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1. Ubud
 The
centre of Balinese painting, Ubud's Museum "Purl Lukisan" has a
permanent collection
of modern works of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century.
There are also several art galleries and homes of famous artists here,
including that of Dutchborn Hans Snel and American Antonio Blanco. The
"Young artist" style now popular in Balinese painting was introduced by
the Dutch painter Arie Smith. In the past, other foreign painters
inspired Balinese artists to adopt western techniques but traditional
Balinese paintings are still made and sold another museum called "Neka
Museum" has a wide collection of paintings both by Indonesian as well as
foreign artists who used to live in Bali. Ubud has several small hotels.
Located on a higher altitude with a pleasant climate.
3. 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.
5. 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. Workshop can be visited to watch
artists at work. |
2. 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
popular 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.
4. Tanah Lot
 One of
Bali's most important sea temples, the temple sanctuary at Tanah Lot is
built atop 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.
6. Gianyar
Once the capital of one of Bali's more
powerful kingdoms, the town of Gianyar is today a centre of the textile
industry. The specialty here is the ikat weaving the Balinese use
in traditional wear. A number of factories hold informal tours.
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7. Pura Besakih
 Known 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 Wisnu, 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, coloured banners add a touch of gaiety. |
8. Terraced rice paddies
Whether
it is bright and sunny or rainy and gloomy, the trip through the
landscape of terraced rice paddies between Candidasa and Amlapura is one
of remarkable scenic beauty. Allow plenty of time for photo stops.
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9. Pura Kehen
Pura Kehen is the
religious heart of Bangli's many temples. One of the largest religious
complexes in Bali, its origins can be traced back to the beginning of
the eleventh century. A huge banyan tree shades the first courtyard. |
10. Gunung Batur
The still-active
Gunung Batur volcano, at an altitude of 1,717 meters (5,635 ft), is
revered by the Balinese as the sec-ond-holiest mountain on the island
(after Gunung Agung) and symbolises the female element next to Agung's
male.
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