Baris Dance – An Army Dance :  Tari BarisBaris Dance comes from the word “bebaris“ meaning troops. The dance portrays the army soldiers and agility usually performed as a ritual dance. This dance performed by a group of men, usually numbering 8 to 40 dancers. Baris Dance has a lively movement and quite sturdy, straightforward, dynamic, and accompanied by Gong Kebyar and Gong Gede. Baris Dance is usually divided so 3 rounds. Namely the opening round, soft round, and the closing round. In the opening round is usually more aggressive movements, usual first imprest. Second round, the gong or the music will be softer, usually even more dignified movements. Closing round as same as the opening round. Baris dances are still in Bali, among others:

* Baris Katekok Jago: dancer carrying a spear gun polet (spear black stems and white), using black and white striped dress.
* Baris Tumbak: dancer carrying a spear gun and using awiran dress in layers.
* Baris Dadap: dancers carrying Dadap weapons (like a shield), the movement is more gentle than other types of Baris dance. Dancers dance while singing a song barreled slendro.
* Baris Presi: dancers carrying kris weapons, and a kind of shield, called Presi.
* Baris Pendet: dancers bring offerings (canang sari).
* Baris Bajra: dancers carrying Bajra mace weapons (such as Bhima’s mace).
* Baris Tamiang: dancers carrying kris weapons and shields called Tamiang.
* Baris Kupu Kupu: dance depicts the life of a butterfly, the dancers wearing butterfly wings, agile and dynamic movements mimic the movements of a butterfly.
* Baris Bedil: a dancer with long-barreled imitation rifle made of wood.
* Baris China: dancing under the influence of Chinese culture, unique fashion look of the layout (long pants with a long-sleeved shirt, sarong sash, hat, sunglasses and wearing a sword weapon).
* Baris Cendekan: a dancer with a short spear gun (cendek).
* Baris Panah: dancers carrying arrows.
* Baris Jangkang: a dancer with a long spear gun.
* Baris Gayung: dancers are a group of Pemangku (figure of hindhu religious clergy) with a scoop or cantil (a tool to bring holy water).
* Baris Demang: dancing figures illustrate Demat (one of the characters Pagambuhan) in the classical Gambuh dance drama with a gun, sword, spear, arrows, and others.
* Baris Cerekuak: dance movements represent a group of water birds (cerekuak) while searching for her lover, bird Manuk Dewata.
* Baris Mamedi: describes a group dance spirit (mamedi) who lives in haunted places like the cemetery, the dancers wore clothes made of leaves and twigs are taken from the grave.
* Baris Ketujeng: dance describes a group of spirits who live in haunted places as the introduction of dance soul of the departed to heaven.
* Baris Gowak: dance depicts the battle between the forces Badeng Tegal (Badung) with a group of ravens carrying death.
* Baris Omang: dancers use a spear gun, but move slowly like the way a snail (Omang), describes the battle between the forces Badeng Tegal (Badung) with troops of Guwak (crow).
* Baris Jojor: dancers carrying Jojor weapons (spear, long-stemmed).
* Baris Kuning: dancers dressed all in yellow, and armed with kris and Tamiang (shield).
* Baris Tengklong: dancers carriying sword weapons, the movement is dynamic, powerful and approaching martial art movements.
* Baris Kelemet: dancers portray the fishermen, with such oar weapons, describing the boat in the sea to catch fish.

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Bali is a really really great place for a surf trip. It has so many great waves, great weather and warm water temperatures. Sold already?

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The surf is just classic around the Bukit Peninsular – directly south from Dempasar. Kuta is the main gateway to many of these breaks and has plenty of cheap accommodation but beware – you will get hassled 24/7. Kuta Beach is a popular beach for tourists and surfers alike and the lineup here can get pretty hectic. The list of top surf spots nearby reads like a surfers dream list. Dreamland, Uluwatu and Padang Padang to name a few. If you have never heard of them you will almost certainly seen a picture of one of them in a surfing magazine.

Bali picks up the swells from the Southern Ocean and from April to November will see consistent surf of up to 12 ft. This is also the dry season so its the best time to come. That said the rest of the rear still receives surf from 2-6ft. It is boardshorts all year round so don’t forget your sunscreen.

Surfers have been traveling to Bali for years and the surf scene is now well established. There are plenty of surf shops if you need to restock equipment

Surfing Bali – The Good
Great Consistency
World Class Waves
Warm Water

Surf Bali – The Bad and the Ugly
Crowded Waves
You Get Hassled – A Lot!

Bali is a great place to visit and a fantastic surfing destination. There are surf breaks here to suit beginners through to the experienced surfers and the tropical climate and warm waters make it a must stop on your world surf tour. It is well worth sorting some Bali Accommodation before you get there.

If you have information on surfing in Bali we would like to know. Tell us how good or bad your surfing vacation was by posting your trip details on our Surf Forum.

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Marine tourism (water sport) in Tanjung Benoa, Bali

Tanjung Benoa, where water sports watersport alias alias marine sports, offers a variety of alternative marine tourism bali. There are banana boat, flying fish, parasailing, jetski, diving, glass bottom boat and seawalker turtle island ..

Jet Ski Games
Games jetski use of vehicles on the beach like a motorcycle. Jetski here can not you drive yourself, should be accompanied by an instructor, given at Tanjung Benoa beach there are many boats and other watersport activities, so that collisions can be avoided. Do not worry, the instructor will only drive from the beach toward the middle of the sea, well until you turn there who do drive, the instructor lift. When the game is 15 minutes. If you want exciting ride, try the actions of waves imaginable .. then you will feel the sensation of driving pleasure ini.Menarik jetski is not it?

Parasailing
is the game where you will use the umbrella parachute and pulled by speed boat to Tanjung Benoa beach surrounding. So just like real skydiving. When the game is a round about 4 minutes in the air. Height of the rope which connects the parachute to a speed boat about 80 yards. So quite high terbangnya.Yang this game definitely very challenging and full of fun.

Banana Boat
Banana Boat uses a single raft, you will be attracted by speed boat around the coast within 15 minutes. Banana boat load capacity is max 4 people plus 1 instructor as a companion. You can ask diceburin into the water during the boat running, or if you do not want to wet .. ask who was perfectly normal. Less exciting does that play banana boat without nyebur

Scuba Diving
ie dive tourism. Instead of snorkeling, diving better as well. You will be given complete diving equipment, ranging from clothing, etc. oxygen tank. Diving should not be swimming, it’s better if you can not swim, because it’s easier. The tourists will be accompanied by an instructor under the water, so do not worry. Previously, you’ll be brief about the ways used to dive right. The depth for beginners ranging between 3 feet – 7 feet in the water for 40 minutes. Taking the bread for food fish, you will see the beautiful underwater scenery which met by beautiful coral reefs distinguished and iridescent-hued ornamental fish.

Snorkeling
that is swimming underwater while seeing sights. The main requirement you should be able to swim. By using a mask and fins, you will see ornamental fish and coral imaginable while swimming.

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT & TURTLE ISLAND
is the most suitable tour if you ask your child who is still small. With a distinguished boats underneath there are clear glass, you will be invited to sail to see the underwater aquarium which located at Tanjung Benoa beach. As he threw the bread out of the boat, the fish will rise and chase the food. Hundreds of tails and colorful. Similarly, with lovely views of sea coral reply. Once you are satisfied at the sight, the boat will slide into Turtle Island to see the location of breeding TURTLE, quite rare animal existence. Here you will see a distinguished dikeram turtle eggs and turtle who still small, hawksbill turtles teens to adults who are ready to become a parent. Types of turtles not only one, but there are several types. In addition, at this location there are also other animals such as birds, bats, snakes, etc. which are very tame, so can you hold to be photographed. This activity lasted about 1 hour.

FLYING FISH

this is the game most recently in Bali. 3 pieces of banana boat put together with additional rubber boat across the front and there is a kind of left wing on the right side. Flying Fish is played by 3 people max, that is 2 people left right passenger side and 1 instructor in the middle. The position you can stand as riding a motorcycle or sleep on her back. Flying Fish will be attracted by high speed boat speed downwind path. Thus, a flying fish would fly over the water about 2 meters or more depending on wind speeds. Just like kites. For those who like challenges, do not miss to try this game. Surely the fun!

Sea Walker

is walking on the sea floor using a water-resistant helmets. When we walk on the seabed, the water will not enter into the helmet. Even more cool again, we even need to remove glasses when guns were under water. To breathe, we will be assisted by oxygen gas that is channeled through wires that connect to the helmet that we use. By down the stairs, about 7 meters, we will reach the sea floor and can walk around to see the fish and beautiful coral reefs in the sea Tanjung Benoa….

Water ski

is one of maritime tourism is quite challenging. By stepping on a board you will be attracted by speed boat, be a sport like skiing or surfing.

Rolling Donut

is one favorite game in Tanjung Benoa. You will sit in a pelambung shaped cake donut and pulled by speed boat.

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This article covers about shopping in the city of Bandung, where in this city are many interesting shops to visit.

Baris Dance – An Army Dance : Tari BarisBaris Dance comes from the word “bebaris“ meaning troops. The dance portrays the army soldiers and agility usually performed as a ritual dance. This dance performed by a group of men, usually numbering 8 to 40 dancers. Baris Dance has a lively movement and quite sturdy, straightforward, dynamic, and accompanied by Gong Kebyar and Gong Gede. Baris Dance is usually divided so 3 rounds. Namely the opening round, soft round, and the closing round. In the opening round is usually more aggressive movements, usual first imprest. Second round, the gong or the music will be softer, usually even more dignified movements. Closing round as same as the opening round. Baris dances are still in Bali, among others:

* Baris Katekok Jago: dancer carrying a spear gun polet (spear black stems and white), using black and white striped dress.
* Baris Tumbak: dancer carrying a spear gun and using awiran dress in layers.
* Baris Dadap: dancers carrying Dadap weapons (like a shield), the movement is more gentle than other types of Baris dance. Dancers dance while singing a song barreled slendro.
* Baris Presi: dancers carrying kris weapons, and a kind of shield, called Presi.
* Baris Pendet: dancers bring offerings (canang sari).
* Baris Bajra: dancers carrying Bajra mace weapons (such as Bhima's mace).
* Baris Tamiang: dancers carrying kris weapons and shields called Tamiang.
* Baris Kupu Kupu: dance depicts the life of a butterfly, the dancers wearing butterfly wings, agile and dynamic movements mimic the movements of a butterfly.
* Baris Bedil: a dancer with long-barreled imitation rifle made of wood.
* Baris China: dancing under the influence of Chinese culture, unique fashion look of the layout (long pants with a long-sleeved shirt, sarong sash, hat, sunglasses and wearing a sword weapon).
* Baris Cendekan: a dancer with a short spear gun (cendek).
* Baris Panah: dancers carrying arrows.
* Baris Jangkang: a dancer with a long spear gun.
* Baris Gayung: dancers are a group of Pemangku (figure of hindhu religious clergy) with a scoop or cantil (a tool to bring holy water).
* Baris Demang: dancing figures illustrate Demat (one of the characters Pagambuhan) in the classical Gambuh dance drama with a gun, sword, spear, arrows, and others.
* Baris Cerekuak: dance movements represent a group of water birds (cerekuak) while searching for her lover, bird Manuk Dewata.
* Baris Mamedi: describes a group dance spirit (mamedi) who lives in haunted places like the cemetery, the dancers wore clothes made of leaves and twigs are taken from the grave.
* Baris Ketujeng: dance describes a group of spirits who live in haunted places as the introduction of dance soul of the departed to heaven.
* Baris Gowak: dance depicts the battle between the forces Badeng Tegal (Badung) with a group of ravens carrying death.
* Baris Omang: dancers use a spear gun, but move slowly like the way a snail (Omang), describes the battle between the forces Badeng Tegal (Badung) with troops of Guwak (crow).
* Baris Jojor: dancers carrying Jojor weapons (spear, long-stemmed).
* Baris Kuning: dancers dressed all in yellow, and armed with kris and Tamiang (shield).
* Baris Tengklong: dancers carriying sword weapons, the movement is dynamic, powerful and approaching martial art movements.
* Baris Kelemet: dancers portray the fishermen, with such oar weapons, describing the boat in the sea to catch fish.

Kecak Dance - Dance With The Music Of Sound Mouth

Kecak is a typical Balinese performing arts that was created in 1930 by Wayan Limbak with a German painter, Walter Spies. They create a dance based on ancient sanghyang traditions and take from parts Ramayana story. This dance became popular when Wayan Limbak and the Balinese dancer have toured around the world to introduce the Kecak dance. This dance is played by dozens of men who sat in a circle and line up with a specific rhythm and speaks the words "cak..cak.." and raised his arms. Describes the story of Ramayana as Rama's line of apes help fight Ravana. There are some who explained that the word or sound "cak" actually means a very important and significant in the performance of the dance.

Kecak dance not use the instrument, but only use krincingan (small bells) imposed on the feet of the dancers who are playing characters Ramayana. While the dancers in the circle wearing a checkered cloth wrapped around their waists. Kecak privilege of not relying on instruments to accompany dancing, but the chorus of the dancers.

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 metres), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger people who inhabit the area.

Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru ("Great Mountain"), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. What stands out most about this mountain is the fact that it erupts periodically (and very reliably so). Every 20 minutes or so, the volcano belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Climbing Mount Semeru requires some planning and a permit from the national park authority. The mountain is often closed due to its highly active nature.
Mount Bromo (2,329 metres) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera (diameter approximately 10 km), surrounded by the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.
The major access point is Cemoro Lawang (also Cemara Lawang or Cemora Lawang - blame the East Javanese accent!) at the northeastern edge of the caldera, but there are also trails from Tosari (northwest) and Ngadas (southwest). The village of Ngadisari, on the road from Probolinggo about 5.5 km before Cemoro Lawang, marks the entrance to the national park. Both Cemoro Lawang and Ngadisari are rather picturesque, with brightly-painted houses and flower beds outside.

The Tenggerese
The area in and around the park is inhabited by the Tenggerese, one of the few significant Hindu communities left on the island of Java. The local religion is a remnant from the Majapahit era and therefore quite similar to that on Bali but with even more animist elements. The Tenggerese are believed to be descendents of the Majapahit princes and were driven into the hills after mass arrivals in the area of devoutly Muslim Madurese in the 19th century. These Madurese immigrants were labourers working for Dutch coffee plantation owners and the native Hindu people of the region soon found themselves outnumbered and either converted to Islam or fled to the inhospitable high mountain tops where they remain today.

The religion is quite low key though (certainly when compared to Bali) with the most visible manifestation of faith being the rather austere Poten temple in the sea of sand. The Tenggerese number about 600,000 and they reside in 30 villages scattered in and around the park with smaller communities elsewhere in East Java.
For many visitors, the sight of the angular-faced, sunburned, moustachioed Tenggerese wrapped in poncho-like blankets, trotting about on ponies with craggy mountains as the backdrop, more resembles Peru than Indonesia!
Landscape
If a landscape was ever needed to demonstrate the meaning of the phrase desolate beauty, then this is surely it. Rugged, barren volcanic peaks, gravel plains and that sea of sand. Truly unworldly.
The park also includes large areas which are very lush and green fed by rivers from the high tops. The medium elevations are clad with much thinner forest before this gives way to the barren plateau and peaks.
Flora and fauna
In the parts of the park which most interest visitors (the caldera and mountain tops) flora and fauna is limited - a general lack of vegetation. At lower elevations and away from the sea of sand there are though lush green valleys with a typical tropical forest flora. The higher elevations before the tree line ends are largely clad with casuarina (cemara) forest.
Down in the valleys, a few leopard cats are present but rarely seen. Java rusa deer, muntjac, marbled cat and wild pig are amongst the mammals more likely to be glimpsed by casual visitors. This park is not so renowned for birdwatching as others in Java but up on the plateau you often see hawks and eagles soaring over the valleys below.
Climate
Temperatures are refreshingly cool during the day but outright cold at night as temperatures can drop close to zero in the summer and are rarely much above 5°C in winter. Daytime temperatures anywhere in the park never exceed 20°C with low teens being normal.
It can rain at anytime and the mean average rainfall is 6,600 mm. Most of that comes in the wet season though - November to March. During periods of heavy rain in January and February especially, many parts of the park are inaccessible due to flooding. Landslips are also a real issue at these times.



When timing any activities in the area, bear in mind that sunset is soon after 5 PM and sunrise is correspondingly early at around 5:30 AM. This means you will usually need to get up by 3:30 AM or so to get to a watchpoint in time for dawn.

For the keen hiker, this park is a dream come true and you can make your own schedule. There are so many possibilities once you are away from the obvious well known area at Mount Bromo. Maps and information about the area are available at one of the many official locations. A very easy hike to the first viewpoint takes 1 hour.

The park operates jeeps too, for the official prices of 275,000 for 2 locations (usually one of the Pananjakan viewpoints and the parking area towards Mount Bromo), or 450,000 for 4 locations. Be weary of hawkers offering "guided" trips for up to twice as much, as the drivers themselves are locals usually with good knowledge. Feel free to ask drivers at any time to stop for photos or ask questions. Visitors may also bring their own vehicles; alternatively, guides can also be rented on motorbike to guide you around. A jeep can fit up to 6 people.

Posts may also request entrance fees (one post per visit). The official fee is minimal, but they may ask for more (although still well under 10,000 rupiah per person). The attentive visitor might rather walk to the post and ask to see and count the tickets directly. No other fees exist, aside from transportation services.

* Mount Bromo edges tinged with sulphur and always bubbling, is the main sight here and sadly, for some tourists it is the only sight. To reach it on foot, pick the left fork at Cemoro Lawang's solitary crossing, then head down the ramp into the caldera and then across the caldera to the Hindu temple (Poten) at the foot of the mountain. From the temple a steep path of 250 concrete steps leads to the edge of the crater and a precarious meter-wide ledge from where you can gaze into the steaming crater. A "fence" will block vehicles from getting too close to Poten, and hundreds of horses serve the trail for those who prefer not to go up on foot. A round trip will cost Rp. 100,00 from the parking area, or a single trip back will cost Rp 30.000 (these are official prices with vouchers). It's much better to casually walk, though: the walk from the tourist centre to the top of the mountain should take no longer than 90 minutes and is about 3km.

* Mount Semeru can be climbed over two days but it is a venture for serious trekkers only and requires a high level of physical fitness. A permit must obtained in advance and would be climbers should be very aware that the mountain will be off-limits during periods of eruptive activity. This is a very active volcano. If you do decide you are up for this you should be able to find a guide to go at least part of the way with you at the park office in Ranupani. That office is also the best source of information for an assessment of the current state of the mountain and for hooking up with serious climbers from around the world.

* Mount Penanjakan (2,770m), its peak also called Viewpoint #1, located just north of the caldera, is a mountaintop viewpoint accessible by paved road from Tosari and hence popular with jeeps and even tour buses. At the peak lies an antenna array (easily spotted from miles around), many shops, a mosque and several "real" buildings. It's the highest point easily accessible, so many visit here to get a good look around. The most popular sight is the sunrise: most of the crowd comes to see the dawn at 5 AM and you will likely have the large concrete observation post to yourself if you arrive later in the day. A steady hike from Bromo to Batok and then around the rim to Penanjakan will take about three hours and the last ascent of about 500 metres is very stiff indeed but truly worthwhile. Ancient Javanese Hindu texts tell of how Bromo-Penanjakan-Semeru (or Mahameru as it was then) was the spiritual axis of the universe and the point of all creation. The view from Penanjakan will explain why - it is truly breathtaking. This is where most of those iconic picture postcard views are taken from. After you have had your fill of the views, a hike back across the sea of sand to Cemoro Lawang will take about two hours.

* Viewpoint #2, along the trail from Cemoro Lawang to Mount Penanjakan, is an excellent way to get a stunning view of the caldera without the crowds. To reach it, head west from Cemoro Lawang (past the Cemoro Indah hotel) for 6 km, passing Tenngerese farms and fields. The paved road eventually turns into a twisty mountain trail that ends with a flight of stairs on the right, and the viewpoint (with concrete shelter) is at the top. Allow 90 minutes hours for the climb up at a steady pace and bring along a flashlight if attempting this at night. From here, you can continue onto Mount Penanjakan by following the trail upwards, after which the trail merges onto the paved road to the viewpoint (total time about 60 minutes one way). If planning to return the same way, mark the spot where the trail emerges onto the road (if you pass a stone lantern on the way down you have gone too far!), and note that descending on this section can get slippery due to loose sand and rocks. As of September 2008, the direct route from Cemoro Lawang up to Penanjakan and Viewpoint #2 is severely damaged because of landslides. The path is still passable, but it can be tricky to spot the dangerous parts in the dark — each vistor should have their own flashlight.