10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN UBUD- BALI

Ubud is famous as an arts center in Bali. European artist Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet settled here in the 1930's. Since then artists from around the world have come to Ubud to create works of art in the beautiful surroundings. Ubud is now one of the major tourist destinations in Bali. Ubud is 1 hour and 30 minutes from the airport. The main intersection is the junction of Monkey Forest Road and Ubud's main road, Jalan Raya Ubud. Beautiful rice terraces climb the steep hillside and the tropical rain forest in the river valleys provide a picturesque setting.

1. Visit a Balinese School. One of my favorite things to do in Ubud is to go by a Balinese School. There isn't a better way to get the famous Balinese smiles and hear the children's laughter.

2. Visit a dance Studio in Ubud. My best friends Anom and Ayu havw a home dance studio at his home compound on 25 Jalan Kajeng in Ubud. As you walk down the small street in Ubud you can usually hear the gamelan music. Tell them Om Jim (me) said to come by and say hello. If you're lucky you may catch a dance or music lesson or take one yourself. (not free)

3. Hike Tjamupan Ridge nestled between two rivers . Here is a picture of my daughter and in the background my Bali house, built in 1975 that overlooks the ridge. Every morning we used to walk the ridge. The sunrises just behind Gunung Agung, Bali's largest volcano and the birds and peace of the early morning venture takes you back in time. One side you see the many houses that now occupy the ridge above the river. (mine was the first), but as you look east you catch Bali as it was decades ago, peaceful and natural, not a house in site. The walk is about 1 hr up and back.

4 Visit Ubud's Pasar (Market) In the early morning you will see the market over flow with sellers and buyers. Located at the main intersection in Ubud, this is actually two markets at the same location. At the traditional market the locals come early to buy fruit and vegetables and other everyday items. This market starts at dawn, sometimes earlier and has great photo opportunities as well as a chance to shop like the Balinese. The artistic market west of the food Market opens at 8:00 am until about 6:00 pm with some stalls open into the night. Here you can buy sarongs, baskets, woven place mats, wooden bowls and a selection of other Balinese handicrafts and souvenirs.

5. RICE FIELD WALK Walk down Jalan Kajeng to the rice fields and take the rice field loop back to Ubud. My friend Anom and I often take this walk, usually in silence or laughter . The walk is a loop that ends up back in Ubud down by the Pura Dalem. Don't want to say too much about this. I will let the experience speak for itself.

6. Visit the Galleries of Balinese Artists. Ubud is packed full of galleries and artist's studios. Spend and afternoon wandering Ubud's small streets and look for those small home art studios and watch the Balinese Artist. Some of the better known galleries:

• Seniwati Gallery
• Jalan Sriwedari, Ubud, Bali The only gallery in Ubud which exhibits only paintings created by women. Styles vary between traditional Balinese and modern.
• Komaneka Gallery
• Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
• Unique gallery displaying the works of artists coming from all over the world as well as those Indonesian, that have often been educated in other countries. Works featured show visions of artists on lifestyles of contemporary connoisseurs.
• Penestanan
• A village near Ubud where a popular Young Artist movement had started. Here you can find both more contemporary and traditional paintings. This area is filled with art studios most commonly located in Balinese compounds. Feel free to ask for permission and come inside to check them out.

7.The Monkey Forest of Ubud is a very sacred Balinese Hindu site with a Balinese temple. One of the most popular tourist spots in Ubud if you like monkeys, but hold on to your belongings and don't feed them. I have heard of tourists getting bite out of your finger as well as a banana. Hey but its free.

8. Visit Pura Gunung Lebah: This serene temple is located in a beautiful valley between the Ceirik and Wos rivars. This temple is considered the birth place of Ubud and is 1.5 km west from the Ubud Market. In the 8th century a high priest from Java named Rsi Markendya meditated on the ground between the rivers and his followers built the temple. The surround hills were filled with medical herbs. Thus the name "Ubad" which means medicine.

9. Walking down Monkey forest road and see all the shops. Looking is free and the handicrafts are beautiful. Go early am or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Stop at one of the many restaurants for a refreshing cup of coffee or drink.

10.Visit a Temple Festival. Bali is the "Island of the Gods" with thousands of temple and temple festival happening every day some where on the island. Ask you host in Bali if there is one going on in Ubud. The entrance is free, but sure to follow temple etiquette. http://www.baliadvisor.com/bali-temple-etiquette.html

Blessing of the Water at Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot means "Land and Sea". The temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide. Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 15th century priest Nirartha. During his travels along the south coast he saw the rock-island's beautiful setting and rested there. Some fishermen saw him, and bought him gifts.

Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods. The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Balinese mythology for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast.

Each of the sea temples were established within eyesightof the next to form a chain along the south-western coast. Go at Low Tide to get blessed from the Holy Springs underneath the Temple. Also a very beautiful spot to see the Sunset.

Our Group members from our June tour were blessed by the priest from the holy spring under the temple before entering the temple for prayer.

Balinese Religion

Bali Hinduism is a combination of elements from Indian Shivaite and Buddhist traditions with older beliefs and practices. One of the oldest names for the Balinese religion is "Agama Tirtha" or religion of Holy waters. Tirtha (holy water) has always been used in Hindu religious ceremonies. The word tirtha comes from Sanskrit and means 'holy' or 'to cleanse'. The holy water possesses the means of opening our hearts to prayer.

The aim of Agama Hindu Bali (the religion of most Balinese) is to reach peace of spirit and harmony in this material life. In practicing their faith, Hindu communities try to achieve a spiritual balance of worship between Tattwa (philosophy), Susila (etiquette/morals), and Upacara (rituals). On Bali there are two ways to pray: 'mbakti' and 'muspa'. The first is worship through devotion, the second shows respect with flowers.

According to the Balinese the Universe is divided into three realms: the realm of the gods, the realm of the demons and ground spirits and the realm of the people. Their universe is divided into three areas; the mountains are the home of the gods; the sea where the powerful forces of dissolutions dwell; and the intermediary region, where people live. This three part layout is repeated endlessly in the villages, homes and shrines of Bali.

Bali is known as the Island of the Gods. This is because there are thousands of temples from the state temples Bali's (Sad Kahyangan) 6 major temples honored by all the to Village temples, every village has three the Puri Puseh or ancestor temple nearest the mountains, the Puri Desa the central village temple and the Puri Dalem or temple dedicated to Siwa, or the god of dissolution, usually nearest the cremation ground. Then every home has temples and shrines. Finally there are temples in the rice fields dedicated to Dewi Sri, goddess of Rice. Of course the Balinese honor nature, and power spots like Banyan trees, Caves, and rivers they bring offerings to.

Balinese religion is embedded in deep tradition of animism and the veneration of ancestors. Their Hindu gods are abstractions associated with natural forces. Vishnu with rain and water, Brahma with Creativity Fire and volcanoes. Shiva with flowers and wind. This is the Hindu Trinity Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva (Siwa) the renewer.

The Supreme Being is referred to as Sang Hyang Widhi Wisa. He falls in line with religious beliefs that resolve around a single god of whom all other gods are manifestations.

Hinduism is a monotheistic religion with one Godhead. In Bali, this is called Ida Sanghyang Widi. Hinduism is often misunderstood as being a faith with many Gods and Goddesses (Dewas and Bhataris). These other Gods are merely the realization or manifestations of the holy rays from the One God.

The word Dewa (Deva) comes from the Sanskrit word Dev, meaning ray. Bhatara comes from the word Bhar, meaning protector. The Dewas (holy manifestations of God), which appear most often in Balinese religion are called the Tri Murti, or sometimes the Holy Trinity.

· Brahma - The creator
· Wisnu - The preserver
· Siwa - The destroyer

Visitors are welcomed to all religious celebrations, however, it is required to dress conservatively or in traditional Bali costumes and respect temple etiquette. At the least, a temple sash and sarong are required, and women may not enter during menses. It is a good idea to carry a sash and sarong during your island travels to always be prepared should you happen upon a festival that you wish to attend.

By Jim Omi Cramer
www.Baliadvisor.com