GEOGRAPHY
Bali is one of about 17613 islands of Indonesia Republic. Total land size of Bali Island is about 5632 km2, measures at about 90 km north-south axis and less than 140 km from east to west. Famous with its beautiful landscape, world unique rice/paddy fields, beautiful white sandy beach, thrilling cliff, lush tropical forest, volcanoes, lake, fertile soil for vegetables and gardens.

PEOPLES
Next to its unbeatable fascinating land, mostly important things is its pleasant and religious peoples (I'm talking about original Balinese), who's respect God, Human, and Nature in very high attitude, creating thousands of creative art and tradition to express it out. This can be seen the way of Balinese everyday life style, such as: offering in the morning and at the evening (canang) to the God (or god ?), thousands (a millions - probably) of temple - a must in every Hindu's Balinese, the dance to entertain God and god, the tradition, and there is still a lots of things to talk about. Today, even most Balinese get touched by modern life style, the tradition is left untouched. Up to year 2000, the population is about 3 millions peoples.

WEATHER
For all year round, its always Summer, and mostly the weather is pleasant with temperature ranging from 20°C - 33°C / 68°F - 93°F, light and quick rain may occurs from December to March and generally the humidity is low all year round.

RELIGIOUS HOUSE
Worship for 5 major religious in Indonesia is widely available: Church for Protestan, Church for Catholic, Temple for Hindus, Mosque for Moeslem, Vihara for Buddhism, and Cetiya for Confucians. Others than this there is still many spiritual places for meditation, spiritual healing, etc (Mostly can be found in Ubud area).

ECONOMY
Tourism industry (Hotel, Villa, Accommodation) contributing the largest part, following by export oriented garment manufacturing, tourism supporting industry such as restaurant, nature/adventure park, handy-craft, and others. Most of tourism and its supporting industry is located in southern Bali spread in Kuta, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Denpasar, and Canggu. Ubud in central Bali, and In nothern Bali, economic area located in Singaraja, and, Lovina.

Standard living expenses in Bali is fairly low compares to others civilized cities in the world depend on the life style and standard, in southern Bali, it is easily to find food ranging from Rp. 1500 (about US$ 0.2 / dining Nasi Jinggo with free hot tea) up to about a million rupiah  (US$ 110 - Try to dine at 1 diamond hotel). Faily a local who can eat at everywhere spend at about Rp. 20000 (US$ 2) for a decent meal and drink at warung, and a tourist might be spending about Rp. Rp. 90000 ($US 10) for a good seafood meal at beach restaurant. But again, its depend on life style.

GOVERNMENT
A whole Bali island is govern as a province Denpasar as capital city, and divided into 8 district: Badung, Tabanan, Gianyar, Buleleng, Bangli, Karang Asem, Klungkung, and Jembrana.

CONSULATES
Major country who have a lots of traveler visiting Bali Island mostly having their consulates office in Bali. Click here for major countries consulates office in Bali.

ACCOMMODATION
From minimum room rental (Rp. 400.000 / month: Kos-Kos-an), melati hotel (Rp. 150.000 - 350.000), standard hotel (US$ 400 - US$ 150 / night), up to world best resort and villa (US$ 600++ / room), or even a weird one (US$ 3000 / night) is available in Bali. With total more than 300.000 rooms overall, it can serve any class of traveler to Bali.

TRANSPORTATION
Public transport available in Bali: Taxi (mostly in Badung regency, Ubud, and Singaraja), Bemo / city small bus, ojek (motor bike) and inter-city bus. Living in Bali without private vehicle is like a life without 2 legs and personally it is really pain. In my opinion, to be able to move from one to another place conveniently - but not sure about safety, at least you must have a motor bike and a helmet. Having car is preferred. If you are not permanently living in Bali, it is easy to find motor bike and car rental and can be rent by  daily, weekly, or monthly.

For traveler to outside Bali using airplane, Bandar Udara International is serving domestic and international flights, for domestic, there is a lots of low cost carrier service such as: Lion air, Adam air, Air asia, Batavia air, Mandala Air, Bouraq Air, etc. Charter flight / helicopter service can also be found and serve by Air Bali.

COMMUNICATION
In southern Bali, especially in tourism and residential area, internet connection can be found in most places, and serves by few companies providing broadband, wireless broadband, or modem connection. Internet rental (warnet) and telecommunication service (wartel) can be easily found in many places. Internet rental services is providing a PC/notebook and others optional services such printing, CD burning, etc. and it is usually count by hours in cheap rates about Rp. 4000 - Rp. 10.000 (US$ 0.5 - US$ 1.1) per hour. Another option to connect to internet is using Telkomnet Instan (requiring fixed phone and a modem, call 147 for more information). Wi-Fi internet hot spot is usually free of charge in Hotel Lobby and with a charge in many restaurant, I suggest to check with them before using it.

Mobile phone services is covering almost all Bali Island by major Indonesia telecommunication companies such as: Telkomsel, Indosat, XL, Telkom Flexi, Fren, Ceria, Jagoan.

IMPORTANT DAY
Balinese celebrating Kuningan and Galungan as their most important days, both happens twice a year, If living in Bali, there is another celebration day that need attention: Nyepi, the day where The Good Spirit won over The Bad Spirit, at the night before Nyepi, a creative street festival to present all the bad creature figurine  / ogoh-ogoh will be presented and finally all the bad creature till go to fire at the midnight. Once this possession done, the silent day is begin (at 4 AM), a time for every body to be silent and it is end up at next day 4 AM. During this time, no one is allowed to leave the house/hotel, no light, no sound, no noise, and its must be completely silent.