Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Legian Beach bali
| Legian are northern extensions of Kuta proper along JI. Legian to JI. Basangkasa. Somewhat quieter with cottage-style accommodations, this is where many of the ex-pat designers and long-stay tourists live. The biggest hotels are the Bali Imperial - now called Royal Seminyak, Jayakarta, and the Bali Padma. |
 Sunset in Legian Beach |
There are three ways to reach Legian and Seminyak: through Kuta and JI ' Melasti, then north; from JI. Imam Bonjol, turn west on to A Patih Jelantik at the Pertamina gas station; or from the north via JI. Kerobokan. Not too long ago this area was fertile rice paddy, but now it is a bustling area dotted with chic designer shops that can hold their own against any competition. Legian is a beach where locals, expatriates and tourist mingle, bargain with the best, play paddle ball and football, indulge in a massage and manicure, catch up on reading, meditate, exercise, you name it. The two camps are easily recognized; the workers have as many clothes on as possible and the "bules" (Westerners) wear as little as possible. Be prepared for scantily clad Brazilians, G- stringed Italians, Australian in designer surf gear, and pretty Indonesian girls in multi-platform sandals - it is the united nations of beaches. Sunset is peak time at Sunset Legian. |
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Bali and its Culture
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The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. It is not an exaggeration that when a Balinese is asked what heaven is like, he would say, just like Bali, without the worries of mundane life. They want to live in Bali, to be cremated in Bali when they die, and to reincarnate in Bali. |
Paintings of Bali
Paintings of Bali have experienced remarkable evolution. Traditionally another means of expressing religious and mythological ideas, paintings of Bali have been subjected to a number of influences, including deep interaction with Western painters who came and lived in Bali. As with any other artistic expression found in the island, these influences have been uniquely adapted into Bali's personality, creating new nuances and styles of paintings that are distinctly Balinese. Instead of religious or mythical characters of wayang, contemporary paintings present nature, daily lives of Balinese, or even tourists. The shades of coal gray that dominate traditional paintings are now accompanied by vibrant play of color capturing Jalak Bali or Gunung Agung in the morning sun.
The Raja of Ubud was known for his fondness of arts and paintings, and his openness to foreigners. Thus Ubud became the center of arts, welcoming into its heart renowned artists such as Bonnet, Spies, Blanco, Snel, et., many of whom came and never could leave Bali. Today's Ubud is only slightly different. You should not be surprised to run into a foreign writer who has spent months living in a homestay facing a rice field terrace while writing his next book. Fabulous museums of paintings such as the Puri Museum Lukisan, the Neka Museum, and the Rudana Museum have in their permanent collections some of the best paintings ever produced by Balinese or foreigners who found their physical and artistic home in Bali.
ubud bali
Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island's preeminent centre for fine arts, dance and music. While it once was a haven for scruffy backpackers, cosmic seekers, artists and bohemians, Ubud is now a hot spot for literati, glitterati, art collectors and connoisseurs. Famous names walk its busy sidewalks everyday. Elegant five star hotels and sprawling mansions now stand on its outskirts, overlooking the most prized views in Bali. Nonetheless, Ubud is still popular with backpackers, mystics and all the finest fringe elements of global society. Ubud is not "ruined". Its character is too strong to be destroyed. It still draws people who add something; people who are actively involved in art, nature, anthropology, music, dance, architecture, environmentalism, "alternative modalities," and more.
Bali Tropic Resort in Tanjung Benoa
Located on the beautiful beach of Tanjung Benoa near Nusa Dua on the southeast coast of Bali, Bali Tropic Resort has an enticing selection of bungalow accommodation. Whether you are looking for a relaxed beach holiday or an exhilarating water sports adventure, Bali Tropic Resort can satisfy your needs and so much more. If you are travelling in a big group with family or friends, the Bali Tropic Resort can offer you a Deluxe Bungalow, which has upwards of four bedrooms and a private terrace/balcony.
Key features
- Outdoor Pool
- Garden
- Massages
- Tennis Court
- Spa/Beauty Treatments
- Fitness Equipment
- Babysitting
- Ayurvedic Treatments
- Peaceful Hideaway
Location
Location: You will find the Bali Tropic Resort in the centre of Tanjung Benoa on the southeast peninsular of Bali, just a 20-minute drive from the airport at Ngurah Rai.
Recommended for...
Recommended: Are you ready for a more thorough exploration of the waters around Bali? If so, Bali Tropic Resort can offer all sorts of wet and wild adventures. White water rafting, fishing and jet skiing are just some of the activities you could try on the beachfront of Tanjung Benoa.
How to book
Please call us on 01249 467 163 to book the Bali Tropic Resort as a single centre holiday or as part of a tailor-made multi-centre holiday in Bali, orrequest a quote online.
Price guide
Our specialists will be happy to discuss your holiday requirements and offer a quotation based on your exact requirements.
We don't publish full prices on our website, as flight prices can vary significantly throughout the year. As a guide, a 5 night stay at the Bali Tropic Resort on a bed and breakfast basis, including airport transfers, costs from £319 per person. This is based on a standard room type.
We always offer a high quality holiday at the most competitive price possible, without cutting corners. Our buying power in Asia allows us to offer exceptional value for money. Please contact our team for an exceptional holiday experience, tailored to you.Lakshmi Villas bali
Lakshmi Villas are a private, luxury oasis in the heart of the fashionable Seminyak area of Bali. Located approximately twenty minutes drives from the airport, the villas are a short 100 meter walk to Bali's best restaurants, shops, nightspots and beachfront cafes.
Location
Lakshmi Villas are found in the luxurious Laksmana Villas complex. They are located in the very center of what is now considered the "In-Vogue" district of Seminyak, close to the well known Oberoi & Legian Hotels.
The villas are a 20 minute drive from the airport and a short stroll to both La Luciola and Ku De Ta Restaurants and the renowned Seminyak Beach.
The Villa
Built as a contemporary Balinese-style enclave, the property is composed of four private villas set within the luxurious and secure Laksmana Villas private residential estate.
Have a sunset swim at your Lakshmi Villa, dine at Ku De Ta then dance at Hu'u Bar!
Facilities:
- 24 hour uniformed security
- Laundry and dry cleaning service
- Car rental and tour guide service organization
- 24 hour Butler service
- Babysitting service can be arranged
- Complimentary airport transfer
- Full breakfasts are complimentary each day for 2 persons per bedroom
- First class meals and villa menu from our on-site Master Kitchen and professionally trained Chef
- IDD Telephone and Fax
- Safety deposit boxes in all bedrooms
- Wireless broadband internet access
- Excellent cell phone satellite coverage
- DVD Movie collection
- Infant/Baby cot and Mega Saucer available
- All villas have their own private swimming pool, set in tropical gardens
- Each villa features a large open-air living and dining pavilion, perfect for relaxed poolside enjoyment, with Room Service snacks and beverages
- All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have Cable TV and DVD/CD players
Rates Valid Until 31 March 2011
| Villa Type | Regular | High Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom Villa | US$225.00++ | US$275.00++ | US$325.00++ |
| 2-Bedroom Villa | US$350.00++ | US$395.00++ | US$495.00++ |
Terms and Conditions:
- Rates are subject to an additional 21% Service Charge and Government Tax;
- Regular rates are valid throughout Jan 11th to Jun 30th, Sep 16th to Dec 19th (excludes Easter & Chinese New Year);
- High Season rates are valid throughout Jul 1st to Jul 31st, Sep 1st to Sep 15th (Easter & Chinese New Year - dates vary);
- Peak Season rates are valid throughout Aug 1st to Aug 31st, Dec 20th to Jan 10th;
- All rates are nightly, shown in US Dollars and include full breakfasts and return airport transfers.
Please make your inquiry to info@baliresorts.com.
bandung
Bandung is a city in West Java, Indonesia. Located in the central highlands at an altitude of 768m, the city is known for its many universities, textile industry and many roadside cafes. Called Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch, its high altitude location makes the weather pleasantly cool. The food in Bandung is also well known for its wide variety. Thanks to all of this, Bandung is a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd into the city on weekends and national holidays.
Bandung’s nickname is Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City. However, this has nothing to do with horticulture: Bandung’s “flowers” are its famously beautiful girls.
Although the oldest written reference to the city dates back to 1488, there are numerous archaeological finds of Australopithecus (Java Man) living on the banks of Cikapundung river and the shores of the Great Lake of Bandung.
In the 17th-18th century, the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) created small plantations in Bandung, with a road to Batavia (today’s Jakarta) completed in 1786. In 1809, Louis Napoleon, the ruler of the Netherlands and its colonies, ordered the Dutch Indies Governor H.W. Daendels to improve Java’s defenses against the threat of the English, who occupied the nearby Malay peninsula. Daendels responded by building the Great Post Road (Postweg), which stretched about 1000 km between the west and east costs of Java. As much of the north coast was impassable swamp and marsh at the time, the road was diverted through Bandung along what is now Jalan Asia-Afrika.
Daendels liked Bandung’s strategic location so much that he ordered the capital to be moved there. Military barracks were built and Bupati Wiranatakusumah II, the chief administrator of that area, built hisdalem (palace), Masjid Agung (the grand mosque) and pendopo(meeting place) in the classical Javan alun-alun (city square) stule near a pair of holy city wells (Sumur Bandung) and facing the mystical mountain of Tangkuban Perahu.
Powered by its plantations of cinchona (for malaria drug quinine), tea and coffee, Bandung prospered and developed into an exclusive European resort style with hotels, cafes and shops. Many of Bandung’s landmarks, including the Preanger and Savoy Homann hotels as well as the shopping street of Jalan Braga, date to this time. The Concordia Society, now Gedung Merdeka, was built with a large ball room as a club for rich Europeans at the weekends.
In 1942, after Japanese soldiers landed in coastal areas of Java, the Dutch retreated from Jakarta to Bandung, but were driven out from there as well and surrendered soon after. After the end of the war, the Dutch returned with a vengeance and on March 24, 1946, during the struggle for Indonesian independence, the city of Bandung was burned down by its own residents (Bandung Lautan Api), with over 200,000 people leaving the city.
In 1955, the Asia Africa Conference (Konferensi Asia Afrika) was held in Bandung, paving the way for the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 The Indonesian parliament was held in Bandung from 1955 to 1966, but was moved back to Jakarta in 1966.
Orientation
Today’s Bandung is a sprawling city of 2.7 million people and suffers from many of the same problems as other Indonesian cities. Traffic is congested, old buildings have been torn down and once idyllic residences turned into supermarkets and banks.
Jalan Asia-Afrika, the former Grote Postweg, remains one of Bandung’s main thoroughfares and connects together the alun-alun(city square) with many of the city’s colonial landmarks
Savoy Homann hotel
The precise date when Savoy Homann Hotel was firstly built is remain unknown, but based on some files, Savoy Homann was built before 1888 and owned by Mr. A. Homann, a German immigrant that stranded in Tatar Priangan around 1870.
On February 1937, the hotel experienced renovation and had been completed by the end of 1939, then referred as Savoy. The new hotel was managed by Mr. F.J.A. Van Es.
After the Japanese Army occupied the hotel and used it as their embarkation in 1942, then in 1945 the place become the International Red Cross office, headed by Captain Gray.
"Savoy Homann“ finally returned to its owner, namely Mr. F.J.A. Van Es in 1946, where he managed the hotel until 1952. After Mr. Van Es passed away, the hotel was managed by his wife, Mrs. Van Es de Brink. At that time, she was still in a deep sorrow after being left by his loving husband, and then she decided to go back to Holland and sold the shares of the hotel to Mr. R.H.M. Saddak .
Between 1960 to 1970, the outstanding reputation of Homann in managing the hotel has led them to become a training center for all hotel employees from the whole archipelagoes.
Savoy Homann was one of the biggest hotel in South East Asia, and it had became a sojourn place of many distinguished delegations for the occasion of Asia Africa Conference, PATA Conference and Asia Africa Islamic Conference.
After a long negotiation process from 1986 to 1987, Mr. R.M. Saddak finally sold his hotel property and handed over the ownership of the hotel to Mr. H.E.K. Ruchiyat, Managing Director of PT Panghegar Group. Then the renovations of the hotel was continued by Mr. H.E.K. Ruchiyat. Some renovations took place especially at the backside of the hotel which then turned into a parking lot and swimming pool. The front side of the building remained as it is preserving its monumental architecture, except the front office, lobby and grand ballroom which was enlarged, as well as its center part of the hotel's garden.
After completed the renovation, Savoy Homann then had 153 rooms and on October 14,1989, a four Star hotel with new brand “ Savoy Homann Panghegar Heritage Hotel “ was officially inaugurated by The Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication, Mr. Soesilo Sudarman.
The economic crisis in 1997 had brought up the negative influences to the growth of tourism industry, specially to hotel businesses. Referring to those reasons, Mr. Ruchiyat, The President Commissioner of PT Panghegar Group, intended to concentrate his hotel business only in one brand, which is Panghegar Hotel. Therefore he decided to sell his shares in Savoy Homann Hotel to other investors.
After several negotiations, since January 2000, Savoy Homann Hotel then owned by the Bidakara foundation. After becoming a member of the Bidakara Group, and changed the name to "Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel", the management intended to bring the hotel to give different nuances to tourism growth in Bandung
Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel remains its reputation as one of the historical spot in the city of Bandung and still always welcoming their guests with the uniqueness hospitality of the Sundanese peoples.
west java
West Java has the easiest access to Jakarta being merely an enclave in this province.
Stretching from the Sunda Strait to the Central Java border, a mountain range passes through the center from east to west and peaks into smoldering volcanoes.
This province has its own unique culture and language, both called Sundanese which is also used to call its people. The ancient kingdoms of Tarumanegara, Pajajaran, Banten and Cirebon would make interesting studies for the student of archaeology Cirebon is located on the border between West and Central Java, having a mixed culture originating from the ancient Cirebon and Banten kingdoms, resulting in similar customs and dialects of the two people, although Banten is located at the extreme western part of the province.
Bandung is situated 180 km southeast of Jakarta. The city gamed fame in 1955 as the venue for the first Afro-Asian Conference which brought together the leaders of 29 Asian and African nations with the aim to promote economic and cultural relations and take a common stand against colonialism.
The Province has a great number of attractions, from the wildlife reserve of Ujung Kulon on the south- western tip of Java and the isolated communities of the mysterious Baduy to the unspoiled beaches, the royal palaces of Cirebon and the world renowned botanical garden in Bogor.
The road from Jakarta to Bandung passes through a beautiful panorama of mountains, paddyfields and small holiday resorts. An expressway connects the crowded capital city with Bogor and the mountain areas, and onward to Bandung.
It has a number of sea resorts on its western and southern coasts which have modern hotels and are popular during the weekends.
The Sundanese people are soft-spoken. The women of the Bandung region are known for their beauty. A lighthearted people who have a love for bright colors, their mournful "kecapi" music is memory of beautiful legends
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