Bali is a magical tourist destination which is on the bucket list of many hopeful travellers. The island’s beautiful beaches, inviting clear blue waters, lively nightlife and cultural experiences all make it a holiday paradise.
However, the magical island offers more than just unforgettable holiday experiences. There are many interesting things about Bali, its people and their way of life.
If you’re planning to travel to Bali for the very first time, these destination fun facts may come in handy:
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Many locals, a few common names
When visiting Bali, you will most likely encounter many locals with the names Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut. Most Balinese people are given one of these four names. They mean ‘first born’, ‘second born’, ‘third born’ and ‘fourth born’. These names are all gender neutral. In some cases, the locals have personal names as well.
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Active Volcanoes
Bali is home to a number of volcanoes. These include the two tallest volcanoes which are Mount Agung and Bratan Volcano. Mount Agung is 3000 meters tall and has been bubbling under the surface since its last eruption in 2019. Bratan Volcano is 1700 meters tall and has not erupted in recent years, although that’s not to say an eruption won’t happen.
You can hike up Mount Agung and enjoy breathtaking views of the island from the top. There are also stunning lakes and hot springs to enjoy near Bratan Volcano.
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Black beach sand? Yes, indeed!
Although Bali is known for its pristine white beaches, there are also some beaches which have black sand.
An example is Lovina Beach which is covered in black sand that comes from the cooled lava of the Mount Agung volcano.
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A tourism driven economy
Bali is the go-to destination for many travellers across the globe. Thus, it comes as no surprise that approximately 80% of Bali’s economy is related to the tourism sector. All year round, an influx of tourists flock onto the island to experience and enjoy the many charming hotels and restaurants, as well as some leisure activities which the destination has to offer.
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Many, many temples
Picture: Sean Hamlin/Flickr.
When exploring Bali, you can expect to see many temples. While Indonesia has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, Bali itself has a largely Hindu community. In fact, the island has more than 20 000 temples and has been dubbed “the island of the gods’. You can visit these temples to experience the local culture and religion.
