Bali Exploring Bali
Culinary Map to be Released
So often when my stomach reminds me that it is time to eat, I ponder for at least half an hour in making a decision on a destination for my choice of repast. Of course, in the main, I am never disappointed with my final choice. When I at home in Yogyakarta it is easy because I hit the street stalls of which there are many. But, in Bali one is spoilt for choice. Do I eat upmarket, warung or from the kaki lima. I was pleased to read today that a culinary map is due to be released and will be available at most places. This is an excellent idea for first-time visitors who are often bewildered by the island’s number of eateries and where to go. But, it’s not only the greenies that will benefit. Often people have said to me ‘Have you been to such-and-such a place. It’s near that other place’. Now all I have to do is look at a map!.
Date: May 12th, 2008 |
1 comment
Travelling the North-East Road Pt. 2
Waking to a glorious sunrise bursting over the ocean is one of those special moments and although reluctant to move on towards Singaraja along the north-east road, it was the adventurous side that took over and it was not long before we found ourselves driving along the road out of Tembok bathed in glorious sunshine and with some stunning mountain views on our left, and, the vast still sea to our right spread out like a rich blue carpet. The ride was a tad rough and having to avoid the potholes in the road and the trucks was no mean feat, however, once past Bondalem we found the smooth bitumen highway much more to our liking, well, at least out butts did!. What impressed me about this stretch of road were the surprising panoramas with each bend we engaged. Rocky outcrops jutted out into the sea, small bays where fishermen trolled for a meal and the constant brilliance of the never ending sea stretching to the horizon dotted with prahu’s coming into shore after a night’s fishing.
Date: May 6th, 2008 |
No Comments
Travelling the North-East Road – Part 1
There are literally hundreds of day trips you could embark upon on your visit to Bali, but I have always found it best to get off the main tourist routes and do some exploring. Recently I spent a few days in the north-east of the island. It is a beautiful area of Bali and less frequented by tourists but no doubt in due time, this will change. Of the three main roads heading up to Kintamani we started off my using the road direct to the village of Kertabuana and by doing so avoiding the road tax payable on the main tourist route coming out at the T-Junction near Kintamani and, all the associated hassles. That in itself is a rip-off and should be banned, but, that is my personal opinion. If you wanted to enjoy a few nights around Gunung Batur then a trip down to the base of the crater lake is one that I would recommend. (Nick and I did this a few years back and stayed in Pekalongan. From here you can get over to Trunyan [for what it’s worth, at the moment] or just chill-out and relax, hiking.)
Date: May 1st, 2008 |
No Comments
Ecotourism and Development in Bali
In a world where travellers are increasingly aware of the environment and the places they visit and the impact they will have upon that society, ecotourism is booming in most countries. Indonesia is no different. On the island of Bali there are a few tour groups that are geared towards ecotourism. Basically, ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. This also might be in a volunteering capacity. Choosing to use local tour operators, buy from the locals so that the money goes back into the community and utilising local transport. There are others. But, on the island of Bali where responsible ecotourism is needed, the development is not progressing as much as it would be hoped.
Date: April 28th, 2008 |
No Comments
Tourist Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing
A helicopter carrying tourists has been forced to make an emergency landing on the resort island of Bali. You see them all the time during the day, helicopters ferrying tourists on a bird’s eye view of the island. I have never actually had the desire to fly in one although I must admit I do harbor a desire to do so. Perhaps it’s the worry they might drop out of the sky!. It had to happen eventually and the Indonesian news website Detik.com said the Bali Air helicopter was forced to land at Lebih Beach, in Gianyar, in the island’s south east about noon local time today. It wasn’t a helicopter crash but only an emergency landing. According to a Bali police spokesman AS Reniban said the five passengers, thought to be American and one Indonesian, escaped with only minor injuries. These were mostly bruises and suffering from shock.
Date: April 23rd, 2008 |
No Comments
Saving the Elephants
Indonesia currently has 16 or more species on the verge of extinction. A further 30 are classified as endangered. On the critically endangered and endangered lists are the Sumatran tiger, the Bali starling, the Javanese wild dog, the orangutans of Kalimantan and Sumatra, the Sumatran gibbon and the Sumatran elephant. Some claim the number of Sumatran elephants remaining in the wild is around 1,500, while the more conservative believe 1,000 is more likely. A further 900 or so are found in Sumatra’s elephant camps; once known as elephant training centers, the camps are now called elephant conservation centers and are designed to save the species. However, these camps have become death camps for far too many elephants, according to elephant conservationist Nigel Mason of the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Bali.
Date: May 9th, 2008 |
No Comments
Aneh-aneh Art and Uniques: Denpasar
How weird is weird? Well, nobody could answer that for sure including Tjia Jie Hong, the owner of Aneh-aneh Art and Uniques in Denpasar. There is no certain limitation to the meaning of the word aneh (weird). This was why he picked the name Aneh-aneh for his business. Aneh-aneh is a workshop providing various kinds of artworks with extraordinary designs, mostly made from wood and roots. It is located next to the busy Ngurah Rai express highway.
Date: May 2nd, 2008 |
No Comments
Delicat Restaurant: Ubud, Bali
I don’t get much of a chance to get up to Ubud as I am usually bypassing it on my way to other parts of the island, but when I do it is usually to Casa Luna or my all-time favourite, Kafe Batan Waru. Ubud is one of those places where you need a week or so to explore everything – the galleries, museums, coffee shops, and of course the restaurants and warungs. I was reading a restaurant review recently about a restaurant that has achieved great notoriety, the Delicat Restaurant.
Date: April 28th, 2008 |
1 comment
Sea Conservation Area Established in Bondalem
It always pleases my heart to see that villagers are participating in caring for the environment, whether it’s on land or in the sea. And, it seems just this is happening in Bondalem in north-east Bali. Recently I was looking around the area of Tejakula not far from Bondalem. Actually I was a guest at the Poinciana Resort in Tembok, along the same stretch of road. This whole area is pristine and well worth a visit albeit off the regular tourist tracks. The pebblestone beaches are a challenge underfoot but this is outweighed with the stunning backdrop of the mountains bowing to the sea and the crystal clear waters of the Bali Sea. It is an area where it is understandable that the friendly villagers have this desire to preserve their surroundings. Basically they make a living from the sea and so it’s only natural that you would want to preserve the waters and the coral reefs.
Date: April 25th, 2008 |
No Comments
Lake Buyan Springs a Leak: North Bali
My favourite area in Bali would have to be in the areas to the north of Lake Bratan. Here the mountains rise from the depths of jungle terrain and rice-terraced hills, and, lakes. After visiting Danau Bratan, take a drive north to the Munduk turnoff and then head to that town. Just pass the turn-off the first delight you will encounter is Lake Buyan (the lake is located around 55 km north of Denpasar). Further on is Lake Tamblingan. These two lakes are two of the four lakes on the island of Bali which have become tourist attractions. There are areas along the Munduk road where small parking places enable you to view both the lakes. Of the two lakes, Lake Buyan is the bigger with an area of some 4.93 sq km wide.
Date: April 21st, 2008 |
4 comments
