The Alam Anda is situated at Balis north east coast, hidden behind coconut plantations, directly at the sea and far away from other tourists. Here it is possible to still find the original Bali with it’s culture and typical living habits of the balinese people. At the almost empty coast you might occasionally meet fisherman or children playing – but no sign of tourists.
The republic of Indonesia, independent since 1945, consists of more than 17,000 islands.
The islands are subdivided into several groups of islands. Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo) and Sulawesi make up the Greater Sunda Islands. The Lesser Sunda Islands are comprised of Bali and the islands further to the east, Maluku and West Papua New Guinea. Indonesia is the world’s largest insular State with a surface area of 1.9 mio. km².
Measured by population, Indonesia is, with approx. 210 mio. Inhabitants, the fourth biggest country in the world (after India, China and USA).
Bali belongs to the Lesser Sunda Islands. With approx. 5.500 km², Bali is twice as large as Saarland. The distance from East to West is 140 kms, from North to South 80 kms, with a population of approx. 3 million.
The religion of most Indonesians is Sunnite Islam, making it the nation with the most Muslims.
Bali, however, is a Hindu enclave. This can be explained by the history of the islands. Following a large number of power struggles between the diverse Javanese rulers, who were followers of either Hinduism or Buddhism, and with the influence of Islam steadily increasing, many inhabitants of Java fled to the neighboring island of Bali, where a large part of the natives were followers of a local religion – Bali Aga. This religion, mixed with the religions from India resulting in the local form of Hinduism which is mainly practiced in Bali today.
This relatively self contained social and religious community life is one of the main characteristics of the Balinese which is of great interest to visitors. Furthermore many of the people of Bali are especially creative in arts and crafts. Dance, music, wood carving, painting, basketry and weaving are common skills.
Tourism has become the main economic factor in the otherwise agricultural country. Although the travel industry is concentrated into a few main tourist areas, the constant flow of visitors and the regular contact to foreign cultures influences the everyday life of the islanders to a large extent.
Meanwhile, the influences of the tourist boom are being evaluated and the direction in which tourism will take in the future is being considered. The tour operators are realizing the necessity of conservation and protection to ensure that Bali will continue to be attractive to visitors in the future. Additionally the awareness of the importance of socially responsible tourism is becoming more obvious.
Indonesia has a tropical climate with high humidity. The average yearly temperature in Indonesia is between 25-30°C (77-86°F) Nights are not much cooler. The seasons are defined by the monsoons and consist of dry season and rainy or wet season.<br><br> The rain falls in short, heavy showers, after which the sun shines again. The climate throughout Indonesia varies considerable depending of the area.
The Indonesian currency is the Rupiah (Status January 2024: 1 Euro = approx. IDR.16.900 Rupiah), with the smallest denomination of 500 Rp. being a coin and all other denominations from 1,000 to 200,000 being notes. Traveller cheques in US$ and credit cards are widely accepted but it is advisable to always have enough cash with you. It is possible to change traveller cheques or your home currency into local currency. It is often worthwhile comparing the exchange rates of the banks and money changers.<br><br> NOTE: When paying with credit cards a charge will sometimes be added. Prices are often written in US$
220 Volt, an international adapter is necessary! All of our bungalows and villas are equipped with German standard electrical outlets. For guests from UK, Australia or where else in the world we recommend an adapter.
The fauna consists of a variety of tropical animals including monkeys, water buffalos, snakes, lizards and numerous birds and insects, but also oxen, pigs and dogs.<br><br> Recently conservation has also become an official matter, for although the Balinese farmers use ecological and economical methods, conditions are changing due to influences such as tourism.
Bali lies in the tropics south of the equator and the climate is influenced by the monsoons. The main agricultural product is rice and large areas of land are rice fields.<br><br> To the west is a rainforest national park, to the southwest large areas of palm trees combined with mangrove swamps, to the east there are mountains right up the coast and in the north it is mainly flat with numerous lakes. This region is dominated by the volcanoes, along whose slopes little grows.<br><br> The Banyan- or Waringin tree is a conspicuous characteristic of each village.<br><br> The flora is dominated by useful plants, either as food: fruit, vegetables, coffee, cacao or tobacco, bamboo and palm trees.<br><br> Flowers such as the bougainvilla are used as offerings or decoration by certain festivals. Grapes are also grown in north Bali and used in the production of wine.
In general special vaccinations and precautions are not necessary when coming from Europe. It is recommended, however, to check if your standard immunizations are up to date.<br><br> The following vaccinations are recommended: Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, mumps, measles, influenza, typhus and Hepatitis A and B as well as rabies. When coming from a country where yellow fever is present, a valid vaccination against yellow fever is required. Dengue fever is widespread in Indonesia.<br><br> Bali is free of malaria but in Irian Jaya, on the small Sunda islands and in the rainforests of Kalimantan malaria is widespread. Consult your local doctor - vaccinations against tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B are recommended. For further information about update current situation of pandemic covid 19 can find on this link <a href="https://www.welcomebacktobali.com/" target="_blank">https://www.welcomebacktobali.com/</a>
We recommend that all travellers take out insurance to cover cancellation, lost or stolen luggage and medical or hospital costs.<br><br> Divers are advised to join DAN or a similar organization.
Bahasa Indonesia, a Malaysian language, is the language spoken in Indonesia and the official language in Bali is Indonesian.<br><br> English is common enough in the main tourist areas, that communication is possible.<br><br> However, the mother tongue of the inhabitants is Balinese, which is rooted in Sanskrit, with a separate written language. Tourists are most likely to encounter this language during ritual festivals.<br><br> As small tip: Bahasa Indonesia is the easiest language in the world to learn , and it is possible to learn a couple of words within a short time with the help of a travel dictionary.
European tourists require a passport which is valid for <u>at least 6 months</u>. For more information about visa please visit: <a href="https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/">https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/</a><br><br> Passports must be valid for <u>at least 6 months when leaving Indonesia</u>.<br><br> All details given here are for information only and we take no liability for changes in the requirements. Please inform yourself by the consulate of the latest requirements and costs.
There are three time zones in Indonesia. Depending on if we have winter or summer time, the time difference to west Indonesian time is +6 or +7 hours. Between Java and Bali there is a time difference of 1 hour (middle Indonesian time) meaning there is an additional hour difference to England. (+7 or +8 hours).
The Balinese society follows strong rules collectively known as „adat”. These include general rules of behaviour and daily life according to the Hindu religion. Although the Indian caste system is not practised on Bali, differences can be seen in the names.<br><br> The Brahmins (Ida Bagus / Ida Ayu) belong to the priests, the Satrias (Ratu / Anak Agung / Cokorde) are the aristocracy and the Wesia (Gusti / Si Luh) are the warriors and traders, the Sudras – the majority of the population – do not belong to any caste. By the children of the Sundra caste, their names also indicate the order in which they were born, the first born is called Wayan, followed by Made, then Nyoman and Ketut. By the fifth child the sequence begins again with Wayan, etc.<br><br> Ritual regulations determine the daily routine and the religious and social duties of the Balinese.
Western or international cuisine is more widespread than local food in the tourist areas.<br><br> Various international specialties are available, not only in the large hotels, but also in numerous restaurants. Even sausage and mash or Black forest Gateaux are available – although it seems a shame to go all the way to Bali for such things. Even fast-food-chains are represented, although it should not be necessary to take quick meals whilst on holiday...<br><br> Balinese food includes roast pork (babi guling) or rice wine (brem balik). Balinese specialties such as fried banana (pisang goreng) or fish ball-soup (bakso) are offered at the snack bars and on the beach. Fresh fruit juices (jus) give an impression of the variety of fruits available and a young coconut, directly from the tree, is a refreshment unlike anything obtainable in Europe. For those who have no special dietary needs, Bali has more than enough culinary variety to offer.
Indonesian Tourist Office
Kanwil X Depparpostel
Kompleks Niti Mandala
Jl. Raya Puputan
Denpasar 80235, Indonesia
Tel. +62 (361) 225649
Fax. +62 (361) 233475
British Consulate
Deutsche Bank Building , 19th Floor
Jl. Imam Bonjol 80
Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
Tel. +62 (21) 3907484
Fax. +62 (21) 3160858
email: britemb@attglobal.net
Singaraja-Amlapura, Sambirenteng, Kec. Tejakula, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali – 81173 Indonesia