Bali is an Indonesian Island and also an Indonesian province, east of Java and west of Lombok. It is the westernmost of the Small Sunda Islands. The island measures 5561 m², and has 4.2 million inhabitants (2012). Almost 90% belong to the indigenous population, "the Balinese”, largely Hindus and speak Balinese or Indonesian. The main city is Denpasar. Until 1958 the capital was Singaraja.
The official language of Indonesia is "Bahasa Indonesia”. This language is taught and spoken in all the islands of Indonesia. On Bali there is also the Balinese (Bahasa Bali) spoken.
Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia since the creation of the republic in 1945, Bali is the 27th province (pro(p/v)insi). It is the biggest tourist attraction of the country. Although most parts of Indonesia people are Muslims, the majority of Balinese hangs a form of Hinduism to. This Balinese Hinduism (Hindu Dharma, Agama Hindu) consists of a combination of existing Balinese mythology and influence of Hinduism in South and Southeast Asia.
Bali has a tropical monsoon climate. In the months of December to April, Bali has the rainy season (monsoon) with short, abundant rainfall. The summer season runs from March to October. The annual average temperature is 30°C in Bali. The Indian Ocean around Bali has an average water temperature of 28°C. The interior areas have higher altitudes and therefore decrease inland temperatures too. On top of the mountain is a lot colder. In addition there is a significant temperature difference between the north and south. On the south coast, the average is about 5°C warmer than the north coast.
In the north of Bali lies Lovina. Actually it is not a place but an area consisting of a zipper from small villages; Pemaron, Anturan, Tukad, Mungga, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus. Lovina offers good tourist facilities without the hectic bustle of southern Bali.
The peaceful atmosphere, the calm sea, the black sand beaches and palm trees of Lovina knew early several adventurers to charm. But the place Lovina was founded by the last king of the kingdom of Buleleng in North Bali, Anak Agung Panji Tisna (1908-1978). He left a number of bungalows built and gave the small villages of their common name. But it was probably his work as a writer and columnist who gave the area an international reputation. In the seventies, when tourism starting to flourished in Bali, Lovina was the only tourist destination in the north of the island. Shops, hotels and restaurants were smashed quickly out of the ground around the villages Kaliasem and Kalibukbuk. Today the whole area west of Singaraja called Lovina.
You visit Lovina especially for the rest and despite the growth of the various tourist facilities, Lovina is a lot more original than southern Bali. Do you like to have some adventure? Along the coast are many coral reefs where you can snorkel, swim or dive. And of course, watching the dolphins in the morning.
Lovina is geared to tourists and good food of course is a requirement on vacation. In almost every hotel you have a restaurant where you can enjoy international and traditional Balinese cuisine. But it is definitely recommended to eat once in one of the many local restaurants. Here you can eat perfect food for little money.
ACTIVITIES
Jatiluwih rice fields
The rice fields near the village Jatiluwih are among the most beautiful of Indonesia. Jatiluwih is in the Tabanandistrict about twenty kilometres north of the town of Tabanan. The village lies at an altitude of 850 meters so that the air is relatively cool and refreshed. Nowadays, you will have to pay to acces the rice fields for having a view.
Blimbing rice fields
These are also beautiful rice fields and not nearly as crowded. They are +free to view, so an absolute must.
Even more beautiful rice fields in Bali can be found in regions Tira Gangga and Ubud, where miles of unspoiled nature in the form of terraced rice paddies can be found. Here you can witness the beautiful symbiosis between human labour and nature. A walk along this beautiful green fields, will give you an unforgettable impression of the rice fields in Bali. They are indeed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to their specific irrigation system and thus are an important part of the Balinese culture.
Gitgit waterfalls
The waterfalls at Gitgit are located about nine kilometres south of Singaraja. You can reach the waterfall by car or scooter. The last part of the winding path that leads to it will have to travel on foot. The air is cool and gradually colder as you approached the waterfall. If you are near the waterfall, you touched on the finecatching water. The waterfall is 60 meters high and is the highest waterfall in Bali. Do not forget to bring your swimsuit because it is definitely worthwhile to take a dip.
Tegenungan waterfalls
Within 15 minutes from Ubud you will find the Tegenungan waterfalls. Less high and less spectacular than the Gitgit Falls, but absolutely no less beautiful. Here too, you have to walk a little to get there, but that's nice to do. The Tegenungan waterfalls are less known, and you will also encounter less tourists. Even on busy days in the summer, you can really find a moment that you have the waterfalls for yourself
Sekumpul waterfalls
Also in northern Bali, but like the Tegenungan waterfall not so touristy: the Sekumpul waterfalls. Plural yes, because here are several waterfalls flowing down. Lovina is about an hour away - across narrow roads and through the green rice fields! - until you are there Please use good shoes as you start the walk, because on slippers this steep staircase down is not so pleasant. And once you get there, enjoy what you see because the Sekumpul waterfalls are perhaps the most beautiful of all of Bali!
Munduk waterfalls
Munduk is a small village in the mountains near the lake Tamblingan. Dutch used Munduk as a holiday location at the beginning of the 20th century. The houses they used at that time are still on display. Some of these houses have been converted into guesthouses. Munduk itself is little to see, but the setting is magnificent. For example you can see the Red Coral Waterfall, LakeTablingan or visit the beautiful rice fields.
De Singsing waterfalls
The Air Terjun Singsing is also known as Sing Sing waterfall. This waterfall is located in a beautiful environment, which makes the walk to it alone worthwhile. Even during the dry season is still a lot of water here. The water collects in a lake at foot of the waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip. From this lake, the water flows into a river. These are located near our villa.
Aling Aling waterfalls
Also these are not far from our villa. Not the highest, but probably the best. You can jump, slide and hide behind the falls. You also have a nice walk through the tropical landscape.
Hot Spring Air Panas
A few kilometers from the villa are the famous hot springs of Air Panas. This "hot springs" are located in the hills of the village of Banjar, surrounded by beautiful nature., The 38 ° C warm sulphurous spring ends at eight carved dragon heads. The sulphurous water has a healing effect for skin complaints.
There are many more waterfalls and rice fields in Bali, in short, there is something for everybody.
Kebun Raya Bedugul
The Kebun Raya Bedugul Bedugul botanical gardens lies between Candikuning and Bedugul. The gardens are a branch of the Botanical Gardens in Bogor on Java. The gardens cover an area of 130 hectares and are a tribute to the mountain flora of East Indonesië. You can see 500 species of orchids and 700 species of trees. In the surroundings of the gardens you can see beautiful natural scenery at Lake Bratan, along lake Buyan and Tamblingan.
Batukaru National Reserve
The Batukaru nature can be found in the Tabanandistrict in Central Bali. The reserve consists of three separate areas around the second highest mountain in Bali, Gunung Batukaru (2.275m). The reserve is one of the last untouched rainforests can be found in Bali.
Bali Barat National Park
The Bali Barat National Park is located in the west of Bali. The National Park is mountainous and mostly rain forests, mangrove forests, savannas and coral reefs. In the park there are more than 200 plant species to be found. Some of these plants have a religious and spiritual significance as the Banyan Tree. The National Park include leopards, wild boars, snakes, iguanas, lizards, turtles, monkeys, geckos and huge spiders You can also find large herbivores such as deer, wild buffalo and banteng (os)
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
On top of a big hill is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK) from where you have a beautiful view over Jimbaran and southern Bali. This stately park is completely cut out of the limestone mountain. The GWK is a kind of pilgrimage in this region due to the high image of Vishnu Hindugod and Pahrayangan Somaka Giri water source.
Goa Lawah (bat cave)
Between Padangbai and Kusamba lies the Goa Lawan, the bat cave. On its walls hang thousands of bats who sleep during the day and evening fly out shortly before nightfall.
Goa Gajah
A huge elephant cave. It is located east of Peliatan near Ubud in the center of Bali. The entrance is decorated with fantastic figures: demons, animals and plants. This cave is located in the vicinity of Bedulu. The monstrous head above the entrance seems to be lifted the rock with his hands.
Golf
An hour's drive from the villa is the 18 hole golf course of the "Bali Handara Kosaida Golf and Country Club", which is located in the mountains and is one of the most beautiful places in Asia. Around the track you can enjoy the most beautiful tropical flowers, plants and trees. There are many other shooting golf courses in Bali, but those are more in the south.
Monkey Forest
Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a protected area for three groups long-tailed monkeys. In this 'Monkey Forest' is also a large temple complex and cemetery. The temple called Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal. Monkey Forest, or Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana, can be found the city of Ubud.
Turtle Island Serangan
The turtles Serangan Island is located south of Sanur and about 7 km from the coast of Nusa Dua. The island is a sanctuary for turtles. The turtles are in special basins. You can reach the island by boat.
Dolphins
A must in Lovina is an early trip by fishermen proa to the reef where dozens of dolphins staging, a virtually guaranteed daily show. With the same proa you can also snorkel on the reef, or look at a beautiful sunrise.
Pearl Nursery
In Penyabangan (on the way to Menjangan Island) is a pearl farm. The tour of the nursery is very exciting. The tour starts and ends, of course, in a shop, where they incidentally also sell beautiful jewelry besides pearls. Since these are pearls it is obvious that there is a price tag, but here you can haggle.
Diving and Snorkeling
Actually you can dive and snorkel around the entire island, but a few special places, we want you to remember. From the village of Sanur in the south of Bali, you can dive at Nusa Lembogan. In the east of Bali you can see many different species of coral in Padangbai, in addition, a lot of sharks and turtles. Near Padangbai lies the popular diving town of Candidasa. On the north coast of Bali is the small village of Tulamben. The village may not look too inviting, but underwater you a unique experience waiting. Just off the coast of Bali Barat National Park in the north-west lies Pulau Menjangan, a small island and a true diving paradise. The gentle current carries you over and along the Coral Gardens, a wall of coral up to 40 meters deep.
Pura Besakih
The largest and most important temple complex in Bali, the Pura Besakih. The temple complex is over a thousand years old and is situated at 1,000 meters above sea level on the slopes of the still active Mount Agung. On a clear day you can see from here the Gunung Agung in the background. The location of the complex is open daily for visitors. Besides the tourists, especially many Balinese come here who get regular water for the rituals in their village. It is best to arrive early in the morning before the fog is too thick.
Tirta Empu
One of the most important temples in Bali, the Tirta Empul is built around the sacred geyser Tampaksiring. The temple was built in 962 AD during the reign of Sri Singha Candrabhaya Warmadewa. From all over Bali people come along to bathe in the holy water for health and happiness.
Tanah Lot
Along the south coast of Bali there are many sea temples. The most important is the Tanah Lot. The temples are so put down you can see on a clear day from one sea temple to the next sea temple. Tanah Lot is built on a rock off the coast and is near Kuta and Denpasar.
Ulun Danu
On the western shore of Lake Bratan in Bedugul there is the famous temple complex Pura Ulun Danu. The complex was built by the king of Mengwi in1633. The temple is half Hindu and half Buddhist and is dedicated to the sea goddess Dewi Danu.
Pura Gunung Kawi
One of the oldest temples of Bali is part of the Gunung Kawi. The complex is about 1000 years old and is located south of the city Tampaksiringen about forty kilometers north of Denpasar. Each temple is a monument in honor of a deceased royal person.
Pura Taman Ayun
Dating from 1634 and honors the ancestors of the princes who ruled Mengwi. Taman Ayun means beautiful garden as shown by the water garden with lotus and several pagodas scattered around the grounds.
Brahma Vihara Ashrama
Not far from Air Panas (hot spring) and slightly higher in the hills is this mystical Buddhist Monastery. It is the only Buddhist monastery in Bali (also called the small Borobudur) and is inhabited by some Balinese Buddhist monks.
Everything on this page is just a little impression of what you can do on Bali. Of course you can just lay on the beach or besides the pool, rent a jet ski, mountain biking, visit a zoo or bird park. There is on Bali fun for everyone to find!
