Visiting Lombok with all of its beautiful Gili Islands wouldn’t be complete without buying some of the local souvenirs at Lombok. Some of the souvenirs you should buy are the traditional pottery of Lombok and ethnic cloth of Sasak and more. Sasak is the native ethnic group living in Lombok Island.

Let’s start visiting the Banyu Mulek Village the center of ethnic pottery of Lombok. Travelling to this village would take 30 minutes from Mataram. The potteries made here are mostly made by the women of the village. The history of the pottery-making in this village dated back in the 16 centuries. Legend said that when Lombok was still occupied by the first couple in Lombok, Inaq Beleq and Amaq Beleq, they were unsure to cook the rice from their first harvest. During their troubled minds they start praying for a solution. The Goddess Anjani heard their prayer and sent Manuk Bre to teach them to process the mountain soil into a cooking pot. Since then the pottery making were passed down generations after generations.

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A few weeks ago Bali held one of the biggest event of Balinese culture The Grand Cremation Ceremony (pelebon) of the Royal Ubud family. It was indeed a rare and very spectacular event.

Here are some of the videos that I’ve gathered from Youtube. We might taste a bit of the atmosphere through this videos.

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We’ve seen the marvelous beauties of Gili Islands in the north of Lombok that consists of three Gilis and Gili Trawangan is the most popular among them. There are actually a lot more Gilis (meaning small island in Lombok native language) that’s worth noticing and visiting. One of them is Gili Nanggu, a small island located south of Gili Trawangan.

This island is also known as Paradise Island is actually a privately own island. The island is now run by PT. Istana Cempaka Raya, a company based in Jakarta. The island is now focusing on giving the best tourism experience for travelers alike.

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After the recently held Bali Art Festival that was opened by Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, The President of Indonesia, Bali will have another great cultural event called Sanur Village Festival 2008. As the name suggest this event will take place at Sanur a half hour drive east from Denpasar. The event which will be held in 6 - 10 August 2008 near the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel area on Jl Pantai Segarawill and along the coast that stretches from Sindu to Sanur beaches features Bali culture and cuisine.

This event might be the perfect time to discover the Balinese cuisine, as you don’t have to go across Bali just to feel the taste of the original Balinese cuisine. Aside from the culinary exhibition the event will feature dozens of cultural and recreational activities, from art and cultural exhibitions and performances to an international cartoon exhibition, fashion show, and sport events.

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Indonesia richness and beauty doesn’t always belong to the Indonesian seas and beaches, but also on land. Mountains stood firm across this nation that belongs to the great three plates of the Earth. Those three plates are Eurasia, Indo-Australia, and the Pacific plate. Indonesia is also located in a line called The Pacific Ring of Fire. Being surrounded by these great plates and also The Pacific Ring of Fire Indonesia holds 129 active volcanoes, this numerous numbers of volcanoes had named Indonesia of being a nation with the most active volcanoes in the world.

Some of the volcanoes in Indonesia are stable and friendly enough for tourists seeking to witness the volcano’s activity at close range, and most of these volcanoes hold beautiful sights and panorama with its natural beauty that surrounds them. One of the favorite of all the volcanoes in Indonesia is Mount Bromo.

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Yesterday I wrote things that travelers shouldn’t do while in Bali. This time Indonesia-guide.net will give you some tips that you should do before, and when you’re visiting Bali.

Things you should do:

1. Book early
   Bali is a popular travelling destination both for international tourists and local tourists, so that’s why Bali will never get quite especially in the high season. Finding a place to stay at the best place is almost impossible without booking it first when at high season. So unless you’re not going the feel the best experience in Bali, book early.

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Pelebon Agung Puri Ubud 2008 that was held yesterday was so awesome. The Pelebon Agung of Tjokorda Gede Agung Suyasa as well known as Cok Lingsir was crowded with so many people both from Balinese and International tourists that wish to witness this grand event. Every eyes were focused on the 28.5 meters or nine stories tall Bede that was being carried to setra (burial site) Banjar Tebesaya, Peliatan, Ubud.

The Bade that carries layon (the deceased body, if I’m not mistaken) left Puri Ubud at 13.30 Central Indonesia Time. In front of the Bade was a convoy of Kings from all around Indonesia. Some members of the convoy were the Royal Family of Keraton (kingdom) Surakarta. Followed by a small Lembu Hitam (Black Ox) convoy, and behind it a bigger Lembu Hitam convoy. On top of that ox stood the crown prince of Puri Ubud, Tjokorda Ngurah Suyadnya familiarly known as Cok Wah.

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Bali is beautiful, Bali is great, and Bali is a perfect vacation spot if you keep playing by the Balinese rules. To ensure you have a good travelling in Bali, check out this list of what you shouldn’t do in Bali. The list comes from my personal experience and others that I have compiled here.

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Located in the center of the Bali Island, Ubud is where you can find almost of all culture of Balinese people and that’s why sometimes Ubud is called a mini Bali. Ubud isn’t like Kuta which is already overcrowded by tourists and Balinese alike. Ubud has its own pattern and Ubud is where the ancient Balinese empire used to rule the land of Bali.

The trip to Ubud will take about an hour from Denpasar. Tell your driver to go through Batubulan and Sayan which has one of the best views of rice terraces in Bali. If you’re sick of beaches, then start here.

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Attention travellers! A grand event is going to take place in Ubud, Bali. The Royal Familiy of Ubud will be conducting a grand cremation ceremony known as pelebon in 15th July. This event will be a spectacular show in Bali for travellers coming in Indonesia. This event will feature the great culture of the Balinese, and you will witness this spectacular culture show which were last held 29 years ago.

The Departement of Cultural and Tourism had worked together with the Ubud Royal Family to welcome tourists and travellers alike both from local and International.

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