Bali Heaven Official Blog

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.

There is no dearth of lovely coastal villages in Bali but Lovina is amongst the best of the lot. It was actually renamed by a Buleleng regency official keeping in mind the future tourism influx. On the North coast towards the West of Singaraja, there are 7 traditional villages that culminate into one in a 10 km stretch. These villages are Kalibukuk, Anturan, Temukus, Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Kaliasem and Banyualit with Kalibukuk considered as the town center of Lovina. Some of the beaches are made up of black sand but are safe for swimming with July and August being the crowded seasons.

Getting to Lovina

Lovina can be reached through shuttle buses which leave from Sanur, Ubud, Padang Bai and Candi Dasa. Although there are mini buses called bemos, travelling long distance could be painful. You will get buses from anywhere in Bali. There is transportation made available by “Perama”. By car, one takes 3 hours from Kuta, 2 hours from Ubud and slightly less from Sanur. One can take rest by breaking journey at Bedugul.

Villas of Lovina

There are some wonderful villas where you can relax and enjoy the amazing view around. Master Pool Villas with butler service and some lush gardens offer one a relaxing vista from hardwood verandahs and pavilions with amazing sea view. The ceilings of hardwood, bathrooms with bathtubs and open air showers are amongst the many amenities available for the visitors. Rare antiques, royal fabric, Bale pavilions and private swimming pools are all part of the amazing villas. You can enjoy the charming rural life of Lovina and its rice fields along with sophisticated bedrooms, living room etc inside the villas. Umah Raja Villa for example, is lavish with a cinema and DVD library to give you the best of both the worlds.

The lovely black sand beaches are great for a soothing promenade. One of the places worth visiting is the Brahma Vihara Arama, Dencarik. This is the largest Buddhist monastery of Bali. With a clearly Buddhist orange roof, the monastery is popular for its Balinese carvings too. It offers stupendous views all around and within there are many stupas and gold Buddhas with amazing ornamentation. The Banjar Hot Springs nearby is another spot that attracts a lot of tourists. It is a quiet and lovely place that offers tranquility and peace.

The Banjar Hot Springs, 10km west of Dencarik have mouths carved out of stone that gush out hot springs. With a cleansing environment, the waters at soothing temperatures are rich in sulfur and have a therapeutic effect. There are lockers and changing rooms to encourage a cozy bath in the spring.

Diving enthusiasts can head off to Menjangan Island, Tulamben and Amed on day trips. One can also enjoy a traditional massage in the many spas like Bali Samdahi and Agung’s Spa. One can enjoy Thai massage and Thai food reflexology here too. There are some outriggers in various colors that take one on fishing trips where one can enjoy dolphin sightings on an enjoyable ride.

Mount Batur and Lake Batur

Mount Batur (Gunung Batur) is an active volcano which is located between two concentric calderas. It is located in the north western direction of Mount Agung in Bali, Indonesia. The larger caldera lake with an amazing dimension of 10 X 13 km has on its south eastern side a beautiful, picturesque lake that attracts many tourists.

History
These calderas and Mount Batur itself were said to have formed approximately 30,000 years ago after a volcanic eruption. The inner caldera which measures about 7.5 km in diameter was said to have formed by Ubud ignimbrite emplacement about 28,500 years ago.

Attractions
Two main villages Toya Bungkah and Kedisan are the two main villages near the caldera. These two villages primarily depend on agriculture. Danau Batur (Lake Batur) is Bali’s largest crater lake and is also a great fishing site, besides providing a breathtaking view to tourists from all over the world.  One can view the 700 meter high active volcano located on the edge of the caldera rising above the beautiful lake Batur. The crater is around 65 meters deep. There is a temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur located on the rim of the caldera too which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Lake. Stunning views of the lake attract many photographers and nature enthusiasts. The lake often gets shrouded in mist while there are some hot springs that sometimes reach temperatures as high as 57 degrees Celsius. One can visit the caldera through the steadily rising road from Bangli to Tampaksiring and then across Penelokan towards Kintamani.

Trekking
Usually the trek starts around 3am so that one can reach the top of the crater at dawn. Most of the local guides and very well mannered and can speak English. They are patient and nimble and help trekkers out through a quite straight forward trekking route compared to Mount Agung. One of the common attractions of the trek is the guide cooking omelets with eggs on the smoldering rocks of the mountain. The luminous Bali sunrise and the craters spitting sulphur and the magnificent peaks all give tourists some unbelievable and memorable moments and the pictures stick to their minds for a long time to come.

If one is trying to reach Mount Batur by bike, it takes only an hour to reach it from Ubud. The greater part of the ride is full of rice fields on either side offering you some amazing scenes. One can also visit a few tiny villages and enjoy the local ambience. One such village is Penulisam on the western side of the volcano with a very nice temple complex too. Although one can take the trip anytime, locals believe many ghosts and spirits are trapped inside the crater. Many tourists come here to just take a relaxing boat ride on the lake which is about 10 km long and 65 meters deep at the deepest part. There are quite a few hot springs around the area too making it a wonderful terrain and a perfect tourist destination.

Nusa Lembongan

This small island is located 20km off the coast from Bali and is a paradise with scenic settings and tranquility different from the commercial buzz of South Bali. Clear blue waters, sandy beaches and lush green settings give you a quiet and cozy time to relax.

How to Get There
Separated from Bali by the Badung strait, one can reach Nusa Lembongan from Bali using a boat or a cruise trip depending on the budget. These boats leave from Sanur beach, Benoa Harbor and Padang Bai Harbor. You can also take fast boats of the Scoot cruise or speed boat service from Mushroom bay known as Tamarind Jaya Express.

Attractions of the paradise

Reefs and Snorkeling
If you are a nature lover or photographer, you will have the time of your life in these scenic settings. There are many beautiful beaches that you can visit. The island is surrounded by coral reefs with limestone cliffs and white sand beaches. If you are a marine life enthusiast, you can go snorkeling and explore some biodiversity in the marine life.

Beaches
Dream beach, Sunset beach and tamarind beach are three wonderful beaches you can access from Nusa Lembongan. These bays of white sand allow you to sit back and relax. Tamarind Bay offers a spectacular view of Mount Agung and although swimming could be dangerous, the beaches are ideal for laid back relaxation. At Sunset beach one can see dramatic caves of limestone cliffs exposed during the low tide. Those who are interested in surfing have something to cheer as the island is popular for surfing breaks like Lacerations, Shipwrecks and Playgrounds. One can also go for scuba diving and fishing and enjoy the sparkling, aqua blue waters around the island paradise. You can use any of the local boats called perahu for a leisurely ride. You can find manta rays, white tipped reef sharks, nurse sharks, ocean sunfish also known as mola mola, and different species of sea turtles.

Suspensions Bridge
One can go for a stroll or a motorbike ride over the yellow suspension bridge that connects Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan. The suspension bridge can be found near the estuarine channel and although scary is relatively safe to cross for a nice experience.

Other attractions
A few minutes from the Dream beach or Sunset beach, you can find lot of rocks and sit and enjoy the sight of water crashing and rising in plumes against the rocks. You can also use the jukung outrigger boats to explore the mature mangroves around the west coast road. To enjoy some magnificent views of Bali you can head to the largest Hindu temple of the island, the Puncak Sari temple. On the Southern side of the village you can explore the numerous seaweed farms meant for the Asian cosmetic industry. The island is also one of the best places to view a sunset with blood red light engulfing the sky. One can get better views from high ridges and also the beach at Jungut Batu.

As the mercury goes up, one place in Bali which will surely be a cool retreat for you is the highland area of Bali, comprising of Candi Kuning, Pacung, Pancasari, Wanagiri and Bedugul itself. Located 1400 meters above sea level Bedugul is located on the crater of an extinct volcano and is surrounded by beautiful lush green vegetation that is supported by 3 lakes, Bratan, Tamblingan and Buyan.

How to get there?

This lush green area is located 50km to Denpasar’s north. One can reach there on bemos which ply regularly to Bedugul from Denpasar on one side and Singaraja on the other. If you want to enjoy the scenic beauty even more closely a taxi ride or a motorcycle ride through the area is not a bad idea at all.

Things to Check Out

There are quite a few attractions which you shouldn’t give a miss when in Bedugul. The waterfalls in the area, although less visited are really fascinating. They really roar during the rainy season and are well worth the visit. The Munduk waterfall is 1km west of Munduk market and is one of the best spectacles the island has to offer. The 50 meter high Gitgit waterfall is near the Gitgit village which can be reached after cross Lake Bratan on the way to Singaraja, a small distance from the main road.

For those who are really interested in plant species, you can visit one of the 4 official botanical gardens in Indonesia, the Bali botanical gardens. You can identify it from the front entrance which has giant statue of stone. If you have love for trees and plants, this 160 hectare area could keep you interested all day long.

Jatiluwih which is 8km from Bedugul is a scenic marvel with lush green, terraced rice paddy fields nestling under the shadows of the beautiful Mount Batukaru. Those who love hiking and trekking will enjoy the landscape. There are a couple of refreshment cafes too. This place was nominated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as one of the world heritage centers. The Lake Bratan temple, known locally as the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the showpieces of Bali and is perhaps a part of every tourist’s Bali album. Located on Lake Bratan’s western shore, the beautiful temple provides a picturesque view by almost looking like floating on the water. It was constructed in the early part of the 17^th century and is dedicated to the goddess of the lake, Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu (Dewi Ulun Danu), a stunning silhouette on the banks of the lake and a true snap for the photographers.

Trekking enthusiasts can join any of the organized treks to Mount Catur which is 2096 meters high. One can also take strolls and treks around Jatiluwih enjoying the scenery. 20km south of the central Bedugul, one can enjoy the Angseri hot springs. For those who love some buzz, the Bukit Mungsu traditional market in Candikuning is the place to pick tropical fruits, exotic spices, strawberries, orchids and corns. You can also find crops of coffee, cloves, vanilla and cacao in the surrounding area.

Kintamani, Bali

A highland area of north eastern Bali, Kintamani consists of several villages such as Batur, Penelokan, Bungkah, Toya and Kintamani itself. The huge mountain caldera of Batur has three villages on its rim, Kintamani, Batur and Penelokan, sitting at 1500 meters above sea level offering a marvelous view of Mount Batur and active volcano. This is situated close to Lake Batur where Toyo and Bungkah villages are located.

How to get there

One can reach Kintamani by bemos from Ubud and also from Denpasar’s Batubulan terminals. One can also take a car from South Bali and the wonderful trip shouldn’t take longer than 1.5 hours.

Attractions of this attractive place

View of the Crater and the Lake
With a spell bounding view of the lake and the crater of an active volcano, there cannot be many doubts about the scenic value one would get at this place. The lush green highland area provides a soothing sight to the eyes all around. However, to really enjoy the view of Lake Batur and the crater of Mount Batur, one has to get there very early in the morning before the fog sets in and covers the whole area. One can enjoy the view of Gunung Batur (Mount Batur) and Danau Batur (Lake Batur) by bending over the railings present there.

The Temple
The Northwest rim has the famous Pura Ulun Danau Batur, one of the 9 directional temples of Bali. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of the lake, Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu (Dewi Ulun Danu), who is worshipped as the controlling deity of the irrigation and water system of Bali. One can also enjoy the beautiful view of Mount Batur from the eastern shore of the lake at Trunyan and also soak in the idyllic setting of the villages, Kedisan, Buahan and Abang. Tourists usually take a boat ride to Trunyan village.

Museum Gunung Api Batur (Batur Volcano Museum)
The Batur museum has some wonderful geographical applications of the pacific ring of fire and Mount Batur’s eruptions. There is also a telescope to view the mountain and one gets to see films and animations explaining the whole process of volcanic eruption.

Trekking
It has a lot to offer for serious trekkers and one can choose treks lasting up to 10 hours. Ensure that the guides belong to the Association of Mount Batur Trekking Guides. The trek usually taken is through the pleasant shady forests of Toya Bungkah. One can also try to scale Mount Abang on the south eastern edge of the caldera. This is a popular trek before dawn where tourists can get a beautiful view of sunrise and also avoid the mid morning mist. The fact that the volcano is still active is demonstrated by guides who cook an egg on rocks heated by lava.

Cycling
One can take cycling tours around the lake to enjoy the scenery and also visit the Bukit Mentik temple. Near the lakeside in the Toya Bungkah village you can also enjoy the pleasantly warm waters of the Toya Devasya hot springs. You can also visit some of the market gardens full of cool climate vegetables.

What makes Amed?

It is a coastal strip in Bali which is comprised of 7 different fishing villages, one of them called by the same name. It offers a stunning view of the village life in Bali and is amongst the latest addition to the tourist map of Bali. The roads were laid as late as 2000 and the telephone lines were installed in 2003. It consists of 7 villages including Amed, Bunutan, Selang, Banyuning, Lipah, Aas and Jemeluk. The strip which offers a great view of Mount Agung is 14 km to the east of Cucik village, on the route between Singaraja and Karangasem. One can reach here from Lovina and Candidasa through shuttle buses. This strip lying on the north eastern tip of Bali is 2 hours drive from the international airport at Ngurah Rai. One can get around in this place through motorbikes or through mini buses called bemos, although it is hard to find public transport late in the day.

Get Drunk

Although Amed is not known for its nightlife, the Pavilion south of Selang is one of those places where locals put up a joged dance. It lets tourists enjoy themselves and have fun especially after one or two glasses of arak (the clear liquor of Bali).

Exploration and Activities

Amed is very popular for its scuba diving. One of the best diving sites is Jemeluk which is very famous for its coral wall that is almost 40 meters long. There are many dive operators and locals who can train you with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses. One can also go for snorkeling or pleasure dives. One can enjoy the scenic views with long bike rides where you will enjoy large volcanic stones, rice farms, smiling kids and some steel sections. One can go to the Ujung water palace which has some quality guest houses for accommodation. The coastal roads although narrow are good enough to be driven along. Interestingly the first bridge in this strip was only laid in 2007.

This solitary strip has a beautiful bay which is northeast of Tirta Gangga. The locals in this place are primarily fishermen and sea salt processors. You can take a look at the rural life up close and front by riding all by yourself or with a driver along the volcanic stones and ragged roads but there wouldn’t be a moment where you wouldn’t be awestruck especially if you are a lover of nature.

Fabulous Places you shouldn’t miss

Amed offers a great glimpse into marine life and the beaches are serene and untouched. You will also find places where the famous Bali salt crystals are produced and sent to delis all over the world. You can also enjoy the rich marine life off the coast. The Mini Zoo at Selang famous for Palm civet, cockatoo, lory, hornbill, skink and the Shell Museum at Bunutan, well known for its varieties of shells is another place worth a visit. All in all, Amed is a coastal strip where you can enjoy nature at its fullest.

About the Gorgeous Island

This tiny island is also called adorably as the Temple of the Land in the Middle of the Sea. It is said to be created due to constant erosion of ocean tide which continued over thousands of years. One of the last priests to visit Bali, Nirartha, founded the temple of Tanah Lot in the 16th century, marking it permanently on the annals of beautiful islands in the world. As is obvious from its creation through ocean tides, this beautiful island is full of imperious cliffs and wonderful landscapes that will take your breath away. The lovely island looks like a gorgeous magical boat at the time of high tide in the ocean, which is a spectacle that draws millions to this showpiece of Balinese islands.

Feast for Your Eyes

The island can be reached on the route to West Bali and is just 30 to 40 minutes driving distance from Ubud as well as from main tourist areas like Kuta and Seminyak in the north- west direction. Although, the temple was out of bounds for constructions and renovation, there are thousands of tourists flocking to the place who after crossing the maze of souvenirs selling every piece of trinket you can find in Indonesia, reach the foot of the cliff. The temple is beautifully perched on the cliff and there is a footpath that takes people to the pinnacle of the cliff.

This point is the haven for photographers and those who love scenic views. No wonder that this place is heavily crowded at sunset, when dusk creates magic with the silhouette of the temple on the boat shaped rock with the reddish orange glow in the background. The Pura Tanah Lot is accessible during the high tide when one can enjoy the view and the ocean taking you to mystical heights.

Considered to be one of the most sacred temples of Balinese Gods, legend has it that sea snakes that inhabit the caves below protect the temple. This doesn’t scare away the thousands who flock the terraces to drink in the blood red sky at dusk every evening.

For Your Stroll

For a relaxing promenade you can stroll along the mesmerizing souvenir shops which occupy the entire path leading to the temple making up a maze where you can pick items to your heart’s content for friends and family back home. Although food isn’t part of the attractions, you can try out chilled coconut known as Es Kelapa Muda while enjoying your sunset. You can also visit the amazing Nirwana Golf course designed by Greg Norman. It is located close to Tanah Lot in the South. This cliff top setting is considered to be amongst the best in Asia. 7 Km from Tanah Lot is Pejaten, the center of ceramic business in Bali, which would surely be a favorite for the ladies who can pick some wonderful crockery for their kitchens.

All in all Tanah Lot is all about that one million dollar glance which is close to a view of heaven and is something you must not miss when in Bali.