Bali is one of the most popular holiday destinations for people across the world.Apart from being a popular tourist location, there are various interesting aspects associated with the Balinese people.We will check out some interesting Bali facts here to know more about this beautiful and exotic island of Indonesia. Bali, the Island of Gods, is a place that attracts all kinds of travelers, from honeymooners to families, solo travelers to friends’ trips. This city of Indonesia has a charm of its own. Bali forms one of the country’s main provinces and is made of four islands, known as the main island and three smaller islands.No matter how small the city is, it is full of colorful festivals and exotic landscapes. Bali is a city full of temples and those buildings are scenic spots. You wouldn’t want to miss the landscapes and the peace and serenity that these temples offer. Temples are not the only place where you can witness the traditions and culture of Bali. There are also many places that sing the tunes of traditions and provide for amazing photographic moments when visiting Bali.The city of Bali, just like every other tropical city, is hot all year round. The rainy season increases the humidity, making it even hotter. As the sixth most populated area in Indonesia, Bali is home to two active volcanoes; Mt. Batur, which last erupted in the year 2000, and Mt. Agung, which erupted many times between 2017-2019.Bali is also home to diverse flora and fauna, which makes for a spectacular sight for travelers. The manta rays of Bali are amongst the most popular attraction for travelers who don’t want to miss the chance of taking a swim with these exotic creatures. Manta rays are commonly found near the west coast of the Nisa Penida Island where these animals come to feed on the plankton present along the warm waters of the coast.While the beauty of the island is a big draw for people from across the world, it’s the lifestyle of the local Balinese people, which makes this tropical paradise a must-visit destination for so many.Read on to know more about the lifestyle and culture of Balinese society.Facts About Bali Culture And SocietyAre you mesmerized by Balinese culture? Well, then you are not alone. Bali receives visitors from across the world who are interested in knowing more about the culture and society of this Indonesian Island. Here are some interesting facts about Balinese culture and society which you must know.This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its unique water management system, which has made Bali a major rice producer. Once you visit the temples there, its intricate traditional architecture will tell you about the city’s artistic traditions.Throughout Bali, there are distinct styles of theaters, operas, painting, woodcarving, batik, prevailing today. Every place has its own language, and so does Bali. The native language of Indonesia is called Bahasa Indonesia, but it comes second to Bali’s language, Balinese.The people of Bali learn Balinese as their first language. Bahasa Indonesia and Balinese typically sound similar to most visitors to Indonesia.Indonesia’s population is predominantly Muslim, but the population of Bali is predominantly Hindu! When Islam began to spread across Indonesia, many Hindus left Java and sought shelter in Bali. This explains why and how Bali’s population has the influence of beliefs of both religions.An interesting fact to do with years and calendars is that currently in Bali, it’s 2021, 1943, and no year at all. All three at once!They use the Gregorian calendar in Bali so it is 2021. But like many Asian countries, Bali also follows the Lunar calendar. It is said that the Lunar calendar has 12 months, but what makes it different is that it is 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar. And so, it is 1943 as well. There is a third kind of calendar that Balinese people follow is the Pawukon calendar, which has no year at all!Talking about the Lunar calendar, the Lunar New Year falls in March every year and that is the day people in Bali call Nyepi Day. This day is a day of absolute silence and solitude. Starting from small businesses to the airport, electricity to vehicles on roads, everything and every place are on shutdown for 24 hours. Opposite to how new year celebrations usually take place around the rest of the world.Bali Travel Tips And Facts for VisitorsAre you looking to visit a Balinese temple to experience the rituals or to just relax on one of the black sand beaches? Then check out these important travel tips which will help you make the most of your trip to the island.It rains in Bali from November to March, and Bali therefore usually attracts most of its tourists throughout the dry seasons of June to August. But if you are a lover of rain, November to March is a great time to visit too! Those who are visiting Bali for the first time need to prepare to face crowds. Depending on the time of year that you visit, it’s likely to be busy given its popularity as a tourist spot. Many people seeking solitude end up in Bali for rest and relaxation.Understand the occasion first. This tip is very important, so take note! A dress code is a must. Bali has a dress code enforced almost everywhere from beaches to the clubs, so save yourself from embarrassment and follow the code. Since the people in Bali are religious, don’t be surprised if your driver or guide takes a break to fulfill his or her religious piety before or during your tour of the island.Even if you aren’t as religious as them, don’t prevent them from doing whatever they are doing which would be deemed to be highly disrespectful of their culture and beliefs. Also, it’s very important to take care of your wallet. This is because the high-end bars in Bali are priced similarly to those in Australia, the UK, and the US. Though online discounts can help you enjoy your time, so keep a lookout!Ever heard of the phrase, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’? The same goes for Bali (as with any place you visit really!). So, if you make any mistakes, break any rules, or generally just end up in any form of trouble, then you will be required to pay the compensation. Don’t expect that you’ll be exempted just because you aren’t a local.Balinese TemplesBalinese temples are an intrinsic part of the culture of Bali. Bali is home to nine sacred temples which hold great importance for the local population. Here are some interesting facts about the temples of Bali which entice travelers from across the world.The Island of Gods is the name Bali earned because of the temples found on the island. Mt. Agung, a very active volcano in Bali, is of sacred importance and is the most important temple in the city. Pura Besakih is situated there.The Uluwatu Temple is well known because the temple is on a cliff and the base of the cliff is an exotic surf spot. The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a beautiful landmark and provides one of the best photogenic backdrops.The Taman Ayun Temple is the best example of how old traditions and old architecture blended together to create beautiful monuments. The mysterious cave of the Goa Gajah temple is not to be missed. This temple dates back to the 11th century, so you can find many stone-carved idols there. There are so many temples in Bali that not only tell the tales of the past but show the perfect blend of history with the present.Indonesia’s Independence From The DutchBali is an extremely peaceful society. In recent history, there have been no major independence movements at all.The news will talk about separatist movements elsewhere in Indonesia but Bali is full of peace-loving folks. It was a part of the Dutch colony in the 1700s but colonization isn’t a major part of the history as Indonesia got its independence within the next 50 years. But there was a full-scale revolution in the 20th century when the republicans fought against the Dutch for four long years.Bali became a Dutch colony because of a shipwreck that sent them to the coasts of Bali. Over time, the Dutch decided and took over many resources of the country. The public resisted and soon the Balinese were the nightmare the Dutch feared. During World War II, the Japanese took over Bali from the Dutch, but the Dutch then took the city back in 1946.Thanks to the pressure by the United Nations and other countries that recently got their freedom, the Dutch finally left Indonesia for good in 1949 and that was when the country achieved its full independence.Bali’s BiodiversityBali is also the host of reef-coral fauna as well as comprising 406 coral species. An additional 13 unconfirmed species have been reported which are still being researched by experts. The exotic marine life present along the coral reefs also attracts the attention of divers from across the world.You can find various animals in Bali like the house geckoes or the tokek. If you haven’t closed your windows, the tokeks can enter inside and make themselves comfortable on the ceiling. Do not fret, they won’t slip and fall on you.We can spot Balinese monkeys roaming around the island, so you must keep your belongings close while visiting temples. Often these cheeky Balinese monkeys will claim your belongings and have no intentions of giving them back.Bali is home to 87 species of land and water snakes, of which around 30% are poisonous. So take care if you are afraid of snakes! A colorful city like Bali should be on every traveler’s bucket list. The festivals, the traditions, the biodiversity, the architecture together make Bali unique from the rest of Indonesia.Two different languages, three different calendars, many temples, and a lot of scenic spots mean that Bali doesn’t lack in any aspect from other tropical islands. Every part of this tropical island offers diversity and people that are unique from the rest of the world and you’ll need to visit the island to experience it.Take some time out, go solo, or bring your family and friends along, and enjoy what nature has to provide on the beautifully mystic island of Bali. One of the most distinctive geographical features on the island is Mount Agung, which is one of the highest amongst Bali’s volcanoes.The eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 killed thousands of people, wreaked havoc on Bali’s economy and prompted many displaced Balinese to move to other parts of Indonesia. On Nov 27, 2017, Mount Agung erupted five times, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, disrupting air transport, and suffering environmental damage. Between 2018 and 2019, there were many more eruptions.Mount Agung is also the highest mountain on the island and is also known as the ‘Mother ‘Mountain. As an active volcano, it ranks as one of the world’s most likely volcanoes to have a large eruption within the next 100 years.Most Balinese people believe that Mount Agung is a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe. This volcano is also the highest point on the island and holds great cultural significance for Balinese people who consider it a sacred place.The Bali province includes the main Bali Island and smaller islands like Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Serangan Island. Here, squirrels are plentiful, but the Asian palm civet, which is often kept at expensive coffee fields to create kopi luwak, is less so. The province falls under the aegis of the Indonesian government and is in fact a big foreign exchange earner for the economy.Sadly, one of the most fascinating animals on the island, the Bali tiger has been extinct since the ’50s. The reasons behind the extinction have been identified as lack of prey, loss of habitat, and uncontrolled hunting.If you are looking for a fine cup of kopi luwak, which is an expensive coffee, then it’s best that you first know that this beverage is prepared not from coffee cherries, but from droppings of civet cats. This animal eats coffee cherries of the finest quality but cannot digest the coffee beans. So, the Balinese people started making coffee from the droppings. If you still have the stomach for it, make sure that you pick only an ethical place for this adventure!Waters surrounding the island are home to exotic marine life species, out of which the manta rays are the most popular amongst travelers. You can even opt for deep-sea diving if you are up for an adventurous dive with these exotic marine animals.This Indonesian island is widely regarded as a tropical paradise and makes for an exotic destination for travelers from across the world. The Indonesian government maintains control over the island through various departments and organizations.There are four lakes on the island of Bali; Lake Batur, Lake Beratan, Lake Buyan, and Lake Tamblinga. Austronesian people who moved from the island of Taiwan to Southeast Asia and Oceania via Maritime Southeast Asia populated Bali approximately 2000 BCE.With exotic performances taking place at thousands of temple festivals, private ceremonies, and public events, Bali boasts one of the most diverse and innovative performing arts traditions in the world.Bali, including Nusa Penida, is part of the Coral Triangle and offers a diverse choice of dive sites with various types of reefs and tropical aquatic life. Bali is located inside the Coral Triangle, which contains the greatest diversity of marine species, including fish and turtles.Coral reefs are located all around the entire island and attract divers from across the world. The white sand is found on beaches in the south, whereas black sand is found on beaches in the north and west.Other Interesting Facts About BaliBali is often regarded as a magical island for the beautiful and exotic views that it offers to travelers. The stunning beaches of Bali are well-maintained in order to suit the unique taste of different types of visitors. Whether you like white sand beaches or black sand beaches, crowded beaches, or secluded beaches, you will certainly find something to meet your expectations.The two distinct seasons in Bali can be divided as the wet season, which lasts from October to March, followed by a dry season, which lasts from April to September. The humidity levels are generally quite high, ranging from 70%-95% all around the year.The average temperature averages 86 F (30 C) across the year. Chinese tourists are slowly replacing Australian tourists in the list of international travelers visiting Bali to enjoy the tropical climate and exotic marine life.Bali is also known for its fascinating culture, and Balinese society is divided into a well-defined caste system as they based it on the principles of Hinduism. Thankfully, there is no system of untouchability in Bali and intercaste marriages are quite common.There are nine sacred temples in Bali, of which Pura Goa Lawah is the most famous for the enormous population of bats found here. This temple is home to more than a thousand bats that hang from the ceiling of the cave temple. If you have a bat phobia be prepared before you visit!The kitchen in the home holds great importance for Balinese people. There is a common belief that after returning home from outside, you must first visit the kitchen. They believe that this will ensure that any evil spirits or negative energy that has accompanied you will be confined to the kitchen only and won’t spread throughout your home.
Bali is one of the most popular holiday destinations for people across the world.
