Amazing facts of Bali - The paradise island

Bali is one of those places we call “Paradise on earth” , located in Indonesia. Some of you may have already visited and experienced this heaven by yourself or some may have in your travel destination list (like me). Without any delays, let us dive into Amazing facts of Bali

1) Black Sand beach

Black is love ❤ for many. Imagine a beach full of black sand. Yes, we have many black sand beaches in Bali. Keramas, Amed, Lovina , Echo, Pererenan and Seseh are some of the famous black sand beaches in Bali. You may be wondering why it is black?? Right? That was my first thought too! They are nothing but the remains of lava from Bali’s infamous volcanic giant ‘Mount Agung’. The vast blue ocean water with this black beauty beaches treats us a blissful sight of magic!

2) Bali Calendar

Yes, the native Bali people aka Balinese (cool name right? 😄). Balinese has their own calendar system. Not one, two! Actually - Balinese saka calendar and Pawukon calendar. Balinese saka calendar is much similar to Gregorian calendar . If you are wondering what is Gregorian calendar ? it is the one we use day to day around most part of the world (Yea , ofcourse I knew it) .

Ok let’s get back to our Bali ones. It's little long but interesting...

Balinese saka calendar contains mostly 30 days a month. It follows lunar cycle , month starting with new moon to full moon (15 days) and full moon to new moon (the next 15 days).

The other calendar Pawukon calendar is more unique contains only 210 days for one year. There are totally 10 weeks consisting of days varying from 1 day to 10 days in a week. Yeah now it is getting complicated right? The naming is more complex than remembering count. Most of the local famous festivals celebrated at Bali are calculated from Pawukon calendar for each occasions like marriage, starting business, building house etc…and getting a new haircut! Yeah you heard it right , Bali people even have an auspicious day to get new haircut!!!!

3) Volcano Agung

Let’s talk about one of the active volcanic machines of earth - Mount Agung. It is been active since 1800. The most recent activity was during 2017 to 2019. It is classical cone shaped volcano as like as we design for our science experiments.

Apart from the eruptive nature of the volcano, many travelers and Bali people love trekking on and around Mount Agung. The adventure upwards through the green forest leads to heavenly view of the land and craters from the top. Of course, it can erupt at any time 😁 , so better be prepared to run!!!

Mount Agnug is the primary reason for creation of black sand beaches all around Bali. Balinese people believe that Mt Agung is a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe. Even the most important temple on Bali, Pura Besakih, is high on the slopes of Mount Agung. Mt.Agug – “So , am I the ultimate creator😈 of all, haha..no hard pass lol”

4) Highest density of spa

Bali has one of the largest number of Spas in the world with almost 1200 spas in it. Influenced by Chinese and Indian traditions , Balanese traditional Spas are must go to places when you visit Bali. It is very easy to spot a spa in Bali ! (Must try )

5) Nyepi festival

Nyepi festival is one of the famous festivals in the island of Bali. Nyepi means ‘Day of Silence’. The following day after Nyepi is celebrated as New Year’s day of Bali people. The same day is celebrated in India as Ugadi/ Gudi Padwa and other regional new years. This is an unique and very interesting festival.

The day before Nyepi - Ogoh-ogoh, demonic statues made of richly painted bamboo, cloth symbolizing negative elements are paraded around the village, they are burned in the cemeteries although many are displayed in front of community halls for another month or more and sometimes even purchased by museums and collectors.Yeah!!!Its hell of fun along with all cultural music and dances followed!

On the day of Nyepi (6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning) , whole of the people in the island of Bali follow no working, no entertainment or pleasure, no traveling and, for some, no talking or eating at all. This day is mainly reserved for self-reflection of all individuals. Even the non-religion and tourist people are asked to follow this. So remember when you are going to Bali on Nyepi, no beaches , no tasty food , yeah even no flying back to your home on this day!!

Nyepi can be traced as far back as 78 A.D. The following day everything resumes back with new hope and happiness as families and friends gather to ask forgiveness from one another . They start everything fresh on new year’s day! Be sure to visit Bali once during this time if you get a chance! And be prepared to ‘self-reflect’ that is healthier for your mind!

6) A bat cave

Bali has a Bat cave !!! No Its not the batman’s secret base where he has his cool gadgets and bat-mobile 😅. It is an actual bat cave where thousands of bats hangs and resides. It surrounds ‘Pura Goa Lawah’ - one of the six sacred temples in Bali or "six sanctuaries of the world" as considered by Bali people . Were you expecting Batman’s cool secret hideout??( I sure did , haha)

Hope you have enjoyed!

Thanks for reading , let us chatter soon :)

Inspired from BALI- Amazing facts to know about bali