Villa Semana Hotel Bali Blog

Nyepi Day is the Balinese New Year’s Day based on the Balinese Saka calendar system which has it’s origins in South India. There are 12 lunar months which end on a new moon called Tilem. Nyepi Day is actually the 1st day of the 10th lunar month of this calendar and is an important religious day. It is also Bali’s annual day of silence where all shops are closed and no one is supposed to be seen out on the streets. The purpose of this is to make it appear to the evil spirits that everyone has abandoned Bali. Seeing this, they too will leave…. Yes, so you will be safe … from the evil spirits at least.

The day before Nyepi is called Tawur Kesanga and the day when exorcisms are carried out at the main village crossroads which is where the demons supposedly meet. This is when many Ogoh-Ogoh are carried through the town in a carnival like atmosphere. Since they represent the evil spirits, they all look frighteningly ugly with fangs and bulging eyes. At night the Ogoh-Ogoh are set on fire to free the island of the evil spirits. (more…)

Here are some photos from a recent morning bike ride with guests.

A common site in the fields is to see flocks of ducks feeding

Kori Agung - Temple Gate
Every major temple is divided into courtyards seperated by Kori Agung, which are elaborately carved gates with shrines on each side such as the one above. The grand style of this gate comes from the former Mengwi Kingdom which once stretched from Lake Bratan to as far south as Denpasar.

Kul-kul - Drum Tower
The drum tower is a four poster pavilion with one or more wooden slit drums in it used to summon the villagers for an assembly or other reason. The rhythm of the drum beat varies according to the reason for the summons.

Closer look at the drums in the kul kul

If you’ll be spending time in Ubud this month or next, be sure to catch the activities in the first ever Ubud Festival, organized by the Ubud Community Board.

According to Anak Agung Gede Ariawan, Director of Public Relations, the festival of events and activities is designed to lift the spirits of the people to motivate them, and revitalize the aspects of community which have suffered since the first Bali bombing. The month long festival, to be held from July 16th to August 17th will involve 13 banjars, and around 2,500 families. It will be unique as it is involving the community at large for the purpose of healing the community by cultural activity. (more…)

What is it about Ubud that one should visit this beautiful village? Because Ubud has much to offer; from its stunning panorama of Ayung River valley and the terraces rice filed, its most talented artist, its typical traditional market and myriad of shops that line the road is a heaven for shopping, its undying culture, its serene environs and plentiful of nice small hotels and restaurants and many more.? ? (more…)

Throughout the years, dance and drama have played an important role in Balinese culture. It is through this medium that the Balinese have learned tales from the Ramayana, Mahabarata and other epic stories from their history. There are several places you can enjoy a dance performace in Ubud. Dances are held virtually every night. Below you will find short descriptions of some of the more popular dances you can attend in Ubud.

Dance schedule for dances around the Ubud area.

Agung Rai Museum of Art
Features works from Bali’s most celebrated names such as Spies, Hofker, Bonnet and Affandi.
Jl Bima Pangosekan, Ubud. Tel: (62) 0361 974 228

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A new botanical gardens has opened in Ubud. The gardens, situated in the village of Kutuh Kaja are just 1.2km from Ubud town center and faces the Bird Village of Petulu.

Founded by Stefan Reisner, a German living in Bali and Faizah, originally from East Java, the gardens are privately funded and built on land leased from local villagers for 30 years with the hope that local villagers will see the value of the park and preserve its legacy.

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