Enjoy the Atmosphere of Ubud Village

 

 
Some of the tourists who come to Bali, seek a peaceful tourist destinations. Ubud is a great base for those looking for a peaceful living standards in Bali. Furthermore Ubud also offers place for escape from busy monotonous life. Ubud is already become famous as an art heaven. Green rice paddies and steep valley at the foot of the hill which is located in this Bali center part, gives never unforgettable wonderful feeling. Ubud is located at 25km to the north of Denpasar. The village originally, was a place an important source of plants and crops.




In 1930 from 1920, foreign artists such as Walter Spies who enjoys art in Ubud became a pioneer who revolutionized this village became the center of the art village. This village in recent years, began to enjoy the development of tourism, tourists will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the creative arts and the relaxed lifestyle of farm life in the village of Ubud.

Main street of this village, and Jalan Raya Ubud through the center of the town extends from east to west (Ubud Boulevard), two long street, is Hanoman street extending from Monkey Forest Street and Jalan Raya Ubud south. Puri Saren is a big palace, which is located at the intersection of Monkey Forest Street and Ubud Boulevard. You will find many restaurants Balinese cuisine to Western cuisine from the Monkey Forest and the Hanuman street. Authentic Balinese cuisine made from fresh ingredients at a local shop (stalls located along the road) has become one distinctive cuisine of this art tourism area.
 

One more good tourist spot list that always visited are Sukawati market of south Ubud. More than one hundred stores craft / art shop supply products with high quality, especially the handmade souvenirs made of stone and wood.

When visiting the temple Tirta Empul located at a distance of only about 15 miles, which is the heritage of the ancient Balinese dynasty, I feel like going back to ancient times. Here is a temple complex, where Tirta Empul is a sacred fountain. Since Ubud is relatively small, you can explore the city on foot, you can also rent a bicycle or motorcycle.

10 TRADITIONAL CLOTHS FROM INDONESIA

I am always amazed by the richness of Indonesian culture. Lets recognize or learn the richness of Indonesian culture.  at this time I would like to invite you to recognize traditional Indonesian fabrics. Here are 10 traditional Indonesian fabric:

1. Batik

The word batik is thought to be derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. The suffix 'tik' means little dot, drop, point or to make dots. Batik may also originate from the Javanese word 'tritik' which describes a resist process for dying where the patterns are reserved on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying, similar to tie dye techniques. Another Javanese phase for the mystical experience of making batik is “mbatik manah” which means “drawing a batik design on the heart”.

Some experts feel that batik was originally reserved as an art form for Javanese royalty. Certainly it's royal nature was clear as certain patterns were reserved to be worn only by royalty from the Sultan's palace. Princesses and noble women may have provided the inspiration for the highly refined design sense evident in traditional patterns. It is highly unlikely though that they would be involved in any more than the first wax application. Most likely, the messy work of dyeing and subsequent waxings was left to court artisans who would work under their supervision.

Visit batik factories in Jogjakarta, Surakarta or Pekalongan to see for yourself how the intricate process is conducted or ask questions of batik artisans giving demonstrations in stores such as Sarinah or Pasaraya in Jakarta. You will come away with sense of wonder over the time, effort and patience put into the creation of each batik cloth. You too may soon grow to love the distinctive waxy smell of batik and your batik acquisitions will provide many memories of your stay in Indonesia.

2. Ulos

Ulos is the traditional cloth of the Batak people of North Sumatra. Different kinds of ulos have different ceremonial significance. The ulos is normally worn draped over the shoulder or shoulders, or in weddings to ceremonially bind the bride and groom together. Ulos are traditionally hand woven and in the case of higher-quality examples are significant family heirlooms, to be worn at important events, such as funerals and weddings.
According to Batak people, there are 3 sources of warmthness for human; Sun, Fire and Ulos. Ulos is said to be a source of warmth because they were living on cold mountains. This natural condition makes the sunlight insufficient to give warmth especially at night. Then, they create something that is able to give them warmth, also believed to be able to give the men bravery and the women strength against infertility .
At first, Ulos was only used as an ordinary cloth. But it later developed to a symbol of love, traditional ceremony requirements, and society structural system symbol. Even Ulos is believed to have magical religious power and thus considered 'sacred' and that it has special power to protect the user.
There are many kinds and motives of Ulos, which have their own respective meaning in accordance to the characteristic, condition, function, and some relation. When it is used given to whom, and which traditional ceremony like wedding, birth, death and other rituals will never run without Ulos. If Ulos is used by a man, the upper part of it is called ande-ande, the lower called singkot, the one used on head called tali-tali, bulang-bulang or detar. But, because of its sacred value, not all Ulos can be used in daily activities. Ulos Jugja, Sadum, Ragidup, and Runjat are only used in some occasions. In everyday life, men wear Ulos in box pattern with black shirt named baju Kurung without shoes nor sandals.

3. Tenun Ikat

 

Ikat is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric.In ikat the resist is formed by binding individual yarns or bundles of yarns with a tight wrapping applied in the desired pattern. The yarns are then dyed. The bindings may then be altered to create a new pattern and the yarns dyed again with another color. This process may be repeated multiple times to produce elaborate, multicolored patterns. When the dyeing is finished all the bindings are removed and the yarns are woven into cloth. In other resist-dyeing techniques such as tie-dye and batik the resist is applied to the woven cloth, whereas in ikat the resist is applied to the yarns before they are woven into cloth. Because the surface design is created in the yarns rather than on the finished cloth, in ikat both fabric faces are patterned.A characteristic of ikat textiles is an apparent "blurriness" to the design. The blurriness is a result of the extreme difficulty the weaver has lining up the dyed yarns so that the pattern comes out perfectly in the finished cloth. The blurriness can be reduced by using finer yarns or by the skill of the craftsperson. Ikats with little blurriness, multiple colors and complicated patterns are more difficult to create and therefore often more expensive. However, the blurriness that is so characteristic of ikat is often prized by textile collectors

4. Kain Gringsing

 

Gringsing known as weaving as a characteristic of the village of Tenganan Pegringsingan. It is not known exactly when the fabric gringsing began appearing in the village of Tenganan Pegringsingan. Also unknown who first introduced this weaving in the village of Tenganan Pegringsingan. Gringsing sacred meaning that is as repellent reinforcements, this can be seen from the word Gringsing gring derived from the word meaning "sick" and sing meant "no", with so gringsing means to avoid pain. Gringsing motif that forms a plus sign describes the philosophy of life for people of Tenganan, the "balance", just like the swastika, a symbol of balance in Balinese Hinduism. There are only 3 colors are visible on gringsing, which is white or yellow represents oxygen or air, the red symbolizes the heat or energy, and black symbolizes water. Generally, people gringsing Tenganan has a centuries-old fabric used in special ceremonies, such as tooth filing ceremonies, weddings, and other religious ceremonies, performed by relying on the strength of the fabric gringsing

5. Songket

Songket is a fabric that belongs to the brocade family of textiles of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. It is hand-woven in silk or cotton, and intricately patterned with gold or silver threads. The metallic threads stand out against the background cloth to create a shimmering effect. In the weaving process the metallic threads are inserted in between the silk or cotton weft (latitudinal) threads in a technique called supplementary weave
There are two categories of songket weaving equipments; the main weaving equipment made from wooden or bamboo frame; and the supporting equipment which includes thread stretching tool, motif making tool, thread inserting and picking tools. The materials for making songket consist of cotton or silk threads or other fibers as the base fabric and decoration threads made from golden, silver or silk threads. It is believed that in ancient times, real gold threads were used to create songket; the cotton threads were run along heated liquid gold, coating the cotton and creating gold thread. However today because the scarcity and the expensiveness of real gold threads, imitation gold or silver threads are commonly used instead.
Songket weaving is done in two stages, weaving the basic cloth with even or plain weaving and weaving the decoration inserted into basic cloth, this method is called "inlay weaving system". The shining gold, silver or silk threads were inserted and woven into the plain weave base cloth in certain motifs, creating a shimmering effect of golden pattern against darker plain background. Songket weaving is traditionally done as a part-time job by young girls and older women in between their daily domestic chores. The complicated process of songket making is believed to cultivate virtues, as it reflects the values of diligence, carefulness and patience.
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6. Sasirangan

Sasirangan itself is derived from the Banjar word sirang or menyirang meaning “to stitch together” which illustrates the delicate process of hand stitching and weaving of the traditional fabric. The method in making Sasirangan is similar to that in Javanese Batik, which applies the barrier coloring process. The difference is that Sasirangan uses barrier cloth such as string or yarn instead of wax and ‘canting’. The artist stitches the pre-made patterns on cloths, then bind the required patterns with string to avoid contamination with other colors, the fabric then dipped in dyes.
Traditionally, natural dyes were used for colors; turmeric roots were used to create yellow, karabintang fruit and areca nut to make red and brown colors, etc. Today chemical dye is more commonly used. This coloring process is called Pewarnaan Rintang, or color blockage. The last step is removing the stitches when the pattern designs would appear clearly. One cannot create an exact pattern because of the manual process. Unlike in contemporary Javanese batik printing, mass production of Sasirangan is not possible either. Productios of a simple piece of Sasirangan can take about 4 days, while the complex pieces require a few months to finish.

7. Tapis

Tapis is a traditional weaving style from Lampung, Indonesia. The word tapis also refers to the resulting cloth. It consists of a striped, naturally-coloured cloth embroidered with warped and couched gold thread. Traditionally using floral motifs, it has numeorus variations. It is generally worn ceremonially, although it can be used as a decoration. It is considered one of the symbols of Lampung.
Tapis is generally made by Lampungese women. It consists of a woven, naturally coloured fabric with warped gold and silk embroidery. The gold thread, shaped in stripes, chevrons, and checks, contrasts the colours of the fabric.Tapis can also be decorated with beads, mica chips, or old colonial coins
The gold embroidery is affixed using couching techniques, minimalizing waste. The gold thread is attached in sections, then couched with a different, less expensive, thread at turns. This ensures that none of the gold thread is used in a non-visible area
Traditionally, tapis has floral motifs. However, modern tapis may also be based on the weaver's own design and include non-floral motifs, such as Arabic calligraphy. Other designs may include snakes, ships, and mythical creatures.Some tapis, called tapis tua (old tapis), are covered entirely in golden embroidery.
Although generally produced by Lampungese home industries, tapis is also produced in other areas, including Kendal, Central Java and Pisang Island.

8. Kain Besurek

 

Besurek is the traditional cloth of Bengkulu, and has a similar appearance to the well-known Batik, hand painted fabrics that can be found throughout Indonesia. What distinguishes Besurek from most Javanese Batik is that the motifs that typically adorn this particular fabric are of decorative Arabic Calligraphy as well as other elements of Islamic culture. The name “besurek,” comes from a word that means to compose or to write, so besurek can, in a sense be considered a form of writing.

Besurek’s manufacturing process is not too different from the usual Javanese Batiks, that can be hand-drawn or printed, and uses similar materials, such as cotton with silk embroidery. The artist may use a variety of methods and tools while creating the motifs, such as etching, dyeing and stencils.
Besurek does not consist only of a single motif, but is a much larger composition, incorporating several designs. Arabic calligraphy is the one constant that is present in all besurek, but is often combined with other patterns.
Of the typical Besurek compositions, the first, of course, is the bare Arabic script, usually illegible. The Rafflesia flower found in Bengkulu forests, commonly referred to as the corpse flower because of its stench ,is the world’s largest flower and the symbol flower of Bengkulu. This is said to be the most widely used motif in Besurek after calligraphy. The pheasant, a characteristic bird of the province, is another symbol of Bengkulu. Pheasants in various pictorial forms are often found on Besurek, but constructed from a series of calligraphic letters. Other commonly seen patterns are those of a full, shining moon, combined with calligraphic motifs,or a display of Jasmine flowers, characteristic to Bengkulu flora.

9. Tenun Dayak

“Tenun Dayak / Dayak Ikat Weaving” is a traditional weaving process from the heart of Indonesian in Borneo, Kalimantan. “Ikat” meaning “to bind” involves tying and dyeing thread before it is woven into elaborate designs. The symbolic Dayak motives incorporated into the woven patterns make every cloth unique: each depiction has a specific meaning, allowing every cloth to tell its weaver’s story. The skill and time required for each piece have made ikat weavings a prime collectible item, particularly when the cloth is aged. Patterns are passed down from generation to generation, deeply rooting the craft form in the Sintang Dayak culture. The delicate allure of Ikat products makes them perfect décor and couture accessories. Their elaborate designs can be played up or down to best fit one’s personal tastes.

10. Sutra Bugis

Bugis Silk is one of the local handicrafts from South Sulawesi, manufacture found in the area Sengkang District Wajo. Generally they still using traditional tools and materials to make it. This fabric is usually woven using silk thread to produce a variety of motifs and colors are gorgeous. Typically, Bugis woven fabric is used as a subordinate kebaya or baju kurung. You can find various motifs silk Bugis, including Balo Renni (small boxes), Balo hole (big boxes) and Bombang (zig-zag motif depicting ocean waves).
 

Starfruit, an Exotic fruit..

 

Starfruit is also known as carambola. Starfruit is native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. The fruit in cross section is a five-pointed star, hence its name. The skin is green to yellowish, slightly waxy and edible. The juicy flesh is yellow, transparent with a single black edible seed. The flavour of the fruit is fresh and slightly sweet and comparable to a mix of papaya, orange and grapefruit all at once. The riper starfruit is yellow and can have some brown edges. The taste is much sweeter.


Starfruit do not need to be peeled or seeded before eating. Simply wash the fruit, cut crosswise to get the star shape, and eat.

Starfruit can be eaten out-of-hand because the fruit is entirely edible. The fruit is also commonly used in salads, cakes, jams, jellies, cocktails or to garnish food dishes.

Starfruit is ripe when they are firm and have a yellow skin. It will also have some brown ridges at the edges. The fruit can be kept at room temperature for a few days.
  
The carambola is a tropical and subtropical fruit. It can be grown at up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in elevation. It prefers full sun exposure, but requires enough humidity and a total of 70 inches or more of rainfall a year. It does not have a soil type preference, but it requires good drainage
Carambola trees are planted at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from each other and typically are fertilized three times a year. The tree grows rapidly and typically produces fruit at four or five years of age. The large amount of rain during spring actually reduces the amount of fruit, but, in ideal conditions, carambola can produce from 200 to 400 pounds (91 to 181 kg) of fruit a year.

What is Gamelan?

Gamelan is the music of Indonesia (pronounced Gah-Meh-Lahn). Gamelan orchestras are usually percussion oriented, but some varieties may feature flutes, bowed and plucked strings, or vocalists in a prominent role. Many different islands, or regions within islands, have their own unique Gamelan instruments and traditions.
The most common types of Gamelan use bronze, iron, bamboo, or wood bars, as well as bronze and iron gongs, gong chimes, cymbals, bells, and two headed drums. Gamelan-like instruments are found in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian nations. 

 
The word Gamelan comes from the ancient roots "gambel" (Bali) and "gamel" (Java). Gambel means to play, musically. Most Indonesian languages define gambel as to make a sound by striking or playing a musical instrument, such as a gong or a drum (in Indonesian Pukul Bunyi Bunyi. Bunyi means to sound. It also means to ring, to blow, or to pronounce. In other words, to make a desired and intentional sound.) However, earlier languages, such as Kawi in Bali and Jawa Kuno in Java, also define the term as to handle or hold, as a musician handles an instrument or a worker handles a tool.
The root word gamel is no longer used in modern Indonesian languages and gamelan has come to officially mean "an Indonesian orchestra."
Technically put, Gamelan is really just music. The suffix "-an" converts the word gamel from a verb to a noun. Today the word Gamelan is used to distinguish Indonesian music as a style. But, at one time, Gamelan meant all kinds of music. When new music came to the islands, it was called Gamelan. For thousands of years, the artistic tradition of Indonesian cultures was to absorb the best of music and arts from the outside. This accounts for many instruments, scales, songs, and aesthetic aspects of the music. For instance, in Kawi, the words Gamelan and Merdangga are synonymous. Merdangga is a drum from South India. There was never a need for the term Gamelan to be "style specific" until the western world introduced radically different musics and new exclusive names to go with them. 

The term Gamelan is not at all "percussion dependent," as it might appear. For example, flute ensembles in Bali play gamelan music exclusively, yet percussion takes a secondary role. Gamelan Kacapi Suling from sunda consists of flute and zithers and no percussion at all. Gamelan is a particular way of playing and thinking about music. It can be done with a gong, a few slabs of lumber, a string, or a double reed horn. Percussion is merely preferred in some cases. Often this is for the purpose of projecting over a great distance.
Some definitions may suggest that the root word "gamel" means to hammer. This may be assumed because many instruments are struck with a wooden mallet. But, hammers are for nails. The word for hammer is Palu in most Indonesian languages. And gamel means more than to strike or hit something. The Balinese words for strike or hit include nglantig, ngemplang, and nyagur. Gamel only means to strike in the context of initiating a defined sound (bunyi). In other words, one would not gamel a nail. So, please don't hit a gamelan instrument. Play it.
 

Bias Tugal, Bali Hidden Beach

Well, today I would like to share a little information about amazing place with spectacular beach to you. This place is special place, because a little of visitor who come to Bali knowing about this place. namely Pantai Bias Tugal, the location in Karangasem Regency. Pantai Bias Tugal is about 90 minutes by taxi from Ngurah Rai International Airport . Pantai Bias Tugal is 54 km east from Denpasar and takes about 1 hour to 90 minutes to drive from the southern tourist areas of Kuta and Legian. If you arrive at Padangbai turn right at the main street and pass the post office you will be on the right track. About 10 meters further there is a dirt road going uphill. I drove up there with a motorbike, but I can imagine that you would prefer to walk. It is quite a hike but if you stick to the dirt road you will reach the top and see Bias Tugal lying below. Then it is time to hike down. Ask around if you are not sure. The people there are very happy to help you. 

Bias Tugal Beach, also called Pantai Kecil (Little Beach),Bias Tugel means the deduction of sand. Not many tourists know this beach, since it is very isolated and secluded. Nonetheless, this beach is very beautiful, with very clean water, clean white sands and quite beach, not so many people in this beach. There are many coconut trees around the beach. Bias Tugal Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach and the best beach in Padang Bai. Good for swimming, though the currents can be strong. There are several restaurants, but they are not very good. The beach is surrounded by a monstrous, unfinished resort.

When I swim at Bias Tugal beach. I was see sweet lips of box fish, clown fish, cleaner fish, octopuses, moray eels, stingrays, lion fish and all kinds of tropical marine life. Bias Tugal Beach It's a great place to relax, enjoy the beach and eat fish!I love the beach and if the tide is good then it is excellent for swimming. Don't forget to bring drinks and snacks , because there is hardly anything there

For your information :

The waves is quite big, particularly when the ferry has just passed.

If you can't swim, I guess don't go outside the shoreline, because the sandy area just for several meters from it.

Actually, if you overseas to Lombok by ferry from Padang Bai harbour, you can catch a glimpse of the beach.

There are reef at the right side of the beach, worth exploring!

Well guest, that's about a little beautiful beach in Bali, for more information you can visit www.balistarisland.com. Have a nice trips in Bali

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Tips to enjoy 10 long weekends in Indonesia in 2015

 

The year 2015 will be an exciting one for travel buffs with many of the public holidays falling on appropriate weekdays, creating plenty of long-weekend opportunities to enjoy.

In fact, 2015 will have five public holidays that will fall on either Friday or Monday, creating five three-day long weekends. There are also five more public holidays that will happen on either Tuesday or Thursday, creating opportunities for four-day long weekends, should you decide to take a leave of absence on the bridge day.

We have four other public holidays: three of them will fall on weekends and the other one – Islamic New Year – will be on Wednesday.

In Indonesia, it is rare for people to take a leave of absence of more than a week from work. Most jobs only allow their employees an average of 14 days of leave per year, which most Indonesians save for emergency occasions. This is why long weekends are popular amongst locals, who use them as a time for recreation.