Bali: Denpasar Places of interest

SAKENAN TEMPLE
Is built in the 13 Th Century by a holy priest namely : " Dang hyang Dwijedra " on a small island very close to the Benoa Harbour and Nusa Dua Local outrigger sailing canoes can be hired from sanur for an hour's scenic sail down the coast, or motorized canoes . Now, it can be reached through a roadway in approximately 15 minutes to the east of Kuta

JAGAT NATHA TEMPLE
One of the most beautiful temples of Denpasar is the Central Pura Jagat Natha, at the Northeast corner of puputan Square. This temple comes alive at the full moon ceremony, when worsppiers from all over the city gather to bring offerings and devotions. On the main street of Denpasar, its restful sahede and gnarled frangipani trees offer a welcome contrast to the hubbub of city traffic. Also, you'll find the market temple, Pura Melanting, where busy vendors pause to make their offerings for a prosperous day.

MUSEUM BALI
On the eastern side of the historic Puputan Square in Denpasar is the Museum of Bali, built by the Dutch in 1932. The Original collection was put together with the assistance of a German painter. Well apportioned exhibition halls display an excellent collection of Balinese artifacts from prehistoric to contemporary times, including weapons, dance costumes, Ming ceramic, cloth and paintings.

BENOA
Just north of the Nusa Dua complex, takes one on to the narrow peninsula of land, which terminates in the small village of Benoa. From the concrete pier, you can see over the Serangan Island, lying low on the water. From this fishing village, people can depart daily by the Cruise ship. Out in the bay, is an anchorage for ocean - going yachts and The Bali International Yachts also has a base here.

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Wisata Bali: JEMBRANA

It is the least known region in Bali, scarcely visited by tourist, and sparsely populated , except along the main road of Denpasar - Gilimanuk. Most of the land is covered by the denseley forested highland of Bali's National Park. The flatter southern region is rice growing country. Villages have clean air, partly due to the mass of flowering shrubs, which almost obscure the neat little house. The income is derived primarily from coconut plantations, coffee near the border of Tabanan , cloves, and vanilla crops.
Jembrana has always been isolated and largely unffected by events on the rest of the island . Its history is tied to Buleleng after the Dutch overran the Regency in 1849 and assumed control of Jembrana as well. It has looked westward, and is thus influenced from the Muslim & Christian religions.

MEDEWI
Located about 72 kilometers west of Denpasar. The area was a forest with "Ketket," or thorny trees. The thorny forest means " Alas Meduwi " in Balinese. Because of this, people agreed to call it " Meduwi " then changed into the current name of Medewi. The beach is flat, stony, and has long rolling waves, so it is very suitable for surfing and sunset watching
RAMBUTSIWI TEMPLE
Is on a cliff top overlooking a breathtaking panorama of paddy fields on one side and the black sand beach on the other. Two caves overlook the sea, each with a view of the fisherman's boats and seabirds hovering above. The temple itself was built by Dang Hyang Nirartha. According to legend, he made a gift of his hair to the temple. Hence the name Rambut Siwi, which literally means " Hair Worship "


MEKEPUNG ( BUFFALO RACES )
The Mekepung was origiannly held as part of the harvest festivities. The carts and buffaloes were, until quite recently, still used for two cars pulled by water buffaloes. The colorfully decorated animals race on a two - kilometers course.

Bali - Negara

Telephone code is 0365 Cahaya Matahari Bungalows Banjar Anyar, Batuagung, 82218. 6 bungalows (each 2-3 peoples ). Located in a tiny village on the edge of town, in the middle of rice fields. Comfortable, quiet. Guides for trekking available.

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Bali City: Buleleng

Buleleng

This Regency sprawls over the full length of Bali's north coast. It is hot, dry and fringed with black sand beaches and coconut palms. It meets Karangasem in the northeast coast into the untouched jungle territory of Bali's National Park, on the west end of the island. The Regency has been more exposed to foreign influences in the recent past. Buleleng was a port for traeding boats coming east on the route to Spice Island and where Chinese, Arabic, European , and Bugis merchant came to exchange opium, arms , and "kepeng " for Balinese rice, fruits, cattle , and slaves. In 1882, the Dutch made Bali and Lombok into a combined Residency and singaraja became the capital city.

Singaraja
The original capital of Bali, Singaraja is right on the sea, and its harbor has been key to local development. Bustling centers of local commerce, its people are noisy, open, and friendly, and reflect their local climate.

Lovina & Menjangan Island

About 10 kilometers west of Singaraja. The black sand beach is safe and a wonderful place for swimming and snorkeling. Lovina also offers dolphin viewing. Menjangan Island, part of the West Bali National Park has the most beautiful coral reefs in Bali. A long with the bearby Labuan Lalang, this is a great place for diving and snorkeling

Yeh Saneh

A little further east on the coast is Yeh Saneh, an idyllic spot that few people know about. Only a few maters from the splash of the surf is a cool freshwater spring around which has been built a large pool and gardens for bathers and picnickers.

Gitgitwaterfalls

To the south of Singaraja is Gitgit Waterfall, Bali's highest waterfall. This beautiful wilderness area is a must for nature lovers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger towns. This is a perfect place to take photographs of Bali's magical scenery

While it is possible to make a day-trip to the north coast, it's a very long drive and you really need to stay longer to see the area. Best to base yourself in the Lovina resort area, with its many hotels and restaurants. Besides Lovina, both Singaraja and Air Sanih have accommodations. See map on p. 190-19.1.
Prices in US dollars. AC = Air conditioning. Telephone code is 0362.

Singaraja

Bali's administrative center during the Dutch times, Singaraja is now way behind Denpasar in terms of development. It is, on the other hand, a more pleasant place to visit, with a flavor somewhat more Islamic than Hindu. There are neither traffic jams nor pollution and everything is conveniently located on one main street, JI. Jen. A. Yani.

to Singaraja

Singaraja can easily be reached from the east, west and south. From Denpasar, it takes two to three hours by car via Bedugul. The official bemo fare is Rp5,000. Another road, still more breathtaking, runs through Tabanan, Pupuan and Seririt, for a Rp5,800 fare. All bemos leave from the Ubung terminal in Denpasar.

There are two terminals in Singaraja: Banyusari and Kampung Tinggi, with bemos running between them for Rp500. Bemos from Denpasar and Gilimanuk arrive at Banyusari while those from Amlapura and Kintamani go to the Kampung Tinggi terminal. The fare from Banyusari to Lovina is Rp700 and from Kampung Tinggi to Gilimanuk and Amlapura is Rp 5,000.

Eating in Singaraja

The Taman Lila complex on J1. A. Yani has a row of restaurants serving mostly Chinese food. Best known are the Gandhi restaurant, No. 25H, with an extensive menu and moderate prices. Try the nasi goreng kepiting (fried rice crab) or the shrimp sate. Just beside Gandhi is Kartika, No. 251. Further west are two intimate restaurants frequented by local lovers: Cafetaria 99 and next door, Arina.

Lovely Singaraja Shopping

One place worth visiting in Singaraja is the art shop, Tresna on JI. A. Yani 5, which hasantiques and fabrics. Another place for fabrics is Banyusari Market or go directly to the Berdikari Hand Woven Cloth Factory at JI. Dewi Sartika 42, for replicas of antique silk textiles. Open daily, 7 am-7 pm.

For toiletries and drugstore items go to the Tirta Dewata mini-market on J1. A. Yani, in the direction of Lovina. For camera film, go to Warna Fuji on JI. A. Yani 30 and 40.

Most places here do not accept credit cards or travelers checks. Banks such as Bank Dagang Negara (JI. Gajah Mada, Phone 25222), Bank BN1 (JI. Gajah Mada, Phone 24347) and Bank Central Asia (JI. Hasanuddin, Phone 23760/6) can change money and arrange transfers.

Bali - Lovina

The area known as Lovina (actually another name for Kalibukbuk) comprises several villages situated alongside the coastal road west of Singaraja. From east to west they are: Tukad Munga, Anturan, Kalibukbuk (Lovina) and Temukus. All offer accommodations and other tourist services. It is quiet and rural here. The black sand beach is beautiful at sunrise. There's no surfing, but plenty of coral areas for snorkeling. The fishermen can also take you to see dolphins offshore; arrange with the boatmen a day in advance. If you have had enough of the sea, the mountainous hinterland is great for hiking.

to Lovina

Lovina is only 10 minutes from Singaraja by a good road. Public transport runs until 9 pm. Bemos to Singaraja (Banyusari terminal) cost Rp2000. You can also charter a bemo for Rp.25.000

There are direct buses to Java. Buy your ticket from the Perama office in Anturan: Surabaya $10; Yogyakarta $20; Jakarta $25.

Shuttle buses run several times daily to Bali's main resorts: Ubud $7; Candidasa $10; Kuta $7. Buy your ticket from Perama in Anturan or from Ganda Sari, Bina Ria or Arya's Cafe (Phone 21797) in Lovina. Tours of the area, as well as snorkeling and sailing trips can be arranged by your hotel or by these shuttle companies.

For bike, motorbike and car rentals, go to: Bina Ria Transport, Happy Beach Bungalows or Bali Taman Beach in Tukad Mungga; Perama Losmen or Mandhara Beach Cottages in Anturan; or Pringga Guest House and Janur's Dive Inn 'in Kalibukbuk. The daily rate for a push bike is $2; motorbike $5-$6; car self-drive $15; car with driver $20-$25.

Eating and Nightlife in Lovina
Nearly all hotels in the area have restaurants. Janur's Dive Inn has one that is great value for money. Very pleasant, serving favorites for $1.
The most famous restaurant is Khi Khi in Lovina. If the food is to your liking, go to their open-air kitchen and take notes on the recipes. Grilled fish and fried prawns are favorites here. Bali Bagus has seafood and vegetarian dishes, and is highly recommended. Another popular restaurant is the Kakatua, near Lovina beach. Try their fried fish for $2. Or you can go to Srikandi for fried rice, which you eat sitting on a mat. For those who want live music, go to Wina or Malibu. The latter turns into a disco on Fridays. Bali Aga on the south side of the street, across from Tip Top Shop, has spaghetti, burgers, and traditional Balinese specialties.

Lovina Watersports

Most hotels can arrange water sports, not only for the Lovina area, but for Pulau Menjangan to the west (around $18). The usual rates are as follows: snorkeling: $3-$4 per person (bargain). Trip to the dolphins: $5 per person. Fishing trip: $5 per person.

Shadow Puppets as a Treat

Lovina is not known as a center of Balinese culture. However the area is famed for its puppet shows. Hotels with regular performances are: Puri Bedahulu, Happy Beach Bungalows and Mandhara Beach Cottages.

Bali - Air Sanih

Driving east from Singaraja along the coast, or north and then east from Kintamani, you will pass through the beach resort of Air Sanih (Yeh Sanih), which is noted for its freshwater springs. It's a nice stop-off before you continue your journey to Karangasem.

You can also enjoy a beautiful sunrise on Air Sanih beach or, by leaving early enough for Karangasem, you may see the first lights hit the peak of Mount Agung near Tulamben-a breathtaking experience. Several bungalows have been built in Air Sanih and the surrounding area, many by the pools which overlook the seashore.

Source: Island Concept

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