Inter-island adventure Bali & Sumba
While Bali is hugely popular as a holiday destination with a plethora of things to do, from white water rafting and trekking to watching its vibrant cultural rituals, sipping on cocktails as the sun goes down and dining at world-class restaurants and cafes, it is also an excellent base to visit the neighboring islands.
Why not enjoy an inter-island exploration starting your stay with a few days in Ubud, Bali’s cultural mecca, and explore the lush, verdant surroundings, perhaps taking in a tour of the Ubud royal palace, watching classic Balinese dance and drama performances, visiting the monkey forest, exploring the wonderful art museums and consulting with a traditional Balinese healer. Dining in Ubud is eclectic, from roadside stalls to bistros and the best fine dining, with cuisines from around the world and from every trend all lovingly crafted to tempt your palate.
After all the fascinating indulgences in Ubud, take time for a complete change and continue your trip to Sumba, just a few islands east of Bali. Despite the short distance (an hour flight away), Sumba is almost nothing like Bali. The land is arid with grassy plains and undulating limestone hills, the crops are cassava and corn rather than rice, and the villages have their own distinctive characteristics and style. Here you can still find megalithic tombs, unique ancient rituals and traditional, as well as stunning beaches and spectacular scenery.
The pace of life is much quieter in Sumba and there are far fewer people. Recharge, rejuvenate and completely escape without the pressures of your day-to-day life; you have time to breathe, time to explore and to wander somewhere completely different, taking in what’s going on around you as you appreciate the company of your travel companions. This is somewhere where no-one knows you and you can effortlessly be yourself.
Whether you have a girls’ adventure planned, an idyllic honeymoon or couples escape, or a family holiday, visiting Bali and Sumba gives you lots of fascinating options, with stays at luxury hotels like COMO Shambhala Estate and Nihi Sumba island.
To make the most of your precious holiday time, why not take the advantage of the expertise at All Seasons Bali Travel, which specializes in bespoke itinerary services for Bali and beyond. The entire All Seasons team have a deep passion for travel and hospitality, having been born and raised in Bali, travelled internationally and worked in the five-star hotel industry for many years. Draw on this expertise to craft a holiday that perfectly suit your character and fine the side of Bali and other parts of Indonesia that only the locals know. #allseasonsbalitravel #travelallseasons
Death is not a journey into an unknown land, it is a voyage home.
Ngaben or cremation ceremony is one of the most important ceremonies in Balinese life cycle. This Bali Hindu funeral ritual involves a long and delicate preparation. Though the main principles are the same, expect some differences in execution within the Bali regencies. The main purpose of Ngaben is to release the soul of the deceased so that it can enter the upper realm where it will wait for reincarnation or eventually liberated from the cycles of rebirths.
For particularly the family and relatives, it’s an eventful week or month-long preparation, very personal and emotionally tough. Though everyone is in sorrow, the intricacy of the ceremony and the intent of ensuring the deceased is sent to the place of honor, keeping everyone endure such sadness. In Jangu, Selat, Karangasem, the deceased is not burnt but buried. It is mainly due to the village is within close proximity to the sacred mount Agung and hence to avoid the impurity of the sacredness of the mountain, deceased isn’t burnt and yet buried.
Plan your Bali holiday with All Seasons Bali Travel. Immerse yourself in the local culture. Go behind the scene, it gives a more meaningful experience than to be an ordinary tourist. #allseasonsbalitravel #travelallseasons