History, Culture & Bali Overview
Bali : Island of the Gods, The Morning of the
World, a mystical place that evokes different visions for
all that have experienced it, and for those that have only
heard the name. An island that encompasses many diverse
regions and styles – regions of untouched beauty,
traditional villages, heaving and raucous budget-traveler
districts, resort areas, playgrounds for the rich and famous,
and many little hideaways all combined to form the identity
that is Bali. Though not untouched by the impact of being
a popular tourist destination, Bali has successfully managed
to accommodate its many foreign visitors while maintaining
its own 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 mountains in the center. Its rich soil and numerous
water sources have resulted in a lush and verdant foliage
cover, interspersed with extensive rice paddy terraces crafted
over generations by farmers. While the Balinese economy
incorporates a fishing industry as well as tourism, it is
largely an agricultural society, with a culture that is
very much reflected in their connection to the earth.
Historically, Bali was a collection of independent
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 and become a part of 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 demeanor.
The island has a population of approximately
three million people, over 90% of which 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 frequent at the numerous
temples, 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. Every home contains a small temple for
devotions, and offerings to the Gods are visible wherever
you go. It is said that there are in excess of thirty thousand
temples in Bali.
Climate
Bali Overview, with its tropical
climate, is located just south of the equator, causing the
weather to be hot & humid all year round. The average
temperature is around 32°C or 85°F, although it
can get considerably cooler in the mountainous regions,
where it can reach as low as 10°C during the early hours
of the morning. The island only has two seasons, wet and
dry. The wet season is normally from November to April,
the dry season from May to October. The dry season is categorized
by a constant breeze blowing over the island, referred to
during earlier centuries as the trade winds. During the
rainy season, while there might be days when the rain never
stops, for the most part showers are limited to an hour
or two during the morning or afternoon, with the rest of
the day being cloudy or sunny. |
