Gamelan Gong Kebyar (Balinase Traditional Musical Instrument)

Hi , if you came to Bali you will hear music traditional Bali. In Bali we call gamelan for the all traditional musical instrument. Gamelan bali have many types, but I will discuss you about Gong kebyar. Gamelan Gong kebyar is a modern style or traditional music genre Bali.

Gamelan Gong Kebyar was first documented to exist in North Bali in the early 1900′s. The first public performance was in December 1915 at a gamelan gong competition in Jagaraga, North Bali. Ten years later, I Mario of Tabanan is said to have created kebyar dance to accompany the music.

Instruments in Gamelan Gong Kebyar offer a wide range of pitches and timbres, ranging five octaves from the deepest gongs to the highest key on a gangsa. The high end can be described as “piercing,” the low end “booming and sustained,” while the drums as “crisp”. Kebyar instruments are most often grouped in pairs, or “gendered.” Each pair consists of a male and female instrument, the female being slightly larger and slightly lower in pitch. See tuning in this article to learn why this is.

The following is the division of instruments:

Gangsa Kantilan, Gangsa Pemadé, Ugal, Calung, Jegogan, Gong Gede, Kempur, Kelenong Kempli, Kajar, Reyong, Terompong, Kendang, Ceng-Ceng, Suling, Kelenang, Rebab.

Be Guling

Hey, We will not ask you “how are you?” again. He He He..

Okay, now We will explain about one of the best culinary in Bali. It is “Be Guling”. Almost everyone in Bali liked Be Guling. We got the inspiration to write this article when we are in Warung Be Guling (Traditional Restaurant in Bali for Be Guling). So we want to share to you all.

Be Guling or babi guling is a type of food made from female or male small pig whose belly is filled with herbs and vegetables such as cassava leaves. Baked while twisted around (rolling) until cooked to be marked by changes in skin color to brown and crisp. Babi Guling is used for serving on ritual ceremonies in Bali. But, do not worry. Babi Guling sold as a meal in the shops, restaurants, even hotels in Bali. So, if you visit Bali you can find it in the hotel or restaurant.

If you are ordering food, you will feel a different taste sensation. Crispy, spicy flavor and taste sensation of traditional Balinese. In cuisine, accompanied by rice, Lawar, (sambal) Balinese sauce, and satay. It also has the same taste sensation. Because all the flavored Balinese traditional. You just need a mineral water for drink. But you can also order Es Jeruk (Lemon ice) or Es Kelapa Muda (Coconut ice). Felt more delicious.

That’s Be Guling, the Best Balinese Culinary in Bali. We think you have to prepare a glass of water next to your computer.

Ho Ho Ho..

Lawar (Bali culinery)

You know lawar? Ok lawar is typical food in Bali. Lawar is most delicious served at noon. If you came to bali , you can get it in restaurant. Lawar usually obtained in traditional Balinese cermony. Lawar have many types that is, “Lawar ayam” made use  chicken meat, “lawar penyu” made use turtle meat, “Lawar celeng” made use pig meat, and “lawar kuwir”.

lawar is also made from vegetables and grated coconut. you don’t regret if you come to Bali and try various food in Bali

Saraswati ceremony in bali

Hey, How are you? long time no see. I’m Sorry about that. Okay, let’s begin. We’ll introduce you about Saraswati Ceremony in Bali.

Saraswati Ceremony is the celebration of the revelation of knowledge or science (vidya). This celebration is based on calculations of Balinese Calendar, exactly on the day of Wuku Watugunung Saniscara (Saturday). celebrations are done in place of an education such as schools, libraries and other places. Celebration is done by praying together by the school community

Saraswati is the Shakti (wife) of Brahma. Saraswati is symbolized as a goddess who stands above the lotus with the swan (Hamsa) and peacock next to her. Have four hand with a sitar / Veena and ganatri on both the right hand, the left hand bring literature / books and one left hand  to play guitar.

Meanings of that symbols are:

• White skin, meaning: as a basic science (vidya) is white, clean and pure.

• Book / libraries in the left hand, meaning: All forms of knowledge and science that is a kular.

• Veena, meaning: art, music, culture and sound AUM. It is also a symbol of harmony of mind, budhi, life with the natural environment.

• Ganatri in his right hand, meaning: the spiritual science that is more meaningful than many who are secular science (left hand). But nevertheless the importance of books and teaching various sciences, but without a sincere appreciation and devotion, all these teachings will superfluous or useless.

• Goose (Hamsa), symbolizing: know where the dirt and where to eat, which is good which is bad, even in the filthy water and turbid

• Peacock, meaning: hairy lovely, beautiful and brilliant even if their habitats in the forest.

• Lotus Flowers / Lotus, meaning: can thrive and produce beautiful flowers even though his life on the dirty water .

Meaning of Saraswati Celebration

• We should be grateful to God for the gift of intelligence and science

• By vidya (knowledge), we can be free from avidya (ignorance).

• We can learn from goose  (symbol) to become a wiser person.

Is that good? But that’s what we do in Bali to respect science. Date and time of celebration can be seen on our calendar. Thank you…

Kecak Dance

Hi, now I’ll introduce you about Kecak Dance. You know Kecak dance ? If you don’t, you can see it here.

Kecak (pronunciation: / ‘ke.tʃak /, roughly “Keh-chahk”, alternate spelling: Ketjak, Ketjack, and armpits), is a typical Balinese performing arts that was created in the arround 1930′s and played mainly by men. This dance is performed by many (tens or more) male dancers who sat lined up in a circle and with a certain rhythm called “cak” and raised both arms, depicts the story of Ramayana when Rama’s line of apes help fight Ravana. However, Kecak comes from the ritual sanghyang , namely the tradition of dancing the dancers will be in a condition not realized, to communicate with God or the spirits of the ancestors and then convey its expectations to the public. The dancers in the circle is wearing a plaid cloth like a chessboard their waist. Besides the dancers, there are also other dancers who portray the characters of Ramayana as Rama, Shinta, Ravana, Hanuman, and Sugriwa. Kecak dance songs taken from the ritual dances sanghyang. Also, do not use musical instruments. Only used kincringan worn on the feet of dancers who portray the characters of Ramayana.

German painter and musician Walter Spies became deeply interested in the ritual while living in Bali in the 1930s and worked to recreate it into a drama, based on the Hindu Ramayana and including dance, intended to be presented to Western tourist audiences. This transformation is an example of what James Clifford describes as part of the “modern art-culture system” in which, “the West or the central power adopts, transforms, and consumes non-Western or peripheral cultural elements, while making ‘art’ which was once embedded in the culture as a whole, into a separate entity.”Spies worked with Wayan Limbak and Limbak popularized the dance by traveling throughout the world with Balinese performance groups. These travels have helped to make the Kecak famous throughout the world.
A Kecak dance being performed at Uluwatu, in Bali
A Kecak dance being performed at Kolese Kanisius, Jakarta

Performer, choreographer, and scholar I Wayan Dibia cites a contrasting theory that the Balinese were already developing the form when Spies arrived on the island. For example, well-known dancer I Limbak had incorporated Baris movements into the cak leader role during the 1920s. “Spies liked this innovation,” and it suggested that Limbak, “devise a spectacle based on the Ramayana,” accompanied by cak chorus rather than gamelan, as would have been usual.
how? Are you interested? You can come to bali to see this show.
Notify me if you will come here.
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Tanjung Benoa and water sports

Tanjung Benoa adjacent to Nusa Dua proved to have its own uniqueness. It was a blessing to have an Amid quiet sea in this coastal region. Tanjung Benoa is located in the southeastern tip of the Island of Bali and Nusa Dua adjacent to the region. It Can be reached within 35 minutes from Kuta, 40 minutes from Sanur and 20 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport. Tanjung Benoa is a perfect place for water sport activities. Beaches in this area are very quiet unlike in Kuta, Sanur or Uluwatu. It makes this region the only place for these fun games. Water sports that we can enjoyed here such as :

1. Jet Ski
2. Parasailing
3. Banana Boat
4. Scuba Diving
5. Snorkeling
6. Glassbottom plus a visit to Turtle Island
7. Flying Fish
8. Seawalker
9. Water Skiing
10. Rolling Donut
11. Wake Board

Activities here usually begin in the morning around 8AM to 2PM, because after that the water will recede and you  can’t even enjoy the games anymore because  the boat wasn’t operated at that time. With a reliable instructors, will provide assurance of safety and comfort while you enjoy the game here. Here are the definition about the watersports above :

• Jet Ski

It seems that everyone are familiar with this sport although they haven’t tried it yet. Jet Ski use a vehicle on the beach like a motorcycle. You can’t drive the vehicle here by yourself,  you should be accompanied by an instructor, think of there are many boats and other water sport activities here at Tanjung Benoa beach. So the collisions can be avoided. Do not worry, the instructor will only drive from the beach toward the middle of the sea. And then you drive the  rest. The games duration is around 15 minutes. If you want an exciting ride, you should try an actions  with the waves. Then you will feel the sensation of driving this vehicle. Interesting isn’t it?

• Parasailing

Parasailing is a game where you will be wearing a parachute and the parachute is pulled by speedboat draw round Tanjung Benoa Beach. So just like real skydiving. This game duration is 4 minutes in the air (1 Lap). Height of the rope that connect the parachute with a speedboat approximately 80 meters. Pretty high huh? It is very challenging and full of fun. For those who are afraid of heights should not try this game.

• Banana Boat

This game is the most amusing game here I think. This game uses a single rubber boat pulled by a speedboat around the coast within 15 minutes. Banana boat max capacity is 5 people (including one person as an assistant instructor). It certainly wouldn’t be fun if you didn’t fall into the sea in this game. So, you should try and ask the speedboat driver to accelerate the boat speed until you all fall into the sea.

• Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving is a tour dive. Diving is better than snorkeling. You will be given a complete diving equipment. Ranging from clothing, oxygen tank, etc. To dive, you don’t have to know how to swim. The tourists will be accompanied by an instructor under the water, so don’t worry. Before you dive, you’ll be brief about the right way to dive. The depth for beginners ranging between 3 – 7 feet in the water for about 40 minutes. You will see the beauty of an underwater scenery full of beautiful coral reefs and colorful ornamental fish .

• Snorkeling

Snorkeling is swimming while you are looking at the underwater scenery. The main requirement is you should be able to swim. By Using a mask and fins, you will see many beautiful coral reefs and colorful ornamental fish. Remember, the game duration is 1 hour. It’s long enough for you to explore the natural beauty of Tanjung Benoa itself.

• Glassbottom plus a visit to Turtle Island

Glassbottom plus a visit tot Turtle Island, is the most suitable tour if you have children who are still a kid. With a boat underneath which there is clear glass, you will be invited to sail to see the underwater aquarium which located at Tanjung Benoa beach. As he (boat man) 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’ll see a sea turtle eggs are incubated, and turtles which are still small, teen to adult turtle turtle which are ready to become a parent. There are several types of turtle. In addition, at this location there are also other animals such as birds, bats, snakes, etc. Which are very tame, so can you hold them to be photographed. This activity lasted about 1 hour.

• Flying Fish

Flying Fish is 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 (1 instructor in the middle, and passenger on left and right side). Flying Fish will be attracted by high speed speedboat in opposite direction with the wind. The Flying Fish would fly over the water for about 2 meters or more. It depends on the wind speed (just like a kite). For those who like challenges, don’t miss this game. It Sure really fun! But, this game lasted only for about 15 minutes.

• Seawalker

Seawalker 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. We don’t even need to remove glasses when we 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 walking down the stairs for 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. This activity lasted only 30 minutes.

• Water Skiing

Water skiing is one of maritime tourism which is quite challenging. By stepping on a board you will be attracted by speedboat, be a sport like skiing or surfing. This game is an addict one, so you should prepared to be addicted by this game. This game is lasted for about 15 minutes.

• Rolling Donut

Rolling Donut is one of most favorite game on Tanjung Benoa. You will sit in a buoy which have shaped like a donut and pulled by speedboat. This fun game is lasted only 15 minutes.

• Wake Board

Wake board is a challenging game on Tanjung Benoa which pump off your adrenaline as well. You will be drawn by speedboat and sliding with the board. Although this game is only lasted for about 15 minutes, this game is still very exciting and challenging you know. Try it !