Smart Travel

Bali Hai Is Calling� Can you remember that song? Was it in South Pacific? Ok, for the younger ones, this was a haunting song from a musical � not many of those around these days! � which in those days seemed like a world away from our everyday lives. But these days Bali has much to offer and it is within most men and women's 'trip of a lifetime' holiday plans. Where is it? It is one of the islands of Indonesia. If you look at a world map, Bali is North West of Australia sitting between Jakarta and East Timor. What does it have to offer? Well, it could probably be listed amongst some of the most beautiful places in the world. The island is practically ringed with white sand beaches and clear water. It has an active volcano at its center, rice fields abound everywhere and Hindu temples, complete with offerings to the Gods, are scattered throughout the island. The island is famous for its batik cloth and paintings. Balinese culture includes the colorful and unique dance troupe...

The island of Bali is literally a very beautiful island situated under the equator in Indonesian Archipelago, is one of the most interesting and ultimate tourist destination in Asia. Since the first decade of the 20th century visitors have given to it several nicknames "Island of Gods" - "Island of thousand Temples" – "The Last Paradise" – and also often called "Island of Artist". The spirit of creativity pervades everything in Balinese life, from the cultivation of the steeply-terraced rice field to the elaborate temple offerings of flowers and foods given to the gods at times of celebration. Dancing, playing the gamelan, painting and carving is as much a part of an ordinary day as working in the offices, in the fields or feeding livestock. In ancient times, the people of the Indonesian Archipelago followed the ways of animism and ancestor worship. By around A.D. 600 however, Indian ideas and beliefs began to spread throughout Southeast Asia. Bo...

Indonesia, a Country of thousands of beautiful and exotic Islands, that spark off your imagination with thoughts of fine sandy beaches, huge temple complexes, great diving and the giant dragons of Komodo. The islands of Indonesia are spread over a vast expanse of ocean and technically speaking is divided by two Continents. Some parts of the Country can be as different from each other as black is from white. The hustle and bustle of the modern capital Jakarta is like another planet when compared to the traditional Papuan tribes of the Baliem Valley. Jakarta - Not only is it the largest City in the Country, Jakarta is also the heartbeat. Indonesian's from all over the archipelago come to the City to try and find their fortune or just to survive. The face of the City is constantly changing due to the construction of new skyscrapers, shopping malls and hotels. Jakarta is mainly a business and political City and not really a tourist destination, but the older colonial parts of the Ci...