The ancient Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, dedicated to the sprits of the sea, is perched on steep cliffs which have formed where the land ends at the South East coast of the Island. Built in the eleventh century, the temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in Bali. Uluwatu Temple is a classic expression of ancient Bali in a spectacular setting, high above the crashing waves. This is one of the oldest and most important temples in Bali, one of the six original ‘Sad Kahyangan’ (territorial) temples on the island.

2nd BUDDHA’S BELLY INVITATIONAL POOL TOURNAMENT
Put your skills to the test! Play in Bali’s finest billiard & snooker lounge….

YOU! are invited to join the Bali Pool League Kick-off.

Main requirements:
Minimum knowledge of how pool works
If you are men and women of all ages
Know HOW TO have a GREAT time!

Competition Details:
The second tryout will be on Thursday, February 23, 8pm, at Buddha’s Belly Restaurant & Billiard Lounge. This event will be the preliminary stage for meeting other pool enthusiasts and forming the Bali Expat Pool League for 2006. The tournament is limited to 32 participants.

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Wayang (shadow puppets)is an ancient form of story telling and often part of ritual ceremony. Wayang has been a part of Indonesian culture going back as far as 1500 B.C. There are many kinds of wayang found throughout the Indonesian Archipelago. Each island will have its own special form of Wayang.

In Bali, the shadow puppets are generally made from cow hide, but they are can also be made from coconut skin or wood. There is also a kind of living wayang performance where people perform as puppets, Wayang Wong.

But, generally Wayang refers to shadow puppet performances played by a “dalang” (master of the puppets). Stories are based on the great epics from India, such as Mahabharata and Ramayana. Sometimes they performances depict local folktales.

Bali is a small island, which barely shows up on the world map. There are other, smaller islands surrounding Bali, such as Menjangan, which belongs to the regency of Buleleng, Serangan, which is part of the city of Denpasar, and Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, which together belong to the regency of KIungkung. Bali has an area of 5.632 km, a coastline of 529 km, and is inhabited by a population of around three million people, including ethnic Balinese and immigrants from elsewhere. Consisting of eight regencies and one capital city, it has a population rate of 517people/km in its most densely populated areas. The largest lowland is located in the regency of Buleleng in northem Bali, with an area of 1.365.88 km or around 24.25% of the whole area of Bali.

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Near Bedugul, eleven kilometers south of Singaraja, the Gitgit Waterfall is a stunning sight not to be missed.

The 45 meter high falls roar down a steep stone cliff into a mist covered pool below, where travellers can cool off with a swim or rest their tired feet in the refreshing waters of the rushing river below.

For those searching for the ultimately romantic spot to spread out an open air feast, there are picnic facilities available at the site, offering spectacular views of the dramatic falls.

photo by Ramamohan Pai

Babi Guling (Suckling Pig) may be the most famous Balinese cuisine. Babi Guling is a whole baby pig prepared over an open, corn husk fire. A long stick is inserted through the pig’s body from one end to the other after it is flavored, inside and out, with chopped spices that include shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, galangal, pepper coriander, candlenuts, chilies, lemon grass and lots of whole cassava leaves.

The cassava leaves spread the spices evenly while the pig is being slowly grilled.

When this delicious treat is fully cooked, the meat is cut into small portions for serving. Babi Guling is served in many food stalls restaurants throughout Bali and is a huge favorite.

When you order Babi Guling it usually comes served with a couple of side dishes…always a pleasant surprise.