Bali doesn’t extend beyond the tourist leaflet: idyllic tropical beaches, lush green forest and happy islanders who work and play in childlike innocence. This vision of paradise has been turned into a commodity for the tens of thousands of western tourists who flood into Bali’s Kuta Beach, Tanah Lot, Kintamani, Ubud Village, Besakih Temple, Bedugul etc.
In actual fact the tourist trade is only a peripheral thing; awy from the commercial traps of the southern beaches you can still find Bali’s soul, towards the mountain where it has always been. It is there you will find rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, holy mountains reaching up through the clouds and dense tropical jungle. And it is there you’ll discover the extraordinary resilience of the Balinese people and their culture.
Denpasar City
Giving the impression of a bustling overgrown village, Denpasar is the largest city on the island, the center of commerce and governmental administration. Belated town planning is doing its best to control the urban sprawl of the bustling little city, and the recent addition of traffic light at the busiest intersection as well as a great number of one-way street Jalan Gajah Mada is the commercial center of shops, banks and restaurant, and back onto the PASAR BADUNG market place, a sprawling complex of stalls with every imaginable commodity available from salted fish, spices and herb to gold jewelry and fine woven cloth. The MUSEUM is well worth visiting n Denpasar.
In Denpasar, ethnic homogeneity is a thing of the fat. Non - Balinese now make up around 30 % of the city population. There are several Javanese Kampung, Chinese and Arab/Punjabi area. The Muslim call to prayer, the rumble of the Beleganjur Orchestra and the person's sermon represent just some of the sound in the Denpasar day. This Variety has important cultural consequences. The Indonesia language is increasingly taking over from Balinese in daily communication.
Denpasar is where the Balinese scholars translate Indian holy books, new prayers are taught, and Hinduism reinterpreted. Other beautiful in Bali is Monument include the temple and palace of Kesiman, Panambangan Temple (near Pemecutan palace). And Satrian temple, with is near by bird market. Pemecutan, Kesiman, and Badung (now the name of the nearby regency) were the three " UNITED KINGDOMS " on the territory of Denpasar.
Art Center
The werdhi Budaya Art Center was built in 1973 to the design of the prominent Balinese architect, Ida Bagus Tugur, as a showplace for Bali's performing and fine arts. Strategically situated on Jalan Nusa Indah, Abian Kapas, Denpasar, the art center has Three art galleries, including one permanent art
collection, and several outdoor stages and performance pavilion including the huge open stage and arena, Ardha Candra. Seminar and exhibition hall are often utilized by local art and three are groups, and the dance, drama and music school, STSI.
Since 1979 a traditional of a Festival of the Art has been instigated as an annual fixture. This takes place each June-July, with a comprehensive programmer of Gamelan and dance performances, competition of traditional Balinese skill, and giant production of the Ramayana and Mahabarata ballets, lasting about 4 weeks in all. Open : Every day except on official holydays (08.00-16.00) A special performance is given on the Ardha Candra open-air stage every full moon.
The performance of 'Kecak Dance' to be held at the Art Center Every Evening from (18.30-19.30). Originally the Kecak was just an element of the older Sang Hyang trance dance. It consistedof a male choir praying obsessively to the souls of their ancestors. At the initiative of painter Walter Spies, this religious choir was transformed into a dance by providing it with a narrative.
Jagat Nata 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, worshippers from all over the city gathering to make their offering and devotion.
On the main street of Denpasar , its restful shade and gnarled frangipani trees offering a welcome contrast to the hubbub of city traffic, is the market temple. Pura Melanting, where busy vendors pause to make their offerings for a prosperous.
Museum Manusa Yadnya
The life of the Balinese is measured out in a series of relegious ceremonies which sanctify all stages of the life cycle, from birth until death and subsequent rebirth. These ceremonies are known as "Manusa Yadnya" and each is unique.
The "Manusa Yadnya" Museum, within the Mandala Wisata Complex in Mengwi, 15 km west of Denpasar, has been created as a representative exhibition potraying the basic aspects of these all important life-cycle ceremonies. Exhibitits the major types of offerings used in each ceremony, as well as the accompanying constuction susc as the cremation sarcopagus and tower. Photograph of each particular ceremony gve an idea of the actual set.
Museum Le Mayeur
The house and collected painting of the Belgian painter Le Mayeur, on the beach in Sanur, are cared for by his widow Ni Polok, a famed Legong Dancer and beauty in her youth. Le Mayeur came to Bali in 1932, and lived here for 26 years, leaving his house to the Indonesia Goverment. Open every day.
Jro Kuta Palace Jro
Kuta Palace is located on Kumbakarna Street , Denpasar, about 100 m of Maospahit Temple . This palace has unique building complex such as Ancaksaji, Semanggen, Ranggi, Pewaregan, Saren Raja, Saren Kangin, Paseban, Pamerajan Agung, and Pekandelan which is a kind of fortress to protect the main part of the area.
Kesiman Palace
Kesiman
Palace is located on W.R. Supratman Street, East Denpasar, closed to Petilan Pengerebongan Temple . The palace consists of a private mansion and the most highly structured family temple.
Puputan Square
Puputan Square is a large open square in the center of Denpasar city, the site of the famous ‘Puputan’ fight to death against the Dutch troops on 20 September 1906, when thousands of Balinese warriors, dressed in their finest Balinese regalia, and armed only with tradition weapons like keris (short draggers) and spears, hurled themselves against the lines of Dutch troops.
A monument was built at the northern part of the Puputan Square to commemorate Puputan battle. The monument shows a man and his two children carrying keris (short draggers) and bamboo spears, ready to fight.
Sidik Jari Museum Sidik Jari Museum Located on Hayam Wuruk Street, Denpasar, Sidik Jari Museum is a private fine art museum established and owned by I Gusti Ngurah Gede Pemecutan. The museum exhibits the work of its owner as well as other artists.
The uniqueness of the collection in this museum is that the paintings are done using the tips of the fingers in applying different colors or paints in order to represent the artist's imagination.
This museum consists of a hall for exhibitions, a library, a studio, an open hall for various activities, and an outdoor stage for dance performances. It is open daily from 09.00 am to 04.00 pm except on public holiday.
Bajra Sandhi Monument
Bajra Sandhi Monument is the Balinese people struggle monument, which is shaped like ‘bajra’ (bell). It is located on Puputan Margarana Square in Niti Mandala Renon area. Main government offices are located nearby. Bali Museum Bali museum was built on 8 December 1932 and has a large collection of old items. Located on Major Wisnu Street , this museum consists of 4 buildings: Buleleng, Karangasem, Tabanan, and the East Building .
Badung Regency
Badung regency which is shaped like a " KRISS " was forged in the late 18 th century by Guti Ngurah Made Pemecutan. Located at the middle, elongates from Bukit Peninsular in the south to the Easter shore of Bratan Lake, badung has always played key - role in Bali's fortunes.
Badung cover the land of 542.50 square kilometersand occupied by 663.084 people and most of them live in the capital city Denpasar. The regency is enriched by the most popular Tourist Resort such as : Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran, which also make it become the Gateway to Bali and eastern part of Indonesia.
20 September 1906, is unforgettable mark for the regency during which the fight (until the last blood drop ) Puputan Againt outnumbered of Dutch militia was Unavoidable. Everyone dressed in white followed their " Raja " with Kris on hand ready to fight to show their knight. The monument of which is now laid out at Puputan Square remind us all.
Kuta Village On the westem side of the narrow istmus, which leads to the Bukit Peninsula, is the famed Kuta Beach. Lovely sunset draw avid weather to the sand surf in the evening hours. Kuta's claim to fame owes much to two things: its beach (originally Bali's best ) and the simply magnificent sunset. Apart from surfing on its huge breakers and strolling for miles on the pearly white beach, shopping is a must with the wide variety and number of shop and street vendors selling rattan bags, batik shirts and a range of other interesting mementos.
Street-side cafes are ideal for people watching while the numerous restaurant offer cuisine fro around the world. Originally a sleepy fishing village, Kuta has developed in a busy holiday resort, with hotel, restaurant an shops of all sizes intermingled with local family compounds. It was in Kuta that the first 'honesty's' appeared, now common phenomena, where local family opened up their homes and offered cheap accommodation to travelers.
Beach Bungalow first opened in Kuta in the 1930's but mass tourism did not start here until the late 1960's. During this period Kuta boomed, becoming known as a hippie haven. The bamboo beach home-stay were turret into losmen (a kind of BB) and then into hotel. The hippies either left or struck it rich and Kuta became one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia: a place to encounter new ideas and lifestyles and a place to experience all kinds of pleasures.
Uluwatu Temple
On the southernmost Peninsula of Bali the Towering tableland of Bukit, which drops dramatically into the sea at the sheer or Uluwatu. This rock is believed to be the metamorphosed ship of Dewi Danu, goddess of the water, and did the wandering Hindu Saint choose the place. Sang Hyang Nirartha, to achieve moksa, or oneness with the godhead, and end his life on earth.
The ancient temple of Pura Luhur Uluwatu, perched precariously in this spot, is populated by a friendly tribe of protected Monkeys. In recent years Uluwatu has been discovered to have an almost perfect surfing break at all times of the years, and a new road has been carved in the cliff to give acces by motorbike to avid surfers.
The nearby Pantai Suluban is another favorite play ground for surfers, an the Annual Surf Championship are partly staged here. Just around the comer, at jimbaran, is excellent diving, with a multitude of fish and coral to bee seen.
Sanur Village
On the eastern coastline, sheltered by the coral reef, the waves are much gentile. In the last two decades the sleepy village of Sanur has become an elite international resort, white huge hotel complexes offering first class accommodation and every modern facility visiting tourist. Sanur is a multitude of contrasts. Village life goes on very much as usually under the coconut palm.
In the evening the strain of practicing local gamelan orchestra can be heard wafting through the nigh air, while on the top story of he Hotel Bali Beach a nightclub is in full swing. Fishermen wander the beach and the colorful outrigger canoes can be hired for sailing trips along the coast and to outlying island.
Sanur main shopping street is Jalan Danau Tamblingan and it is somewhat more peaceful than shopping in Kuta. You'll find indory Furniture in this street and Uluwatu Boutique selling items made from handmade Balinese lace. There are still a few hawkers about but they're not as aggressive, except at the beach market. Sanur has an interesting variety of shop with lots of nice restaurant dotted between. Gaya Interior has a large range of home wares, furnishing. For batik, try the Kumala Exclusive Modern Batik Center.
Nusa Dua Village
Imagine a beach resort community on one of the world's most exotic island. Far from the noise of the big cities, with people relaxing on white sandy beaches caressed by the emerald water of lagoon. Nearby, a small village-like center is stirring with activity an animation. The splendid scenery remains unpolluted and well cared for even the building are fashioned according to the local architecture, giving the overall felling of harmony that is the trademarks of this island.
Yet, unseen by the guest, there is a complex underground system for water, electricity, telephone, sewage, and all the other facilities necessary for the well-being and comfort of the modern tourist Everything has been thoughtfully planed to avoid pollution, noise and unsightly views.
The resort is located on the sunniest of the tropical island and the scenic spots are abundant as well as alluring. The ideal place to be developed is o the southern peninsula of Bali, in the Nusa Dua area. Nusa Dua are Bali other beach resort that boast swaying coconut trees and clear blue sea. They were built on the dry and infertile land and infertile land in the 1970's. Some of the most famous hotel in Asia can be found here, among them the Hilton, the Grand Hyatt and Club Med. Their neo-Balinese architecture 9 giant spilt gates, huge statues and halls) complement to provide all the colors of a tropical paradise.
Pulau Serangan
Between the Sheltered lagoon of Sanur and the tiny port of Benoa is a small island where turtles are "Farmed" in under water corrals. Local outrigger sailing canoes can be hired from Sanur for an hour's scenic sailing down the coast, or motorized canoes provide a shuttle service at high tide from a small salt-making village just off the by-pass before Benoa.
Once years, at "Manis Kuningan" (is festivity that happens 10 days after "Galungan" the most important festivityof the Balinese Religion) during the temple festivity at Pura sakenan, the island comes alive, as people from all over Bali flock to make their devotion. An entire food market sets up outside the temple to cater for the crowd, and boatloads of people in brocades and lace bearing baskets of offering flood into the beach.
The Barong Landung giant puppets generally perform in the evening, as the crowds return to the mainland in haste to beat the receding tide. The southern ti of serangan if favored spot skin and scuba diving. At the village a small craft industry has developed using turtle shell product, shell, and primitive carving.
Taman Ayun Temple
" Taman Ayun " literally transited means beautiful garden, and this temple, situated in the village of Mengwi, 18 Km west of Denpasar, is indeed one of Bali's most picturesque temple. It's stately proportioned courtyards and large surrounding moat were built in the year 1634 by the King of mengwi,I Gusti Agung Anom.
Containing both the Royal Family ancestral Shrines and the strayed. MERU Shrines to the Major deities. Taman Ayun became the main temple for the ancient Kingdom of Mengwi, Every 210 days, on Tuesday Kliwon Medangsiya (according to the traditional Icaka Calendar), the entire local populacegathers at the temple to worship, celebrating the temple's anniversary.
The Pura Taman Ayun complex is devided in to four distinct areas, each higher than the other. The firs of these courtyards, known as the Java, is just across the moat, and must be reached by the one and only bridge. Here can be found a small Shrine, protecting the entrance to the temple, and a large open WANTILAN hall where performances and coks fights are held on ceremonial days.
The oath the first courtyard passes up through an elevated split gate and there, on the eastern side, is a small complex of shrine known as Pura Luhuring Purnama. Opposite this, on the wetern side, is a large open resting halland small pond with fountains on all sides.
Sangeh Monkey Forest
North of Denpasar stands the monkey forest of Bukit Sari. It is featured, so the Balinese say, in the Ramayana. To Kill the evil Rahwana, King of Lanka, Hanuman had to crush him between two halves of Mahameru, the holy mountain. Rahwana who could not be destroyed on the earth or in the air, would thus be squeezed between the two. On his way to performing this task Hanuman dropped a piece of the mountain here, Complete with a band of Monkey.Of course this short of legend isn't unique, Hanuman dropped chunk of landscape all over the place!
There's unique grove of nutmeg trees in the monkey forest and a temple, Pura Bukit Sari, with an interesting old Garuda statue. Plus, of course, there are lots of monkey, very aware of what visiting taurist have probably bought from the local vendors - peanuts.Take care, they'll jump all over you if you've got a pocketful of peanuts and don't dispense them fast enough. The Sangeh Monkey have also been known to steal tourist hats, sunglasses and even, as they run away, their thongs! You find also another Monkey forest at Alas Kedaton Village Tabanan and Ubud Village.
Gianyar Regency
Gianyar, the second most populated region of Bali, is the cultural heart of the island. The highland town of Ubud, in particular, has acquired a reputation as a center of art after several foreign artists settled there in the 1920's, 1930's and 1950's. Geographically, the region is very distinct. Cloves, coffee and Vanilla grow in the highland and rice is the most common crop on the lowlands.
The old harbors of Ketewel and Kramas are fishermen's villages. When you travel from Denpasar to ubud the firs village you reach is Batubulan, a small village Famous for its river stone carving. These works are displayed all along the main road. The popular door-guardian statues of volcanic tuff, once exclusively used in temples and palaces, are now exported overseas.
The dance symbolized the never-ending battle between good (represented by barong) and Evil (represented by Rangda). You must not miss Pura Puseh Batubulan, a beautiful temple. Just after Batubulan, Celuk and nearby Singapadu are the centers for Balinese goldsmiths. More than 40 jewellery workshop are located along the road from Batubulan to Celuk. The jewellery is exported worldwide. Singapadu is also well known for topeng and barong mask making.
Goa Gajah Temple
Only a short distance beyond Peliatan, on the road to Pejeng and Gianyar, a car park of the north side of the road marks the site of Goa Gajah. The Elephant cave is carved into the rock face, reached by a flight of steps down from the other side of the road. There were never any elephant in Bali. The cave-hermitage probably takes its name from the nearby Petanu River. You enter the cave through the cavernous mouth of a demon, while gigantic fingertips pressed beside the face push back a riotous jungle of surrounding stone carvings.
Goa Gajah was certainly in existence at the time of the Majapahit take over of Bali. It probably dates back to the 11th century and show elements of both Hindu And Buddhist use. In front of the cave are two square bathing pools with water gushing into them from water spouts held by six female figures. These were only uncovered in 1954. You can clamber down through the rice paddies to crumbling rock carving of stupas on acliff face and a small cave. Admission to Goa Gajah is 3,000rp (children 1,500 rp)
Ubud Village
After Mas you enter the area of Ubud, often regarded as the cultural heart of Bali. "UBUD" is derived from the word "Ubad" which means medicine, as the town supplied medicinal herbs in ancient times. A former principality, Ubud has several palaces and Brahmin mansions, as well as beautiful house built in the Gianyar architectural style.
The modern Balinese art movement began here (see article titled "Painthing") when artists first began to abandon purely religion and court scenes for scenes of everyday life. Ubud is home to many respected local and western artists.
The cultural image of Ubud is paramount to the best museum in the country. The Puri Lukisan, a Museum of Fine Arts established in the 1950'
Batubulan Village Soon after leaving Denpasar roadsides are lined with outlets for the Batubulan craft-stone sculpture. This is where those temples gate guardian-seen all over Bali - come from. You'll also find them guarding bridges or making more mundane appearances in restaurant and hotels. Quite young boys often do the sculpting and you're welcome to watch them chipping away at big blocks of stone. The stone they use is surprisingly soft and even more surprisingly light. If you've traveled to Bali fairly ligh it's quite feasible to fly home with a demonic stone character in your baggage!
Not surprisingly the temple around Batubulan ere noted for their fine stone sculpture. Pure Puseh, just a couple of hundred meters from the road, is worth a visit. There is also a Barong dance, popular with tourist, held in Batubulan every day. Celuk Village
Traveling on from Batubulan to Celuk takes you from stone to filigree for Celuk is the silverwork center of Bali. The craft shops that line the road here are dedicated to jewellery. Other centers for silverwork in Bali include Kamasan near Klungkung And Kuta. Mas Village
Mas means 'gold' but its wood carving which is the craft here. The Great priest Nirartha once lived here and Pura Taman Pule is said to be built on the site of his home. Again the road through Mas is almost solidly lined with craft shops and you are welcome to drop in and see the carvers at work, as well as inspecting the myriad items for sale.
Gunug Kawi Temple Continuing up the road to Tampaksiring you pass through pleasant rice land along a steady upward climb which continues all the way to the rim of the center at Penelokan. In the small town Tampaksiring a sign points off the road to the right to Gunung Kawi. From the end of the access road a steep stone stairway leads down to the river, at one point making a cutting through an embankment of solid rock. There, in the bottom of this lush green valley with beautiful rice terrace climbing up the hillsides, is one in Bali's oldest, and certainly largest, ancient monuments.
Gunung Kawi consist of 10 rock-cut Candis, memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of normally constructed monument - in a similar fashion to the great rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora in India. The Candis are believed to be memorials to members of the Balinese royalty of the 11th century but little is known for certain. The Candis stand in seven-meters-high sheltered niches cut into the sheer rock cliff faces. There are four on the west side of the river, which you come to first. You cross the on a bridge to a further group of five on the east side. A solitary Candi stands further down the valley to the south, reached by a trek through the rice paddies.
Legends relate the whole groups of memorials were carved out of the rock faces in one hard working night by the mighty fingernails of Kebo Iwa. Each of the sets of memorial has a group of monk's cells associated with it, includingone on the east side with the only 'no shoes, sandals, boots may be worn' sign I've ever seen in Bali. There are other similar groups of Candis and monk's cells within the area ancient Kingdom of Pejeng-but none of them so grand or on so large a scale.
Tampak Siring Tirta Empul Temple
Continuing through the actual town of Tampaksiring the road branches, the left fork running up to the grand palace once used by Soekarno while the right fork goes to the temple at Tirta Empul and continue up to penelokan. You can look back along the valley and see Kawi Mountain from this road, just before you turn into Tirta Empul. Are believed to have magical powers so the temple here is an important one.
Each year an inscribed stone is brought from a nearby village to be ceremonially washed in the spring. The inscription on the stone has been deciphered and indicates that the springs bubble up into a large, crystal-clear tank within the temple and gush out through waterspouts into a bathing pool. According to legend the god Indra who pierced the earth to tap the ' elixir of immortality' Amerta. Despite its antiquity the temple is glossy and gleamingly new-it was totally restored in the late' 60s.
The Springs of Tirta Empul are a source of the Pakrisan River, which rushes by Gunung Kawi only a Km or so away. Between Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi is the temple of Pura Mengening where you can see a Candi similar in design, but free-standing, to the Candis of Gunung Kawi. There is a spring at this temple which alsofeeds into the Pakrisan. Overlooking Tirta Empul is the Sukarno palace,a grandiose structur builtin 1954 on the site of a Dutch rest-house.
The car park outside Tirta Empul is surrounde by the usual unholy confusion of souvenir and craft shops. Chess sets and bone carving are popular crafts here. There is an admission charge to Tirta Empul and you have to wear a temple scarf.
Tegalalang villag
Tegalalang village is famous with rice terrace, but now on the way go to tegalalang village both side of the road you find many shops with selling woodcarving. The first example of Balinese landscape is the rice-field. This is a typical scene in Bali. The terraced rice-field is typical of the beauty of the Balinese countryside. Note the harmony of colors, the vivid green of the coconut groves and the pale blue of the sky. Wet rice agriculture (sawah) is the basic and most important activity of Balinese life; Rice is the major crop and the staple food.
The Balinese make maximum use of what the environment offers. The terraced fields extend for miles, up and down the hill, from mountains to the sea. Cows are a very important part of traditional rice farming. They are used for plowing and producing fertilizer. The Cow pulls a heavy wooden bar across the field, in the initial preparative of the soil, to flatten it into a smooth mud. The Cow does not work all day and are well cared for.
During the growth period of the rice, the fields are periodic flooded. The Subak or irrigation cooperatives, regulate the allow of water and maintenance of irrigation networks. The water from single dam may be divided into douses and even hundreds of channel to irrigate the terraced Sawah, note how many-terraced field are served by this one particular manual serves.
Ayung River Ayung
River is the longest as well as the largest river in Bali and well-known for its white water rafting. Besides the enjoyment of challenging rapids and its beautiful panorama, this virgin nature area is highlighted by the appearance of wild animals along the rafting route such as big bats, black monkeys, magpies and more.
Bangli Regency
The only one regency in Bali without any coastline but mountainous. The most historic temple; Kehen temple, Batur and Penulisan provide archeological remains linking them with the era of King Udayana Warmadewa in the late 10 th and early 11 th century. The lower land in the south part is fertile plains and provides good rice-growing country, decked with glossy green-blue terrace, clumps of bamboo and waving palms. Above Bangli, the vegetation become dense as the climate is cooler. There are coffee groves, Salak and other tropical fruits. Further north is Kintamani and Mount Batur is an extraordinary double Volcano, first there is huge outher rimrising up to 1.745 meters at Penulisan. From yhis rim you look down (Penelokan) onto the Crescent-shaped Lake Batur, the Volcano and a traditional village of Bali Aga at Trunyan.
Kehen Temple
Pura Kehen, just north of the town of Bangli, is of the virtuosity of the stone-carvers of the region. Founded in the 11 th century by Cri Brahma Kemuti through a towering, carved gateway. Inside the second courtyard is a venerable banyan tree (waringin) tree. This temple is also renowed for the breathtaking, tallofferings which decorate the inner courtyard at Odalan festival times and during performances of the sacred”Rejang” dance.
Mount Batur In 1926 during a violent eruption of mount Batur the original village of Batur at the Southern foot of the mountain was totally destroyed. Her people unharmed but homeless, moved up onto the high ridge overlooking their original home, and began the task of rebuilding their temple, Pura Ulun Danu. Work on this temple is syill underway, and they are creating one the most impressive temples on the island. Its stark meru towers stand out against the backdrop of smoking volcano.
Kintamani Village
Batur and Kintamani virtually run together, it's impossble to tell where one ends and the other begins but the village of Batur used to be down in the crater. Batur had a violent in 1917 which killed thousands and destroyed over 60.000 homes and 2.000 temples. Although the village of Batur was wiped out of the lava flow stopped at the entrance to the villagers' temple. Taking this as a good omen they rebuilt their village only for Batur to erupt again in 1926 and this time the lava flow covered all but the loftiest temple shrine.
Trunyan Village
Trunyan Village is well-known for its Pancering Jagat Temple , but visitors are not allowed to enter. There are also a couple of traditional Bali Aga-style houses, and a large banyan tree which is said to be more than 1.100 years old. In Kuban Village , close to Trunyan Village , there is a mysterious cemetery, separated by the lake and is only accessible by boat.
Unlike the Balinese people, Trunyan people do not cremate or bury the corpse, but just lay the corpse out in bamboo cages to decompose or under a huge Taru Menyan ( Menyan tree). Taru means ‘tree’ and Menyan means ‘aromatic smell’. The word 'Trunyan' is derived from these two words.
The tree is believed to absorb the bad smells and instead, produce aromatic smells. Loads of skulls and bones lie on the stone platform and the surrounding areas.
The women of Trunyan are forbidden to go to the cemetery when a corpse is carried there. It is said that there will be a disaster in the village if a woman comes to the cemetery while a corpse is being carried there.
Klungkung Regency
It is smallest Regency, lies east of Gianyar. It covers only 121 square miles including three islands; Nusa Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan. Despites its Size, its influence on Balinese culture has been powerful. It was here, at the shadow of Holy Volcano Agung, the princes and priest of Majapahit gathered in 1343 to continue the kingdom by seting up “Keraton” in Samprangan, but within a couple of generations moved to Gelgel and then to Klungkung in 1710.
In the 16 th century, the gods smiled on Gelgel, when Dalem Baturenggong reached an impressive political and cultural achievement to earn His, “golden age”. This period coincided with the arrival laws and to build temples before he reached “Moksa” at Uluwatu Temple.
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 Kambang (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.
Kusamba Village.
Kusamba village is the coastal village outside Klungkung the fishing village and salt maker village, and also it is one of the embarkation points to the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Penida Nusa Penida once was an exile for criminals and undesirables from Klungkung Kingdom. Now, this secluded island is well-known as a great place to surf and snorkeling
Nusa Lembongan
The Island of Nusa Penida which can be seen from the beaches of Sanur, is part of the Regency, of Klungkung. It is fact made up of three island, including the smaller island of Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan. These are and island, lacking the running water makes Bali so fertile. In Balinese mythology, Nusa Penida is the home of the fanged giant, Jero Gede Mecaling and the palace place of origin of all plagues, famines and invasions of rats. Historically, it was a place of exile for thieves and political agitators. For the adventurous it is well worth a visit. Old temples are located at Sampalan, Ped, and Batukandik. These island have magnificent, rugged coast-line on the Indonesian Ocean. The beaches of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are known for excellent surfing, snorkeling and diving because the coral very nice and many color of fish.
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.
Padangbai Village
Padangbai is the port for the ferry service between Bali and Lombok. Along with Benoa it’s the principal shipping port in the south of the island. Padanbai is a couple of km off the main road, a scruffy little town situated on a perfect little bay, one of the very few sheltered harbours in Bali. It’s very picturesque with a long sweep of sand where colorful outrigger fishing boats are drawn up on the beach.
Padangbai can be an interesting place to spend a day or so if you don’t want to simply arrive in the morning and depart straight for Lombok. If you walk round to the right from the wharf and follow the trail up the hill it leads to an idyllic little beach on the exposed coast outside bay.
The coral reefs around pulau Kambing off Padangbai, offer excellent diving Possibilities. Gili Toapekong, with a series of coral heads at the top of the drop off, is apparently the best site. The currents here are strong and unpredictable and there also sharks – it’s recommended for experienced divers only.
Cruise ships visiting Bali usually use Padangbai but have to anchor offshore outside the harbour as only small ships can actually enter the bay.
Balina Beach
Balina Beach located at 11 km from the Padangbai main road turn-off to Candidasa and between the two; about seven km from the turn-off and four km from Candidasa is Balina Beach. This is strictly a one resort development and it is probably the major scuba diving centre for Bali. The have diving equipment for rental and organize snorkeling and diving trips all around Bali including to Nusa Penida or the north coast.
Diving trips including transport and full tank range from USD 50 to USD 85 on the trips closer to Balina USD 115 for Nusa Penida or USD 120 to Menjanagan Island on the north coast. You can also go on the same trips to snorkel, for a lower cost.
Tenganan Village
Tenganan is Bali Aga Village, a center of the original Balinese prior to the Majapahit arrival. Unlike that other well-known Bali Aga centers, Truyan, this is a friendly place and also much more interesting. Tenganan is walled village and consist basically of two rows of identical houses stretching up the gentle slope of the hill. They face each other across a grassy central area where the village public building area located. The Bali Aga is reputed to be exceptionally conservative and resistant to change but even here the modern age has not been totally held at bay. A small forest of Television realism sprout from those oh-so traditional houses! The most straining feature of tenganan, however, is its exceptional neatness - I all looks spick and span and neat as can be and the hills behind provide a beautiful backdrop.
Tenganan is full of strange customs, festivals and practices. Double ikat cloth, know as gringsing, is still woven here where the pattern to be produced is dyed on the individual threads, both warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise), before the cloth is woven. This is the only place in Indonesia where the double ikat technique is practiced; all other ikat produced in the archipelago is single ikat where only the warp or weft, never both, is dyed.
A magical cloth known as Kamben gringsing is also woven here - a person wearing it is said to be protected against black magic! A peculiar old-fashioned version of the gamelan known as the gamelan selunding is still played here and girls dance and equally forgotten dance known as the Rejang. At the Usaba Sambah festival once a year around June or July men fight with their fist wrapped in sharp- edged pandanus leaves-similar events occur on the island of Sumba, far to the east in Nusa Tenggara. At this same festival small man-powered Ferris wheels are brought out and the village girls are ceremonially twirled round. There are other Bali Aga Village in the vicinity including Asak where the even more ancient Gamelan Gambang is played.
Candidasa Beach
Less than a km beyond the turn-off to Tenganan and about 13 km before Amplapura the road runs right down to the coast at Candidasa. It 1983 it was just a quiet little fishing village but two years later a dozen restaurants had sprung up and this was suddenly the new beach place in Bali. Fortunately it's still a quiet, relaxed little resort, this isn't Kuta.
Beyond Candidasa the road spirals up to the Pura Gamang pass from where there are fine views down to the coast.
Karangasem Regency
The regency of Karangasem has an impressive range of moods and cover about 2.000 square km (750 square miles). The steep rise from coast up to the mountain creates magical scenery. Dominating the regency is the Volcano Agung, said to be the “home” of Balinese gods. The volcano’s last eruption killed more than a thousand people and much more people lost their land and homeless in 1963. However, it also has given special value where hundreds of Lorries and trucks thunder everyday to transport sand and stone for building materials. In the past, Karangasem looked eastward to Lombok 35 km off its shore. Karangasem meddled in Lombok’s affairs until the decisive war in 1677 in which time the “raja” took full control of the island. Amplapura is the present name of the city lies near the still damaged water palaces Ujung and Tirtagangga.
Besakih Temple
Bali's Mother Temple "Pura Besakih" the largest temple in Bali, is over 900 meters up the slopes of Gunung Agunng. It has been regarded as a holy place since pre-historic times in Bali. The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription of the fifteenth century it has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island.
All the allegiance of the Balinese people comes together at Besakih Temple. Each regency has its own temple within the over-all compound, as do each of the caste groups. There is a total of 18 separate sanctuaries. The three main temple are : Pura Penataran Agung, dedicated to Sang Hyang Widi Wasa : Pura Kiduling Kreteg, dedicated to Brahma; and Pura Batu Madeg, dedicated to Wisnu.
To the Balinese a visit to the temple sanctuaries at Besakih is a special pilgrimage. Each temple has its own Odalan, or anniversary celebration, and on the full moon of the Balinese month "Kedasa" the entire compound of Besakih celebrates the visit of the gods, with an enormous throng of visiting pilgrims.
Pura Besakih , the holiest of all temples in Bali. It origated most probably as a prehistoric terraced santuary where worship and offering were made to the God of Gunung Agung, the dominant landscape element in the Balinese world. Over a thousand years and more, it was enlarged and added to until grew into the present complex of about 30 temples. In the 10th century it was apparently a state temple. According to inscriptions kept here, an important event took place in the year 1007. If can only be quessed that this was associated with death rituals for queen Mahendradratta, Udayana's Co-ruler who died yhe previous year. Since the 15th century it was the state temple of the Gelgel - Klungkung dynasty which built a series of small templs inhonor of its deifie rulers. Now is the state temple for the provincial and national governments which meet all expenses. Today, Pura Besakih is revered by al Balinese as the "Mother Temple" Of Bali.
Within the Besakih complex, the paramount sanctuary is the Pura Penataran Agung which rears is lofty merus on a high bank of terraces. Steps ascend in along perspective to the austere split gate. Insede the main courtyard stands the three-seated shrine enthronigh the Trisakti, the trinity of Brahma, Visnu and Siwa. During festivan the shrines are wrapped in colored cloth sybolic of the deities. The Pura Penataran Agung And two other important temples higher up the slopes likewise together symbolize theTrisakti. In the center Pura Penataran Agung is hugh with white banners for Siwa : to the right, Pura Kiduling Kreteg with red banners for Brahma: and Pura Batu Madeg, to the left, with balck banners for visnu. These letter two temples are taken care of by the Karangasem and Bangli regencies respectively, certain othr being the responsibility of the other regencies. All of Bali comes thogether at Pura Besakih. Relegiosly. oness is symbolized in the padmasana in Pura Pentaran Agung, dedicated to Sang Hyang Widdhi Wasa, in the Supreme God.
Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga is located about 6km from Amlapura. This water palace, built around 1947 by the King of Amlapura, was damaged in the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung and during the political events that wracked Indonesia around the same time. Nevertheless it's still a place of Beauty and solitude and reminder of the power the old Balinese rajahs once had. There's a swimming pool here as well as the ornamental ponds. Is a place of beauty and seclusion. The palace includes a complex of exotic pools and a swimming pool surrounded by the beautiful rice terraces.
Palace (Puri Agung Karangasem)
The palace, Puri Agung Karangasem, is an imposing reminder of Karangasem’s period as a kingdom although it actually dates from the 20 th century. Take a look at the three-tiered gate and the beautiful sculptured panels on the outside of the main Building, which known as the Bale London because of the British Royal Crest on the furniture. Because Karangasem cooperated with Dutch during their take-over of the island the rajah of Karangasem was able to retain his old power, at least for a while.
Ujung Village
A few km beyond Amlapura, on the road down to the sea, is the Ujung Water Palace, an extensive, picturesque and crumbling complex. It has been crumbling away for some time but a great deal more damage has been done to it since the mid 70s. The last king of the kingdom of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah, was obsessed with moats, pools, canals and fountains and he completed this grand palace in 1921. You can wander around the pleasant park, admire the view from the pavilion higher up the hill above the rice paddies or continue a little further down the road to the fishing village at the coast.
Putung Village
Commanding a strategic position high over the patchwork paddy fields of the southeast Bali, the village of Putung is perched deceivingly high in the hills on the back road between Karangasem and Klungkung. Cool breezes and unbeatable views make this a popular jaunt for picnickers.
Buleleng Regency
This regency sprawls over the full length of Bali’s north coast, 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 in the west end of the island. The Regency has been most exposed to foreign influences in the past. Buleleng was a port for trading boats coming east on the route to spice island and where Chinese, Arabic, European and Bugis merchants came to exchange opium, arms and “Kepeng” for Balinese rice, fruits, cattle and slaves. Buleleng was ruled by a “Raja” who took advice from a Dutch controller. But in 1864 a “Punggawa” Ida Made Rai returned from his exile and managed to establish independence which made him once again back to exile. In 1882, Bali and Lombok were made into combined Residency by the Dutch and Singaraja became the capital city.
Singaraja City
The original capital of Bali, Singaraja, is right on the sea, and its harbour has been the key to local development, A bustling center of local commerce, its people are noisy, open and friendly, and reflect their local climate. Just west of the town is the semi deserted beach of pantai Lovina, where accommodation is available for those who love swimming and peace, and smoldering sunsets over the distant outline of Java as local goats tinkle their way home along the beach at dusk.
Singaraja Beaches (Lovina Beach)
To the west of Singaraja is a whole string of popular beach – Happy Beach, Lovina Beach, Kalibubuk. The developed as a resort much later than Sanur and Kuta and their development has been a lot slower – which is just fine as this area is relaxed and unlashed. The continuous string of shops which seem to line Sanur and, to an even greater extent, Kuta simply does not exist here. Nor are you endlessly hassled on the beaches to buy things, have massage or do anything more than simply laze there.
The beaches here are black sand, not the white stuff you find at Sanur and Kuta Beach. Not there any surf, a reef keeps it almost flat calm most of the time. Generally the water is very clear and the reef is terrific for snorkeling. It’s not the best coral you’ll ever find but it’s certainly not bad and getting out to it is very easy. In many places you can simply swim out from the beach, elsewhere a prahu will take you out there and they should know the best places for Diving. All the hotels seem to have their own boats access to one or you can simply ask in the various fishing villages. There always seems to be some one ready to cater to snorkeling enthusiasts and the standard price is about 80.000 rupiah per person. Also in the morning waiting the sunrise is good see dolphins jumping in the sea.
The sunsets along here are every bit as spectacular as Kuta and there’s quite a programmer of entertainment around sunset time. As the sky reddens the bats come out to play and then the lights of the fishing boats appear as bright dots right across the horizon. Earlier in the afternoon, at fishing villages like Anturan, you can see the outriggers being prepared for the night’s fishing. It’s quite a process bringing out all the kerosene lamps and rigging them up around the boat.
Waterfalls Labuanhaji
At the village of Labuanhaji, only just beyond the end of Singaraja beach strip, there’s a sign to the Singsing Air Terjun – Daybreak Waterfalls - about a half km off the road. It’s about 200 meters through the fields, along a concrete path; to the first fall which cascade down the hill into a deep pool. Balinese kids will leap from a tree high up the hill side into the deep water – for a fee.
You can clamber further up the hill side to the higher Singsing Dua fall. Again they cascade into a deep pool – which is much deeper in the wet season of course. You can swim in either pool.
Buddhist Monastery
About a half km beyond Bajar Tega (which is about two steeply uphill km off the main coast road) is Bali’s only Buddhist monastery. It’s indeed vaguely Buddhist – looking with its bright orange roof and Buddha statues but overall it’s very Balinese with the same decorative carvings and door guardians. From the walls you can see, beyond the rice paddies far below. The road continues past the monastery, winding further up into the hills
Hot Springs Banjar Village.
The Hot Springs, air panas, are only a short distance from monastery. If you head back down to Banjar Tega Village, turn left in the centre and cut across to Banjar. It is then only a very short distance uphill again before you see the ”Air Panas one km” sign. Follow the dirt trail to the inevitable motorcycle park and on down to the lukewarm baths the riverside. The water pours into the bath and overflows into the river. Bring you swimming gear if you want to try them, there’s a small changing enclosure.
Seririt Village
Seririt has a reasonable selection of shops, though not as good as Singaraja, but if you’re staying at the beaches and need something unobtainable at the local shops this might be s place to try. You can stay here in the Losmen Singarasari or other Hotel but with the pleasant Singaraja beach hotels so close there’s little reason to do so.
Celukanbawang
Celukanbawang is now the main port for the north coast of Bali, and it has a large wharf. You may see the odd Bugis schooner here.
Pulaki Village.
Pulaki is famous for its coastal monkey temple which has been rebuilt. The village of Pulaki seems to be entirely devoted to grape growing, the whole village is almost roofed over with grapevines. For some reason grape growing has become popular at several locations on the north coast in recent years. They’ll be making wine next! There are several hot springs close to the road on this route, one is a km or so beyond Pulaki and a half km off the road, and another one further on
Teluk Terima
This national park in the north – west, corner of Bali includes Pulau Menjangan, an unspoiled and uninhabited island with excellent diving around it. There’s a 1.000 rupiah entry charge to the park, payable to the PHPA Kantor. At Labuan Lalang, 16 km fro Gilimanuk, there’s a dock for boats to the island. There are also coral formations close to the mainland and since this area of Bali is lightly populated, and now protected in the National park, the variety of both fish and coral is amazing. Day trips can be arranged to the island by the various diving centers. And also in the forest at National Park you ca find many kind of animal like; black monkey, dear, pigs and white bird or Jalak Bali the famous bird in Bali only you find in this area.
The outcrop of land between Terima and Gilimanuk is also protected and a 25km walking track skirts the coast. It’s a hot walk so take plenty of liquids.
Sangsit Village
Only a few km beyond Singaraja you’ll find an excellent example of the north’s colourful architectural style at Pura Beji at Sangsit. This is a Subak temple, dedicated to the spirits which look after irrigated rice fields, about a half km off the main road on the coast side. The sculptured panels along the front wall set the tone with their Disneyland demons and amazing nagas (snakes).
It’s just the same on the inside, which a variety of sculptures covering every available space. Like many other northern temples the inner courtyard is spacious and grassy, shaded by a frangipani tree.
Continue beyond Sangsit to Bungkulan village where there is another fine temples with an interesting kulkul drum.
Jagaraga Village
Only a couple of km off the main road as you enter the small village of Jagaraga there’s a temple to the left of the road. This small and otherwise unprepossessing temple has a number of delightful sculptured panels along its front wall look for a vintage car driving sedately past, a steamer at sea and evens an aerial dogfight between early aircraft. Jagaraga is also famous for its legong trupe, said to be the best in the north of Bali. It was the capture of the local rajah’s stronghold at Jagaraga that marked the arrival of Dutch power in Bali in 1849. A few km further along on the right hand side look for another small temple with ornate carvings of a whole variety of fish and fishermen.
Sawan Village
Sawan, several km further inland, is the centre in the north of Bali for the manufacture of Gambelan Gongs and complete Gambelan Instruments. You can see the Gongs being cast and the intricately carved Gambelan frame being made. It’s very much a local cottage industry and they don’t get many visitors so they’re usually pleased to see you and show you around.
Kubutambahan Village
Only a km or so beyond the Kintamani turn-off at Kubutambahan, is the Pura Maduwe Karang temple, beside the coast side the road. Like Pura Beji at Sangsit it’s dedicated to agricultural spirits, but this one looks after unirrigated land. The temple is usually kept locked but asks in the shop opposite, they’ll have the key.
This is one of the best temples in the north and particularly noted for its sculptured panels, including the famous bicycle panel with a gambelan riding a bicycle with flower petals for wheels. It’s on the base of the main plinth in the inner enclosure but there are other panels worth inspecting in this peaceful and pleasant temple
Yeh Sanih
Only about 15 km east of Singaraja this is a popular local spot where freshwater spring are channeled into a very pleasant swimming pool before flowing into the sea. It’s right by the sea and the small centre is very attractively laid out with pleasant gardens, a restaurant and a couple of places to stay. It’s well worth a visit and admission to the springs and pool 3.000 rupiah and 1.500 for children. On the hill overlooking the springs is the Pura Taman Manik Mas Temple
Culik Village (Yeh Sanih to Amlapura)
Beyond Yeh Sanih the road runs close to the north-east coast, although rarely right beside it, to culik where it turns inland towards the south-east coast. It climbs over small range of hill then drops down to Tirtagangga and Amlapura. This used to be a rough route but with improvements it’s now no problem at all. There are a number of village is relatively dry and you see none of the usual rice paddies until just before Tirtagangga – and there you’ll see some of the most spectacular rice terraces in Bali. Not far beyond Yeh Sanih you can turn inland to the interesting village of Sembiran; a little futher on at Tejakula there’s famous horse bath; and there’s a good beach near Culik.
The main feature of this route is the superb view of Gunung Agung. Along this coast Bali’s mightiest mountain descends right down to the sea and its slope beckon enticingly to climbers. The road crosses a great number of dry riverbeds, most of them too wide to be easily bridged and in the dry season at least, showing no sign of water. They’re probably similar to many rivers in Australia, running briefly during the heavy rains of the wet season but remaining dry for the rest of the year.
Tulamben
The American ship SS Liberty, sunk by the Japanese in 1942, lies just off the beach at Tulamben. You can snorkel over it, only 50 meters off-shore. The beach here is pebbles rather than sand but water is clear and the snorkeling good. In June and July there’s good windsurfing. The recently constructed losmen makes this an interesting place to pause on your way around the east coast. It’s a long way from anywhere on this barren coast.
Tabanan Regency
The Regency is just west of Badung Regency stretching from the coastline of massive black rocks up to the central mountains. Tabanan is an unspolit part of Bali which also richly fertile contains best agricultural land to give peace and prosperity to their villagers. In the north – west is a dense forest, part of the wild and natural park. Before the Dutch took control over Tabanan, the kingdom was ruled by Ngurah Agung Tabanan who died in 1903 after having ruled the regency since 1844. He left two wives, brought up in old tradition who declared that they would commit “Suttee” at the cremation seven months later. The two old women, beautiful dressed in white, walked along special constructed bamboo bridge flung themselves into the flames in prescribed manner. The Dutch Resident declared, that was the last “Suttee”, though it did continue covertly for while afterward.
Bedugul Area
The Bali Handara Kosaido country Club is an excellent base explores Bedugul and the surrounding areas. Bedugul is small lakeside village overlooking Lake Bratan. It gets quite chilly in Bedugul so bring a sweater. It can get so cool at night that every room in Bedugul is reputed to have a fireplace.
At Lake Bratan you can hire motorboat and canoes. Parasailing and water skiing are also available. If you paddle across the lake you can see some caves used by the Japanese in WWI. From there you can also follow a path to the top of Mt.Catur, which has an old temple at the top Watch out for the primate residents.
The Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya ) are located near Bedugul-look for a huge corn cob which marks the road leading to an entrance to the gardens. Encompassing 120 hectares the garden were established in 1959 as a branch of the Bogor National Botanikal Gardens. There is a large collection of native plants and over 500 specimens of orchids.
Because of the climate, the area surrounding Bedugul is particularly suitable for growing all types of produce. The Bali Berry farm produces most of the strawberries on the island is located here. Many flowers such as chrysanthemums and hydrangeas are cultivated here tasty fresh fruits and vegetables. The market is also famous for potted plants, particularly orchid. If you continue further on the road to Munduk, you will drive through clove and coffee plantation.
While in the area you can also visit the Pura Ulun Danu in the town of Candi Kuning, a Muslim town a few kilometers north of Bedugul. This lakeside temple is a Hindu/ buddhis temple dedicated to Dewi Danau, the goddess of water. The gardens are beautifully landscaped with an abundance of colorful flowers. Lake Bratan water skiing and boating but is better know for the Pura Ulun Dannu temple. Built on the shores of the lake at Candikuning, it has eleven tiers of thatched-roof meru as well as an adjoining Buddhist stupa.
Kebun Raya ( Botanical Garden)
Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bedugul Kebun Raya Eka Karya ( Botanical Garden) is located near Bedugul. It was established in 1959 in 120 hectares of land as a branch of the Bogor National Botanical Garden , which has a large collection of native plants and over 500 specimens of orchids.
Mount Batukaru
West of the Mengwi – Bedugul – Singaraja road rises 2093 meter Mount Batukau, the coconut – shell mountain. This the third of Bali’s three major mountains and the holy peak of the west end of the island.
Pura Luhur Batukau
On the slopes of the mountain Pura Luhur was the state temple when Tabanan was an independent kingdom. The temple has a seven-roof meru to Maha Dewa, Mount Batukau’s guardian spirit, as well as shrine for the three mountain lakes Bratan, Tamblingan and Buyan.
There are several routes to Pura Luhur but none of them are particularly high class roads – it’s a remote temple. You can reach the temple by following the road up to Penebel from Tabanan. Or turn off the Mengwi-Bedugul road at Baturiti near the Denpasar 40 km sign and follow the convoluted route to Penebel. Wongaya Gede is the nearest village to the forest surrounded and often damp and misty temple.
Jatiluwih Village
Approximately 20 km from Tabanan the road climb up into the hills or go to the west from Pacung village to a small village named Jatiluwih, at a height of 850 meters above sea level. The view here is one of the finest imaginable – Bali’s terraced paddy fields stretch in endless contours over hills and valleys as far as the eyes can see.
Kerambitan Village
The village of Kerambitan, southwest of Tabanan, was once an extension of the ruling Raja’s Court, and is still a cultural stronghold , with music groups main training ancient customs of music and dancing, using bamboo instruments.
Tanah Lot Temple
The spectacularly placed temple of Tanah Lot is possibly the best-known and most photographed in Bali. It's almost certainly the most tourists the crowds here are phenomenal, the gauntlet of souvenir hawkers to be run is appalling an the commercial hype is terrible. Signs direct you to the best place for photographs and even where to catch the sunset. In fact sunset time has definite overtones of Australia's Ayers Rock with the faithful lined up, cameras at the ready, for the hallowed moment.
It's easy to see why it's such an attraction because Tanah Lot's setting is fantastic. It's perched on a little rocky islet, connected to the tide rolls in. There are reputed to be scramble over the wet rocks, there are reputed to be several large caves just below the water line at the base of the rock which shelter large sea-snakes, the guardians of the temple. It looks superb whether it's delicately lit by the down light or starkly outlined as sunset.
It's also an important Temple - one of the venerated sea temple respected in similar fashion to the great mountain temples. Like the equally spectacularly situated Uluwatu temple, at the southern end of the island, Tanah Lot is closely associated with the legendary priest Nirartha. It's said that Nirartha passed by here and, impressed with the tiny islands superb setting, suggested to local villagers that this would be a good place to construct a temple. Entry to the temple is 10.000 rupiah/ person for adult and 5.000 rupiah/ child.
Jembrana Regency
It is the least known regency in Bali, scarcely visited by tourist, little excepted along the main road Denpasar-Gilimanuk. Most of the land covered by densely forested highlands of Bali’s National Park. The flatter southern region is rice growing-country. Villages have prosperous air, party due to the mass of flowering shrubs which almost obscure the neat little houses. The income derives primarily from coconut plantation, coffee near the border of Tabanan, cloves and Vanilla.
Jembrana has always been isolated and largely unaffected by events in the rest of the island. Its history is tied to Buleleng after the Dutch overrun the Regency in 1849 and assumed to control Jembrana as well. It has looked westward from which the influences of Muslim and Christian have been blending. Negara is the capital lies exactly on the main road of Denpasar-Jakarta.
Negara City Except the coastal strip of land, most of the Regency of Jembrana is mountainous and impenetrable jungle, said to harbor strange animals and un-discovered ancient cities. At Bali’s Westmont tip is the ferry port of Gilimanuk, linking Bali with Java. Much of Bali’s trade, and most of the domestic tourists, pass through this point. The lagoons and mangrove swamps near Gilimanuk have an unusual variety of wild-life.
Negara is the capital of Jembrana. Both Negara and Gilimanuk show a greater influence from Islamic Java than do other parts of Bali. Negara is most famous for its thrill-packed bull races, held after the rice has been harvested. Two bulls, with painted horns and banners flying, pull a small cart with a precariously balanced jockey in frightening charge over a two kilometers course. The bulls approach speeds of fifty miles per hour.
Pura Rambut Siwi Pura Rambut Siwi located in the east of Jembrana, just off the main highway between Tabanan and Negara, and Also Pura Purancak, ten kilometers from Negara. On the mountainside twenty kilometers inland from Negara, is Asah Duren , with a large clove tree plantation.
Madewi Beach Madewi situated about 24 km, eastwards from the town of Negara and about 72 km, westwards from Denpasar, at the village of Madewi, the country of Pekutatan. In 1912 the settlement was firstly opened by some people from the village of Mendoyo Dauh Tukad, the country of Mendoyo. Formerly the area was forest having “Ketket”, thorny trees. The thorny forest means “alas meduwi” in Balinese. Because of the reason, the group of people living there agreed to call their settlement as “Meduwi” then changed into Medewi up to now, its beach is flat, stony and having long rolling waves, so it is very suitable for surfing and watching sunset. The beach has been being visited by 700 visitors monthly both domestic and foreign tourist. The road to the beach is asphalt road and the facilities available are hotel, restaurant, swimming-pool, parking area and public toilet.
Palasari Reservoir Palasari now has become famous, due to the establishment of a large water reservoir built about 10 years ago. The reservoir extend to be a beautiful lake fringed with ever green forest and plantation. The lake, therefore is not only for agricultural purposes, But the site is quite comfortable and ideal for various water recreation and sports. And also in this village the biggest church Bali.
Ubud Village 
Tegalalang villag
