Bali Blog

Photo Journal: Pasar Seni - Sukawati

Barrie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:15:30 +0000

The market town of Sukawati is one place you will inevitably pass through when travelling to Ubud, the mountain areas of Bali or to the East coast of the island. The focal point of this town is the renowned Pasar Seni; undoubtedly the best place to shop in Bali. In fact most of the items [...]

The Importance of Marga

Barrie — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:09:21 +0000

Located 25 klms from Denpasar, Marga is an out-of-the-way place that is definitely worth a visit for its importance in Balinese history. There is an area called Margarana north-west of Marga which is now a cemetery for the 1,372 men and women killed during the fighting in the struggle against the Dutch. There are 1,372 [...]

The Tour D’Indonesia

Barrie — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:49:07 +0000

I am an avid fan of cycle racing and as such, never miss the broadcasts of the various events on the European circuit. It might surprise some of you that there is an event of such like in Indonesia - the Tour D’Indonesia. The event kicked off last Sunday in Jakarta and like most events [...]

Photo of the Day: Nasi Padang

Barrie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:45:07 +0000

One of the great things about Bali is the traditional food. There are of course a plethora of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world but, there are also numerous warungs that prepare the traditional foods from around the archipelago of Indonesia. Although I adore Balinese food, it is the tastes of Sumatra that I [...]

Butterflies in Bali

Barrie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:30:57 +0000

So we’ll live, and pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh At gilded butterflies – Shakespeare: King Lear Being just eight degrees below the Equator, Bali has the type of climate that is pleasing and relatively mild although warm. It is an island that has a diverse range of animal species. One that [...]

Dog Matters in Bali

Barrie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:12:56 +0000

I see no point in killing animals just because they may or may not be infected. But, this is happening in Bali right now, ongoing, in an effort to eradicate Rabies on the island. Healthy dogs are being slaughtered senselessly, principally because Rabies is associated with dogs. I suppose it is the Bhuddist in me [...]

The Sweet Tastes of Bali

Barrie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:42 +0000

If you have a sweet tooth like me then the delicious cakes of Indonesia are sure to please and Bali is no exception. Over the years I have found some nice bakeries down the back streets and alleys in towns and villages right across the island. Closer to home, so to speak, on the tourist [...]

The Mysterious Prasati Blanjong in Sanur

Barrie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:15:17 +0000

I received an email yesterday from a person who will be travelling to Bali next month and staying in Sanur. Apparently she had read in an old guidebook about an antiquity called Prasati Blanjong. She told me there was hardly any information about it or where to find it but she wanted to see it. [...]

Photo of the Day: Lingas in Goa Gadjah

Barrie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:38:04 +0000

Between Peliatan and Bedulu, the antiquity of Goa Gadjah is located on the side of the road some 25 kilometres from Denpasar. Dutch Archaeologists date the site back to the 11th Century around the time of King Airlangga’s reign in Eastern Java according to inscriptions found at the site. There is uncertainty if Goa Gadjah [...]

Gunung Batur on High Alert for Eruption

Barrie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:23:05 +0000

As most travellers to Bali know, Gunung Batur and the crater-lake Danau Batur are the stunning views you are afforded when you visit Kintamani. I was reading an article today that the active volcano has now been designated for a possible eruption with its status raised from normal to alert. I recalled on my [...]