Indonesia
The country with the largest number of Muslim population in the world.
Indonesia comprises of approximately 17,500 islands. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Indonesia accounts to around 150 active volcanoes. When you fly in Indonesia, it’s easily to sight the awestruck sight of smoking volcanic mountains.
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| (Courtesy : Internet) |
Bali
Nearest airport: Ngurah Rai Airport, fascinating as well, located at Tuban on the Island of Bali, the runway is beside the ocean.
Bali is the most sorts after tourist spot in Indonesia. Bali has a huge Hindu population. The first Hindus arrived in Bali as early as 100 BC were the Indian traders. Bali used to be ruled by Hindu Empire’s of Java.
With the rise of Islam, the Hindu Empire in Java fell and Bali became independent near the turn of the 16th century later the Dutch conquered most of the parts and made their colonial rule until the Nation’s Independence.
Balinese Hinduism is to an extant radically different from the Hinduism practiced in India. Balinese have a primary deity Acintya – the all in one god, the other gods viz Siva and Vishnu are just manifestations. Acintya is the supreme god of Indonesian Hinduism.Every aspect of Balinese life is fused with the hindu religion
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| Arjun and Krishna Statue - Epic from Ramayana |
Kuta
Kuta is administratively a district in southern Bali, Indonesia. A small fishermen village by origin, transformed drastically into one of the most desired tourist attractions for the globe trotters.
Kuta’s USP being long virgin sandy beaches, many restaurants (sea food being my choice) bars and a good surfing spot. Kuta square the commercial hub of kuta, caters to all kind of tourist delight viz shopping, disco’s, pub’s, antiques with an endless chain of local hotels and international hotels viz Hard rock, Oberoi, Hyatt, Intercontinental..and local hotels as well. Every year it attracts loads of tourists mainly from Australia for surfing, Europe etc. You could see, Bali really boasting of the Balinese culture in every nook and corner wherever you travel.
The Kuta accounts to closely packed pubs, designer boutiques, restaurants, video arcades, bookstores, supermarkets viz Matahari, travel agencies, money changers, banks, beauty parlours, cyber-cafe's, surf shops, clothing, DVD shops, fake watch stores, antique shops, wood carvings and painting shops -whatever you want you name it.
Nearest airport: Ngurah Rai Airport.
Transportation
Kuta square is a tough place for the travelers as the roads are flooded with motor cycles, with lack of formal traffic rules to add on. Motor cycles can be rented as well, for between Rp 50,000 – 80,000 per day. But being on a foreign land, you have to keep your mind on, do obey the rules only dare to rent the vehicle if you have an International Driving Permit to avoid penalization. But the law being not so stringent, paying a fine will allow you to keep driving… lol. so for the law breakers and freaks there is always a fair option to continue our holidays.
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| Kuta beach stretch |
Bali witnessed the 2nd bali bombing in October 1, 2005 were around 25 were killed, the first being on October 12, 2002 with the highest severity of around 200 lives. Bali bomb memorial had been made in the kuta square with after the 2002 bombing. It’s very disheartening, whenever I think of Indonesia, in spite of geographically located in the lap of Tremors, Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunami’s, the bali bombings are totally unacceptable.
Once the sun goes down, Kuta is a ready party zone of Bali, even after the tragic events of 2002, 2005. The five km long sandy stretch of Kuta is debatably the best beach front in Bali. The beach is safe, partially clean, well-maintained. The long wide stretch of sand is often full of sunbathers and surfers. Beach shore can witness people selling cigarettes, beer, masseurs displaying their massaging skills to the customers.
The 24*7 legian stretch of kuta could see sex as one of the main factors permeating the Bali’s tourism industry. Though its illegal in indonesia, but the bad economy and a reason for survival for many, makes them step into the shoes of prostitution. Most of the discotheques and bars will have a torrent of hookers around us always trying to attract and market themselves.This is mostly the main reason for single tourists and youngsters spearheading to kuta always once they arrive in Bali. Kuta also offers clandestine strip clubs,weed joints,herbal alternative of viagra etc but those in the know can tweak in.
Poppies street is the best street to shop,also for the bar goers. Bounty bars and twice bars are some of the famous night joints.
For the party freaks, Kuta will never make you bored, as the whole stretch is flooded with pubs, discos and lounges, most of the joints remains open till 2:00 – 3:00am. I had an awesome time partying in bali, my pick being the hard rock cafe.
