ABOUT BALI

Bali…a mystical place that evokes different visions for all that have experienced it, and those that have only heard the name. The most important thing to remember about the island is that it encompasses many diverse regions and styles. It has its regions of untouched beauty, its traditional villages, the heaving and raucous budget-traveler districts, the resort areas, playgrounds for the rich and famous, and many little hideaways. Not untouched by the impact of being a popular tourist destination, Bali has successfully managed to accommodate its many foreign visitors while maintaining its rich culture. Located in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago with close proximity to Australia, Bali is an island of approximately two thousand square miles, dominated by the volcanic mountainous areas in its center. Bali's rich soil and numerous water sources have resulted in a lush and verdant foliage cover, interspersed with the extensive rice paddy terraces created over generations by the hard working Balinese farmers. While the Balinese economy incorporates a fishing industry as well as tourism, this largely agricultural society, with a culture that is very much oriented to the soil. Historically, Bali was a collection of independent island kingdoms, before being brought under Dutch colonial control in the 19th century and incorporated into what was then the Dutch East Indies. In 1948, shortly after WWII, Bali along with the rest of the country achieved independence from Holland, becoming Indonesia. Having been a tourist destination since the early 1900's, Bali is accustomed to playing host to visitors from all over the world. This is expressed in the numerous facilities and activities for tourists on the island, along with the famed Balinese smile accompanying their friendly, relaxed, and personable service. The island has a population of approximately three million people, over 90% of whom subscribe to a particular offshoot of the Hindu religion. This differentiates Bali from the rest of Indonesia, which is predominantly Muslim. Religion plays a major role in the daily life of the Balinese. Colorful religious ceremonies are common at the numerous temples, both large and small, dotted all over the island; and it is rare for a visitor to Bali not to see at least one during their stay. Each home also contains a small temple for devotions, and offerings to the gods are visible wherever one goes.