BEST OF BALINESE CULTURE

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If you want to immerse yourself in the Balinese culture, then prepare to be amazed by an island rich in art, spirituality and religion.  Authentic Bali often gets forgotten as there are so many fab things to see and do in this tropical paradise, but for the culture vultures out there, and those wanting a deeper understanding of Bali’s wonderful history, people, food, art, values and beliefs, I suggest taking the time to explore the real Bali with these best picks of cultural things to do:

Temples

Bali is home to endless ancient temples, and several of them have become the island’s most iconic landmarks, featuring magnificent centuries-old architecture and set against the exotic backdrops.  You will find temples everywhere in Bali, and they are definitely worth a visit to immerse yourself into the religious beliefs and values of the communities.  There are three stand-out temples to visit, due to their stunning location, traditional dances that take place around them, and their impeccable views:
One of the most visited has to be Tanah Lot Temple, thanks to its offshore location which sees magnificent sunsets every evening.  The best time to visit is during the holy day of Kuningan, when pilgrimages usually take place, and on the temple’s anniversary five days after.  Another stunning temple is Uluwatu Temple, set on top of the cliff with the surfing beaches below. Cultural performances such as the Ramayana ballet or Kecak dance take place in a specially designated amphitheater at the temple’s south, during the golden sunset hours.  Then there is Besakih Temple, often referred to as Bali’s ‘mother temple’.  Located in the village of Besakih is a huge complex of many different temples and shrines, and Besakih Temple is located 1,000 metres above sea level on the south-western slopes of Mount Agung, Bali’s active volcano, giving you a stunning view from the top.

Balinese Cooking

Food is a big part of the Balinese lifestyle, and travelers are lucky enough to be given an opportunity to experience authentic cooking in a traditional Balinese village.  Embark on a culinary adventure with friends and family, and unlock the secrets of authentic Balinese cooking, using traditional ingredients and preparation methods, in a fully equipped community village kitchen.  You will start by going to visit the market where you can choose your fresh herbs, spices, vegetables and meats.  Then, before you create your very own delicious Balinese dishes, you will have the chance to chat to the locals, to make a simple offering, to speak to the farmers and learn about the rice paddies and to experience authentic coconut-oil processing.
Paon Bali, Laplapan Village, Ubud, p.+62 (0)81 337 939 095.

Balinese Dancing

Balinese dance is a very ancient tradition that is part of the religious and artistic expression among the Balinese people, and starts at a young age [where training is often very disciplined and rigorous].  There are many different types of Balinese dances, and most involve the Balinese version of the Hindu Ramayana epic.   If you are heading up to Uluwatu Temple, check out the Kecak Dance Performance for a truly unforgettable moment!  The Kecak dance consists of up to one hundred men [wearing only a loin-cloth each], who form rows of circles around a coconut oil lamp in the centre. First they move their bodies rhythmically to the left and to the right, chanting the words cak ke-cak ke-cak ke-cak continuously, in slow rhythm. Gradually the rhythm speeds up and by turns they lift their hands, trembling, into the air.  This is unforgettable experience you you won’t forget in a hurry! Or if you are in Ubud, check out the stunning dance performances outside the Ubud Palace [from 7:30 – 9pm every night] where you will see the dances by beautiful girls in specially made clothes.  Dances can be seen all over Bali, but are most common in the area around Ubud, where they are put on regularly for travelers, and in Denpasar, where several cultural centers and dance schools are found.
Bali Day Trip, p. +62 (0)812 3956 828.

Goa Gajah

Located in the west side of the Bedulu countryside lies Goa Gajah, known more commonly as the ‘Elephant Cave’!  No, it isn’t a hole in the wall where lots of elephant hang out [now, that would be interesting!], but it is something worth going to see.  Dating back to the 10th Century, it is a spiritual place where people used to come to meditate. After descending down some steps you will arrive at the bottom to the courtyard where you will see beautiful rock-wall carvings, a central meditation cave, bathing pools and fountains.  It is open daily from 8am – 4pm, and is worth noting that women must cover up and wear a sarong and sash.

Traditional Market

There are tonnes of markets all over Bali, and all are worth a visit to get an insight into typical local life for the Balinese.  There are some great night markets where you can pick up an authentic late night snack, or peruse the traditional home-wares, religious ritual items and art.  In particular Badung Market in Denpasar , the Kuta Night Market, and the Sanur Night Market are all well worth a visit, and will give you an insight into Balinese culture.
Sanur Night Market, Jalan Danau Toba, Sindu, Sanur, open Mon – Sun 18:00 – 01:00, Kuta Night Market, Jalan Blambangan, Kuta, open Mon – Sun 18:00 – 23:00, Badung Market, Jalan Gajah Mada, Denpasar, open Mon – Sun 12:00 – 00:00.!

Traditional Beauty Treatments

The traditional beauty rituals of Indonesian women date back thousands of centuries, and is being passed on by generations, so much so that is it now being used widely in modern spas.  You can’t come to Bali without sampling a traditional Balinese massage, in local culture it is considered a routine staple of everyday life [massages everyday sounds good to us!].  It incorporates traditional techniques from India and China to relax pressure points, stimulate nerve endings, and rejuvenate tired muscles with long mid pressure strokes.  Head to the Mulia Spa for an authentic Balinese massage to relax your body, mind and soul!
Another everyday treatment most Indonesian women undertake is a hair cream bath, which is what the locals swear by for long, shiny, healthy hair! It starts with a head, neck and shoulder massage and is followed by a homemade mask made from avocado, ginseng and other natural ingredients that are gently rubbed into the hair and scalp. It’s left on for 30 minutes under a steamer while you continue to be pampered.  Head to uber popular Glo Spa for a wonderful hair cream bath and give your hair the treat it deserves!  There are many traditional treatments to choose from, and most spas in Bali will offer them, so its just choosing which one!

Traditional Healing

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ has recently turned the spotlight on Balinese traditional healing, but this practice, of using natural herbs and spices, holistic therapies and ancient wisdom to cure physical and mental illness, has been a long tradition in Bali.  The Balinese live equally in two worlds -the seen or conscious world called sekala, and the unseen or psychic world, called niskala. If someone falls ill, both of these worlds must be addressed in order to heal them.  A Balian [traditional Balinese healer who works with divine energy] will be consulted, and they will use jamu [herbal medicines derived from the lush Bali landscape], massage and energy healing to help cure the sick.  If you are wanting to visit a traditional Balinese Healer, we suggest making an appointment with Pak Man [Nyoman Arya Dunung].  He is based in Ubud, and has over 20 years of experience working with energy and massage, and helps balance the body mind and spirit, thus enabling the healing of broken bones, strokes, depressions, stress, and more.
Pak Man, p. 081 338 935 369.

Bali Wildlife

For all the animal lovers out there, don’t worry, for one thing Bali is not in sort of is an abundance of interesting wildlife!  Ubud Monkey Forest is a firm favourite amongst tourists, as here you can see over 300 grey-haired macaques hanging out in their natural habitat.  Word of warning – they might climb over you in search for peanuts and bananas so, be prepared!  You can also see monkeys at the Uluwatu Monkey Forest, which is perched on stunning white cliffs, with the beautiful Indian Ocean as its backdrop,and features the beautiful Uluwatu Temple.  If you want to see more than just monkeys, head to The Bali Safari and Marine Park, where you can see animals from all over the world, including tigers, lions and orangutans.  But if smaller creatures are more your cup of tea, why not check out the Bali Butterfly Park!  This place houses hundreds of butterflies [as well as other smaller insects] – just magical!
Ubud Monkey Forest (Sacred Monkey Forest), Jalan Wenara Wana, Ubud, p. +62 (0)361 971304.
Uluwatu Monkey Forest, Jalan Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula.
Bali Safari and Marine Park, Jalan Prof Ida Bagus Mantra Km, p.+62 (0)361 751 300.
Bali Butterfly Park, Jalan Batukaru, Banjar Sandan Lebah, Wanasari Village, Tabanan, p. +62 (0)361 814 282.

Tegallalang Rice Paddies in Ubud

You can’t visit Bali without seeing the infamous lush green rice paddies, but the Tegallalang rice paddies in Ubud are by far he most splendid!  If you stop at the top of the valley on the road, you can see for miles the rice paddies spreading out before you.  A farmer who owns the land is usually there to invite you to sample his green coconut drink, and you can buy a Balinese woven hats that he makes from coconut leaves.  This ancient valley is a wonderful insight into the traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system [named subak].

Ogoh Ogoh Parade

Nyepi Day ‘Day of Silence’ is the day of celebration for the Bali New Year, and with that comes the Ogoh Ogoh Parade.  Ogoh Ogoh is a large, oversized demon character which is made of light materials [ a combination of wood, bamboo, paper, and styrofoam].  They are made light so that they can be lifted into the air during the parade.  The day before Nyepi Day, Ogoh Ogoh are paradeded in the Pengrupukan night to keep away evil spirits for the year ahead.  Before the Pengrupukan night, an Ogoh Ogoh festival will be held in Puputan Park Denpasar.  Here, specially selected Ogoh Ogoh [based on their art and theme value] are shown to judges in the form of a dance or attraction which tells the story or theme of their Ogoh Ogoh.

This story was published on Honeycombers Bali.