Nevada Casinos

Nevada Casinos

Nevada, in particular, Las Vegas, is the first place most people think of when you mention the word "casino." This state is known for gambling more than just about anything else. However, there is more to Nevada than gambling and the fine Nevada casinos.

The Hoover Dam, Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe and the vast desert spaces all add to Nevada's pull as a tourist destination. Its capital, Carson City, is a town full of historical significance and of course, the lure of Las Vega...

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Nevada, in particular, Las Vegas, is the first place most people think of when you mention the word "casino." This state is known for gambling more than just about anything else. However, there is more to Nevada than gambling and the fine Nevada casinos.

The Hoover Dam, Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe and the vast desert spaces all add to Nevada's pull as a tourist destination. Its capital, Carson City, is a town full of historical significance and of course, the lure of Las Vegas as a top travel destination, all add to the appeal of Nevada.

Casinos are plentiful in Nevada, with the major concentration of them being in Las Vegas. Almost all of Nevada's casinos feature a large number of slot machines, table games, dining and entertainment options, with some more upscale than others. Nevada casinos are unmatched in terms of quality and most casinos around the world model their facilities after those found in Nevada.

Starting in Las Vegas, the higher end casinos include: The Aladdin Resort & Casino, The Bellagio, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, The MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, The Excalibur Hotel & Casino, The Mirage, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, to name a few. These Nevada casinos all feature thousands of slots machines, hundred of table games and all of them feature special shows and entertainment options. From Broadway shows to musical performances by top artists to boxing matches, these Nevada casinos are the best of the best and are unrivaled. The Nevada casinos are visually stunning and from fountains to light shows, no expense in spared in the aesthetic affect of each one of the Nevada casinos. Up and down the Las Vegas "strip", there are a number of smaller facilities, each devoted to helping you win and lose money. Each casino has facilities in place to pamper you, make you comfortable, and encourage you to stay longer, gamble more and spend more money.

Venturing outside of the bright lights of Las Vegas, there is a large of concentration of casinos in both Carson City and Reno.

Reno features the Atlantis Casino & Resort, Harrah's and the Sands Regency Casino Hotel. Carson City boasts the Silver Dollar Casino and the Carson Nugget. Each of these Nevada casinos are not as large scale as those located in Las Vegas, but feature a nice mix of table games, slot machines and various amenities.

Nevada casinos are the best of the best and a casino can be found in almost any city in the state. The amenities are numerous, the stakes often high and the experience unforgettable. Finally, now and in the future, Nevada casinos will remain a popular tourist attraction.

NCAA March Madness

NCAA March Madness

How to handicap College Hoops NCAA March Madness Tournament Edition

It is the time of year when conference championships are almost upon us and there are several keys that should be looked at when handicapping the tournaments during March Madness.

Experience pays off:

One has to look at teams that have played in championships to get back to the championship round. In the last five years teams that have won the championship has made it back to the big game 63% of the time. This has to do with being able to handle the pressure of the big game.

Depth:

Depth is a must for the championship tournament as it will always give an edge to a team when it comes to late in the tournament when teams have played several games over several days. Teams that are strong in depth allow players to be fresher longer and eat up precious time as well as fouls at any given time. 

Rebounding:

This one is rather obvious has teams that rebound the ball well get a second chance at missed shots and will often control the tempo of the game for the most part. The teams in conference that have had the rebounding edge has gone to the championship round more often than not.

Free Throws: 

Another obvious one is free throws. Teams that can shoot free throws will win games down the stretch and in conference tournaments they are invaluable. With the basics of picking a winner in the conference tournaments out of the way let’s look at some of the intangibles that will make you money ATS.

Ride the Streak:

Hot teams coming into the tournament are always a play in my book. These teams usually get all the bounces, play the game the hardest and take advantage of teams playing out the string. However a note here is if the team is undefeated in conference play when they enter the tournament I suggest a play against them SU and ATS. 

Stay away from the last team to make the tournament:

The #8 seed is a dangerous go of things in conference tournaments. They have played the #1 seed before (often twice) and so the #1 seed knows exactly what to expect and is not surprised by the play or the temp unlike March Madness when the lower seeds surprise more often. The #8 seed is not a money maker ATS either as they are just 51% ATS in conference tournaments.

Your upsets will be from the middle of the pack:

This makes sense as the teams ranked #4-#6 are often playing opposition with equal talent or close to it. This is where the dog will become more valuable than not and will have an easier path to getting to the conference championship and often cashing as an underdog along the way. 

The conference tournaments to me are very valuable when considering the big dance in March. The reason is simple. When you play close attention to the conference tournaments you are watching teams that will make the Big Dance and you will get insight on how to play them when March Madness starts. For up to date information on March Madness stop by Bang The Book Sports Handicapping Forum at http://www.bangthebook.com

NBA Basketball Betting

 NBA Basketball Betting

Do you want to know a little secret? NBA basketball betting can make you a lot of money. NBA basketball is a game that has helped turn sports betting losers into happy sports bettors with larger bankrolls. It’s really no secret to winning sports bettors—NBA basketball is the easiest game to make money at. The game itself gives sports bettors plenty of opportunity and the ability to win right up until the end. Unlike Football, Baseball and Hockey, NBA basketball does not have limited scoring. In those other games you might see a handful—or less—of scoring executions per game. If your side gets behind too much, it’s over no matter how much time is left. However, in NBA basketball, your team is usually in the game until the end.

Think about it for a moment. If you were to bet a -8 point favorite in football and the game was tied with 6 minutes left and the other team had the ball, would you have a realistic shot at winning? The answer is probably not. However, let’s apply the same situation to an NBA basketball game and chop 4 minutes off the clock—so there’s 2 minutes left. Would you have a realistic shot at covering the 8 points? You bet! Teams must shoot the ball within 24 seconds and each made basket is worth 2 or 3 points. You would only need 3-4 baskets to make the 8 points. Granted, the other team can score too, but in the NBA, two minutes at the end of a game is an eternity when the teams are close.

Let’s look at another scenario. Imagine that it’s half time in Basketball and Football, it’s the 5th inning in Baseball and it’s the 2nd period in hockey. Which of these four following scenarios have the best outcome?

1.The team you bet on in Baseball is down by 6 runs.

2.The team you bet on in Hockey is down by 3 goals.

3.The team you bet on in Football is down by 21 points.

4.The team you bet on in NBA Basketball is down by 22 points.

The answer, of course, is number four. Scores are hard to come by in the first three options. While comebacks happen sometimes, in the NBA, teams always go on runs. Each season is filled with games where a team was down 10,15, even 20 points and came back to win. There are many other games where the underdog was down by a lot and game back to lose by just a few points. With the NBA, you are almost always in the action right up to the end of the game. Can you say that about any other sport?

Finally, let’s talk about NBA basketball totals. You might find that betting the total points in a game (under or over) is your thing and you would not be alone. There is a theory out there that those who can get a feel for totals betting are among the most successful sports bettors alive. You could debate that theory, but it does point out a very important idea. Totals betting in NBA basketball is full of winning opportunity and the sports books don’t set them as well as the spread. Will this translate into more money in your pocket? That’s for you to decide.

If you are not on fire right now for some NBA basketball action, check your pulse. NBA basketball presents one of the greatest opportunities open to sports bettors. Don’t miss out of a great thing. Sports bettors and handicappers look forward to the NBA basketball season every year and now you know why.

My First Bad Beat

My First Bad Beat

Anyone who has ever played poker for any amount of time knows how fickle Lady Luck can be.  You peek at your cards, try not to give any sign of the incredible joy you feel washing over you like wave after wave of the ocean.  Straight faced, or with as much of one as you can manage, you set your trap.  We all know how this story ends . . . with you staring in utter disbelief.  How could everything go so horribly wrong?  How could every trap be set, every card played?  Enter every bad poker playing cliché, every scene in any movie ever taking place in a bar after losing the big hand.  

As an avid poker player (draw, stud, hi-low, Omaha, hold ‘em, Caribbean—you name it, I have played it) I have played tens of thousands of hands and have had my shares of the highs, and the lows.  Since poker player is usually synonymous with “glutton for punishment” and “repeatedly punched in the gut” it should come as no surprise that the bad beats stay with us more than the highs.  How many pocket aces hands do you clearly remember?  Now, how many of those hands were when your pocket aces got beat on the river?  Check, and check mate.

We carry our bad beat stories around, and I am no exception.  One of my favorite bad beat stories to share with fellow players while swapping the sob stories stayed with me because it was a bad beat that did two things.  That bad beat kept me from my first $100 day (this was back when I only played small kitchen games or one dollar on-line tables), and it left a sour note on a day that was otherwise a breakthrough in my game.

My nemesis of that day was one of my best friends, Tom “Lucky Draw” Shover.  We were heads up in an all or nothing table game for $50, which was a great pot for a college student scrounging to get the $5 entry fee each week.  

He bet heavy before the flop, and somehow I knew, for the first time in my poker playing career, I knew what his cards were.  He was holding the Q-K of clubs.  I had a pair of twos.  Usually I would not play such a pair, but in heads up, and knowing his cards, I called.  The flop came down Q-Q-2.  Ever try to keep a straight face?  He hit his hand huge, and I had him trapped.  I decided to push all in quickly, to make it look like a bluff.  Tom looked at me like I was insane, and then called.  Sure enough, he held the Q-K of clubs, and I had the full house.  The glory of victory, the stunned look on his face, the king on the turn.

Yes, the king on the turn.  Just like that, I was down to one out in the entire deck, and it didn’t come.  The  biggest breakthrough of my young career ended with a bust, once again proving that Tom’s nickname was very well deserved, and that $100 day, that early benchmark, would have to wait another day.

Beach front Resorts of the Costa del Sol

Beach front Resorts of the Costa del Sol

Sotogrande

Sotogrande is found within the province of Cadiz and is situated near the Straits of Gibraltar which can offer quiet beaches and coves although the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol is only half an hour away.  It is within easy reach of Malaga, Marbella, Cadiz and Gibraltar.

Sotogrande is an exclusive sports and residential development which has developed over the last 30 years.  It is a quiet area based around a substantial marina which will have over 1,000 berths once the second phase is completed.  Sotogrande is also home to the famous Valderrama golf club as well as many others.  

Sotogrande is an all year round resort offering golf, sailing and tennis with lots of good bars, restaurants and large hotels for relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.

Estepona

Estepona is a coastal town on the Costa del Sol which, despite its expansion, has maintained its character and ‘old town’ feel.   There are still numerous places where one can find traditional Spanish food amongst the narrow cobbled streets.  

Estepona has good, sandy beaches but is also within easy reach of Puerto de la Duquesa and also close enough to visit some of the lovely inland towns and villages such as Gaucin, Casares and Genalguacil.  It is just an hours drive to Malaga from Estepona.  The Plaza de las Flores and the Clock Tower (Torre de Reloj) are attractive places to visit within the town and there is a popular market on Wednesdays.  There are many golf courses in the area which makes it a popular destination as well as the fact that the average temperature is 18C.

The port and harbour are just a short walk from the town centre and is mainly centred around fishing although there are modern marina facilities and aside from the market in the town centre on Wednesdays, it also has its own market on a Sunday.

Puerto Banus

Just a few kilometres to the west of Marbella, Puerto Banus is famous for its marina full of luxury yachts as well as offering expensive bars, restaurants and designer shops.  The beach, the Playa Levante, is to the north of the town and is very clean, long and wide.  There is a market on Saturdays near the bullring.  Puerto Banus has a busy nightlife with a wide choice of bars, clubs or discos to visit, or maybe you just want to sit in the open air with a meal and a drink and watch the world go by.

Marbella

Marbella is probably one of the most well known resorts along the Costa del Sol.  It has a wonderful climate with over 3000 hours of sunshine per year.  It is close to Malaga airport, has an impressive yacht harbour and many golf courses within easy reach.

Away from the glamour of the harbour area the old town still retains some character.  The Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) is a popular place to take a breather before setting off to explore the many streets and alleyways full of shops selling anything from local produce and crafts to designer clothing.

El Fuerte and El Fontanilla are two of the largest beaches in Marbella or you may just wish to take a stroll along the promenade, the Avenida del Mar.

Lots of people choose to holiday in Marbella because of the busy nightlife which offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants, clubs, theatres and cinemas to suit everyone.  There are many quality hotels to choose from as well as numerous self catering apartments and villas.

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is a coastal town on the Costa del Sol situated partway between Malaga and Marbella.  It has been a popular tourist resort since the 1960’s to the extent that tourism has now replaced fishing as the main industry.  It has a lot of high rise hotels and apartments adjacent to the long, sandy beaches although it is still possible to find smaller, more traditional accommodation.  It is a very busy resort, full of entertainment in the summer months but can also be the ideal place to visit out of season when it is much quieter.  Fuengirola is truly an international resort with approximately 25% of its inhabitants coming from other countries, although in the summer it is still very popular with the Spanish and British alike.

Fuengirola offers all the facilities which you would expect to find in a major tourist resort as well as a zoo, Zoologico de Fuengirola, an Arabic Castle, the bullring and open parks.  The old port is still used by local fishermen and the sports marina can provide berths for boats of all sizes.

Two of the suburbs of Fuengirola – Los Boliches and Torreblanca are worth visiting.  In Torreblanca there are thermal baths and in Los Boliches the remains of a Roman villa can be seen.  Los Boliches also has its own beaches and is a little bit quieter than Fuengirola itself.

Bawling Colombia

Bawling Colombia

Colombia, the Republic of Columbia is a country in the north west of South America. The country of Colombia is bound to the north and north-west by the Caribbean Sea, to the east by Venezuela and Brazil, to the south by Ecuador and Peru, and to the west by Panama and the Pacific Ocean. The official language in Colombia is Spanish. The capital city of Colombia is Bogotai, with an estimated population of 44,000,000.

Colombia with a total area of 1,138,910 sq km is the fourth biggest country in South America. This rank of fourth comes after Brazil, Argentina and Peru. This area can be devided up into land, 1,038,700 sq km,  and water, 100,210 sq km. Although it is in the Tropical area The <a href="http://www.pixibot.com/60-colombia" target="_blank">Colombia</a>n climate, is made different by the influence of the Andes mountain range. Colombia is tropical in the coastlands and lowlands and can get very cool in the mountains.

The eastern half of Colombia, which is more than half its total physical size, is plain and composed by  rainforest. Colombia is crossed by rivers which belong to both the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The northern part of Colombia is called "Los Llanos", it is a savanna region. Colombian Pacific Plains at times of the year are among the most rainy parts in the world!

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Barbados

Barbados

Endowed with rich natural beauty, the famous island nation of Barbados is located in the east of Caribbean Sea, near Puerto Rico, and is a part of the Lesser Antilles. This island was discovered in 1536 by the Portuguese, and 90 years later it was colonized by the British. It became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1966 after being a British colony for over 300 years. The citizens of Barbados are officially called Barbadians. The localized pronunciation of the word Barbadian is "Bajan". The tradition and culture of Barbados is still quite conservative, as wearing clothes like bikinis is not at all appreciated in the town and churches.

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Endowed with rich natural beauty, the famous island nation of Barbados is located in the east of Caribbean Sea, near Puerto Rico, and is a part of the Lesser Antilles. This island was discovered in 1536 by the Portuguese, and 90 years later it was colonized by the British. It became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1966 after being a British colony for over 300 years. The citizens of Barbados are officially called Barbadians. The localized pronunciation of the word Barbadian is "Bajan". The tradition and culture of Barbados is still quite conservative, as wearing clothes like bikinis is not at all appreciated in the town and churches. 

The boundaries of Barbados are made up of coral reefs. Lowlands, terraced plains and rolling hills spread on the coast make the island more beautiful.  In the interior range there are elevations 200 to 250 meters above sea level. The highest point, which is 340 meters above sea level, is Mount Hillaby. As compared to the other adjoining islands, the impact of the English on this island is quite noticeable, as the national sport of this island is cricket. Famous players like Garfield Sobers and Frank Worrell are proud citizens of this island.

Barbados is an island of carnivals and cultural events. The Congaline festival and Crop Over Festival are its largest cultural events. Crop Over is a very colorful festival. It originated in 1780, when Barbados was world's largest producer of sugar. This festival came to an end with the decline of the sugar industry in the 1940s. In 1974 this festival was again revived, and today it is celebrated with a lot of fanfare and aplomb. 

Every year, thousands of tourists go to Barbados to attend its annual ceremonies and spend some time in the lap of nature. The tourists easily get good, well-furnished accommodations, as there are many hotels near the beach and in the town offering many amenities to make the visit more pleasant.

Bangkok. A Brilliant Place To Visit In 2006.

Bangkok. A Brilliant Place To Visit In 2006.

If New York is the city that never sleeps, forget the alarm clock. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, comes a very close second. The city was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri Dynasty. Today it’s the country's spiritual, commercial and educational hub, home to approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the Thai population. 

- City of contrasts and confusion. 

Bangkok (or Krung Thep in Thai which means “city of angels") is an exciting, high energy melting pot of east meets west. A dynamic city that has embraced technology and modern living with its busy expressways, bold skyscrapers and designer-filled shopping malls. Yet underneath it all, it remains a traditional haven of culture, history and time-honored customs, where elders are respected and family always comes first.  

As you travel from the airport you’ll see plenty of examples of modern architecture dotting the city scape and amongst them all, standing proud, are glittering Buddhist Wats (temples) such as Wat Phra Kaew and The Grand Palace.  Snaking through the concrete jungle, you’ll spy echoes of the “old Bangkok” below you – ancient canals and waterways that are well worth exploring on a boat trip. 

Every Thai household and building, even the most modern, has a traditional spirit house built outside for good fortune and to honor the spirit of the land. Each day, small offerings of fruit and water are laid out, often with garlands of orchids.  If you’re an early riser, keen to make the most of your vacation time in Bangkok, don’t be surprised when you see Buddhist monks in saffron robes making their morning “alms” rounds accepting food and donations from local people, young and old.  

- Some like it hot, but not all the time. 

Thailand has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of around 75 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack light clothing for your trip. Natural fibers are often more comfortable when you’re walking and touring in hot weather. Practically everywhere you go in Bangkok you’ll find you some relief from the heat, with blasts of icy cold air conditioning in shops and hotels. 

From March to May it’s the hottest time, with the highest temperatures and humidity. From June to October is monsoon season, so remember to take an umbrella. November to February is cooler and less humid.  Bear in mind that the monsoon season varies throughout the country and can affect the weather you experience.

- Bangkok Hotels to match every budget. 

You’ll find all types of accommodation in Bangkok – from lavish 5 star international names to smaller hostels, favored by back packers. Book online and see what special rates you can find to suit your mood and that all-important budget.  You'll discover everything from peaceful luxury escapes with spas to exciting hotels right in the heart of the action. 

- Getting around is easier. 

One of the first words you’ll learn in Bangkok is “Rot tip” or “rot tit” which literally means “cars that stick”, in other words traffic jam. But the everyday snarls and gridlock have been vastly improved by Bangkok’s cosmopolitan transport system.  

You can now ride the subway, the Hua Lamphong – Bang Sue line has 18 stations along the 12 mile route. It’s fast, quiet and modern. 

Jump on a BTS Sky Train. BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkok’s leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Of course, you can’t go to Bangkok without a ride in a tuk-tuk. These zippy three-wheeled open-air motorized taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance, it’s part of the fun.

- Top 5 must-see highlights.

The Grand Palace: the number one attraction. Every visitor to Bangkok should see the magnificent buildings within the Grand Palace compound to get a feeling of this grand architectural style. Since the founding of Bangkok as the Nations capital by King Rama I, The Grand Palace has been the major architectural symbol of The Thai Royal Family. The Royal Family actually resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes.

Wat Pho: possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand. It combines history, medical science and is a center for meditation and traditional massage training. Have a massage while you’re here, at a very fair price. 

Chatuchak Weekend Market: with over 9,000 shops and stalls you’ll be tempted over and over. Close to everything that is for sale in Bangkok is here, including antiques, Buddha amulets, handicrafts, clothes, flowers and furniture. (You’ll notice that some maps spell it “Jatuchak”. Many English words have multiple spellings, so if you’re in doubt, ask the hotel concierge to write it in Thai for the taxi driver.)

Vimanmek Mansion Museum: the world's largest golden teak building located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. The three-storey royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing unique memorabilia.   

Jim Thompson’s House: this exquisite Thai house and buildings stand as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry after the Second World War. The company he founded, Jim Thompson Thai Silk, is recognized worldwide for its brilliant fabrics, home accessories and fashion items.  The gardens are equally impressive with a lush tropical jungle imitating nature's haphazard beauty right in the center of the city.

- Shopping till you drop! 

Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two streets. You’ll find dozens of malls, markets and luxury retail outlets throughout the city.  The most popular are located around the Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong area, Sukhumvit Rd and Silom-Surawong-Patpong, including the fantastic Patpong night market where you can pick up your souvenirs, fashion and Thai handicrafts.  Don’t be shy to bargain in the market (nicely) as your dollar can go a long way.

- Bangkok rocks. 

Bangkok has no single area for nightlife – it has several.  Bars are spread out all over town in places such as Patpong, Silom Soi 2 and 4, Soi Sarasin and Lang Suan, Royal City Avenue, Banglumpoo, Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit Soi 33, among others.

One of the hottest new spots is called “Bed” is an extraordinary space-age designer lounge in fashionable Sukhumvit Soi 11. The Bed Supper Club is a “dining in bed” experience. Best described as a unique combination of upscale restaurant, club, art gallery, theater and stage merged into one. 

- Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 

If you need another good reason to visit “The Land of Smiles”, here it is. This year marks the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. The King has reigned for almost 60 yeas, making him not only the longest reigning Thai monarch, but the longest reigning King in the world today.  

- A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. 

In true Thai style, the Bangkok celebrations promise to be a spectacular tribute to the Royal Family, full of color, pomp and ceremony. One of the main highlights is The Royal Barge Procession on June 12-13 2006.  It will be an international event with twenty-eight monarchs from around the world in attendance. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for visitors, as the Procession is only held to mark significant historical events such as His Majesty’s ascension to the throne.

- A river of splendor. 

Bangkok’s main river, the Chao Phraya will become the place to be.  Imagine a royal armada stretching as far as your eyes can see. A flotilla of superbly carved royal barges slowly sail into view, manned by the Royal Thai Navy dressed in ancient ceremonial uniforms. Each sailor rowing in perfect unison, honed through months of intense practice. 

If you plan to be in Bangkok in June, do leave the bargains for a few hours and be part of the adoring crowd - and bring your camera.  Incidentally, two major dress rehearsals are planned for the June 6 and 9, so if you can't attend the real event, this is as close as you may get. 

Thailand has a well deserved reputation as the "The Land of Smiles". You’ll receive a warm welcome and feel the genuine friendliness of the locals. One thing’s for sure, the memories of a vacation here will stay with you for a lifetime.

Bali Travel: The Undying Balinese Arts

Bali Travel: The Undying Balinese Arts

The island of Bali is literally a very beautiful island situated under the equator in Indonesian Archipelago, is one of the most interesting and ultimate tourist destination in Asia. Since the first decade of the 20th century visitors have given to it several nicknames "Island of Gods" - "Island of thousand Temples" – "The Last Paradise" – and also often called "Island of Artist". 

The spirit of creativity pervades everything in Balinese life, from the cultivation of the steeply-terraced rice field to the elaborate temple offerings of flowers and foods given to the gods at times of celebration. Dancing, playing the gamelan, painting and carving is as much a part of an ordinary day as working in the offices, in the fields or feeding livestock.

In ancient times, the people of the Indonesian Archipelago followed the ways of animism and ancestor worship. By around A.D. 600 however, Indian ideas and beliefs began to spread throughout Southeast Asia. Both Buddhism and Hinduism became active force on the islands of Sumatra and Java. When Islam gained control of Java in the 16th century, many Hindu princes, their followers and artisans fled to Bali. They established principalities on Bali.

The earliest art of Bali dates from this pre-Hindu era, including highly of decorative works of bronze, as well as skilled basketworks and weaving. During the Hindu era, the princes and their relatives were the patronage of the native arts of Bali, and also sustained by the guiding rituals of its religion. The palaces and temples, as political and religious center of the island, were also centers of the arts.

A prince would adorn his pavilions with the most exquisitely carved wood panels, paintings, silken materials, gilded umbrellas and would be entertained by gamelan music, dances and songs of poetical Kawi language. The opulence of the court – had its religious parallel in the lavish decoration and dances within the temples. So the courts and the temples have been receiving equal high performance in art. 

This convergence of beauty and ritual explains why the arts have endured to such a great extent in Bali. Ritual demanded a continuous renewal of communion with the divine through temple celebrations. The people poured their artistic talents into preparations of these occasions. New offerings have to be made, new shrines constructed, new statues of stones and woods have to be carved, dances, music and dramas created and practiced. This kept carvers and masons constantly occupied creating new sculptures or retouching older ones.

The Balinese language has no words for “art” and “artist”. In former times there had been no need for such definitions. Art was never considered a conscious production for its own sake. Rather, it was regarded as a collective obligation to make thing beautiful. And this was always done with a definite purpose: to create beauty in service to society and religion. Thus a “figure-maker” or “picture-maker” as well as a farmer or merchant, he was called upon when his skills were needed. He neither signed his name to his work, nor received money for his labor. His prime aim was to serve his community. As was true in the olden days, the majority of Bali’s artists are highly skilled craftsmen who learned their trade by mastering the traditional forms inherited from their forefathers.

In the first decade of the 20th century, the Dutch took the island, and Bali entered a new era as a colony of the Netherlands. Western education, modern technology, magazines, and a steady tourist trade opened up a new world for many Balinese, and this widening of outlook was reflected in the arts. For the first time, craftsmen began to treat their work as art for art’s sake, experimenting in new style, themes and media. With the arrival of the Western influence, the rigid conventions of the traditional style were no longer binding. Instead of illustrating stories from the great Hindu epics, some Balinese artists began to depict scenes of everyday life and nature in their work. The present art community has two criteria: (a) a work of art is praiseworthy in the eyes of fellow Balinese, or (b) it appeals to the foreign market and is sold.

To day the traditional and modern arts can be viewed at various places: Museum Bali in Denpasar presents a commendable survey of Balinese art from prehistoric times to the early 20th century and modern arts. Werdi Budaya Arts Center in Denpasar offers exhibitions and sales of local handicrafts and hand loomed fabrics. Tohpati for fine batiks. Celuk for silver and gold works. Mas for excellent woodcarvings. Ubud is the heart of arts and cultures, home of the most talented painters. And Klungkung for the traditional paintings and silver works.

So if you are interested in arts, do not hesitate to choose this enchanting island for your Bali Vacation. It also has very nice beaches, hotels, fabulous nature’s views, friendly people and of course excellent foods. Go online and search your preferred Bali hotels or contact your reputable travel agent.

Ciao readers, my immense thank to you all.

Bali Shopping Fun

Bali Shopping Fun

It is said that shopping is a serious hobby, might be. To some, shopping sometime is considered a way to alleviate stress or just a fun. In fact shopping is everyone’s need, but Bali is a place where one can examine or to practice one’s personal bargaining skills. Unless the product is price-tagged, bargaining is the “habit or the tradition”.

Bali is a shopper’s paradise. Hundreds of boutiques and roadside stalls have been set up all over the island, and thousands of artisans, craftspeople, seamstresses, woodcarvers, painters, etc are kept busy supplying the tourist demand. Sometimes swarms of vendors crowd the beaches and streets offering you T-Shirts, sarong, necklaces, friendship bracelets, drinks and watches.

Go out from your hotel and then stroll along the road which is lined by myriads of shops and kiosks, soon the taxi drivers, shopkeepers and the restaurant’s staffs wave their hands and say the common word “kemana” means where are you going?, have a look. Sometimes they want to shake hand and take you into his shop. Smile and say hello to them, keep walking, but if you see something that you are looking for stop and enter, ask the price. 

Try not to accept the first price that you are given, as most vendors add on anything between 30%-50% extra. Bargain or go to other shops. The most common word said by the Balinese vendor is “bangkrut” means bankrupt, if the price you make is thought to low. Usually if the vendor cease to smile, it’s mean you got the price. If you spent good enough money in one shop, try to ask him/her a souvenir, he/she will be very glad to offer you one for free.

You’ll get more for your money, if you are prepared to spend time and smile whilst bargaining. Although tempting, try not to make any major purchases for the first few days. Look around, take your time, bargain hard and then buy….and so to shopping. A fun isn’t it? Where and what to buy is the next step.

The variety is literally endless. Most of the handicrafts and paintings can be found in the district of Gianyar. The village of Mas and Kemenuh is famed of its best and talented wood carvers, you can visit a workshop where artisans in work, they produce either masterpieces or mass productions. Ubud is famed of its talented painters either classical, traditional or contemporary style. The best thing to do is to go to the major galleries, see which artist you like and seek them out at their home (if you have enough time). Remember bargaining is a “norm”. 

Textiles in Gianyar, Klungkung, Karangasem (Tenganan), Kuta and Denpasar. Kuta has the best shopping, but you have to deal with the crassness (sometimes) of the shopkeepers. If you do not stay in Kuta during your vacation in Bali and wish to shop there, take a cab, stop and down in Kuta Center, this is the appropriate place to reach the neighboring sites like Legian and Seminak by taxi, there are hundreds of good shops. At Kuta Center you can find many quality shops, arts market, supermarket and department store (Matahari and Centro applied fixed prices).

Antiques: The “antique” business in Bali is booming. Carve a split piece of wood, paint it and bury it in the ground for a month and wow! an antique. You need very careful when buying antiques. Mind you, you can find all sorts of interesting items in the shops in Batubulan, Kuta, and Klungkung, but there’s no guarantee as to their age.

Ceramics: The village of Pejaten in Tabanan has whimsical and serious tiles as well as stoneware plates, bowls and the like. Good quality of stoneware can be found also in Kapal. Ceramics shops can be found also in Sanur Jl. D. Tamblingan, Kuta and Ubud.

Gold & Silver: Celuk, Kamasan and Bratan are the center for metal working, where all such ornaments are on sale at reasonable prices (bargaining is a must). The craftsmen will also produce pieces and settings to order, just bring them a drawing or a sample to copy. If you don’t like it, they’ll smelt it down and start over.

Handicrafts and souvenirs like bamboo implements, puppets and ornaments made of coconut shell and teakwood, hats and baskets, wooden earrings, keychains, clothes, pen and ink paintings are sold at most souvenir shops as well as in all the major tourist areas. Pasar Sukawati and Ubud is a good place to visit, chockfull of these things at rock bottom prices. Leather goods can now be found in all the shops in Kuta, Sanur and Ubud.

Batiks: The spiraling designs and geometric patterns of Javanese batik are seen everywhere on the island as part of the daily dress of the Balinese. Buffaloes, birds, masks, and puppet figures are some of the motives entwined in characteristic compositions. Most of what is being sold on the street by vendors is not batiks, but printed materials which the Balinese use for tablecloths. High quality of hand made batik paintings are produced now. The center of batiks is the village of Tohpati. Best factory to visit is Batik Populer and Kartika Candra.

So don’t wait to long, plan your vacation and chose Bali is a shoppers paradise for your travel destination. Go online and visit hotel reservation website and booked your preferred Bali Hotels. Bali is a small and very beautiful island located in Indonesia, one of the best tourist destinations in Asia.