Bali and Beyond

  31 July 2006, 17:48:37 (614 clicks)

For those of you who feel like getting around Bali, this is your chance to get out and see the sights. The following pages let you know where to go and how to get there. So if you need a break from the beach, start read on...

How To Get Around

1. CAR HIRE
   Car rental agencies can be found in all the major Tourist areas, either self-driving or with a driver. Price start from approx USD 20 a day for suzuki-style ( Jimny ) and around USD 40 for a new kijang Jeep. And around USD 45 for Mitsubhisi tourism car with driver and Gazoline a day .
   We are also glad to recomand BALI CAR RENTALS, well maintained cars with or without Driver. Pick up from airport or delivery to your hotel or home on 418 381, 746 0011
   Another recommended agency is TRAC Astra Rent A car, telp 703 333 with great selection of vehicles also in great shape, with insurance at reasonable price. Or you also can book through us, as we are available rentcar with include Gas and driver or self driver. Most rental cars on bali are in decent shape, BUT you should check throughly before signing any Forms. Be sure to always travel with your international Drivers License.
   
   
2. MOTORBIKE RENTAL
   As with hire cars, you can find bikes for rent almost everywhere. Prices usually start from around USD 6 a day for standart 125cc motorbikes. Scooters, affectionately called ' bebek's' ( Ducks ), start at around USD 5 aday.
   You should always check the bike before parting with your cash. In Indonesia you have to wear a helmet by law and carry an international drivers License !.
   
   
3. BICYCLE/ MOUNTAIN BIKE
   Cycling can be a cheap and enjoyable way to get about, although you do have to be quite fit to ride around the central, hilly regions. The northen coastal roads are ideal for longer trips. You can find bike rental shops in all the main tourist spots
   
4. BEMO
   Public Transport mini vans ; by far the cheapest way to travel , although not the most confortable!
   
   
5. TOURS
   a very relaxing way to see the sights, organised tours relieve you of the hassle of trying to navigate your way around. On the down side, however, you do have to follow itineraries, so spur of the moument sight-seeing is not an option.
   Alternatively fly air Bali for a totally private view of the isle.
   Or you may rent car from us with driver and private car, and you may arrange your own itineraries as you wish to visit. Get our special price for rentcar ( 6 seater ) with cold airconditioning at USD 40 aday include gazoline and driver . You only need to tell driver where to GO !

BALI

TEMPLES-COASTAL
Tanah lot-southwest Bali, Tabanan regency.
Built on a large rock, cut off from the mainland at high tide, this is one of bali's most spectaculer sunset sights.

Uluwatu-South bali on bukit badung
This Cliff top temple, dedicated to the spirits of the sea, has spectaculer views and is popular for viewing sunsets. During the galungan festival, people from all over the island travel here to worship.

Pura Jayaprana-Northwest Bali
Superb views of menjangan island and the surrounding coral reefs can be seen from this temple

Pura Rambut Siwi- southwest Bali ( 10km from medewi )
Another clifftop temple with views of java and on a clear day, mt. bromo. Steps down the cliff from the temple lead to a black sand beach where one can swim.

TEMPLE - INLAND
Pura Besakih - Besakih, Karangasem regency northwest Bali.
Bali's most important temple with great views of mt.Agung . The temple complex houses over 80 shrines to the various gods and spirits.

Pura Luhur Batukaru-Tabanan, south Bali
Dedicated to the god of mt.batukaru, this temple is a small haven for flower and bird lovers.

Pura Yeh Gangga -Tabanan

Pura Ulun Danu Batur - near Batur Village
The second most important temple after besakih, housing more than 90 shirines. Worth visiting at any time of year, especially during the odalan festival, usually in march depending on the full moon, which is dedicated to the goddess of the crater lake , who is said to control the irrigation systems for the entire island.

Pura Ulin Danu Bratan - Bedugul
This Temple has several shrines which are located on both the lake's shore and on various small islets

Pura Gunung Kawi, set in a ravine in tampaksiring.
The temple ' candis' are carved into the rock face.there are five royal tombs at the rear of the temple complex.

Pura Tirta Gunung Kawi - Tampaksiring
A water temple dedicated to the rice goddess. Near the temple grounds is a small spring fed lake with sacred goldfish, which are said to be the guardians of the spirit of the spring.

Pura Tirta Empul - Tampaksiring
considered the holiest spring in bali, this temple is frequently visited by balinese seeking mental cleansing and physical healing.

Brahma Vihara Ashrama Buddhist monastery - Lovina ( combine with a visit to banjar tega hot spring ) the largest buddhist monastery in bali, set in beautiful surrounding.

CAVES
Goa Gajah or Elephant cave - near teges, Gianyar regency.
Dating from the 11th century , there are conflicting opnions as to whether this cave was originally a buddhist or a hindu hermitage. Although not very large, it boasts some interesting carvings.

Goa Lawah or Bat cave - Klungkung regency
famous for the thousands of fruit bats that live here, this can be an interesting if pungent, experience.

Goa Karang Sari - on Nusa Penida island, south east of Bali.
This cave extends over 200 meters into the hillside and during the galungan festival hosts a torchlight procession and various ceremonies.

PALACES
Puri Semarapura - Klungkung
A palace dedicated to the god of love, this palace was to the kings of klungkung.
Although only two pavilions and the entrance gate remain, the hall of justice, bale kerta gosa, is worth seeing for its beautifully painted ceiling and carved pilars.

Puri Pemecutan - Denpasar

WATER PALACES
Taman Ujung Water palaces - near Amplapura, east Bali.
set in a beautifully landscaped park, the ruins of this palace are a tribute to the slightly eccentric designs of king Anak Agung Ngurah.

Puri Agung Kanginan - Karangasem, Amlapura.
Built froma hotch -potch of different styles, including chinese, european and javanese,this place is fascinating architecturally; a monument to the balinese ability to blend outside influences into their own culture.

Tirtha Gangga Royal Bathing Pools - near Amlapura, Karangasem Regency.
Great views of both mt. Agung and the lombok strait. This palace was damaged during the 1963 eruption of mt. Agung , but the pools still function and can be taken advantage of, for a small fee.

VILLAGES
Asak - Near Amlapura, East Bali
Traditional Costumes, stone carvings and woven crafts.

Bungaya - near Amlapura, East Bali
As in Asak, this village specializes in traditional arts and crafts.

Krambitan - Near Tabanan
specializes in bamboo instruments and music

Negara - West Bali
Famous for bull races

Sawan - near Singaraja, North Central Bali
A picturesque village where gamelan instruments are made.

Tenganan - Karangasem Regency
A bali aga village renowned as a centre for weaving. The only place in indonesia where geringsing' cloth is made.

Trunyan - on the shores of lake batur, Northeast Bali
An original bali aga village set in village in a fantastic landscape.

LAKES
Lake Batur - mt. Batur, Bangli Regency
The largest lake in bali and home to the goddess Danu, this lake lies within the crater of mt. batur

Lake Bratan - Mt. Catur near Bedugul
Location of the superb Ulun Danu Temple, this lake offers both superb scenery, and watersports such as jet-skiing for the more adventurous.

Lake Buyan and Tamblingan - Mt. Lesong in Buleleng province. Less visited, these lakes offer great walks and the chance of a little solitude for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist scene.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Candi dasa & Manggis
To the south of mt. Agung and slightly to the east, are two villages from which to explore the secluded bays and ancient temples, that dot the eastern and of Bali.
Neighbouring towns, Klungkung and Amlapura harbor a number of puris . Nearby tenganan, is an original bali aga village, best visited whilst staying at villa gading in manggis - 0363 41729.
Goa Jepang , or Goa Lawah ( bat cave ), are also worth stopping to visit on the way. Drive on to Amed, Bali's desert Beach, complete with cacti, cool, blue waters and colourful marine life; Amed is also one of Bali's most famous dive sites. Here, cottage industries include salt-panning in Tianyar and seaweed farming around the coast.

LOVINA
North of mt. Agung-approx 3 hours drive from south , through semi tropical rain forest, is the north of Bali, which offers volcanic-sand beaches and rugged mountain backdrops. Some noteworthy touris spots; the botanical gardens, Ulundanu and Luhur Batukaru temples, Batukaru reserve and three of Bali's lakes.
Over the crest, are the Gitgit and sing sing waterfalls. Bali's largest buddhist monastery is also close to the Banjar Tega hot spring. Drives into the hills offer photographic views of the coastline. Some of Bali's best reefs stretch between Singaraja to pulau Menjangan ( deer island )

HOW TO GET TO LOMBOK EAST BALI

Staying in Lombok or on the Gili Isle? The 20 min flight from Ngurah Rai Domestic airport to selaparang airport, Lombok cost approx USD 45 on way. Alternatively , go from Padang Bay harbour by ferry or speed boat for gili isle and north lombok . We are also available for Lombok hotels, tours activities and Rentcar rate.

Thank you.