Kintamani
The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with
its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, make this
region a must to visit. Lake Batur is the largest lake in
Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular
views to be found anywhere on the island. Lake Batur also
provides water for an underground network of streams and
springs across the southern slopes of the mountain.
The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali, dating
from the tenth century. The evenings get cool up here but
it's well worth the stay overnight to climb the volcano
and watch the sunrise. Many cheap losmens are available
here.
Besakih Temple
Known as the "Mother Temple of Bali", the sanctuary
of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and
holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old,
steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where
the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with
flower offerings.
Around
the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva,
Brahma and Vishnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging
to different regencies and caste groups.
To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries is a
special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration
or "Odalan". The sight of the temple against the
background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals,
colored banners add a touch of gaiety.
Bedugul
The mountain resort of Bedugul, 18 km north of Denpasar,
is known for its excellent golf course. Located beside Lake
Bratan, it is surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful
sight is the "Ulun Danu" temple which seems to
rise out of the lake. The area offers good-walks. Boats,
water skiing, and parasailing are available for hire. The
Bali Handara country club has bungalows for rent and a restaurant.
When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape to
Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat tucked into the crater
of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea level.
Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the
water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine
forests seem to create a freshness in the air. Bedugul is
known for the quality of its fruits , vegetables and flowers.
Tampak Siring
The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the sacred
spring at Tampaksiring. Over 1000 years old, the temple
and its two bathing places have been used by the people
for good health and prosperity because of the spring water's
curative powers. Regular ceremonies are held for purification.
Specialties of the area are bone and ivory carvings, and
seashell ornaments.
Tanah Lot Temple
One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot is built
a top a huge rock which is surrounded by the sea. Built
by one of the last priests to come to Bali from Java in
the 16th century, its rituals include the paying of homage
to the guardian spirits of the sea.
Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island
are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruder.
The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon
when the temple is in silhouette.
Denpasar City
The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples
called "Pura". One is the Museum called Pura Jagatnatha
which is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa.
The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all
temples) signify the foundation of the world.
The Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern
art, whereas its architectural design resembles that of
a palace. The government supervised "Sanggraha Kriya
Asta" has a wide variety of handicraft and works of
art. The "Werdi Budaya" presents a yearly art
festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions,
art contest and so on.
Ubud Village
The cultural image of Ubud is paramount to people as home
to the best art museums in tte country, like Puri Lukisan,
Neka Museum, ARMA (Agung Rai Museum & Art), etc. Ubud
is an ideal place to see Balinese dance, Legong, Ramayana,
Baris, Kecak and Sanghyang (the fire dance) are performed
nightly in or aroud the Ubud area.
Ubud gives you opportunity to see real Bali. It is a place
for leisurely strolls through rice terraces, lush forests,
breath-taking gorges and deserted swimming holes, all within
walking distance from the center of Ubud. You must visit
Monkey Forest - walk along Monkey Forest Road from Ubud,
down into a dense forest where you will find a bunch of
happy monkeys waiting for passing tourists.
Goa Gajah Temple
The Elephant cave is carved in to rock face and reached
by a flight of steps. It probably dates back to the 9-12th
centuries and shows elements of both Hindu and Buddhist.
You can enter the cave through the huge mouth of a demon.
In front of the cave are two bathing pools with spring water
gushing from spouts help by female figures.
A kilometer from Goa Gajah is Yeh Pulu. After a short walk
through rice terraces, you will arrive at an ancient rock
carving dating from the 14th century. The carving depicts
various scenes of everyday life and the figures of elephant-headed
Ganesha indicating a close relationship between the two
sites.
Uluwatu Temple
South Bali on Bukit Badung. This cliff top temple, dedicated
to the spirits of the sea, has spectacular views and is
popular for viewing sunsets. The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu
temple is an architectural marvel situated on headland at
the western tip to the plateau. According to local tradition,
the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century,
In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state.
The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in
Bali. The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone
have withstood time well.
Lovina
Tourists looking for a quiet beach resort can head 10 km
west from Singaraja to Lovina, a long stretch of beach (with
hotels and bungalows). The black sand beach is safe and
a perfect place for the swimming and snorkeling. Lovina
also offers dolphin viewing. It is the perfect base from
which to explore northern Bali.
Goa Lawah Temple
Goa Lawah is the bat cave. This cave is crammed with thousands
of bats which are unseen but certainly not unheard during
the day. The cave is part of a temple that is said to lead
all the way to Besakih but it's unlikely that anyone would
be interested in investigating.
Kerta Gosa
Kerta Gosa was used a venue for the administration of justice
by kings and priests during pre-colonial times. It is surrounded
by a moat and is decorated with beautiful paintings on its
ceilings, which depict tortures in hell and bliss in heaven.
The Bale Kembang (Floating Pavilion) stands behind the Kerta
Gosa. Its painted ceilings depict the legend of the hero
Sutasoma and his sacrifices, and of Pan and Men Brayut,
known as the couple who had too many offspring.
Sangeh
Sangeh is the famous Monkey Forest, set in heart of the
only primary forest in southern Bali. This forest consists
entirely of pala (nutmeg) tree. The monkeys living here
are considered sacred and hence used to make barong.
West
Bali National Park
West Bali National Park is situated in two regencies: Jembrana
and Buleleng. The entrance on the Jembrana side of the park
is at Melaya on the Denpasar - Gilimanuk road. Visit this
place if you are looking for pristine tropical nature. The
park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak
Putih, fewer than fifty are believed to be left in the wild,
where they are threatened by poaching. The park also home
to banteng and deer-like Menjangan. The National Park contains
a broad rang of natural environments, from magrove coastal
forests to savana and rainforest shelters.
To enter Bali National Park one must go to the park office
in Cekik. Accommodation is available in basic huts but you
must bring your own bedding and untensils.
Batubulan
Driving northeast from Denpasar, stone figures on the roadside
mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are
carved from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples.
Workshops can be visited to watch artists at work.
Batubulan also is famous for Barong Dance which is performed
daily here. The dance symbolizes the never-ending battle
between good and evil. The Pura Puseh Batubulan, a beautiful
temple, is also worth visiting while in Batubulan.
Kuta
Once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the
Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort,
popular mainly among the young. It is a beach for surfing
although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coast
guards, however, are on constant duty during the day. Kuta
faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets.
Accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays.
The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques
and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular
performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged
specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some
performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for
meeting and mixing with other people, locals as well as
visitors from abroad.
Menjangan Island
This little island off Bali's west coast is known for its
beautiful coral reefs found nearby and the wealth of tropical
fish inhabiting the waters around it. The island itself
including Terima Bay, are by themselves worth a visit because
of the beautiful sceneries they offer.
Nusa Lembongan Island
Nusa Lembongan, a small island between Bali and Nusa Penida
in the Badung Strait, is the perfect location for a holiday
hideaway with few visitors and pristine unspoilt beaches.
Overlooking Sanghiang Bay with its clear sapphire-blue waters,
the Nusa Lembongan Resort offers a panoramic view of eastern
Bali and the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung.
Nusa Dua
The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula
in southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxurious
hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean
white beaches and clear waters. The surf is gentle along
the northern side of the peninsula, bigger along the south.
The most convenient form of transportation to and from Nusa
Dua is by taxi.
Peliatan
Ubud
Peliatan is located between Ubud and Mas. It has been known
as the center of traditional music, and dances. The fine
art of local woodcarvers started a new style of wood carving
producing such things as fruits, flowers and trees in their
real shapes and colorings.
Celuk
Village
Celuk is center for Balinese goldsmiths and silversmiths.
More 40 jewelry workshops are located along the road from
Batubulan to Celuk. The jewelries are exported worldwide.
Sukawati
Sukawati is famous for its art market (Pasar Seni) and dalangs
(puppeteers). Set in a two-floor building, the market sells
everything from statues to dance costumes.
Mas Village
Mas is famous for woodcarving. Mas offers a myriad of wooden
items. The main road of the town is lined with dozens of
workshop.
Sanur
Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site for
people from Denpasar. The palm-lined beach curves from the
Bali Beach Hotel toward the south, facing the Indian Ocean
towards the east. Sanur offers many good hotels, restaurants,
shops and other tourist facilities. It is only a short distance
from Denpasar. Public transportation to and from the city
are easily available until well into the night. Offshore
reefs protect the beach against the waves to make it popular
for wind surfing, boating and other water sports
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