Tegalalang is village located on the north-south road from Kintamani and Ubud. Driving along this stretch you will have no doubt you are in Tegalalang because of the abundance in wooden carvings that are displayed along the road. Development in Tegalalang is another example of ribbon development, the expansion of a village along the main road but usually only 1 shop deep. Central Tegalalang has Bali-baroque style shops whereas the buildings on the northern and southern edges of town are simple adobe mud-brick family compounds with family temples. The village of Tegalalang specializes in pumping out carved fish, birds, trees and other designs that are painted in bright colors. These are designed for the tourist market, not really the antique or quality market. A visitor might also check out the selection of wall-panels, furniture, antique-style doors and topeng masks.
Tambora Wood Craft Center in the northern part of town produces quality pieces including scenes from the Ramayana, figurines and animal carvings. TWCC uses unpainted Sumbawan gold-wood for its products. A local non-profit organization called Mitra Balis Fair Trade Shop is sells carvings and ensured the craftspeople get a share of the money.
Driving north through the village you will lovely views to the right including sculptured rice terraces. You will also see Gunung Batur straight ahead and Gunung Agung looking East. A nice place to stop for a cooling drink is Kampung Cafe (a name that firs my house sometimes) which is located in Ceking they serve western and Asian food. Great place to relax. Getting to Tegalalang from Kuta takes around 2 hours.
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OOOH, this is one of my favourite areas to shop!!!!
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