Ubud: The Top City in Asia

Bali is very unique island in the world. Ubud is one of the most beautiful town in Bali.

A Balinese official has said that Ubud was proud to be named the best city in Asia by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

The town received the award at the end of 2009, when the prestigious travel publication revealed that Ubud had received an overall rating of 82.5 from holidaymakers, while second-placed Bangkok finished the year with 82.2.

The Conde Nast Traveler’s overall score is compiled from ratings of several categories, including atmosphere, art and culture, accommodation and the friendliness of local people.

People who have stayed in Ubud hotels may note that the destination’s triumph over places such as Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai is particularly remarkable considering the town has a population of just over 8,000 people.

Ubud is chosen as the Best City in Asia by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’s Reader’s award 2009. Ubud is chosen by scored 82.5 toppled Bangkok in the second place. The CondeNast Traveler magazine’s Reader Awards is chosen by 25,000 elected readers

Ubud is chosen as the Best City in Asia with indicator of Atmosphere, Ambience, Sites, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurant and Shopping. Ubud beat other cities; Bangkok in the second place with 82.2, Hong Kong with 81.3, Chiang Mai 80.9, Kyoto 80.2, Singapore 79.6, Shanghai 75.9, Jaipur 74.2, Tokyo 72.9 and Hanoi 69.

Ubud is the heart of Bali, and the centre of the universe. Let’s go to Ubud and feel the real paradise in Bali.

New Movie: Julia Roberts in Bali

This is great news for Bali and Julia Roberts fans around the globe.

It’s confirmed: The Pretty Woman herself, Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, will begin filming in Bali next month for the film adaptation of the best-selling book “Eat, Pray, Love.” The screenplay will be written by American television writer Ryan Murphy, and produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment production company.

Julia Roberts will play the role of Gilbert, while Jenkins appears as a Texan spiritual seeker Robert's character meets in an Indian ashram. “Eat, Pray, Love” is the best-selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert. It tells her story of overcoming a deep depression after a painful divorce during a journey of soul-searching and self-discovery. In her search for peace, she spends a year traveling in Italy, India and Indonesia. While in Bali, the author learns how to balance earthly delights with spirituality and discovers the meaning of love.

One third of the story takes place in Bali where the main character finds love, healing and the mentoring of an aging Balinese guru in Ubud. One of the first-ever Hollywood feature films to be shot in Bali, filming is set to commence in October 16 to November 6, 2009.

Movie locations are fantastic. The shoot is planned to take place at the traditional markets and Monkey Forest in Ubud, along with the nearby villages of Demayu and Tegalalang, and in Badung, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua.

Let’s go to Bali, so we can meet and greet Julia Roberts. Don’t forget to bring your digital camera. We can take photo with Julia Roberts. Wow… This is will be unforgettable moment.

Candidasa

Your travel to Bali is not complete without visiting Candidasa, a beautiful village in Bali. Candidasa lies on the beachfront in Manggis, about 65 kilometres from Denpasar. A nearby temple houses important archaeological remains, including figurines and
statues, thus accounting for the area's popularity among tourists. Since the 1980s, investors have been buying up land on the white sand beachfront here and erecting scores of bungalows, cafes and restaurants.

Candidasa is a great place to get away from it all--a truly peaceful paradise, blessed with idyllic beach coves and dotted with charming home stays. Located on the north-eastern coast of
Bali, is the small village of Candidasa. A tranquil coastal area nestled between the Lombok Strait to the east and mountains to the west, Candidasa is within close proximity to many historical landmarks of Bali including Bali's mother temple, Pura Besakih, Tenganan (the aboriginal people of Bali) as well as the ferry terminal to Lombok. Some of the best diving and snorkelling areas in Bali are also within the Candidasa area. As Candidasa has become more popular with day-trippers, the demand for accommodations and eatery places has grown to wide selection that ranges from star rated properties to simple home stays. All in all, Candidasa is a great place to go for a few days of relaxation.

Bali 10K

Bali is a fantastic multi event island. There are many unique events such as Bali Art Festival, Bali Fashion Week, traditional and a lot of unique religious ceremony. The month of August in Bali witnesses the great commemoration anniversary of Bali Province that takes place in August 14th. The running competition takes participation of elite athletes from international, national, public, students and visitor like us.

After a successful launch last year, the Bali provincial tourist office will once again hold the International Bali 10 K race. The actual race will be divided into four categories: an "elite international" grouping, an "elite national" grouping, a general grouping and a final category for student participants. Attractive merchandise and cash prizes have been prepared for each category of participation.

Will you join Bali 10K this year? Let’s go.

Penglipuran: A Village in Heaven

Bali is a real heaven on earth. Bali is not just Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, Ubud or other beautiful and famous spot in Bali. If you have a special opportunity to travel around the world you must visit a genuine Balinese village, Penglipuran. This village is a traditional countryside owning unique characteristic life, socializing and culture. It is located in Kubu Village, Bangli Sub district and Bangli Regency. The natural nature and environments of countryside is designating the pittance touch of modernization influence.

The specific cultural potential like pattern of building architecture remains to be traditional, the beautiful nature and environment with cool atmosphere, hence this countryside is the ideal place to visit during your vacation in Bali.

The beauty of this village is represented by the name of this village; some say that the word “penglipuran” is derived from the word “penglipur” means “entertainer” it is said that in bygone days the kings of Bali often went to this area to amuse themselves, since the beauty of this area is believed to bring peacefulness and inspiration. It is said that at former empire era, all king often use this area as a place to amuse themselves, because its nature is beautiful and can give the peacefulness and inspiration at the time of experiencing a problem. You will also enjoy this unique village.

Why is this village so beautiful and unique?

One of the best thing about this village compare with the other village in Bali is that the front houses shape are lookalike from the edge of the main village until downstream of village. The houses are order properly that the main area is located in a higher place and keep on decreasing until the downstream area. Despite of their same shape of physical look they also use the same materials in making the houses. For example they use the soil to colour the wall and for the roof made from “Penyengker”and bamboo for all houses in the village.

The residential areas of Penglipuran Village have a very particular look that is unique to the area and extremely aesthetically pleasing with rows of very small but tall traditionally built houses that are very decorative and with thatched roofs. These roads are straight and within the field areas meaning there is a tropical country feels as well as being very culturally interesting. All of these roads are in line with the direction of the mount Agung, which are the most holy peak and one of the most holy places on the entire island. This gives a lovely effect and also extenuates the impressive grandeur of Bali’s largest peak. These cobbled roads sharing their direction with the family temples that can be found in the gardens also facing mount Agung as with the rest of the island the mountain is very important to the culture.

In Penglipuran Village its importance is even stronger which is not surprising as it is likely that the villagers’ ancestors where the people who have suffered the most from the eruptions that have taken place in the past. This being said, there has not been an eruption for many years and although the peak is still deemed as active, another eruption is not expected for a long time. Wow...