Bali - The Island of Gods Travel Guides

It is a paradise island for all visitors and a world of Hinduism temples. Bali is a most favorite holiday destination for everyone from all part of the world. Bali offers peaceful place, great fun, relaxation for those who want to escape themselves and the family from the pressures of daily life.

Besides the leisure and relaxing, Bali is also conjure up the unique experience for the couple who love one each other to marry here in the beautiful island. Bali gives a blessing with a spirit from the paradise in the day where once in your lifetime experience.

Bali is an Indonesian island located at 8°25′23″S, 115°14′55″ECoordinates: [show location on an interactive map] 8°25′23″S, 115°14′55″E, the western most of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island. The island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.

History
Bali has been inhabited since early prehistoric times firstly by descendants of a prehistoric race who migrated through mainland Asia to the Indonesian archipelago, thought to have first settled in Bali around 3000 BC.[citation needed] Stone tools dating from this time have been found near the village of Cekik in the island's west.

Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Indian, and particularly Sanskrit, culture, in a process beginning around the 1st century AD. The name Balidwipa has been discovered from various inscriptions, including the Blanjong charter issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD and mentioning Walidwipa. It was during this time that the complex irrigation system subak was developed to grow rice. Some religious and cultural traditions still in existence today can be traced back to this period. The Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) on eastern Java founded a Balinese colony in 1343. When the empire declined, there was an exodus of intellectuals, artists, priests and musicians from Java to Bali in the 15th century.

The First European contact with Bali is thought to have been when Dutch explorer Cornelis de Houtman arrived in 1597, though a Portuguese ship had foundered off the Bukit Peninsula as early as 1585.[citation needed] Dutch rule over Bali came later, was more aggressively fought for, and was never as well established as in other parts of Indonesia such as Java and Maluku.

In the 1840s, a presence in Bali was established, first in the island's north, by playing various distrustful Balinese realms against each other. The Dutch mounted large naval and ground assaults first against the Sanur region and then Denpasar. The Balinese were hopelessly overwhelmed in number and armament, but rather than face the humiliation of surrender, they mounted a final defensive but suicidal assault, or puputan. Despite Dutch demands for surrender, an estimated 4,000 Balinese marched to their death against the invaders. Afterwards the Dutch governors were able to exercise little influence over the island, and local control over religion and culture generally remained intact.

Japan occupied Bali during World War II during which time a Balinese military officer, Gusti Ngurah Rai, formed a Balinese 'freedom army'. Following Japan's Pacific surrender in August 1945, the Dutch promptly returned to Indonesia, including Bali, immediately to reinstate their pre-war colonial administration. This was resisted by the Balinese rebels now using Japanese weapons.

On 20 November 1946, the Battle of Marga was fought in Tabanan in central Bali. Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai, 29 years old, finally rallied his forces in east Bali at Marga Rana, where they made a suicide attack on the heavily armed Dutch. The Balinese battalion was entirely wiped out, breaking the last thread of Balinese military resistance. In 1946 the Dutch constituted Bali as one of the 13 administrative districts of the newly-proclaimed Republic of East Indonesia, a rival state to the Republic of Indonesia which was proclaimed and headed by Sukarno and Hatta. Bali was included in the "Republic of the United States of Indonesia" when the Netherlands recognised Indonesian independence on Dec. 29, 1949. In 1950 Bali officially renounced the Dutch union and legally became a province within the Republic of Indonesia.

The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung killed thousands, created economic havoc and forced many displaced Balinese to be transmigrated to other parts of Indonesia.

In 1965, after a failed coup d'etat in Jakarta against the national government of Indonesia, Bali, along with other regions of Indonesia most notably Java, was the scene of widespread killings of (often falsely-accused) members and sympathizers of the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) by right-wing General Suharto-sponsored militias. Possibly more than 100,000 Balinese were killed although the exact numbers are unknown to date and the events remain legally undisclosed.[2] Many unmarked but well known mass graves of victims are located around the island.

On October 12, 2002, a car bomb attack in the tourist resort of Kuta killed 202 people, largely foreign tourists and injured a further 209. Further bombings occurred three years later in Kuta and nearby Jimbaran Bay.

Geography
Bali lies 3.2 km east of Java and approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. East to west, the island is approximately 153 km wide and 112 km north to south (95 by 69 miles, respectively), with a surface area of 5,632 km². The highest point is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover centre to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the easternmost peak. Mount Batur (1,717 m) is also still active. About 30,000 years ago it experienced a catastrophic eruption — one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth.

In the south the land descends to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, drier in the dry season and overflowing during periods of heavy rain.

The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, and the present provincial capital and largest city, Denpasar, near the southern coast. The town of Ubud (north of Denpasar), with its art market, museums and galleries, is arguably the cultural center of Bali.

There are major coastal roads and roads that cross the island mainly north-south. Due to the mountainous terrain in the island's center, the roads tend to follow the crests of the ridges across the mountains. There are no railway lines.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west black sand. The beach town of Padangbai in the south east has both: the main beach and the secret beach have white sand and the south beach and the blue lagoon have much darker sand. Pasut Beach, near Ho River and Pura Segara, is a quiet beach 14 km southwest of Tabanan. The Ho River is navigable by small sampan. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot, this is not yet a tourist area.

To the east, the Lombok Strait that separates Bali from Lombok marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia that is known as the Wallace Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major biomes. When sea levels dropped during the Pleistocene ice age, Bali was connected to Java and Sumatra and to the mainland of Asia and shared the Asian fauna, but the deep water of the Lombok Strait continued to keep Lombok and the Lesser Sunda archipelago isolated.

The population of Bali is 3,151,000 (as of 2005).

Religion

Unlike most of Muslim-majority Indonesia, about 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, formed as a combination of existing local beliefs and Hindu influences from mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia. Minority religions include Islam (4.79%), Christianity (1.38%), and Buddhism (0.64%). These official statistical figures do not include immigrants from other parts of Indonesia.

Immigrants from other parts of Indonesia have drastically changed the demographics in Bali.[citation needed] Although the majority of the population of Bali adheres to Balinese Hinduism, recent years have brought an influx of people from other islands seeking to benefit from the tourist industry, export of local handicrafts and other factors, making Bali the most affluent island in the region. The bombings in Bali by Muslim militants and the numbers of wealthy Muslims from Jakarta with political connections buying prime real estate for development has started to create Hindu-Muslim tensions where none existed before.

Culture
Bali is famous for many forms of art, including painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Balinese gamelan music is highly developed and varied. The dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. Famous Balinese dances include pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, and kecak (the monkey dance).

National education programs, mass media and tourism continue to change Balinese culture. Immigration from other parts of Indonesia, especially Java, is changing the ethnic composition of Bali's population.

The Hindu new year, Nyepi, is celebrated in the spring by a day of silence. On this day everyone stays at home and tourists are encouraged to remain in their hotels. On the preceding day large, colorful sculptures of ogoh-ogoh monsters are paraded and finally burned in the evening to drive away evil spirits. Other festivals throughout the year are specified by the Balinese pawukon calendrical system.

Kuta Beach Bali Travel Guides

Kuta in addition to being the Sunset Site Number One, with its daily spectacular sunsets, it is also the centre of night life activities in Southern Bali and a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the Bachfront,Hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort, will ready accomodate you.

The beach of Kuta is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport’s runway, which gives you a breathtaking landing experience. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, waves will invite you to test your surfing

Kuta is very short drive away from the airport, and transportation is readily available to take you from and to Kuta to and from anywhere else in Bali

Kuta Beach is the most famous beach in Bali and the first one most people see.

Its proximity to the cheap guest houses on Poppies I & II as well as Jl. Benesari and the budget hotels on Jl. Melasti make it super accessible for a surfer just arriving for the first time. For someone staying at hotel Bounty on Poppies II for example you only have to walk for about 3 minutes and you will be at the beach.

At the bottom end of Jl. Pantai Kuta you will see the lifeguard tower which is in operation from 6am to 7pm. It is equipped with 2 jet-skis, a Toyota Landcruiser and a surf rescue longboard. There have been over 300 rescues in 2004 as well as 14 drownings.

Being a sandy beach break most of the surfers you will find on Kuta Beach are beginners or intermediates taking it easy. Any time there is swell expect a lot of Balinese in the water as well as Japanese, plus a sprinkling of other nationalities.

Best times to surf this beach are at high tide.

The slope of Kuta Beach is very gradual and you can walk out 100 meters and still be only chest high in the water, a perfect place for beginners. The waves come in flat meaning you are not going to get a very long ride.

Kuta Beach itself has the densest beach activity of any place in Bali with drink, sarong, carving sellers all over the place. Boards of all sizes are available for rent. There seems to be someone with a rack of boards every 10 meters under the trees. You can also get a body board if that is your preference. I asked a number of renters for a rate and they ask 50,000rp for 2 hours with the body board and 75,000-100,000rp for 2 hours for a surfboard. This is their asking price of course and the realities are somewhat different. If you persist you can probably get them down a lot. Remember you can rent a motorbike for a day for 40,000rp.

Expect to be hassled like mad by massage ladies and all kinds of vendors as soon as you sit down for a break. Getting to know a single drink vendor will help if you are planning to stay around for a while, because as trust develops they will guard your belongings as they see you as a regular customer. I still would not bring too much cash or valuables to the beach.

For people planning to spend the whole day at the beach there are a million drink vendors. A Coke goes for 5,000rp and a small Bintang for 10,000rp.

Indonesian food vendors are all over too selling quick snacks that are popular with locals including rujak, the spicy concoction of unripe fruits sprinkled with salt, chili and caramel sauce.

Close to the life guard tower at the bottom on Jl. Pantai Kuta there is a toilet / shower facility which charges 1,000rp for the toilet. There is another similar facility on the beach across from Poppies Lane II and another at Halfway and another at Jl.Pantai Legian a little ways up the beach from the turn off at Jl. Melasti.

Across from the beach down by Poppies I is a Circle K and a McDonalds which may please some people. There are also free-standing ATM machines in this area as well in some of the Circle K’s.

Warungs offering cheap food are within a 2 minute walk on Poppies Lane I so no need to get sucked into a beachside restaurant and high prices.

As a rule of thumb the swell hits harder the further you head north in regard to Kuta Bay. The surf schools often are based in the Kuta Beach area across from Poppies I & II. If you head up to Kuta Halfway which is halfway up Jl. Pantai Kuta to Jl. Melasti, at the end you will have way less of everything, food options, drink sellers ad shade as the trees have not grown here much, although there is a new Circle K next to the Aussie-themed Southern Cross restaurant serving an assortment of western food. Black pepper steak is 45,000rp and red snapper is the same price. For people surfing at Kuta Halfway your nearest budget food options are on Jl. Benesari a minutes walk south.

South Kuta Bali is more that just a great beach......it is conveniently located just a short distance from Bali's International aiprort and a comfortable stroll form the nightlife and excitment of central Kuta.

Sanur Beach - Bali Travel Guides

Sanur beach has long been popular recreation site for people from Denpasar and elsewhere. The palm lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east. The main attraction of Sanur beach is the beaches with their very white sand and the beauty of constantly calm water. Due to the protection of the lagoon, this beach is one of the safest on the island, and thus perfect for families. Offshore reefs protect the beach and make it popular for windsurfing; boating and other related water sports.

Sanur is also the place where the few remaining of Brahman Kuasa villages found. Some of the charming ritual procession such as Balis only all-female keris dance is held in this area.The Prasasti Blanjong, an emblazoned pillar here dated AD 913, is Balis earliest behind the times relic and is now kept in a temple in Blanjong village, southern part of Sanur.

Getting There
Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a five to ten minute drive. You can get to Sanur from the airport by Taxi. Tickets available at the airport taxi co-op counter outside customs, near "left luggage".
Where to StayThe choice of accommodations in Sanur ranges from the superior service and extensive facilities of the larger luxury establishment. Make your choice based on location rather than the number of stars. Sanur can be divided into several sub-areas:The Grand Bali Beach Hotel area. West and south of the hotel, at the point where the black and the white sand beaches meet. This northern section of Sanur is popular with local crowds. Sindhu is east of JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai, and south of JI. Segara Ayu. Extending south to the first stretch of JI. Danau Tamblingan. This area is classier, with good hotels on the beach, night and art markets, and good restaurants.Batu jimbar, further south, has few hotels, but is the location of expatriate and Indonesian jet set society mansions. Exclusive beaches are reached via small lanes.Semawang stretches south from the Bali Hyatt Hotel to the Sanur Beach Hotel and beyond. It houses both the priciest hotels and restaurants, as well as the red light district

Dining Guide
The beachfront esplanade has restaurants, warung and bars where you can catch a meal, a drink or a sea breeze. Cheap warung and street food carts can be found around Pasar Sindhu (night market), at the beach end of Jl.Segara Ayu and along Jl.Danau Poso, at the southern end of Sanur beyond the resort area. At the eastern end of Jl.Kesumasari, several cheap eateries face a nice stretch of beach. At the northern end of Jl Danau Tamblingan, theres a bar and restaurant who has happy hours and good quality standard tourist meals. For them who are vegetarian, there is a few of restaurants and cafes served vegetarian and health foods. For late-night eaters, Sanur has several moderately priced Padang restaurants open all night.

Moving Around
You can move around Sanur on foot while biking around Sanur is also fun, try to rent one.
Other Things to See or DoYou can find almost every watersport imaginable here like diving and snorkeling, although not the best in Bali. Most of the facilities are found right on the beach in front of the big hotels Sanur is famous for its white coral temples (Pura Segara, Pura Merta Sari). There are many small ones hidden away along the south beach. In December and January, watch the huge processions to the sea with purification ceremonies on the beach. There are also often gamelan rehearsals in the evenings at the various banjar.

Souvenir Tips
There is a night and art market in Sanur to buy some souvenirs from Bali.
Tourist shops line all the main streets of Sanur. Otherwise, go to the arcades in the main hotels for high quality goods and no bargaining
It is quite common to bargain in markets, shops and art shops for buyers, so having a good price is partly dependent upon one's smartness in bargaining.

Travel Tips
Public transportation to and from the city are easily available until well into night.
Sanur is an ideal base for trips to Bali's rice growing heartland and the mountain areas. Rent a self-drive car or a minibus with driver on a daily basis.

It's good to speak a bit of the language of a country you are visiting, or at least understand it, commonly used expression or greetings - This will allow you to get better involved with the people and culture. It also helps to speak a bit of the language when bargaining for souvenirs in the tourism areas, as a little knowledge goes a long way to getting a better price!
Wear a light, airy, and casual clothes like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions.

Some hotels charge no extra cost for two children under 12 years old occupying the same room with parents. Ask your hotel for more information about this.
Restaurants outside the hotels offer a greater variety of food in a broad price range. Most close at 10 pm.

Nusa Dua Beach - Bali Travel Guides

The term "Nusa Dua" can be used in two ways: either it can refer to the entire peninsula at the southern tip of Bali, or it can refer to the purpose-built, safe and sterile tourist enclave at the southeast side of this peninsula. For this article, Nusa Dua covers everything to the east of Uluwatu and south of Benoa.

Nusa Dua is a peninsula in the south of Bali. It is located 40 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital of Bali.
There are many tourist areas in this area that consists of lime-coral stone, such as Jimbaran Beach and Garuda Wisnu Kencana.
Nusa Dua beach is a popular place for kitesurfing.

Crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beach of Nusa Dua makes Nusa Dua a perfect spot for luxurious resorts to which your exhausted bodies, after a Barong performance at Batubulan and a long climb of the steps of the Mother Temple Besakih, will want to rest. Some of the most sumptuous and luxurious hotels in the world find their home in Nusa Dua Bali. You can relax in the Thalasso spa of the Grand Mirage Resort after a day of surfing or diving. Or you can tee off into the sunset, while watching the gentle waves come from the blue sea and caress the banks surrounding the luscious greens. Tranquil swimming pools under the coconut trees seem to be one with the distant blue sea. Art galleries and numerous shops surround them.

# Dreamland. A beautiful beach with excellent surfing conditions, especially for intermediate surfers & on big days when other breaks are too big to surf. Right & left reef break, not too shallow and with decent shape.

# Pulau Penyu (English=Turtle Island). Boats from Nusa Dua are available, the price is Rp. 100,000 per person. The boats are usually glass boats which you can see the under water view from the boat. Like its name, Pulau Penyu (Turtle Island) is a turtle conservation. The local people keep the turtle eggs in each traditional conservation houses individually owned them until the baby turtles born, and they will release the turtles when they are grown. Besides turtle, they also have komodos, birds, snakes, bats, etc. To enter each conservation is usually free, but they will ask you to give some money for animal feeding. They didn't mention the amount, but usually around Rp. 20,000. Once you arrive at the island, 1 or 2 guides will welcome you. You also better give them some tips (Rp. 10,000 or Rp. 20,000), although they won't ask for it. Not giving any money basically will be OK, because they also earn money from the drinking shops near the houses.

NUSA DUA HOTELS LIST
Hotel Name	Class	Hotel name	Class
Aston Bali Resort and Spa	5-star	Melia Bali Villas & Spa	5-star
Udayana Eco Lodge	Melati	Nikko Bali Resort & Spa	5-star
Bali Cliff Resort	5-star	Princess Nusa Dua Resort	2-star
Bali Gardenia Resort	3-star	Putri Bali Cottages & Spa	4-star
Bali Hilton International	5-star	Puri Tanjung Hotel	2-star
Bali Tropic and Spa	4-star	Ramada Resort Benoa	4-star
Club Bali Mirage	4-star	Sonni Putri Galleria Bali	Boutique
Grand Mirage	5-star	Swiss-Belhotel Resort Bali Aga	Boutique
Keraton Bali	3-star	Taman Sari Suite	Villa
Matahari Terbit Bali	Villa	The Bale	Boutique
Melia Benoa Bali Resort	5-star	Villa Bintang	3-star
Mimpi Resort Jimbaran	2-star

Ubud Village - Bali Island Travel Guides

Famous with traditional village, located at the center of Bali.
Ubud Village provide information all about Ubud including Ubud Village in activities, up to date Ubud Events, Ubud Hotels information, Dinning in Ubud,Ubud Village Places of Interest and many more.

Ubud is a big countryside, supervising 13 Banjar (group of community) with 6 custom countryside, it is located in Ubud sub district, Gianyar Regency. With the distance about 20 km from Denpasar Town, Ubud Vilage can be reached within 30 minutes or 15 minutes from Gianyar Town. With the height about 300 meter above sea level, Ubud own the air more cold from other areas in south of Bali. Ubud village own population about 9.800 peoples. The environment is still keep natural and this area represents the area of inspiration source to all actors, inclusive of overseas actor, especially European actor.

Ubud beside own the beautiful nature, this area also represent a rich culture countryside with the history heritage of all big actors, especially all famous artists, for example I Gusti Nyoman Lempad (1862 - 1978), Anak Agng Gede Sobrat (1919 - 1992), I Gusti Made Deblog (1910 - 1968), afterward caught up by others like, I Gusti Ketut Kobot, Ida Bagus Made, Dewa Putu Bedil, Ida Bagus Rai and others. The popularity of all above artists follows to give the inspiration to all west artists to live in Ubud Bali. In year 1920's, two European artist people that are Rodolf Bonnet from Dutch and Walter Spies from Germany inscribe the new history of artistic growth paint the countryside of Ubud. Second, the European artist introduce the European esthetics technique especially illumination area, shadow, perspective and anatomy. All local artists permeate the new technique matching with value and base on local mind fixed take the traditional so that able to give the separate identity by the name Ubud. Ubud Village progressively famous as a born area of all actor paints because of the existence of cooperation between Tjokorda Gede Agung Sukawati and Rudolf Bonnet to form an actor bevy by the name of Pita Maha. What also follows the area born of Pita Maha is Tjokorda Gede Raka Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad in the year 1936. Pita Maha represent a bevy and place to discuss the artistic growth and problem paint, and also to compare mind each other and introducing result of art which they own.

Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island's preeminent centre for fine arts, dance and music. While it once was a haven for scruffy backpackers, cosmic seekers, artists and bohemians, Ubud is now a hot spot for literati, glitterati, art collectors and connoisseurs. Famous names walk its busy sidewalks everyday. Elegant five star hotels and sprawling mansions now stand on its outskirts, overlooking the most prized views in Bali. Nonetheless, Ubud is still popular with backpackers, mystics and all the finest fringe elements of global society. Ubud is not "ruined". Its character is too strong to be destroyed. It still draws people who add something; people who are actively involved in art, nature, anthropology, music, dance, architecture, environmentalism, "alternative modalities," and more.

Ubud is arguably the best place to use as a base if you're visiting Bali; if you're looking for culture, comfort, nature and inspiration. Ubud is surrounded by most of the things that bring people to Bali -- scenic rice fields, small villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers, cheap accommodation and unique luxury hotels. And it's central location makes it easy to get from Ubud to the mountains, beaches, and major towns.

The real Ubud is under the surface. There are plenty of interesting things on the main streets, but most of the magic of Ubud is hidden away. In the backstreets, backwaters, courtyards and cafes. In people's hearts, minds, and dreams. This part of the Bali web site was built to show you how to go behind the facade and find the real Ubud, and the real Bali, without having to spend all your time searching for it. There's no point in repeating what's in the guidebooks, so we've tried not to. If you're interested in Ubud, there are at least a dozen guidebooks on Bali available and they all provide information on Ubud. Use this web site before you go to guidebooks, to find out what makes Ubud so special. Then use it after the guidebooks for up-to-date information, news and features about our extra ordinary town.

UBUD VILLAGE HOTELS LIST
Hotel name	Class	Hotel name	Class
Alam Puri Resort	Villa	Pita Maha Resort	Villa
Penestanan Bungalows	Villa	Anom Cottage Bungalow	Cottages
Alila Ubud Boutique	Villa	Puri Bukit Kembar Hotel	Cottages
Pertiwi resort & spa	Boutique Resort	Rumah Krisna Villa	Villa
Ananda Cottage	Villa	Ketut Place Homestay	Cottages
Artini 1	Cottage	Dewa Bharata Bungalow	Cottages
Villa Puri Bunga Village	Villa	Natura Resort and Spa	Villa
Artini 2	Cottages	Ubud Village Inn	Cottages
Puri Garden Vill	Villa	Munut Bungalows	Cottages
Artini 3	Villa	Santika Garden Villa	Villa
Villa Puri Rasa	Villa	Graha Ubud Bali	Cottages
Bumi Ubud Resort	Boutique	Melati Cottages	Cottages

Lembongan Island - Bali Travel Guides

LEMBONGAN ISLAND

Lembongan Island is situated just 23 kilometers off Bali 's east coast. Renowned for its marine life, the waters of Lembongan are crystal clear and the warm and friendly locals are always happy provide tips on best surfing, snorkeling and diving locations. With relatively few tourists on the island, visitor can enjoy un- crowded beaches and white sand, relaxed atmosphere the island greatest asset.

Lembongan is a pristine tropical island, its highest point is 50 meters above sea level. Lembongan has an average rainfall of approximately 1000 mm per year. Little temperature variation from 30 degrees Celsius occurs between the only two seasons this island experiences being the wet and the dry. Lembongan village is 615 ha in area, consisting of 85% unproductive rocky land. The main income for the population is derived from seaweed farming. In 1997 the farms were recorded to cover up to 70 ha. They farm Euchema Cottomi a specie of ocean algae, Legend of Nusa lembongan.

Nusa Lembongan is located about 11 km southeast mainland Bali, measuring only four km and ringed with mangrove swamps, palms and white sandy beaches. The island is small enough to explore on foot, offering pristine beaches and coves, majestic view of Gunung Agung, unique Balinese architecture and friendliness of a simple country folk. Nusa Lembongan is consist of two administrative villages: Jungut Batu and Lembongan village, both villages are heavily involved in the cultivation of seaweed. Jungut Batu village offers the island's best accommodations and water sport activities.

The island's only tourist-oriented beach inns, homestay and restaurants are concentrated in this small seaside village with stretches for 1.5 km along the northwest coast. Jungut Batu is Bali at its best. There's not much to do except surf, dive, snorkel, fishing, read, eat, drink, hang out and relaxing.

Surf Spot
3 of the best surf breaks in the world are off Jungut Batu beach: Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks.

01. Playgrounds is a left-hander, it's a good fun wave that can get pretty scary at low tide, as the reef is sharp and the water shallow.

02. Lacerations is A tube right-hander with name that speaks for itself. The tunnels waves are so big you can drive a bus through them. One of the best right-hander in the world, it's perfectly round with a perfectly calm cannel in the middle.

03. Shipwrecks is a perfect right-hander breaking over a coral reef grown over an old shipwreck.

Lembongan Dive SItes

The island of Lembongan lies to the north of Bali's most popular dive spots on Nusa Penida. With speeding currents, clear visibility and big pelagic visitors the dive sites around Lembongan can be thrilling.

Blue Corner
This can be an extremely exciting dive but heed must be taken to the advice you given by the Divemaster. When you descend to about 18 - 20 meters the current grabs you and you begin the natural rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. The current takes you round to the point (corner) where there is a vertical wall to a depth of around 28 meters. Blue Corner is usually full of fish as well as sharks, big Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays and plenty of other marine life. Its also one of the better spots to see the Mola Mola sunfish when currents are kind at the right time of year.

Mangrove
Named after the mangrove trees that line the shore this dive site has a gentler, profile. Again good marine life and can be done as a drift. Another gentle and shallower dive for those that are not speed freaks can be done at Lembongan Bay around the island. It is a good spot for beginners and snorkellers.

Ceningan Wall
Very strong currents here and it is only diveable in certain conditions. Coral growth is stunted due to the speed of the passing water. Big schools of tuna, trevally and barracuda come here to feed in the big currents. This is a high adrenaline dive that is only recommended for experienced divers.

Lovina Beach - North Bali Island Travel Guides

LOVINA BEACH NORTH BALI.

Lovina Beach about six km west of Singaraja north coast Bali. Its the popular beach resort of Lovina is a long stretch of black sand bordering the coastal villages of Anturan, Tukad Mungga, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus. Numerous hotels and restaurants have sprung up here, lining the coast for some 7 km. The pace of life at Lovina reflects the calmness and safety of the sea. This is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling, particularly near the reef, and local boats are for hire. The sunsets at Lovina are particularly spectacular.

Lovina stretches along 8km of black-sand beach, the largest resort in Bali outside the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak conurbation. Beginning 6km west of Singaraja, the resort encompasses six villages: Pemaron, Anturan, Tukad Mungga, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus. Kalibukbuk is generally accepted as the centre of Lovina and it's here you'll find most tourist facilities.

The name “Lovina” was coined by the last king of Buleleng. A convert to Christianity, he gave the name to a small tract of land that he purchased at Kaliasem, where he built the Tasik Madu (“Sea of Honey”) Hotel in the 1960s. The name Lnvina sigaifies the “love” that is contained “in” the heart of all people

Near the northern tip of the island of Bali lies a stretch of villages by the Bali Sea. Lovina Beach is the name. Lovina is really a string of coastal villages to the west of Singaraja. Escape from the hustle and bustle of Kuta to Lovina Beach located in north Bali, about 100 kilometers from southern tourist hotspots. It is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Darkly beautiful, Lovina offers quiet and calm, and is popular Asian tourists and those avoiding the hustle and bustle of the southern beaches. A number of coves offer tranquil, protected waters and Lovina is one of them. Although the sand is grey, it is quiet and peaceful, and popular among those who shun the glitzier beach resorts of the south. It is a popular place for dolphin watching; dolphins play in the water off Lovina. Famous for its early morning dolphin-watching boat trips, Lovina also offers good snorkeling and diving, and trekking in the nearby mountains. Diving off Menjangan Island, part of the Bali Barat National Park, is generally regarded as the best in Bali. Boats are readily available to take divers over to the island, where there are no residents or hotels.

Nightlife activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If we like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowd. With a wonderful variety of hotels, restaurants and bars located on or very near the calm beach, Lovina offers something for everyone. It is also a good base to take day trips to the nearby attractions of north and west Bali.

Lovina is for those who like still waters (no surf) and are not fussy about the color of the beach.Lining up of busy losmen and hotels with the depleted shady sea makes Lovina one of the most stirring beaches in Bali. Tranquility, incredible under water world and popular attraction is the dolphin watching.

Mount Agung and Mount Batur Trekking - Bali Island Travel Guides

Mount Agung or Gunung Agung is a mountain in Bali. This stratovolcano is the highest point on the island. It dominates the surrounding area influencing the climate. The clouds come from the west and Agung takes their water so that the west is lush and green and the east dry and barren.

Gunung Agung last erupted in 1963-64 and is still active, with a large and very deep crater which occasionally belches smoke and ash. From a distance, the mountain appears to be perfectly conical, despite the existence of the large crater.

From the peak of the mountain, it is possible to see the peak of Gunung Rinjani on the island of Lombok, although both mountains are frequently covered in cloud.

The 1963-64 Eruption
The lava flows missed, sometimes by mere yards, the Mother Temple of Besakih. The saving of the temple is regarded by the Balinese people as miraculous and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected. However, over 1,000 people were killed and a number of villages were destroyed in this eruption.

Climbing the Mountain
There are two routes up the mountain, one from Besakih which proceeds to a higher peak and starts at approximately 1100metres and another which commences higher from Pura Pasar Agung, on the southern slope of the mountain, near Selat and which is reputed to take 4 hours. There is no path between the two routes at the top. Cecilie Scott provides an account of the ascent from Pura Pasar Agung. The mountain can be seen from various directions in video, there is a well produced video of the climb from Pura Pasar Agung and a short video from the top above Besakih. Greg Slayden describes a climb from Besakih claimed to have taken a remarkable four and a half hours to the peak and Ken Taylor describes a climb that took much longer and which included getting lost.

Guides are available in Besakih and the mountain can also be climbed without a guide. The climb from Besakih is quite tough. It is sometimes tackled as a single climb generally starting about 10.00pm for a dawn arrival at the peak and sometimes with an overnight camp about three quarters of the way up. It is far harder than the more popular Balinese climb up Gunung Batur. It is not a mountain that needs ropes and not quite high enough for altitude sickness but adverse weather conditions develop quickly and warm waterproof clothing is required and should be carried. There is no water available along the route.

Proceed through the temple complex then continue on a path that travels continuously upwards on a steep narrow spur through open forest and jungle most of the way. There is little potential to get lost until the route opens up towards the top where the correct route doubles backwards. Many climbers miss this turn and continue up a small valley which can be climbed out of with some difficulty.

Mount Agung and Mount Batur Trekking Package

Day-1 » BALI - KINTAMANI ( D )
Meeting service at hotel for a transfer to Kintamani through scenic countryside. Overnight at Toya Bungkah at the foot of Mt. Batur.

Day-2 » MT. BATUR - KLUNGKUNG ( B / L / D )
Very early morning trek to the top of Mt. Batur (2.800 m) to see a beautiful sunrise (weather permitting). Enjoy captivating views of Kinta-mani and lake Batur. Proceed down to curious funeral ground of Trunyan village across lake Batur. Back to hotel and overnight.

Day-3 » MT. AGUNG - BALI ( B / L )
Very early morning transfer to Pasar Agung temple for a small ceremony and trek to the summit of Mt. Agung (3.142 m) known as the holiest mountain for Balinese culture. Enjoy spectacular sunrise from the top (weather permitting) over Bali island. Back to the temple for further drive to hotel. Next transfer to a hotel in Kuta/Sanur/Nusa Dua/Ubud.

End of Services

Price Per Person in Indonesia Rupiah:

Rp. 2.600.000 Min 02 Person

Included in Trekking package:

• Hotel

• Transfer Pick Up in out Service

• Mountain Porter

• Licensed experienced

• Mountain Guide

• National Park Ticket entrance

• Equipment, Tent, Sleeping Bag, Cook Gear, Mattress, Emergency Lamp

• Food And Beverages ( three time A day during the program )

• Inbound Travel Insurance for costumer

Not Including in Trekking Packages:

• Tipping guide and porter

• Flight ticket International and domestic

• Lunch and dinner before program

• Helicopter for accident

• Other personal expenses

• Other optional tours

• Personal Pack
  Sun block lotion, hat / cap. Sun glasses

• Camera, Handy cam, extra roll film for manual camera of fully charged battery for digital.

• Small towel

• 2/3 pcs of T-shirt.

• Long trek pants/wind proof Jacket and rain coat

• 2 pcs of short

• Trek stick

• Torch

Bali to Komodo Diving Liveaboard Cruises Travel Guides

Bali Island
Bali Island is one of the most under rated dive destinations in Indonesia, often being over-looked by divers because of its touristy image but underwater life in Bali is astonishingly rich. It is often assumed, that you have to travel to far away places for the best diving, but isolation often also means an impoverished fauna, because for the animals it is also difficult to reach these places! Bali is ideally positioned in the Indonesian Throughflow (Arus Lintas Indonesia), a massive flow of water that passes from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean and deposits planktonic larvae in the waters around Bali. This results in a very high diversity of species.

Komodo Island
Located 300 miles east of the cultural center of Bali, Komodo Island is a remote, seemingly prehistoric part of the sprawling island nation of Indonesia. Komodo Island offers two totally different marine environments. In the north the warm clear waters flow from the Flores and Banda seas. Typical of most tropical locations throughout the world. The hard coral reefs are extensive and in pristine condition. To the south, cooler waters flow from deep in the Indian Ocean.

SAMPLE ITINERARY:
1. Day: Bali – Padang Bai - Tulamben
Transfer from your Hotel to the 'MOANA' at Serangan/Turtle Island, South Bali.
09:00 AM Embarkation. After a refreshing welcome drink, we set sail heading north-east. Now it’s time for a short introduction to the facilities of our vessel, the diving operation and the tour program. Afterwards, there is only one thing left to do: relax and enjoy great views, while we are steaming along the shores of Bali, through Lombok Street, towards our first stop around 14:00h: Padang Bai – check-out dive “Blue Lagoon”. Cruise along the shore of Bali to Tulamben – possible night dive at “Liberty Ship Wreck”.

2. Day: Tulamben – Gili Islands - Moyo
Early morning dive at “Liberty Ship Wreck”. Departure 8:30 AM. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard while cruising towards Gili Islands/Lombok. Diving Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno. Departure at 15:00 PM for overnight cruise to Moyo.

3. Day: Moyo – Satonda
Arrival 6:00 AM. Dive Moyo Bay. Land excursion to Waterfall. During lunch we sail towards Satonda. We dive Lake Entrance Bay and in the late afternoon Sand Chute. There is also an interesting on-shore excursion to the mysterious crater lake: local people come here to tie pieces of stones or corals with thin strings to the branches of the trees around the lake, trusting, that once the stone falls into the water of the lake, a wish will come true… 19:00 PM: after Sunset Dinner depart for Sangeang.

4. Day: Wera “Boatbuilder Village” - Sangeang - Gili Banta
Around 7:00 AM we arrive at Tanjung Wera and visit a traditional boat builder Village. 3 hours cruise to Sangeang Volcano. The black lava sand offers a beautiful contrast to the colorful corals. Dive through a bed of bubbles coming up through the sand of the still active Volcano. Dive “Black River” and “Hot Springs”. Great Makro! After lunch departure to Gili Banta. Gili Banta is the first of the islands in the Komodo Archipelago. Located in North Komodo, this island provides a crescent shaped bay that offers beautiful anchorage from where several dives may be conducted. Great place for a night dive! Lots of Lion fish and a regular Stargazer.

5. Day: Banta Island – Gili Lawa Laut - Komodo National Park
Early morning dive at the famous “Dive GPS Point“, a submerged seamount which is one of the best sites to see sharks, jacks, dogtooth tuna, schools of barracuda and surgeonfish. Second dive at Banta Bay east, a drop off in front of a beautiful white beach. During lunch we move forward to Gili Lawa Laut – dive the surrealistic gullies and crevices in the channel of Gili Lawa Laut “Passage”. This reef is extremely rich and full of fish live.

6. Day: Komodo National Park
Early morning dive at “Castle Rock”, a submerged seamount. Usually excellent visibility but is prone to strong currents. The top of the rock offers shelter and is a good place to explore during safety stops. Dive “Crystal Rock”, the top of the site is exposed at low tide. Excellent dives worth doing twice. Alternative dive: “Lighthouse”. Cruise to Komodo Island. Late afternoon dive “Dive Pink Beach“: Thousands of fish of every colour and shape are here including regal angelfish, checkerboard wrasse and masked unicornfish, against a beautiful backdrop of acripora corals, gorgonian fans and sponges.

7. Day: Komodo National Park – Dragon Walk
At 7:00 AM we start our 2hours “Dragon walk” to see the last representative of the Jurassic Park on earth, the infamous Komodo Lizard. Dive “Pink Beach”. 2 hours cruise to dive “Batu Bolong” (Current City), one of the top diving locations in the Park. It’s a tiny rocky outcropping in the strait between Tatawa Kecil and Komodo Island. Lot’s of colorful corals, invertebrate life and thousands of brilliant reef fish. Along the steep walls in deeper water many large fishes including sharks, napoleon wrasse, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and large schools of rainbow runners. Late afternoon dive at “Tatawa Besar” or “Sabayor Kecil”, depending on the current.

8. Day: Komodo National Park
Early morning dive at “Sabayor Kecil”. Dive “Tatawa Besar” or “Tatawa Kecil” depending on current. Rocks, caves and beautiful coral gardens. Good drift dives. In the afternoon we dive again the famous “Batu Bolong”. Overnight at Gili Lawa Darat.

9. Day: Komodo National Park - Rinca
Morning dive at “Gili Lawa Darat or Passage”, cruise to our last dive site: “Pulau Pengah” – a really fantastic spot! The afternoon we will spend at Rinca Island: say goodbye to the Dragons.

10. Day: Labuhan Bajo - Bali
Breakfast. Last swimming and snorkeling at the white beach of Pulau Bidadari. 30 minutes cruising to the Harbour of Labuhan Bajo. Around 11:00 AM you will be transferred to the airport where your airplane to Bali is waiting for you. Departure 12:15, arrival Bali 14:00.

(Please note: at 8 days cruises we spent 2 days less in Komodo National Park)