Visit Dreamland Beach

Forget in moment Kuta, Sanur, and or Nusa Dua. Enjoying Bali only by sand sunning in the coasts not be prestigious anymore. Nowadays, time for you enjoying more challenging exotic and exclusive vacation. Because the coasts only known by a few tourists. The information even also by mouth to mouth. You will not find in reference or travel. Even so maybe its not too much and can be calculated by finger.

Dreamland is on the south side of Bali, about 30 to 40 minutes from Kuta. There are 2 alternative ways to go to Dreamland. You can either go through the Jimbaran Bay area or pass through the Dwipayana University (a well-known public university in Bali); both ways are easy to follow. If you do get lost, ask for directions to Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK). It’s a famous cultural park located in Bukit Unggasan, Jimbaran. Here you can find a 75 meter-high and 60-meter wide figure of god Visnu, one of the Trimurti symbols in Hinduism. The status is made by I Nyoman Nuarta, and is now still unfinished. When it is done, it will be taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York!

About 15 minutes from GWK, you will find a big statue of Garuda (the symbol of Indonesia), on the right side of the road. That means you’re just a stone throw’s away from Dreamland Beach. Dreamland Beach is located on a big-deserted property, a failed Pecatu Graha development. You will probably have to pay about Rp 5000 for the entry. When you get to the end of the road, you will be on top of a cliff, with the big blue ocean’s sky in front of you. Look down! That’s Dreamland Beach…

You have to walk a little then down a path of stairs to reach the beach.. Once on the sand, you will find rented umbrellas and beach benches facing the beach. You can also order food and drinks from the local traditional cafés available all around the beach. The cafes might seem common and usual, but many of them actually serve European dishes which is out of the ordinary for this setting. Planning to spend the night? Some of the local cafes offer humble accommodations at a reasonable price (ranged between Rp 50,000 to Rp 200,000 per night). In the evening, enjoy the sunset whilst several tourists build a campfire on the beach, or just play a light game of beach ball. As for me, I prefer swimming offshore and enjoy the sunset from there.

There are not many activities to be done here at night. The electricity is turned off after 10 pm and thus candles are lit to chase away the deep darkness of the night. After having dinner, the best thing you can do is to read a book or have a draft of cold beer. Otherwise, you can go upstairs to where most of the rooms are and enjoy the scenery. The moon’s reflection dancing in a flurry of lights on the ocean’s surface is simply breathtaking. During the peak season (July and December), some of the rooms on this floor will be more packed so at least you are not alone and will have company to chat with along with your own group of friends. It is always interesting meeting other travelers and sharing experiences. When you finally feel like sleeping, go back to your room and snuggle under the blanket. The lullaby of tides breaking on the shore is such a peaceful sound to sleep to. Being in Dreamland is like being in a dream you wish you will never wake up from.

Source:bali-travels.blogspot.com

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About Bedugul

The name Bedugul is sometimes used to refer to the whole lakeside area, strictly speaking, Bedugul is just the first place you reach at the top of the hill when coming up from south Bali.

Neither as big nor as dramatic as the Batur region, the Lake Beratan area, sometimes just known as Bedugul, has impressive mountains, beautiful lakes, quiet walks and attractive temples. The area is very much an Indonesian destination: farmers make offerings to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the crater lake, at Pura Ulun Danu Beratan on the shores of Lake Beratan, while lowland dwellers come to the Bali Botanical Gardens in Candikuning for picnics, and to enjoy the water sports on offer at the Taman Rekreasi Bedugul (Bedugul Leisure Park) on the shores of Lake Beratan. The entire area is frequently referred to as Bedugul or Beratan, but it’s very spread out: Bedugul is, strictly speaking, the small area on the Shore of Lake Beratan occupied by the Taman Rekreasi.

Lake Beratan nestles in the lee of Mt Catur, on the main Denpasar-Mengwi-Singaraja road 53km north of Denpasar and 30km south of Singaraja; no direct route links it to Batur. Approaching from the south, the road rises from the tropical heat into cooler temperatures through a series of small villages. Pacung offers accommodation; just north of it, near the market in Baturiti, a road is signed to Senganan, which takes a picturesque route through Jatiluwih to the Batukau region. The main road completes another steep 8km north to the rim of an ancient volcanic crater at the market village of Candikuning from where it descends through the village of Pancasari, skirting the western shore of Lake Beratan. It then climbs again to the pass out of the crater at Wanagiri (known locally as Puncak), where it begins the steep descend to the northern plains. The smaller, quieter Buyan Lake and Tamblingan Lake lie about 6km northwest of Lake Beratan.

All the lakes have superbly situated shore side temples, and the area is dotted with attractive villages. Most tourists visit as part of a roundtrip including Batur Lake and the north coast; relatively few stay overnight, although there’s a reasonable range of accommodation. There are bus services to and from Denpasar (Ubung; 1hr 30min) and Singaraja (Sukasada; 1hr 30min); however, having your own transport means you can enjoy the glorious road that passes north of lake Buyan and Tamblingan before heading to the north coast via Munduk and Mayong, or explore the peaceful back roads to the west of Tamblingan Lake.

Spread Out along the western side of the lake, Candi Kuning is the horticultural focus of central Bali, its daily marked was once the main supplier of vegetables, fruit and flowers for the southern hotels, but now it mostly supplies herbs, spices and potted plants for tourist. There’s a Wartel beside the marked, and several moneychangers.

Any minibus or Bemo between south Bali and Singaraja will stop at Bedugul on request.

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Balinese People Struggle Monument

A hidden wonderful place has been found, in the heart of Denpasar; it stands firmly on the center of a very wide green yard. No one will expect amazing spectacles inside of this monument. Balinese Struggle Monument is located at Jl. Raya Puputan, Renon Denpasar. You will find a green field and a monument in the centre of the field. Its shape looks like a bell with spacious lawn surrounding the monument.

Balinese People Struggle Monument has four identical gates on four sides of the monument. All will take you to the monument. You can get confused by these gates because they have the same features, but don’t worry they will you take you inside the monument or exit the building.

The division of this building based on concept of Tri Mandala (A Balinese cosmo-geological concepts that is applied on a building). Nista Mandala (the outside part) of this building is the green yard including the gates. Then if you keep on entering through the stairs, you will find small garden as Madya Mandala (the middle part). Continue your walk, you will get to the Utama Mandala (the Main part) and you will see a smaller garden and pond circling the main building; you are allowed to feed the fish; but don’t forget to buy the food first at information booth.

The main building itself also consist of three parts those are : Nistaning Utama Mandala (first floor), Madyaning Utama Mandala (the second floor), and Utamaning utama mandala (the third floor). Upon entering Utamaning utama mandala you will be welcomed by fancy sculpture made from lime stone and the surrounding is very cozy, clean and well-managed. In this floor you can find Information booth, Staff Room, Exhibition Room, Library, Souvenir Shop, Meeting Room, and last but not least Toilet. The most interesting room is exhibition room because it exhibits interesting artifacts range from documentary photos to documentary letters about the history of Bali. In this floor a small pond also lays in the center which is inhabited by various fish.

In Madyaning Utama Mandala, a diorama room has been waiting to be seen. In this room there are 33 dioramas of Balinese history. Diorama no 1 until 15 tell about Balinese in pre-history and Balinese Kingdom and diorama no 16 until 33 tell about Balinese people struggle against the Dutch.

In front of the diorama room there is a winding stairs. It consists of 70 stairs which will bring you to the Utamaning Utama Mandala, the highest part of this monument. From this place you can get a bird-eye view of Denpasar City. This is good place for contemplation. The best thing of this room is the ceiling; it tells us about the division of Cardinal Point a la Balinese. The ceiling is divided into 9 areas; 8 areas circling the one in the center, each area has a particular sign. The signs are the weapons which are used by gods who control each of cardinal points.

There are so many things about Bali which can be learnt from this monument. Just ask your guide to show you this monument. By only paying Rp 10.000 for adult and Rp 5.000 for kids you can get all in one, touring and studying. This monument opens from 8.30 until 17.00 in every single day. Happy touring, Happy learning!

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Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary

West Bali National Park is not the only conservation spot for Bali Starling, now; Nusapenida is a home of a hundred these nearly-extinct birds. Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary is a new reservation spot for Bali Starling organized by Begawan Giri Foundation, and Friend of National Park Foundation with the support of the whole Nusa Penida’s community.

In this island the birds is protected by the whole community of Nusapenida, by addition of a decree on bird conservation in the awig-awig (traditional law) of Nusa Penida. The community enforces sanctions such as fines and sepekin banjar (ostracized) for anyone caught harming the birds. All 35 villages on Nusa Penida island have now signed bird protection laws and villages and Harbour Authorities are working together to fight the illicit trade. The role of community is not just end up there, at the sanctuary young people from the surrounding village are trained as staff in the clinic; bird handling and research procedures.

The infrastructures in Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary can accommodate birds such as the Bali Starling; the Javan Sparrow, the Hornbill and the Lesser Crested Sulphur Cockatoo:

1. Quarantine Station which accommodates a maximum of 100 individual birds

2. Office, Resource and Information Room currently being used as the library, conservation education and meeting room; it can hold 40 to 50 people.

3. Clinic and Laboratories are constructed but not yet commissioned as a laboratory; will mainly act as the isolation and treatment room for any bird with a medical problem.

4. Socialization /Rehabilitation Cage: 20m long, 10m wide and 10m high, located on the side of the biggest forest in Nusa Penida (the Tembeling forest of approx. 250 Ha). A second socialization cage (3m high, 5m wide and 20m long) is planned to accommodate birds that have been in captivity for a longer period yet may not be able to fly properly.

5. Dormitory used to accommodate staff and visitors.

6. Forest Nursery which is used to support the habitat rehabilitation currently can produce up to 300.000 seedlings.

Up to May 2007 Nusa penida Bird Sanctuary has already released 49 Bali Starlings, and recently it is reported another ten offspring fly free. The success on the Bali Starling opens another conservation project. White Cockatoo, an indigenous species of Nusa Penida, now in danger, it is reported that only three white cockatoos roaming freely on the sky, clearly in worse situation than Bali Starling. Nusa Penida Bird Sanctuary now put her best effort to save this rare bird.

Source:blog.baliwww.com

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West Bali National Park

The West Bali National Park, established in 1941, covers 77,000 hectares of wooded slopes, savannah, rainforest, monsoon forest, mangrove swamp and coastal flats, and is the only remaining natural habitat of the endangered jalak putih, the Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi). It is also home to 200 species of plant, rusa deer, kancil, barking deer, long-tailed macaques, civets, monkeys, wild boars, and the last of the island’s wild banteng from which the deer-like Balinese cattle are descended. It was here that the last known Bali tiger shot and killed in 1937.

Within the boundaries of the reserve are 7,000 hectares of coral reefs and coastal waters, mainly around Cape Prapat Agung between Teluk Terima and Gilimanuk, together with several sanctuary islands for sea birds in the bay near Gilimanuk. Probably best known and most visited are the excellent coral reefs surrounding Pulau Menjangan, this area teems with a spectacular marine life including brightly coloured parrot fish, yellow back fusiliers, powder-blue surgeon fish, damsel fish, puffer fish, unicorn fish, barracuda and silvery jacks. Extensive reefs also surround the mainland, and both sea and shore birds are abundant, the most conspicuous being brown boobies and lesser frigate birds. Two species of tern nest in large numbers on the sandbanks at the entrance of Teluk Lumpur (Mud Bay) while the boobies and frigates roost on Pulau Burung further to the east. Hawksbill turtles and 10-meter-long toothless whale sharks have also been sighted along the reserve’s north coast, and whales and dolphins migrate via Selat Bali between Java and Bali.

The Park’s profuse and beautiful bird life boasts over 250 different species and is the only place where the Bali Starling (also known as Rothschild’s Mynah) can be found in the wild. Extremely rare, this is the only surviving bird endemic to Bali, and is one of the world’s most endangered species. It is a striking snow-white in colour and averages 23 centimetres in length, featuring black wingtips and tail, silky feathers, and brilliant blue rings around its eyes; not to be confused with the black-winged starling which has black wings and tail. If all was well, it would be living in groups of two or three in the acacia scrub and dry monsoon forests on the north coast of Cape Prapat Agung; however, few visitors to Bali will ever see this beautiful bird in its natural environment. The starling breeds readily in captivity, and is greatly valued as a caged bird, with an estimated 3000 in zoos and private collections overseas, but in Bali it is bordering on extinction with less than a dozen remaining in the wild.

The internationally supported Bali Starling Project is attempting to rebuild the population by re-introducing captive birds to the wild. At the Bali Starling Pre-Release Centre, formerly caged birds are acquainted with the food sources of the natural environment and encouraged to nest in native trees before being released around the National Park. But sadly this is proving difficult and many attempts have been unsuccessful. The starlings are constantly disadvantaged by a reduced habitat caused by development and are often killed by predatory falcons; although the main problem is that poachers are re-capturing them as fast as they can be released and selling them for profit. This is an economic issue and, with precious few resources, the government has not been able to enforce the laws to protect the bird. The park is also faced with other difficulties; much of the vegetation has been cut and some of the coral reef has also been destroyed.

Despite the problems, however, the reserve is still a wonderful place to visit and offers exceptional walking and magnificent panoramas. The region is watered by clear streams and traversed by trails, it is more like a forest than a jungle, and a typical walk takes about five hours. The routes are often steep but relatively easy, although some areas are cross-country with no footpaths and, at times, it is necessary to crawl through undergrowth and use paths frequented by wild ox and deer. The birdlife is spectacular and the sound of their song is magical. The best time to see the wildlife is early or late in the day. Because this area is protected, no tree-felling, firewood collecting, fishing, or coral collecting is allowed. Whilst it is possible to visit the Bali Starling Pre-Release Centre for much of the year, the areas of the park where the birds are most likely to be seen are not open to the public.

Visitors to the West Bali National Park must have a permit, and must be accompanied by a guide. Arrangements for one-day permits and guides can be made at the park headquarters in Cekik and the ranger station at Labuhan Lalang, as well as the Department of Forestry (PHPA) office in Denpasar.

Article Source: blog.baliwww.com

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A Garden Fit for a King

It is a place best visited very early in the morning or late in the afternoon and it is a place that is well cemented on the tourist track, but nonetheless, a place that is so serene it will take your breath away. Of course I am talking about Tirtagangga, the water complex satiated about five kilometres northwest of Amlapura on the east coast of Bali. Tirtagangga would have to be one of the most beautiful places to visit on the island and a definite must-see on your list of places in your itinerary. Built for the people by the King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Agung Ketut in 1946, the Tirtagangga water garden is a stunning collection of statues and fountains with large pools with the most spectacular being the eleven tiered fountain. Tirtagangga literally means ‘water that flows from the Ganges’.

Tirtagangga actually sits on the sloped of Gunung Agung and over time has been damaged on several occasions by earthquakes and eruptions. In fact, the entire site was destroyed in 1963 when Gunung Agung erupted. Renovations followed and today the site is open to the public. Interestingly, the water from Tirtagangga irrigates nearby ricefields which partly accounts for the beauty of the area.

Entering Tirtagangga after you first parked your vehicle, you then pass through an area of snack vendors and a few losmens. Once inside the gardens, you will see the large pools, complete with stepping stones and statues.

Source:baliblog.com

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Six Amazing Rice Terraces

Visitors to Bali have an abundance of places and attractions to visit besides the chaos of shopping and partying in the tourist strip. Bali is renowned for its numerous temples and other places of worship, its fascinating culture and its beautiful, friendly people. Wherever visitors go into the countryside on day trips it is inevitable they will see the rice terraces that adorn the faces of hills and mountains, the higher you go in elevation on the island, the more spectacular the rice terraces. These terraces are a classic feature on the landscape of Bali and are the rice cultivation on varying levels that follow the natural contours of the escarpments. The land is formed into multiple terraces, giving them a stepped appearance and are, in this manner of agriculture, a method of soil conservation to slow or prevent the rapid surface runoff of irrigation water. These rice terraces off some of the most spectacular panoramas and most are, breathtaking.

I have always found the best times to photograph these magnificent views is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. During these times the sun is less harsh and enables the richness of the colours to be more defined.

Source:baliblog.com

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The Roads to Kintamani

Everyone that has visited Bali has, at one time or another, travelled up the mountains to Kintamani. The area there affords some spectacular views of Gunung Batur and Danau Batur and, on a good clear day theBali Aga village of Trunyan can be seen. It is an area of late that has received some bad press and rightly so and the hawkers can be rather annoying and pushy. It appears, however, that things might be on the better for the Kintamani region. There are four major routes you can take to get to Kintamani and each road has its own surprises and great places to visit along the way. These might be temples or other place of worship, museums, and towns that are renowned for their specialty in arts or crafts. Once in Kintamani you have a choice of restaurants with a high price tag if you fancy a feed whilst enjoying the view. My best advice is to have a drink in one of these places and indulge in the panorama. There are many decent warungs around the area that serve great Indonesian fare as well as Western tucker.

The routes are listed below in no particular order and are ex-Kuta. Take note that upon reaching the crossroads at Kintamani you will have to pay a fee to enter the area at Penelokan.

Route 1: This one I call the ‘tourist run’ to Kintamani mainly because it passes through several towns worthy of note – Batubulanfor its marvellous stone carvings, mostly of Balinese Gods, Celukwhere you will find the streets lined with galleries and shops selling gold and silver to the markets at Sukawati, the two-storey art market where you can buy goods at almost half the price you pay in Kuta. From there you pass through Batuan renowned for its many talented artists and it here you will find several art galleries and studios, then onto the large textile town of Gianyar famous for itsEndek weaving and then through the sleepy town of Bangli where you will find one of the finest garden temples on the island – Pura Kehen – and finally onto Penelokan.

Route 2: Probably one of my favourite routes taking you through the archaeological centre of Bali often referred to as the holy land. Here you will find temples and artifacts dating back to the Majapahit period in Bali and several antiquities dating as far back as the 11th Century. The interesting part of this route starts at Blahbatuh where you will findPura Gaduh and inside the temple the large stone head of Kebo Iwa. Further along the road is locatedPura Dharma Bukit Durga Kutri. This is an interesting temple as it has superb carvings of elephants guarding the outer gates and oddly enough, pigs at the inner gate. Its main feature is the statue of the Goddess Durga perched on a sacred altar at the top of a steep flight of stone steps. Not far from here near the town of Bedulu is located Yeh Pulu, a sheer 25 metre cliff face that has been carved and depicts a five-part story of which the meaning is unknown. This 14th Century artefact is well worth visiting as is the nearby Goa Gadjah, also known as the elephant cave. Heading north from there on the left-hand side is located Pura Kebo Edan with its massive four meter statue. Although in a state of disrepair, this place is interesting for budding archaeological enthusiasts. A stone’s throw from there is Pura Penataran Sasih, home to the Moon of Pejeng. The bronze gong is said to date back to the Dong dynasty of Vietnam and the Balinese Bronze age. Twenty kilometres further north nearTampaksaring you will find the sacred springs of Tirta Empul. It is well worth spending an hour or two here simply for the stunning experience of it all. Probably the most sensational experience in the holy land can be found at Gunung Kawi sitting on the banks of the nearby Pakerisan River. The tombs (Candi’s) are of Anak Wungsu and his queens and are superbly stunning. From here it is a straightforward run up to Penelokan at Kintamani.

Route 3: An interesting and straight run north to the volcano with a few interesting places along the way. Firstly would be the artistic centre of Mas with its array of small galleries. The town is also home to some of the finest artists on the island. An interesting centre for wood carvings is the village of Tegalalang. Several workshops and galleries here are worth a look-see. Further along the road heading north you will come to another village known for its fine wood atPujungkelod. From there it is only a few kilometres to Sebatu. The Pura Gunung Kwai Sebatu is an interesting temple. Sebatu is also a connecting point to Tampaksaring and the sacred springs or you can carry on further north to Kintamani. Nearby Sebatu is located theElephant Safari Park at Taro. Actually, the village of Taro is home to the lowland Bali Aga and in this village you will find some unique longhouses. After visiting here it is only a short ride north to Kintamani.

Route 4: Without a doubt the most straightforward and fastest way to Kintamani and the route that I often take when heading to the north-east of the island thus passing thought the area around Kintamani. The road takes you through the outskirts of Ubud and continues through areas of rich ricefields and some stunning panoramas. The further north you travel the richer the flora and the mountain views are a delight. Along the way there are several warungs worth stopping at for refreshments as are the numerous fruit stalls along the side of the road. Interestingly enough, the closer you get to Kintamani it seems as though the fruit for sale has a richer taste and definitely infinitely more delicious. Must be something to do with high altitude! At the end of your drive you come out on the Kintamani road at Kertabuana. There never used to be a collection point for access at this T-junction but there is now!

source:baliblog.com

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From Seminyak to Tanah Lot – Along the Beach

The whole concept of a short-long stroll along the beach from Pura Petitenget to Tanah Lot was conceived last week after the four of us through a few crazy suggestions together and the beach walk won. The sojourn had been put off a couple of times thanks to the intervention of Mother Nature in the form of heavy storms and high waves pounding the shoreline thus preventing a clear passage along the beach. Thanks to a break in the weather, Carl, Arti, Candika and myself set out from Pura Petitenget a few days ago to walk to Tanah Lot. As you can imagine, most of the Balinese we talked to about this walk merely laughed and regarded the sojourn as a crazy bule idea. Probably because nobody had ever done it before and the Balinese did not have the inkling to put their bodies through such ‘suffering’. I can imagine that a lot of you reading this will say the distance is not far and rightly so because it is only9.8 klms, but, very soft and deep sand, multiple river crossings and the occasional diversion from the beach because of rocky shorelines does take its toll and time. Combine that with the incessant heat of the day and you have one hell of a walk.

We started off from Pura Petitenget at 6am before first light had broken but on reflection, we left it a bit late. I would advise you start your walk along the beach at least a half hour earlier. This reason will become apparent later. Low tide and a hard sand by the water’s edge made the going fairly easy and I was indeed quite surprised the amount of people on the beach at that time of the morning. The plan was to walk as far as we could in the first hour and then do a kilometre-check on my pedometer. The soft, gentle offshore breeze made a symphony with the breaking waves. Enter the morning sun casting its first rays of light softening the colours of both the sand and sparse shacks. Perahu’s scattered here and there like elongated shadows became alive and before too long, the vast stretch of coastline ahead was in view and became our guiding line, the tip of the headland our destination. With only a couple of shallow river crossings we had walked along the beaches of BatuBelig, Browo, Canggu, Nelayan and, by the fist time and kilometre check we had walked 5.2klms in an hour and a half stopping for breakfast at the magnificent Hotel Tugu Bali located at Pantai Batu Bolong. With no warung in sight, we had no choice but to eat there. The one thing I did notice along these beaches is the gradual lessening of human garbage amongst the refuse washed onto the shore. More and more, coconuts and beautiful pieces of sea-washed driftwood would be the subject of our gaze as were the array of seabirds.

With our stomachs fed we continued on our journey at 8.25am taking the path down along the rocks to the beach. By now the tide had made steady progress advancing onto the shoreline quicker than we realised forcing us to walk higher up along the beach. This caused us all to walk with one leg higher than the other and in soft sand thus zapping energy quicker than we had anticipated. Any attempt to walk in the wet sand in this manner with such turbulent surf was impossible. The shoreline became rockier the further we walked and crossing the smaller rivers was relatively easy and before too long we has walked along the stretches of Batu Mejen beach and Perenean beach. When we finally arrived at the coastal village ofSeseh, a rest-break from the sojourn was agreed upon and we sat on some large structures of driftwood watching local women and children playing and bathing in the muddy waters of the river. The locals were intrigued as to why we were walking along the beach and after informing them we were walking to Tanah Lot a majority of them broke into hysterical laughter. Such a deterrent made us even more determined to reach our destination. Each time we asked any Balinese we came across on the beaches so far as to the distance we had to go to arrive at Tanah Lot, the kilometres varied from 10 up to 23. Of course the added sniggers and laughter didn’t help. The further we walked along the lonely stretches of quickly blackening sand the hotter it became, this being another obstacle on such a journey. We had brought eight litres of water between us but this was soon consumed under the oppressive heat. Another obstacle started to plague us. Rocky outcrops were more and more frequent causing us to leave the beach to find pathways around them, a time-consuming process that was to play havoc with the body’s strength.

At one point, not far fromMencening Beach we were forced to walk a kilometre inland and circle around a headland. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we came across a shady warung. Copious amounts of Pocari Sweatwere consumed and it gave us time to take stock of where we were with the helpful assistance of the locals there. According to them we had less than 2 kilometres to Tanah Lot. However, they gave us no warning of what would become our greatest obstacle of all. We eventually made our way back down to the beach and continued walking the length of the very long Mencening beach. A headland upon which sits divinely Pura Luhur Batu Ngaus. Because of the turbulent ocean crashing against the rocky promontory we were once again forced to venture inland to find a path around to return to the beach. After walking through sawah fields for a half hour finally we found a small path, albeit rocky. The sea-garbage strewn beach from that point was relatively hard making walking easier and as we passed by other temple structures I had the feeling that our goal was not far away. The ocean around there seemed to pound the shore viciously and the waters were a murky bracken colour. After turning the next headland I knew our goal was really in sight when I saw on top of the cliff the sprawling fairways of the Nirwana Golf Course.

One last river crossing and we could walk around the base of the cliffs and enter Tanah Lot along the coastline. Nobody along our walk had mentioned this last river crossing or its ferociousness or in fact about the three local people who had lost their lives being swept out to sea in their attempt. We dropped our backpacks in the sand and scanned the length of the river looking for a suitable place to cross. The river’s current was running so strong that when the waters rushed into the sea, a backlash of waves was created along the estuary. Carl tried first. As he gingerly waded into the murky water up to his waist, he was suddenly neck-deep and quickly retreated to the shore. Carl tried again in a different place but was soon met with the same fate. I walked further towards the estuary end and entered. At first it was only knee-deep but then the whole ground gave way underneath me and I felt like I was being sucked into quick-sand, my body being spun around and before too long, I was underwater. With no other visible means of getting across this vicious stretch of water we were once again thwarted and sought an alternative route around the river. Walking downstream along and through the natural garbage strewn banks, we eventually came across a set of stone steps meandering upwards through the vine-clogged jungle. The oppressive heat of the morning sun was taking its toll on all of us and we were soon to be disappointed even more as we reached the top of the steps. Kilometre upon kilometre of sawah fields stretched to the horizon, a few villas dotted here and there, and a small narrow limestone path was all we saw. We had no choice but to follow the path.

Coming across one villa Carl decided to ask the residents about crossing the river, if there was a boat available or even horses we could us. The disappointment on his face when he returned was enough for all of us. To come so far and yet so near and have a simple river crossing thwart our plans. A chat with a farmer further down the path truly sealed our fate. No, there was no bridge. The farmer’s wife offered to take us to the nearest village where we could get transport to Tanah Lot. Left with no options, we all agreed and the farmer’s wife ferried us on the back of her motor bike one-by-one to the village of Keliki. Deeply disappointed, we found a warung and waited for the Bemo to arrive. As we sat in the shady warung consuming cold drink after cold drink, it was the general consensus that the journey had been on heck of an adventure and the fact that to our knowledge no Balinese had attempted this walk and either had any other westerner. A sobering thought as it was, when the Bemo arrived to ferry us on the last leg, we all secretly wished we had completed that last kilometre by foot along the craggy shore.

When we eventually arrived at Tanah Lot with its parking area full of tourist buses, we looked at each other and laughed knowing that at least we had attempted to make it here in an unusual manner. I think what really upset us all was when we walked down to the base of Tanah Lot temple and looked back along the coast at the last leg of what would have been the last kilometre of our journey (foto below).

Source:baliblog.com

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Ideas for Visiting Lovina

Kuta is the place in Bali where 90% of people spend the most time and money. It is close to the airport, on the beach and loaded with restaurants, bars and nightlife. Some people do not find the impetus to move out of the area, or as one tourist once told me; If you are a single man why would you need to leave?

Of course there are other areas of the island that are interesting and pleasant to visit including Lovinaon the north coast. Lovina is actually a string of small villages ( Kalisasem & Temukus, Kalibukbuk, Anturan, Tukad Mungga and Pemaron. Kalibukbuk also has a section known as Banyualit ) that have been dumped under the same name.

In Lovina there are 2 major features. These features are the coastline and the main road that swings close to the coast in places.

Tip: Choose a hotel on part of the coast where there is some space between the beach and the road, otherwise traffic noise will be annoying.

The main little tourist section is in Kalibukbuk, which features wall to wall restaurants and bars. This is the high density area. I stayed at Nirwana Seaside Hotel right on the beach in Kalibukbuk at the end of the main street. Surprisingly decent with a good pool, old guest house type accommodation and new shiny AC rooms at the back. We got an AC room with twin beds for 175,000rp.

Swimmers will enjoy the black sand beaches of Lovina because of the warm water and lack of waves. Another attraction is the sunrise dolphin watching although this is a tourist trap and you would be better off hiring a local with a private boat to take you for a snorkeling trip than chase a dozen other boats round in circles.

Here is a quick run down of places:

• Anturan Used to be all guest houses but developing to more spendy places. Still budget places here though. You will see a petrol station on the main road and Anturan is opposite. Local fishing fleet is here.

• Banyualit A selection of about 20 places to stay ranging from budget hotels to a bit spendier. There is a selection of places to eat too. Located 1.5km east of Kalibukbuk and west of the petrol station in Anturan.

• Kalibukbuk The busy area with 2 streets loaded with tourist places perpendicular off of the main road. Budget places to stay on the main road and a ton of dive centers, restaurants and bars down Jn. Mawar and Jl. Bina Ria. I have zoomed past Jl. Mawar before so watch out for the Khi Khi restaurant across the street. Once on it you will immediately know it is the street. You will also find car rental, money-changers and travel agents here.

• Kaliasem & Temukus Located on the western edge of Lovina starting 1km west of Kalibukbuk you will come across an assortment of budget places like the Puri Tasik Madu. All the accommodation here is close to the beach and close to the road. Spice Dive Center is on the left side of the road heading west.

Why would you want to stay in Lovina?

I think Lovina makes a great place to stay after exploring the highlands. There are multiple routes you could take, a straight shot up from Kuta to Singaraja stopping in Bedugal to check out Pura Ulun Danau Bratan and then heading west from Singaraja. You could take a lovely slow cruise past Danau Buyan and Danau Tamblingan and swing down through the highland villages of Munduk and Tunjuk before heading for Seririt and Lovina. A longer trip might be up through Kintamani and west along the coast, enjoying the panoramas of Gunung Batur and experiencing cooler weather for a brief while before heading to a decent hotel with a pool in Lovina.

Having an array of accommodation on the north coast means you can break out of the Kuta Beach force fields and still get your pizza and beer by the pool. I must admit I need to explore this area in more depth in order to be able to give a better first hand account of what is up there and it will be my pleasure doing that for you.

Source:baliblog.com

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Day Trips from Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is a popular surfing and tourist destination. While the area offer a good number of things to see and do in the immediate areas, there is even more just a short drive away. The areas that surround the tourist area of Kuta Beach are filled with temples, wildlife refuges, and much more. Check out some of our favorite day trips you can take from Kuta Beach. All of these things can be done in a day and give you plenty of time to make it back to your hotel in Kuta.

If you need help making plans to visit any of these places, ask your hotel staff. They should be able to offer up some advice on how to get to these popular locations.

If you have any other suggestions for day trips from Kuta Beach, please let us know by leaving a comment below!

Mount Batur

Gunung Batur is one of the most sacred mountains in Bali and probably the most popular. It is one hour drive from Kuta beach to the nearest settlement at Penelokan which is the starting point to the summit of this active volcano. The volcano is famous for its beautiful caldera, which encompasses the majestic turquoise Lake Batur, that is itself an attraction famed for canoeing.

The easiest and most well known route to the top of the mountain takes just a little more than two hours. Visitors flock to the mountain to see the astounding panorama of colors and breathtaking sunsets. Apart from early morning and evening tours, a chance to see the sunrise is increasingly becoming the main attraction. In the morning, the misty clouds hovering above the lake start their journey to the summit, providing once in a lifetime spectacle. There are numerous guides who will be ready to take a small group in any time of the day. Among its several craters, the most sought after is the middle sandy crater which provides the best views and a chance to enjoy warm lava rocks, hot springs and gluey lava flows. Plan an early morning visit to traverse farther for navigating the bat caves and a mountain temple.

West Bali National Park

West Bali National Park is on the least inhabited and sparsely populated region of Bali. It provides an opportunity to visit a lost paradise containing numerous endangered species of which the white Bali sterling is the most famous. A mascot of Bali, only 50 such birds survive. You can visit the rehabilitation program site to watch these most colorful species in its natural habitat. There are over 160 bird species and almost 17 different mammals which include the one of its kind barking deer, giant squirrels and leopards.

Visitors have the flexibility in choosing numerous tours that operate on a daily basis. The park offer one of the most myriad sceneries in Bali with sheer cliff face and black rock surfing friendly beaches. It was here that the last of the famous Bali tigers, once prowled. The last one was shot in 1937, four years before the creation of the park. Visitors to the park are thrilled by the prospect of venturing deep into the forests, rice paddies and swamps which are rightfully highlighted in the government brochures and travel magazines. The Rambutsiwi Hindu temple and the surrounding scenery provides one of the most striking examples of remote and rugged outposts in this part of the world. Traditional villages and lakes abound in the peaceful environments away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta beach and its vicinities.

Sacred Monkey Forest

If you are adventurous by nature or just want to show off then a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest in the middle of Ubud is an activity which takes courage, respect and an interaction with the bizarre. The heavily forested sanctuary in the middle of an otherwise crowded town distinguishes itself by revealing secrets along its well paved paths containing the three sacred Hindu temples.

Most visitors come here to see the long tailed macaques that are not afraid to steel anything and everything from the visitors. Fortunately, they will only jump at the opportunity if someone test their temperament. These hairy creatures are not so innocent as they may seem. These monkeys keep on increasing their colony from only 69 a decade ago to more than 300 strong in four different groups. The caretakers feed them regularly and such feeding time brings with it the frenzy and a sight to behold. It is not only the attraction but temples, shrouded by the thick forest cover, which hold sinister secrets apparent from the Rangda figures devouring little children along the entrance to the Temple of the dead. You might want to take pesky kids with you who will be delighted by a close encounter with the untamed.

Pura Tanah Lot

From distance, it seems like a sailing ship adrift in the sea. Just a few kilometers out of town lies this magical temple,Pura Tanah Lot, which on first glance seems to be custom made for a blockbuster movie set. Accessible only on low tide, the sacred pilgrimage site is located on a fairy tale rock formation enhanced by the beauty of twilight and the fantastic Balinese sunsets.

Numerous vendors have set up stalls by the seaside where visitors can relax and share the stories surrounding the existence of this structure which is said to be guarded by hundreds of sea snakes who take refuge at the bottom of the rock. To prevent the virgin temple, no one is allowed to enter the compounds. This said, it should not deter anyone from enjoying the beauty of the surrounding area. It is better to arrive in the early afternoon and stay until the sunset. You will be required to pay a fee to enter and pass through hundreds of souvenir stalls on either side of the narrow track. Allow plenty of time to stroll around the beach and locate a perfect spot from where to enjoy the sight and sounds of this mystical structure.

Source:baliblog.com

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