Bali brain benders!

The Balinese year is only 210 days long and is known as the Pawukon Cycle Calendar.

Prior to their independence, Bali was a Dutch colony. Though their rule was short, many older Balinese still speak Dutch and there are remnants of their influence in some Balinese architecture.

Does the name “Ketut” ring a bell? Almost all Balinese people, men and women, are named one of just 4 names: Wayan, Made, Nyoman or Ketut, which represent their order of birth (first, second, third and fourth).

Volcano Agung sits at 3142 metres above sea level and is the highest point in Bali as well as the most sacred. All temples face the volcano, and many Balinese sleep with their heads in the direction of the peak.

Babies are carried everywhere for the first three months of life, with parents never letting their feet touch the ground. The belief is that the child’s soul is not yet anchored to this world and can be affected by black magic through the earth if they are to step on it.

There are between 600-1200 dialects spoken in the entirety of Indonesia.

While the majority of Indonesia’s population is Muslim, Bali is predominantly Hindu, with around 80% of their population identifying with Hinduism.

Bali is one of the places in the world you can treat yourself to an expensive cup of “Kopi Luwak” coffee, made from beans that have passed through the intestinal tract of a civet. A cup of this speciality will set you back at least AUD$50!