Bedugul - A Beautiful Mountain-Lake Resort

Bedugul is the name of both a small city and a mountain-lake resort area. It is located in a high plateau at the center of the Island. Bedugul, a resort in Bratan Mountains, is famous for its golf course and also the amazing temple of Ulun Danu, which seems to have risen out of Bratan Lake 1,200 metres above sea level. Cool air and mists are natural for the place. Lush pine forests seem to create freshness in the air.

Bedugul is well-known for the quality of its fruit, vegetables, and flowers. And so it’s also known as a center of horticulture. Bedugul is located in cool damp mountain country, an excellent base for walking trips around the lakes and surrounding hills. In Bedugul visitors could fine 3 of Bali 4 lakes, Bratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan that provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Bratan, the largest of the three is perfect place for water sports such as parasailing, motor boating, jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, etc. Bedugul fertile soil also produced abundance of plants and trees, some of them formed rain forests with their exotic birds, monkeys, and other creatures.

Bedugul is located on the main north-south road between Singaraja and Denpasar, on Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia

Pura Tirta Empul, The Temple of Tampak Siring

Pura (literally ‘temple’) Tirta Empul is the temple of Tampak Siring, built around a sacred spring. Tampak Siring is an inscription dates the spring all the way back to 926AD; and there are fine carvings and Garudas on the courtyard buildings. 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.

On gorge of Pakerisan River could be found an archaeological complex. To reach the complex visitors must walked down on 315 stone steps. Before take a cross on the bridge at the bottom of the valley make a turn to the left to see the first stone monument. Another group of stone monument is located on the left side of the main temple across of the river. On the right of the main ensemble of temples is a cloister with five cells carved out of rock. The cloister inmates most likely were caretakers of the temple. There's a second hermitage near the main cloister, consisting of niches around a central courtyard, which might have served as sleeping quarters for visiting pilgrims. To get into this part of the temple visitors must take off their shoes. The monuments are hewn in relief on a solid rock hill. There are shaped like burial towers found all over Central and East Java.

However, there are many theories telling identity of the royal personages honored here. One very credible theory suggests the five temple in the main group were built for King Udayana, his Javanese queen Gunapriya, his concubine, his illustrious eldest son Airlangga who ruled over East Java, and his youngest son Anak Wungsu. Reigning over Bali from AD 1050 to 1077, Anak Wungsu is believed to have given up his kingdom to become a religious hermit.

A walk up north of the temple complex could be a short nice walking along the rice field and river stream. The path leads to a small waterfall after 800 meters away and about 1,5 kilometers to Mengening Temple.

Temple of Tampak Siring is located on Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia

Surfing near Spectacular Uluwatu Temple in Bali

The Pura Luhur (literally ‘high temples’ or ‘ascension temples’) Uluwatu is famous not only for its unique position, also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali. This Uluwatu temple is a Bali's most spectacular temple located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views. This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset.

Uluwatu temple is one of Bali's directional temples and it guards Bali from evil spirits from the southwest, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures, Bhatara Rudra. Empu Kuturan, a Javanese Hindu priest who built the tiered meru, founded the temple in the 10th century and a shrine here as well as at other key locations longs the Balinese coast. In the 15th Century the great pilgrim priest Dhang Hyang Dwijendra, who established the present form of Hindu-Dharma religion, chose Pura Uluwatu as his last earthly abode. According to local records, Dwijendra achieved ‘moksa’ while meditating at Uluwatu. The temple is regarded, by Brahman's island wide, as his holy tomb. Legend also tells us that Dwijendra was the architect of the beautiful temple, as well as many other major temples on Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. In the 17th century, Niratha, also from Java, came to Bali and built temples, adding to Uluwatu.

Uluwatu temple is located on the cliff top close to the famous surf break on the southwest of the Bukit peninsula. So Uluwatu Beach is also known for its surf and, in nearby hostelries, its full moon rage parties. It rages at the temple too but in an orderly way, thanks to the royal house of Puri Agung Jero Kuta, Denpasar, who are the temple's hereditary pangemong (custodians). Hundreds of nobles from this family, and many 'devotees' (pengayah) and village ‘pemangku’ priests from nearby hamlets, ensure that every seven months the festival is run efficiently, and most elegantly. The palace is proud of its ancestral role. It manages the awesome logistics with fitting dignity.

Being a popular surfing spot for the very experienced, Uluwatu offers a wonderful vantage point to view a spectacular sunset. Small restaurants perched on the cliff offer a comfortable spot to survey the vast Indian Ocean beyond and below the 100-meter-high cliffs with panorama on three sides.

Uluwatu lies in Badung Regency, southern of Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia.

Bali's Ancient Royal Temple - Pura Taman Ayun

Taman Ayun in Bali means' beautiful garden '. This complex of religious buildings, are in wide 4 hectares of land, surrounded by a pond or a trench. From a distance, the trench resembles 'ring of water,' and give the impression that the temple is located on the surface of the water. Around the temple, there are trees and flowers that add a wonderful atmosphere.

Pura Taman Ayun Temple complex consists of three parts. The first is the main building called 'Bale Pelik'. Building 'Bale Pelik' decorated by the sculptures, reliefs, and statue of God ‘Nawa Sanga,' which is very interesting. The second part is the open space used for various religious activities and stage arts. In this part visitors can enjoy the beautiful order of ‘Meru’, building with the level-multilevel roof as a typical of holy building in Bali. While the third part is a building that is for the god and goddess in Bali Hinduism.

Temple of Pura Taman Ayun built in 1634 in reign of first king of the Mengwi Kingdom, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung, whose title Ida Cokorda Sakti Belambangan. In this period Mengwi Kingdom is one of the strongest kingdom in Bali, which survived until the year 1891. This temple was built as a place of worship for royal family and the king followers.
Unlike with other Bali temples that oriented to the Mount Agung, Taman Ayun Temple oriented to the Mount Batukau.

Temple of Pura Taman Ayun lies in Badung Regency, about 18 km Northwest Denpasar, the capital of Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia.

The Baduy Tribe – The Closed Society

The Baduy is a tribe of among about 2,000 Sundanese speaking people living in 27 villages in the mountains south of Rangkasbitung, Banten Province, Republic of Indonesia. These people is still have their own culture, an utterly unique, and a closed society. They fight against attempts of the government to make them part of the modern world. The culture is very impressive although it is not easy to learn something about this area and their people.

Cibeo, Cikartawana, and Cikeusik are the 3 villages of the 27 villages in the center of the area, which cannot be visited. Here live about 40 families of the purest Badui stock. The culture here, is almost unharmed yet. The people of these 3 villages are known as ‘Baduy Dalam’. The other 24 villages in the outer circle are each connected to one of the inner three from which they are ruled. Leuwidamar, Lebak, and Kadukatug are the three of these outer villages can be visited. People of these 24 villages are known as ‘Baduy Luar’. Visitors or travellers should only visit this area if they are fit and used to adjust to local life forms. To enter the area visitors must first obtain a permit at the tourist office of Rangkasbitung.

During months of April and May, the Baduy community is closed to outsiders, as during this time it commemorates certain ceremonies, called ‘Seba’, the offering of part of their agricultural products to the Head of the District, Sub-Regent, and the Chief Resident. During this ceremony the "Puun of Baduy" sends out a group of representatives of ‘Baduy Dalam’ people as well as ‘Baduy Luar’ to act as the community's spokesmen. When conducting this Seba ceremony the ‘Baduy Dalam’ members refuse to ride any vehicle, instead, the distance of 150 km is traveled on foot as proof of their perseverance.

The Baduy tribes live in Banten Province, Republic of Indonesia. These community’s villages can be reached via a 10 km village road from either Cibolegar or Cibungur village in Leuwidamar district. From Rangkasbitung visitors have to find transport to the entry point of the Badui area at Cibolger.

Megalithic Site of Batak Tribe

One of Batak tribes in North Sumatra live on Samosir Island. Samosir Island is the island lies in the center of Lake Toba. All over the island are superb examples of traditional Batak houses, with elaborate carvings and decorations. Performance of life-size is Gale-gale wooden puppet are held frequently, and at any moment, the musical Batak might break into an impromptu song, the seeming effortless, multi-part harmonies belying the casual setting.
On this Samosir Island can be found three megalithic site of the Batak tribe.

The three megalithic sites on Samosir bear witness to the glory and horror of Batak history. The three consist of 300-year-old stone seats and benches arrayed in a circle. The first set of ruins was used as a conference area for Batak kings. At the second site, the kings would sit in judgment of a criminal or enemy prisoner. If the accused were found guilty, the assembly would move to the third set, which features the ghastly addition of a central stone execution block.

Batak megalithic site lies on Samosir Island (Center of Lake Toba), North Sumatra Province, Republic of Indonesia

Goa Gajah – Bali's Hinduism Carved Cave

Goa Gajah is a cave with temple complex that was built for the first time around 11 century based on epigraph found in this site. The cave is carved in a solid stone hill of the river valley. Some holes that are considered to be used as meditation or sleeping quarters can be found in the wall of the cave. Those holes are also used to place offerings whenever there is ceremonies taking place.

The main figure of the carving at the cave entrance is 'boma', a barong face, accompanied with big clapping fingers on its side. Leaf, flower, and some horror figures can be noticed if we give more attention look to the rest of the carving. On the left end side of the cave is Ganesha statue, believe it as 'the God of knowledge'. Meanwhile on the right end side can be found three 'linggas', that each of them dedicated to the three common God manifestations in Bali, Brahma, Wisnu, and Siwa. There are other three stone carvings in the centre wall, one of them figuring head and face.

Three other statues of Ganesha, demons, and Men Brayut, a legendary lady with her beloved children, are placed on a high building located on the left side of cave entrance. It is considered that these statues are 1000 years old. In the middle of the complex, in front of the cave, there is bathing place that is not any longer used by the local people. The angle figures within the bathing complex are about similar to common figures found in India.

On the south part of the complex, there are along flight of step leads down the lower part of the valley. After crossing a bridge above a small creek and follow another flight of steps up to eastern side of the valley, a headless sitting Buddha statue can be seen. This is the evident of a close relationship between the two religions.

The name Goa Gajah derived from 'Lawa Gajah', which is mentioned in the manuscripts that found in this site. Literally, ‘Goa Gajah’ means 'Elephant Cave”, although it doesn't mean there is any real elephant live or ever live here. Goa Gajah, a seven-meters deep cave with a shape of T-letter is the major attraction of this Bedulu village's local temple.

Goa Gajah lies on Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia

Kuta – Most Popular Beach in Bali

Kuta is the most popular beach and the number one party zone in Bali. It is the center and the largest tourist resort on the island of Bali. Kuta beach is also known as one of the first favorite beaches for tourists from all over the world.

Surfing in Kuta is a very well known destination among surfing enthusiasts. The beach is overrun with touts and most serious surfers have headed elsewhere. Kuta is also one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle. More advanced surfers can choose from over 30 other surfing breaks within 30 minutes drive from Kuta. This place is also often become the arena of surfing competition at the national level and the level of world. Nevertheless, Kuta Beach is also suitable for beginners to learn surfing.

Kuta Beach has a different attraction with the Sanur Beach, a more desirable because of the beauty of the sunrise. Plenty of people come to the Kuta beach or seaside cafes to watch the wonderful sunset when it towards dusk. For domestic and foreign tourists, have not fully enjoy the twilight time on the island of Bali, if not watching the sunset at Kuta Beach.

In addition of surfing and enjoying the sunset, it's the shopping, nightlife and party vibes that attracts thousands of visitors. There's a huge choice of accommodation, restaurants and entertainment. At night, Kuta is alive with night life. Western influences create discotheques, dance clubs, and pubs for people from all over the world in Kuta. Various Balinese dance performances are staged in Kuta every night. One of the best Kecak performances is found in Kuta.

The accommodation in Kuta range from a modest home stay for a few dollars a night to luxurious, five star, international hotels costing several hundred to several thousand dollars a night. On the street behind the row of hotels that face the beach, is lined with shops of all varieties. It also can be found any Balinese handicrafts here, from the least expensive to the most exquisite; or unique stores.

Kuta Beach is located 11 km southwest City of Denpasar, capital of Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia.

Nusa Dua – Bali’s Prestigious Beach

The most prestigious resort area, where the tourists will find international world class luxury hotels elegantly lining beautiful white sands in Bali Island, is Nusa Dua. Some of the most sumptuous and luxurious hotels in the world find their home in Nusa Dua, Bali. It is quiet and exclusive with superb facilities. Nusa Dua is really about taking it easy and relaxing in total luxury. As most of the hotels are 5 stars, every comfort is at our disposal as well as a gorgeous white sand beach. Nusa Dua was designed for the luxury conscious with a heavy concentration of big name hotels lining the beautiful white sand beach. Some of the resorts have private beaches but most areas are accessible.

Crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beach of Nusa Dua makes Nusa Dua a perfect spot for luxurious resorts, after a Barong performance at Batubulan and a long climb of the steps of the Temple Besakih. Visitors can tee off into the sunset, while watching the gentle waves come from the blue sea and caress the banks surrounding the luscious greens. Tranquil swimming pools under the coconut trees seem to be one with the distant blue sea. Stroll to the northern end of Nusa Dua for parasailing, jet skis, snorkeling/diving trips or better still, head for Tanjung Benoa.

The other popular places around Nusa Dua are Turtle Island (Pulau Penyu) and Dreamland Beach. Turtle Island is a turtle conservation area. The local people keep the turtle eggs in each traditional conservation houses individually owned them until the baby turtles born, and they will release the turtles when they are grown. Besides turtle, they also have birds, snakes, bats, etc. By Penyu Island visitors can get on glass boats where they can see the under water view from the boat. Dreamland is a beautiful beach with excellent surfing conditions, especially for intermediate surfers, and on big days when other breaks are too big to surf.

Nusa Dua provides a venue for traditional entertainment including arts festivals like the Nusa Dua Arts and Culture Festival. Art galleries and numerous shops surround them.

Nusa Dua is located in the southern Bali approximately 10 km from Denpasar City, Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia.