This is the recap of Bali Local Guides Community 1st Virtual Meet Up.
Thank you Mbak Devi
Event:
Explore Bali
Held on Sunday, July 12th 2020 at 3pm WITA Bali Time (UTC+8).
Organized by:
Bali Local Guides Community
Presented by:
Jean, Sandra @Sandra1961 , Atiek @ms_atiek
Helped by the team:
Angga @angga_angkasa , Ore @orre , Octa @OctavianPutra
Om Swastyastu
Thank you everyone for your time and see you again on next meet up
1st. Attendees Introduction Part 1 (by Jean)
Attendees: 57 Local Guides from 12 Countries:
- Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta, Tangerang, Bali, Bekasi, Yogyakarta, Sukabumi, Malang, Bandung, Aceh, etc).
- India (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Assam, Chennai, Rajasthan, Pondicherry, Pune, etc)
- Bangladesh (Chattogram, etc)
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Germany
- Nigeria
- Gambia
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Sri Lanka
We would like to thank all Local Guides from Indonesia and other countries who have joined. And to those who have no chance to joined, that’s ok you can read this recap and hope someday you will be able to join us on upcoming meet up.
2nd. Introduction about Bali Local Guides Community (by Sandra)
Start with information that 1st official meet up of Bali Local Guides community was on Oct 15th 2017. And then the photos of the activities such as meet ups, food crawl, photo walk, geo walk, supported local businesses, charity, beach cleaning, learned how to recycling plastic waste into beautiful and useful items, welcoming LG worldwide, and our 1st and 2nd anniversary celebrations.
3rd. Introduction about Bali (by Sandra)
Based on Sandra’s experience as she has been living in Bali for the last 28 years, Balinese is the most honest, humble and polite people she has ever met. Then continue with the photos of :
Balinese (how they smile a lot, they strongly believe in Karma, so they treat others the same way as they want to be treated).
- Nature (lakes, mountain, waterfalls, hot springs).
- Religion ceremonies such as Nyepi it’s a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese, happen every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) based on Saka calendar, usually on March but it in 2000, Nyepi day in April. And in Nyepi Day there are no flights nor any transportations allowed to come in and to come out Bali.
- Subak (a unique irrigation technique called Subak).
- Balinese dance
- Activities that you can do in Bali, such as water sports, extreme sports, cooking lesson, etc.
- Tourist Attractions, culinary, etc.
4th. Then the tour started with 6 places in Bali
Sunrise on Sanur Beach (photo was taken by Jean’s friend)
SANUR BEACH (presented by Atiek )
Location: Sanur, South Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
- The beaches in Sanur is less crowd than in Kuta or Canggu or Seminyak.
- Sanur beaches start from Matahari Terbit (means Sunrise) beach, Sindhu beach, Segara Ayu, Semawang Beach, until Mertasari beach.
- Great pathway to riding a bike or jog and you can find restaurants, cafes and also toilets.
- Good spot to watch sunrise, usually crowded during weekends or holidays.
- Traditional warung (food stalls) line up along the path with delicious local dishes and drinks.
- A lot of retired foreigners stay there therefore Sanur is popular as “old people beach” but lately a lot of young people also visiting Sanur too.
- Sanur also has a night market full of local food stalls, with local price.
GARUDA WISNU KENCANA or GWK (presented by Sandra)
Location: Ungasan, South Kuta, Badung, Bali, Indonesia
- The eye of Bali, you can see Bali on the top of this statue as well as it can be seen from many parts of the island.
- Designed by a famous Balinese artist Mr. Nyoman Nuarta assisted by other 120 artists.
Many International music concerts, giant events was held here. - Indonesian traditional musics and dances is performed regularly.
- There is a cinema too.
- It is a must visit tourist object whenever you come to Bali.
The entrance fee: Rp. 125,000 for adults and Rp. 100,000 for children and to enter the statue Rp. 200,000 (in 2020). - Complimentary drink voucher is included in the entrance ticket, and you can use it in a Restaurant there.
JATILUWIH RICE TERRACE (presented by Jean)
Location: Jatiluwih Village, Penebel Distric, Tabanan Regency, Bali, Indonesia
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces also a UNESCO World Herritage. It is so Beautiful and wide, around 22.3 square km.
- It also has beautiful view of Mount Batukaru, the 2nd highest mountain in Bali and it is inactive, also view of the famous Mount Agung, the highest mountain in Bali and it is still active. If you come early in the morning, you can see the view of the top of Mount Agung.
- There are 3 options of trekking: short, medium and full trekking around 5 km.
- During the trekking, you can see: the cows, the farmers, the big Artwork of Goddess Dewi Sri, well known as the goddess of rice and also prosperity and fertility.
- If you go there in March it’s beautiful green, early June it’s beautiful yellow and ready to harvest, and when in August it was still short.
- There are some small local food place (warung) inside this rice fields area and also restaurants before the entrance.
- You have to visit this place, highly recommended.
- The entrance fee: Rp. 15,000 for Indonesian and Rp. 40,000 for Foreigner (in 2020).
TANAH LOT (presented by Sandra)
Location: Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali, Indonesia
- Tanah Lot means Land in The Sea, the most visited tourist destination for its famous temple.
- The famous photo of beautiful sunset behind the silhouette of a temple on the rock is taken here.
- It was built around the 16th Century by Dang Hyang Nirartha, a respected religious figure with mighty supernatural power. According to Balinese mythology, he moves the whole rock island to the sea and built the Tanah Lot temple. He also created a venomous sea snake to guard and protect the temple from intruders and evil spirit. People believed that snake is living in a cave at the base of this rocky island.
- The best time to visit this place is during Odalan holly day, so you can see rows of Balinese women parade with lovely tradional costumes carrying offerings on their head to pray at the temple.
- The price: Rp. 60,000 for foreigner and half price for the children, and for Indonesian: Rp. 20,000.
CAMPUHAN RIDGE WALK (presented by Atiek)
Location: Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
- This place is good for a relaxing walk and fresh air, as long as the weather is clear. It is a free and easy trek along a beautiful block pathway. Roughly a 2 km walk but you can do it short as long as you want to.
- Campuhan Ridge Walk has a stunning view of rice fields, so green, so quiet.
- You have to visit this place when you come to Ubud.
- Best time to go there early morning when the sunrise comes out or before sunset.
- There is a cafe there where you can have coffee, juices, lunch while enjoying rice paddy fields view.
- Many people do photoshoot here even for pre-wedding pictures.
- No fee entrance for the pathway (in 2020) you only have to pay the parking fee
KUTA BEACH (presented by Sandra)
Location: Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
- Kuta Beach is the most famous beach in Bali, long sandy beach around 2.5 km long and great waves for surfing since 70s.
- Well known as sunset Beach and also popular for sunbathing, swimming, surfing or even just relaxing under the tree.
- It was a former fishing village and now you can find restaurants and hotels along this beach and becoming the most popular and crowded area in Bali.
- Great place to experience the heart of Bali, to meet people and have fun.
- A historical center of tourism and a must visit place.
- No entrance fee, you only have to pay the parking for car or motorbike.
5th. Questions & Answers (by Angga & Presenters)
There are many questions during the meet up, direct and on chat and some already answered during the meet up by the team and also helped by other attendees who have been visited Bali such as Sir Anil , Sir Aaryesdee , Mbak Indah , Mbak Dell , Mbak Amel, etc. And some questions already answered on above information, and here are questions that we would like to answer on this recap:
- The meaning of places in Bali, such as Sanur (asked by PadeSSo)
- Sanur: there are 2 meaning: pleading to come to a place, and one light. Kuta: castle or shelter. Legian: sweet. Jimbaran: wide field. That’s all for now pak ?
- Place special for fishing or host offers Fishing trip (asked by Kashifmisidia)
- Yes, there are many fishing trip in Bali, normally they do fishing tour in Padang Bai or Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, etc. You can search on google for more information.
- Visa to Bali for Indian citizen (asked by Sir Jaison)
- Visa on Arrival, can be purchased at arrival hall when landed in Indonesia.
- The meaning of BLI in Bali (asked by NyaiNurjanah)
- it is to call a man who is little bit older (senior) than you, just like “Mas” in Javanese.
- The famous biggest swing in Bali (asked by Shreeya)
- There are some places for swing in Bali, specially in Ubud (such as Bali Swing in Ubud, the one in tegalalang rice terraces, etc) or in Bedugul (Wanagiri Hidden Hill, etc).
- Recommendations on learning basic greetings in Bahasa Indonesia language - asked by Nuhuu
- You can learn it from youtube or from language applications or online class.
- Downhill sport in Bali (asked by EverleenC)
- You can find it in Kintamani, Gianyar (Kintamani Downhill Cycling) and Bali Bike Park in Buleleng.
- The best duration for visiting these six desnitations from India (asked by Sir Ajit)
- As some of those places is better to visit in morning, therefore 4 days you can visit them all, so i suggested 5 up to 6 days.
(Note: If you still have any questions you can write on comment below and we will try to answer it.)
6th. Quiz (By Atiek and the team)
Congratulation to the Quiz winners: Mbak Devi @Ddimitra and Bang Radja @Radjasitanggang , and for the Interesting question by chat on meet up: Nyai Nurjanah @Nyainurjanah (the question is the meaning of Bli in Bali).
7th. Take Pictures
Some of attendees already left before we take pictures, here is the link for photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1BEeDPYP2PhAEjqE8
8th. Attendees Introduction Part 2 (by Jean)
We continued the self introduction.
9th. Closing (by Jean).
Additional information:
- Bali will be open for Domestic Tourists on July 31st 2020 and for International Tourists on September 11th 2020. And the flight from Jakarta to Bali around 1.50 hrs by plane.
- When visiting the temple in Bali, you need to wear a sarong and scarf tie on your waist and cover your upper body by wearing a tshirt. Women on her monthly period are not allowed to enter a holy temple.
- “Om Swastyastu” is the greeting that used when a people meet with other people, meaning “May you are in a condition as a gift from God (Sang Hyang Widhi )”. And for closing, the greeting is “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om”, meaning "May peace be upon you as a gift from God (Sang Hyang Widhi).
Once again, thank you very much for:
- The team and Bali Local Guides Mbak Dell @doc_dells Mas Miftah @Jepretlari and Mbak Devi for every details that you informed me and also to Ewaade, Shreeya, Alpha for your advice and others who i can not mentioned one by one.
- Everyone for spent your time with us on meet up and for your support, attention, and for your feed back.
Thank you and see you on upcoming meet up.
Om … Shanti… Shanti… Shanti… Om
Regards,
Jean, Sandra, Atiek, Angga, Ore, Okta.
mbk jean
I am just so much in love with Bali 
