Bali : Mountains, Beach, Forest and Culture
Venture into Bali’s interior for a different perspective of this incredible island. Picturesque rice fields cover around 20% of the island with dense jungles in the interior. In drier areas, expect scrub, savannah and barren volcanic cones.
The lush greenery of Bali is stunning. Huge Banyan trees thrive in villages and temple grounds; tamarind trees in the northern region; clove trees cover the highlands; and bright red flame trees, acacias and mangroves dominate the south. About a dozen species of coconut palms call Bali home, with an even larger variety of bamboo species.
Flowers - are everywhere! Fragrant jasmines, graceful water lilies, bright hibiscus and cheery bougainvillea abound. In gardens, roadsides and temple grounds the scent and colours of magnolia, frangipani and orchids hangs in the air. Cut flowers decorate temples and statues as offerings to the Balinese gods. These same blooms are also delicately woven, plaited and arranged in the crown of Bali’s mesmerizing dancers.
Bali’s interior provides a home for monkeys, civets, mousedeer, barking deer and flocks of beautiful birds. The jalak putih or Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) is Bali’s only indigenous bird, but there are over 300 species of birds in Bali. This includes dollar birds, wild fowl, sea eagles, sandpipers, blue kingfishers, white herons and egrets, sparrows, cuckoos and wood swallows.
Central Bali
Bali Elephant Safari Park - Ubud
Wander along jungle paths on the back of a Sumatran elephant at the Bali Elephant Safari Park. Located 20 minutes north of Ubud in the cool jungle forest of Desa Taro, the Elephant Safari Park is home to some truly unique and spectacular Indonesian Elephants. As well as an opportunity to explore Bali’s jungles, you’ll also get the chance to feed an elephant in its natural habitat, watch them bathe in the cool waters of the lake.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Located in Ubud, this monkey forest is smaller than the one at Sangeh but rest assured that the monkeys are just as wild.
Northern Bali : Bedugul
Bali Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1959, the Bali Botanical Gardens, locally known as Kebun Raya Eka Karya, sprawl over 120 hectares on the slopes of Gunung Pohon, or Tree Mountain. There is a huge collection of trees; and nearly 500 varieties of amazing orchids and rich fluttering bird life. The gardens boast of a library and a herbarium; and aptly, is a centre for the study of plants.
Yeh Sanih
A popular and relaxing spot where freshwater springs are channeled into clean and tempting swimming pools. The surrounding area has lovely gardens and a restaurant .
Open from 8am-6pm daily.
Gitgit Waterfall
Located 10km to the south of Singaraja, the cascading Gitgit Waterfalls are not far from the main road. The impressive 40m waterfall gushes into a deep, cool pool; tempting visitors with a tantalisingly refreshing swim.
But should you decide to succumb to the charms of the falls, beware; but not of any physical danger - local legend has it that couples who bath together at the lovely pools will eventually separate.
Banjar
The Brahmavihara Arama in Banjar is Bali’s only Buddhist monastery. It’s handsome structure sits in command of magnificently inspiring views down the alley and sweeps across to the sea. The monastery is around 4km up an obvious turn-off from the main road.
Continue on along the road past the monastery, and winding further up into the hills, you’ll be rewarded with Pedewa, a Bali Aga village. Another pleasant find is the steaming Air Panans Banjar, or the Hot Springs of Banjar, not far from the monastery. These hot springs are beautifully landscaped with lush tropical plants, and it is recommended that you indulge for at least few hours or days.
The fantastic Pondok Wisata Grya Sar set in the hills very close to the springs, is certainly worth a splurge. The Grya Sari has an expensive restaurant in a lovely setting, or you can eat well at the inexpensive Restoran Komala Tirta overlooking the springs.
Lovina
The area immediately west of Lovina has a number of compelling attractions, one of which is the Daybreak Waterfall, or Air Terjun Singsing, 50km west of the middle of the Lovina beach strip. Although not huge, the waterfalls feature a pool underneath, which is great for swimming. During the wet season, the falls are spectacular, but may erratically be reduced to trickles in the dry season.
Southwestern Bali : Sangeh
Bali Sangeh Monkey Forest
Located near the village of Sangeh, the renowned 6 hectares of Bali Sangeh Monkey Forest are filled with giant nutmeg trees capable of growing as high as 40m! The main attractions here are the hordes of funny yet wise Balinese monkeys inhabiting both the trees and the temple, Pura Bukit Sari, found in the heart of the forest.
The monkeys of the forest are believed to be sacred and indeed will approach anyone paying respects at the temple. But visitors should be aware that these monkeys are attracted to shiny objects, so cameras and jewellery should be left behind or kept well hidden under clothes or in a bag when exploring Sangeh Bali.
Western Bali
Negara
Negara is Western Bali’s major town and transport terminal. It is calm, silent and relaxing all year through, except for the months of July through October, when it is time for Bali’s unique bullock races!
Taman Nasional Bali Barat (National Park)
Taman Nasional Bali Barat, or Bali Barat Nasional Park makes up almost the whole of the western tip of Bali, covering an area of over 750 square km. The area that is the park, has been made into a conservation area.
The park’s boundaries include open savannah, dense rainforest, tangles of mangrove swamp, colourful coral reefs and Pulau Menjangan, the famous Deer Island, which is really a small island reserve off the north coast of Bali. The park is a haven for over 300 species of animals and birds, most particularly the endangered jalak or Bali Starling.
Pulau Menjangan is home to the rare Java Deer, and welcomes visitors who enjoy good diving and snorkelling. You must be accompanied by an official guide and in possession of a park permit, to enter the park.
Tabanan (Bali Butterfly Park)
Also known as Taman Kupu Kupu, the recently opened Bali Butterfly Park is Indonesia’s only butterfly park. The park helps in the study, breeding and preservation of many kinds of butterflies from Bali and all over Indonesia.
Pupuan
Blahmantung Waterfalls
With a spectacular drop over 100m, this waterfall near Pupuan is simply amazing, especially during the rainy season. Do be prepared for a bit of a trek up a steep, and at times rough track.
Batubulan
Bali Bird Park
Bali’s Bird Park (Taman Burung Bali) in Singapadu, near Batubulan, houses over 1000 birds, with rare and beautiful varieties from all over Indonesia. One of the goals of the park is to breed endangered species in captivity in the quest of preservation. This includes the indigenous Bali Mynah. Even those who do not have any particular interest in ornithology will be impressed by the two hectares of lush tropical gardens.
Gunung Batur Area
The Gunung Batur area, known as Danau Batur and the volcanic cones at Gunung Batur are contained in a huge awesome bowl-shaped caldera. Towering at 1717m, Gunung Batur is one of Bali’s natural wonders, and just perfect for trekking, although the beauty of the place can still be enjoyed without such exertion.
Don’t forget to drop by the much-revered Pura Ulun Danu temple, Pura Puncak Penulisan in Penulisan; and the hot springs at Toya Bungkah.
Gunung Agung
Gunung Agung is Bali’s biggest trekking challenge. Fortunately, Bali’s highest and most revered mountain is not difficult to climb. The tip is to start well before dawn, armed with a strong flashlight, water, food, and warm and waterproof clothing. The best time for a climb is during the dry season of April through October. But climbing is not permitted when major religious events are held at Pura Besakih, which is most of April.
The shortest and most popular route up Gunung Agung is from Selat or Muncan; involving the least walking due thankfully to serviceable roads from both Selat or Muncan town to the Pura Pasar Agung, or Agung Market Temple. From the temple, you can climb to top in as little as 2 short hours.
Do remember to report to the police station at Selat before start off on your excursion, and drop by again on your return. A guide is necessary, and one can be pre-arranged in Selat or Muncan by just asking around the markets, or by contacting the Selat police station.
Source : www.bali-indonesia.com/forests/index.html
Add comment June 15th, 2006