| Bali, a beautiful island paradise in the Indonesian | | | | making its environment very suitable for human |
| archipelago made international news when the | | | | inhabitation and as a result, Bali has been inhabited |
| island was rocked by suicide bombings in 2002 and | | | | and civilized since ancient times. |
| 2005. However, the island is better known as an | | | | Bali is also the only island in "middle Indonesia" that |
| excellent vacation holiday destination and a major | | | | has more or less uninterrupted cultural continuity |
| tourist attraction. | | | | for hundreds of years. It is of this reason, Bali is |
| Tourists who have visited this South East Asian | | | | the only part of Indonesia that remains "Hindu" |
| island will tell you that Bali exudes a certain magical | | | | and is still retaining elements of fusion of ethnic |
| charm and that is why, some people call Bali, the | | | | and Hindu cultures of more than a thousand years |
| Island of Gods. After all, gods live in paradise don't | | | | of cultural tradition. |
| they? | | | | When the island was colonized by the Dutch at |
| You will be pleasantly impressed by the many | | | | the beginning of last century, the Dutch colonial |
| stunningly beautiful tourist attractions and the | | | | masters were so impressed by the traditions of |
| charming local people. If you are a scuba diver, | | | | the Balinese that a concerted effort was made to |
| you will be pleased to know that Bali is one of the | | | | preserve the island's mystical culture. |
| top scuba diving destinations in the world. | | | | The Balinese society is a strong and cohesive one |
| Bali presents itself as a modern paradox because | | | | because the local people promote communal and |
| its ancient and traditional culture is still very much | | | | family values. Feelings of alienation from parents |
| alive amidst modern living. While the basic | | | | and friends which are common in the western |
| conservatism of the Balinese people has enabled | | | | world are almost unheard of in Bali. |
| them to preserve many of their ancient customs, | | | | Children are carried everywhere or strapped to |
| culture and religion, it has never hindered the | | | | their mother's back until they are at least three |
| acceptance of the new and innovative modern | | | | months old. Religious rituals are performed |
| technological advancement. | | | | regularly to keep the children safe, healthy and to |
| The island is indeed a feast for the eye for | | | | protect them from harmful spirits. Every aspect |
| tourists on holiday vacation in Indonesia. As the | | | | of village life is organized in such detail that the |
| island is situated near the equator, it has almost | | | | individual's responsibilities and rights are |
| equal amount of time for rain and sunshine | | | | meticulously defined by the Balinese tradition. |