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Place of interest: Badung
A Brief History
When the other rival kingdoms in south Bali were defeated by the
Dutch in 1900, Badung Kingdom gained an expansive links trade. But
it was last only for six years as Badung was finally invaded in 1906
through a massive battle known as Puputan Badung. The battle is
commemorated by a large statue in Denpasar's central Puputan Square.
In 1990 the area was split into two, Badung and Denpasar (a regency
and a municipal). The Badung regency covers Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta,
and Mengwi. Meanwhile Denpasar, the capital city of Bali, covers the
capital city itself and Sanur.
Places of Interest
Benoa Harbour
Benoa Harbour, situated on the southern part of Denpasar, is the
place for ships delivering container from or out of Bali. It is also
the departing harbour for tourist ships that cruise to nearby
islands such as Lembongan, Nusa Penida, the Gilis, and Lombok.
Canggu
Canggu, an extension of Kuta beach development as a beach resort,
offers a perfect escape from the tourist crowd. Many private villas
or Balinese style cottage built with a blend view of rice terrace
and ocean. Most of the villas are built and own by expatriates but
many of them available for short or long term lease.
Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach is a the surfer's paradise where any tourist need except
quite place are comfortably available. Kuta will still alive by all
the pubs and nightclubs until 4 a.m. Amazingly, among those tourist
hustle and bustle, a religious ritual rites and procession are not
rare things to witness.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua, the most exclusive and well-planned tourist resort in
Bali, is a place where a row of international chain hotels reside
within a well-maintain resort. Before it turned into tourist resort
in 1970s, the spot was a quite and dry fishermen village. Unlike at
present time, it was not expensive and attractive place to live back
then. Beside the luxurious tourist amenities provided, the main
attraction is the white sandy beach. Tanjung Benoa, further north
outside of the organized Nusa Dua area, provides extensive choice of
water sports.
Sangeh
Sangeh often considered as the biggest monkey sanctuary in Bali. The
sacred monkeys live within the forest of towering 30-metre-tall
trees. Some monkeys are aggressive therefore beware of your
belonging.
Serangan Island
Serangan island, a 73-hectare island located just 250 metres off the
southeast coast of Bali, is the resident of Sakenan temple--one of
the most visited temple for religious purpose on the southern part.
Serangan island also known as turtle island. According to the legend
Sakenan temple was founded in the 10th century by wanderer-priest
Mpu Kuturan. The island can be reached by boat either from Sanur,
Suwung, or Tanjung Benoa. Since a road has been built as part of
exclusive resort project on the island, now it can be accessed by
car, make a right turn in east of Benoa harbour intersection.
Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran, about 5 minutes driving from the Ngurah Rai International
Airport, is a village for fishermen. Here you can find many fresh
seafood restaurants that usualy come with fried peanuts, five type
of 'sambals', a basket of steam rice, Balinese vegetable of 'plecing',
and sliced fruit for desert. Diners are given opportunity to choose
their fish, shrimp, or crab from the aquarium in front of each
restaurant. Once you find a good fresh fish with a good deal then go
for it. If not then continue your quest.
Taman Ayun Temple
Taman Ayun Temple was built in 1634 by the King of Mengwi. In 1937
the temple was restored and enlarged. The pool surrounding the
temple complex gives floating impression to the temple. A smaller
pool with lotus flower is built within the inner sanctum. The middle
part of the temple is occupied with impressive high building for
kulkul--the hollowed wooden bell-- meanwhile the outer part is
beautified by trim gardens (see Photo Story).
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu, means the head of the stone, is located in the edge of
stone cliff in southern part of Bali. It will give an impressive
picturesque view especially on the sunset time. The three courtyards
are surrounded by hard weathered white coral. The guardian gate in
the middle courtyard has similar appearance of East Javanese temple
architecture. The sacred resident monkeys are smart enough to steel
your belonging even from your pocket, so beware.
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