BALI THE LAND OF GOD

Bali’s population of over 3,000,000 souls spread over the whole island, including those in the smaller islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, Serangan and Menjangan Island.

The overwhelming majority of Balinese are Hindus, with the increasing number on non-Hindu migrating from the closest neighboring islands of Java and Lombok.

The coastal areas in the south are the most populous area with over 370,000 people living in various professions in the capital of Denpasar. Farming has been the primary way of living in Balinese life.

Where else fishing, trading and craftsmanship are also in fashion from generation to generation. Yet with the fast growing of tourism since past few decades, young people start to build up a new touch in their living culture.

Life in Bali is very communal under the organization of villages. Temple ceremonies, marriage, cremation, farming and even the creative art festivals are decided by the local community institution called “Banjar”. The responsibilities in the day-to-day life are normally administered by both the Banjar and the government.

The local government mostly responsible for schools, health clinics, hospitals and roads, and Banjar is responsible for all other aspects of life. There is another association exists in the banjar named “Subak” that concerns to the production of rice and organizes the complex irrigation system.

Every family who owns a rice field must be a member of their local Subak, which then ensures that every member gets his fair distribution of water.

A banjar consists of an average of 50 to 150 family members, owning a meeting venue called the Bale Banjar, which is used for regular gatherings and a center for local gamelan orchestras and drama groups

CLIMATE

With sunshine shining throughout the year, Bali has a tropical monsoon climate, with pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainy season starts from October to March, when the West monsoon brings heavy showers and high humidity.

June to September is considered the driest season, with low humidity and it can be fairly cold in the evenings, the best time for any outdoor activities.

Something unique can be found about climate in Bali. Even when it rains most times in the most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran.

On the other hand, you may expect cloudy skies and drips throughout the year in Ubud and the mountainous areas. Most interestingly perhaps, the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or "Bali" mention showers and rain storms all times of the year. In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll expect to wear either a sweater or jacket when evening falls.

AMAZING SUNRISES AT DIENG PLATEU

Dieng plateu holds thousands of natural charms and has a rich ancient heritage. One of the many activities that tourists usually participate in on the plateu, other than indulging in the splendor of ancient temples, is watching the sun rise.

If lucky, in one day you can see the "golden sunrise" and the "silver sunrise". Tremendously beautiful. Although administratively it is part of Wonosobo regency, the plateu is located at the crossroads between Wonosobo, Banjarnegara regency, Temanggung regency, Kendal regency and Batang regency.

To be able to watch sunrise, you have to be at the Sceneries Shelter at Tieng village, some five kilometers from downtown Wonosobo. It takes less than 30 minutes to get there.

If leaving the town early at around two or three in the morning, the morning chill and the thick air will be another challenge to beat for the post sits at 1,700 meter above sea level.

However, the biting air will be compensated for with the scenic view. As we descend to the post, dots of light from Wonosobo and its nearby cities form a dramatic panorama.

Nearest villages like Kejajar and Rowojali look like they are standing behind a curtain of morning mist which is slowly falling from the dark sky. The color of life changes every second. Gradually, Sindoro mountain and Kendeng mountain will also be seen afar.

If the sky is clear sunrise can be enjoyed thoroughly. First, in the darkness, we can see the pinkish sky accentuated with strokes of golden rays of the sun -- really golden. Soon, the sky turns orange and the sun shows its round shape.

In a matter of a second, the chill is replaced with a friendly warm wind, blowing off the mist. When the curtain of mist has been completely drawn, there is a sea of lush green farm around us. You can hear the sound of chirping birds and farmers' chattering in the distance.

But don't get too absorbed in this rare beauty for we have another sunrise to chase at the Dieng temple compound, around ten minutes from the Sceneries Shelter.

The moment may not be as spectacular as the first, but it has an entirely different flavor. The sun rises from behind clusters of temples, which sit 2,093 above sea level.

From behind the Hindu temples, if, again, the sky is clear, the sun shines only one ray. It is silvery -- that's why it's called silver sunrise -- and penetrates through the old stones of the temples.