Bali Heaven Official Blog

West Bali National Park

It is the only national park in the island of Bali in Indonesia. Located in Bahasa Indonesia it is called Taman Nasional Bali Barat in the local language. It marks the most north westerly point of Bali. It is a haven for some diverse species of flora and fauna and many package tours are arranged to this park through the Negara Regency. The park was recognized as an area of imminence in the country in the year 1917. This was the time when it was deemed as a nature park by a council comprising of Bali rulers. However, it was not until 1941, when it was completely established as the Indonesian National Park.

Geography of the Park

The Park comprises of two areas. The official area of the park boundaries is only 190 square kilometers. However, an additional 580 square kilometers of area in the highlands on the east are also considered as a protected reserve making up an overall area of 770 square kilometers. This is equivalent to about 10% of the total land area of Bali. In the Northern side, the Bali national park includes a beach that is 1000 meters long along with reefs and islets. On the western side, it is marked by the seaport of Gilimanuk while the village of Goris marks its eastern end. The national park includes the whole Prapat Agung Peninsula and large pieces of land around the main towns of Cekik, Banyuwedang and Gilimanuk.

How to Reach?

The park is in the vicinity of many towns and can be reached by road from places like Singaraja and Gilimanuk. One can also use the ferries that ply from Ketapang, Java. Lovina on the north coast road, 90 minutes from the park and Pemuteran, 15 minutes away are two other entry points for the national park. One has to reach the park offices to arrange for guides and also obtain the permits. The two headquarters of the park are located in the village of Cekik and Labuan Lalang.

Attractions of the park

Most of the park area is protected and only a small part is actually open for exploration by the visitors. Exploration could be limited only to the marine life or could also follow hiking trails depending upon the individual interest. You can also arrange for boat trips around Gilimanuk bay and Menjangan island. The park consists of mangroves, savanna, montane and mixed monsoon forests and coral islands which make up its amazing diversity. The central area of the park is spotted with 4 volcanic mountains from as early as Pleistocene era. Gunung Patas, with 1412 meters has the highest elevation.

Tegal Blunder Trail

This is a good route for those who love watching birds. You can reach the Slumber Klampok checkpoint and also take the more strenuous Gunung Klatakan Trail to the south east if you are interested in going through the amazing rainforests.

Menjangan Island

This is uninhabited and is a great location for diving and snorkeling for those interested in marine life. The boats depart from the Terima bay (Teluk Terima) and the water here has the best visibility amongst all snorkeling sites in Bali.

Bali Art Center

The Bali Art Center is also known as Taman Wedhi Budaya and houses the cultural building complex of Bali. It is an embodiment of the traditional Balinese architecture too.

Where is it located?

The Taman Wedhi Budaya (Bali Art Center) is located in East Denpasar, the capital city of Bali. The Art Center is situated at Jalan Nusa Indah in the Sumerta Kelod Village. This place is 1.5 km east of the city of Denpasar and hence not very difficult to reach. One can reach it through Abian Kapas as well. This is also the venue for the annual Bali Arts Festival that is held from the middle of June for a whole month until the middle of July. The Bali Arts Center covers a total of 5 hectares of land which is divided into 3 zones.

History

This wonderful building complex started with the Cultural Park in 1973. It was commemorated by the Pesta Kesenian Bali or the Bali Artistry Party which was held a month later. The whole months was marked with traditional dance performances, exhibitions, cultural activities and parades. In fact the opening ceremony was marked with an artistic parade that started at the Puputan Park and continued up to the Art Center, a distance of 2 km through the town, delivering the message of cultural preservation to the Balinese population. The closed stage, Ksirarnawa was inaugurated on the 17th of July 1986. It was formed on the idea of Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra to conserve Balinese traditional culture.

Zonal Divisions

The Art Center comprises mainly of 3 zones. The first is called the Sacred or tranquil zone comprising of the Widya Kusuma Library Building, Taman Beji Temple, Ayodya Stage, Slonding Pavilion and the Pepaosan Amerta Saraswati Pavilion. Another important zone is the Demi tranquil zone comprising of Gili pavilion, the water tower, the electric transformer, Bale Kambang or the floating pavilion, Mandhara Giri Bhuvana, which is the main exhibition hall, Gajah Mina Bridge, Wantilan Hall, Kumbakarna Kerebut Sculpture, Painting Studio, artist dormitory, Krya Krya Sembrani Occaishcrawa Building and kids’ playground.

The home of art and the venue of the art festival

Bali Art Center in itself is a major tourist attraction. But what make it so special are the two colossal art performance locations. The first one is the Ardhacandra amphitheater which measures 2000 square meters can house as many as 7000 spectators. It is generally used for sendratari or dance and drama performances, drama gong, festival of gong kebyar along with music. The space underneath the amphitheater is used as a great showroom that is used during the annual Bali Arts festival for the exhibition of exquisite handicraft products from small scale industries.

The Ksirarnawa or the closed stage measures 5500 square meters and the upper chamber can house up to 1500 people. It is generally used for seminars and conferences. It has gazebos for relaxing, studios for painting, dance, and theater exercise and for western workshops. There is another small stage called Angsoka stage in front of Ardhacandra for smaller performances.

Mount Agung

Believed in Bali as the place of Gods, Mount Agung or Gunung Agung in Bali is the holiest and highest mountain of the island. It is also an active volcano with a devastating eruption as late as 1963. The 3141 meters tall Mount Agung is also considered sacred because the most sacred temple of Bali, the Mother Temple of Besakih is located on top of the slope of Mount Agung. The long, difficult and risky route can be attempted by adventurous trekkers with the help of a guide between the months of July and October.

History of the Mountain and the temple

The temple narrowly missed the lava flow during the active volcanic eruption in 1963. This is one reason why the temple is considered part of a miracle by the Balinese. The temple was built way back in 1000 AD as a terraced temple dedicated to Besakih, the dragon god. In 15th century, the rulers made it the state temple of Geigel Kiungkung and the temple is still funded by governments. According to Balinese legend, Mount Agung itself was created when Pasupati, the Hindu god, split Mount Meru considered as the universe’s spiritual axis and one of the fragments was used to create the mountain. The temple itself is considered to be the only Hindu temple where Hindus of all castes can worship. One can also visit 18 sanctuaries built around the 3 temples of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

What is there for tourists?

Mount Agung and the sacred temples are one of the most famous tourist attractions of Bali. The temple has ascending stairs with a split gate to the main temple courtyard. The central shrine of Pura Panataran Agung is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, the Hindu Trinity. The Pura Kiduling Kreteg flies red banners for Brahma, Pura Batu Mddeg, flies black banners for Vishnu and Pura Panataran Agung in the center flies white banners for Lord Shiva. The temple is open between 8 and 5 in the evening while some temple courtyards are closed for visitors for the sake of worship.

Climate and Surroundings

The mountain has some diverse terrains. While the lower elevations of the mountain are covered with lush green forests, the higher parts are covered with ash and volcanic rock. One of the best attractions of the mountain is the sunrise above Lombok’s Mount Rinjani. Wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists can be impressed with wild animals and bird sightings too. The Mount Agung takes the rain out of most of the clouds causing the west to be lush while the east is barren and dry.

Attractions

There are many things to do on top of Mount Agung. Trekkers can climb the mountain during the months of April and October. The west side’s lush green vegetation, macaques, hawks and eagles can also be enjoyed on the mountain. One can climb from Besakih temple on the west which will take 6 – 7 hours. The Pura Pasar Agung route from the south takes 3 – 4 hours to reach a point with some excellent views including the crater. The Dukuh Bujangga Sakti from the north provides a rarely used route.

Bajra Sandhi

Built in the year 1987, this monument is called Bajra Sandhi because the monument looks like the Bajra or Genta or the bell that is used by all the Hindu priests during religious ceremonies in the temples also called as Pedanda or religious preacher in Bali. The monument stands for the soul and spirit of the Balinese people and is the monument commemorating the Balinese People Struggle.

 
 
How to reach there

Bajra Sandhi monument is strategically located at the center of the Denpasar town which is very close to the Ngurah Rai International Airport. The monument is located right opposite the Governor’s Office at Niti Mandala Renon. Most of the Denpasar tour packages or city tours will take you to this amazing monument building.

History

Bajra Sandhi monument was constructed way back in 1987 and was inaugurated by Megawati Sukarno Putri on 14th June 2003. The amazing monument has as many as 33 dioramas which trace the entire history of the Bali Island including political, social and economic advancement after the independence of the country. The Borobudur like structure with these dioramas are a good study tour for those who visit the huge, lush green tropical garden where the monument is located. Some of the interesting depictions in the dioramas include the 1906 battle with the Dutch. The dioramas are arranged in a circular contour across the room. Each of the dioramas has statues and a natural setting along with three languages including Balinese in Old Javanese, English and Indonesian to assist those who wish to understand the writings and explore the origins of the Balinese culture and the island.

Stunning Views

Once the visitors satisfy themselves with glimpses into Balinese history e.g. the development of Udayana University in 1975 or the colonization and revolution tales, they can climb to the top of the monument using a ladder. This point gives you a breathtaking view of the Denpasar town from a height of 45 meters. It also allows visitors to enjoy the sunrise and sunset and hence is a very good spot for tourists who are interested in photography. The sunrise is a great setting with natural and urban and beauty mingled together.

The Building Monument and the components

Bajra Sandhi monument also talks about mythology such as the story of Mandhara Giri at Ksirarnawa which has a reference in Adi Parwa of the Hindus as well. The monument also comprises of the Jar of Amertha, which is a kumba or pot seen at the top of the monument. One can also find the Dragon Basuki’s tail near Swamba with its head close to the entrance gate. Bedawang Akupa is also seen with its head at the entrance and body as the foundational base of the monument. The pinnacle of the monument signifies the peak of Mandara Giri. There is a pool around the monument that depicts the Ksirarnawa which is the ocean of milk. One can also study the ancient Balinese culture and appreciate the miniature art forms of Bali depicted on the monument walls at various places. All in all, this monument celebrates the Balinese spirit and culture.

Pura Besakih

One of the most famous temples of the island, Pura Besakih or the Mother Temple of Besakih is also the holiest and largest temple of Bali’s Agama Hindu Dharma. It is sacred for the Balinese and also a great area with scenic views all around including the ocean and the volcano. The temple is made of lava stone of dark color. The real glory of the temple can be witnessed during its annual birthday festival called the Odalan festival when thousands of Hindus from all over Bali and other places flock to this destination.

Mythology and History of the temple

Pura Besakih is considered to have originally been founded as a Buddhist shrine in the 8th century AD. The local ruler Kesari Warmadewa is credited to have built the main parts of the temple two centuries later. Interestingly, during festivals, certain parts of the temple are closed for non Hindus. A priest and worshipper of Shiva called Sri Markandeya was said to have founded a temple at the spot. The name of the temple finds references to Hindu Mythology where the snake Vasuki rolls around the Mandhara Mountain during Sagarmanthana or churning the Ocean of Milk. The temple is also supposed to be built to maintain the cosmos balance by the king who has also ordered the Selonding Temple construction within the complex along with the Blanjong Monument construction in Sanur village.

A massive volcanic eruption of Mt. Agung had taken place in 1963 had killed couple of thousand people but amazingly, the lava flow had missed the temple complex which was just a few meters away.

Location of the temple

Besakih temple is located amidst a beautiful tropical landscape setting at the foot of the Mt. Agung (Gunung Agung), the volcano which erupted as recently as 1973 and forming a majestic backdrop to the temple. The temple complex has an aura being located on the slopes of an active volcano in Eastern Bali. It is 2 hours away from the Bali International Airport located in the Besakih village in Rendang, Karangasem Regency. You can visit the temple from Ubud, a 2 hour journey to the north east. This trip could also include Kintamani where you can view the volcano and Batur lake.

Temple Design and Architecture

The entire complex has 22 temples sitting on parallel ridges. The flights of stairs and the stepped terraces are part of an ascent to many gateways made of bricks and many courtyards too. These finally lead to the main spire or Meru structure called the Pura Penataran Agung. Interestingly, the entire complex is built around a central single axis leading the upward spiritual evolution towards the sacred. There are 5 temples opened up by the candi bentar or a split gate. Each of temples is separated by lava walls. Each of the temple precincts has merus which vary in number of tiers, the tallest having 7. The vast courtyard has shrines of Trishakti, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Apart from the annual birthday festival, the Eka Dasa Rudra is another important festival that is celebrated once in every 100 years.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Tirta Gangga means the sacred water from the Ganges. It is the name of a village in East Bali and also the name of the water palace built in 1946 by the king of Karangasem, by the name Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. Even to this date Tirta Gangga belongs to the royal family of Karangasem. Known for its extreme rural beauty, the place holds a special place of reverence for the Hindu Balinese people. The water garden incorporates a unique architecture with Balinese and Chinese styles.

Reaching Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga Water Palace is located in the Abang district in Ababi village. It is very easy to reach Tirta Gangga. The place is 83 km of Denpasar. Those arriving at Ngurah Rai International airport will find that Denpasar is very close to the airport. It is a 3 hour journey from Denpasar to Tirta Gangga. There is a large bus station in Denpasar and a lot of buses ply between the two places regularly. Besides Tirta Gannga is just 6 km from Amlapura which means a 10 minute bus ride form the place. It is also a common side trip from the resort towns along the coast like Candidasa and Amed. One can use the public buses or charter the buses from nearby towns such as Karangasem or even from Candidasa. The road route to Tirta Gangga, for those who are driving themselves, is also very easy to figure out.

Tirta Gangga Attractions

The Water palace
The king had built a magnificent complex measuring around 1.2 hectares studded with a maze of pools. The palace was destroyed in the 1963 eruption of Mount Batur but has been amazingly restored to its original royal grandeur. The palace’s centerpiece has two beautiful pools and an 11 tiered water fountain along with many sculptures and carvings. The palace also has the rest house of the kind and another complex full of swimming pools where one can enjoy themselves in the royal baths. The place is also called “embukan” or spring water by many people as there was a spring in the area before the palace was built. This spring is considered to be very religious and sacred because it was also used to wash the Gods.

Scenic Attractions
The rural area of Tirta Gangga is full of some stunning views that include rice paddy terraces, hills and at some points even the sea in the distance, situated as it is on a high ridge. One can enjoy the sunrise and sunset views too and bask in the old Balinese culture. The Lempunyang Temple is another attraction in the area situated 10km from Tirta Gangga. The temple is one amongst 9 directional temples in Bali. The upper part of the temple is closed, although a Balinese driver could arrange with the priest to have it opened for you.

The predecessor of the king who built Tirta Gangga had constructed another water palace called Taman Ujung, which isn’t as beautiful as Tirta Gangga but is worth a visit. Tirta Gangga is also a great area for trekkers and photographers.

The name Jatiluwih itself comprises of two parts. Jati means real and Luwih means special or beautiful. Hence Jatiluwih is a place of real beauty. It is located at a height of 700 meters from sea level with a cool climate. It is also one of the more culturally rich places in Bali boasting of the Petali Temple which is famous for the power of Ida Dalem Waturenggong, king in Keraton Gelgel. Located in the Kecamatan Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan administrative area, Jatiluwih is very close to the border of Mount Batukaru national park.

How to get there
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace is just 65 km from Denpasar making it easy to visit for those tourists especially reaching Bali through the Ngurah Rai International airport located very close to Denpasar. For those travelling by road, Jatiluwih can be approached through the road that leads from Denpasar to Bedugul. Then you need to take the left downward from the Baturiti town. One can also travel from Tabanan to the north, which leads to Batukaru or the Wangaya village. This route is best for those who want to enjoy the journey too as it is beautiful with its vegetation. There is a hot spring at Penetahan village. One can also visit the Batukaru Temple en-route Jatiluwih thus making the most of the trip.

Major Attractions
Jatiluwih produces one of the best qualities of rice in Indonesia. Obviously tourists will be treated to a vista or beautiful paddy fields and terraces filling the sight with greenery. It is one of the tourist places in Bali for those who want to unwind. Even the Dutch built their security headquarters here. One can enjoy the colors, especially during harvest time when there is the green of the paddy fields and the dark yellow. There is in fact, a view point right on top of the hill from where one can enjoy the scenic beauty of Jatiluwih. The western and eastern borders of the places have many traditional red clay houses where the rice is sold.

Trekking and Leisurely rides
With Mount Batukaru close by, trekkers have a field time with many hills. The peak of Mount Bautkaru rises 2671 meters above sea level making it the second highest in Bali after Mount Agung. There is also a temple on top of Mount Batukaru. One can also hire a horse to ride up and down the green slopes and enjoy the nature that has been so well preserved in this land.

Cultural Attractions
Jatiluwih is known for some unique ceremonies such as Patirtan, conducted in the Petali Temple on Wednesdays based on the Balinese calendars. This temple is very sacred to the locals purely because they believe it is the worship center of the God of agricultural power, Hyang Widhi Wasa. Another temple in the area that can be visited is the Pucak Rsi Temple. Tourists can also undertake a day trip from Jatiluwih to the Watukaru temple. Jatiluwih has been listed as one of the heritage sites of the world by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), with the irrigation systems used in the area being an interesting aspect due to the way they are organized and the water shared between farmers.

Candidasa Beach

If you wanted to enjoy a vacation in a serene setting, the beach at Candidasa is the perfect place and marks a great contrast to the socializing hub of Kuta famous for its nightlife. The tranquility of the Candidasa Bay is very charming. It was previously called as Teluk Kehen, which means Bay of Fire and is located in the town of Samuh Bugbug, 12 km from Amlapura, Karangasem’s main town. What makes Candidasa special amongst the tourist attractions of Bali is that it is located on the lagoon’s edge.

The boom in the tourism industry in Bali fuelled the need for the construction of lot of beach bungalows and villas. In the late 70s, the locals started digging the reefs that have been holding up the beach to fulfill their requirements. Once the reef was destroyed erosion started washing away the beautiful beach which has been a concern. Some stunning golden beaches of this coconut village have been lost since and one can see signs of the loss only during a low tide.

Attractions at Candidasa

On the way to the best diving sites in Bali, you can spend couple of calm and quiet days at Candidasa and relax enjoying nature at its scenic best. One of the most famous attractions at this fishing village is the Bat Cave Temple of Goa Lawah. 9 km from Klungkung on the island’s eastern coast, this cave temple was built in the 11th century. The rocks of the cave walls are home to thousands of fruit bats. Legend has it that this cave extends all the way, 30 kms to Pura Besakih or the Mother Temple and the beach in front is where many funeral rites are performed. The temple near the lagoon has a statue of Hariti, the fertility goddess, surrounded by 10 children. Candidasa is also known as Cili Dasa, which means ten children in the Balinese language.

The serenity of the beach is accentuated by beautiful rice fields alternating with hills providing lush green scenery. Although night life is virtually absent in the fishing village, Tuesday and Friday evenings are enjoyable with Pandan Harum providing the dance stage for many Balinese performers giving a glimpse of the local art and culture. The beach is also the setting for many local handicraft shops and souvenir shops where one can stroll by in the evenings.

Where to Stay?

There are some popular restaurants and cottages that will allow you to enjoy the tranquility. One of the open air restaurants that offer a stunning seaside vista is the Lotus Seaview restaurant that offers Balinese feast, Italian delicacies and some amazing seafood. Vincent’s is another place which provides a cozy ambience and some soft jazz music playing in the backdrop. Bali Palms resort, Bali Shangrila Beach Club and Alam Asmara Dive resort are some of the places where you can stay and enjoy the serenity amidst all modern amenities. Some of these resorts have their own secluded beaches, Pagoda and Jacuzzi too.

About the divers’ paradise

It is a small fishing village situated in the north east coast of Bali, whose name has been derived from Batulambih, the local expression for many stones, due to the volcanic eruptions from Mount Agung. It is a divers’ paradise and has become a tourist hub since the famous wreck of the US army ship off the coast. There are other diving sites too and during the high season one can expect to find many famous writers and photographers in this place which offers unparalleled glimpses into a rich marine life and a colorful world of gorgonians, fishes and other corals contrasted by the black sand that hinders visibility in the area.

The Liberty Shipwreck – the famous dive site

One of the most famous spots in Bali, this cargo ship laden with guns during WWII was torpedoed by the Japanese and to save it from sinking was semi beached at Tulamben. The 1963 eruptions of the Mount Agung caused the wreck to slide further very close to the beach 30 m offshore. The location of this wreck which varies in depth from 9 – 30 meters with a shallow part touching the sand slope is ideal for diving for all qualifications being considered one of the easiest dives in the world. The 120 m long wreck offers a wonderful view of as many as 400 species of fishes including the famous 12 inch Big Eyed Trevally silver fish, wrasse, goatfish and the surgeonfish.

However, this wreck, as many people perceive is not the only diving site in Tulamben and there a couple of other sites too making the fishing village the diving capital of Bali.

Coral Garden

For those looking for snorkeling, there cannot be a better place. Also famous for the Night Dive with flashlight fish and Spanish dancers, this place is full of unexpected marine specimens like fine corals and sponges with an average depth of 8 – 12 meters.

Kelebit Rocks

One can reach this spot, south east of the Tulamben wall through a 15 minute ride in a local jucung or outrigger. It is one of the best diving sites with greater depths and better visibility too. The water is slightly colder and the diving is possible through offshore rocks arranged like 3 steep ridges and 2 channels providing home to a diverse marine life and some exotic species including the manta rays, the hammerhead sharks and the barracudas.

Drop Off Wall

This site is located 15minutes away from the stony beach and was famously formed by the lava flow from Mount Agung. This site too offers the same glimpse of marine life as other spots with an amazing aquarium section with many surprising treasures.

Learn a thing or two about marine life

There are very few sites in the world with a greater variety of marine life that includes Anglerfish, neon nudibranches, Sweetlips, black corals, sponges, Butterflyfish, Garden Eels, octopus, cuttlefish, boxer crabs, Whale Sharks, big Bumphead parrotfish, Napoleon Wrasse, Lionfish and many other varieties of fishes, coral reefs and other organisms.

Nusa Penida

There are 3 islands on the south eastern coast of Bali viz. Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. Amongst these Nusa Penida is the largest island, totaling around 200 square kilometers. It is a hilly area with a maximum height of 524 meters and is much drier than the surrounding islands of Bali. Although better known that other islands the tourist infrastructure in this island is very limited. An interest thing about this island is that due to scarcity of natural water, nothing much can be produced which is why most of the food stuff is transported from elsewhere making the prices higher than other places in Bali. However, this island has great natural rugged beauty that is still virgin and fresh without any hint of commercialization anywhere.

How to Get here

You can arrive at Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan or from Kusamba, Padang Bai or Sanur, although travel services are not deemed very safe. There are public boats plying closer to the suspension bridge between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan. You can also get charter boats especially on the Jungut Batu beach. There are daily cruises from Benoa Harbor in Bali which also includes water sports activities and hence is something tourists will really enjoy a lot.

Major Attractions for Sightseeing

If you are one of those who like places with great scenic beauty, then Puncak Mundi or Mundi Hill, the highest point of the island provides a magnificent view at 521 meters above sea level. Alternative energy is harnessed in the area to with wind turbines and solar panels. There is a temple atop the hill too.

Goa Karang Sari is certainly one place you wouldn’t want to miss because of its limestone caves. There are some attractive stalactites and limestone formations that you would really enjoy seeing. These limestone caves have spiritual importance too.

At Ped Village on the road between Toyapakeh and Sampalan, you can find the Pura Penetaran Dalem temple, a Hindu Balinese structure which is mesmerizingly grand and beautiful. Toyapakeh itself has a reef stretch that you would love exploring, along with various fishes. The place is famous for sea turtles, sunfish or mola mola and also coral pillars.

Crystal Bay is another lovely white sand beach at Banjar Penida to the west of Sakti village is another wonderful attraction. You would love this idyllic spot as it is perfect for camping besides being attractive for snorkeling and sparkling blue waters. You can also pay a visit to the Sebuluh waterfall near the Batu Madeg village. South coast limestone cliffs along with some rare karst formations are stunning and will take your breath away.

What can keep you busy

Nusa Penida is not all about sightseeing. In fact it is one of the best diving destinations in the world with as many as 20 diving sites including Manta Point, Suana Bay, Malibu Point, Crystal Bay and Toyapakeh. Malibu Point with its silver tips, reef white tips, gray reefs and a large number of sharks is especially beautiful. The Manta Point itself is a limestone rock off the Pandan cave.