About Bali

Bali The island of Bali is a real haven of peace.

With a safe and calm political context, mild climate in all seasons, its white sand beaches, its 10,000 temples, its interesting culture, the tropical jungle and especially the hospitality of the Balinese, it is not surprising that many people choose to spend their holidays in Bali.

Bali is a clear example of co-existence between the cultures, landscapes and tourism development. Holidays in Bali can not only be full of adventure and unusual food but also a real trip into the world of luxury and well-being. There are several high-class hotels where one can stay and enjoy special care and extras that not only perfect the vacation but also do have some positive long-term effects



SEKUMPUL WATERFALLS

Sitting 18km southeast of Singaraja, some six or seven separate waterfalls all fed by upland streams pour up to 80m over cliffs in a verdant bamboo - forested valley.


From the car park, it's a hilly 45-minute, 1km walk through the tiny Sekumpul village, where trees of clove, cacao, jackfruit, mangosteen and more lead the way to steep stairs. Trails wind through the valley from one cascade to the other and its easy to while the day away in their splendor.




BANYU WANA AMERTHA, WATERFALLS

The entrance to Banyu Wana Amertha is on a small road 3km north of Lake Buyan. It's easy enough to get to by motorbike if you're already in the area, but if coming from elsewhere on Bali, hiring a private driver to get you there is best.


Bayu Sunrise can pick you up from anywhere on the island and will accompany you on the trails down to the falls; Bayu is related to many locals in the the village, so you'll be in good hands (700,000Rp for a car of up to six passengers from Ubud or Lovina).

AGUNG RAI MUSEUM OF ART

If you only visit one museum in Ubud, make it this one. Founder Agung Rai built his fortune selling Balinese artwork to foreigners in the 1970s, and during his time as a dealer he also built one of Indonesia's most impressive private collections of art.


This cultural compound opened in 1996 and displays his collection in two purpose-built gallery buildings highlights include the wonderful 19th-century Portrait of a Javanese Nobleman and his Wife by Javanese artist Raden Saleh (1807 - 1880).



PURA BESAKIH

Perched nearly 1000m up the side of Gunung Agung, this is Bali's most important Hindu temple. The site encompasses 23 separate but related temples, with the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung, built on six levels terraced up the slope.


It has an imposing candi bentar (split gateway); note that tourists are not allowed inside. The Pura Besakih complex hosts frequent ceremonies, but the recent eruptions of the volcano have kept both worshipper and visitor numbers down.

PURA LUHUR BATUKAU

On the slopes of Gunung Batukau, Pura Luhur Batukau was the state temple when Tabanan was an independent kingdom. It has a seven-roofed meru (multiroofed shrine) dedicated to Maha Dewa, the mountains guardian spirit, as well as shrines for Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan lakes. This is certainly the most spiritual temple you can easily visit in Bali.


The main meru in the inner courtyard have little doors shielding small ceremonial items. Outside the compound, the temple is surrounded by forest and the atmosphere is cool and misty; the chants of priests are backed by birds singing.