DenpasarThe capital city of the Province of Bali, Denpasar houses government offices, banks, and many other offices. Yet it manages to retain its Balinese personality while its temples still mantain their presence and influence. Pura Jagatnatha, a temple dedicated to the Sang Hyang Widi (Supreme God), has been converted into a Musuem. The status of a turtle and two dragons in the temple signify the foundation of the world. The Pura's architecture resembles that of a Balinese palace. It houses a fine variety of early and modern art. Sanggraha Kriya Hasta is a government-supervised art center, home to a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. Werdi Budaya presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest, and other artistic activities.
Nusa DuaPart of the Bukut Peninsula in southern Bali, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels on this planet, gracefully integrating the beauty of the white beaches and clear water into the landscape of the hotels. Ronald Reagan stayed here when he visited Bali. The beaches of Nusa Dua allow you to gently surf along the northern side of the peninsula. If you care for bigger waves, the southern part of the peninsula can give you a challenge.
Kuta BeachKuta Beach is a the surfer's paradise where any tourist need except quite place are comfortably available. Kuta will still alive by all the pubs and nightclubs until 4 AM. Amazingly, among those tourist hustle and bustle, a religious ritual rites and procession are not rare things to witness.
Jimbaran BeachJimbaran, about 5 minutes driving from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, is a village for fishermen. Here you can find many fresh seafood restaurants. Everybody has their favourite restaurant here but what they offer is relatively similar, it usually come with fried peanuts, five type of 'sambals', a basket of steam rice, Balinese vegetable of 'plecing', and sliced fruit for desert. Diners are given opportunity to choose their fish, shrimp, or crab from the aquarium in front of each restaurant. Once you find a good fresh fish with a good deal then go for it. If not then continue your quest.
KlungkungThe Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, where Balinese royalty draws its blood line, sat in Klungkung. It is the oldest kingdom on the island, and its Raja the most exalted. The ceiling of Kertha Gosa (Royal Court of Justice), built in the 18th century, displays one of Bali's masterpieces. Much like Michelangelo's The Creation on the Sistine Chapel, the murals portray the punishment of hell and the rewards of heaven, elaborated in thousands of panels of wayang style. The floating pavillion, garden, and lotus ponds are a reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.
BedugulThe mountain resort of Bedugul is well known for its golf course and Ulun Danu, a temple which seems to rise out of the lake to present itself beautifully. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are among the many watersports available in this area.
SanurPalm-lined beach, curving from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel to the south and facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. I suspect this is where Nehru experienced Bali to utter "Bali is the morning of the world." Offshore reefs protect the beach agains the waves, and makes it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other watersports.
Sanur is only a short distance from Denpasar, with public transportation readily available. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.
Tampak SiringPura Tirta Empul is the temple of Tampak Siring, built around a sacred spring. The temple and its two bathing places have been used by the Balinese for over 1000 years for good health and prosperity; the spring water has curative powers. Regular purification ceremonies take place here. Additionally, the people of Tampak Siring produce artistic bone and ivory carvings.
Tanah Lot
One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot temple is built atop a huge rock, surrounded by the sea. Build in the 16th century, Tanah Lot's rituals include paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found in the little caves at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.
UbudUbud is the art center of Bali, which maybe a hard concept to understand, given the artistic nature of the entire living in Bali. But the Raja of Ubud, historically, strongly encouraged artistic development, especially in painting. Ubud's Museum "Puri Lukisan" houses a permanent collection of Balinese paintings, dating from the turn of the century. Dutchborn Hans Snel and American Atonio Blanco, among other internationally prominent artists, had both called Ubud their home. The Neka Museum is another excellent museum, with marvelous collections of traditional Balinese paintings by local artists as well as foreign artists who lived in Bali.
Ubud today expands to other arts. 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.
Uluwatu TempleUluwatu, means the head of the stone, is located in the edge of stone cliff in southern part of Bali. It will give an impressive picturesque view especially on the sunset time. The three courtyards are surrounded by hard weathered white coral. The guardian gate in the middle courtyard has similar appearance of East Javanese temple architecture. The sacred resident monkeys are smart enough to steel your belonging even from your pocket, so beware.
