BALI in HISTORY

Bali has a fascinating and often tragic and bloody history as a part of the Indonesian archipelago. Bali has been inhabited since the ice age as there have been many archeological finds including hammers and early tools that can be viewed in the Balinese museums. The Bronze Age brought the making of some of the many drums of Indonesia that have become famous finds over history. These drums are extremely large and were used in the most important temples and holy areas. The 1st century Bali has been a major player in world wide trade and has been busy with traders and soon after some of the first tourists who would visit after trading in the area. Bali's early discovery is due to the reliable trade winds that have allowed sailors to reach Bali using early sailing equipment. This period has also been the reason for the creations of many old rock carvings that can be visited on the island and many of the old market sites that the entire Balinese culture and lifestyle has been built around.

In 1343 Bali was invaded by the Javanese who attempted to convert the Hindu island of Bali to Islam. This pushed the main Hindu priests and the most rebellious of the true Balinese into the north and the east of Bali where they remained and finally overpowered the Javanese to regain most of the island although there are still Islam areas in Bali the coincide peacefully with the Hindu majority and the Buddhist people of Bali. It is an interesting and puzzling fact the Bali is the only island in the entire archipelago of Indonesia to remain Hindu and keep its original culture, this is no doubt the main reason that Bali has been more attractive to tourists as the Hindus of Bali are renowned for being extremely friendly and tolerant of western such as wearing swimwear where as on other islands in Indonesia this could be viewed as disrespectful to the Islam communities.

The next chapter in the Balinese history is the influence of the European colonies, Spain Portugal and a few other areas attempted to take Bali and other islands in Indonesia although it was the Dutch who managed to successfully gain power over most of Indonesia although the Balinese did not come easily and there were famous and powerful proclamations such as not by a mere scrap of paper will a man become the master of another man's land' which is the English translation of Gusti Ketut Jelantik who was part of the main stand in Karangasam where there was later a mass suicide performed by the Balinese who would rather die than be banished from there homeland or forced to turn from their culture and religion.

These tragedy events were followed by the Dutch building most of the modern roads that were first on the island and an increase productivity of rice agriculture although obviously this was for personal gain. In 1950 Indonesia gained Independence from the Dutch and now Bali has returned in many areas to its former self although most of South is dependent almost entirely on tourism.

More information about Bali
Bali Surfing - Bali Beaches - Things to do in Bali - Bali Night Life - Bali Restaurants - Bali Shopping - Bali Transport - Bali History - Bali Geography - Balinese People -

Travel destination and regencies
Badung - Bangli - Buleleng -  Denpasar - Gianyar - Jembrana - Karangasem - Klungkung - 

Places of interest
Alas Kedaton - Badung Market, Batubulan,  Beratan Lake - Besakih Temple - Celuk - Goa Gajah, Jatiluwih - Kintamani - Mas Village - Penglipuran Village - Sangeh - Tanjung Benoa - Tirta Empul - Ubud Monkey Forest - Uluwatu - Bali Eco Tourism - Rambut Siwi Temple - Kertha Gosa - Puri Saren - Batukaru Temple - Banjar - 

4 star hotels in Bali
Aston Bali Resort - Bali Dynasty Resort - Bali Garden Hotel - Bali Tropic Resort - Club Bali Mirage - Grand Istana Rama - Hard Rock Hotel Bali - Inna Kuta Beach - Jayakarta Bali Beach Resort - Kuta Seaview Cottage - Legian Beach Hotel - Melia Benoa - Mercure Kuta Bali - Mercure Resort Sanur - Novotel Benoa Bali - Outrigger O-ce-n Bali - Pelangi Bali Hotel - Rama Beach Resort - Ramada Resort Benoa - Santika Premier Beach Resort - Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel - Swiss Grand Bali -