The island of Bali goes by many names such as Island of the gods’, Shangri-La’, €last paradise’, centre of the universe’ and dawning of the world’. Bali is a tropical island known for its beauty and inhabited by people who are artistic and friendly. Though small in size, there are a range of up market and budget Bali Hotels which a visitor can book into. The island leaves lasting memories and many visitors feel themselves being pulled back to once more enjoy the experiences of Bali.

Bali’s scenic wonders include impressive volcanoes, pristine beaches and panoramas of cultivated rice terraces. The main volcano Gunung Agung’ is still active and subject to explosions. The people of Bali consider the volcano to be sacred and believe it is the centre of the universe. Bali’s main food crops include sugar cane, copra, rice, coffee, tobacco, vegetables and fruit. The island enjoys a tropical climate with just two seasons every year.

In Bali, the main religion and culture is Hindu. The primary deity is the Sanghvang Widi Wasa, the all-in-one god’ who is depicted by an empty throne wrapped in poleng black-and-white chessboard pattern, protected by a ceremonial tedung umbrella. In all Balinese homes and work places you will find tiny offerings (canang sari or leaf trays). Everything the Balinese people do revolves around religion. Made on a daily basis, these leaf trays contain flowers, cookies, salt, glutinous rice, cigarettes and coffee. The leaf trays are laid on the ground along with burning incense sticks and sprinkled with holy water at least three times a day before meals. Deliberately stepping on the leaf trays is considered to bring bad luck. The Balinese people have in a culture which is strongly linked to appeasing the gods, demons and spirits.

Bali is Indonesia’s unrivaled and most popular tourist attraction. It offers spectacular beaches, great surfing and diving, and a culture infused with spirituality. The South of the island offers a more genuine and traditional Balinese experience. In spite of attracting heavy tourist traffic, if you are more into finding peace and quiet, Bali offers such retreats. The Balinese people are master sculptors and also famous for their dance and music. They have the Barong or lion dance; the Calonarang, which is a tale of dark magic and exorcising of evil spirits; the Kecak or monkey dance which was invented in the 1930s by a German artist for a movie; and the Legong Keraton which is the most famous of all Balinese dances. This dance is performed by young girls portraying divine nymphs hailing from 12th century Java.

One of the very special days in Bali is the Day of Absolute Silence’ or Nyepi. The day is meant to fool evil spirits that no one lives in Bali. By observing such silence it is believed that the evil spirits will go elsewhere looking for prey and the Bali inhabitants are free for another year. To experience all these exotic and wonderful experiences Bali has to offer, make your online air booking together with a booking for one of the Bali Hotels for an assured and enjoyable holiday