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Bali |
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Bali
is still living up its name as the last paradise on earth. For most part,
Bali has proved to be resilient to the tourist invasion, which means that
you can enjoy all the fun of the developed resorts while far away
experiencing the rural charms of Bali as it has been for centuries. Golden
beaches, hillsides terraced in flowing rice fields, cool green hills and
highland villages.
For
those interested in culture, its here that traditional customs, rites and
dances are dynamic everyday events. Please bear in mind, however, that no
dance is performed for pleasure alone, each is based on a need to
communicate with the Gods.
Bali
is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted
backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes
soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the
beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
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Java |
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Java
is the political, geographic and economic centre of the Indonesian
archipelago. It's a relatively small island, (approximately the same size
as England) but has a population of 112 million, accounting for 55% of the
country's total population. The island is long and narrow in shape, with a
string of volcanic mountains punctuating its spine.
It was on Java that
the Hindu-Buddhist empires reached their zenith, producing architectural
wonders such as Borobudur and Prambanan.
When
Islam
came to
the
island
in the
15th
century,
it
absorbed
rather
than
erased
local
cultures,
leaving
Java
with a
mish-mash
of
historic
influences
and
religions.
A strong
consciousness of ancient religious and mystical thought carries over into
present-day Java, providing a bulwark against wholesale modernization.
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Lombok |
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Lombok
is a place of uncrowded beaches and tranquil countryside, dominated by the
spectacular volcano of Mt Rinjani. The people are mostly Muslim (the
Sasaks), though there are isolated groups of Balinese Hindus. The Sasak
culture is noteworthy for weaving, its brilliant and dramatic dances, and
its ritualised pageantry and contests. Balinese culture still survives in
Lombok - a remnant of the time when Balinese princes once controlled the
island - and Lombok's tourist businesses are largely run by Balinese.
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