Bali "Largest Tourism Destination Of Indonesia"

Bali is an Indonesian island located at the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country's 33 provinces with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.
With a population recorded as 3,151,000 in 2005, the island is home to the vast majority of Indonesia's small Hindu minority. 93.18% of Bali's population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Candi Dasa Beach

Candidasa is the name of a temple complex on a lagoon by the edge of the sea. Set at the foot of Mount Agung, the white sandy beach of the temple is only visible when the tide is out but the grassy foreshore and beach are great places to catch the sun. Started in the early 1980s this romantic area, also called Candidasa became the developing tourist destination, though it still offers an escape from the hassles of the more populated tourist areas. Candi Dasa is an excellent base for daytrips around Eastern Bali. Tenganan, Goa Lawah, Amlapura and Padangbai are all within easy reach. And good diving is available a little further afield at Tulamben, where a US ship sunk during World War-II and may be viewed in its underwater resting-place. You can also hire boats for a day's snorkeling. Diving equipment is available for rental at reasonable prices.

Kuta Beach

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.

Lovina Beach

A restful tourist area west of Singaraja on the northern coast. This area is relaxed and hassle-free. The beaches are of black volcanic sand and a reef keeps any surf at bay. Or you can diving and snorkeling in the mirror smooth seas, and the dolphins that often race with the tour boats. The beach area consists of several small villages that seem to start where the last one finished, although they are all spread quite thinly along the long beach strip. You can also make day trips to the hot springs of Banjar, the West Bali National Park, to temples and various craft centers.

Pantai Seseh

Start the beach walk of your life just south of Tanah Lot. Pantai Seseh is a quiet beach of black volcanic sand that is mainly visited by local fishermen. Quiet, rough, and close to nature, this beach is simply unforgettable.

Sanur Beach

With its white sand on the south and black sand on the north part, Sanur beach is a popular recreation site not far from Denpasar. Sanur is protected from the force of the ocean waves by a coral reef offshore, so the waves on the shore are rather small and gentle. This makes it an ideal place for a quiet family swim, wind surfing, boating and water sports. Its traditional culture is very strong, but it wears modern dress (except, of course, on ritual occasions). Among the Balinese, Sanur has a reputation for sorcery of a high degree, both "white" and "black". Sanur is famous for its white coral temples (Pura Segara, Pura Merta Sari). There are many small ones hidden away along the south beach. In December and January, watch the huge processions to the sea with purification ceremonies on the beach. There are often gamelan rehearsals in the evenings at the various banjar.

Sanur beach has long been a popular recreation site for people from Denpasar and elsewhere. The palm-lined beach curves from the Bali Beach Hotel toward the south, facing the Indian Ocean to wards the east. Sanur offers many good hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities. It is only a shot distance from Denpasar public transportation to and from the city are easily available until well into night. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves and make it popular for windsurfing, boating and other watersports.Tegal Besar BeachThere are further beautiful beaches in Bali besides those of Sanur and Kuta. One of these beaches is located in Klungkung regency near Banjarangkan village, known as Tegal Besar beach.Black sands are a particular characteristic to this beach. Because of its beauty and natural atmosphere, the beach lures visitors to come there. Several fishing boats stationed here add to the beauty of the panorama.Looking westward from the beach, another beach is visible. This is the Lebih village beach belonging to the regency of Gianyar, with Nusa Penida island to the south Klungkung’s beach is preparing to be developed into a tourist object.One of the forerunners is already renovating his restaurant there. Small stalls have been also prepared to serve customers. In the morning fishermen go out to sea to catch fish.

Transportation

BOAT & FERRY
The more than 13,600 islands of the Idonesian archipelago stretching over an area of 5,200 km into the Pacific ocean, present a plenty of choices to explore. Bali has three main ports:* Benoa in the south.* Padang Bai in the east.* Gilimanuk in the north west.Several major shipping lines make Padang Bai and Benoa ports of call on around the world cruises.If you would like to explore the islands near Bali you have a wide range of choices for boating expeditions with anything from a few hours in traditional jukung to day criuses or longer overnights trips on yachts or luxury cruisers.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The public transport system in Bali can virtually take you anywhere you want to go but slowly. By far the cheapest way to travel, although not the most comfortable.Buses, except the inter-island buses, and bemo’s (mini-vans) are often overcrowded and hot. There are recommended for short trips only. They do have the redeeming factor of being very cheap. Wait by the side of the road and one will inevitably pass by for you to flag down to stop. Get down where you want by loudly saying: "STOP!".Bemo’s generally cater for local traffic routes not tourist routes. Bu you can also charter empty bemo’s for a higher price.

BICYCLE
Cycling can be a cheap and enjoyable way to get around, although you do have to be quite fit to ride around the central, hilly regions, but you will be closer to the action.Bicycles are available but bear in mind the heavy traffic in Kuta, Legian, and Denpasar. Cycling is ideal in villages, Ubud and the countryside.You can find bike rental shops in all the main tourist spots.

MOTORBIKE
As with hire cars, you can find motorbikes for rent almost anywhere. A special permit available at police stations for renting a motorbike. The rental company can help you to obtain this.Like renting a car, you should always check the bike before parting with your cash.In Indonesia you have to wear a helmet by law.

CAR AND BUS
There are many models of transport to help you " jalan-jalan" your way around Bali. A varietyof excellent tour packages are available from your hotel desk or any of numerous travel agents and tour operators.Or you can find a car and driver who will also act as your guide.You can also find a car rental agency in all the major tourist areas. You will need your licence from your homecountry and an international driving licence for renting a car.Types of cars available are usually small jeeps or kijang ( a station car with capacity for 6-8 people). Although mostof the cars for rent are in decent shape, you should check thoroughly before signing any forms.Fammilies or groups can charter aprivate bus with driver. Many buses are airconditoned. Stopovers and side-trips can be planned and this is an ideal way to experienceBali at your own pace.

Some of advices if you drive:
Driving in Bali always expect the unexpected. Always keep your eyes and your mind open on driving.It is not unusual for cars and bikes to swerve into your lane without indication. Because there are often obstacles such as parked cars ofthe ever present procession of ‘bakso’ trolleys on the side of the road, a system of "sharing lanes" has developed.
Be aware that drivers from side streets often don’t look when joining a main road and the larger vehicle is king of the road.
Remember to "hoot" your horn when going around curves on mountainous roads as it is very common to drive in the middle of the road here.

TAXI
Metered taxis are readily available at very reasonable prices. There is a minimum charge of Rp. 4000flagfall and you can book by phone, with exception taxis from airport where the prices, depend on the destination, are fixed.If the driver is hesitant to put on the meter, insist or change taxi’s.

There are several taxicabs: Airport Taxi, Bali Taxi, Blue Bird Taxi, Pan Witrhi Taxi, Praja Taxi

AIR TRANSPORT
Several international airlines make regular flights to Ngurah Rai Airport Denpasar, and they include:

AN Ansett Australia

NZ Air New Zealand

BA British Airways

CX Cathay Pacific Airways

CI China Airline

CO Continental Micronesia

BR Eva AirGA Garuda Indonesia

JL Japan AirlinesKE Korean Air

MH Malaysian Airline System

QF Qantas Airways

BI Royal Brunai AirlinesS

K Scandinavian Airlines System

SQ Singapore Airlines

TG Thai Airways International

Several Indonesian airlines also make the daily flight to Denpasar.

They are:BO Bourag International

MZ Merpati Nusantara

SG Sempati Airline

Passengers departing from international and domestic flights will have to pay the airport tax. For international flights the tax amount to Rp. 25,000 while that for domestic flights is Rp. 11,000.Visitors to Indonesia are allowed to bring in tax-free a maximum of one litre of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco.