TODAY July 15,2008 : THE BIGGEST ROYAL CREMATION CEREMONY HELD IN UBUD PALACE !!

Balinese religion is based on respect for and worship of God and ancestors, and is a combination of Hindu elements and indigenous Balinese culture. After death, the body must be dissolved and returned to its original elements. The cremation ritual is a purification rite which frees the roh (soul or spirit) from its temporary earthly house and facilitates its journey to its next existence.

After a death, the whole village helps with preparations for the cremation. The mayat (dead body) is laid out in a special house to be bathed and prepared. Meals are prepared and offered to the deceased as normal. Around the body and entrance to the house are placed damar kuranung (lamps), which notify people of the death and help facilitate the soul’s journey and to keep the person’s memory alive.

The night before the cremation, holy water is collected from the temple and used in preparation of the body and during the cremation. Any important ceremonies which have been missed during the deceased’s lifetime must be carried out prior to cremation. Some Balinese are buried until the cremation can be organised or to wait for an auspicious date. The bones are exhumed a few days before the cremation then prepared in the same way as the whole body.

All the village unites for the cremation, which is a joyous occasion. After cremation, the ashes are placed in the sea – achieving final separation of the soul from the body.

Pack light, natural fabrics-and don’t pack too many clothes as there are cheap clothing shops all over Bali!
Electricity : 220 volts. Try to buy a plug adaptor before coming to Bali.
Currency : Indonesian RUpiah. You ca cahange all hard currencies in the south of Bali, it is not easy elsewhere. Banks/moneychangers will only accept post-1997 US$ note and this must be in pristine condition. ( Moneychanger : When you receive your Rupiah, count it yourself and then do not put it down! Note some moneychangers charge commision ) Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in south Bali and in all upmarket Hotels/shops.Some places take American Express and Diners Club. There is generally a 3% surcharge for creditcard use.

Visa/Entry requirements :  Citizens of these 11 countries receive a free 30day visa-on-arrival (VOA) ; Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Morroco, Peru, Philippines, singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Citizens of the following 52 countries pay (cash) US$10 for a 7day VOA and US$ 25 for a 30day VOA : Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, UK, USA. Please note these visas are non extendable, your passport must be valid for at least 6mths beyond your stay and have several empty pages, and you must be able to show a ticket out of the country. Nationalities not on either of the above list or people who want to stay in indonesia for longer than 30days, must get a visa from an overseas Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before arriving here. These can’t be issued upon arrival.

Airport Tax : International = 150.000 rupiah and Domestic = Rp.35.000 rupiah.
Health risks : Minimal, although there’s always the risk of Bali Belly (don’t drink the tap water; becareful what you eat).
Tipping : Not part of the Balinese culture, but-although it is still not expected – now quite commonplace in the tourist areas. Most medium to high priced  restaurants have a 10% service charge, which is theoretically distributed to all staff-and then 10% government tax, so total 21% increase. A good rule would be to only tip when you’ve had exceptional service an then whaever feels appropriate.

Children : All Balinese people adore children-nowhere will your children be unwelcome. Watch you children on the beaches, there are some strong undertows.
Climate : The rainy season is officially Oct-March, but it varies yearly. There is diving year-round although the best seasons are Apr-May and Sep-Nov. Remember to apply high protection sunscreen frequently.

Language : English and Japanese are widely spoken in the south of the island ; even in rural villages some English is spoken.

Hyperbaric Chamber : Bali’s chamber is at Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar ( the Capital)

Diving on Bali’s southeast coast : There is diving around Sanur and Nusa Dua/Tanjung Benoa; however it is poor quality and therefore not recommended to anyone except those who just have to Get Wet !

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These offerings are presented every day without fail, Hinduism is completely intertwined with daily life in Bali, and for the Balinese presenting canang is as much a part of the day’s routine as is brushing one’s teeth  or having breakfast.The Bhagavad Gita, one  of the primary Hindu tests, relates the story of krishna , who is believed to be God’s  incarnation. Krishna said to Arjuna , another prominent Hindu figure, that “to whom presents me with flowers, fire and water, I will receive it and bestow happiness and blessings upon them”. This is the inspiration for the three basic elements of the offering.The canang are placed with purpose. Presented first to the Padmasana , which is the home altar, Canang are also placed on front of the home or shop to keep the area safe and to avoid problmes.

A Balinese will also  place canang on the stove, in the rice box and on the well, to honor the patron gods and goddesses of these places. Dewa Brahma is the patron of the stove, for he is the god of creation as symbolized by fire. Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, is very important  in Bali and one of her symbols is the rice box, Water of course is of great significance , so canang on the well is tribute to Dewa Wisnu, the Protector and Sustainer of life.

Dewa Kuwera, The god of wealth, is honored by merchants who place canang on their money boxes or cash registers. Teacher and students present canang to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. There are no directions about where excactly canang must be placed, ensuring that Balinese Hinduism remains dynamic as the world changes.

The Balinese believe that there are Divine powers that administer the universe. Primarily God, who is always at the highest level. Other high-level spirits are one’s ancestors; the Balinese believe that the spirits of the elders protect and guide the current generations ‘from a distance’. For this reason, canang are also placed at burial sites or upon tombs.

Lower spirits are known as Butha Kala, portrayed as devils, demons or other bad spirits. These lower spirits remain hidden, often in banyan trees or in accident-prone road zones like T-junctions and intersections.
Canang are made daily, ussualy by women although men can participate also. The materials are collectedfrom the land or house garden, where flowers, coconut or banana trees and other plants are grown. The offerings are handmade and arranged in beautiful and unique designs.

As the population of Bali grows though, it is getting more difficult for Balinese to find their canang materials at home. Fewer people have the space for gardens, as there are fewer large open areas. Developed areas are denser than ever, especially in the ‘metropolitan’ areas like Denpasar and south Bali. As a result more Balinese are buying the materials for canang or even the offerings themselves at traditional markets.Lack of time is also a factor in the increase of ready-made canang. Making the offerings is a time-consuming enterprise; more and more women are in the workplace and buy readily made canang as they would buy pre-prepared meals for the family. Fortunately, canang do continue to be available in local markets, particularly near Denpasar and the Badung market, where there is an entire section solely displaying the item.

While Bali is not immune from the consumerism frenzy that seems to be sweeping the developed world, it is still a very devout island. It is a tribute to the ingeniousness of the Balinese that they have managed not just to preserve a traditional means of devotion but also to create jobs and industry around it, fueling economic growth among those who might not have other opportunities.