Gitgit Waterfall

Gitgit Waterfall, Places of Interest in North BaliGitgit Waterfall is a beautiful tourist destination in north part of Bali. Gitgit waterfall is located in the plateau area with the height about 35 meters and it is surrounded by tropical tree and emits the constantly natural water debit during the year. Waterfall voice around the charming nature was amazing and it was the separate attraction which can be enjoyed by each visitor who comes to visit. There are some plantations protecting the rain forest around the waterfall and in this place we often met the wild monkey to get the water from this waterfall.

Places of interest in Bali, Gitgit WaterfallGitgit Waterfall is one of the famous tourist destinations in Bali which is located in Gitgit countryside, Sukasada sub district and about 10 Km from Singaraja Town or about 70 Km from Denpasar. It is set at height land about 300 meters above sea level. Beside of Gitgit, there is another important spot point like the monument for hero struggle of Singaraja resident who dead on the battle against the Dutch colonialist. This monument is called Bhuwana Pangkung Bangka. This Monument is extant monument and idol of people struggle action against the Dutch colonization. This monument is located in Gitgit countryside and Sukasada sub district and about 17 Km from Singaraja Town . It is situated on the hill bank. The facilities are available at Gitgit Waterfall is consisted of the parking area, restaurant and art shop. It is not far from the waterfall place, there is a place for taking a rest while enjoy the beauty panorama of rice terrace and Buleleng Beach. In order to visit the Gitgit waterfall, all visitors will follow the walkway down until the spot point. This road is one of the omissions in Dutch era where the local resident uses it to access other regions. On 1975, this waterfall is opened as tourist destinations in north part of Bali

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NGURAH RAI AIRPORT GUIDE

Airport Name
Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar)

Airport Location
The airport is located in southern Bali, 9 miles from Denpasar.

Terminals : 2

Airport Overview
Indonesia’s third-busiest airport (after Jakarta and Surabaya), Ngurah Rai is situated in Bali near the town of Denpasar and is also known as Bali International Airport. Almost 30 airlines use the airport, flying to destinations in Europe, the United States and worldwide. The airport is a major arrival point for tourists visiting South Bali

Terminal Transfer
The two terminals are within walking distance of each other.

Getting into Town

Taxi: If requiring a taxi, it is advisable to use the pre-paid Airport Taxi Service, which is located to the left of the terminal exit. Prices for this service are fixed (passengers can purchase a coupon at the desk in Arrivals), whereas other taxi drivers tend to haggle; passengers should insist that a meter is used. Prices for the airport taxis are displayed outside the terminal buildings and give passengers a rough indication of how much to expect to pay for a taxi hailed on the street.

Bus: Buses run frequently between Tegal bus station in Denpasar and the airport (journey time: 50 minutes). Passengers can also travel by bemo (a chartered vehicle with driver which can carry up to ten people). Bemos have to pay a fee to enter the airport grounds, so it is often cheaper to walk outside the airport gates and wait. Bemos wait in an area located to the left of the airport gates.

Car Parking

There is space for 2,000 cars in one large parking lot, located next to the airport’s terminal buildings.

Information Desks

There are information desks (tel: +62 (0)361 751 011, ext. 1313 and 1314) located in both terminals. Tourist information and hotel reservation are available in International Arrivals.

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: There are banks and bureau de change in both terminals. The post office is located near the Domestic Departures area. Telephones are located throughout the airport.

Eating and drinking: Restaurants and cafeterias are generally open from 6am-last flight in both International and Domestic Departures areas.

Shopping: The airport has a variety of shops, including duty-free in the Plaza Bali outlet in International Departures.

Luggage: There is a baggage storage counter next to the International Departures Terminal entrance.

Other facilities: There is a pharmacy and an observation gallery on the third floor.

Airport Hotels

There are no hotels within the airport grounds. There are, however, a number of three and four-star hotels located in the Tuban resort area, less than five minutes’ drive from the airport. The Kartika Plaza Beach Hotel (tel: +62 (0)361 751 067) and Holiday Inn Resort Balihai (tel: +62 (0)361 753 035) are both less than five minutes’ drive from the airport. The Karthi Hotel (tel: +62 (0)361 754 810) offers a free transfer bus from the airport to the hotel. A hotel reservation service is available in International Arrivals (tel: +62 (0)361 751 011 ext. 1154 International Terminal or 1147 Domestic Terminal). Some hotels provide a courtesy shuttle service to/from the airport.

Airport Disabled Facilities

Wheelchairs, elevators and assistance are available; passengers requiring special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel.

Airport Conference and Business Facilities

Citibank operates executive lounges in both terminals for Citibank cardholders; free for Gold and Platinum cardholders. There is an executive lounge on the third floor of the International Terminal, with Internet access and showers. The nearby Kartika Plaza Beach Hotel (tel: +62 (0)361 751 067) has conference facilities, with a variety of rooms, including the Kharisma Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Secretarial support and catering are available and equipment can be rented. Also located close to the airport, the Holiday Inn Resort Balihai (tel: +62 (0)361 753 035) offers meeting rooms and conference facilities, accommodating up to 300, with audiovisual equipment to rent. The hotel also has a business center and secretarial services

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TAMPAKSIRING PALACE

Tampaksiring Presidential Palace is situated approximately 700 meters above sea level, located on the hills in Tampaksiring Village, Tampaksiring Sub District, Gianyar Regency, Bali. The palace is the one and only palace constructed at the time when the Indonesian Government rules (1957 – 1960). Initiated by the first President of Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, the palace was built by a hundred percent Indonesian architects and constructors.

The name, Tampaksiring, is taken from two Balinese words. “Tampak” means sole of foot and “siring” means slanting. According to a legend recorded on Usana Bali lontar leaf (lontar leaf was used as paper in ancient time), the name was originally rooted from the trace of feet of a king named Mayadenawa. The forest roamed through by King Mayadewa by walking with slanting feet is the area now called Tampaksiring (slanting sole).

Tampaksiring was constructed gradually, the architect was R.M. Soedarsono. The first buildings to be built were Merdeka House and Yudhistira House in 1957 and the construction was completed in 1963. Furthermore, to accommodate the XIV ASEAN Summit in Bali on 7 – 8 October 2003, a new building was built and Balai (a conference room) Wantilan was renovated, a new entrance building accompanied by Bentar Temple, Kori Agung, parking lot as well as Balai Bengong were also constructed.

Tampaksiring Palace does not only function as a place to convene state or governmental events which include the presence of the president or the vice president, but also serves as a resting house for the president, the vice president and their family. Among various state guests recorded to have visited tha palace were President Ne Win from Burma (presently Myanmar), President Tito from Yugoslavia, President Ho Chi Minh from Vietnam, Prime Minister Nehru from India, Prime Minister Khruschev from the Uni Soviet, Queen Juliana from the Netherlands and Emperor Hirohito from Japan.

Presently, the complex of Tampaksiring Presidential Palace consists of five main buildings and one “pendapa” (hall). Two of the main buildings are called Merdeka House (1,200 meters per square) and Negara House (1,476 meters per square), separated by two slopes around 15 meters deep but connected by a 40 meters bridge, the other three main buildings are called Yudhistira House, Bima House, a conference room as well as Balai Wantilan.

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Bali Barat National Park

Bali Barat National Park comprises mangrove forest, coastal forest, monsoon forest, lowland rain forest, savanna and seagrass vegetation types, coral reefs, sandy beaches, and both shallow and deep sea waters.

This Park has 175 species of plant, 14 of which are endangered species like bayur (Pterospermum javanicum), ketangi (Lagerstroemia speciosa), burahol (Stelechocarpus burahol), cendana, or sandalwood (Santalum album), and sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia).

As well as the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), an endangered and endemic species, the Park also has other birds such as the black-winged starling (Sturnus melanopterus), yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), and black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus).
Among the animals to be found here are banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak nainggolani), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), pangolin (Manis javanica), southeast Asian porcupine (Hystrix brachyura brachyura), and lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus javanicus).

The sea biota inhabiting the waters around Menjangan Island and Tanjung Gelap comprise some 45 species of coral including Halimeda macroloba, Chromis spp., Balistes spp., Zebrasoma spp., and Ypsiscarus ovifrons; 32 species of fish including pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus), rabbitfish (Siganus sp.), and barracuda (Sphyraena sp.); and nine species of sea mollusc such as the southern giant clam (Tridacna derasa), trumpet triton (Charonia tritonis), and large claw mussel (Tridacna gigas).

Burung Jalak Bali (Leucopsar rothschildi)

The Bali starling, the mascot of the Park, loves a clean habitat and has a short flying range. Being easy to catch, this species needs special care and protection to safeguard its decreasing population.

Interesting locations/attractions:

Kapal: diving and snorkelling. A shipwreck forms a haven for several coral species, one of which is Acrophora sp. which has a diameter of 75 cm.
Menjangan Island, Pos Satu, Pos Dua and Tanjung Gelap: diving and snorkelling.
Krepyak and Sumberrejo: animal observation.
Lintas Laut Monument and Makam Jayaprana: sites of cultural interest.

Cultural attractions outside the Park include Mekepung, Kendang Mebarung and Jegog which are held in Negara during September and October.

Best time of year to visit: August to December.

How to reach the Park: from Denpasar, or from Gilimanuk: Gilimanuk-Negara-Cekik by car (43.3 km); or Singaraja-Sirinit-Cekik by car (85 km).


Snorkeling in Menjangan island

Office: Kantor Pos Gilimanuk
Cekik 82253, Bali
Tel. : +62-365-61060 or 61173
E-mail: tnbb@telkom.net

Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK.No.493/Kpts-II/95,
a total area of 19,002.89 hectares
Location : Regencies ; Buleleng, Jembrana (Province of Bali)

Temperature 33° C (on average)
Rainfall 972 - 1,550 mm/year
Altitude 0 - 1,414 m asl.
Geographical location 114°25' - 114°34' E; 8°05' - 8°15' S

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THINGS TO DO IN NUSA LEMBONGAN

Biking and Walking around Lembongan

The island is a great place for biking, as there are not many other vehicles and only a few steep spots to test your stamina or your rented bike’s brakes. Travelers with sensitive rear ends – the local push bikes are not too comfortable – can circle the island on foot in about two hours. However, it is better to allow for at least half a day, taking time to enjoy various places of interest.

Desa Lembongan – with its huge banyan tree and its colorful temples.

Gala gala underground house

Gala gala Underground House
located down a small lane off the main road, on the right in the descent towards the Ceningan bridge and it wide enough for motorbike access. Leading up to the entrance of this unique compound there is a collection of art stalls selling an array of local souvenirs such as shorts, sarongs and handicrafts. built by Made Byasa between 1961 -1976. The house was built underground using only a hammer, chisel and intuition as guidance. It took 15 years to complete this incredible labyrinth, which includes a bedroom, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and sacred meditation room.

Seaweed Farmer Carrying his Crop on Nusa Lembongan - Bali, Indonesia

Seaweed farms
From Lembongan Village, turn left (westwards) and follows the road down to the coast, where you can stop and have a look at the mosaic of green and blue seaweed farms, separated by little posts and ropes on which algae are tied up to grow. Since the mid-1980s, nearly all the community lives off seaweeds, which are exported to the rest of Asia for the cosmetic and food industry. Every household can make one to two million rupiah a month from the red and green algae – just enough to survive on these islands, where everything has to be brought from the main land at high cost.

Rent motorbike for the day to try and find our perfect beaches. Went around the entire island, saw about different beaches, Nusa Ceningan island is good view to see, Dream beach is nice for relax with a great bar / cafe, Mushroom beach is also nice and snorkeling is ok too.

Swinging Bridge
The recently built suspension bridge between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan connects the two islands and allows the visitors to easily access each island. This narrow and swinging bridge only allows access on foot, by bicycle or motorcycle and it is unsuitable for cars.

Nusa Ceningan
Nusa Cening is the smallest of the three islands and rarely visited. From the southern end of Lembongan, you can cross over on a suspended bridge to Nusa Ceningan. Circle around this small island and climb to its top to admire the views of Lembongan and Penida. Surrounded by crystal clear water, hosting colorful coral and sea creatures, make it an ideal spot for snorkeling or any other sport activities.

Dream Beach

Dream beach:
Dream Beach on the south coast, for natural wonders is a wonderful hidden beach area with white-sand beach. To get there, turning right to the south at the entrance of Lembongan. Its fierce waves are not ideal for swimming, but you can still take a refreshing swim, but please pay ATTENTION to the strong current, especially when it is high tide and there are big waves. you are only aloud in the middle of the beach where you can see like a white line of sand in the water. Never go close to the cliffs of the left side! At high tide, the current may be a bit too strong for small children.

There is a restaurant here, and it is the source of entrance to the beach. You can watch the sunset from the upper floor of the restaurant.

Mushroom Beach from both side

Mushroom Beach
One of the nicer beaches on Nusa Lembongan is Mushroom Beach. This gorgeous beach, unofficially named for the mushroom corals offshore. This beach provides you with
post card white, sandy beaches. There are 2 Mushroom Beaches to say, and even though they are one next to the other, there is a difference. There is the more isolated one, with its casual visitors, and the more populated one with some upscale hotels.

There is some coral, which is sharper than the coral that you find in Bali. So make sure you bring the rubber shoes if you plan to do some walking at low tide. But swimming is possible at this beach.

Mushroom Bay is a well-known spot for surfing with elegant wave for begginers to professional surfers. This location is safe for water sport with white sandy beach close to the wave. Other surfing areas closes to mushroom Bay - Ship Wreck, Batumelawang (Sacred Point ), and Play Groubd ( Song Lambung Bay )

There is transportation from Bali, directly to this beach, but you need to be sure by asking that it will drop you off here.

Mangrove Park

Mangrove Park
Take a tour through the mangroves in a sampan-style boat. Explore and experience an extreme quietness of mangrove park by sailing small 'jukung'. You will have an unforgettable impression to see colorful and unique mud crabs and if you are inclined, catch some for delicious meal. Along the tracing of the park you are welcome with various sound of birds and do not forget to take photo of many wild life in this area.

Wood Carvings
At Nusa Lembongan, continue towards the north on the flat, peaceful coast road along the mangrove. On your way, stop at a little house with a sign saying “Wood Carving”. The friendly artist, and old man with gleaming eyes, will proudly show you his collection of unique pieces, carved from pieces of wood collected in the roots of the mangrove. From his house, it’s another 30 minutes of pedaling back to Jungutbatu through dense coastal vegetation.

Pura Puncak Sari
This temple is located on top of hill, and overlooks the Indian Ocean as well as neighboring islands - Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. Hike to this area and enjoy the natural panorama surrounding it.

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NUSA LEMBONGAN ISLAND

Nusa Lembongan - between Bali and Nusa Penida - Lombok

Squatting like a serene Buddha in the Badung strait, Nusa Lembongan sits smack-bang on the "Wallace line" between Bali and Lombok. Part of neither Asia nor Australia/Pacific the island eschews the tourist-driven advances of its neighbors in favour of simple seaweed harvesting and a more relaxed pace - where the fastest ride you're likely to catch is on the crest of a wave.

Nusa Lembongan is a small island between Bali and Nusa Penida in the Badung Strait. It is situated 12 miles south east of Bali, the perfect holiday hideaway with few visitors and pristine un-spoilt beaches. It is one hour travelling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef and the waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco- system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato crops, and fishing.


Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island thirty years ago. The unspoilt and relaxed atmosphere of the island has been maintained and is the islands greatest asset. It's still a basic place, but interesting, and there are some lovely places to stay. Although the island is small there are still things to do.

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BALI - WAVELENGTH

Photo: Surfing at Canggu Beach

Spot Check Canggu

In the days when asphalt roads was as rare as Range Rovers in the beach side resort of Kuta, the road to Canggu was... well.. sand. In other words, you just pointed your trust old motorbike towards the beach and when you hit the sand you turned right, then drove along for 15 or 20 minutes, crossing a few small rivers on the way, until you came to a small hill with a temple on it. Walking up this hill and then looking out at the bright blue water, you'd wait for a few seconds before spotting what you were looking for; a spiralling lefthander winding its way onto the beach. And yes, I did say lefthander.

When someone today mentions Canggu as a surf destination, it's because it's one of the few righthand waves on the west coast of Bali, which gives the natural footers a chance to surf on their frontside as a change from the plethora of lefts that start from Uluwatu in the south and continue up to Medewi in the north. But according to one of Bali's legend surfers, Bali Barrel owner Ketut Menda, the left in front of the temple was the original "Canggu". It was only after it began to become popular that the right started to get some attention, and now most just say Canggu to mean the destination, not the wave itself.

Menda credits Australian ex-pat David Wyllie as being the first to surf Canggu. It was in 1979 thatr the fourteen-year-old Meda hopped on the back of Wyllie's motorbike with a surfboard tucked under each arm and together they headed up the beach from Wyllie's place in what's now Seminyak to the black lava breaks of Canggu. None of the Balinese had ever surfed there before, and Menda recalls, "when we got there the surf was pretty big, and I was just used to surfing the beach in Kuta, but here was a real reef break so I was a bit scared to go out. But I paddled out on my single fin and got a couple of waves before coming in." After that initial surf, he would take every chance he got go go there again, sometimes staying at Wyllie's house at night to get an early start in the morning, much preferring the more powerful reef waves to the sandy bottom beachbreaks of Kuta. Soon Manda was guiding others up to enjoy thise newfound wave, and in 1981 a local by the name of Ketut Sudarma built a small warung, seeing the opportunity to give the boys somewhere to get a drink and some food so they wouldn't have to pack it in each time by themselves.

Over the next few years the likes of Tom Carroll, Mark RIchards, Shane Horan, and Brad Gerlach all surfed at Canggu, likening it to Velzlyland on the North Shore of Hawaii. Then in 1985 Canggu played host to its first surf contest, Rivoli was the name, sponsored by Pak Kaded and some Japanese friends. And who fo you suppose was the winner? Ketut Menda of course. Local knowledge, you understand.

And that was the beginning that led to the now. First a couple of warungs, then road access, a homestay or two pops up. then ex-pat villas being built, more surf contest, and before you know it Canggu has been well and truly exposed to the worldwide surfing audience. Photos and videos of Andy Irons and his brother Bruce, Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Bobby Martinez and really most of the top professional surfers in the world sampling Canggu's tasty treats can be found at will.

But it's not just for the pros now is it? Of course not. Depending upon the season, swell direction and tide, you may have the choice of four waves; the original left in front of the temple, the sand bar just to the north which gives up rights and lefts, the righthander in front of the rivermouth, and then the peaky wave in front of the Pererenan road that can go right and left. Unlike the reefs at the Kukit like Uluwatu and Bingin for example, Canggu is quite user friendly for the average surfer, who would have a hard time getting him or herself raked across razor sharp coral and coming back to the beach with a cheese grated back.

Canggu does hold waves for most of the year, but is best in the morning hours and in all but the dead of rainy season, when at times the wind howls down from the north and blows it into a frothy cauldron a la "victory at sea". But there is nothing like rocking up to Canggu in the morning as the sun is just peeking up over the rice frields to the east and lighting up the lip of a nice barrel or the long steep wall of a perfectly peeling wave to get you frothing, and keep you making the now (much easier) trek up from Kuta by road... even though you gotta wish it was like when Menda and Wyllie cruised up the beach on their motorbike back in those days when surfing in Bali was still young.

By: helloBali

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Bali International and Domestic Airport

Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Bali’s International and Domestic airport, Ngurah Rai International Airport, is located in the southern part of Bali, in the Tuban/Jimbaran area, just a few kilometers south of Kuta. Commonly called Denpasar Airport, the airport caters to many airlines for flights throughout Indonesia, Asia, Australia, with connections through to Europe and America. Current requirements for checking for departures are two hours for International Departures and one hour for Domestic Departures. The International Terminal has many shops, cafes, restaurants and duty free shops, where last minute souvenirs and momentos can be bought. The airport is non-smoking, but a smoking room is available.

Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

The Departure Tax

The current departure tax charge Rp. 150,000 (US$16.30) took effect from November 1, 2007, and is an increase from the former charge of Rp. 100,000 (US$10.86). Note the Visa on arrival costs $25 US per person for up to 30 days - if you stay more than 7 days (only $10 pp) counting the day of arrival and departure.

The Transfer

> The car rental
Bali is ideally suited for a self-drive holiday. Not only are roads well maintained, clearly signposted and light on traffic, but also there are no great distances to cover and petrol is cheap. Best of all, the scenery is superb.

For our money, no Bali-based car hire company offers a more professional, friendly or responsive service – or better terms – than Trac-Astra Rent A Car. Not only are the rates super reasonable for the fleet of late model and tip-top condition vehicles but also you’ll be relieved to know that in the unhappy event of an accident, TRAC will replace your car immediately. Best of all, your liability is capped at just Rp. 250,000 (US$26.15) with third party insurance up Rp. 50,000,000 (US$5,230).

For enquiries of any kind, the TRAC-Customer Assistance Center (021-570-5454) is open 24-7. If you’re still a little anxious about navigating Bali’s unfamiliar roads, TRAC provides a professional chauffeur for an additional fee. TRAC operates a nationwide reservation system (0807-100-TRAC/8722) or you can arrange a car at the well-placed TRAC counters at either International or Domestic Arrivals.

> Taxi
If requiring a taxi, it’s advisable to use the pre-paid Airport Taxi Service, which is located to the left of the terminal exit. Prices for this service are fixed (passengers can purchase a coupon at the desk in Arrivals), whereas other taxi drives tend to haggle. You should insist that a meter is used. Prices for the airport taxis are displayed outside the terminal buildings and give passengers a rough indication of how much to expect to pay for a taxi hailed on the street. The present price for transit to Kuta is around Rp. 5,000 (US$0.52)

> The bus
Buses run frequently between Tegal bus station in Denpasar and the airport (journey time: 50 minutes).

> The bemo
Passengers can also travel by bemo (a chartered vehicle with driver which can carry up to ten people). Bemos have to pay a fee to enter the airport grounds, so it is often cheaper to walk outside the airport gates and wait. Bemos wait in an area located to the left of the airport gates.

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Bedugul- Bali's Highlands

Bedugul, in Bali’s cool highlands, is more than a destination; it’s a state of mind

A trip to the three great lakes of Bedugul, in the cool highlands of central Bali, is highly recommended as a welcome escape from the motor-mayhem of Kuta. As the road climbs in giddying leaps around the hillsides, the air becomes chiller. Eventually you reach the serene Lake Bratan. Even the swirling mists can’t hide the Lake’s primordial beauty, wrapped as if in different directions by clouds and lotuses.

Pura Ulun Danu, Bratan Lake, Bali

Nothing in Bali is meant to stand out, but the lakeside temple Pura Ulan Danu Bratan does: its thatched roofs starkly punctuating the sky in a near-perfect juxtaposition of space, water and brick. The best time to take in the spectacle is early morning, as the rising sun dyes the lake purple, then crimson, then orange, and then finally the sun breaks out, gilding the temple towers with a gleaming radiance that seems to betoken the re-creation of the world.

Lakes Buyan and Tambelingan are much larger than the more developed Lake Bratan. Seen from above, they resemble a pair of spectacles, with a narrow channel connecting the two ‘lenses’. The road is a fantastic construction, running all the way along a high ridge to the north of the lakes. Right atop the saddle, with superb views over the two lakes, is the Puncak Bagus Coffee Shop, serving a mean brew made from locally grown beans.

On the shore of Lake Tamblingan – reached by a fair-to-atrocious side-road – a team of villagers under the direction of village chief is hard at work restoring the ancient temple Pura Gubug. Thatch is made from the leaves of the palm-sugar tree, the strands being soaked, coaxed into submission, then cut to size. The whole reconstruction is a huge operation, but a task that the villages are doing out of sheer devotion.

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Ubud - Bali - Indonesia

Rice terrace in Ubud, Bali

But, Bali is so much more than beaches. It’s emerald-green rice terraces dotting lush interior landscapes of mysterious, monkey-filled forests. We have one question: Could anywhere on God’s green earth be greener than Ubud?

Rice terrace in Ubud, Bali

While it seems clear that the Balinese are only too happy to cater to the whims of the international traveler – their reputation for service certainly proceeds them – what stays with you is how, apparently without effort, they manage to remain so true to themselves, and their own unique way of life where everyday tasks, art, and religion all merge together.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the verdant foothills of central Bali. This is Ubud. Ubud can be described as a magical, wonderful, cultural center and the spread of workshops along the main roads in and out of town. And could anywhere on God’s green earth be this green? From the fluroscent emerald flash of young rice fields to the thick curtains of foliage that drape across the landscape, only greener for the scarlet accents of ginger and hibiscus. Anything that begins as another color be it brick wall or pebble pathway, soon becomes green with shaggy moss. Even the air seems to possess a pale green cast, as the moisture suspended in it picks up the pervasive glow of the verdure.

Magic is one of those words that travel writers’ overuse with alarming alacrity, but undeniably there’s a kind of magic here. When Balinese people lose something, they consult a balian a benign sort of sorcerer, who tells them where they’ll find it. Balians can interpret dreams, cure sickness, go into trances and speak in the voices of ancestors. And magic, in the form of the island’s unique religion, a blend of Hinduism and nature worship, is at the core of Bali’s arts, underlying the aesthetic everywhere.

The Ubud painting style is influenced by the early western artists the lived in the area.This is one of the most expressionist of all the Balinese painting styles

Ubud is almost always referred to as Bali’s cultural heart, and with good reason. Galleries are, almost literally, on every corner. Someone once said that every Balinese is an artist, and no matter how they choose the express their art, be it painting, stone or wood carving, weaving or dance, a real sense of beauty permeates the air.

Kecak dance in Ubud

As a center of the arts, Ubud is famous for it's regularly nightly traditional dance and shaddow puppet performances, which are part of the traditional culture and are arranged for tourists on a regular schedule and plenty of spas for resynchronizing your healing chakras. Ubud is generally quieter and the streets calmer than the more urbanised parts of Bali, and whilst traffic is slower than downtown Kuta. Central Ubud can be covered on foot, but you'll need wheels to explore the extended vicinity. The easiest option is to join a tour, or just charter a taxi/bemo for a few hours. You should not be surprised to run into a foreigner who happens to be living in Ubud, meditating or soul searching for his next book or poetry collection. Most hotels in Ubud are small, homely hotels and homestays that will provide you with a room that faces the ricefields with bird sonatas togently wake you in the morning.

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Best Bali Beaches

There’s a postcard-perfect picture of a palm-fringed, long, white sandy beach drifting around in your head. You know the one: lapped by warm, sparkling azure waters under a pale blue sky. Yes, that’s the one. For generations of travelers, a summer holiday has been synonymous with one thing – beaches and, boy, does Bali’s impossibly sun-splashed coastline dazzle.

* Best All-Round Beach
Bali’s longest, liveliest, certainly least traditional, but possibly most beautiful, beach is Kuta in the south. Discovered in the sixties by Aussie surfers, swarmed by backpackers in the seventies, and a major international destination for package tourists before, and perhaps a year after, the October 2002 bombing, the gentle curve of golden sand stretches from the airport in Tuban over main Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan all the way to Canggu. The great breaks make Kuta a real draw card for surfers, but rather less of one for swimmers, who are faced with a strong undertow. Nevertheless, the main Kuta beach is as srowded as it gets in Bali, especially at sunset. Seminyak and Legian offer a welcome respite from the crowds, while Tuban, home to Bali’s popular waterpark, Waterbom, is perfect for the family.

* Best Beach for Seafood
On the other side of the airport to the south, the beach is just as fine and white as Kuta but the tranquil water at Jimbaran, a sleepy cove where fleets of fishing boats dot the ocean, is perfect for swimming. Jimbaran is the narrow neck of the island and so boasts two remarkably different beaches. On the east, the beach faces the body of water sheltered by Benoa Harbor, one of Bali’s main ports, while on the west, Jimbaran beach faces Jimbaran Bay and luxury resorts such as The Four Seasons and Bali Intercontinental. Nearby, as night falls, candle-lit tables appear along the beach and the tang of the cool ocean breeze mixes with the aroma of grilled seafood that’s reasonably prices, absolutely fresh and just plain delicious.

* Best Wild Beach
Further south, on the Bukit Peninsula, the beaches give way to dramatic limestone cliffs and remote, wilder beaches. From Balungan to Uluwatu and, our pick, Dreamland, Bingin, Impossibles and Padang Padang in between, the waters are better left to experienced surfers since the sneaky riptides can take swimmers far out to sea.

* Best Surfing Beach
Most surfers would probably pick Uluwatu, but we’re fond of another Bukit wave, Padang Padang, often referred to as the ‘Balinese pipeline’ for its constant and perfect tubes that some say are reminiscent of Hawaii’s famous Banzai pipeline. It’s an intense left-hand break that wraps around the headland like an unfurled Oriental fan that produces a forever barreling surfing wave.

* Best Family Beach
The coastline changes dramatically back to white sane beaches and towering coconut trees at Nusa Dua, Bali’s most exclusive enclave. It’s home to many of the island’s most luxurious resorts and just the place to unwind with the family. The private beaches of the resorts dominate and there is only limited access for non-staying guests, but if you can afford it, the protected lagoon is perfect for families, offering ideal swimming conditions for the kids, while you peacefully soak in the sun. Better yet, all of the resorts cater to the kids in a big way, so they’ll be entertained with plenty of activities all day, on and off the beach.

* Best Beach for Water Sports
North above Nusa Dua, five kilometer-long Tanjung Benoa, home to deluxe Conrad Bali Resort & Spa, offers unimpeded views of the Nusa Penida cliffs across the Badung Strait. It’s another gorgeous Bali beach with golden sand, towering coconut trees; the whole nine yards. But for those who feel the need for a little speed, this is place. Water sports rule with jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, and glass bottom boats bringing up the rear.

* Best Walking Beach
Further north, a reef just off the coast ensures calm water along Sanur’s golden mile of beachside resorts. Great for swimming, snorkeling, water sports and our choice for just strolling along the beach. The area between Grand Bali Beach hotel and Bali Hyatt is accessible via a beach path. Non-guests can rent sun-loungers for a small fee.

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BALI CULTURE

Procession: A jovial group of gaily clad Balinese women head to the temple with offerings of fruit piled high above their heads.

Bali brims with a ceremonial splendor that never fails to mesmerize the traveler. The Balinese take pride in their religious festivals and really go the extra mile in holding each event. The biggest Hindu celebrations, Galungan and Kuningan, happen 10 days apart every 210 days and commemorate the creation of the world. At this spirits are believed to descend upon the island, and believers make merry by holding numerous feasts and grand processions. Among the lesser festivals, Melasti is a somber purification rite held before Nyepi (the day of silence), while Hari Raya Saraswati sees processions and mass exorcisms enacted in honor of the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati.

Picture: Kecak Dance

No Balinese festival is complete without the performance of traditional dances, which are best enjoyed after the sun goes down. In Ubud, the island’s cultural heartland, the Legong, Ramayana, and Kecak are performed nightly in and around town, the most accessible venue being the Puri Saren Agung (Ubud Palace) on the main road. Head to the nearby Agung Rai Museum of Art for renditions of the famous Legong and Baris dances every Saturday night. The center also runs two-week gamelan courses, which are open to all levels of experience.

Picture: Legong Dance

Alternatively, if you fancy an after-dinner performance, the Oberoi Resort in Seminyak is recommended for its beautiful beachfront setting, showing classical dance on Tuesdays and Ramayana epics on Thursdays. The Yayasan Polos Seni (Foundation for Pure Art) in Klungkung offers Balinese dance and music classes for those wishing to try out the moves for themselves.

Picture: Puppet show

Apart from music and dancing, puppet shows are popular nighttime draw in Ubud: make your way to Oka Kartini to catch a wayang kulit play, where painted and gilded leather puppets enact stories full of myths and legends of the spirit world. Plays can go on for several hours, sometimes ending in the early hours of morning. Another exciting way to experience Ubud is by visiting the smaller villages around it: here, one can find groups of artisan families that have kept traditional Balinese arts alive for many generations.

In recent times, Bali has also been harboring a love for the more contemporary arts scene: the Bali Arts Festival and Bali Nusa Dua Festival are some of the large-scale events that have brought major international attention to the island. And each year in October, the Ubud Readers and writers Festival sees world-famous authors gathering in the magical setting of upcountry Bali for a series of workshops, discussions, and recitals.

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BALI TOURIST AREAS AND SIGHTS

When it comes to tropical getaways, Bali is definitely a prime destination. Brimming with thousands of temples, sparkling beaches, and endless shopping experiences, the island has always been the perfect playground for paradise-seekers. And when the night closes in, watch the dazzling sunset as rolling waves come crashing onto shore. Here, on the island of the Gods, infinite pleasures await at every turn.

Nusa Dua Beach

A dreamland of prime luxury hotels amids white sand beaches lined with coconut palms, some of which have private beache. Just to the north on Benoa beach, watch Bali's parasailers while enjoying the mild ocean breeze. This area is a swimmers haven as the waters, are tranquil and clean.
Nusa Dua Beaches although good for some watersports such as :
Surfing: The southern coast of the Bukit, just a few kilometres from Nusa Dua, is a surfer's paradise. These reef breaks are best off-season - November to April. Fast, exciting, and dangerous.
Diving: Good sites for beginners or refresher dives. Take a boat a few hundred meters, and the majority of marine life can be seen around 8 - 10m. Visibility, generally 8 - 12m
Other Water Sports: Jet Skiing, Fishing, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling are all available at most resorts within Nusa Dua, and just ten minutes drive from Nusa Dua, at Tanjung Benoa, can be found many water sports companies offering parasailing, windsurfing, water-skiing snorkeling and diving.

Sanur Beach
Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Here the water is calm due to a fringing reef, which provides anther diversion for snorkellers and swimmers. A stone's throw away from Sanur's golden mile of beachside hotels lies a string of ancient temples. Many hotels have expansive gardens that face the ocean in a picturesque unbroken seaside promenade. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as we jog along the white sandy beach. Nightlife in Sanur is pretty relaxed. It starts and finishes earlier than in Kuta. Most restaurants fill up early in the evening and apart from a few bars and the disco, generally wind up around midnight.

Kuta Beach
The popular beach in Bali - a golden shore pounded by surfable waves. Attracts foreign and local water sport enthusiasts and sun worshipers. Local vendors hum with activity, while solitude seekers relax in uncrowded parts of the beach and provide a relaxing massage for a reasonable fee.Kuta faces the West, offering beautiful sunsets.
Beside watching sunsets and surf, the other things that you may see or do here are:
Shopping: There are many souvenir shops along Kuta that offering you many kind of Balinese souvenir, starting from clothes, paintings, handicrafts, wooden crafts, etc.
Bali Dance: Watching performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists and anywhere else in Bali and some of them are staged nightly.
Dining Guide: There are various foreign and local restaurants that offering international and local foods. These restaurants are available along Kuta. If you're looking by night, various foreign and locally restaurant, clubs, pubs and bars start to fire up.

Lovina Beach
A quiet budget resort on the north coast. Grapes are grown on trellises here and the sea is usually calm. Outriggers can be hired to visit the offshore island. Tranquility, incredible under water world and popular attraction is the dolphin watching. A small traditional boat called, jukung, may be hired from the villagers in the morning to bring us off shore to meet these smart and cute creatures. According to the news, theres about 500 - 1000 dolphins here in Lovina Beach

Jimbaran Beach
Gentle tides, dramatic sunsets, fine seafood restaurants. Located just at the south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach is cluttered with hotels from inexpensive homestays to five stars hotels. It is widely known for the fresh seafood kiosks that litter the beach. No watersports available on the beach although some may be arranged with the hotels who provide equipment and boats for snorkeling trips and sea canoe excursions.

Tuban
Near the airport, this beach resort features a tranquil atmosphere. A main attraction is Waterbom Park, a complex of water slides.

Candi Dasa
In eastern Bali, this newly developed area rings life to a former small village. A quiet, laid-back atmosphere gives quick access to a number of sights. It was a calm small fishing village, but since five years ago, it built with a dozen of losmen (house to stay), hotels and restaurants, and many travelers prefer Candidasa, calmer than Kuta, cheaper than Sanur, and the best place to stay and to explore the oriental part of Bali. It is especially popular among the submarines but the main problem is the beach has erosion as quickly as the new hotels were built.

Ubud
Once a sleepy village, Ubud is a mecca for seekers of the "real" Bali. Located in the cool mountains, just one hour's drive north of the airport and the resorts of southern Bali, this traditional country town is the home of the Balinese Royal family. See the full range of Balinese handicrafts, and watch traditional Balinese dances. Walk through deep valleys and rice paddies among the birds and ducks.


Denpasar
Capital of Bali, although the modern centre of government departments, international banks, and many other offices, it still retains its unique Balinese personality. This sprawling town has an interesting museum, shops and art galleries.

Kintamani
Bali's own "drive-in" volcano, with spectacular views of misty lake Batur nestling below. Tour to Kintamani is a very impressive experience where Kintamani Area have very beautiful panorama located in plateau and also encircled by mountain atmosphere with the windblast from Mount Batur. Carpet of Batur Lake seen far below and also there are local resident house beside of Batur Lake. Beside of that, Mount Batur which to date still be active growing its beautiful for Kintamani Area.


Balinese Temples and Other Sights:

The pura or temple is the center of Balinese worship, ritual and devotion, so be respectful whenever you enter. It is appropriate to put a bright yellow sash around the waist, and for men to wear either long pants or a sarong. Be prepared to make a nominal contribution toward the temple upkeep. For a fee, English-speaking native guides will be glad to give you a tour of the temple grounds.

Besakih
Besakih is the biggest and holiest of all the Balinese temples, known as the "mother temple" or greatest of all Balinese sanctuaries, this complex consists of 22 separate structures and is perched high on the slopes of Mt. Agung. The temples were build between the 14th and 17th centuries. Prominently featured are the three seats in the lotus throne, in which shrines are dedicated to Brahma (right), Siwa (center) and Wisnu (left).

Gua Lawah (Bat Cave)
A state temple of Klungkung in eastern Bali. Legend has it that when Klungkung was ruled from Kusamba, a prince of Mengwi sought protection here.

Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Located two kilometers east of Teges near Ubud, this complex overlooks the Petanu River and consists of a Siwaitic rock-cut cave, a bathing place, a monk's chamber, a number o uddhist rock-cut stupas and statues, and several foundations. Dating from the 11th century, the temple features statues of Ganesa and Hariti and a sacred bathing pool.

Pusering Jagat
This temple in Pejeng contains several interesting Hindu antiquities dating from the 14th century, which are now placed in shrines. Reliefs represent a story from the Mahaharata called the "churning of the ocean" in which gods and demons search for the elixir of life.

Sangeh Monkey Temple (Pura Bukit Sari)
Said to have been built in the 17th century, there is a statue here of Garuda. The temple is surrounded by tall nutmeg tree as high as 40m. The monkeys of the forest are believed to be sacred and indeed will approach anyone paying respects at the temple. Many monkeys roam the surrounding forest. But visitors should be aware that these monkeys are attracted to shiny objects, so cameras and jeweler should be left behind or kept well hidden under clothes or in a bag when exploring Sangeh Bali.

Taman Ayun
Located in Mengwi, the temple consists of a forecourt, a central court and spacious inner court. After a tall stone gateway, the inner court has rows of shines and carved stone pedestals. Along the basement of the pavilions are relief series on Arjuna.

Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is located about 12 kilometers from Tabanan City and 20 kilometers from Denpasar. Sunset is the favorite time to visit this isolated temple on the west coast. Its distinctive silhouette is a photographer's dream and nightly they crowd the coastline awaiting the spectacle. Perhaps the answer is to arrive in the daytime to see the temple-avoiding the crowds and to leave long after sunset.

Tirta Empul
"The Sacred Spring". Pura Tirta Empul is the temple of Tampak Siring. The temple and its two bathing spots have been used by the Balinese for over a thousand years for good health and prosperity; as the spring water really does have the power to cure. Regular purification ceremonies also take place here.

Uluwatu
Pura Uluwatu is located on the cliff top close to the famous surf break on the SW of the Bukit peninsula, with a breathtaking view of the sea. The carving which decorate the temple are very well preserved. It was built in the 11th century. Uluwatu Beach is known for its surf and, in nearby hostelries, its full moon rage parties. Being a popular surfing spot for the very experienced, Uluwatu offers a wonderful vantage point to view a spectacular sunset.

Ulun Danu Batur
This is imposing complex of nine temples.

Ulun Danu Bratan
This highland destination is located just outside the small town of Bedugul. A beautiful temple is sited on the shores of Lake Bedugul and casts a neat reflection is its still waters. The temple lakes on an ephemeral at dawn.

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BALI PARADISE

Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago. This is the island that Jawaharlal Nehru referred to as "the morning of the world". There is a certain magic and freshness about Bali (area 5,700 sq km, pop. 3,000,000), with its many exquisite sights and scores of talented and charming people. Bali is an ancient, traditional society that is still incredibly alive and vital. Each year, Bali welcomes over a million tourists to it shores, and total hotel capacity is over 25,000 rooms.
Bali boasts the finest beaches in Asia, where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap the white sands of Sanur, Nusa Dua and Kuta.

Bali is the land of 10,000 temples. The pura is the central place for worship, civic, family and social gathering. Dance, drama, ritual and cremation ceremonies are an integral part of Balinese Hindu culture.

Volcano peaks dominate the island, creating its landforms, regenerating its soils, and producing its lie-giving rains. Mt. Agung (3,014 m) experienced a violent eruption in 1963, while Mt. Batur (1,717 m) to the west still simmers with activity. With the fertility of the volcanic soil, rice terraces sculpt the landscape of Bali, and its foothills boast an exceptional range of flora and fauna. A short, hot wet season if from November to March, and a longer, cooler dry season from April to October.

Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time.

Bali is a shopper's paradise, particularly for casual and tailored clothing, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artifacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected local bargains with everything from handbags through to tailor made leather jackets and coats, all at unbelievable prices. In fact, prices are so inexpensive, you're sure to need more room in your suitcase! Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta, Sanur of Nusa Dua or fixed price shopping at a Denpasar department store.

For those that want to stay wet, Bali Island has world class scuba diving, snorkelling and wonderful day trips out to Nusa Penida for beach sports and coral viewing.

When the sun sets, the choices are still hard to make - a quiet romantic moon lit dinner or watch the spectacular Balinese Fire Dance or Kecak Dance. For those that want to party, Bali Island has it all with bars, discos and nightclubs. Visitors are dazzled by its culture performances, traditional dances and wide range of culinary delights to chose from. Bali has it all. As a truly international destination attracting visitors from all over the world, restaurants in Bali are extremely cosmopolitan yet inexpensive. Experience not only local delicacies like Nasi Goreng and Sate Campur but also Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Italian/European Greek, Moroccan and even Mexican cuisine. We must not forget Bali's wonderful seafood - local lobster at such prices that you will want to keep coming back for more.

For those more culturally inclined, Bali can offer the peace and tranquility of Ubud high in the hills; the spectacular Mother Temple at Besakih; the ancient capital of Bali, Singaraja and the floating palace at Ujung near the pretty beach area of Candi Dasa. The Scenery is nothing less than spectacular. Jungle, picturesque hillside rice terraces and the awesome magnificence of Kintamani Volcano.

The more active, wanting a break from the idyllic beaches, can experience wonderful golf courses in the mountains at Bedugul and beachside at Nusa Dua, the thrill of white water rafting or kayaking down the beautiful Ayung River; mountain cycling amid scenery you will never forget and organized rice paddy and jungle treks to see the side of Bali most tourists never encounter.

Bali Island, a truly international destination, offers every standard of accommodation ranging from charming yet modest bungalow style hotels in lush tropical gardens for the budget minded through to arguably amongst the most exclusive and sophisticated hotels in the world.

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BALI TRAVEL TIPS

Time:
Bali is on Central Indonesian Time, 8 hours ahead of GMT.

Tour & Travel Agents:
A number of travel agents offer a variety of tours with knowledgeable, multi-lingual guides, including a half-day trip or day-long tours including lunch and visits to shops, temples and performances.

Tipping:
This is not a general practice in Bali, in the larger hotels a service charge is already included. In smaller hotels & restaurants tips are not expected. However, if the service has been good, a token (Rp.1,000-Rp.3,000) would be appreciated. Porters at the airport should receive Rp.5,000 per bag.

Airport Taxis:
The airport taxi service goes to Kuta, Sanur, Denpasar, Nusa Dua and Ubud. Prices are fixed, pay the cashier at the desk in the airport and give the coupon to the driver. If you don't have much luggage, you can walk out of the airport to the main road and catch a public bemo (minibus) to Kuta or Denpasar.

Rental Cars:
Rental car with or without driver available at the airport or hotels. Families or small groups can charter a minibus with English-speaking driver/guide.

Public Transport:
Many minibus are now air-conditioned. Stopovers and side-trips can be planned and this is an ideal way to experience Bali at your own pace.

Getting Around:
You will find a range of chauffeur driven limousines, self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis are not metered so it's wise to negotiate the fare before you climb aboard. Bemos are a unique form of transport. They are a mini-van masquerading as a communal bus. You simply hail the driver and negotiate the fare that suits you both. Motorcycles can also be hired in many places but special care should be exercised at all times as road and traffic conditions can be somewhat hazardous in certain locations. Traveling around Bali is made all the easier because everywhere you go you'll find friendly people only too happy to give you advice and directions on how to get where you want to go.

Clothing:
Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions. Waist sashes should be worn when visiting temples.
Bring a bathing suit and extra clothings

Where to Stay:
There are many accommodations ranges from star hotels to Home stays along Kuta-Legian road. You may choose one of them to stay.If you're including backpackers tourist, and looking for cheap accommodation in Kuta, just go to Poppies Lane Alley 1 & 2 where you can find cheap accommodation and restaurants.

Street Wise:
The Balinese have a reputation as extremely honest people. Unfortunately, not everyone on Bali is Balinese and there has been an increase in petty crimes - especially in Kuta. keep a tight grip on your purse or camera, Never leave any bags (whether valuable or not) unattended in your car, on the beach or by the pool, use the hotel safety deposit box, don’t go down dark deserted gangs (alleys) and don’t count money in the open. Not so hard. Nonetheless Bali is still far, far safer than most large cities in this world.

Outward Bound:
On the way out of the hotel, keep a little extra money handy. All tourists leaving Indonesia from Ngurah Rai International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rp.100,000. That said be advised that it is against the law to leave Indonesia with more than Rp.10,000,000. Departure for domestic travel is also taxed (Rp.20,000) though most of the time this has already been included in the ticket price - but every so often you are surprised... (and even if you're not you can always make a donation to the local Red Cross or charity du jour).

Tourist Information:
Tourist Information Centers (Kantor Pariwisata) in Bali is extremely helpful in providing current calendars of events, performances and tour informations.


Follow These Links For More Bali Information:

* Bali Paradise
* Popular places and sights
* Bali Culture
* Bali Activities
* Bali Shopping Nirvana
* Travel tips
* Where to stay
* Bali Wavelenght
* How to get there & away
* Map of Bali

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Mangrove Forests in Bali

Mangrove forest are continuously being rehabilitated

Where nature tourism is integrated with conservation efforts

Indonesia, as a tropical island national, has around 17,500 islands with a coastline totaling 81,000 kilometers – a distance equal to twice the circumference of the earth. With this extensive coastline, Indonesia has the world’s greatest mangrove forests: 4.5 million hectares, or a quarter of the world’s total. Bali alone has 2,215 hectares of mangrove forest in various places, and one of the largest is in the Tanjung Benoa area. Mangrove (in Indonesian, bakau) is the name used for a wide variety of trees that grow in seawater tideland areas. Indonesia has around 89 species of mangroves, 30 of which are found in Bali.

Until recently, the public has thought of mangroves as no more than a type of coastal tree with various economic uses. Actually, mangrove forest have many functions, such as protecting the coasts from abrasion by waves, preventing erosion of soil that then washes away into the sea, providing a habitat for marine biota, capturing CO2 and producing O2 - oxygen – which is needed by humans and other living creatures. Mangrove forests can also be developed as ecotourism venues, with the mission of promoting proper management and conservation of the environment.

The journey started at the Mangrove Information Center (MIC), founded in 1993 by the Department of Forestry with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and located at Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, km 21, just 15 minutes from Kuta, or 20 minutes from the center of Denpasar. As you enter the area, you encounter a green panorama of mangrove forests along both sides of the road. This green belt plays an important role as the “lungs” of the city. The project emerged from concern over the large-scale destruction of these forests. Mangrove forests have rapidly been degraded through conversion into fish or shrimp cultivation ponds, rice fields, harbors, and industrial zones, and by excessive felling for various purposes. The project provides a venue for training, outreach, and education regarding sustainable management of the mangrove forest ecosystem, and also for ecotourism activities.

Head toward the Mangrove Trail, first, there is mangrove nursery, which provides seedlings for the mangrove forest rehabilitation process. Next is the Touch Pool, where visitors, students and families can learn about the environment through direct experience. There are two trails to choose from - a short route of about one hour, and the other, a longer route of nearly two hours.

Starting from the entry point to the Mangrove Trail, at a small structure called the Pond Heron Hut, the path is comprised of sturdy bridges made of Borneo ironwood (ulin), to prevent damage to the environment. The Mangrove Trail is 2150 meters long, 1850 meters of which is wooden bridges. Posted at the trailhead are a map of the trail and a notice reminding visitors about what activities are prohibited in the area. The trail is clearly marked at all points, so there is no risk of getting lost.

A walk along the wooden bridges, enjoying the greenery of the mangrove forests, is very pleasant indeed; it provides both recreation and an excellent opportunity for children to learn to love nature. Signs along the trail provide information about the various types of mangrove trees and the other creatures that live in the forest. There is also a tidy wooden rest shelter.

The mangrove roots that rise high above the surface of the marsh in artistic patterns play an important role in preventing coastal abrasion and soil erosion. Unfortunately, the area’s natural beauty is marred by certain people’s littering.

When the tide goes out, dozens of crabs can be seen scurrying along the ground, popping into holes as we approach and emerging again after we have passed. It’s not surprising to see such a variety of marine species there, because the mangrove forest serves as a nursery ground, feeding ground, and spawning ground for many types of fish, shrimp, crabs and other species.

Old mangrove trees grace the Benoa Bali port

Several creeks pass through the forest, with bridges crossing over them. These streams are an ideal place to explore the mangrove forests. The Mangrove Information Centre Schedules regular boat trips to explore the forests.

Wooden bridges are ideal for trekking

There are also several lookout towers, from which we can observe the forest and its birds and mammals. When the weather is clear, one can also see mountains in the distance – Gunung Agung and Gunung Batukaru. You can also watch the various species of birds and mammals, including storks, kingfishers and monitor lizards. It’s a perfect place for those who enjoy bird watching, or just to rest for a while after the walk. Gentle breezes relieve your fatigue and revive you to continue the trek.

The functions and benefits of the mangrove forests can no longer be ignored and it is essential that we preserve them. The many problems that the forests face, such as trash and land conversion, must be mitigated immediately, by raising public awareness. Proper synergy between humans and their natural environment will create tremendous benefits for all of us.

Fore more information, contact: Mangrove Information Centre (MIC) Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai km. 21, Suwung Kauh, Denpasar, Indonesia
Tel: 62-361-726969, 726546, 728966
Fax: 62-361-710473
Text by I.B. Andi Sucirta. Source: Garuda Mgz

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