Enjoying Ramayana ballet's love story at Prambanan

The Ramayana is one of the two greatest Hindu epics.

The story explores human values, the concept of dharma (cosmic order) and finally, by using "ideal" brothers, servants, fathers, wives and even kings, proper human conduct.

All together, the Ramayana is made up of 24,000 verses and seven books. It tells the story of the model king, Rama, a manifestation of the Hindu god, Vishnu, whose beloved wife, Sita, has been kidnapped by the demon-king, Ravana

This memorable ancient Indian literary work has had an important influence on arts and culture, not only in India, but throughout Southeast Asia, where it became popular in the 8th century.

The Ramayana has been represented in books, dance choreography, theater plays, temple architecture and paintings.

In Yogyakarta, the Ramayana was adapted to local taste and represented through dance. It has now become one of the most important dances in the city.

The story might have originated in India, but the version in Yogyakarta is truly Javanese, as is the music.

On a trip to Yogyakarta, make sure to head to Prambanan temple and attend one of the incredible evening dance performances running from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., weather permitting

During the dry season, from May to October, the ballet is held on the open-air stage. From November to April, the performance takes place indoors at the Trimutri theatre.

While waiting for the show to start, dinner is available at the nearby Prambanan Garden Resto, which features a wide range of Indonesian dishes and a romantic setting.

With more than 150 professional gamelan musicians and dancers in the performance, your evening will most certainly be a memorable one.

 

Things to do with kids in Bali

Spending a holiday in Bali can be more enjoyable with family and kids. Here is a list of kid-friendly activities to enjoy on a lazy Bali holiday.

Bounce and Strike at the 'New' Canggu Club
If you are a sporty family, this club's activities might be the perfect fit.

As the name suggests, Bounce is a trampoline center. Strike is a bowling center above Bounce; both located on Jl. Canggu Club in Canggu.

Bounce is said to be the first of its kind on the island, offering a gravity-defying experience and airborne acrobatics in a safe and controlled environment. It has several arenas connected and outfitted with framed and spring-loaded trampolines, completely covered with two-inch foam pads to ensure safety. The mini-trampolines provide an opportunity for games of six-on-side dodge ball and there are two basketball hoops for slam-dunk competitions.

Meanwhile, enabling family members to team up for bowling time, Strike offers a modern ten-pin bowling center consisting of six lanes and automatic pinsetters complete with a computerized scoring system. Besides the bowling arena, it also has a restaurant and bar area serving food and drinks.

Top 7 historic hotels in Indonesia

The latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) counted 1,996 starred hotels currently operating in Indonesia. The rise of Indonesia as a travel destination in the past decades has certainly fueled hotel development in the country, as the number is twice the amount of starred hotels available in Indonesia in 2004.

Among many of these luxurious new lodging facilities, few stand out as hotels with historical significance. Those hotels were built decades ago and are now part of the country’s cultural heritage.

Aside from impeccable comfort, historic hotels offer added value as they played a role in the nation’s past, whether during Dutch colonial time, Indonesia’s war of independence, or the early post-independence time.

Bali Handara Kosaido / Mountain Golf Course in Bali

Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is one of the golf courses located in the mountain and sightseeing area with beautiful panorama of Tamblingan Lake. It is situated in the plateau area of Bedugul Bali, the cool temperature surrounds the golf course, and the green rain forest covers your view from the course hence making your golf experiences are more enjoyable and full fun. The world-class of golf tournament have been executed in this place and serve with the professional staff and caddy who guide you on your lovely golf game. Bali Handara Kosaido is located about 1000 meter above sea level and 3 hours drive from Bali's International Airport. Some of the places of interest around the golf course like Beratan Lake, Ulun Danu Temple can be visited on your way to the golf course and in our package we have provided one hour, Bedugul Tour to visit this tourist places.

Golfing Experience in Plateau Area of Bedugul Bali

In the lush highlands of Bali, at more than 1000 meters above sea level, The Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is blessed by the perfect climate around the golf course. The tropical rain forest surrounding the course and commanding views of the lake nearby make Bali Handara is one of the highlights golf courses on your Bali Golf Holiday. Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is one of the greatest golf courses in the world. It is own 18 holes and 72 part championship course masterfully designed by famous international golfer and course architect Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge and associates in 1974.

Special Rate

18-HOLES US$ 160 net/person
(Minimum 2 persons)

Rates are inclusive of:

• 10% VAT
• 18 holes green fee
• Government tax and service charge
• One hour Bedugul Tour including entrance fee
• Caddy
• Golf Cart - Twin sharing
• Round trip hotel transfer (Valid for stay at Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Jimbaran, Tuban, Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Sanur, Tanah Lot and Ubud Area only)

Additional Cost
Full Set Club Premium	USD 45 net/set
Shoes rental	USD 7 net / pair

Optional: Caddy Tips and drinks

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• The additional charge of 3% will be charged if the payment is made by credit card on spot for bank administration fee
• Payment can be also made via PayPal
• The above rates are valid until 31 March 2015
• Caddy Tips will be optional
• All rate quoted on the page are subject to change without notice and strictly valid when the booking is made via Bali Star Island only
• All booking confirmations are subject to availability basis.

Cancellation and No Show Policy

Cancellation fee will be charged if the cancellation is made within:

• 7 days before the golf date up to no show will be charged full(100%) of the total invoice
• Group booking will be advised upon the confirmation is made

Chinese New Year | Imlek 2566

 

Chinese New Year calendar is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar, so there are different date each year with the Gregorian calendar (used internationally). Chinese New Year is usually always in the period January 21 to February 20 and 2015, fell on 19 February 2015.
Most festivals China comes from trust worship the gods to appease them and prevent misfortune.
Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia, known locally as the Lunar New Year, combining customs, beliefs and practices brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants who still follow the practices inherited from their parents.
Previously, Chinese New Year is not a national holiday on the calendar Indonesia for years, but starting in 2002, Chinese New Year became a national holiday, for the pleasure of millions of Chinese Indonesian.

 

Chinese New Year is a time to show respect for those who have died and to reunite with family members.
 The ancestors remembered with great respect because they are responsible for laying the foundation for the family fortune.
 In the ethnic Chinese community there are immigrants from various regions throughout China. Each immigrant communities bring a unique tradition of their hometown to Indonesia. This explains the origin of diversity in the way the Chinese New Year celebrations across the Indonesian archipelago.

 An important part of the preparation for the celebration is a thorough cleaning of the family home. This is important not only as a preparation for the many guests to expect during the holidays, but also as a symbol of evil sprits sweep that might be lurking in dark corners or behind a heavy piece of furniture that rarely moves.
 All work must be completed before the dawn of the New Year's Day. If not completed, the family believes they will have bad luck in the year of work and boring. Sweeps can not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away.

 On New Year's Eve family members gather to share traditional foods. Family members came from all cities in Indonesia to welcome the New Year together and usually at the home of the oldest family member.
 According to custom, the male head of the family of the lead in making offerings to various gods and ancestral family home.
 Homage to the god of wealth, and the gods of the well, a bed, a fireplace and the other gods in order to remain on good terms. The offerings are usually a variety of foods, pastries and fruits are placed in the offering table, placed outside the home. While holding incense in both hands, each member of the family will 'pai-pai' (prostration) three times to show respect for the gods of the house. Then incense holder placed on the table of offerings and family members bowed again to show respect and ask permission to enter the house.

 Table of offerings to the ancestors is also set in the house, the family member who has died. Photos of the dead man hanged on the table. In the family home kayaterdapat special room that is used as the ancestral hall complete with an altar and a table for every generation. Small offerings are placed throughout the year to honor family members who have died. On New Year's Day, offering table will be decorated as beautiful as possible and filled with food, flowers and a special dish that is usually enjoyed by the deceased during his lifetime.

 Lion Dance / Barong Sai

 Lion may be seen in public on New Year's Day in other Asian countries, but in Indonesia they are usually called upon to come into private homes.
 Lion Dance is like a huge dragon puppet measuring between 4-6 meters manned by three or four dancers. The dancers who controls the Lion's head should be well versed in Kung Fu as many steps in the dance resembles the movement of Kung Fu. The perpetrator must have great strength and durability when using large dragon as it weighs up to several hundred pounds.
 Lion troops, consisting of at least 10 people, will arrive at a house using a truck. The accompanying orchestra can be heard long before the arrival. Family happy visited by Lion because they feel it will bring good luck to them. At the end of the dance audience puts in the mouth angpau Lion in recognition of its performance.

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