Bali Scuba Diving

Besides have the ultimate traditions and cultures, Bali have amazing nature, land and marine, also underwater scene. You can holiday, vacation and adventure in this paradise island. Bali sometimes has status best travel destinations in the world. You can look the original Bali and will go in some time ago.
Bali's underwater treasures still kept secret, and water temperature can changing rapidly. Long renowned by marine biologists and international underwater photographers, Bali's magnificent diving is now recognized by discerning divers as one of the "must dive" locations of the world.
Infrastructure for diving is developed more perfectly. The infrastructure to provide access to some of Bali's great dive sites has been put in place. Several first class dive operators provide excellent service and meet all international safety requirements, so divers can be assured of a wonderful diving experience. It is well worth contacting several operators and doing a little homework to ensure that the company you choose meets your expectations.
The greatest feature of scuba diving in Bali is the rich and varied sites - deep drop-offs and steep banks, coral ridges and bommies, one of the most famous wrecks in the world, volcanic outcrops and sea grass beds. With the colourful and diverse marine life, there is enough here to keep you coming back for more.
Bali is an unmissable dive destination. Again the answer lies in the variety of its attractions. Many dive locations in the North of the Island offer sheltered diving in gentle conditions, in many cases easily accessed from the shore. In other locations the strong currents provide exhilarating and challenging opportunities for drift diving. The strong upwelling from the exceptionally deep channels around Bali provide a rich feeding ground for the marine life, which is abundant, and ranges from spectacularly beautiful and rare macro species through to the huge mola mola or oceanic sunfish.
Bali is in fact one of only two locations in the world where sunfish can be predicted to appear at certain times of the year. Seeing these giants of the ocean hanging in the current, being cleaned by shoals of Moorish Idol, is indeed a memorable sight. Very little is known about these creatures. The mola mola visiting Bali have been included in ongoing research to try to establish more information about these gentle giants. The sunfish are most frequently sighted around Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida, but can also be spotted on other dive sites around Bali.
The strong currents also provide an ideal environment for sharks, which are often sighted (and particularly so) on Bali East Coast. A variety of rays can also be seen including the largest of the rays, the manta. Nusa Penida is particularly popular with divers who wish to see the manta rays, as there is a resident group there.
Many interesting and unusual species make Bali their home. Cuttlefish and octopus can be observed at the divers’ leisure in some of the shallow and sheltered sights on the North East Coast. Crocodile fish, leaf scorpion fish and a fantastic array of nudibranchs abound. Stately Napoleon wrasse and groups of bumphead parrotfish are highlights, as are mantis shrimp, blue ribbon eels, pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish.
The list of reasons to dive Bali goes on and on. The fact that it possesses one of the worlds most accessible shipwrecks - the SS Liberty is just one more. This large war victim is just meter from the shore. The ship was torpedoed in 1942 and after it was rescued it was beached. The unfortunate ship remained on a stretch of Balis beautiful coast until Gunung Agung, Balis biggest volcano, erupted in 1963. The Liberty crashed beneath the sea during the eruption and now sits on a black sand shelf that slopes from about 6m-30m. The wreck is vast, perhaps 120m long and lies parallel to the beach. It has become one of Indonesia most beautiful artificial reefs.
Bali Dive sites:
Menjangan Island Nusa Dua Nusa Lembongan Nusa Penida Padang Bay Tulamben
Beyond Bali:
Alor Ambon Bandaneira Derawan Kakaban Komodo Maratua Raja Ampat Sangalaki
By Kevin Alexandra

Tropical Weddings: Tips for a Wedding in Bali

Are you considering a romantic destination wedding for your big day? Today many couples are opting for tropical weddings and combining their wedding ceremony; many times a beach wedding, with their honeymoon vacation
Destination weddings are popular at many romantic resorts in Bali, Tahiti, the Caribbean, Mexico, Fiji, Hawaii and Costa Rica wedding destinations. Most Resorts will have a wedding coordinator on site to work with you to plan your destination wedding, or if you prefer, you may want to organize a beautiful private villa. In this case, you can seek an independent wedding planner or on booking your luxury villa may find that the management may be able to help you organize your wedding.

As more couples plan and pay for their own weddings, they want to have a casual, unique celebration and combine it with their honeymoon. Imagine having your family and close friends in a warm tropical setting with a spectacular sunset over the ocean and gentle ocean breezes filling the air. Next to you is the love of your life, passionately vowing their commitment and devotion to you.

Inviting Your Guests: When planning a destination wedding, make sure to send out invitations far in advance. After all, the majority of your guests will have to make some monetary and social calculations before they reply to your RSVP. If you are worried that too many guests will be unable to attend, remember that you may have the wedding ceremony at the destination of you choice and you can then hold the reception at a more convenient, albeit less exciting, location.

Marriage Laws, Licenses and Certificates for Bali: Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is subject to Indonesian Laws. Every couple considering getting married in Bali must comply with these Laws.

In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

All couples who marry in Indonesia must declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized. The Civil Registry Office can record marriages of persons of Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian-Protestant and Christian-Catholic faiths. Marriage partners must have the same religion; otherwise one partner must make a written declaration of change of religion.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, the home, a restaurant, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

Christian, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non-Islamic marriage must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed directly at the religious ceremony for an additional fee.

Persons of non-Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying first a 'Notice of Intention to marry' as well as a 'Letter of No Impediment' obtained from their consular representatives.

For the issue of the Letter of No Impediment to Marriage by your Consular Representative you will need to present for yourself and your fiancé, your Passport(s) valid for more than 6 months and Certified Divorce Decrees (absolute/final) and/or Death Certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before your intended date of marriage

What should your wedding planner provide you?

• They should give full details of requirements and procedures for each of the appropriate nationalities.
• Help the wedding couple obtain your 'Certificate of Non Impediment' letter which will be issued by your Consulate or Embassy representative in Indonesia. For Canadian citizens, the Bali Adventure wedding assistant will take care of your Certificate of Non Impediment letter. For citizens of the USA and Australia it will be necessary to apply in person to your Consulate after arriving in Bali and the certificate is generally issued immediately. The Bali Adventure wedding assistant will assist with this process.
• Arrange the photographs that are required for the wedding certificate and documentation. Ensure that they are correct and adhere to authority requirements.
• Advise the Minister of any special requirement you may have requested such as special vows you may wish to say to each other, additional readings, ring exchange etc.
• Just prior to wedding date all arrangements should be reconfirmed with the Civil Registrar, the Minister and any other persons involved with your wedding ceremony.
• Attend your ceremony to ensure it's a smooth procedure and to act as coordinator.
• Act as witnesses if you have no friends or family attending the ceremony

Planning your wedding in Bali can be challenging, considering the constraints on your time and the multitude of choices available. A good wedding planner will give you the assurance that your Wedding Day will be the one you have always dreamed of. A wedding has always been a sacred ritual and in Bali where magic and mysteries mix in harmony, the occasion would be just perfect.
by Sofie De

Bali Might Be A Long Flight Away, But Is An Excellent Destination For A Spectacular Holiday

A stunning island in Indonesia, Bali is renowned all over the world for being welcoming, diverse and incredibly beautiful. If you are looking to get away from the daily grind and head to a place of pure escapism then Bali is the ultimate choice. Balinese life takes many sophisticated and diverse forms and if you want to truly immerse yourself in it then hiring self-catering holiday rentals will allow you to do so. Bali is an ideal holiday location for food lovers and there is a huge choice of eating options, particularly when you are staying in holiday rental accommodation. There is a diverse and impressive range of markets on offer so for every meal you can choose to eat as locally or as internationally as you wish. Even if you aren't buying the food the marketplaces are buzzing and colourful! Ubud is the cultural epicentre of Bali and it is a must-see, particularly if this is your choice for holiday rentals. This the best place to absorb the island's cultural heritage. It is from here that different strands of Balinese culture resonate outwards and these are as diverse as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Music and dance are also important in Balinese culture and their percussion orchestra music, or gamelan, is varied and highly developed. Traditional dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana - and there are dozens of famous Balinese dances including pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, and kecak (the monkey dance). Perhaps you could join in and try some of the dances for yourself!
Although Bali can seem like a long way away it is absolutely worth the extra flight time. And if you stay in self-catering holiday rentals it does not have to be expensive. Whatever type of holiday you're planning the island will surprise and delight you. This is the kind of magical island where you will find what you were looking for, even if you weren't sure what that was! If culture isn't your thing do not worry because visitors to Bali have access to some of the finest beaches in the region. When relaxation is the aim of the game you can venture from your villa to bask in the sun, unwind on the sand and bathe in the warm sea. There are few places in the world more idyllic than holiday rentals on a beach in Bali at sunset. If you fancy a little more activity then hiring a four wheel drive vehicle is an excellent way to see the island properly. If you travel inland you can see the famous rice terraces and ancient temples. Balinese inhabitants also hold spectacular festivals which are entertaining and full of life and will make your visit genuinely memorable. Wherever you have been during the day one thing is certain - that you will return satisfied and exhilarated to your holiday rentals property where you can reflect at leisure on what you have seen. It is likely to have been pretty special.
by Olly Symonds

Bali

Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. Bali offers not just various customs but also various "adrenalin pump" parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all the time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda Rivers, etc. The tourists can refresh their mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route. Those are not enough, some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.

Bali is small island, just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own.

The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in days to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particularly in woodcarving and in fashioning objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and silver threads, Songket, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton clothing. Stone and woodcarvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the island.
As for recreation, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing - even bungy jumping and white water rafting - await the adventurous here.

Culture

Each stage of Balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as Manusa Yadnya. They contribute to the rich, varied and active life the average Balinese leads. There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the last cremation ceremony is the biggest. A Balinese cremation can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried. Of course an auspicious day must be chosen for the cremation and since a big cremation can be very expensive business many less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation and sending their own dead on their way at the same time. Brahmans, however, must be cremated immediately. Apart from being yet another occasion for Balinese noise and confusion it's a fine opportunity to observe the incredible energy the Balinese put into creating real works of art which are totally ephemeral. There are a lot more than a body gets burnt at the cremation. The body is carried from the burial ground (or from the deceased's home if it's an 'immediate' cremation) to the cremation ground in a high, multi-tiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk, cloth, mirrors, flowers and anything else bright and colorful we can think of. The tower is carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the size of the group depending on the importance of the deceased and hence the size of the tower. The funeral of a former rajah high priest may require hundreds of men to tote the tower.

Sanur Beach

Sanur is one of Bali's biggest traditional villages but it's also one of the most established tourist areas. Sanur was Bali's first beach resort but still retains its Balinese character and old style village ambiance. On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as we jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resorts developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.
Palm-lined beach, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. "Bali is the morning of the world", it is the right sentence for Bali if we has visited Sanur. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves, and make it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other water sports. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.

Kuta Beach
Once a lonely little village on the road from Denpasar to Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now the tourist Mecca of Bali, popular mainly among the young and adventurous. Kuta beach is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west. The sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport's runway, which gives the visitors a breathtaking landing experience. Kuta Beach bustles with tourists' vendors and locals. It's the most popular beach in Bali and the island's number one party zone. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, the waves will invite to surfing. Rapid development and an influx of visitors haven't kept the surfers away and Kuta still remains one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle.

Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is located about 12 kilometers from Tabanan City and 20 kilometers from Denpasar. The area comprises a wondrous mixture of natural beauty and sheer human effort. Here lies an idyllic white sand beach with crashing waves, complemented by a small yet majestic temple. This temple, known as Pura Tanah Lot, juts out to sea on a rocky background. Tanah Lot attracts throngs of both locals and tourists daily. Most come here longing to catch a glimpse of the romantic Tanah Lot sunsets, a regular occurrence during the dry season April to November. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)