Bali Getting Around
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Transport from the Kuta area
Arriving in Bali the transport situation may seem like like a madhouse but there are logical options to help you get around. Figuring out how to get your own transport will propel you into another reality and you’ll see another side of Bali.
Date: January 21st, 2008 |
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Kuta Bali: Local transport prices
The Kuta area is usually where people start their Bali holiday. All kinds of transport options are available including boats trips to Nusa Lembongan. One of the hundreds of local street side travel agents in Kuta, is Dana Yoga on Poppies Lane II. Dana Yoga can handle post and packages, change airline tickets, book international and domestic airline tickets and handle Bali-wide transportation. Here is selection of their prices.
Date: July 7th, 2007 |
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Anantara Spa Resort: Seminyak
When you talk about pure luxury in a resort then you can’t go past the newly opened boutique property Anantara Resort in Seminyak. This place eclipses most of those flash places in Nusa Dua. Actually the resort was designed by Anthony Liu of the TonTon architectural firm, responsible for the Bale Resort in Nusa Dua. Located on absolute prime beachfront at the end of Jl. Abimanyu, the resort has 59 suites each with plasma screen TVs, contemporary Asian-inspired furniture, broadband internet connection and spacious baths. But it is more than just another resort. The Anantara has everything you would need without even having to leave the place unless of course you wanted to cruise around the area checking out the locals. Heck, you can do that from your balcony overlooking the beach.
Date: May 2nd, 2008 |
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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 |
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The Adventure Side of Bali
A majority of tourists that go to Bali seldom venture off the well-worn ‘tourist tours’ tracks when they go into the countryside and there are even some that never venture out of the Kuta Strip. My advice to anyone planning a trip to Bali is to find yourself a good driver (or hire a jeep) and go off these tourist tracks because you will be amazed at what you encounter. Breathtaking panoramas of astounding beauty and even remote villages that rarely see the likes of tourists or travellers. Few visitors to Bali are unaware of the natural paradises. One of my favourite places is the Bali Barat National Park and Marine Reserve. It is located on the north western side of Bali and its size is amazingly large being 10% of the island’s land area. The animal and bird life will amaze you. There is an estimated 160 species in the national park and is the refuge of the very rare and critically endangered Bali Starling.
Date: April 18th, 2008 |
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Getting around Nusa Dua / Kuta area
The upcoming UNFCCC (UN Framework Conference for Climate Change) starting December 4th 2007, will attract over 10,000 delegates from around the world. The conference will be held in Nusa Dua where most delegates will be staying, but some will have to stay in other locations such as Sanur, Kuta and Jimbaran. For someone who has never been to Bali here is a quick guide to getting around in these areas.
Date: November 28th, 2007 |
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Taxis in Bali
Taxis in Bali are plentiful, especially in tourist areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Ubud. Hailing a cab can be as simple as stepping into the street and raising your hand when you see one pass by.
Date: February 26th, 2007 |
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