Indo Travel

Bali province is known as one of tourism destination in Indonesia. There is no doubt if many foreign and domestic tourist come to this province. In fact, this province absorbs half of foreign tourist to Indonesia. It is obvious that tourism sector is the primadona in this province.

Based on the statistic from 1990-2000, foreign tourist who visit Bali grew about 9,93% per year in average. This data shows that generally foreign tourist visit gained a positive year by year, except in year 2001 and 2003 the growth were negative (i.e. -10,6%). Domestic tourist have different characteristic. Before crisis period in Indonesia, the number of domestic tourist visited Bali was approximately 4.18% (based on statistic data 1990-1996). Nevertheless, after crisis period, the number of domestic tourist who visits Bali decreased. However, the number of domestic tourist who visits Bali slowly started to increase and expected to get better for the incoming future.

In Bali, the drop of tourist visit were those from European countries, USA and some from Asia as the psychological impact of both WTC tragedy and USA military aggression. Besides, the USA military aggression was then strongly faced by some people in Indonesia through sweeping against foreigners especially the American. This certainly streaked tourism image of Indonesia including Bali.

The number of tourist visit to Bali in September 2001 dropped 4% compared to similar period of year 2000. Although the cumulative figure for the first 8-month of 2001 increased 7% compared to similar period in former year. This effect was more experienced, as the end years were not a tourism season in Bali. Subsequently, in 2001 number of foreign tourists who visit Bali dropped 4.07% than in 2000.

To anticipate tourist arrival in Bali well prepared infrastructures are very essential. One of them is international airport as the main gate for tourist to Bali.
Based on survey of Angkasa Pura I Jakarta office, Ngurah Rai International Airport has finished expansion phase II. The completion of phase II means the airport may received 9.5 million passenger per year (maximum capacity is estimated to be reached by this year, 2005).

Bali is recognized worldwide as main tourism destination for both foreign and domestic tourist. Ironically, the name of Bali sometimes more noticeable than Indonesia. This is created as most of foreign tourist who come to Bali goes directly without stepping their feet to other places.

Tourism development in Bali started from 1975-1979. Nevertheless, rapid growth have begun in 1985-1990as the increasing of investment on tourism destination and accommodation in Bali, particularly since the government of Indonesia established Bali Tourism Development Corporation program in 90-ies.

Bali has very attractive tourism objects, which are natural beauty scenery (beach and mountain) and culture. Combination of both natural geographic and unique culture supported by the native hospitality makes Bali very attractive as tourism destination.

Natural tourism object in Bali is dominated by beach tourism. Most of the beach has white sand. White sandy beach is the most attractive object for tourist, such as Nusa Dua, Kuta and Benoa. Besides enjoying white sandy beach, some beach can be used for water sport such as diving and surfing or only to see sun rise and sun set. Another natural tourism object is mountain in Batur and Bedugul, whilst cultural tourism object such as praying house for Hindu called Pura, Istana Tampak Siring and handy-craft village.
There are now many tourism objects in Bali, but with various growths in different places. One of the indications to note the growth on an area is the number of accommodation facilities, especially star hotels. Most of tourism area which has rapid growth is beach tourism area.

The preparations occurred in 1963 upon the request of President Sukarno, and shortly after, a massive volcanic eruption of Gunung Agung killed almost two thousand people. This highly religious and important ceremony was held again in the early months of 1979. Traditionally, the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra occurs every hundred years. There must be a balance in the world between the forces of good and evil, and when the balance favours the latter, the ceremony msut be performed.
When the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra occurs – its preparation and the entire ceremony – it is with the involvement of the entire population of Bali. Basically, the eleven demons [of which Rudra is the most powerful] must be transformed in order that they become less threatening to the world balance. This is why then the ceremonies duration is 11 weeks with the number of ceremonies totalling thirty in all.
The beginning of the Eka Dasa Rudra is spectacular. This involves the symbolic washing of the Gods images in the sea. The whole procession takes three days and in this time the images are carried to the sea. But it is the sacrificing of a buffalo [whose horns are covered in gold casings and adorned with other valuables] to the sea demons that to most westerners would seem cruel, but to the Balinese its not. A large heavy stone is tied around the neck of the buffalo as it is forced into the swirling ocean. There are various chants and prayers by pemangku and pedanda, and there are dance rituals performed. The main one being the war dance, ‘baris’.
With the conclusion of the initial sacrifice and accompanying rituals, virtually everybody in Bali [or most of them] travel to the mother temple at Besakih. Every path and road leading from all the villages in Bali are filled with lines of worshippers carrying offerings up to the main temple at Besakih. When all are gathered, then the climax of Eka Dasa Rudra begins – the ‘Taur’ sacrifices. These sacrifices involve the pedanda directing their prayers in all 11 directions of what is called ‘Balinese space’, according to ancient rituals written on lontar-palm scripts. Whilst these prayers are being directed, two dozen or so priests sacrifice many animals and birds in an effort to appease the demonic manifestation of Bali’s supreme-being, Rudra.
Naturally the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra is much more complicated and detailed than I have explained. But you have the basics of the ceremony. To write about the entirety of Eka Dasa Rudra, it would be numerous pages.