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Place of interest: Karangasem
Overview
The former capital has a similar name to the name of the regencies
but it changed into Amlapura after the eruption of Mounnt Agung in
1963. Like other regencies in Bali, Javanese influenced customs can
still be found in some villages in Karangasem, however, it is richer
in variety and maybe as older. The royal family became independent
from Gelgel after challenging them in the early 1700s. When South
Bali was conquered in the early 1900s by the Dutch, Karangasem was
only supervised.
Agung, Mount
For Balinese, Mount Agung is the geographical and religious center
of the world. Mount Agung, its highest peak. With an elevation of
3,014 meters above sea level, the Bali's highest peak can be climbed
between 5 to 8 hours. It is suggested to climb with a guide and
consider not wise to climb during religious ceremonies take place in
Besakih temple that located six kilometers below on the southwest
slope. The last big eruption of the active volcano was in 1963 that
cause big disaster.
Amed
If you travel from Amlapura, Amed is situated before Tulamben and
also a known as a diving spot that has shipwreck located just 10
meters away from the shore. Beside diving, snorkeling or sailing,
some nice tracking can be done through the hill. For the local,
fishing and sea-salt panning is still the main income resource. The
small road along the cost that also goes to Amlapura via Seraya
Kangin and Ujung offer a fascinating view of the cost but about 20
kilometers of the road is considerably bad for small wheel vehicle.
Balina, Beach
A simple, quiet resort with a nice wide black sandy beach and tame
waves. Diving excursions in a marine reserve offshore, go for night
fishing with local fishermen using lantern or hike the beautiful
hillside northwest of the area would be a highlight of your stay
here.
Besakih, Temple
Missonary of Danghyang Markandeya, a priest credited with
introducing the tradition of daily offerings and the concept of a
single god, is claimed to be the founder of the Besakih temple in
the 8th century, Bali's biggest and holiest temple. Divided into
about 22 separate sanctuaries, it consist over 60 temples and 200
distinct structures. Each caste and kin group, as well as various
sects, artisan guilds, and aristocratic families, maintains its own
sanctuary.
Candidasa, Beach
A slow and friendly beach resorts and can be a perfect base to
explore all over east Bali as most tourist amenities are available
here. Huge horrendous T-shaped concrete breakwaters were built to
prevent erosion, which becomes an essential problem since 10 years
ago.
Iseh
A serene mountain village located three-kilometer south of Selat.
The magnificent panoramic view of rice terrace and the Mount Agung
attract foreign artist to have seclusion live here including Spies
who created some of his most haunting paintings during his live in
this navel of the world.
Lempuyang, Temple
A narrow windy road has been built from the main road in Tista (make
right turn when you see sign of 'Pura Luhur Lempuyang') to first
part of this one of Bali's most important temple. An extensive
construction has been doing since few year ago. Although, there
still a lot of building still need to be finish but the white hard
lime stone that made for three main gate give an impression of a
great temple. On clear day one will see not only Gunung Agung but
all the way to the islands of Nusa Penida. The other four parts of
the temple are located in higher level of the Lempuyang mount.
Except for the temple of Telaga Mas, that still can be access by
car, other parts is accessible only by walking on about 1800 steps
to the highest temple through the forest.
On clearer mornings you'll see not only Gunung Agung but all the way
to the islands of Nusa Penida and Lembongan.
Puri Kanginan
Surrounded by a thick redbrick wall, this big 'puri' (palace)
complex of the last raja Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, is a blend of
European, Chinese, and Balinese architecture and interior design.
Some buildings have curios name like Bale Amsterdam and Bale London.
The 'puri' is open to guest to visit from 0800 to 1700,overnight
guest is sometime accepted.
Sibetan
Known as the center of salak in Bali since 1952. The tourist knows
salak as snakeskin fruit that has crisp, and sweet taste, somewhere
between apple and strawberry. It has low and thorny palm. The thorny
of the palm is used as the fence of salak farm and easily can be
seen while driving around the village. Beside selling it as a fruit
to all people in Bali, now days sweet or even arak, Balinese
alcoholic beverage, can be made out of salak meat.
Sideman
Situated within a beautiful landscape full with rice terrace and 'salak'
trees, west of Amlapura or north Klungkung. Sideman known for its 'kain
songket', interwoven with designs of gold and silver thread, as well
as Balinese healers. Several accommodations nicely nestled in some
part of the village, a perfect base for mediation base.
Taman Ujung
It was a beautiful royal retreat for Karangasem royal family,
designed in fusion of European and Balinese architecture. The
destruction began when Japanese dismantled iron bars in Taman Ujung
for weaponry production then followed by Mount Agung eruption in
1963. Further an earthquake in North Bali around 1976 helplessly
shattered Taman Ujung into pieces. However, the elements of beauty
of the panorama and its surrounding remain.
Tenganan
The most conservative original pre-Hindu Balinese settlement, with
distinction of its village layout, architecture, art, and religious
rites. An ancient courtyard walls, pavilion temples, magnificent
community halls, and old high-based long houses is built in very
masculine, crude aristocratic style and is surrounded by
700-year-old walled village. Tenganan is the only place in Indonesia
that produces double-ikat textiles known as 'Gringsing'. Lontar, the
palm leaf book, and ata basket, the woven vine that last for 100
years, are other common product found within the houses of the
people. Once a year around May or June a ritual trance fight (makara-kare)
using a sharp prickly between pandanus leaf become an obligatory
contest amongst the young men. 'Kawin pandan' : a young man throws a
flower over a wall and must marry whoever catches it, is another
distinct practice that hold once a year.
Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga,literately mean Water of the Gangges, is another
retreat water palace built by last raja of Karangasem, in 1947. It
is a well-maintained pool complex that fed by a sacred water spring
emerging from the hill in the west-side of the palace. A beautiful
rice terrace can be seen form the highland just a bit north of the
object.
Tulamben, Beach
A small fisherman village that now also becomes one of the best
diving spot in Bali. The big diving attraction is sunken American
Liberty ship, torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942. Diving or
snorkeling is satisfying all year around but the best time is during
dry season on July and August.
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