- Travelling In The Tropics - Safe Travel Tips

Author By: Justine Richards

When you leave familiar shores behind and travel in the tropics, the first thing that strikes you is the extreme contrast in almost everything. People, climate, sights, sounds, streets, and even the sky and the moon look different. Next stop, Mars? First timers can take considerable time to unbefuddle their senses. And then it becomes a race to take in as much of the new experiences as possible in the comparatively short time at hand. In this mad rush make sure you don't fall victim to a range of hazards that may easily be avoided with a little bit of common sense and some precautions.

First and foremost, travel in the tropics means you're basking under the glorious warmth of a stronger sun than you're used to. As you revel in that gorgeous tan you're developing, it is worth remembering to take precautions against sun burn and dehydration. Carry your sun block and drinking water around wherever you go, and not just when you're at the beach. Dress in cool cottons to keep the humidity at bay, and wear a hat and sunglasses.
While swimming in the sea, watch out for jelly fish stings and other similar hazards that can put a damper on your holiday cheer. If you discover a seemingly idyllic and deserted beach where the sea appears calm, think twice, thrice or more before you dive in. Some areas have strong undercurrents that just might send you on your last vacation in the sky. Always get enough information from local authorities about the best and safest places to bathe before deciding to strike out on your own, whether it's for a swim or a hike.

Eating out is an exciting adventure when travelling in the tropics. Strange cuisines ranging from fragrant to the grotesque tempt and dare your palate into trying things you normally would beat away with a stick. Well, you're on holiday and it's only natural to want to try anything once. This could result in anything from irritable bowel syndrome to Delhi belly. Well, now would be a good time to remind you to carry toilet tissue with you if you intend to be away from your hotel for a long time. Most toilets, especially in rural areas, do not stock tissue and you can save yourself tonnes of embarrassment if you have some with you!

You don't have to have something exotic to upset your stomach; even a mundane salad or iced drink can make you double over from bacteria in contaminated water. Avoid salads and ice unless you're sure of the source. Wash all fresh fruits thoroughly or better yet, eat only what you can peel. Make sure you carry medication for holiday tummy or food poisoning recommended by your doctor at home. Drinking from the tap is not an option in most countries. It's safer to carry your trusty brand of bottled water with you from your hotel if you intend to be out all day.

Mosquito repellents and bug sprays are a must when travelling in the tropics. Consult your doctor about the need for malaria vaccinations before you set out. While in the tropics try and stay indoors during late evenings when the mosquitoes swarm around. Shut doors and windows or use screens if they are available. You'll be better off in the hilly areas where you get to enjoy all the benefits of tropical countries without the hassle of blood sucking insects.

Before travelling to the tropics, discuss with your travel agent and your doctor, the need for certain immunizations such as yellow fever, depending on the area you're travelling to and general ones such as tetanus shots. Some countries require mandatory shots, while others don't seem to stress the need for any. Consult your doctor about the need for rabies shots if you intend to travel to remote areas or be in contact with animals. It would be in your interests, especially if travelling with kids, to check what applies to you.

Carry your own stock of first aid supplies including pain killers, band aids, disinfectants and even sterile disposable needles in case you need an injection are a good idea if you intend visiting remote areas. Make sure you get up to date information about seasonal viruses that are about at your tropical destination. Get authentic information about occasional health hazards such as bird flu, dengue fever, or other epidemics that may be making the rounds.

Read up on the place you intend to visit. Having an idea of what to expect, local customs, and food habits will smooth your transition and help you relax into your vacation more quickly. Getting to know the local people and gaining an understanding of their way of life and culture enriches your vacation in many ways, giving you a far deeper perspective of the place you are visiting. But don't abandon your native caution entirely as you relax, as touts or scammers can be rampant around tourist spots anywhere in the world. Watch out for pick pockets and petty crime. Never pull out a wad of notes in public. Always keep small change in separate pockets for easy access.

Travel broadens the mind they say. But if it's to the tropics it does things to your soul as well. It's an energising experience that brings people back again and again, to the extent that some go native and decide to stay on. Make sure that your experience of the tropics is a dream rather than a nightmare by following these basic and common sense safe travel tips.

- Galungan Day to Kuningan

Penjor’s, Bali at the Galungan day
Photo By Putu subada Kusuma SH.Kn


Originally Author by J.E.S..

At 29 of November, we, the Balinese was celebrating Galungan day, it occur every 210 days on Balinese calendar system. Galungan mean “the day of the winning of Dharma (the Good) agains the evil.

I went to my hometown at the west side of Bali to celebrate that important day with my family. A day or two before the celebration, Balinese will start to make preparation of offering including penjor, the best part of the Galungan day is to prepare for original Balinese salad called Lawar, Lawar is differ by location, in Negare (that’s the name of my little town in west Bali) Lawar made from young coconut, very delicious.　Well I am sure now I’ve already gaining weight :D . In the celebration day, it’s the time for us and all the villager to visit the Puseh Temple where located in every village in Bali. Actually there are three temple where every man must visit, the Merajan (house shrine), Pura Dalem, and Pura Puseh. The last visit was Jagatnatha in the centre of Town. The most important thing of all is the moment with my family, and friends at the village, priceless.

I am sorry I have no picture of this moment, I have to concentrate on my pray, and so lazy to go back again. The weather was so hot at that time.

After 10 days after Galungan, the Kuningan day will follow, but as usual I just pray in Denpasar used to be in Sakenan Temple, I will make sure I will have my camera with me to show you the Sakenan temple looks like.

- Barong & Rangda … good and evil

Author by Dee




Remembering what was the most scary creature that you really affraid of when you were a kid - The legend of Rangda, the evil witch in a monster form. The ancient Balinese community was a place where some of them learning the black magic (this legend is similar with other parth of the world), they can change their form of human into animal (mongkey or dog) and also can heart other people with their spell. We the Balinese call them “Leak (read about this here)“. At the recent time (21 century) we still can found one, but this is very rare.

The opposite of what I am talking about is Barong. This creature eventhough has a beast face, but it has the pure heart of white side (God Side), He is protecting the human from evil Rangda Spell. The Balinese then create a dance that describe this two creature, see the picture for detail. The real creature of Rangda(one of my family met this creature some years ago) is almost similar with the real one.

My dad said to me that we should not affraid of such thing, because god will not let the evil win over the good. But we can only maintain to have them still in balance.

Just an information, when you visit Bali, please make sure you watch this attraction, which is available for tourist attraction usually include on your Bali tour.

- Tari Legong (Legong Dance)

legong dance
Originally Author by l_i_u_0.

The Legong dance might be the most interesting and graceful dance in the island, A legong is a girl, a young girl not older than early teens. According to the legend, this dance was inspired by the imagination of a king in 19 century. Others said that Legong was inspired by the dream of a King about goddess, the King then search the entire kingdom to find dance gurus and train them hard to make the dream close to reality.

The Legong Dance is a classic dance that has a very complex library of movement that flow along with gamelan. The word “Legong” is from the word “leg” mean elastic, elegance, and the word “gong” mean the music, so the Leg - Gong is a dance represents the epitomy of grace and femininity. The dancer has to let all the energy of the gamelan’s sounds flow to their body untill you feel shaking. The hands are the most mesmerizing, as the arms move up and about, the fingers are doing a dance of their own. They can make individual pairs of fingers flutter simultaneously, at the same time, the eyes are darting from left to right.

The story behind legong is very stylized and symbolic, involves three dancers, the two legong and their attendant, the congong. The legongs are beautifully dressed tightly with gold brocade that so surprising they can move so rapidly.

legong_dance.jpg

You can find Legong dance performance every Monday and Sunday nights at 7:30pm at the Puri Saren Palace Ubud.

- Kecak Dance - Balinese dance

Originally Author by adametrnal.

Kecak dance is one of Bali’s unusuall dance, not like any other dance, Kecak performed without gamelan. The name is actually taken from the rythim of the chanting ‘monkey’ chorus; cha-chak-cha-cak …

The story behind Kecak is taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana, the dance tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of Princess Sita, who has been kidnapped by the evil King of Lanka.

A troupe of over 150 bare-chested men serve as the chorus circling the flame at the centre where the dancer are performing.
In the 1930’s Wayan Limbak worked with German painter Walter Spies to create the Kecak from movements and themes in the traditional sanghyang exorcism ritual and the portions of the Ramayana. This collaboration between artists worked to create a dance that was both authentic to Balinese traditions but also palatable to Western tourist’s narrow tastes at the time. Wayan 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.

- Balinese Temple

Author by Dee

Bali has been long known as the Island of the God, the only obvious reason why, there are thousand of temples in the island, not include in every house compound. The Balinese Hindu people are believe in one superior God, The Shang Hyang Widhi Wasa, who manifest into several God with a certain duty. That is why you can find the temples for the graveyard, houses, river, lake, market, sea, villages, etc.

- Balinese Family Compound

Author By Bali Daily

Bali’s heart of culture life is in their family compound. The compound is build to follow the concept of Tri Hita Karana, the central creed of the Balinese cosmos. It demands that the harmony of the universe always be preserved between man and God, between Man and the physical world, and between man and man.

For example, the house shrine is always in the kaja-kangin (north-east), the pigsty is at kelod (south) or the seaward part of the compound. In between are the pavilions for ceremonies, sleeping, and daily activities.

Bali Family Compound
Picture by Bruce G.

Here is the description of each number from the picture above:

1. Family Temple.
The house temple called Sanggah or Merajan, is the place to worship the ancestor and the Hyang Guru.

2. Sleeping Pavilion.
This building usually a large eight-post structure on a high base. A terrace usually attached for receiving guests at family ceremony.

3. West Pavilion
The west pavilion or Bale dauh, is the workhouse of the compound. Serving the variety of purposes, from gathering place to sleeping quarters.

4. Ceremonial Pavilion
The east pavilion, or bale dangin is the ceremonial pavilion. The place is where the life rites and death rituals occur.

5. Sakenam
The guest pavilion for relatives and children varies in size and number according to the needs.

6. Granary
Or the lumbung or jineng is the storage area for rice.

7. Kitchen
Or paon is in the south because of the association with Brahma (the god of fire) whose place in the south.

8. Protective Wall
Or aling-aling, most behind the gates to deflect the malign influences.