Unraveling the Enchantment of Kecak Fire Dance — Mystical moves at Uluwatu Temple

Perched on the rugged cliffs of Bali’s southern peninsula, Uluwatu Temple stands as an ancient site steeped in mystique and history. As the sun dips below the horizon, the stage is set for one of Bali’s most captivating cultural performances — the Kecak Fire Dance.

The Dramatic Narrative

The Kecak Fire Dance unfolds an epic tale from the Ramayana, a Hindu scripture. Witness the heroic journey of Prince Sri Rama, his wife Sita, and loyal brother Laksamana as they confront the sinister Rahwana in a bid to rescue Sita. Each move and gesture of the dancers brings to life the age-old saga of love, betrayal, and redemption.

Sunset Spectacle

Experience the magic of Bali’s twilight as the Kecak Fire Dance commences at sunset. Against the backdrop of the azure ocean, a troupe of male dancers clad in vibrant attire takes the stage. Their rhythmic chants, accompanied by the flickering flames, create an enchanting ambiance that transports spectators to another realm.

Emotional Expressions

From scenes of tender romance to gripping battles, the dancers skillfully portray the myriad emotions of the Ramayana. As the storyline unfolds, the tempo of the chants rises and falls, heightening the suspense and drama. The rhythmic chorus, devoid of musical instruments, adds a unique dimension to the performance.

Practical Tips

Before attending the Kecak Fire Dance, be mindful of mischievous macaques that roam the temple grounds. Keep valuables secure and refrain from wearing loose jewelry. For those seeking Bali luxury resorts for a comforting getaway, Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort offers a serene sanctuary just minutes away from Uluwatu Temple.

Cultural Immersion

Immerse yourself in the rich Balinese culture with a visit to Uluwatu Temple and the mesmerising Kecak Fire Dance. Whether you’re drawn to the theatrical performances or the spiritual significance of the temple, this timeless experience promises to leave an indelible mark on your soul.

A Valentine Well Spent in Bali – Why this Island is the Pinnacle of Tropical Romance

Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, especially where the tropics are concerned. If you’re seeking a romantic getaway, this island landscape has much to offer.

Pura Taman Ayun

This beautiful temple garden complex is one Bali’s most treasured attractions and renowned across the world for its exotic beauty and tranquil ambiance. It is a place brimming with adventure as well as beauty.

File:1 pura taman ayun bali 2011.jpg

chensiyuan, 1 pura taman ayun bali 2011, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tanah Lot

This refers to a spectacular rock formation that rises out of the sea just off the beach in Tabanan. The name itself means “Land in the Sea”. The landmass was apparently discovered in the 16th century by a Hindu traveller, and eventually, a shrine and temple were built.

File:Pura Tanah Lot.jpg

Flickr user: Jos Dielis https://www.flickr.com/photos/dielis/, Pura Tanah Lot, CC BY 2.0

Ubud Monkey Forest

You don’t always discover a nature reserve and a Hindu temple complex in the same place, but this is the case of the Ubud Monkey Forest, which boasts over 600 Crab-Eating Macaques, and a beautiful Hindu temple complex from the 1300s. It’s easy to access from almost any Bali resort hotel such as the likes of Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort.

File:Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 03.JPG

Saranabhi, Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 03, CC BY-SA 3.0

Horseback Riding in Tegalang

Tegallalang is one of the most beautiful and lushly forested destinations in Bali, and experiencing the beauty of this region on horseback along with your partner is bound to be an unforgettable experience.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Tips for a Successful International Conference – Planning Your Event Just Right

While planning an international conference is no easy task, there are certain aspects one can be mindful of and which will help ensure the event goes as smoothly as possible. Do remember to keep these points in mind!

Destination

When it comes to an international conference, it’s key to pick the right destination. This could be in your home country, or for easier access for international delegates, you may have to choose another country that can be conveniently accessed by road, rail or air.

Venue

Once the destination is selected you need to find the right venue for your event. It should be able to host the expected number of guests and ideally have easy access to onsite or nearby accommodation. If you are looking for such a convention centre Bali has to offer, venues such as Bali International Convention Centre are amongst the available options.

Agenda

Setting a proper agenda is key not only for the flow of the conference but also to ensure its effectiveness. Make sure to group topics being spoken on in a way that naturally or logically connect with each other. Having breaks and sessions for discussion and networking are also important parts of an agenda that should be considered.

Food

Do remember no matter how well you plan and carry out the conference, a hungry guest is an unhappy guest! Ensure that the event is well catered for not only in terms of main meals but in between snacks and drinks too.

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+

Traditional Bali Food Fight – Get Set, Ready, Rice!

Tipat War is one of the most popular, traditional food fights in Bali. This is an annual event hosted in the village of Kapal.

When is it

This is a joyful event held in the fourth month of the Balinese calendar, which usually falls on September and October. Accommodation for participants are available in any Seminyak resort in Bali . Visitors may pick budget or luxury hotels based on their convenience, options include Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort.

What is it?

This is an event when the village’s throw rice cakes at each other to celebrate the rice harvest every year. This is in fact considered one of the biggest traditional food fights in the world.

How it starts

The local men in the village would gather to the village temple to pay homage to the gods for a bountiful harvest. After the prayers everyone will collect to the temple courtyard for the first rice cake fight.

Tipat war

The first fight is a mild warmup for the main event. Participants would divide into two groups and start throwing Tipat at each other. Tipat is a cooked rice wrapped in coconut leaves. The actual war usually take place in the village streets.

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+

All About Bali Vegan Festival – For the Love of Earth!

Vegans and Vegans to be – head over to the Bali Vegan Festival, where you can enjoy the life of a vegan while celebrating the environment, the earth and animals.

Vegans unite!

The festival aims to bring together entertainers, environmentalists, healers and yoga teachers, vegan chefs and lifestyle advisers from around the world.

Celebrate good times

C’mon! The Bali Vegan Festival is a celebration of mother earth. It will celebrate everything that cruelty free and spread awareness for having compassion and love to the earth and its animals.

When?

The festival is set to commence from the 6th of October and last till 8th October 2017. The festival starts at 8 am. Come here early if you want to get the best view of the performances and taste the delectable vegan dishes.

Where?

The festival will take place at Paradiso Ubud, which is located off Jalan Hanoman in Ubud near the Earth Café and Market. Paradiso hosts musical concerts, themed festivals, workshops, art exhibitions etc. There are plenty of family friendly activities too, to get everyone involved.

Stay

If you want to be a part of this festival, there are a number of Bali resorts to choose from, especially at properties such as Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort.

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+

Tips for a Successful International Conference – Covering all the Angles

Organising a conference is a tremendous task that requires a great deal of foresight and planning, especially if it’s going to take place in a foreign nation.

Choose an Ideal Location/Venue

One of the most fundamental criteria to consider is capacity. A venue must have enough space to support guests, exhibitors and workshops. If you’re having multiple workshops or speakers happening simultaneously, it will require some sound-proofing and acoustical-knowledge by the venue provider.

Translators

The language barrier is an absolutely essential factor to consider if there’s any sort of international basis for the conference. It is also worth having a contingency for guests who might be impaired visually or on an auditory level.

 Transportation

This is particularly important for conferences abroad. If you want opt for an exotic location and choose a convention centre in Bali then transportation will definitely be an issue. Although air-fare is commonly provided to special guests, transportation within the country might not always be provided.

Accommodation

It’s always good to choose a venue belonging to a hotel or one that has a selection of accommodation options nearby. Some places such as Bali International Convention Centre have their own on-site accommodation. If you’re choosing a hotel as a venue for the conference, you can pretty much always get special rates for the rooms.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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The 72nd Independence Day of Indonesia – A Free and an Independent Society

Indonesia celebrated its 72nd Independence day on the 17th of August 2017 in glorious style. The 17th of August has been declared a national Holiday in all of Indonesia.

About Indonesia

The huge Indonesian archipelago, made up of more than seventeen thousand islands stretching from South East Asia to the Pacific, is like many countries in one. When you are here, visiting the popular province in Indonesia, Bali, is a must as there is so much to see and do. You may choose to book into a Bali resort hotel such as the Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort.

Special Publication

A special publication was released by Indonesia Investments dedicating itself to this historic day. It was highlighted by stories such as the former President Soekarno’s continued fight for the freedom of Indonesia and also of the birth of Indonesia’s national anthem, a brief narration of the period of colonial rule and of its heroes who struggled on behalf of Indonesia for its independence.

Theme

It’s celebrations were held at Wisma, in Rose Bay. The theme adopted for this year’s Independence Day was ‘Kerja Bersama’ (togetherness).

Logo

The number 7 in the logo indicates an arrow heading to the direction of the upper left which represents, development aligned for a better tomorrow.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Discover the Indo-Mauritian Culture with Fascinating “Divali” Celebrations -Unto a world of lights

“Divali”, or “Deepavali” is an amalgamation of two Sanskrit words, meaning “Row of Light”. As apparent by the name, Divali is celebrated to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil. Mauritius, where 63% of the population is Indian, out of which 80% follow Hinduism, this festival of light is celebrated in grandeur, transforming the island into a glittering fairyland at night.

Divali Celebration | News Island Crisis news.islandcrisis.net

Divali Celebration | News Island Crisis news.islandcrisis.net

An Indian festival in origin, Divali is celebrated in honour of Rama, the Prince of Ayodhya, returning home after his fourteen-year exile; the day also celebrated the victory of Rama over the devil king Ravana, as depicted in the epic “Ramayana”. However, the day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, purity and light. Divali falls on the night of the New Moon in the month of Kartik i.e. October or November.
For the traveller who will be in Mauritius during this time period, an assault of cultural senses await. Considering the importance and beauty of Divali, all industries, including hospitality, in Mauritius come on board for the celebrations. Some hotels, such as InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort, a beach hotel in Mauritius, have special programs where tourists are taken to explore the area during festival time. Locals are busy fasting to purify the soul in the week preceding Divali, and cleaning their houses to welcome the goddess of light. The day of the festival is a carnival unto itself, with at least seven different types of sweets prepared in every household, which are then put into colourful boxes to be distributed among neighbours, friends, and family – with no discrimination on their beliefs. Divali is known to bring the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic population of the island together in creating a fairyland during the festival period.
While all these delicacies are tantalizing your taste buds, a visual spectral awaits as the night falls. Each and every house in the island lights an earthen oil lamp named “diya” outside their door, to repel darkness and invite light. This diyas glimmer with their flames dancing to the salted breeze from every house; multi-coloured lights illuminate trees, buildings, terraces, and houses as well, making it look as if the island is home to a thousand glimmering fireflies.

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Nusa Dua Fiesta – A vibrant display of Bali’s true colours

Every year the beaches of Bali grow in popularity. The crowds swell like the tides, millions of tourists from around the world flood Indonesia in search of the best waves for surfing, the aquamarine waters for paddling, the best dive sites for viewing colourful coral and exotic marine life and the most stunning beaches. While it caters to the upmarket traveler looking for a luxury hotel, Bali also offers homestay and backpacker options for the budget tourist. In recent years: the mushrooming of beachfront resorts, restaurants, shopping malls, and nightclubs has gained Bali the reputation of being Asia’s top party destination.

The Nusa Dua Fiesta is a festival that shows Bali has more to offer. The annual, weeklong event was started in 1996 by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation to show the world Bali’s culture and talent. A number of art competitions and exhibitions are held on opening day at private beaches of participating hotels that line the Peninsula. The InterContinental Bali Resort lies at the heart of the action. The following days delve into Balinese arts, culture, sports and music. Diving tours that show off the island’s natural beauty, cultural performances, musical shows and other displays are lined up on the itinerary. The festivities also include carnivals and other activities for younger visitors. A festival of such grandeur would not be complete without shining a spotlight on the fine local cuisine; special gala dinners with live entertainers and a charity component are also scheduled during the week.

The aim of the Nusa Dua Fiesta is to improve tourism. It has given rise to other annual events of a similar nature taking place on neighbouring beaches like the Kuta Karnival, Sanur Village Festival, Bali Ubud Festival and other festivals across the country. 2015 will mark the sixteenth installment of Nusa Dua Fiesta.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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Annual Festival of Traditional Kites in Bali – Witness the magic of Bali’s windy season

The annual Kites Festival in Bali takes place between July and August starting from the windy season which is ideal for kiting. The festival comprises of a series of kiting events held in different locations favourable for kiting. Kite festivals are one of Bali’s top listed annual events with excellent cultural shows and social gatherings taking place simultaneously during the festive period. The top kite festival events are held mostly along the eastern coast of Padanggalak, north of Sanur. The preliminary rounds begin towards the end of June and confirmed based on weather patterns. Therefore, the event dates are mostly announced on the last minute. Hundreds of professional and amateur kiting teams and individuals as well as tons of fans flock to these venues from all over Bali to proudly fly their modern and traditional kites both large and small. The variety of colours, shapes and designs that can be witnessed during the kite festival time is spellbinding. Visitors travelling here during the festival time can look to stay at a villa Bali Seminyak has to offer such as those available at Samaja Villas Kunti.

It all began as a seasonal agrarian festival to thank the heavens for the blessing of abundant crops and harvests. However, before long it was transformed into a communal youth groups’ competitive kite flying event where the teams participate and compete for prize money from sponsors. Some of the categories of competitions held include ‘new creation’ kites including detailed 3D figures and designs, Hindu gods’ portraits, cars and motorbikes and mascots. Each group is accompanied by a gamelan orchestra that brings out the joyous spirit and mood of celebration and cheer. The drama associated with the take-off and landing sequences of kites is extremely fantastic to watch. Witness the colourful skies dominated by flying giants during the epic Bali Kites Festival and be part of the Bali windy season magic.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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