Interesting places in Bali Island:
Ubud
Village In the Heart of Bali
Ubud - Beauty, natural, exclusive and exotic. That is the characteristic of
the well known artists' colony in the world. Many people (most students, researchers,
and scientists besides common people) from all over the world come to this
place to explore its interesting features. Thus, hotels at this place are
various in rate and class.
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.
You can use Ubud as your base in Bali.It is centraland the cultural heart
of Bali.
Where to stay in Ubud ? Look on the Ubud accomodation
page:
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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.
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.
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.
Where to stay in Lovina ?
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Celuk
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
Mas is famous for woodcarving. Mas offers a myriad of wooden items. The main
road of the town is lined with dozens of workshop.
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.
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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.
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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DISCOVER BALI WITH OUR DAYTOURS:
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