Fun and cool facts about Bali
- Purple Dive
- May 15
- 3 min read
Bali is not just palm trees, turquoise water and sunset cocktails, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. From ancient traditions to daily rituals, Bali is an island that blends spirituality, culture and charm in a way that’s completely its own.
Location
Bali lies between the islands of Java and Lombok. What many people don’t realise is that “Bali” isn’t just one island, it is a province, and includes not only the main island, but also the three smaller nearby islands; Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Cenningan.
Each island has its own personality: The main island buzzes with culture, temples and (lots of) traffic, while the Nusa islands are much smaller and more laid-back. They have more rugged dramatic shore lines, and are known for their sheer cliffs, manta ray population and crystal-clear waters.
Bali is often called the Island of the Gods or the Island of a Thousand Temples and has over 20,000 temples across the island.
Offerings or “Canang Sari”:
One of the first things you will notice around Bali are the small offerings everywhere. They are placed daily outside homes, shops, temples and even scooters and cars. They are called canang sari and are small woven palm-leaf baskets filled with flowers, rice, incense and a biscuit or sweets with each item holding a specific meaning.
They’re a way of saying thank you to the gods, maintaining balance between good and evil, and showing gratitude for life itself. Simple, beautiful, and deeply meaningful. The canang sari are sacred and spiritual, so as respect, do not step over them (or on them!) especially if the incense is still burning.
Day of silence or “Nyepi”
Every year, the whole of Bali stops for Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. For 24 hours from 6am to 6am on this day, electricity is turned off, no work or entertainment is allowed and residents must stay inside their homes with absolutely no noise permitted. It’s a day for self-reflection and spiritual reset. Nyepi celebrates the new year of the Balinese Saka Calendar, thus usually occurs in March.
The Balinese also observe Nyepi Laut (silent ocean day). Again, for 24 hours on this day, all water activities, including fishing, diving and sea travel, stops. It is to give the ocean a rest and seek balance with nature. Nyepi Laut is based on the lunar calendar and usually occurs around September – October.
Luwak Coffee:
Bali is famous for Luwak coffee (Kopi Luwak). Often called the world’s most expensive coffee, the beans are first eaten by a civet (luwak), a small cat like animal. These beans then pass through its digestive system and are collected, cleaned and roasted to make the coffee. It's a must try for coffee lovers visiting Bali!
The Balinese Naming System:
Balinese names are given by a traditional system based on birth order, not family names and are given as follows:-
First-born - Wayan / Putu / Gede
Second-born - Made / Kadek
Third-born - Nyoman / Komang
Fourth-born - Ketut
The names are not gender specific, rather, they are preceded by either “I” or “Ni” to signify male or female. So “I Made” would indicate a man, and “Ni Made” would indicate a woman.
A Few Extra Fun Facts
Rice terraces aren’t just pretty they’re part of an ancient irrigation system called subak, recognised by UNESCO.
Ceremonies happen constantly, so don’t be surprised if traffic stops for a procession, just enjoy the sights and the music! Patience is a local skill.
Time is flexible in Bali. There is a saying here that time is elastic; things happen when they happen, and somehow, it all works out.
Bali Stays With You
Bali isn’t just a place you visit, it’s a place you feel. The mix of spirituality, warmth, humour and tradition has a way of slowing you down and making you pay attention. Whether you come for the beaches, the culture, the diving or the coffee (yes, that coffee), Bali has a habit of drawing people back again and again.
Because once you’ve experienced the Island of the Gods, it’s very hard to forget.
Comments