Nusa Dua Beach Restaurants

Nusa Dua is the home of most of the prestigious restaurants with luxurious price tags to fit. Therefore, if you are hoping to find first-class service, breathtaking ocean views, amazing interior settings, an exquisite taste of international cuisine prepared by renowned executive chefs and nightly live music performances, you’ll never go wrong by entering the Nusa Dua Resorts Complex. Your finest culinary journey could start from L’ermitazh & Gypsy Jazz Club and Pica Tapas, both located in Bali Collection complex. L’ermitazh serves a cuisine rich in Russian flavours at mid-range prices while Pica Tapas offers great selection of Brazilian dishes together with salsa dance performance every night.

Next destination could be Kayuputi offers modern Asian cuisine and Seafood fare, Boneka and Gourmand Deli are also worth visiting for incredible breakfast and brunch, all of them are well situated in St. Regis Resort. Meanwhile Raja’s an award winning royal Balinese food at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel can be your perfect final end!
Nusa Dua Beach Nightlife

There is not much in the way of nightlife in Nusa Dua especially if you are expecting to see a crowd and a wild night out as if you were in Kuta or Legian. All you can find is some prestigious bar and lounge situated in the luxurious resorts and hotels where a dress code is sometimes applied like King Cole Bar at St.

Regis Bali Resort, O Loo Loos Fun Pub and Salsa Bar at Nikko Bali Hotel, Pesona Lounge at Grand Hyatt or Cascade and Sand Bar at The Laguna Resort. All features nightly live performance with amazing different ambience, great choice of champagnes, fine imported wines, martinis, exotic cocktails and other concoctions. But it mostly closed after 2.00 in the morning.
Nusa Dua Beach Shopping

Nusa Dua offers you the most comprehensive international shopping complex - The Bali Collection. It’s an outdoor mall that attempts to be the most up-market all-in-one shopper’s haven right in the midst of the luxurious resort compound where you don’t have to bother with risky bargaining.

Bali Collection presents a hotchpotch of the world’s trendy brand names displayed in SOGO as well famous local brands, art and craft shops and jewellery stores. Alternatively, facing the main entrance gate on Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai and the back entrance gate on Jalan Pantai Mengiat, you can venture out to some art shops managed by local people where your best haggling skills are necessary.

Nusa Dua Map

Our interactive map (and satellite views) displays all available hotels with photos, facilities and guest comments as well as attractions, landmarks and other items of interest with links to relevant information pages. The perfect way to find your way around and see where everything actually is. (Read More)

Shopping in Legian

Where to Shop in Legian Beach - Bali

Don’t want to go home with empty baggage? No need to be worried, Legian is full with local boutiques and art shops need a bigger luggage? Start your journey from Melasti Street crossroad to Double Six Street, if your baggage hasn’t full yet, try a little adventure by taking small alleys, you might find good painting with leaner price.

Legian Main Street is only 3 km long and best to explore by bike or motorcycle for only Rp. 25,000 per day rent but there always a reason for one who wants to get cardio exercise. Since most of art shop doesn’t offer fixed price, bargain is a must.

By the Sea

Dominated by tropical tone selection, Brazilian owned resort wear has been in Bali since 2001 with collection from children to adult. By the Sea uses soft natural cotton and other light materials which guaranteed its comfort. Just a perfect option to one who wants to look casual on traditional cut yet still remains classy.
Location: on Jalan Legian

Uluwatu

Named after cliff-edge temple in southern Bali, Uluwatu is an original Indonesian style of fashion with meticulous embroidery as its trademark. Originally for ceremonial purpose only within Indonesian women, lace became important as it was considered rare and almost gone. Their product line includes women’s clothing, nightwear, bed linen, table linen and more. Isn’t just the right way to enjoy the Island of Paradise with its original style?
Location: on Jalan Legian

Hippichic

Expanding to retails and ready to wear, Bali based brand Hippichic opens its boutique on Legian Street. Their design inspired by sixties and seventies fashion, and made exclusively for women with the sense of flower generation. If you’re a joyful, fun and optimistic, Hippichic gives you a fashion with personality.
Location: on Jalan Legian

The Curl

One of the biggest surf shops in the area, Rip Curl-managed surf dock offers you a great variety of top rank surf gear from wrist watch to board wax. Don’t forget to check 2nd storey for discounted items. If you’re a diehard surfer or a serious wannabe, make sure you stop by before you dip in to the sea.
Location: on Jalan Legian

Birkenstock Shoes

The German-made shoes and sandals now in Bali, with more than 230 years experience Birkenstock remains to keep its quality as one well-built leather-based shoemaker yet comfortable. Birkenstock also embrace Heidi Klum as its brand representatives and designer for her “Specials by Heidi Klum.” You might want to get one of those “Specials.”
Location: on Jalan Legian

Suarti Silver

One of Balinese famous artist, Suarti has performed for presidents to statesmen as a dancer, musician, and painter. Her Suarti Silver Company designs and manufactures sterling silver jewelry for casual to ceremonial purpose. The designs itself is a combination between modern and traditional design and yet still maintaining its originality to Balinese tradition and culture.
Location: on Jalan Legian

Mertanadi Art Market (Melasti Street)

This is one of many traditional art markets in Bali where you can find almost everything from fake glasses to famous Bintang shirt. If you want to experience the real deal this is one thing you must try but always remember to be calm when you get hassled by stall owners, take a careful look at things you want to buy and bargain is a must.
Location: on Jalan Legian

Asia Line Handycraft

One of many qualified art shop in Legian Street, with such range products from chandeliers to rattan bags, from batik mask to wooden puppets, Asia Line expanded from small retail shop to wholesale export-oriented company with regular clients from Australia, France, Japan, Netherland, UK, and USA. Asia Line workshops are located in Bantul Yogyakarta, Bogor West Java and Tegal Alang Ubud.
Location: on Jalan Legian

Shopping in Kuta Beach

Where to Shop in Kuta Beach - Bali

Kuta is a shopping Mecca for visitors, shopaholics and locals who wish to sport the fashionable look of well-known locally made Bali designs and established international brands. Don’t miss out on a spot of bikini, swimwear and surf wear shopping while in Bali. There are numerous shops in Kuta, lined up on Kuta Beach, Kuta Sidewalk, Legian Street; even small alleys called Poppies that are famous for small hotels, guesthouses and villas. Shops selling clothing, leather goods, pirated DVDs and handicrafts line the streets.

Prices differ from store to store but with the variety of choices, you will be sure to find something that matches your budget. To find some souvenirs to bring home to your family and friends, there plenty of art shops selling Balinese crafts in Kuta. Although they offer similar items, prices can vary, depending on the quality of the merchandise and how good you are at bargaining. During the high season from July to September and at Christmas, some stores hold clearance sales where you can save up to 70%.

Kuta Art Market

Kuta Art Market is a traditional market where you can get souvenirs and goods crafted by local people. The prices vary, depending on your haggling skills. The most important thing to remember is to be polite and friendly (certainly not confrontational) and to treat it all as a kind of game. Haggling is expected and indeed encouraged as part of the fun of shopping, and as such theatrical expressions and claims of bankruptcy will soon have you laughing together with the shop owner. It is often helpful to decide upon the most you want to pay for an item before you start bargaining.

Then you should try offering one third of the price first offered, and wait for them to come down in price before slowly raising your own offer in small increments. Don’t be afraid to take your time: your patience will be rewarded with much lower prices. If the price offered is still much higher than your maximum budget, walk away slowly from the shop. Often the vendor will call you back and offer you a lower price. Make sure you check the quality of your item before you pay and move along to the next store. Once you have won the negotiation battle, you can bet you will be addicted and will have fun shopping at this kind of market.
Location: next to Kuta Square

Kuta Square

Just nearby the Kuta Art Market, Kuta Square is a shopping centre approximately 50 metres from Kuta Beach. Designed in boulevard style, Kuta Square is packed with a lot of international and local brands from surf wear outlets, dining areas, a hypermarket and fashion stores; such as Billabong, Quiksilver, Hurley, Giardano, Reebok, Nike, Levi’s, and two famous local brands – Milo’s and Animale.
Location: Jalan Bakung Sari

Discovery Shopping Mall

Discovery Shopping Mall, the only mall with a beachfront view, is located in Kuta’s prime area. This mall has facilities such as banks, restaurants, cafés, bookstores, opticians, pharmacies, amusement arcades, home accessories, jewelry and international brand outlets such as Sogo, Guess, Esprit, Giardano and many more. Live bands perform every Saturday and Sunday nights to liven up your weekend shopping.
Location: Jalan Bakung Sari

DFS (Duty Free Shopping)

DFS Galleria brings an exciting and luxurious retail environment to a downtown location for fashion, beauty, fine jewelry and alcoholic drinks. It features an impressive portfolio of the world’s most sought-after brands, including established labels such as Cartier, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany and emerging brands like Bottega Veneta, Pucci and Valentino. If you need assistance, the multilingual staff will be delighted to help you. Located in Mall Bali Galleria, you can also find a hypermarket and mid-range department store for fashion and accessories next door.
Location: on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai Kuta

69 Slam

69 Slam offers lingerie and underwear for men and women, designed in funky and colourful styles. The products are created for a dynamic young stylish upscale market. For ladies, the prices range from IDR 99,000 to 199,000 and IDR 155,000 to IDR 225,000 for men. There are four other branches spread throughout Kuta and Seminyak.
Location: opposite the Memorial Statue

Surfer Girl

Surfer Girl sells T-shirts, tank tops, dresses, skirts, trousers, surfing rash vests, flip flops, swimwear, bikinis and accessories to match your style during your visit to Bali. Surfer Girl own brand products come in happy colours and often feature a funky cartoon design of the Surfer Girl characters (Summer, Niki, Grinder and friends). Adjoining the Surfer Girl store, Quiksilver offers beach-themed fashion wear for him.
Location: on Jalan Legian Kuta

Camper Shoes

Having opened its first store in 1981 in Barcelona, Camper expanded their reach to Bali last year. Now, Camper’s fans can shop for their latest edition of flats, wedges, pumps, boots, mules, athletic shoes or sandals here in Kuta, all made from high quality leather, rubber and suede in a wide selection of sizes.
Location: Southside Hard Rock store

Body & Soul

Body & Soul provides the most competitive prices compared to other local fashion brands in Bali. In addition to their clothing collection for women, they offer an extensive range of accessories from jewelry to belts, scarves and handbags – not to mention their hot range of Body & Soul swimwear. For kids, they have Body & Soul Bambini – funky gear for your young boys and girls, aged between three and eight years old. Apart from their outlet, check out Body & Soul Factory Outlet in Kuta and Seminyak, where you can get items from their collection at half price.
Location: at Discovery Shopping Mall, Kuta Square, on Jalan Legian Kuta

Rip Curl

Rip Curl has been a market leader in wetsuits for over 30 years. They produce surfwear, swimwear, bikinis, flip flops, surfboards (especially handcrafted custom boards) and mountain wear. All the designs are stylish and comfortable to wear. Although the prices can be expensive, they give you the best quality garments for beach activities and sportswear.
Location: on Jalan Sunset Road

Batik Keris

Batik Keris sells most Javanese patterns of batik in the form of clothing for women and men, scarves, table linen made from cotton and small souvenirs. Unlike Balinese batik patterns, Javanese batik only uses natural colours such as indigo, black and brown.
Location: on Jalan Legian Kuta and Discovery Shopping Mall 1st floor

Wira’s Batik

If you are wondering where to purchase Batik in high quality fabric, Wira’s is the place to go. The women’s clothing blends the traditional and modern in dresses, tops and skirts, with shirts and trousers for men, all printed on beautiful high-quality silk and cotton. Prices are high but the quality is totally worth it for high-end fashion couture in traditional patterns.
Location: on Jalan Kendedes and SOGO Department Store at Discovery Shopping Mall

Star Surf

If you happen to be just passing by Legian Street, Kuta, have a look inside a big hangar-like store with a real single seat combat plane in it. This unusual accessory has helped make Star Surf one of the biggest surf stores in Bali. Star Surf is loaded with almost every major surfing brand with a wide range of products from surfboards to fashion accessories.
Location: on Jalan Legian Kuta

Motion Skate Shop

The only skateboard dedicated shop in Kuta, Motion aims to promote skateboarding in Bali and Indonesia and hopes the government can be made aware that the sport and its athletes deserve equal opportunity to participate in international competitions. Despite its small number of devotees, Motion Skate Shop stocks almost every leading skate brand like Birdhouse, Nike SB, Plan B and many others.
Location: on Jalan Legian Kuta

MSD (Motor Sport Division)

Formerly a motorsport dealer, MSD has turned into an extreme sports division for adrenalin-fuelled activities from mud terrain biking to paragliding. MSD distributes various international extreme sports brands such as Fox Racing, Troy Lee Design, DC Shoes, Thor, and many others. If you feel that your current sport is not macho enough, you should try riding on a hi-speed motor trail over limestone hills or paragliding off the Bukit Peninsula’s cliffs.
Location: on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai Kuta

Bali Shopping by Area

Virtually everybody comes to Bali to shop, and even if shopping wasn't the ultimate aim, you'll still end up with fascinating and irresistible buys. Bali is a treasure trove of fine art and handicrafts, antique and semi-antique furniture, paintings, delicately carved jewellery, wood and stone carvings, masks, woven and dyed fabrics. (What to buy in Bali)

Bargaining in markets, shops and art shops, is normal practice and getting a good price depends largely on one's bargaining prowess. As bargaining forms a large part of the fun of shopping in Bali, remember to carry cash, as not all places accept credit cards - and be good humoured. Shops are usually open from 10am to 11pm.

International labels, local designer clothes plus skillful tailors and dressmakers offer reliable 24-hours services. Shops selling similar items are normally grouped together to make comparing prices easy, and if the shop you're in doesn't have a particular colour or size, why, just pop over next door!

BALINESE MUSIC

Balinese music represents, to a large extent, a survival of the pre-Islamic music of Java. It was taken to Bali by Hindu Javanese in the 15th cent. and uses the tonal systems of Javanese music , of which pelog is by far the more important in Bali. Balinese music sounds impetuous and noisy, in contrast to the soft, tranquil music heard currently in Java. Few gamelans, the orchestras of tuned percussion instruments, play in Java today but they flourish, their archaic forms preserved, in modern Bali. The gamelans of the princes are no longer important in Bali, but have left their influence on the village societies for music making. There are also the ceremonial gamelans of the temples.

The most important gamelan instruments are xylophones, which may be made of bronze or bamboo. Bronze xylophones are of two basic types— gangsa, whose keys are supported over a wooden resonance box, and g'ndér, whose keys have individual bamboo resonators. These instruments sometimes play the melody and sometimes they provide a brilliant figuration. Gongs, suspended singly, are used for metrical accentuation; there are also gong chimes, which are of two types. The trompong, a set of 10, is a solo instrument, and the réyong, a set of 12, is played by four men, supplying figuration. Flutes, in two sizes, are made of bamboo and are used in theatrical music. Although the name of the rebab, a two-string spike fiddle, is Persian-Arabic, the instrument probably originated in S China and is used in the music of the gambuh play. Cymbals, bell rattles, and drums supply the all-important elaborate rhythmic background. The anklung is an archaic, tuned bamboo rattle. It is not known in all parts of Bali, but gives its name to the anklung gamelan, a ceremonial gamelan which may at one time have always included anklungs.

The instrumentation and the repertory of a particular gamelan depend on its function. Each of the various forms of dance and drama has a gamelan which specializes in its music. The most recent musical development is kebyar, a restless, explosive music which discards the highly developed, balanced forms of the older music. Kebyar clubs compose their own music, often taking themes from older music. The wealthier clubs include a dancer—a young man who performs seated on the ground, dancing from the waist up. Balinese notation was invented by the Javanese who brought the music to Bali. It gives no indication of the rhythm and is little used. Music is learned by rote; it is not improvisation, however, but a sophisticated, composed art form. Balinese music has had some popularity in the West, mainly sponsored by the composer Lou Harrison , founder of the modern American gamelan movement.

Bibliography: See D. A. Lentz, The Gamelan Music of Java and Bali (1965); C. McPhee, Music in Bali (1965).

Bali Festivals & Events Guide

Calendar of Bali Events

Festivals and events are important features in the social landscape of Bali, and also permanent fixtures in the lives of the Balinese. These festivals and events are determined by the calendars of the Balinese from long ago.

The major events in the life of a Balinese is believed to occur on fixed dates, which go according to the Balinese Calendar. Unlike temple festivals, these major events take place nearly every six months or every 210 days!

The Balinese believe in annual cycles and every six months of a Balinese's life is a celebration of holidays and life-cycle ceremonies. Since his conception in his mother's womb, every Balinese passes through certain stages, and this carries on up until marriage. These are the events celebrated to mark the passage of a Balinese as he progresses in his life. But the ritual of utmost importance to the Balineses is the ritual of the funeral rites and cremation.

It is, therefore, extremely obvious that festivals and events are an integral part of Balinese life and a huge part of the mysticism and allure that sets Bali apart from any other land. To help preserve and maintain every aspect of this rich culture, the Provincial Government of Bali holds numerous Annual Festivals.
Calendars

The Balinese use altogether three types of calendars for one year; one is the typical Western calendar, and the other two are local Balinese calendars, the saka and the wuku calendars.

The wuku calendar is used to find out dates for festivals and has 10 different weeks, each from one to 10 days and all running simultaneously.

The saka calendar is a lunar calendar of Hindu origin, which closely follows the Western calendar in terms of the length of the year. With illustrations for each day indicating what activities that day is auspicious for, Balinese calendars make popular souvenirs.

Some of Bali's major temples celebrate their festivals according to the dictates of the saka calendar. Hence, the actual date of a festival is difficult to determine from the Western calendar since the lunar saka does not have a predetermined number of days.

The wuku calendar, however, does have a set number of days. According to the saka, full moons days from the end of September till the start of October, or from early to mid-April are normally important festive dates, and temples will celebrate important temple festivals then.
Galungan

Bali's most important festival is the Galungan festival. It is a feast and festival which is held throughout the whole island and an annual event in the wuku year. It is believed that during this ten day period all Balinese gods, including Sanghyang Widi, the supreme deity, will descend to earth for the festivities. Barongs prance from temple to temple and village to village in celebration of the Galungan with the gods.

Galungan to the Balinese, is the most important holiday period as it symbolizes the victory of Dharma, or Virtue, upon Adharma, or all that is Evil. The festivities are made extra special by the fitting of 'penjor' on the right side of the entrance to every house.

A penjor is a tall bamboo pole terrifically decorated with woven young coconut leaves, cakes, fruits and flowers; and also a must for every Balinese household. The Galungan also sees the Balinese decked in their finest clothes and jewels for the day.

The last day of the 10-day festival is the most important day. Known as Kuningan, it is the climax of the ten-day Galungan, and also serves to bringing the holiday period to a close. Kuningan is a day for prayer, and a special ritual ceremony is held for the spirits of the Balinese's ancestors.

Just as the Galugan ends with a day of symbolic prayer, its beginning is marked by Pagerwesi. Pagerwesi literally means 'iron fence', and on Pagerwesi day every year, ceremonies and prayers are held in supplication for iron-strong mental and spiritual defense in welcoming the Galungan holiday.
Nyepi

The saka calendar has a major festival called Nyepi, or the final day of the saka year. It falls on the day after the new moon on the ninth month. Nyepi is a celebrated holiday and the Balinese New Year called icaka New Year. It is a day of total silence throughout the island. Nyepi really is a celebration observed with total silence!

On Nyepi day, there is totally no activity - no traffic at all on the roads, no amusement is held the whole day long. No fires also may be lit in observance of the Nyepi and great purification and sacrificial rites are held on the day prior to Nyepi in order to exorcise evil spirits from every corner of Bali.
Saraswati

Bali and the Balinese also celebrate Saraswati, a day devoted to God's manifestation as the wise and beautiful Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature - the Dewi Saraswati. To mark this joyous day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Wedas are blessed and special offerings are made together with aspirations for knowledge and wisdom.
Arts Festival

Highly notable is the Annual Arts Festival, which interestingly takes place from every second Saturday of June to the second Saturday of July. This Annual Arts Festival is a celebration of exhibitions and performances of various kinds of artworks and cultural achievements, including the absorbing Kite Festival.

The Bali Aga (The Original Balinese)

The original Balinese or Bali Aga, are a unique ethnic group that still live and practise a way of life that pre-dates modern civilisation. The Bali Aga are thought to be the original inhabitants of Bali who fled imperialistic invaders, eventually finding refuge in the solitude of Bali's remote mountains. Only two villages remain - which until recently, were firmly shut away from the rest of the world, hidden in the hills of East Bali.

Located just west of Candi Dasa lie the villages of Tenganan and Trunyan, isolated across the vast Lake Kintamani. The villages, home to the Bali Aga, are shut off by a solid wall surrounding the entire village. The wall is only broken by means of four gates, each facing north, south, east and west. Within these walls lies a massive Banyan tree surrounded by a low wall of uncut stones, making up a small enclosure for a very sacred temple. Tenganan has only recently opened up to outsiders although strict rules still apply, especially concerning marriage to outsiders. Tenganan has wonderful fabrics, including the renowned double weave ikat cloth.

The villagers of Tenganan are tall and slender with very pale complexions and refined manners. The men folk still wear their hair long and have a communistic system which does not recognize individual ownership of property. Every house in Tenganan looks exactly alike, with a flight of steps leading to a small gate opening into a courtyard with sleeping quarters, kitchen, and a long house for storage. A small empty shrine, signifies a place where spirits may rest when they visit their descendants.

Tenganan owns huge tracts of fertile and well cultivated lands capable of satisfying the needs of the village; and also making Tenganan one of the richest in Bali.

A people known for their filed and blackened teeth, the Bali Aga are said to bring the spirits of their ancestors down to Earth for protection through sacrifices. The Bali Aga leave the bodies of their dead in the jungle to be carried away by the spirits, and they are believed to have possibly eaten parts of their headmen's bodies to absorb magic powers. Family clans are ruled by a council of elders who are also religious priests. The Bali Aga revere the forces of nature and the spirits of their ancestors, with whom they continue to live as a great family of both the living and the dead.
Bali Aga Rites

The Tenganans practice an ancient rite known as mekare kare, the ritual blood sacrifice. This is not as gory as it sounds, but an event where all villagers get involved in an annual ritual combat, using thorny pandan leaves to draw blood.

Each combatant hits his opponent with the aim of drawing blood. The ritual fight will be held every time there is a temple ceremony is Tenganan, which tends to fall in the fifth month of the Balinese calendar.

The fighting and the blood are real, and all participants come well prepared, carrying weapons of a rotan-woven shield and a bundle of thorny pandan leaves, used to scratch the opponent's skin until it bleeds.

Before the fight begins, participants drink rice wine or tuak, fermented local palm, to symbolise brotherhood and sportsmanship. But when the selonding music fills the air, a volley of fierce jeers, insults, cheers and shouts are thrown to instill fear. And the fighting begins.

The fighting is judged by a mediator, most probably a prominent figure of the village, and usually lasts for a fierce 5 to 10 minutes. The first person to draw blood with the thorny weapon is victor, and the person he draws blood from is the vanquished. Both victor and vanquished are broken up by the mediator as soon as blood is drawn.

As the injured are treated with traditional liquid medicines, and all fighters recover their strength, the whole village prepares food and drink for an elaborate feast which must follow the Balinese sacrifice of human blood.

Balinese culture has also got a population control mechanism in their child naming practices, and this is not only confined to the Bali Aga, but encompasses every Balinese. Every first born is named Wayan, second born Made, third Nyoman, and the fourth Ketut. Anymore children will see a repeat of the names following the order. But this practice definitely is a big hint and subtle reminder to stop at a maximum of four!
Balinese Religion

Nearly everything in Bali carries a religious significance from creating stone and wood carvings, cremation ceremonies, trance dances and gamelan music, are intended to please and appease the gods.

As most pleasing and appeasing rituals take place in a temple, temples are, undisputedly, the most important structure in Balinese culture, providing a pleasant resting place for the gods during their stay on the island.

Every house on the island has its own shrine, a resting place for ancestral spirits. Even the paddy fields have a shrine for Dewi Sri, the Rice Goddess. Each village has three temples, the Pura Puseh, dedicated to the villagers' ancestors, the Pura Desa, used for official celebrations, and the Pura Dalem or the temple of death, specially dedicated to the deities of death and of cremation.
Cremation Ceremonies

The Ngaben or Cremation Ceremony is a very important part of Balinese culture. The ceremony is performed to send the dead from death to the next life. When death descends on a Balinese, the village kul kul will sound, hanging in the village temple tower to announce the departure of the deceased.

The body will then be placed at the Bale Delod, and the deceased treated as if sleeping. No tears are shed as the Balinese believe that the deceased will return shortly to be reincarnated into the family.

The Priest will then consult the Dewasa for the day of the ngaben ceremony. On the appointed day, the body of the deceased is placed inside a coffin, which is then placed inside a wadah, or sarcophagus shaped in the form of a buffalo. It is actually a temple structure made of paper and light wood.

The funeral procession then leaves for the cremation site, carrying the wadah. The most important part of the ngaben is the burning of the wadah, with fire taken from a holy source, thus sending the deceased to the afterlife,to prepare for a future reincarnation.