Sanur
Sanur beach has always been a popular site for foreigners. Sanur offers many
good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is not far
away from Denpasar’s public transports also available until late into
the night!
Offshore reefs protect the beach againts the waves making it popular for windsurfing,
boating and other watersports!
Kuta
On Denpasar’s route, towards the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is a flourishing
tourist resort, mainly popular among the youngs. It is a famous beach for surfing
though currents make sometimes swimming difficult. Sunsets are simply wonderful
in Kuta and highly romantic!
The village has lots of restaurants, shops, discos and other tourist facilities.
It is easier to enjoy regular performances of both Balinese music and dance
in Kuta, than anywhere else in Bali! Some performances are staged at night.
The area is ideal for meeting people, locals as well, and why not, it’s
an occasion to make friends, too!
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is part of the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali. Here are some of the
most beautiful and luxurious hotels of the area!. The resort is notorious for
both its clean, white beaches and clear, transparent waters. The motto for tourists
is “Get a taxi to flash everywhere on time!”
Batubulan
Stone figures on the roadside enrich and characterize the village of Batubulan:
divinities and demons carved from sandstone decorate both houses and temples.
Artists can be seen at work in workshops.
Batuan
Antique and notorious centre of the arts, it is known for its dancing, wood
panel carving and paintings.
Celuk
The village is famous for its silver and gold works of jewelry.
Mas
It’s mainly a village of woodcarvers: many of Bali's old masters still
live there. Art galleries preserve some of their best works. Tourists are welcomed
into the Balinese style houses where carved wooden pillars can be admired and
artists at work or instructing apprentices seen!
Ubud
The centre of Balinese painting, Purl Lukisan the name, has a permanent collection
of modern works of Balinese art which traces its origins back to the turn of
the century.
The Young artist style popular in Balinese painting was first introduced by
the Dutch painter Arie Smith. In the past, other foreign painters inspired Balinese
artists to adopt western techniques, though traditional Balinese paintings are
still en vogue!
Ubud has many small hotels located on a higher altitude where to enjoy a pleasant
climate and a magic atmosphere!
Peliatan
Peliatan is located between Ubud and Mast. It has been known and still is the
centre of traditional music, and dances. Local woodcarvers started a new style
of wood-carving producing fruits, flowers and trees in their real shapes and
colourings.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah, dates back to the 11th century and is thought to have been built
as a monastery. Carvings on the wall show a demon head over the entrance, flanked
by two statues. The cave contains a statue of Ganesha. Escavations have uncovered
a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding water-spouts.
Tampak Siring
The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the sacred spring at Tampak Siring.
The temple and its two bathing places have been used by the people for good
health and prosperity because of the spring water's curative powers. Regular
ceremonies are held for purification.
Kintamani
The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan offer a good view of the still active
Mount Batur and Lake, as well. The caldera of Batur is impressive: 7 miles in
diameter and 60 feet deep. From Penelokan, a road leads to Kedisan the lake
where boats can be hired to cross over to Trunyan. This ancient village is inhabited
by the Bali Aga or Original Balinese who have maintained much of their culture
and tradition.
Bangli
Bangli is Bali's second largest temple with three terraced courtyards where
the balustrades are decorated with both carvings and statues. A large Banyan
tree with a tower shades the lowest and second courtyard, while the shrines
in the third welcome gods and ancestors of the past.
Klungkun
Former seat of the Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali from where Balinese royalty
draws its blood line, Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island and its
"Raja" the most exalted. The Kerta Gosa or Royal Court of Justice
built in the 1 8th century, is notorious for its ceiling murals, painted in
the traditional wayang style, portraying punishment in hell and rewards in heaven,
along with other moralities.
Goa Lawah
Goa Lawah is also famous under the name of bat cave, as the roof is covered
with thousands of bats. The entrance is guarded by a temple, once thought founded
by a sage nearly nine centuries ago.
Besakih
Bali’s mother temple, the Sanctuary of Besakih, on the slopes of Mount.
Agung, is the biggest and holiest of the whole Balinese temples.
Over a thousand years old steps drive to the main courtyard where the Trinity
Shrines are decorated with flower offerings.
Around the three main temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Wisnu, are 18 separate
sanctuaries belonging to different regencies.
A visit to the temples is a special pilgrimage, of course!
Menjangan island
This little island is famous for its beautiful coral reefs found nearby and
the wealth of tropical fish.
The island, not to forget Terima Bay, deserves a visit because of its extraordinary
and unforgettable landscape!
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