The Kecak dance is one of the most famous of Balinese dances. It is unusual because it has no musical accompaniment like many other Indonesian dances do, the rhythm of the dance is produced by the chanting 'monkey' chorus. Instead, a troupe of over 150 bare-chested men serve as the chorus, making a wondrous cacophony of synchronized "chak-achak-achak" clicking sounds while swaying their bodies and waving their hands .From that chanting noise of "Cak-cak-cak", then it gave the dance its name Kecak.
What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants. They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors. They don't sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.
The dance is played in five acts and lasts roughly 45 minutes. It taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana, which tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of Princess Sita, who has been kidnapped by the evil King of Lanka, Rahwana and somehow with the help of the white monkey army, Rama rescues his wife and defeats the evil Rahwana.
Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali. It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Kecak Dance
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sanur Beach Hotel Bali
Sanur Beach Hotel is located right on the Sanur beach front and is surrounded by landscaped gardens and shaded by whispering coconut palms.
Rooms
The hotel has comfortable guestrooms that are well furnished and equipped with modern amenities.
Restaurant
The Verandah restaurant serves Thai and Continental cuisine, while the Tirta restaurant offers buffet and pool side snacks, and Pizzeria providing Italian favourites in an al fresco environment.
General
The hotel offers a variety of recreational facilities including 2 swimming pools and a lagoon, fitness centre, tennis courts, badminton, volleyball, mini-golf, bicycle riding, children's playground and water sports.
The hotel has a great location on the beachfront and has nicely landscaped gardens. The rooms in the old wing are little dated and showing signs of wear and tear, but still represent good value. The hotel restaurants are good quality, but a little pricey, however, there are plenty of good restaurants outside the hotel or on the beachfront. The gym is well equipped, an excellent sauna, but disappointingly, no jacuzzi. The hotel is very quiet and largely patronised by retired couples ( mostly German); the staff are very friendly and helpful.
Grand Mirage Resort Bali
The five star hotel locate in 72-74 Jalan Pratama Tanjung Benoa Tanjung Benoa 80363 is the best choice for long stay in Bali.
Somebody says, " The hotel is very nice with good facilities. When we arrived they told us that our room would not be ready until 8pm because the person before wanted a late check out. We agreed to go into another room until ours was available, however when we wanted a late check out ourselves they wanted another $40. They also they did not advise us on check in that the whole wing was being renovated, so all day long we had constant banging in the rooms next door. Our suite was very nice and brand new, the first room was very musky. The food was good as well. We would stay again.
How about you..???
Sunday, December 14, 2008
THE LEMUKIH TREKKING TOUR
Suitable for young and old!The Lemukih Tour is an easy level trekking tour that can be done by both young and old of age. All you need is your love for nature and of course some walking experience..
The 'hardest' part may be a track that winds down to the waterfalls
for about 90 m. - and up again.
JUST YOU AND NATURE ....
The stunning Lemukih Trekking Tour is a rare and unique opportunity to experience the traditional culture and the beautiful nature of North Bali.
The Lemukih Tour touches the atmosphere of a true jungle expedition adventure. It is organized for small private groups only. The tour is led by Ketut 'Bluey' Ariana, an experienced English speaking trekking guide.
The Trek starts around 8.30 in the morning, when you will be picked up by car at your hotel (Lovina area). The first stop is at the Pura Dalem of Jagaraga, a temple which is famous for its extraordinary stone carvings. Next you will visit a traditional gamelan instrument factory in the Sawan area, the cradle of 'gong kebyar' (the popular hectic gamelan music which is heared everywhere in Bali).
After our visit to the waterfalls we will climb up again to visit the secluded cottage of a local coffee farmer where you can rest and relax for a while. Here you will also be served a hot lunch with refreshments.
The Bali Impian Suites
US$320 per night (+25% surcharge over Easter & July/August, +50% over X-mas/New Year & Chinese New Year).
Spacious one-bedroom suite (120 sq. meters or 1,320 sq.ft) comparable to Bali's most luxurious resorts. Located on the ground floor with private pool in a beautiful garden. 10 to 15 minutes to famous Jimbaran beach or to Nusa Dua. Can be easily combined and/or added to "Villa Bali Impian" to accommodate large groups. Exceptional facilities, excellent cooks, maids, house boys and Personal Butler service. Free massage on arrival.
SUPER VALUE Rate includes an air-conditioned car with driver. Additional savings for stays of 10 nights or more! LAST MINUTE Savings are also available. Very popular with honeymooners.
"Bali Impian Pool Suite"Jimbaran Hill, Bali, Indonesia.
One bedroom, one bathroom – sleeps 2 guests.
Location
The location on the hill less than 10 minutes South of Jimbaran beach usually guarantees sunny days even when it's raining in the rest of Bali, and it offers easy access to all parts of the island. A drive of about 15 minutes takes you to the famous Uluwatu Temple, to Bali's most challenging surf breaks and to beautiful "secret" beaches.
Nusa Dua with most of Bali's international 5-star hotels, the "Galleria Shopping Center" and the "Bali Golf & Country Club" as well as the international airport can be also reached within 15 or 20 minutes. It's around 25 minutes to Kuta with its great variety of shops, restaurants and night life, and about 30 to 40 minutes to Sanur's hotels, restaurants and shops.
The Bali Impian Suites
The "Bali Impian Suites" consist of two suites in one building – the Spa Suite on the upper floor and the Pool Suite on the garden level. They are set in the exclusive "Bali Impian Estate" compound adjacent to the 4-bedroom "Villa Bali Impian". Complete privacy is created with high growing bamboo and other tropical plants in the carefully landscaped garden with colorful hibiscus and frangipani trees. These suites are a perfect retreat for couples who look for luxury and total privacy but do not want to stay at a hotel or rent a larger villa.
The "Bali Impian Suites" have been designed and are managed by Balivillas.com to meet the standards of Bali's most famous luxury resorts — however, they are offered at a fraction of those rates.
Accommodation
You enter the Bali Impian Suites from the parking area through large, antique carved double doors. Both suites are centrally air-conditioned, and each consists of one bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a spacious living room (with one convertible sofa bed), a large covered terrace, and a fully equipped kitchen. Bedrooms and living rooms are comfortably furnished and tastefully decorated with original paintings and local artifacts.
The centrally air-conditioned living rooms and bedrooms of each suite are divided by a wide sliding door, and there are also large sliding doors in each room opening on to the terrace. Furnishings in the living rooms include a desk and large, comfortable sofas one of which can be converted into a bed if required. The state-of-the-art 32 inch LCD TV sets in the living rooms are connected to a satellite system to receive over 50 international news programs, sports and movie channels (a DVD player is available on request). There is a BOSE Wave Radio/CD player in each bedroom for outstanding stereo sound (cables to connect your personal MP3 player provided), and you'll find a choice of books, magazines and games such as Chess, Backgammon, playing cards, etc. in the living room.
Each suite has its own direct IDD telephone line with a phone in the bedroom and a fax/phone on the desk in the living room. Here you can also connect your laptop computer for free Internet access via Ethernet taking advantage of the dedicated Balivillas.com 512kbps connection. A personal electronic safe is installed in the wardrobe of each bedroom where you'll also find cotton robes, slippers, a shopping bag and umbrellas.
The "Pool Suite"
The "Pool Suite" is located on the garden level and has a private 12 x 18 ft. (4 x 6 meter) swimming pool tiled with green natural stone, and there are two deck chairs in the tropical garden facing an ornately carved sandstone wall picturing Asian deities. The dining table on the covered terrace is large enough for six to eight guests.
The Bedroom
Your bedroom has a king-size bed with luxurious down feather pillows and down feather duvets and black-out curtains to guarantee undisturbed sleep even during daytime. The marble bathroom has a large soaking bath tub, a separate shower cabin, high-quality cotton towels, hair dryers, make-up mirrors, cotton house coats, sandals, a variety of bathroom amenities, etc.
Kitchen & other Facilities
The kitchen is fully equipped with stove, oven, toaster oven, blender, refrigerator, glasses (for soft drinks, beer, wine, champagne, etc.), crockery, cutlery, etc.
A back-up power generator guarantees electricity and water supply for the whole estate in case of black-outs (which do happen in Bali from time to time). An environmentally friendly bio system takes care of the estate's waste water.
Facilities & Features:
* Private swimming pool
* Central air-conditioning throughout
* Original paintings and artifacts
* 32" LCD TV sets with over 50 International news,
sports and movie channels
* DVD player with movie library
* Free Broadband internet access
* BOSE Wave Radio/CD player with audio library
* Books on Bali, magazines and games
* Luxurious down feather duvets and pillows
* Black-out curtains
* Soap, shampoo, bath gel, cotton buds, hairdryers,
cotton robes and slippers
* Direct IDD telephone/fax line
* Personal electronic safe
* Free in-house laundry
* Your personal Butler to take care of ALL your
requirements.
* Excellent full-time cooks, maids, and house boys
wearing uniform and name tags
* Back-up power generator
* Bio system for waste water treatment
* Free use of mountain bikes (please reserve in advance)
* Free use of an air-conditioned car with a reliable driver for
up to 10 consecutive hours per day during your whole stay
* Chilled bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
* Welcome pack containing a Bali guidebook with maps,
up-to-date practical information on Bali, an audio CD and
a CD Rom with a complete Balinese cooking course (intro-
duction plus 7 lessons) as well as over 60 recipies to take
home as a souvenir
Ricefield Cottage
2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms – sleeps up to 4 guests.
"A lovely villa as a private resort, far away from the tourist routes, together with a perfect service of being fully catered, with natural hospitality in a lovely location made this family holiday a very memorable and economic experience with hopefully many returns."(+25% surcharge over Easter & July/August, +50% over X-mas/New Year & Chinese New Year).
2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms on two levels for 4 guests. Typical Balinese cottage set in a walled garden with a free-form swimming pool in the middle of ricefields. Very secluded and quiet location, yet only 10 minutes away from the center of Ubud.
SUPER VALUE Rate includes a cook, maid, and an air-conditioned car with driver. EXCELLENT VALUE!
This typical Balinese cottage is located near Ubud and is perfect for a very quiet and relaxed vacation in the middle of ricefields – if you don't mind the 10-minute walk to reach your vacation home as there is currently no car access.
Considering the location near the center of Ubud, the privacy, natural surroundings and our LONG STAY Savings (please see below), the "Ricefield Cottage" represents excellent value for the right type of guest.
- Free-form swimming pool
- 29" TV sets with satellite system for
International news, sports & movie channels in the each bedroom - Direct telephone line & fax machine in the up-stairs bedroom
- Private safe in both bedrooms
- Full-time cook, maid, gardener, security guard
- Free in-house laundry
- Free use of an air-conditioned car with a reliable driver for
up to 10 consecutive hours per day during your whole stay - Chilled bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
- Welcome pack containing a Bali guidebook with maps,
up-to-date practical information on Bali, an audio CD and
a CD Rom with a complete Balinese cooking course (intro-
duction plus 7 lessons) as well as over 60 recipies to take
home as a souvenir
PRIVATE VACATION VILLAS
Car & Driver from Your Arrival until Departure.
24-hour Butler Service to Arrange Anything You Need.
Private Chef to Prepare Delicious Food.
High-Speed Internet Access in all Villas.
From the moment you arrive in Bali, you'll enjoy the friendly welcome of your private driver, your personal Butler and Balinese house staff, and the comfort and informality of staying in your own villa in Bali.
You can relax and totally unwind together with your family in spacious, comfortably furnished living & dining areas and large air-conditioned bedrooms. And you'll enjoy the tropical garden and the privacy around your own swimming pool (very important for many Asian ladies).
This will be a Bali vacation totally different from staying at impersonal and over-priced "luxury" hotels & resorts – it's an experience you'll never forget!
