Hidden Surf Spot

Have you ever heard Pig stone beach in Bali?. It is located in Tabanan regency on the west coast of Bali. not so far from Tanah Lot temple. The beach is one of hidden surf spot in Bali. Left and right hander, bit mellow waves, but fun. you need local to guide you to get there. The beach is black sandy beach and not so famous with tourist spot. The local people use to surfing there, but do not worry they are friendly and welcome, if you respect them as well. Mid to high tide is the best time to surf in here, please use your boatis, because the beach is reef break and a lot of see urchin. The afternoon is good time to surf in there while watching sunset. bring your own drinks or food cause no restaurant, warung, etc etc in there. less crowded and sometimes if you lucky left hollow waves you can get in there. This place still quite isolated from the tourist area like Kuta, canggu or other beaches area in Bali.

Waterfalls

Nungnung falls is one of the closest waterfalls from Denpasar. Incidentally, in Indonesia waterfall is “air terjun”- you need to know this as english is not spoken everywhere in Bali, especially in the village. Nungnung waterfall is located in Nungnung village in the Plaga district, a hill station east of Denpasar. The waterfall is not particulary famous, even amongst the Balinese. Several facilities such as a parking area, changing room, toilet, stairs and handrail are available on site.

There are about 500 stairs down the step canyon before you reach the bridge to the other side of the canyon. Then a slippery muddy trail leads to the grand Nungnung waterfall, the water of which is believed to cure rheumatism. The waterfall is 100 metres high and massive amount of water crashes down with incredible power splashing its coolnes all over the canyon and watering the green vegetation that surrounds. The local people say that when it is drizzling you can see the rainbow end at the bottom of the falls.

Far in the north about two hours drive from Denpasar, in Buleleng regency, there are many cascading waterfalls. Munduk waterfall, which is 15 metres high, is nestled amidst a coffe plantation. The water here contains sulfur so it is good for the skin. Just 1 km north of the munduk waterfall lies an even bigger one. Some call it as air terjun Munduk 2, while others call it air terjun Melanting. The sounds of pounding water falling from 20 metres can be heard from far away, mixing nicely with the chirping birds.

One of the famous waterfall is the Buleleng regency is Gitgit waterfall, located in Gitgit village. on entiring the village, the first waterfall you come is Gitgit twin waterfall on the left, The walks from this waterfall is a long downhill trek. The Gitgit waterfall is not so far from the twin waterfall, from the parking area take a 500 metres scenic walk. Along the way you can find some of the island’s common plants such as cacao, coffee, clove and nutmeg. With paddy field on your left and green canyon on your right you walk to the waterfall is invigorating. The sound of the waterfall you can heard from 200 metres away and after a few more steps you can see the huge cascades of gushing water descending from 45 metres and hitting the water and the big stones below.

Higher than Gitgit waterfal and more adventurous journey leading to it, is Colek Pamor waterfalls are not famous with the tourist as they are tucked right in the midst of the jungle. There is no concrete path to reach this waterfall but a muddy narrow path which is usually used by the local as their route to their farms. cacao plantation, snake fruit trees and bamboos grow all along the way. before you reach the waterfall you will first arrive at the top of Gitgit waterfall. follow the river and slowly walk over the simple bamboo bridge and trek a bit uphill. Eventually you will find a broken shack with a sign reading “ Colek Pamor Waterfall” The waterfall is 50 metres high and the waters come from around cave. The guard told me that the cave is natural underground water way which carries water water from the river Buleleng to Gitgit.

Balinese Dance

Possibly the most dance in Bali is the Legong dance.This classic Balinese dance, has become the foundation for the basic routines of many Balinese dance. The original Legong danced is by two teenage girl who have not yet reached maturity and was developed in the palaces in Bali during the 19Th century. The story goes that a prince of Sukawati had a dream where he is dying of some sickness. In his dream, he sees 2 girl dancing gracefully with their young and flexible bodies, all accompanied by the harmonic sounds of Gamelan. When the prince regains his health, he reenacts his dream in a dance repertoire.

Audience normally miss the the fact that during a Legong performance, there is dance called Condong which is usually the prelude to Legong. Condong is usually performed solo and the dancer wears a similar costume to that of the Legong dancer but the colour is different - rather than a gold, she wears pink. The dancers also wears a headdress, which take the form of antlers and is made from frangipani flowers. Even though it is a prelude, the Condong performance in its entirety takes about 7 minutes.

The routines of the Condong Dances share similarities with Legong, but it does not depict a story like legong dance. Condong cancers must master several Balinese Dance techniques, because most of the routines are difficult. The routines include imitating a bamboo tree being blown in the wind by squatting low and swaying the upper part of the body gracefully as well as the distinctive movement of the eyes which creates different facial expressions from one routine to another. At the end of the performance the Condong dancer usually presents a pair of fans to the two Legong dancers before finally withdrawing backstage.

Important To Keep Cultural Integrity In a Cultural Destination

This is serious question which need taken seriously. Why did you come to Bali?
Just 20 years ago there was no doubt that people come here for, what I call, the right seasons: Culture , Art, Beach, Sea and sightseeing, but since then the season have become blurred as the support industries: Restaurants, Clubs, Bars, amusement centers, shop, spas and park, have grown to the point that they have become the primary reasons that many people come here!

In Fact, if you come to Bali and stay in Nusa Dua, Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Jimbaran or even the bukit you may not see even a trace of “Real Bali” during your whole stay
There used to be rule that all hotels , shops, villas, well everything. had to be designed using Balinese architecture and motifs, but this has totally been ignored in recent years as “development” outpaced regulation and enforcement. So most of the buildings, road, infrastructure in the south of Bali, have little connection with the cultural and architectural norms of Bali.
This is not say that many of the new establishments are not of the highest quality, they are, but they are not Balinese, and make no attempt to be. this type of contrary development is not visible in Rome or Paris, where building code regulations are strictly observed. There are no African village in the middle of Edinburgh or Japanese temple in Amsterdam. It is very important to keep cultural integrity in a cultural Destination. Sadly, Bali has lost that in the south and is in danger of losing it everywhere. “Real Bali” is in serious danger of being covered over by “New” Bali.
I do not know if you are unhappy with what you have found here. Maybe not, and I certainly hope not, since as I said, many “out of context” establishment are really very good. But for me, I loved “old real” Bali with its astonishing culture, evident everywhere and beutiful as yet unspoiled nature. But if it is modern life you are looking for me, Bali has in it buckets. If it is real Bali, It is still there if you look for it.