Home to diverse ethnic groups and a multitude of faiths, the petite isle in the Indonesian archipelago is a tourist destination like no other. Located a mere eight degrees from the equator, Bali combines bright and sunny weather with exquisite sights, culturally diverse experiences and of course, truly wonderful people.
Home to the ‘Mother Mountain’ i.e. Gunung Agung, which peaks at about two thousand metres, Bali also boasts of volcanic activity which merely adds to its exoticism. Its natural beauty is complemented by the infrastructure that has developed in leaps and bounds in the past few decades which has moulded Bali into a thriving tourist destination.
This isle of panoramic beauty is composed of eight regencies including Gianyar, Buleleng, Bangli and Bandung, each of which is famous for its own unique experience. For instance, Ubud is a district in the heart of Bali which is well known for its cultural attractions which tourists are often enthralled by. Likewise, another village by the name of Bona boasts of having given birth to the famous Balinese dance of Kecak.
Located on the route between the regency of Gianyar and Blahbatu, Bona’s exoticism is enhanced by Kecak, a dance which is also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant, which is performed by around one hundred and fifty dancers who skilfully illustrate a battle from the Ramayana. Predominantly performed by males, the Kecak Dance is believed to have originated from the quaint village of Bona and is quite a sight, one that should not be missed by any ardent travellers.
Bona is also well known for its basket weaving and furniture crafted out of bamboo sticks. The villagers are skilled in weaving baskets from lontar leaves and these hand crafted baskets make ideal souvenirs and gifts for loved ones back home. Thus, Bona is makes for an ideal excursion, especially for those residing in a Bali resort in Ubud, for organised tours are often made from this district to Bona. Even if you are staying at a resort in Bali near the beach such as the exquisite Anantara Seminyak Bali, a trip to the heart of this isle and frequenting the iconic Bona village will add colour to your holiday in the sun.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
