ALL IN ONE

SEMBILAN TIPS ANDAL BERMAIN GOLF

2009-02-06T05:29:00.001-08:00

Lapangan golf sekarang makin menjadi industri yang menggiurkan. Lihat saja, di Indonesia saat ini sudah lebih dari 80-an lapangan dioperasikan. Mulai dari yang memiliki hanya 9 holes sampai yang sudah menyediakan 36 holes. Bahkan ada juga driving range yang menyediakan 9 holes hanya green-nya saja untuk orang dapat berlatih pitching dan putting. Dari sebelah Barat di kota Banda Aceh sampai di belahan Timur di kota Manado terbentang lapangan golf dengan beragam design dan tentunya beragam tantangan pula.

Belasan hektar diperlukan untuk suatu lapangan dan ratusan pekerja dikerahkan untuk mengoperasikannya. Belum lagi penyediaan fasilitas-fasilitas tambahan lainnya misalnya kolam renang, fitness center, musholla dll. Golf memang sudah hampir menjadi kebutuhan para eksekutif sehari-hari. Tiada bisnis rasanya yang tidak dapat didiskusikan di lapangan golf sambil memukul si bundar kecil yang keras itu, dan berjalan menikmati udara terbuka dan areal yang luas menghijau itu.

Selain tempat bertukar pikiran dan bisnis, sebagai salah satu cabang olahraga golf pun tetap bertahan sebagai cabang yang banyak digemari. Di Indonesia saja sudah rutin diselenggarakan kejuaraan baik berskala nasional maupun internasional. Sebagai olahraga memang golf ini melatih ketenangan dan kesabaran, juga latihan pernapasan dan kekuatan kaki. Bayangkan, sekali bermain 18 holes, sekitar 6-7 km sebenarnya jarak yang dijalani oleh para pegolf.

Supaya tidak semakin katro dan ndeso, setidaknya mengikuti budaya massa di era global ini, berikut ini ada sedikit tips supaya ‘pinter’ main golf.

1. Terlahir sebagai anak caddie,
Terlahir sebagai anak caddie, tinggal dekat lapangan golf mungkin tips terbaik untuk menjadi pemain golf yang handal. Tiger Woods adalah contoh terbaik untuk tips ini. Lahir dari pasangan Afro-Amerika-Thailand, Tiger sejak kecil sudah dilatih golf oleh sang ayah.

2. Belajar swing pertama umur 5 tahun,
Driving range umumnya diisi orang yang ‘tua’ dan anak-anak kecil. Anak-anak kecil ini kelak akan menjadi pemain golf yang handal. Panjang lingkar perut anda menentukan kualitas swing yang dihasilkan. Seperti dalam terminologi olahraga manapun: ‘lebih cepat dilakukan lebih baik’.

3. Punya tetangga penggemar golf,
Tetangga, memungkinkan anda berangkat ketempat golf bersama-sama (baca: nebeng). Tetangga, paling tidak meyakinkan istri anda bahwa anda berangkat bersama si tetangga memang untuk bermain golf. Bukan ketempat-tempat yang aneh-aneh.

4. Punya teman kantor penggila golf,
Golf itu olahraga pagi, tee off untuk turnamen dilakukan jam 5.30. Driving paling menyenangkan juga dilakukan pagi hari. Dengan punya teman kantor penggila golf, paling tidak jadwal untuk bermain golf sudah disesuaikan dengan jam kantor. Iya kan, kecuali kita eksekutif tingkat tinggi yang fleksibel waktunya.

5. Punya sahabat pencinta golf,
Swing pertama anda mungkin sangat memalukan, mungkin butuh berkali-kali latihan untuk melihat bola hanya meluncur 10 m, sementara anak kecil disamping anda sudah melambungkan bola golf entah kemana. Sahabat baik memungkinkan anda mencintai golf lebih cepat.

6. Punya (life) consultant juga pengagum golf,
Golf is a game of controlled emotion, golf is a game of confidence, golf is about integrity, about honour. Dan segala jargon-jargon populer lain tentang golf. Pelajaran-pelajaran awal tentang golf adalah pelajaran tentang prinsip-prinsip kehidupan. Golf paling tidak mengajarkan kita untuk percaya diri dan menghargai orang lain. Dalam banyak hal, nilai-nilai dalam golf bisa membantu kita menjalani hidup lebih baik. Atau sebaliknya, dengan hidup yang lebih baik kita bisa memainkan golf dengan lebih cantik.

7. Punya pacar/istri yang mengerti bahwa pacar/suaminya mulai mencintai golf.
Golf is very time consuming, paling tidak kalau harus mengikuti turnamen. Tapi, pun hanya meluangkan waktu sabtu/minggu untuk sekedar driving. Buat beberapa orang, melihat suaminya pergi ‘bersenang-senang’ bisa jadi membuat suasana jadi kesal. Dukungan istri, sudah dipastikan membuat pikiran anda lebih tenang dan swing pun menjadi lebih baik.

8. Punya anggaran khusus perbulannya untuk main golf. Peralatan golf dan green fee butuh biaya yang tidak sedikit, kecuali kalau dibayarin. Belajar golf dari kecil juga costly karena begitu tubuh meninggi/membesar, mesti ganti stick. Apalagi di Indonesia masih gagap budaya, sebelum main membanding-bandingkan stick dulu, apa brandnya? Beli di mana? Shaftnya nippon made bukan? Meskipun demikian, untuk tahap awal belajar golf memang tidak perlu bergantung pada brand. Pakai yang murah juga bisa karena tahap awal kita belajar how to right swing. Sekarang, dengan semakin banyak dibangunnya lapangan golf maka akan semakin murah green fee-nya. Bila Anda tidak punya anggaran khusus, pintar-pintarlah berteman supaya Anda bisa diajak main gratis.

9. Mencari lapangan golf yang baik. Di antara banyak alasan kenapa permainan jelek atau tidak berkembang adalah kondisi lapangan golf yang murah. Mulai dari kualitas rumput fairway-nya yang jelek lah –tidak terlihat perbedaan antara rumput di fairway dan di rough; kualitas green-nya yang jelek-lah. Berbeda kondisinya main golf di lapangan yang tarifnya mahal. Rumputnya lebih bagus, green-nya juga oke. Pendek kata, rasanya plong sekali pas memukul bolanya.

Kalau biasanya nge-drive dari tee-box di lapangan yang murah selalu meleset ke sana kemari, dan bahkan tidak melaju kencang bolanya. Di lapangan yang mahal drive pun jadi lebih oke dan jauh. Pun ketika memukul bola dari fairway, terasa lebih enak dan lebih mantap. Chip-shot pun jadi lebih terukur dan terarah karena rumput yang lebih bagus. Juga ketika menyelesaikan satu hole dengan putting di green, juga lebih terarah dan terukur.

Bagi sebagian kalangan, kondisi ini sudah menyangkut psikologis, bahwa nyangkul di lapangan yang lebih mahal itu jauh lebih enak. Meskipun skor tidak berbeda jauh antara main di lapangan murah maupun mahal, setidaknya bisa berkata, “Biar skor jelek, yang penting puas.” Ada prestise tersendiri yang dialami golfer dengan sesuatu yang ‘mahal’ dan ‘eksklusif’, meskipun mungkin itu hanya ada dalam benaknya sendiri

CHEAP INN IN KUTA (POPPIES 1 & 2)

2009-02-05T23:53:00.000-08:00

Mahendra

Banjar Pengabeten, Poppies I
0361) 752371
Located in the gang between Poppies I and II next to Surf TravelOnline.
The 22 rooms are on 2 levels and come with fan that is the plug in variety.
The rooms are very basic with white tile floors and small balcony.
The rooms are located around a small ‘bale’ or open sided roof and garden.
Western toilet, shower.
Breakfast is included and there is a small restaurant and shop.
1 Person 25,000rp 1 Night
2 Person 30,000rp 1 Night
1 Person 10% discount 1 Week
2 Person 10% discount 1 Week
There are slightly nicer rooms for 5,000rp more per night.

Puri Agung
oppies I
0361) 750054
Located on the small gang between Poppies I and II opposite Bungalows Taman Ayu.
Elegant little entrance to this place. There’s a tree in the center of the small courtyard and The reception is off to the left.
There are 12 rooms that are 2-storey with shady porches and chairs.
No breakfast only hot tea served in the morning.
1 Person 25,000rp 1 Night
2 Person 40,000rp 1 Night
1 Person No discount 1 Week
2 Person No discount 1 Week

Bungalows Taman Ayu
oppies I
0361) 751855
Located on the small gang between Poppies I and II opposite Puri Agung.
This place has a bright and airy feel with pink and white floor tiles and not too much to obstruct the sunshine.
The 10 rooms are on 2 levels and there is a large central ‘bale’ shelter. Rooms come with fan and shower. Rooms are very clean and have small table and 2 chairs outside on the porch.
No breakfast is served only hot tea. Western toilet, shower.
1 Person 30,000rp 1 Night
2 Person 50,000rp 1 Night
3 Person 60,000 1 Night
1 Person No discount 1 Week

51 Lima Satu
oppies I
0361) 754944
Located on a perpendicular street to Poppies I that is down from Taman Ayu, around the corner from TJ’s Mexican.
The 11 rooms are on 3 levels, with a pool.
There is not a restaurant on the premises but breakfast is included.
Rooms are large and clean with bath- tub, fridge and porch with table & chairs. The rooms look comfortable. The porch area was shady at noon- time. All rooms have A/C and hot water.
The rectangular pool is 10 meters long and has reclining chairs. On the property is a Japanese run ‘healing salon’ featuring aromatherapy, reflexology and energy healing.
1 Person 100,000rp 1 Night
2 Person 150,000rp 1 Night
1-2 Person No discount 1 Week

Poppies Cottages
oppies I
0361) 751059
Located across from Komala Indah and 20 meters from TJ’s Mexican restaurant.
Lovely cottages with tradtional alang-alang / bamboo roofs. The gardens are well kept and relaxing to walk through and have a traditional ‘bale’ shelter with a gamelan orchestra set. The swimming pool is in tropical style, shaped with rocks and also has a jucuzzi. There is an internet facility and room service. All cottages have A/C and fan. There is no breakfast only fried bananas and tea. There is a small library and restaurant.

The rooms are very clean and comfortable and come equipped with an open-air bathroom. The beds looked comfortable and the floor tiles were a relaxing light brown.Writing desk, fridge, porch and chairs were included.
This is a beautiful place but a little expensive.
Single $80 1 Night
Double / Twin $85 1 Night
Extra $15 1 Night
No discount 1 Week

Komala Indah
oppies I #20
0361) 751422
Located opposite to Poppies Cottages and 20 meters closer to Jl. Legian than TJ’s Mexican restaurant.
There are 8 rooms on one level all with fan and cold shower.
Tea and bananas for breakfast.
The rooms are set in a family style compound and the family still lives here. There are a couple of centrally located ‘bales’ or open sided shelters and the whole thing feels very traditional. There is a temple on site too. A white tiled piled and bamboo porch furniture is the first aspect of the room a visitor sees. The family keeps birds in cages and this place is very reminiscent of losmans in Ubud.
Rooms were simple and clean and come with bathtub.
I talked to a traveler who has been here for 12 days. He said he liked the friendly staff and the cleanliness of the place. He said there is always a man on the door at night and plenty of relatives around offering transport options. He said he’d stay here again.
1 Person 40,000rp 1 Night
2 Person 60,000rp 1 Night
1 Person 280,000 1 Week
2 Person 420,000 1 Week

LA Inn
gung Art Market, Poppies I
0361) 750616
Located opposite Bali Jegeg Bar in the small gang that runs perpendicular.
19 rooms with fan or A/C, some rooms get breakfast! Very basic white tiled rooms with shower and toilet. There is a gravel walkway between the rooms that feels very cheap and primitive. Single chair outside each room, no view with rooms facing each other. Room cleanliness was average. It’s not a place you’d feel like spending time in. No atmosphere or a place to relax. Western toilet , shower. Here’s a selection of the mind-boggling rates.
Double A/C 100,000 1 Night
Twin A/C 100,000 1 Night
Double Fan 70,000 1 Night
Twin Fan 90,000 1 Night
Single Fan 60,000 1 Night

Double New Fan 80,000 1 Night
Twin New Fan 80,000 1 Night
Single Fan 350,000 1 Week
Single Fan w/Breakfast 420,000 1 Week

AP Inn
oppies I
0361) 765662
Located behind Kubuku restaurant and close to the Secret Garden restaurant.
40 rooms on 2 levels. The room types are Twin, Double, Fan, A/C.
There is a nice swimming pool with bar and restaurant.
Guests receive a welcome drink on arrival. Hot and cold water and breakfast included. The rooms and top landing have shiny brown floor tiles that look new.
The hotel has a natural roof. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable with shared balcony that is breezy. The rooms have a traditional carved door and frame. There is a security post in the parking area and a beauty salon, money changer and tourist service are located next door. A pleasant place to relax.
Double A/C 150,000 1 Night
Double Fan 100,000 1 Night
Twin A/C 175,000 1 Night
Twin Fan 125,000 1 Night

Fat Yogi’s Cottages
oppies I
0361) 751665
Located down the street from La Walon Bungalows.
26 rooms on 2 levels with a choice of A/C or fan. Has very clean looking pool but the reclining chairs look worn.
The rooms are quite large but look old and in need of renovation. The bed looked comfortable and the room was average on cleanliness.
The porch area has rattan and bamboo furniture.
American breakfast included.
Fat Yogi’s restaurant out front is cool however and serves decent food.
A/C 1 Person 130,000 1 Night
A/C 2 Person 150,000 1 Night
Fan 1 Person 50,000 1 Night
Fan 2 Person 70,000 1 Night
Smaller with Fan 1 Person 30,000 1 Night
Smaller with Fan 2 Person 50,000 1 Night
Smaller with Fan 1 Person No Discount 1 Week
Smaller with Fan 2 Person No Discount 1 Week

La Walon Bungalows
oppies I
0361 ) 757234
Located down from Fat Yogi and across from Kubuku restaurant.
There is a parking area in front with reception. Rooms are on 3 levels and there is a pool.
The pool looks clean but the pool furniture looks a bit old.
Cottages are simple with bamboo furniture, brown tile floor and tile roof. The rooms in the 3-storey block have a white tiled floor and are quite clean.
Breakfast is included.
In between the cottages are some ponds with nasty looking water.
Fan 1 Person 110,000 1 Night
A/C 1 Person 140,000 1 Night
Fan 2 Person 120,000 1 Night
A/C 2 Person 160,000 1 Night
No Discount 1 Week

Masa Inn
oppies I/27
0361) 758507
Located 30 meters from La Walon and across the street from Sari Indah market.
82 rooms on 2-levels, 2 swimming pools and breakfast restaurant. Tiled roof.
Rooms are large and have hot water, bathtub. The bed is quality and there is also a fridge. I thought the rooms were very clean and with the white tiled floor and the porch area was sunny and feature table and chairs.
Renovations are going on in the center of the property. The rear swimming pool has a large flat grassy area that is good for sunbathing. There is a bar next to the pool (not a ‘pool-bar’ though).
The reception area is right on the street and there is a traditional stone entrance way.
A/C Family (4) 300,000 1 Night
A/C Triple 240,000 1 Night
A/C Double 180,000 1 Night
A/C Single 150,000 1 Night
Fan Double 135,000 1 Night
Fan Single 115,000 1 Night

Diana House
oppies I
Located across from Jazz Inn.
6 rooms which are very basic and come in 2 sizes. Very basic bathroom and porch. All furniture is bamboo.
Reception area and central area are shabby. Rooms need renovation.
Breakfast not included. This place is good for someone on a strict budget.
Large room 1 Person 40,000 1 Night
Large room 1 Person 50,000 1 Night
Small room 1 Person 210,000 1 Week

Large room 1 Person 280,000 1 Week
Small room 2 Person 280,000 1 Week
Large room 2 Person 350,000 1 Week

Ayu Beach Inn
oppies I
0361) 752091
Located opposite Laundry Services.
30 or so rooms mostly on single level with a few on 2nd floor. Shady looby behing long narrow driveway and parking area.
There is a vast array of prices depending on room size, A/C or fan, hot or cold water etc.
Rooms come with bathtub, are clean with whitish tile floor and have a porch with table and chair.
The garden that leads to the rooms has plenty of shady trees and bushes. There is also and internet-service.
There are 2 swimming pools and a restaurant that serves breakfast ( which is included ) and lunch.

I talked to 2 European travelers who said the hotel was good value with a central location, “The best you can find around here for the money”. I asked if there was anything that wasn’t good and they said the hand held shower wasn’t too good and the breakfast didn’t offer much.

Single 70,000-125,000 1 Night

Double 80,000-150,000 1 Night

Triple 100,000-200,000 1 Night

Kedin’s Inn
oppies I

Located next to Tree House restaurant and across from R.Z bookshop.

25 rooms on 1 level. Front parking area with reception. Basic rooms with white tile floor. Rooms are clean with simple shower, porch with rattan furniture, nothing fancy though.
The porch area is fairly relaxing as it is shady and away from the street.
All rooms have fan.
I talked to a guest from Australia who had been back many times. He said he liked Kedin’s Inn because it was cheap and close to the beach. The low point is that sometimes other guests walk past late at night making a lot of noise. Breakfast is simple but okay.
1 Person 40,000 1 Night
2 Person 50,000 1 Night
1 Person 280,000 1 Week

2 Person 350,000 1 Week

Kuta Puri Bungalows
oppies I
0361) 752585
Located 50 meters from the beach road ( Jl. Pantai Kuta ).
39 rooms with cottages on 2 levels and bungalows on 1 level.
Rooms are clean and comfortable with good bed and come with fridge. The bathroom is open-air but looks very bare with the plain cement walls.
The porch area is shady and good for reading.
On the 2nd floor there are hallway lockers available.
Bungalows are larger with a carved doorway.
Construction is in progress on a 2 level block right now.
The grounds are large and well kept with swimming pool. The restaurant is located at the front next to Poppies I and has a large traditional bamboo / alang alang roof. I had lunch of grilled snapper for 17,000rp and it was good.
The restaurant is a relaxing place to be and the staff are very polite and friendly.
Breakfast is included.
Massage is available. There is a tour and transport office located at the front of the hotel.
A/C Hot water Bungalow Double $45 / 1 Night
A/C Hot water Bungalow Single $40/ 1 Night
A/C Hot water Cottage Double $35 /1 Night
A/C Hot water Cottage Single $30 /1 Night
A/C Hot water Extra bed $10 /1 Night
Fan Hot water Bungalow Double $28 /1 Night
Fan Hot water Bungalow Single $24 /1 Night
Fan Hot water Bungalow Extra bed $8 /1 Night
Fan Cold water Cottage I Double $20 /1 Night
Fan Cold water Cottage I Single $17 /1 Night
Fan Cold water Cottage II Double $18/ 1 Night
Fan Cold water Cottage II Single $15 /1 Night
Fan Cold water Extra bed $7 /1 Night

PLACE OF INTEREST IN BALI

2009-02-05T23:49:00.001-08:00

Kuta

Once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now a thriving tourist resort, popular mainly among the young. It is a beach for surfing although currents make it less suitable for swimming. Coast guards, however, are on constant duty during the day. Kuta faces toward the west offering beautiful sunsets.Accommodation ranges from international hotels to home stays. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques and other tourist facilities. It is easier to find regular performances of Balinese music and dance in Kuta, staged specially for tourists, than anywhere else in Bali. Some performances are staged nightly. The village is ideal for meeting and mixing with other people, locals as well as visitors from abroad.

Nusa Dua

The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean white beaches and clear waters. The surf is gentle along the northern side of the peninsula, bigger along the south. The most convenient form of transportation to and from Nusa Dua is by taxi.

Sanur

Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site for people from Denpasar. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east. Sanur offers many good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is only a short distance from Denpasar.
Public transportation to and from the city are easily available until well into the night. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves to make it popular for wind surfing, boating and other water sports.

Denpasar

The capital city of Bali, Denpasar has many community temples called "Pura". One is the Museum called Pura Jagatnatha which is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world. The Museum offers a fine variety of prehistoric and modern art, whereas its architectural design resembles that of a palace. The government supervised "Sanggraha Kriya Asta" has a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. The "Werdi Budaya" presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest and so on

Uluwatu temple

This cliff top temple, dedicated to the spirits of the sea, has spectacular views and is popular for viewing sunsets.
The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural marvel situated on headland at the western tip to the plateau.
According to local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century, In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state.
The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali.
The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone have withstood time well.

Ubud

The cultural image of Ubud is paramount to people as home to the best art museums in the country, like Puri Lukisan, Neka Museum, ARMA (Agung Rai Museum & Art), etc. Ubud is an ideal place to see Balinese dance, Legong, Ramayana, Baris, Kecak and Sanghyang (the fire dance) are performed nightly in or aroud the Ubud area. Ubud gives you opportunity to see real Bali. It is a place for leisurely strolls through rice terraces, lush forests, breath-taking gorges and deserted swimming holes, all within walking distance from the center of Ubud. You must visit Monkey Forest - walk along Monkey Forest Road from Ubud, down into a dense forest where you will find a bunch of happy monkeys waiting for passing tourists.

Sukawati

Sukawati is famous for its art market (Pasar Seni) and dalangs (puppeteers). Set in a two-floor building, the market sells everything from statues to dance costumes.

Mas

Mas is famous for woodcarving. Mas offers a myriad of wooden items. The main road of the town is lined with dozens of workshop.

Celuk

Celuk is center for Balinese goldsmiths and silversmiths. More 40 jewelry workshops are located along the road from Batubulan to Celuk. The jewelries are exported worldwide.

Batubulan

Driving northeast from Denpasar, stone figures on the roadside mark the village of Batubulan. Divinities and demons are carved from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples. Workshops can be visited to watch artists at work. Batubulan also is famous for Barong Dance which is performed daily here. The dance symbolizes the never-ending battle between good and evil. The Pura Puseh Batubulan, a beautiful temple, is also worth visiting while in Batubulan.

Batuan

An old and famous centre of the arts, it is now known for its dancing, wood panel carving and paintings.

Sangeh

Sangeh is the famous Monkey Forest, set in heart of the only primary forest in southern Bali. This forest consists entirely of pala (nutmeg) tree. The monkeys living here are considered sacred and hence used to make barong.

Peliatan

Peliatan is located between Ubud and Mas. It has been known as the centre of traditional music, and dances. The fine art of local woodcarvers started a new style of wood carving producing such things as fruits, flowers and trees in their real shapes and colourings.

Goa gajah

Goa Gajah, dates back to the 11 th century and is believed to have been built as a monastery. Carvings on the wall show a demon head over the entrance, flanked by two statues. The cave contains a statue of Ganesha. Escavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding water-spouts.

Tampak Siring

The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around ; the sacred spring at Tampak Siring. Over 1000 years old, the temple and its two bathing places have been used by the people for good health and prosperity because of the spring waters curative powers. Regular ceremonies are held for purification. Specialities of the area are bone and ivory carvings, and seashell ornament.

Lovina

Tourists looking for a quiet beach resort can head 10 km west from Singaraja to Lovina, a long stretch of beach (with hotels and bungalows).
The black sand beach is safe and a perfect place for the swimming and snorkeling. Lovina also offers dolphin viewing. It is the perfect base from which to explore northern Bali.

Besakih temple

nown as the "Mother Temple of Bali", the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings. Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity: Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese, a visit to the temples sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage. Each has its own anniversary celebration or "Odalan". The sight of the temple against the background of the mountain is impressive and during festivals, colored banners add a touch of gaiety.

Kintamani

The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, make this region a must to visit. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere on the island. Lake Batur also provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain.
The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali, dating from the tenth century. The evenings get cool up here but it's well worth the stay overnight to climb the volcano and watch the sunrise. Many cheap losmens are available here.

Trunyan

Bali Aga Village on the shores of Lake Batur.

Tanah lot

One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot is built a top a huge rock which is surrounded by the sea. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali from Java in the 16th century, its rituals include the paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea.
Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruder. The best time to see Tanah Lot is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.

Goa lawah

Goa Lawah is the bat cave. This cave is crammed with thousands of bats which are unseen but certainly not unheard during the day. The cave is part of a temple that is said to lead all the way to Besakih but it's unlikely that anyone would be interested in investigating.

Kerta Gosa

Kerta Gosa was used a venue for the administration of justice by kings and priests during pre-colonial times.
It is surrounded by a moat and is decorated with beautiful paintings on its ceilings, which depict tortures in hell and bliss in heaven.The Bale Kembang (Floating Pavilion) stands behind the Kerta Gosa. Its painted ceilings depict the legend of the hero Sutasoma and his sacrifices, and of Pan and Men Brayut, known as the couple who had too many offspring.

West Bali National Park

West Bali National Park is situated in two regencies: Jembrana and Buleleng. The entrance on the Jembrana side of the park is at Melaya on the Denpasar - Gilimanuk road. Visit this place if you are looking for pristine tropical nature. The park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak Putih, fewer than fifty are believed to be left in the wild,where they are threatened by poaching. The park also home to banteng and deer-like Menjangan. The National Park contains a broad rang of natural environments, from magrove coastal forests to savana and rainforest shelters.To enter Bali National Park one must go to the park office in Cekik.
Accommodation is available in basic huts but you must bring your own bedding and untensils.

Menjangan Island

This little island off Bali's west coast is known for its beautiful coral reefs found nearby and the wealth of tropical fish inhabiting the waters around it. The island itself including Terima Bay, are by themselves worth a visit because of the beautiful sceneries they offer.

Nusa Lembongan Island

Nusa Lembongan, a small island between Bali and Nusa Penida in the Badung Strait, is the perfect location for a holiday hideaway with few visitors and pristine unspoilt beaches. Overlooking Sanghiang Bay with its clear sapphire-blue waters, the Nusa Lembongan Resort offers a panoramic view of eastern Bali and the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung.

Bedugul

he mountain resort of Bedugul, 18 km north of Denpasar, is known for its excellent golf course. Located beside Lake Bratan, it is surrounded by forested hills. A beautiful sight is the "Ulun Danu" temple which seems to rise out of the lake. The area offers good-walks. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are available for hire. The Bali Handara country club has bungalows for rent and a restaurant. When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape to Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea level. Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine forests seem to create a freshness in the air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruits , vegetables and flowers.
Ujung

Just outside Amlapura, is the beautiful restored water palace of the Karangasem Rajahs.

Tenganan

Ancient and traditional Bali Aga Village, famous for double ikat weaving and excellent textile shops with pieces from all over the archipelago