Popular Place in Bali

As Bali is a small island, there is nowhere that cannot be reached in a single day. You do not really need a fixed itinerary but only a general plan of places to visit and stay. Almost the entire island is ready and waiting for visitors from around the world, so it is better to be mobile, travel light, have a comfortable pair of shoes, and carry a positive attitude!

Bali is gentle and kind to the inexperienced traveler. Most of the local people have at least a limited knowledge of English, low cost accommodation is plentiful, transport is usually reliable, a wide choice of food awaits you, and there is safe drinking water

Jembrana

Jembrana had a taditional bufallo race and Jegog.


Denpasar

The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has countless community temples called Pura and one of them is Pura Jaganatha, which is dedicated to the Supreme God Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons is prevalent in all temples as it signifies the foundation of the world. Pura Jaganatha offers a fine array of prehistoric and modern art, while its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government-supervised Sanggraha Kriya Hasta has a wide display of handicraft and works of art. Between June and July is the Werdi Budaya, an annual art festival with performances, exhibitions, and art contests.

Sanur

Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south and faces the Indian Ocean to the east. On this beach, you will discover many wonderful hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities. Sanur is only a short distance from public transportation accesses in Denpasar, and trips to and from the city are available well into the night. Offshore reefs protect the beach from waves and it is thus a great site for windsurfing, boating, and various types of water-sports. Sanur is also famous for its black and white sorcery practices.

Kuta

Once a lonely village and the entry point to southern Bali since the 18th Century, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort especially for the young and young at heart. A favorite beach for surfers, it is less suitable for swimming due to strong currents; however, there are coast guards constantly on duty during the day. Kuta is one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia and accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular Balinese musical and dance performances here than anywhere else in Bali. This would be the ideal place to mingle with other people, locals as well as visitors abroad.

Nusa Dua

One of the most recent tourist centers, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels. This resort is known for its clean, white beaches and pristine waters. Nusa Dua differs from Bukit Peninsula despite being a part of it. It is sheltered by coral reefs, which makes it an ideal family beach.

Batubulan

Northeast of Denpasar, stone figures along the road mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from soapstone to decorate homes and temples. However, soapstone has a porous nature and the harsh weather of the tropics wears it down, thus renewal is necessary every other century. One is able to watch the carvers perform their skills at roadside 'factories'. Apart from stone carving, Batubulan is also known for its daily performances of the barong dance on a purpose-built stage near Pura Puseh.

Batuan

The old and famous center of the arts, it is noted for its dances, wood panel carving, and half-wayang, half-naturalistic paintings.

Celuk

A name synonymous with silver and goldsmiths, Celuk's art shops beckon visitors to sterling silver and gold butterfly brooches, garnet-studded bracelets, earrings and ear-clips of all designs. The bigger showrooms are on the main road and have marked prices that are quite high although negotiations are possible. Craftsmen use a tree stump with a protruding metal spike for an anvil, a bamboo stem to catch the filings, and a manually operated pump for heat.

Mas

Although Mas literally means 'gold', this village does not specialize in gold jewelry but in woodcarving. The Tilem Art Gallery is a fine place to view the highest quality woodcarvings, all sold at the most exorbitant prices. Carving was a traditional art for the priestly Brahman caste and the skills are believed to have been a gift from the gods. The inhabitants of Mas are also primarily Brahmans and trace their roots back to Danghyang Nirartha, the great Brahman sage.

Ubud

Renowned as the center for the arts, Ubud has been attracting and cultivating artistic talent since it became the seat of the aristocratic family in the late 19th century. Western artists and intellectuals who visited the area in the 1930s provided an enormous stimulus to local art, introduced new ideas and techniques, and began a process a of displaying and promoting Balinese culture worldwide. Ubud is charming not because of its beaches or bars, but for its art, music, architecture, and dance. Even having gone through tremendous development, Ubud is still pretty and relaxed, especially if you're staying in a secluded family compound or eating at one of the pleasant open-air restaurants. It is one of those destinations where people plan to stay a couple of days but extend it to a couple of weeks.

Goa Gajah

The 'elephant cave' harbors no elephants but a great number of stalls, selling and flogging cheap items to tourists. This cave was excavated in the 11th century, and its entrance is a monstrous head with gaping mouth and hands that appear to be pushing the entrance apart. It was believed to have been built as a temple but the sleeping niches and Buddhist ruins just outside the cave suggest otherwise. Within the cave at the end of the T-shaped passage is a four-armed statue of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. At the opposite end sits a set of three lingga, or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. To the side of the cave's entrance is a 1,000-year-old statue of Hariti, a Buddhist demoness cum goddess. She used to devour children but reformed to become a devout Buddhist and protector of children. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding waterspouts.

Tampak Siring

The sacred spring of Tirta Empul is situated here and revered by all Balinese. It is said that the god Indra created the spring when he pierced the earth to build the amerta, the elixir of immortality. The water is used by the Balinese for its curative powers for good health and prosperity. Regular ceremonies are held for purification, especially pregnant women and those who have survived a long illness.

Klungkung

The former seat of the Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from where Balinese royalty draws its bloodline, Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of Justice, which was built in the 18th century, is well known for its ceiling paintings in the traditional wayang style that portrays the pleasures and rewards in heaven as well as the punishments and sufferings in hell. Within Kerta Gosa is a floating pavilion, garden and lotus pond.

Goa Lawah

Located nine kilometers from Klungkung, Goa Lawah is a cave in which the walls vibrate with thousands of bats. These creatures' bodies are packed so tightly that the upper surface of the cave resembles undulating mud. A temple, which is believed to have been founded by a sage nine centuries ago, guards the entrance to this cave. This temple is said to extend all the way back to Pura Besakih and may continue to an underground river that comes up at Pura Goa, which is within the Besakih complex. Naga Basuki, the mythological gigantic snake, is believed to live in this cave.

Besakih

Known as the 'Mother Temple of Bali', Pura Besakih is the biggest and holiest temple in Bali and is perched nearly 1,000m up the side of Gunung Agung. It is extremely enjoyable during festivals when the temple is decorated with colorful banners and the devotees come dressed in their finest, carrying meticulously arranged offerings. The destructive eruption of the volcanic Gunung Agung was said to be the wrath of the gods, having been offended by the Balinese who thought that the ceremony was supposed to be held every 100 years. The miscalculation by the priests had infuriated the gods and caused the destruction. Now, the festival is held more frequently instead of waiting for another century.

Menjangan Island

This little island off Bali's west coast is famous for its dazzling coral reefs and wealth of tropical fish inhabiting the waters. Scuba diving can be arranged and is considered the best that can be offered in Bali. Above water, spotting the rare Java deer is a challenge and the island is also a protected sanctuary for the Bali starling.

Sangeh

This island is fabled to be part of the holy Mahameru, whereby Hanuman, the monkey general in the Ramayana, took to crush Rawana, the villainous giant, which fell to the earth. Along with it came a group of monkeys from Hanuman's army, who remained on the island to pester travelers. The forest here is considered sacred and wood is not permitted to be chopped. Such is the legendary origin of the monkey forest of Bukit Sari, a cluster of towering nutmeg trees and home to hundreds of sacred monkeys.

Tanah Lot

One of Bali's most significant and photographed temples is Pura Tanah Lot, which sits on a huge rock just offshore and is surrounded by sea. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali in the 16th century, its rituals include paying homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. In caves surrounding the temple dwell striped sacred snakes, which are believed to be the guardians of the temple and are to be left discreetly undisturbed. Only worshippers are allowed into the temple, but Pura Tanah Lot is indeed a sight to behold at sunset, with its majestic silhouette against the setting sun.

Bedugul

This mountain resort has a fantastic golf course and has long been used as a weekend retreat by the Balinese. Here lies the serene Danau Bratan, a lake often veiled with mist. A temple was built in honor of the goddess of the lake, Dewi Danau. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan rises from the lakeshore promontory and seems to rise from within Danau Bratan itself. The area is excellent for walking, water skiing, and parasailing. Boats are available for rent.

Tenganan

Tenganan is a Bali Aga or original Balinese village. Protected for centuries from the outside world by surrounding walls, the ancient village has maintained its pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of non-fraternization with outsiders. Unique rituals and practices are preserved, and girls as young as two are wrapped in silk and donned with multi-colored scarves and flowered crowns of beaten gold during festivals. The village women weave the famous 'flaming' cloth, kamben gerinsing, which is purported to have the power to immunize the wearer against evil. A single cloth can take five years to complete and a large piece can cost well over a thousand dollars. The Fight of the Pandanus Leaves takes place annually during the Usaba Sambah festival. Two men would fight like gladiators, armed with only a round, plaited shield while attacking each other's bare bodies with bunches of thorny pandanus leaves. After the battles, the wounds are treated with a mixture of turmeric and vinegar, thus leaving no scars.

Werdi Budaya Art Centre

Modern, traditional and contemporary Balinese visual arts can be seen at this spacious complex, which is the largest and most complete art center in a series of cultural centers built throughout the archipelago. Werdi Budaya Art Centre exhibits Bali's numerous visual arts disciplines including painting, woodcarving, shadow puppetry, silverwork, weaving, Barong and Rangda dance costumes, and remarkable ivory carving. Apart from its real cultural function, the complex is a showplace for Balinese Temple and Palace architecture at its most opulent. The grounds are also home to the month-long Pesta Seni or Bali Art Festival, held sometime in June, when traditional music, dance, art exhibitions, cultural competitions, sales of foodstuffs, and local handicrafts highlight the best of Bali's talents.

Wisata Gajah Taro Bali (Elephant Park)

(special report for Anti Kaandop- di sana di Belanda)

Setiap kali saya pamerkan foto-foto dengan gajah dokumentasi saya, komentar pertama, di Lampung ya mbak. He, he, ini di Bali, desa Taro. Mau ujian, bete, buka-buka file, nemu foto-foto di Taro, Bali, siapa tahu bisa jadi inspirasi wikimuers untuk liburan mendatang. Liburan dengan anakku, selalu diupayakan tidak saat padat, jadi mengambil tiga hari Rabu dan Kamis, Jumat malam sudah di Jakarta kembali. Liburan ke Bali, di atur untuk melihat satwa. Bingung ya, di Bali kok cari satwa, bisa tuh !!

Kunjungan ini memang sudah Desember tahun 2006, tapi tetap asyiik buat dongeng , dan selalu membuat yang melihat foto-foto kami di Taro, ingin mengunjungai. (lagian saat itu belum bergabung di wikimu)

Hari Rabu turun dari pesawat , kami sudah di jemput. Makan siang kemudian di lanjutkan ke Bali Zoo, dilanjutkan ke bali Bird Park.

Nah yang yang amazing saat ke Taro. Naik gajah , sekitar setengah jam, keliling , melalui jalan desa. Ya seolah-olah mengunjungi kerabat, berkendaraan gajah, karena kami melewati rumah penduduk, berjumpa penduduk dengan aktivitas sehari-hari. Berjumpa dengan serombongan pembawa sesajen lengkap diiringi tetabuhan. ”Nunggang” gajah yang berjalan ”glenuk-glenuk” hanya awalnya saja rada was-was, selanjutnya nikmati saja goyangan sang gajah. Gajahnya sempat berhenti, pipis. Waahh, malah bisa merasakan gerakan isi perut sang gajah saat Kusuma , (nama si gajah tunggangan kami) mau (maaf) kentut !!. Grujuk - grujuk...... Wisata ini memang pagi hari, jadi proses alami sedang berjalan.

Ada peristiwa lagi.saya agak cemas, gajah di depan kami ( setiap kali keliling dengan beberapa gajah, per ekor gajah di muati 2 penumpang) sudah jauh meninggalkan kami hingga tak nampak, gajah saya sering-sering berhenti, bahkan seolah-olah mau mundur. Gawat ! Pawangnya , yang berjalan di samping gajah menyertai kami , maklum. Kemudian menjelaskan rupanya ada sedikit kesalahan ”formasi”. Gajah kami betina, di belakangnya , gajah jantan. Ho, ho, Kusuma caper (cari perhatian.....) megol-megol dulu. Ini berlangsung sekitar 10 menit pertama. Setelah itu lancar. Lancar, sih lancar, saya masih terkejut lagi. Di akhir perjalanan, gajah –gajah berjalan di air...... Wah, kalu gajahnya iseng , jongkok gitu, kelelep kami.!!!

Atarksi selanjutnya , gajah main basket, main sepak bola, berhitung, duduk seperti gambar di atas, berbaris,ada “pengalungan rangkaian bunga”, bisa minta pangku gajah, memberi makan. Wah, seharian pun tahan main di Taro. Makan siangnya sudah termasuk dalam paket saya . Buffet, makanan Eropa dan Asia.

LOVINA BEACH SINGARAJA

Lovina beach is located around 20 kms to the west of Singaraja city. Lovina beach area is a long narrow lowland which are consist of some traditional villages such as Tukad Mungga, east Lovina Anturan near center of Lovina, Kalibukbuk, and Temukus west Lovina beach. The name Lovina refers to all the villages. Further west to Lovina beach, passing the city of Seririt around 30 kms there is a tourism resort called "Pemuteran". Pemuteran beach is closed to the part of Labuhan Lalang on embarking place for divers to sail to Menjangan island, and expedition to west Bali national park. The history of north Bali is not totally establishes yet before the birth of Buleleng kingdom in 17th century. There are some documents found in the village of Tamblingan mentioning the king granted the residents of Tamblingan a free tax in 12th century, and an older document were found found in Sembiran village eastern mountain village of Buleleng mentioning the riots on the village (probably an intruder arriving by ship) and damage the village leaving only 50 families. The other mentioning a port city of Manasa on north coast as one of the most busiest port. This was supposed around 11th century. In 19th century the Dutch colonial administration repeatedly tried to attack Bali and take control on Singaraja city, the biggest city in Bali at the moment, the war of Jagaraga was a heroic story which was ending with a "puputan" means battle until the last drop of blood. Jagaraga village is near Lovina beach, just the location is further up. The name of Lovina is not clearly known if it is taken from English "Love" or other, since the original Bali word is not possible. It was probably the first small hut built there giving romantic situation that inspired the name. In north Bali had born two famous love story such as the romantic and tragic story of Jayaprana, and "Sukreni Gadis Bali" written by I Gusti Panji Tisna from Singaraja, and he is national wide known literary.It is said that during his writing I Gusti Panji Tisna also finishing his work here at Lovina beach