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Click on the colored areas of the
map to access a travelogue. The colors indicate different regions of the
Indonesia -- scroll down for explanation and introduction for each location. (Original
map comes from Microsoft
Expedia)
Introduction. Welcome to the Island of Paradise! The Island of Bali is a great
experience -- wonderful food, terrific atmosphere, and some of the world's most
breathtaking scenery! It is also a land of art, music, and dance, with
rituals and traditions that date back centuries. The Balinese are
well-known woodcarvers, producing unbelievably massive and ornate sculptures
that commonly appear throughout Indonesia. Jewelry, gold and silver, is
also a major industry.
But unquestionably, the Balinese survive on tourism. In
fact, Bali is so reknowned as
a tourist destination that many visitors don't realize that it is not a separate
country unto itself. The southern part of the island is dominated by
hotels, restaurants, bars, and markets -- most of them geared towards
visitors. The further north you go, the more native you get,
with
increases in traditional markets and the absence of brand name wares.
People come for many different reasons -- to catch a wave on Bali's great
surfing beaches, to enjoy the white-water rafting available on the lakes, or to
witness Hindu celebrations at its many puras, or temples.
This section contains 14 separate travelogues based on locations
I visited during two separate trips in 2002 and 2003. It covers about
twenty different locations throughout the island and neighboring islands -- the
SE Coast travelogue, for example, covers the beaches of Candi Dasa, the Dutch plantation house at Taman
Ujung, and the bat cave of Goa Lawah). Most are worth visiting -- whereas
a couple of them might fall on your once-we-did-everything-else list.
Recent events (particular the bombing of Kuta in 2002) have
raised questions in some people's mind about the security situation and perhaps
has discouraged potential visitors. Although I am not in a position to
comment on such matters directly, I can say from my personal experience --
having returned there in January 2003 -- that immediate steps were taken to
prevent further incidents, and I felt perfectly safe. Naturally, I
strongly encourage anyone with concerns about travel to any destination
(not just Bali), to consult with your foreign ministry or equivalent to get the
latest information.
Travelogues. The
coloring of the locations on the map above indicate different locations in
Indonesia, as shown below. Some of these travelogues were contributed in part by Veronica Siwi.
GREEN:
Southern Coastal Region. The
vast majority of visitors will spend their time in the very south.
The airport is on the isthmus between Kuta and
the Nusa Dua peninsula, and most of the public harbors are here, loaded
with cruise ships to take people to the other islands or on dinner cruises
and other entertainment. It is also where most of Bali's best-known
shopping resides, where nearly all the clubs are (Planet Hollywood, Hard
Rock Cafe, etc.) and the five-star resorts. It would not be hard to
stay in the south for the entire vacation -- but there'd be a lot you
would miss! Travelogues in this region include the lovely cliffs and
Hindu temples of the Ulu Watu (pictured above)
with its monkey
forest (and mischievous macaques), the resort beach district of Nusa Dua
and its miniature islands and shopping centers, the lovely beachside
restaurant resort of Jimbaran (pictured below)
that allows diners a perfect sunset view and an outdoor seafood feast
unlike any other, and Kuta -- referred to by the
locals as "downtown", where most of the tourists hang out. |
RED:
Central Artist Region. It is only a short drive to the
north where the tourist kitsch dissipates and the real nature of Balinese
art and music takes center stage. Here, each village has i ts
specialty -- some in woodworking, some in painting, others in
jewelry. The galleries are basic and the markets are truly native,
simple large huts where goods are stacked high to the ceiling.
Bali's major art center is Ubud (pictured above),
which is the second-largest tourist region on the island. Ubud is
far quieter and much more relaxed than Kuta, but offers gallery after
gallery of beautiful art. The nearby city of Gianyar
is the region' s
business center, where a number of small Indonesian businesses set up
headquarters on Bali. Gianyar is typical of Balinese towns with its
large temples and huge statues decorating the streets. It is also
near Bali's famous Elephant Cave (or Goa Gajah). Tanah Lot
is on the west coast of Bali and is probably the best place to catch a
sunset, with its lovely island temple just off the beach (separated from
land during high tide). |
BLUE:
Volcanic Interior. Further north are
Bali's towering (and thankfully inactive) volcanoes that are
home to large lakes and beautiful temple sites. One of the most
common day trips for visitors is to the seven-level temple of Besakih
(shown above), facing Mount Agung, Bali's tallest volcano. Volcanic
lakes figure prominently, and two are offered here -- Lake Batur
and Lake Bratan
(shown below) -- which are both surrounded by temples and small villages
that offer a truly exclusive getaway. Finally, there is the
Presidential Palace of Tampaksiring, which
is open to visitors only with Indonesian guides. Tampaksiring has
one of the most beautiful and ornate temples on Bali and the palace
grounds are lovely to walk around. |
PURPLE:
Eastern Coastal Region and Lembongan Island. The
eastern coast has some interesting destinations, but is not
as developed as a tourist haven, though Bali is trying to change that
based on the need to relieve the crowds in Kuta). I grouped several
spots together in a piece called Southeast Bali,
including the bat caves of Goa Lawah (shown above), a Dutch plantation
yard in Taman Ujung, and the resort beach front of Candi Dasa. Lembongan Island
(shown below)is a common day trip for scuba divers, and the home of some
very private and secluded resorts. Finally, there is the eastern
city of Klungkung, which like Gianyar is a
business center with tremendous Balinese architecture all around. |
Stories and Features:
Kecak Dance.
Art and music is deeply rooted in Balinese culture and religion. There
is no greater evidence of this than their beautiful and symbolic
dances, mostly based on stories of Hindu origin that tell of heroes,
heroines, war, and magic.
The Kecak Dance is a prime example, telling the story of the warrior Rama
and his quest to reclaim his kidnapped love Sita. The dance is performed routinely on
Bali island, and some towns have regular performances (such as in
Batubulan, where I watched it). This is a wonderful way to spend an
evening on Bali! |
Kuta Bombing Site.
I had the chance to revisit Kuta three months after the
terrorist bombing of 12 October 2002. It was interesting to see how
the island of Bali had changed, and how it remained the same, during that
time. It was also noteworthy to see how the tourist industry has
worked to overcome concerns about security and safety in order to bring
the tourists back. |
Stories and Features:
Kecak Dance.
Art and music is deeply rooted in Balinese culture and religion. There
is no greater evidence of this than their beautiful and symbolic
dances, mostly based on stories of Hindu origin that tell of heroes,
heroines, war, and magic.
The Kecak Dance is a prime example, telling the story of the warrior Rama
and his quest to reclaim his kidnapped love Sita. The dance is performed routinely on
Bali island, and some towns have regular performances (such as in
Batubulan, where I watched it). This is a wonderful way to spend an
evening on Bali! |
Kuta Bombing Site.
I had the chance to revisit Kuta three months after the
terrorist bombing of 12 October 2002. It was interesting to see how
the island of Bali had changed, and how it remained the same, during that
time. It was also noteworthy to see how the tourist industry has
worked to overcome concerns about security and safety in order to bring
the tourists back. |
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