Art, culture and day to day activities for most Balinese are strongly bonded to a unique form of Hinduism called Hindu Dharma, which is widely thought to be the closest example to the religion and social framework that exist in Java during the zenith of its power and is now found nowhere else.  Classical dance dramas based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabaratha which arrive from Java, are like everywhere else in Indonesia, mixed with  pre-Hindu animist belief and peculiar local folklore. Not all Balinese adopted the new Hindu religion though. The Bali Aga's who now lived in isolated groups in the mountains at Trunyan and Tenganan, for example preferred their ancient animist beliefs which are still practiced and remain largely intact to this day. 

The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms and skills that have been passionately preserved over the centuries. During the mid sixteenth century Bali reached a cultural climax, encouraging and developing elaborate arts and customs which are the foundations of what is practiced today. In a sense they have changed very little since that time, but as has been the case throughout much to the archipelago, adaptation a new environments is absolutely essential for survival. It was at this time the Javanese Hindu and the Balinese calendars were combined and a complex schedule of rituals and ceremonies was defined. Nine great temples, the Pura Agung, were also built, linking the structure of the new calendar with that of the Gods. The most sacred being the mother temple, Pura Besakih, built high on the slopes of Bali's most sacred mountain, Gunung Agung.

Festivals are common place. Each village will hold some sort of colorful ceremony for each one of its own temples a couple of times a year. Two or three temples in each village. That usually average out to one every six months, just for the temples. Add to this to rituals and celebration for each persons passage from birth, puberty, marriage, childbirth, to death and the after world and include the major island-wide celebrations like Galungan & Nyepi, the day of silenced when the whole island closes down in fear of evil spirits flight in from the sea, and you can begin to understand how important religion is .  

Bali has been exposed to visitors looking to escaped to another worlds from the 1920's and since then has been adapting itself to cope with an ever increasing number of tourist without losing one of its greatest attractions, its cultural identity. Adaptation of this kind have been largely  successful and even in the most westernized part on the island such as Kuta. It is not uncommon to stumble across  a procession of beautifully of dressed women carrying offering which are then carefully placed at a road intersection.

Religion is and art and it seems that almost every Balinese is devoted artist, spending free times applying skills and images which have been  passed down from generation to generation and grasped from a very young age. Expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings, extraordinary carvings superb weaving, and even in rice decorations that cover the myriads shrines found in public areas, in paddy fields or in home, the island is alive with art. 

Terrace rice fields carved into hillsides and mountain slopes dominate the landscape and like everything else serve more than one purpose. They provide food, of course, but their very system of cultivation is tightly woven into a complex social fabric. Dissecting a luscious green landscapes and filling the air with the enchanting sounds moonlight, rivers and irrigation streams are communal in the sense that they supply enough water for everybody's need and are, therefore religiously maintained and carefully administered. Villages and families are bonded, each having a responsibility to each other and to the gods and spirits they want to reap the benefits of a good harvest and maintain an harmonious balance. Communal meeting places, Bale Banjar are everywhere.

Bali is divided by string of impressive and authoritative volcanoes running almost directly through the center of the island and their activity over the years has resulted in an exceptionally fertile land. Mountains, and particular volcanoes, are believes to be the home of the Gods. They are shrouded in mystery and magic, and in Bali they stretch skywards in majestic splendor. The coastal region and sea, on the other hands, are believe to house evil spirits and demos and people have traditionally built settlement well clear of them. The development and success of places like Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua, therefore is relatively new as they adapt and grow with tourist demand. Their spiritual welfare is taken care of in the same traditional ways and the success of the region is proof positive that balance and harmony are in order.

When things have gone wrong or need to be looked at major signs are given, like volcanic explosions! The most recent beeing in 1963 and involving Mount Agung which caused severe damage and loos of life. Erupting on the same day as a major festival which happens only once every hundreds years was a terible sign. Sacrifice has not been given in the hundred years prior to this and that was seen  as the reason for Agung's anger, since then the Gods have been appeased and the festivals has since been  resumed, Balance has been restored.  

The Balinese are an amicable people who have been more exposed to international tourists than most unfortunately this exposure has occasionally lead to some not so friendly and pushy street selling. On the whole, though, Bali is perfect for a wide variety of visitors. Worlds class resort hotel which facilities and recreational opport7unities that are second to none bump shoulders with quaint bamboo houses surrounded on all sides by verdant green paddy fields and thousand of temples. Artist communities, the most well known being in Ubud in the central highlands, inspire extraordinary creativity while rushing white water gives a major adrenalin hit for adventurous and thrills seekers.

Water sport are understandably popular given the perfect climate and idyllic surrounding and diving, snorkeling, sailing, jet skiing, paragliding and surfing, are all big business. Maybe nowhere more so then in Nusa Dua. This beautiful and newly development region  located in the southern part of the Bali peninsula is fast becoming the island's premier tourist destination. A magnificent white sand beach is surrounded by thousand of coconut trees and not surprisingly there are a whole bunch of international first class hotels. Facilities at Nusa Dua include golf courses, supermarkets, shopping centers, and gift shops where locally made handicrafts can be purchase without much problem, even if price are a little on the high side.

The quite and somewhat exclusive Sanur area, also has a number of first class hotels right on the beach. All equipped with swimming pools, jogging tracks, tennis courts, fitness centers and wind surfers for rent. Sailboat are also available for those looking to feel the fresh sea breeze out on the open waters and island tours are easy to come by. Nevertheless Kuta is where all the action is its almost a world unto itself and hardly a fair representation of what the rest of Bali  is like, but is great for a blast albeit a short one.  

The north and east coast of Bali are often overlooked but they too offer some fantastic vacation time. Getting there from the south involves climbing the backbone of the island along spectacular back to back sweeping bends up and through the mountains. The views looking down on the north coast are simply breathtaking and you get some impression of just how big the rock you're on really is.

The main place on the north coast ids Singaraja, the main port of entry into Bali before the airport was built in the south. Formerly the seat of Dutch power in Bali. It is still a major educational and cultural center. The north coast has developed at a slower place than the south and beach scenes are much more relaxed. A reef protects the black sand shore and seas are generally flat and clear. Lousy for surfing but great for snorkeling and diving. Bali has everything.