Guided Tours in Bali

Bali is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It has a mystique that is unparalleled for those who love the South Pacific culture. It is a place of lush scenery and colorful culture, and anyone who is looking for an unforgettable getaway will not be disappointed in Bali travel.

Many people like to take guided tours of Bali. The locals know better than anyone where the best spots for travel are located, and they know how popular these areas have been with foreign tourists. Here are some things you might want to make sure your guided tour in Bali offers.

The Monkey Park in Ubud

If you like wildlife and monkeys, this is the place to see. You can buy monkey food--bananas and small fruits--right outside the entrances. It's fun to feed the animals, but remember that they are not as human as they appear, and can be dangerous. Regardless, the scenery is beautiful and the habitat very well done.

The Pura Luhur Uluwatu

Officially called the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, this is quite possibly the most spectacular temple in Bali. Originally, it was built to defend the city form evil spirits coming from the south west, and is highly important in local rituals as well as being revered throughout the island. Built in the 1100s, it is situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Bukit peninsula, and is flanked by some beautiful seventeenth century temples.

The Batur Volcano

One of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, it is a must-see for any visitor to Bali. One of the largest volcanoes, the caldera alone is more then 10 kilometers wide, and about 450 meters deep. Said to be the throne of the goddess Danu, it has a place in many of the islands legends.

Balinese Barong Dance

The phrase "Barong Dance" is often used just to refer to a dance where the dancers where animal masks, however the original meaning of the word is quite different. Barong was a character in Balinese mythology, the king of good spirits. Although each region represents Barong by a different animal, and he is most commonly shown as a lion, it is unclear what exactly the original, mythical Barong actually was.

I'm sure you'll form your own opinions of the best places in Bali, but remember that as in any popular tourist spot, there are people out there to take advantage of you. Take care, make sure you know what you're doing, and you shouldn't have any nasty surprises. Oh, and turn down anything offered for free- it very rarely really is.

Guided Tours in Bali

Bali is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It has a mystique that is unparalleled for those who love the South Pacific culture. It is a place of lush scenery and colorful culture, and anyone who is looking for an unforgettable getaway will not be disappointed in Bali travel.

Many people like to take guided tours of Bali. The locals know better than anyone where the best spots for travel are located, and they know how popular these areas have been with foreign tourists. Here are some things you might want to make sure your guided tour in Bali offers.

The Monkey Park in Ubud

If you like wildlife and monkeys, this is the place to see. You can buy monkey food--bananas and small fruits--right outside the entrances. It's fun to feed the animals, but remember that they are not as human as they appear, and can be dangerous. Regardless, the scenery is beautiful and the habitat very well done.

The Pura Luhur Uluwatu

Officially called the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, this is quite possibly the most spectacular temple in Bali. Originally, it was built to defend the city form evil spirits coming from the south west, and is highly important in local rituals as well as being revered throughout the island. Built in the 1100s, it is situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Bukit peninsula, and is flanked by some beautiful seventeenth century temples.

The Batur Volcano

One of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, it is a must-see for any visitor to Bali. One of the largest volcanoes, the caldera alone is more then 10 kilometers wide, and about 450 meters deep. Said to be the throne of the goddess Danu, it has a place in many of the islands legends.

Balinese Barong Dance

The phrase "Barong Dance" is often used just to refer to a dance where the dancers where animal masks, however the original meaning of the word is quite different. Barong was a character in Balinese mythology, the king of good spirits. Although each region represents Barong by a different animal, and he is most commonly shown as a lion, it is unclear what exactly the original, mythical Barong actually was.

I'm sure you'll form your own opinions of the best places in Bali, but remember that as in any popular tourist spot, there are people out there to take advantage of you. Take care, make sure you know what you're doing, and you shouldn't have any nasty surprises. Oh, and turn down anything offered for free- it very rarely really is.

Magickal Oils of Indonesian Shamanism Part 2

Minyak Istanbul

Istanbul oil is one of the more common magickal types easily found sold in the Arab communities all over Indonesia and worn especially by the teachers of Islam. It has various grades and the good ones exude a very pungent, but fragrant scent. Once smelled it is hardly ever forgotten. It remains as a lasting memory. The scent is quite enduring, sometimes lasting for days on one's person and some say, may be sensed as far away as 20 feet--though this may be an exaggeration. Because of its pungency, not too many people agree well with it, saying that it makes their head whirl.

Minyak Istanbul although worn as an ordinary perfume among the pedagogues of Islam, is also used by shamans as a potent oil for the purposes of romance, sexual attraction, and charisma. When empowered with one's personal energies and thought-form, anyone within the range of the scent would not only look our way, but feel attracted and have the desire to socialize with us. The opposite sex would find us beautiful or good-looking. Pure Istanbul oil is hard to procure, most of what is sold through market places have been diluted and blended with other oils.

The oil may be consecrated with the following mantra to attract a specific person:

"Bismillahirrahmannirrahim

"Ingsun matek ajiku sibayang-bayang rasa

"Aji minyak istanbul sing kramat pengasihan

"Siapa lihat dia terpikat dan turut terpikat

"Siang kharisma nabi Yusuf as ada di wajahku

"Allahuma ya Allah" 7x

"Ya Muhammad" 3x

"Inkanat ila syaihatan wahidatan fa idzahum Jamiul ladaina muhdhorun" 7x

"Sing aku pantek si (the name of the person one wishes to attract) datang padaku haqqul yakin."

Minyak Sinyong-Nyong

Among the many wonder oils of the Dayaks is (Si)-Nyong-nyong. This minyak originates with the Iban tribe. It is a rare magical love oil used by the natives of Kalimantan mostly for keeping one's spouse faithful, although it is also applied in other affairs related to the heart by both men and women.

It is said that men who are affected by the influence of this oil would never commit adultery, even-though under barraged by the wildest temptation that the fairer sex may direct to them. In the event a man were to succumb to the wiles and seduction of a temptress, he would discover himself losing his sexual potency and would be unable to perform the coitus rite. The strange thing is that although impotent when it comes to other women, the body would function normally when fulfilling sexual duties towards one's lawful wife.

Nyong-nyong is made through a complex ritualistic process that is kept secret by the producers of this oil. It is usually manufactured during the natal day of the magically powerful head of the tribe. According to sources, on this special day, enchanted bottles are hung compulsorily on a certain banyan tree species for seven days and nights, after which time the bottles are magically filled with a thick fluid, and this is known as Nyong-nyong. The rite is not always successful which accounts for its rarity.

Nyong-nyong may be applied in many ways, one way is to have it ingested by the unsuspecting subject. Several drops in the subject's drink is enough to cause him to reject the approaches of other women. The affect of the oil may only last for several weeks or months, during which time the enchanter would repeat the process to maintain the status quo.

In general, the many love oils of the Dayaks may be applied for influencing another using the following rite:

Take some dirt or soil from the subject's footprints and wrap it up in a white piece of cloth, after which several drops of a love oil should be applied on the bundle. After this is done, the bundle of soil should be placed beneath one's pillow. The subject should then be visualized in an appropriate manner while calling out his or her name at least three times. Simultaneously, the pillow should be turned repeatedly and beaten.

Although difficult to acquire, Nyong-nyong oil is available to those that search for it. Minyak Nyong-nyong may be found sold by some perfume dealers, peddlers, and commercial psychics although the genuineness of the oil offered is questionable.

Minyak Air-Mata Duyung

This oil is the eye-secretion, or tears of the sea mammal, called, dugong (sea-cow) or "duyung" among the locals here in Indonesia. The creature sheds tears for lubrication of the eyes. The duyung is long believed to be the mythological mermaid and related to the Greek "sirens"; however, the latter is often referred to by Indonesian folklorists as "putri-duyung" and is quite different from the "ikan-duyung" or the dugong. Its scientific classification is as follow :

Family: Pugongidae in the order Sirenia.

Classification: Dugong dugon.

When unintentionally caught in fishermen's nets, perhaps out of the pain of struggle, the gentle and harmless dugong sheds these "crocodile tears." Most fishermen are careful to wipe these tears off the dugong with cotton swabs before returning the creature to the sea. The fluid in the cotton is later pressed and released into vials.

The oil or eye-secretion of the dugong has a wonderful but slight scent and is highly-prized for its magickal power to attract the opposite sex and is often used as a stand-alone or a blend with other magickal oils of nature with high pheromone content. In appearance, the "minyak air-mata duyung" is crystal-clear like water of a stream. Because of its scarcity, it is very costly.

Minyak Bulus

Minyak Bulus is derived from the fat of the fresh-water turtle and is used as an active ingredient for increasing the size of sexual appendages such as breasts and penises. It has a thick, yellowish appearance. When purchasing this oil one ought to be cautious as there are many fakes in the market-place. To use this oil one simply anoints and massages one's breast or penis with it. Scientific research on the virtues of the Bulus oil has not yet been conducted as far as we know, but generations of use of the oil gives credence to it's amazing properties.

Minyak Apel Jin

During rites of spirit-conjurations and evocations, shamans and those involved with Islamic occultism here in Indonesia often appropriate the Apel Jin oil for facilitating the contact. This oil has a black appearance. The thicker forms of this oil appears like tar and may be burnt on glowing embers as incense. The Apel-Jin is mostly used to conjure regional or house-spirits or those entities belonging to the lower astral realm. Its composition is a highly kept secret but some say that it contains products extracted from domestic live-stock or farm animals. The Apel-Jin comes in various grades and originally packed in apple-like brass containers--thus giving its name.

Minyak Lintah

Lintah means "leech." Minyak Lintah is thus translated into "Oil of Leeches." This oil, like the minyak bulus, is used to increase the size of the male penis and many have confirmed as to its efficacy. The oil has a black appearance and is derived from leeches prepared in a secret-manner. The application method is similar as the Minyak Bulus.

Minyak Kesambi and Minyak Banyu Urip

The "Banyu Urip" and Kesambi oils are names of products given by their adept-producer. These oils are extracted from the sap of certain trees and then empowered with magickal-force. The User only need consume the potions for the powers to begin to take effect in his body. The virtues of the Banyu Urip oil are as follow: it strengthens the bones; it builds-invulnerability against sharp weapons; it causes wounds to heal quickly; it strengthens the skin; it gives magickal protection against negative entities and forces; it increases one's personal magnetism; it gives one "sabda siddhi" or it causes one's words to have power; it increases psychic sensitivity, etc. The Kesambi oil is a class more powerful than the Banyu Urip--aside from invulnerability against sharp weapons, it also makes one invulnerable against bullets. The consumption of 7 bottles of either one of the oils gives long-lasting permanent effects of the powers.

Minyak Cimande

Among martial-artists of Pencak Silat here in Java, Indonesia, the Cimande (pronounced: Chee-Mun-Day) oil is quite famed for its power of invulnerability and its ability to assist the healing of broken bones, bruises, wounds, muscle-pull, twisted ligaments, etc. The physical formula and appearance of the Cimande oil may vary from one shaman producer to another, but the magickal power permeating them as empowered by these producers, are the same. Some of the ingredients of the Cimande oil are scarce and not easily obtainable; therefore, occasionally, the producers of the Cimande oils have to make do with what is available and use the best substitutes--this also contributes to the different appearances from one stock to another even by the same producer. There are many of these Cimande oils sold in traditional markets but not all are genuine--most have been diluted by their resellers to make more profit, so one has to exercise caution when purchasing them. The reseller's practice of cutting the oils is looked upon with a great amount of irritation by their producers.

There are basically two types of Cimande oils--although more are said to exist. These two types of oils may have various appearances, and often, even resembling; however, they are to be differentiated by their purposes and not their looks. The first type is the regular Cimande "balur" oils used for massages, for healing bruises and minor injury cases. The second type helps to heal broken-bones and applied for major muscle injury. It also builds-up invulnerability against sharp-weapons and punches in the user. Some Cimande-oils may be ingested for healing the organs. Cimande-oils may have strong sweet-sourish odors depending on the ingredients used.

The Cimande-oil is highly praised by those involved in martial-arts and contact-sports.

Minyak Ponibasawa

One of the magickal oils appropriated in Islamic occult practice in Indonesia is the Ponibasawa oil. This oil is especially used for uncovering known treasures hidden in certain sites or manifesting money, gold, and jewels through occult rituals. Genuine Ponibasawa oils have been consecrated with the verses of the Quran and the Divine Names--as recited by a whole "choir" of spiritual adepts and their students. The actual force of the ponibasawa lies in the khodams or angelic servants of the Quranic verses and Divine Names anchored into the oil and especially represented by the needles immersed within them. Great energy is also released by the oil in the evaporation process during occult rites, and this conveys the necessary energies for the khodams of the oil to conduct their assigned task. Many anomalies have been noted regarding the ponibasawa oils or its variants, such as, when the vial of the oil is placed in a glass of water, it would cause the evaporation of the water at a very rapid rate. Some have claimed that the khodams of the ponibasawa oils dislike alcohol, thus when brought near bottles of alcoholic beverages, the latter would shatter into pieces.

During rites of treasure retrieval or manifesting money or gold from the ethers, the oil is normally used in conjunction with high grades "Buhur," or powdered incenses. Certain prayers and mantras are recited to activate the power and forces associated with the oil.

There are many ponibasawa oils sold in traditional markets, but they are not all genuine and most of them are fakes in the sense that they are unempowered with occult force. The genuine ones are very costly and scarce and are said to come from Turkey. Ponibasawa oils are of various colors and come in sealed vials in larger glassed-tubes. The number of sealed vials may vary, from one to three--or even more. In each of the sealed vials are empowered needles of a variable amount--the more needles they contain, the more potent the oil--some variants of the ponibasawa oil do not contain any needles, though.

Superstitions of Indonesia

In this article we present a collection of local "superstitions" in Indonesia regarding everyday life and the meanings of the omens of Nature.

Avoid sweeping the house at night as this would make it difficult to attract luck.

Avoid sewing a button on your shirt while wearing it as this would cause a serious illness not long after that would last for about a month and you woud always fail in your efforts in making a living.

Avoid combimg your hair while walking as you will find youself in an embarassing situation.

Avoid being in the bathroom too long as this would make your face appear old.

Avoid taking a bath or shower during afternoon hours as this would accelerate the aging process.

An unmarried woman should avoid washing her hair on a Saturday as this would cause her to marry a man difficult to please.

If you come across a piece of cayene chili in a pan for no apparent reason, this is a sign that a disaster is about to occur.

If someone cooks a meal that is too salty, this is a sign that the person is in love and wishes to marry.

Avoid eating rice from a small plate as this would cause your close relations to spurn you.

Avoid eating from the corner of a table as this would cause problems with the in-laws and your marriage will be in a wreck.

Avoid eating in front of the door as this would cause one difficulty in finding a marriage partner.

Children should avoid moving places at the table during a meal as this would cause them to have a step-father or mother.

Children should eat alot of chicken wings if they wish to eventually visit overseas.

If you have a bad feeling when you are about to leave the house--then don't! As this is a sign that something disastrous might occur while out.

Avoid building a house facing north as this would cause the owner to fail to acquire riches.

Avoid building a house facing an open field as this would cause the owner to become spendrift.

Avoid building a kitchen facing the front door as this would cause sorrows and sufferings because of money.

Avoid building a garage at the back of the house as this would always cause unfortunate circumstances.

Avoid building a wall fence as high as 2-3 meters around the home as this would cause bankrupcy and to be stranded by one's business partners.

Avoid building a pool inside the house as this would cause bad luck and the members of the family will alternately be stricken with illnesses.

Avoid building a house with no back door as the dwellers will always be physically ill.

While moving house it is advisable to take along some soil from the garden of the old home and sprinkle it in the vicinity of the new so as to perpetuate the harmony established.

Avoid scratching one's head while being sexually intimate as this would result in bad luck and slander from people.

Avoid looking at the sexual organs of your spouse while intercourse as this would result in bad luck for a week.

Avoid intercourse commencing from the seventh-month pregnency as this would cause the child to be unfaithful and disrespectful towards the parents.

Avoid slaughtering an animal when your wife is pregnent as this would cause the child to be born with a scar on its neck.

Avoid hunting or torturing an animal when your wife is pregnent as this would cause your child to resemble the animal.

Avoid disliking someone intensely while pregnent as this would cause your child to adopt the features of the disliked person.

Avoid mocking at a handicapped person during pregnency as this would cause your child to be born disabled.

Avoid keeping a spoon with the salt container during pregnency as this would cause difficulties during labor.

Avoid standing at the front door in the evenings during pregnancy as this would cause negative spirits to attack the fetus.

Avoid wearing earings commencing from the third month of pregnency as this would cause you to dream of being intimate with your husband whereas in reality it is an incubus impersonating him.

A man should avoid eating while lying down as this would cause his wife to have difficulties during labor.

It is unfortunate if a guest suddenly gives birth in your home as this causes bad luck. It is advisable to move house quickly.

It is advisable to open the doors and windows of your home so that your wife will give birth without complications.

It is advisable to bury the placenta of the new-born child somwhere in the ground at the backdoor of the house so that the child will never be in want.

It is advisable to drink coconut water during the latter stage of pregnancy so that the child will be born fair of face.

It is advisable not to look at a coffin when it is being lowered into the ground as this could result in a serious illness.

It is advisable not to look at a coffin being closed and nailed as this could cause bad luck for a year.

It isa advisable to wash one's face after escorting a coffin to its grave so as to avoid being followed by the ghost of the deceased.

If a lamp goes off in a room where the deceased is kept prior to burial, indicates that another member of the family will soon face death.

It isa advisable for a pregnant mother to look at beautiful pictures so that her baby would be born beautiful as well.

It is advisable for a pregnant mother not to be sad during pregnancy as this would cause the child to be born to become a whiner.

Avoid habitually biting the lower lip as this causes bad luck.

Avoid habitually biting the upper lip as this would cause lots of monetary debts in life.

Avoid pretending to cry as this would cause one's parents to be quickly deceased.

Avoid mistreating one's daughter as this would cause her to be mistreated later on by her husband.

Avoid singing or whistling while at a meal as this causes failures in one's endeavours.

Avoid beating one's daughter at her buttocks as this would cause her later on to become sexually hyperactive and would cause much domestic problems.

Avoid making payments at night as this would result in bad luck and bankrupcy.

Women should avoid pulling the hairs of their eyebrows as this would result in frgidity and difficulty in acquiring sexual satisfaction.

Avoid cleaning the ears at night as this would result in bad luck.

One should avoid whistling often in one's home as this would attract negative entities.

One should avoid giving handkerchiefs to one's lover as this would result in a break in the relationship.

Avoid taking pictures with odd-numbers of people present as this would result in the quick death of one of them.

Avoid opening umbrellas in the home as this would result in difficulties in life.

Avoid wiping one's face with a shirt as this would result in the indifference of others towards oneself.

Avoid looking at onseself in the mirror too often as this would result in others being bored and repulsed with one.

Avoid peeping at others bathing as this would cause one's eyes to swell.

Avoid eating a meal before the elders have done so as this would result in bad luck.

Avoid cutting one's hair in one's home at night as this would attract negative entities that would appear in one's dreams.

Avoid wearing red or green swimwear at beaches as this would result in the wearer becoming a bride or bridegroom to spirit entities (incubus, succubus).

Avoid shouting or using vulgar words while in the woods or wilderness as this would cause oneself to be possessed by negative entities.

If you begin menstruating on a Sunday you will meet an old friend.

If you begin menstruating on a Monday you will soon acquire luck.

If you begin menstruating on a Tuesday you will soon be enjoying yourself in the following days.

If you begin menstruating on a Wednesday you will soon clash with someone.

If you begin menstruating on a Thursday you will soon experience unfortunate incidents and be in much sorrow.

If you begin menstruating on a Friday you will soon have fun.

If you begin menstruating on a Saturday you will soon have a pleasant surprise.

If a dog howls at midnight signifies a visit from ancestral spirits.

If a dog howls as though weeping at midnight signifies death in the family

If a dog howls past midnight signifies a wandering earthbound spirit in the premises.

It is said that the blood of a black dog is capable of exorcising possessing spirits.

It is advisable for pregnant women to place a pair of scissors underneath the pillow while sleeping to protect against psychic attack and black magick.

Avoid urinating at the foot of big trees as this would inflame the tree-spirits and cause them to possess oneself.

Avoid keeping the dust or soil from a grave as this would cause the spirit related to the grave to haunt the place where the soil is kept.

Placing red onions, chillis and turmeric in a bag and hung above the front door protects the house and family against black magick and negative entities.

If a cat licks one's foot signifies that someone close to us will acquire a windfall within one month.
If a sparrow finds its way in one's home signifies a marriage in one's family.

If a butterfly finds its way in one'shome signifies a visit from an important visitor.

Avoid giving a cat a bath as this would result in storms and hurricanes.

Carry the rare hollowless piece of bamboo to ward-off black magick.

It is advisable to state one's wishes during a falling star so that it would come true.

It is advisable to swim in a lake during full moon as this would cause one to become highly attractive.

It is advisable to sleep beyond midnight to avoid psychic attacks.

It is advisable to sleep on the floor to avoid psychic attacks.

It is advisable to keep sacred objects in the home to protect one's family.

Indonesia Launches First National Condom Campaign

Living in the United States, it is hard to believe that condoms would not be an enormous part of any other country’s safe sex initiative. In this country, you think “safe sex” and your mind automatically visualizes condoms. However, in Indonesia, condoms do not even account for 1% of the types of contraception that are normally used. There is hope that this will change with Indonesia’s first national condom campaign that will continue for one week and will begin on December 1st, 2007, the same day as World AIDS Day. This campaign’s primary goal is to promote, distribute and educate to the masses about the benefits of condoms against pregnancy and HIV, amongst other sexually transmitted diseases.

With Indonesia considered one of the fastest-rising HIV epidemics in all of Asia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), this campaign could not come at a better time. The official government reports state that, since 1987, approximately 16,000 Indonesians have been infected with AIDS/HIV. However, there are multitudes of undocumented cases due to a limited number of facilities where Indonesians can actually get tested for HIV. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reports that in the nation’s capital, Jakarta, alone, there are anywhere from 90,000 to 130,000 people currently infected with HIV/AIDS.

Despite the Indonesian government’s previous attempts to garner attention and interest in condom use, their focus was primarily on family planning, so the campaign fizzled out as it played to uninterested ears. The National Family Planning Board which is spearheading this ambitious condom campaign hopes to break through the barriers of what it feels is nationwide ignorance about condoms and how they can be used for safe sex.

Indonesia happens to be one of the world’s most heavily populated nations of Muslims. With this in mind, the National Family Planning Board wants to reach out to Muslim leaders not with the main intention of having these leaders promote condoms, but rather to educate them about the medical benefits of condoms. In this way, the Muslim leaders will have the knowledge to couple with their influence in spreading the word on condoms and their role in safe sex. As more leaders, both government and religious, speak out on the necessity of safe sex, the AIDS epidemic may begin to slow across the nation.

Many health organizations report that intravenous drug abuse is a major culprit in the spread of AIDS/HIV. Add to that the fact that 9 in 10 drug users have admitted to frequently using previously used syringes. However, a large number of AIDS cases in Indonesia come from another industry that, unfortunately, is booming: the sex industry. Infection rates amongst these prostitutes, both male and female, are almost 1 in 4. UNAIDS reports that clients who frequently visit these prostitutes use condoms only 10% of the time. In a country that is brimming with HIV infection cases and no end in sight, the disregard to condom use and its obvious benefits must be confronted head-on. One can only hope that the National Family Planning Board’s condom campaign is aggressive enough to do just that.

For more information visit: Indonesia Launches First National Condom Campaign