Indonesia is well known as a melting pot of cultures, and nowhere is this truer than in the vibrant resort of Bali – the country’s premier tourist destination.
Visitors coming off flights to Bali are initially struck by its natural beauty, with landscapes ranging from rugged shorelines to glistening, sun-swept beaches. These idyllic scenes are nestled alongside rows of towering volcanic summits, which provide a unique and fittingly primeval backdrop for culture vultures who want to immerse themselves in 4,000 years of Balinese history.
As the only Hindu society in Southeast Asia, the island’s ceremonies and artistic rites are unequalled anywhere else in the region. Take as just one example the celebrations leading up to the Hindu New Year, Nyepi, when the streets of Bali are awash with beautifully made effigies – known as ogoh-ogoh monsters – proudly hoisted aloft by locals clad in full ceremonial dress.
Travellers booking flights to Bali should be prepared, rituals do fill up the calendar, but the golden sands and soothing ocean breeze of Bali’s shores never fail to tame the hustle and bustle of this truly awe-inspiring island.
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