Uluwatu

Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in the Badung Regency. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Being a popular surfing spot for the very experienced, Uluwatu offers a wonderful vantage point to view a spectacular sunset. Warungs or small restaurants perched on the cliff offer a comfortable spot to survey the vast Indian Ocean beyond and below the 300-foot-high cliffs with panorama on three sides. Monkeys inhabit the temple and cliff face hoping for a banana or some peanuts from the visitors.

About 45 minutes from Nusa Dua, or 1 hr 15 minutes from Kuta or Tuban area. From Nusa Dua, the hilly road will pass through Pecatu, (in)famous for its uncompleted monument and luxury homes. If you are from Kuta, similar hill climbing road through Kedodongan and Jimbaran Hills (and Bay) will bring you here.

Description:

Officially known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu (yes, that's the real name: "Luhur" means "something of divine origin" while "Uluwatu" can be broken into "ulu" which means "land's end" and "watu" means "rock" in the old language). Nonetheless, merely mentioning Uluwatu will get you here in no time.

To me, this is the most spectacular temple on the island of Bali. The inner sanctum of the pura is perched majestically on the edge of a steep cliff that towers above the legendary surf breaks of southern Bali.

While I'm not too sure what the view is like from within the inner temple itself, the views are best enjoyed on two different vantage points on both northern and southern portions of the area.

I try not to mention much about the monkeys here. Precautionary signs have been put at a few places to remind about their aggressiveness. I did not experience any bad incidents with them, but I did take off my sunglasses and hid my camera in my pocket, just in case. At sunset, Kecak dance performance is held here everyday. And, it goes without saying that sunset viewing at Uluwatu is one of the must-do in Bali.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is regarded as one of the six most important temples in Bali (along with Pura Besakih, of course!). Its location on the south westernmost precinct of this magical island guards the Balinese from the evil spirit of the ocean.

There is a minimal entrance fee to enter. I'm not particularly sure about the need to have a "local guide" to explore the pura just like what I have experienced in Pura Besakih. Sarongs are available for rental at the entrance. It was indeed a hassle free experience for me. And the view is out of this world.

ultimate freedom". Entrance ticket cost at IDR 3,000 /person

Second Stop to watch Kecak and Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple, A Kecak performance is very simple. The men's chorus chants the words Cak ke-cak ke-cak ke-cak ke-cak ke-cak, in rhythm, over and over again, For this reason they are called the Kecak or Cak dance. The Kecak dances consist of about fifty men wearing only a loin-cloth, the upper part of their bodies left bare. They form rows of circles, in the middle of which is a coconut oil lamp. The Kecak dance is performed for dance-dramas and the story presented is taken from the Ramayana epic. Ticket fee at IDR 70,000 /person

Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK)

Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park is a tourism destination located on Southern Bali with a strategic location with only 10 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai airport, 25 minutes from from Kuta, and 20 minutes from Benoa and Nusa Dua harbor. GWK Cultural Park will further support and enrich the already existing tourism infrastructure in Bali.

Mandala Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a 230 ha Cultural Park at Bukit Ungasan, Jimbaran Bali with the statue of "Garuda Wisnu Kencana" (146 metres high) as its landmark.

The Pedestal Building of statue establish an infrastructure for the world cultural communication, "WORLD CULTURAL FORUM", surrounded by supporting area Consisting of among others Amphitheatre, Exhibition Hall, Museum, Lotus Pond, Festival Park, Receiving Area, Boutique Hotel, Restaurant, Cafe etc.

The Statue of Wisnu

As the anchor point of GWK, the 20 meter tall copper statue of the Lord Wisnu has been placed temporarily on the highest hill of Ungasan where visitors can enjoy sunset or sunrise over the magnificent view of Kuta, Benoa and Sanur.

The location is called Plaza Wisnu and on this plaza’s yard, namely Parahyangan Somaka Giri, a holy spring continually spews out clear water through a stone bowl which many people believe it can cure illnesses or give you a long life.

The Statue of Garuda

Right behind the Plaza Wisnu is the Plaza Garuda where the 18 meters tall statue of Garuda placed temporarily.

At the present time, Plaza Garuda becomes the focal point of a massive alley of carved limestone pillars which covers more than 4000 sqm open space area namely Lotus Pond. The colossal limestone pillars and monumental Garuda statue make Lotus Pond a very exotic space. With its room capacity that can accommodate up to 7000 people, Lotus Pond has gained good reputation as the perfect place to hold big and international events.

The Statue of Wisnu’s Hands

Our latest addition to the cultural park is the hands of Wisnu. Finished on January 2008, it was placed temporarily at Tirta Agung.

Situated on a limestone escarpment overlooking the South Bali tourist region, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park shocases the art and culture of the Island of the Gods amid dramatic natural backdrops and breathtaking panoramic vistas. Located fiften minutes from the international airport and less than an hour from most major hotels and resorts, GWK is one of the island's premier venues for artistic performances, exhibitions, and conferences as well as for sightseeing and relaxation.

MODERN RENDERINGS OF ANCIENT TRADITION
Dominating the park is Wisnu, a bust of a Hindu deity constructed from giants slabs of copper and brass. Representing the divine force responsible for the protection of the universe, the 22 meter Wisnu figure is a modern rendering of an ancient cultural tradition. The companion piece, Garuda, represent the giant bird which transports Wisnu, a symbol of both freedom and selfless devotion.

The two 25-meter natural limestone pillars comprising the Gapura Batu, at the entrance gate to the complex, are carved with images taken from the Ramayana, the Mythical cycle of stories forming the dramatic basis of most Balinese art forms. The base-relief carving on the gate depict scenes from the Wayang, the shadow puppet theatre unique to Bali and neighbouring Java.

A PLACE OF SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE
Adjacent to Wisnu figure is the Pahrayangan Somaka Giri, a sacred spring from which flows water containing a rich mixture of ninerals. As the existence of the spring in these arid limestone hills has no scientific explanation, it has become a place of pilgrimage and meditation. The water is believed to cure disease, and is widely used by local conjurers in ritual to invoke rain in order to ensure good crops.

AVENUE FOR EVERY OCCASION
With little rainfall and open to fresh tropical breezes, GWK facilities are ideal for all types of outdoor events. The first-class acoustic environment of the 800-seat Amphitheatre is a peerless venue for intimate cultural performances. Enclosed by enormous limestone pillars with the Wisnu figure as a backdrop, the dramatic Lotus Pond area has a capacity for 7500 persons. Like the ceremonial boulevard of a Balinese village, the Street Theatre is suitable for processions, fashion shows, and other mobile performances. The most intimate space, the Plaza Kura Kura, can hold 200 people. In additional to the open public spaces, the Exhibition Gallery provides 200 square meters of covered area as well as ten square meters of internal open courtyard.

DINING UNDER THE STARS
Numerous cafes and restaurants provide a full range of food and beverage services, from snacks and light meals to banquets. On-site catering facilities can prepare up to 200 meals be it Indonesia, Oriental, or International cuisine, which can be served al fresco in an appropriate public space. A popular venue for an individual visitor is Warung Nyoman, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of south Bali while sampling traditional Indonesia food.

Pura Besakih

The Mother Temple of Besakih, or Pura Besakih, in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Agama Hindu Dharma in Bali., Indonesia and one of a series of Balinese temples.

The temple probably dates to the fourteenth century. It was built on the south slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali. The temple is actually a complex made up of twenty-two temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs which ascend to a number of courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.

The symbolic center or main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung and and the lotus throne or padmasana is the symbolic center of the main sanctuary and ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century.

A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Puru Besakih. The lava flows missed the temple complex by mere meters. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected.

 Annually there are at least seventy festivals held at the complex each year since there is a yearly anniversary celebrating almost every shrine. This yearly cycle is based on the 210-day Balinese calendar system.

It had been nominated as a World Heritage Site as early as 1995, but remains unvested.

Kintamani

Kintamani is the most favorite tourist destinations in Bali with the active volcano of mount Batur and beautiful lake. Kintamani is surrounded by the captivating nature and there are six ancient villages around cauldron of Batur Lake which is often conceived by Bali Age Village. The local people from these Bali Age villages own the unique cultures, houses and life style. Kintamani Area is consisted of some Villages those are Kedisan Village , Buahan, Abang, Trunyan, Songan, South Batur, Middle Batur, North Batur, Sukawana and Kintamani Village . The total of resident in these area are about 15 thousand who are mostly working as farmer, merchant, or work at industrial tourism. 

Kintamani Volcano and Batur Lake

Mount Batur is located at Kintamani and it has erupted about 24 times since year 1800 and still active up to now. Since the mount erupting, it has impacted to the local society life around this mount, like removing altar (Temple), improve or repairing the village and re-arrange the tradition. Lake Batur is the biggest lake in Bali and functioning as irrigation source to all farmers around it and it is also for all Bali society generally. Kintamani area has been founded some lodging, hotels and restaurants which are located in Kintamani and Penelokan Village. It is a famous tourist place because Kintamani area owns the beautiful panorama and it is encircled by the cold atmosphere.

Kintamani is a Place to Visit in Bali

Kintamani is beautifully seen at the day time around 10:00 am until 15:00 pm especially having fine weather where entire Kintamani area will be able to be seen clearly. Generally, all tourists who pay a visit to this place will arrive in the day time where they can enjoy the panorama or enjoy the lunch in the local restaurant with lake view. Mostly restaurants at Kintamani generally own very beautiful view where tourist merging into their lunch in this restaurant and meanwhile enjoy the panorama.

Location

Kintamani is located in Kintamani sub district, Bangli Regency and about 50 km from Denpasar Town or about 2 hours by car. All roads are generally in good condition to access to this place. The fog will descend and blanket entire area of Kintamani with cold temperature in particular at late afternoon until the whole of night. The most amazing panorama at Kintamani can be seen in the morning time, when the sunrise emerges on the surface of earth precisely on the mount Batur .

Bedugul

Bedugul is a mountain lake resort area in Bali, Indonesia, located in the centre-north region of the island near Lake Bratan on the road between Singaraja and Denpasar. Bedugul is located at 48 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city of Denpasar. Other nearby lakes are Lake Buyan, and Lake Tamblingan.

Bedugul enjoys a mild mountain weather due to its location at an altitude of about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above the sea level.

Major sites in Bedugal are the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan water temple and the Bedugul Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Garden, opened in 1959 under the name Eka Karya. With a total area of 129.2 hectares (319 acres) is the largest in Indonesia.

Bedugul Bali, is one option tourist attraction in Bali as well. This tourism object is located in the district of Tabanan and is famous for its lakes and restaurants.
Temperatures in Bedugul much cooler than other resorts in Bali, with temperatures about 18 degrees Celsius, will surely give its own ambience during a holiday in Bali. Bali's tourist attractions are similar to those offered in Kintamani
Bedugul is famous for the beauty of the lake Tamblingan and you are able to enjoy its beauty by renting a speedboat or a canoe to get around the lake. The object of this tour is also a stopover to visit other tourist attractions such as Tanah Lot, Sangeh, Taman Ayun and other attractions.

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot 'is a tourist attraction in Bali, Indonesia. Here there are two temples are situated on a large rock. One is located in the upper crust and the other located on a cliff similar to the Uluwatu Temple. Pura Tanah Lot temple is part of Dang Goda. Pura Tanah Lot sea temple is a place of worship the gods guard the sea.

 

LegendAccording to legend, this temple was built by a Brahmin who wander from Java. He is a successful Nirartha Balinese people will strengthen confidence and build Sad Hinduism Goda at the 16th century. At that time the ruler of Tanah Lot, Beraben, jealous of him because his followers began to leave and follow Nirartha. Beraben Nirartha ordered to leave the Tanah Lot. He agreed, and before leaving Tanah Lot with its power to move his stone blocks to the middle of the beach (not into the sea) and built temples there. He also change the shawl into a snake temple guards. Snake is still there today and scientifically snakes include species of sea snakes that have a characteristic flat tail like a fish, striped yellow and black color has a poison 3 times more powerful than cobra snake. End of the legend states that Beraben 'finally' a follower Nirartha.Pura Tanah Lot
LocationSightseeing lots of land located in the village Beraban Kediri Tabanan District, about 13 km west of Tabanan. North of Tanah Lot Temple there is a temple situated on a cliff that juts into the sea. This cliff temple with the land and shaped like a bridge (curved). Tanah Lot, famous as a beautiful place to watch the sunset (sunset), the tourists usually crowded in the afternoon to see the beauty of the sunset here.
FacilitiesFrom the parking lot leading to the temple area met many art shops and cafes to eat or just a tavern. Also available is a toilet cleaner that the rent is pretty cheap for domestic tourists bag though.
Hari RayaOdalan or feast at the temple is celebrated every 210 days, just like to pretend the other. The fall close to the celebration of Galungan and Kuningan is precisely on Holy Days Cemeng Langkir Buda. At that time, people who pray will pray at the temple is crowded.

Pantai Kuta (Kuta Beach)

Pantai Kuta Bali is a day-tripper atom amid in the south of Denpasar, the basic of Bali, Indonesia. Kuta is amid in Badung. This breadth is a day-tripper destination abroad, and has become a mainstay day-tripper island of Bali back the aboriginal 70's. Kuta Bank is generally referred to as dusk bank (sunset beach) as against to the Sanur beach

Kuta became known when the merchants from Denmark to open trade representative office here. Trading relationship that exists between the trade representative with the original native population and then develop very rapidly.
Start in 1930 a married couple from California Americans are very impressed with the beauty of Kuta beach, who was totally unspoiled human intervention, the alias is still natural. Kuta Beach Hotel is the first hotel that stands in the region, but unfortunately have to be closed because the Japanese army invaded the island of Bali at the time. In 1960 when many Australian tourists who had a stopover in Bali for a trip to Europe, Kuta started getting known again. In the process, the more interesting areas of Kuta tourist visits not only from Australia, but also from various parts of the world.

Quickly stand various hotels along the Kuta beach area. Usually the hotels  of this area are international standard, or at least an international hotel group. Starting from the beginning  of Kuta Beach :  Inna Kuta Beach Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Mercure Hotel, etc.. Also stands a very comfortable inn boutique style resort that is Alam Kulkul Boutique and Resort.
Busiest time at Kuta beach is in the evening or during sunset. All whether foreign or local tourist gathered into one here. Moreover, there are special moments in the country such as school holidays, Idul Fitri holidays or New Year holiday, we can be sure the crowd was getting there.

In the Kuta beach, visitors can make surfing, playing soccer, flying kites, just lying on the warm beach sand, or wash the eyes of Western tourists watched the sun. If interested in the services ponytail hair or temporary tattoo, it can also be obtained at this beach.