GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BALI
General Information
Bali is a small island and is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Asia. It is the most wealthy and mostly predominantly tourist island. Bali is one of 17.000 islands of the Indonesian archipelago and is located just south below the equator between the Bali Sea and the Indian Ocean, and east of Java and west of Lombok. With an area of 5.780 km2, the island is the most westerly located island of the Small Sunda Islands, and currently, has more than 4.225 million people who are predominantly Hindu. The capital of Bali is Denpasar and the most famous places are Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Canggu.
The official language on Bali is Bahasa Indonesia however, the island also has its own language Balinese (Basa Bali). The distance from Amsterdam is 12.140km and the average travel time by plane from Amsterdam is 16 hours. The time difference between the Netherlands is 6 hours by the clock to summer time and 7 hours with the clock to winter and the sun in Bali, at around 6:00 am and sets around 18:00.
Because Hinduism is seen everywhere along the road or in the countryside and at each house features a temple where many times a day an offering is placed. These offerings are made from natural materials and filled with food, flowers and burning incense, the offerings are used to appease the gods and to keep the evil spirits away. The main and most important temple of Bali is Bali's mother temple, Pura Besakih, located on the slopes of the sacred volcano Gunung Agung, which, with its 3031m, is also the highest mountain in Bali and hosts daily ceremonies.
The palm-fringed beaches of Bali are predominantly obsidian black or brilliant white and there are many beautiful coral reefs with colorful fish in the clear blue water all around the island. These places are ideal for snorkeling or diving, these spots over beautiful caves or shipwrecks. The south sea is very suitable for surfing and offers world-class waves. The slopes of the volcanic mountainous landscape are very famous and offer the characteristic terraced green rice fields (sawah), which are part of the World Heritage list and make Bali a feast for the eyes for any tourist.
Money
The currency on Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (Rp abbreviation). Bali is an island where most is paid in cash. The tourist places have many good exchange offices; it is better to avoid the ones in the small backwater alleys. Good exchange offices keeping the pricing very good and mostly mention the rate clearly on digital signs. Everywhere on the island, at gas stations, banks, mini markets, shopping centers or just along the road, are ATM's where you can withdraw safely. Always stow your bank cards safely in the safe of your villa or apartment.
Weather
Bali is located just south of the equator and has a dry and wet season (monsoon). The monsoon is from November to May and The dry season is from May to November. During the day, temperatures are constant around 30 degrees Celsius regardless of the season. There are exceptions in the mountains where it can be considerably cooler and 21 degrees Celsius in the evening.
The dry season during the dry (Kite) season it is often cloudy and there is a slight sea breeze from the southeast and the humidity is lower than in the wet season. The days have an average of 9 hours of sunshine and most of the rain that falls is short and in the night. The average water temperature is a lovely 29 degrees.
Monsoon season different from areas such as Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Bali is not bothered by cyclones or hurricanes, and the chance of a tropical storm is small. During the months of December and January, prolonged heavy tropical showers can occur during the day or in the evening. Around the months of December and January during the monsoon, there is risk of violent short rain showers, however, the rain is most experience as very refreshing and welcome
The climate is ideal to enjoy a wonderful holiday. The average temperature on land during the day is 30 degrees with seawater temperature of 29 degrees and the cool sea breeze together with lots of suns forms the ideal weather for a holiday!
Many beautiful beaches, great diving sites, restaurants, nature, activities and wide nightlife or just resting further components are why Bali is the ideal holiday destination for young and old, whole year round.
