Page 24 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

— Indonesia —

BALI

Bali is a tropical paradise with Ubud, at the base of the mountains, is On Bali’s western tip, the Bali Barat
an abundance of fresh fruit the cultural centre of Bali and home National Park covers nearly 20,000
always available. Bali boasts of much traditional Balinese dance hectares and includes 7000 hectares of
lush green forests, beautiful and music. This is where most coral reef and coastal waters. The region
beaches and incredible rice accomplished painters, dancers, is ideal for trekking, has outstanding
paddies that spill down the sides musicians, carvers and weavers live and dive sites and pristine beaches. East Bali
of dramatic mountains. work, so there are a number of excellent has Gunung Agung, and West Bali has
museums, art galleries and shops selling the Gunung Batur crater, a magnificent
It has a strong Hindu spiritual life, with quality handicrafts. sight at sunrise.
thousands of temples and a rich culture
of dancing, music, art, architecture, Not far from Peliatan is Goa Gajah or Penelokan, on the edge of the crater,
rituals and festivals. the Elephant Cave, carved into a rock offers superb views of Mt Batur and
face. Visitors enter the cave through down to the lake. The village of
The capital Denpasar in the south the cavernous mouth of a demon. Also Batur used to be inside the crater, but
is a lively town, particularly after near Ubud, Tampaksiring is a small after a violent eruption in 1917 when
dark, when locals visit Pasar Badung, town where the most impressive thousands were killed, the village was
the biggest and busiest market on ancient monument on Bali can be relocated onto the crater’s rim, with
the island. found: Gunung Kawi. The temple the village of Kintamani. Kedisan, by
It is worthwhile hiring a car, jeep or consists of 10, seven-metre high, rock- the lake, is the base from which you
moped, or chartering a private cab to cut memorials. can take a boat across to Trunyan. Or
visit the island’s villages. Among those The spectacular 16th century Tanah walk for a couple of hours on the track
worth a visit are Celuk, which is noted Lot is probably one of Bali’s best known around the lake to Toyah Bungkah
for its silver and goldsmithing, and Mas and most photographed temples. passing through the old village of
for its excellent woodcarving. Near Perched on a rocky islet and encircled Songan. Nearly 1000 metres up the
the village of Kutri is Pura Kedarman, by the sea, droves of visitors go to slopes of Gunung Agung is Bali’s most
which has a hilltop shrine with a see it at sunrise or, more commonly, important temple, Besakih.
panoramic view and stone statue of the silhouetted against a brilliant red sky North of Denpasar is the temple of
eight-armed goddess, Durga. at sunset. Taman Ayun in Mengwi, spacious and

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