"pulau dewata a.k.a island of the gods" Bali by ukirsari

... Di pelabuhan Gilimanuk, aku teringat, Surabaya. Yang ada di balik pegunungan ....
Pegunungan membujur.
Dan laut memisah kita, deburnya memecah rindu ....
[at Gilimanuk harbour, I remember of Surabaya. A city behind the mountain range of Bali. And the sea separated us. Meanwhile the wave is breaking, divided the feeling that i miss you so ....]

* by franky sahilatua, 1984 *

bali, bali, bali!
island of the gods. island where you can find something so colourful. a legendary land that already captured by the articians into their books, paintings, songs, pictures and manykind of art stuffs.
the land who already motivated people to be there. enjoy the mountains, lakes, villages, beaches and the culture itself.
a fave destination since i was a kid. where i make my first solo trip in 15, after several time visit with my beloved parents and sibling. and confess to my own, yes, i'm falling in love with bali since long long time ago.

the mystical bali, i love to always learn about the people and nature and culture of bali. also completing my 'vocabulary' about the land of the Gods from my fave books: 'revolt in paradise' by k'tut tantri [vannine walker] and 'our hotel in bali' by the kokes.

sunset in kuta (c) ukirsari

The ancient name for Bali is "Balidwipa". Taken from Sanskrit lingo, where 'Bali' means the name of the island and 'dwipa' is equal with the word 'nusa' means isle or island.
The name Balidwipa has been discovered from various inscriptions. For example in the Blanjong charter (issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD), which mentioned the word "Walidwipa". Similar evidence was from King Jayapangus charters, such as Buwahan D inscription and Cempaga A inscription of 1181 AD. They're also mentioned "Balidwipa".

Bali historical periods are divided by three phases; 882-1343 AD, 1343-1846 AD and 1846-1949.
Here are the kings and queen during 88 - 1343 periods; King Sri Kesari Warmadewa, Queen Sri Ugrasena, King Candrabhaya Singa Warmadewa, King Dharma Udayana Warmadewa, King Marakata, King Anak Wungsu, Sri Maharaja Sri Walaprabu, Sri Maharaja Sri Sakalendukirana, Sri Suradhipa, Sri Jaya Sakti, King Jayapangus and King Sri Astasura Ratna Bumi Banten.

Meanwhile, the 1343 - 1846 period started with the coming of Gadjah Mada's (or Gajah Mada, Mahapatih --prime minister-- of Majapahit) expedition (1343) when Bedahulu kingdom was governed by King Astasura Ratna Bumi Banten and Patih Kebo Iwo. After killing Kebo Iwo, Gajah Mada and The Commander Arya Damar led the expedition and the troop of Aryan people assisted them. The attack resulted in a battle between Gajah Mada's forces and the army of the Bedahulu kingdom which was led by Pasungripis. The king of Bedahulu and his son were killed in the battle. After Pasungripis surrendered, there was a vacancy of the government in Bali. For this reason, Majapahit appointed Sri Kresna Kepakisan to lead the government in Bali under the consideration of the existence of a blood relation between he and the people of Bali Aga (original Balinese).
Since the government of Sri Kresna Kepakisan, he chose Samprangan as the center of the government. In Balinese history, this era known as "Samprangan period" and the kings during this period were; Dalem Sri Kresna Kepakisan (1350 – 1380) and Raden Agra Samprangan (1380).
This era continuing with King Dalem Ketut Ngulesir, who moved the center of government to Gelgel. This was the beginning of the "Gelgel period" and after him, there were; Dalem Watu Renggong (1460-1550), Dalem Bekung (1550-1580) and the last king in this period was Dalem Di Made (1605-1686).

The continuation of Gelgel Dinasty was Klungkung Kingdom Period, and Gusti Dewa Agung Jambe (1710-1715) became the first king. Then replaced with Dewa Agung Di Made I.

After this period, the history going into Dutch occupation and Japan invasion at 1942. One of the greatest war among Balinese in modern era was "Puputan Margarana", a battle of Balinese people at Marga Village commanded by I Gusti Ngurah Rai to against Dutch Aggression II and Allied Forces. For the merit of this battle, his name was adopted for the airport of Bali (nearby Cape Benoa); Ngurah Rai International Airport.

lake and mount batur (c) ukirsari

Administratively, Province of Bali divided into 9 districts (8 regencies and 1 municipality). Those regencies are Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan, Klungkung, Bangli, Karangasem, Buleleng, and Jembrana, meanwhile Denpasar (means; east of the market) is the provincional capital and located in the former Badung area. Each regency has their own character --from art, culture 'till the landscape. Here are, several interesting places which becomes my favorites during the trip in Bali;

BADUNG regency:
Puputan Square in Denpasar, Port Benoa, Kuta Beach and Canggu (the extension of Kuta), Nusa Dua area --the luxurious resorts in Bali, Sangeh --the biggest monkey sanctuary in Bali, Jimbaran fishermen village and Temple Uluwatu.

GIANYAR regency:
Batubulan (gold and silver smith), Celuk (there's nothing compare with any other place in Bali, since I visit my second family here regularly :D), Ubud (I love most), Gajah Cave, Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring, Pasar Seni (art market) Sukawati, Pejeng Area and Tirta Empul

TABANAN regency:
Bali Handara Country Club, Mount Batukaru, Lake Bedugul and Botanic Garden, Jatiluwih paddy's fields, Marga village (where our hero I Gusti Ngurah Rai gave a great battle to the Dutch and Allied Forces) and Tanah Lot.

BANGLI regency:
Lake Batur, Kintamani, Kehen Temple and Trunyan village.

KARANGASEM regency:
Mount Agung, Amed, Besakih Temple, Tirta Gangga (derived from 'water of Gangga river' in India)

DENPASAR the provincional city:
Bali Museum, Jagatnatha Temple, Puputan Square, Kuta and Sanur Beach (with extension to nusa lembongan and nusa penida)

• In a nutshell:one of indonesia's paradise island