Matahari Spa | Spa on the valley of Ayung River

Matahari Spa is nestled in the valley of the Ayung River, Sayan village, Ubud, Bali, established in April 2008 in an excellent location with beautiful views overlooking to the Ayung River. Sayan's valley are revered by the local peoples as the dwelling place of gods from ancient times, the flow of the Ayung River and beautiful spacious terrace in front spread rice mixed with stunning views of lush and dense tropical forests.

The treatments of Matahari Spa are based to Balinese massage techniques, western medical knowledge, and Indian healing movement. For example, acupressure and moxibustion to stimulate the autonomic nervous system, and encourages the flow of lymphatic massage oil has been found highly effective to western medicine

Taco Casa 'n Grill | Mexican Restaurant in Ubud Bali

Located at Pengosekan street, Ubud - Bali, open for lunch and dinner from 11 am - 10 pm, Not like the generally restaurant, Taco Casa have a unique design, with the kitchen located in the main room of the restaurant, so the visitors can see the process of making the food directly. This restaurant serves a variety of Mexican cuisine that has its own characteristics in the presentation, the first visit I was very satisfied, welcomed very friendly by the staff and presentation of the foods are very beautiful and delicious. I ordered three kind of cuisine which are their recommendation menu for dinner. Soft Tacos with Beef, 8-Layer Burrito with Beef, and Fajitas With Beef. Beef are my own selection otherwise they provide Veggie, Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp.

Pizza Bagus | Popular Italian Restaurant in Ubud, Bali

One of my favorite restaurant in Ubud, If you decide to go for Italian food in Ubud, Pizza Bagus is just the right choice ! A perfect family place and probably the only real Italian restaurant in Ubud where you can find a large choice of kids food. located not too far from the center of Ubud in the Pengosekan area, the restaurant is also provide delivery service free charge for Ubud area, so you can just call this restaurant and ask them to deliver a delicious pizza to your place.
Last time I visited this restaurant I ordered two kind of pizzas, which are my favorite Pizza in this restaurant. it was "Pizza Sole" and "Pizza Salami and Peperoni" with Bintang beer ( my compulsory orders ^^ ) . I also took a few pictures of the restaurant and foods, so it could be your recommendation while you visit Ubud.

Balinese Dance in Ubud, Bali

Wow,.. That was impressive! that's all that i could said after watch the dance show in Ubud, Bali.
The dance was performed in "Puri Saren" (Ubud Palace) near the Ubud market, it performed by 11 Balinese professional dancers that wearing different costume and portray different characters. The stage was not very specials, it just a simple decoration in the courtyard of the palace, but they could make the situation very unusual with Balinese traditional music in the background along the performance, they really deliver the emotions to the audiences.

The stories of the dance is come from epic hindu texts like the infused with local island myths. You can enjoy the dance almost everyday starts from 07:30pm in Puri Saren Agung, but sometimes it will be moved to another places depends on weather condition or Palace activities. There is another places in Ubud that performing similar show with different story, check out the schedule bellow, I got the schedule from the local tourist information in Ubud.

Potong Gigi Ceremony (Teeth filing ceremony), Bali

After a while living in Bali, I finally got a chance to witness the ceremony of Potong Gigi (Teeth filing ceremony) done by my friend before her wedding ceremony with Balinese local man.

In the Balinese belief system, the ceremony helps people rid themselves of the invisible forces of evil - teeth are the symbol of lust, greed, anger, insobriety, confusion and jealousy. Filing the teeth therefore renders someone both more physically and more spiritually beautiful, as well as symbolising the rite of passage for an adolescent into adulthood.

Ceremonies are usually held between 4.00 am to 6.00 am, before the sun rises, and are accompanied by religious songs. After the tooth filing ceremony, the teenager is considered to be a mature adult. In recent years, families have taken to holding their children's ceremonies in a group in order to economise.

Warung Pulau Kelapa | Cheap and unique Indonesian restaurant In Ubud

Warung Pualu kelapa is the new restaurant in Ubud, Bali. The restaurant is designed with Traditional Javanese style with the texture of old javanese carving around the walls. This restaurant is very unique and antique, I visited this restaurant last night, and quite surprise with the decoration that they made inside the restaurant, They use pure Javanese traditional furniture with classic photos as wall decoration around the wooden walls and a few wooden statues standing in the front of the entrance. Check out my photos and short interview with the manager in Warung Pulau Kelapa.

Yeh Spa - Health From The Water

Yeh Spa is located at Jl Raya sangigan, Ubud Bali. The spa is quite simple, designed with Indonesia modern style of day spa. I visit this place for many times to relaxing my mind and get full body massage here, the therapist is well trained harmonized with Balinese hospitality that will make your treatment be more comfortable and relax. last time I visit this spa, I took a few picture of the spa and got a short interview with the owner so it can be your recommendation while you visit Ubud. check out my report of Yeh Spa, hope this place could also be your place to release your stress during your vacation in Ubud Bali.

Kecak Dance With Funny Makeup and Body Painting

My visit to friend's village was very interesting, I was invited to see Balinese kecak dance that perform by the youth peoples in Celuk village, Banjar Cemenggaon. Actually I enjoyed the kecak dance performance for many times since i live in Bali, but they said "this is not usual" this make me very interest to see the dance in their village.

Once i arrive, they still make a preparation for the show and i was surprise for what they doing for the preparations. Usually kecak dance is perform by mens without using any makeup on their face or body, now i realize why they said this is not usual, they use funny makeup on their face and body, and the dance is a little bit different with the usual kecak dance that i ever seen. check out the picture and feel free to laugh

Bali Bungy Jumping

No Bali experience is complete without a Bungy Jump from AJ Hackett's magnificent tower. Hands down this jump spot is the most dramatic in the world. Situated inside the grounds of the famous Double Six Night Club. The 45m / 150ft tower was purpose built and includes an elevator to get to the top. AJ Hackett Bali have an amazing site built within the grounds of Bali’s hottest night club “Double Six”. This is the only place in the world where you can party with 2000 other people until 6am in the morning and bungy at the same time!

Bali Marine Sports | Parasailing

Parasailing is the most popular activity in Bali marine sport, hinging the body under airborne which is pulled by the speed boat to overview the amazing panorama of the coastal area.

The wind will blow you to fly in the air with a maximum height 85meter above sea level, parasailing will begin from the white sandy beach to take off and circled the area for marine sports in Tanjung Benoa and returned to the place where you take-off.

Bali Sobek Rafting

Established in Bali in 1989, Sobek Bali Utama was the first Adventure Tour and Rafting Company of its kind on the Bali island. Taking pride in a proven 100% safety record even to this day, Sobek Bali invests heavily into thorough industry recognized safety training standards. Sobek is one of the best selected adventure companies in Bali offering Bali Adventure Tours in Ayung and Telaga Waja River.

Sobek Ayung River Rafting
As you carve through some of Bali’s most appealing landscape, the Ayung River provides a thrill that begins the moment you push of from the riverbanks. As you switch between Class I and II rapids, you will wind through deep valleys with cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs of prehistoric significance. On the more leisurely stretches through tropical forests you will see Hindu shrines that are brightly decorated on ceremonial days of prayer. Just as you think it is all coming to an end, the unpredictable Ayung River propels your raft into yet another rapid. Sobek’s well trained guides and welcoming operational staff, make your trip the most memorable and enjoyable trip possible.
Huge fun and great adventure with Sobek on the Ayung River.

Sobek Telaga Waja River Rafting
The thrilling Telaga Waja adventure begins in the foothills of the sacred Mount Agung, after an in-depth safety and equipment briefing by Sobek’s experienced guides. From the time you drop into the first set of rapids, your heart will be racing and your adrenalin pumping.
In a continual spray of white clear water, you will rush past steep banks and ancient hanging trees, whilst rafting straight through cascading waterfalls of cold natural spring water. The Sobek guides will give you instruction and work with you to safely navigate the raft through torrents, twists, tight turns and inclined rapids. Over head obstacles, narrow gorges and breathtaking views of terraced rice plains all along the way will give you an appetite for your final challenge! The Water Dam! Hold on, Take a deep breath, and down you go!. The Sobek Telaga Waja experience is a fantastic experience from start to finish. From the moment you put on your Life Jacket and Helmet and take a tight grip of your paddle to the very second you finish your last taste of the delicious mouth watering buffet, this really is thrills all the way!

Sobek Bali Utama
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 100X Simpang Siur Kuta
Bali - Indonesia

Bali Scuba Diving Introductory

The indonesian archipelago is home to arguably the very best diving in the world and Bali has always been at the forefront with great facilities and spectacular scuba experience around every corner. Scuba Diving Introductory is made for everybody who want to enjoying and learn how to dive and feel the spectacular diving experience in Bali at once. This activity is located in Nusa Dua, you will guided by professional diving instructor that would be ready to guide you exploring the incredible panorama under water in Nusa Dua. this activity will starts from Tanjung Benoa marine sports center, the instructor will guiding you to the dive point by riding a private boat that has been provide by marine sports company. Once you arrive in Nusa dua dive point the instructor will guide you to wearing the diving gear and you will be ready to start diving, one time dive is around 1 hour, and for the beginners is only allowed to dive maximum 2 times. Once the dive is over the instructor will take you back to the marine sports center at Tanjung Benoa, and you allowed to
change your clothes and enjoying meal that has been served in restaurant inside the marine sports center. then after lunch the tour will be terminated after arriving back at your hotel which is dropped by the Marine Sport Staff.
go to Bali Diving Page >> here

Marine Walk at Nusa Lembongan

Imagine., You are walking at the ocean bed, admiring the beauty of the sea garden, colorful corals, playing with bright fishes, feeding them from your hand and smiling. Only 30 minutes cruise to the white sandy Lembongan Island with Marine Walk super boat and enjoy the all inclusive activities. Bali Marine Walk using an open-ended helmet that allows the wearer to stay underwater by just putting it over head. The helmet is connected to the scuba thanks by air hose that supplies it with air. The interior of the helmet is designed with a defogging mechanism that prevents the front window from foggy. The helmet is also fitted with a ventilation which continously exhausts unneeded air from the helmet. Since the bent is located at the back, there is no air valve to obstruct the guest's view. The activity is very exhilarating with reasonable price, the participants will be guided to visit one of Bali sister island "Nusa Lembongan Island" here the participants can enjoy 30 minutes dive with Marine Walk special helmet. In Nusa lembongan Island, the crew of
Marine Walk is also providing another activity that you can enjoy after dive, including snorkeling, village cycling, and beach kayaking. make your holidays more interesting and more excited with participating the all inclusive program that has been offered by Bali Marine Walk.

Bali Marine Walk
Jl. Bay Pass Ngurah Rai, Sanur Denpasar-Bali
Go to Marine walk web page >> here

The Story of Barong Dance

Barong Dance is one of the distinctive arts community of Bali, where Barong it self is symbolic of goodness with shape like a lion. in Barong dance it tells the story about battle between Barong and Rangda, Rangda is a symbolic of badness with shape like a giant with a big canine. Both of them is a reflection of human action in daily life with the good and bad behavior, or in Balinese it's call Dharma and Adharma.

Barong is like a doll which being moved by person inside it, Barong is very heavy, this dance usually performed by two big mans that lift and moving the barong from the inside.
The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. After she became a widow, she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle, the leaks and the demons, to come after Erlangga. A fight occurred, but she and her black magic troops were too strong that Erlangga had to ask for the help of Barong. Barong came with Erlangga's soldiers, and fight ensued. Rangda casted a spell that made Erlangga soldiers all wanted to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned keris into their own stomachs and chests. Barong casted a spell that turned their body resistant to the sharp keris. At the end, Barong won, and Rangda ran away.

Barong is probably the most well known dance. It is also another story telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality.

Bali Spa | Kunthi Bali Spa

Established on September 2009 located in Jimbaran, Kunthi Bali Spa offers natural spa treatments with a reasonable price in a short or a long time treatment. With a professional and experienced therapist in your treatment, will give you an excellent therapy care for refresh your mind and body.

The spa is designed with combination of Balinese and modern style building, with 7 treatment rooms and 2 treatment villas, which each room is located near the beautiful garden in the center of the spa. Feel the sensation of relaxation with original treatments in Kunthi Bali Spa that would make your holidays be more full of sensation.

Kunthi Bali Spa
Jl. Parigata No.1 Jimbaran Bali
Tel：0361-704664

Bali Hai Cruises | Visit Island paradise in Nusa Lembongan

Indonesia's leading Marine Tourism Company, Bali Hai Cruises, operates exciting Day and Evening Cruises from a private reception facility at Benoa Harbour, Bali. Aboard a fleet of the most luxurious, modern vessels in Bali, experienced, professional and friendly crew ensures the very best blend of Indonesian and Western hospitality.

Bali Hai Cruises visits Nusa Lembongan, located 20km off Bali's East Coast in what is known as the "Three Island region". The Island is approximately 4kms long and 2kms wide and is home to around 4,000 inhabitants. Nusa Lembongan and its sister islands, Nusa Penida and Ceningan, are surrounded by crystal clear water and spectacular coral reef which makes for fantastic snorkeling and diving. Aside from Tourism, the main industry on the island is seaweed farming. The seaweed is cultivated, harvested and then exported all over the world for use in cosmetics, food stabilizers and medicines. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato crops, and fishing. You can have a sampling of this during the village tour.

Bali Hai Cruises
Benoa Harbour, Denpasar, Bali Indonesia 80001
Tlp : 0361 720331

Matahari Spa

Matahari Spa and Villa is located in Sayan Ubud village, adjacent to the Four Season ubud. Matahari Spa and Villa is managed by Japanese who knows very well the meaning of a service to their guests. This place is designed with the theme of natural atmosphere in Ubud Bali . I came with my friends at night after dinner, we are welcomed by the owner himself. With the incredible hospitality of the staffs we enjoyed a wonderful evening in the bar located at the reception of this place, from here we can see directly to the Four Seasons Hotel which is right opposite to where we are and separated by the river Ayung which is already very popular as rafting river . Matahari Spa and Villa is also has a very comfortable villa places above the spa and receptionist, the villa is recommended for guests who may want to enjoy the natural atmosphere in Bali and definitely with a very good service.

Matahari Spa and Villa
Jalan Raya Sayan Banjar Katut no.70 Sayan Ubud,
Bali Indonesia
T. +62 361 977358

Nasi campur Bali ( Balinese mixed rice )

Nasi campur is a blend of various cuisines of Bali such as lawar, fried pork, chicken, and jukut arrest. Jukut arrest is the most popular Balinese cuisine and usually served in Balinese thanksgiving, but now we can enjoy it in balinese restaurant. Jukut arrest was made of young bananas trees mixed with pork and typical full Balinese spices, thinly sliced a banana tree trunk, then cook it with Balinese spices.

Lawar is a kind of side dishes are made from a mixture of meat or fish with vegetables and seasonings, starfruit leaves, young papaya fruit, or even young jackfruit. To make lawar, vegetables are chopped, then given a mixture of herbs and spices, to add flavor and taste, lawar added with minced meat. Meat only as a complement, Balinese local peoples usually mix lawar with blood to make a red lawar. Usually lawar has a spicy flavor, but which are sold at the restaurant for tourists is usually not very spicy and not use the blood.

Balinese art Festival ( Pesta kesenian Bali )

The 32nd annual Bali Arts Festival performances in 2010 will be held a month from June 12 until July 10, 2010, and will be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, involving seven countries and 20 provinces in Indonesia. Seven Countries that participated in Balinese art festival this year that will showing art and culture are America, Japan, Korea, Belgium, Canada, India and Sweden. And 20 areas in Indonesia that will be involved in Balinese art festival are Malang, East Java, Gorontalo, West Jakarta, West Sulawesi,etc..

Balinese art festival this year takes the theme SUDAMALA which means explore the purity of conscience. The opening will be preceded by a music show, called Adi merdangga, Adi merdangga is Balinese music band which all the personnel is born from STSI (High school art of Indonesia) and followed by a parade of art and culture by each district in Bali, followed by participants from outside Bali and international participants, the festival will be centered in Art center that located in Denpasar and every day will hold a show of art and culture.

There will be various performances in every day for a whole month such as Drama gong show, Arja dance, Gong Kebyar show and much more. In Balinese art festival there will be a lot of artist from Indonesia or outside Indonesia will participant and gathering to learn each others art and culture.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul temple is located in Tampak siring sub-district, 30 minutes from Ubud and it's about 1 hour from Bali international Airport. I was visited to Tirta Empul Temple in the right time, when local peoples was doing "melukat" ceremony, melukat ceremony is a ritual to clean the body from negative element by washing their body in holy water that flowing from water spring inside the temple.

The holy water in Tirta Empul temple is have a lot of meaning for Balinese local peoples, there is more than 10 water spring that flowing to Tirta Empul temple, and each water spring have a different purpose and meaning.

The Tirta Empul Temple includes the traditional Balinese split gate along with shrines to Shiva, Vishnu, Braham, Mt. Batur, and Indra. There is also a large open pavilion in the main courtyard, useful for relaxing in the shade.But the main attraction here is a long rectangular pool carved of stone, filled with koi and fed by the sacred spring via 12 fountains. Worshippers first make an offering at the temple, then climb into the main pool to bathe and pray. Many collect the holy water in bottles to take home. Nearby there are two smaller pools fed by the spring.

Overlooking the temple on a hill above is a suprisingly modern building: the Government Palace, built in 1954. Originally a residence for Dutch officials, it was later used by former President Soekarno during his frequent trips to Bali.

Rafting at Telaga Waja River Bali

The Telaga Waja River flows below Bali’s highest peak, Mt. Agung, an active volcano that last erupted in the 1960s. this river have a very beautiful panorama and the longest river in Bali for rafting sport, it's around 18km to 19km distance to pass along the river, i was instructed by the professional local river guide with my 3 other boat mate.

Telaga waja river has around 1 meter depth with very strong flow and some obstacles along the way to the finish point. there is 3 bamboo bridge,1 dam, and others obstacle to pass along the way to finish point.
After 1 hour rowing the boat from start point, we arrive to rest point that places under the small waterfall and some cliff that very beautiful and attract, we take some rest before continue to the finish point and also taking picture under the waterfall.

The trip is about 5 hours start from briefing, raft, rest at resting point, and having lunch in finish point. and it's quite cheap, it's only USD45 and it's all services included such as transfer from hotel to the rafting point, equipment, river guide, locker, shower room and transfer back to the hotel

for you who have a plan to visit Bali, don't miss to rafting at Telaga waja river, it's very attractive and you can also enjoy a pure panorama along Telaga waja river.

Bali Black canyon Coffee

Located at Jl.Kartika Plaza inside the Discovery shopping center at Kuta, Black canyon coffee has a very good spot to enjoying afternoon or evening sunset. Places near the Kuta beach with ocean view, make this cafe is very popular in Kuta, i went at afternoon around 15:00, actually this is one of my favorite cafe to visit in Bali, because i went in a very good weather or maybe is to good and very hot, I was ordered a glass of frozen orange and my mate was ordered a glass of frozen lemon, it's very nice enjoy the frozen drink in a hot moment near the beach.

Because located at inside the shopping center, this cafe is very active in the afternoon and evening, so for you who want to enjoy the tropical sun shine near the beach with a glass of cool drink after shopping, you can try to visit Black canyon coffee Kuta inside the Discovery shopping center.

Black Canyon Coffee Kuta
Discovery Shopping Mall
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Tlp. +62 361 769720

Balinese Nyepi day

Nyepi is Balinese, or in English known as "Day of silence" It is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. Nyepi is the way for Balinese hindu people to define and celebrate their new year, observed from 6 am until 6 am the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all.
Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents of Bali observe the day of silence as well, out of respect for their fellow citizens. Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.

This is the right time for you who want to feel how is the world if there is no pollution, activities or noise. In this post i will write a few tips for travelers who want to travel to Bali when Nyepi day so you can really prepare the needs in the right time and can really enjoying the day of silence in the right place completely.

make sure you traveling in the right time
Nyepi day is falls on Bali's Lunar New Year, so before you decide what day you will fly to Bali make sure you check Balinese calender and look for what day Nyepi will falls on. As an example in 2010, it will be on march 16, so prepare to go traveling 2 or 3 days before ( March 14 or 13 ). 1 day before Nyepi there is a unique parade that call Ngerupuk, in this event the Balinese will make a statues called Ogoh Ogoh, The main purpose of the making of Ogoh-ogoh is the purification of the natural environment of any spiritual pollutants emitted from the activities of living beings (especially humans). Make sure that you enjoy this parade one day before Nyepi day.

Buy your needs for Nyepi day before Ngerupuk Parade
I suggest you to buy your needs for 24 hours Nyepi day one day before Ngerupuk parade, why?.. because before Ngerupuk parade begins largely main road will be close by local government and mostly of the road will be use for Balinese people that showing their ogoh ogoh to the public, and at this moment the traffic could be jamming because it will be so many tourist or local people that would like to see this parade before Nyepi day. So make sure you already have your needs just a one day before, so you can enjoy Ngerupuk parade nice and slowly.

Enjoying Nyepi day
For some people who stay in Bali there is a few way to enjoying Nyepi, whatever it is the day have to be enjoyed without forget what Nyepi is.
I suggest you to chose the place that far enough from main road, so the situation of Nyepi is not so seriously and you still can enjoy the Nyepi without afraid disturbing other people that in meditation with a little noise that probably happen.
And some hotel also have a Nyepi day package that providing a different service to the guest.

From the religious and philosophy point of view, Nyepi is meant to be a day of self introspection to decide on values, humanity, love, patience, kindness, etc., that should kept forever. this is one of thousands things that make Bali is a unique island.