Bali Safari and Marine Park

The first show we saw was with all of the animals and went for quite a while! They had trained them to come in on time and do something funny, they had even trained birds to fly in certain times of the show! There was also an elephant show which was amazing, the incredible elephants are so clever, worth a watch but I don't like to think about how they were trained.. there was also a certain time of the day where they would bring out three different animals to pet and get a photo with, 

When we went there was a baby tiger, a baby crocodile we got to hold and orangutan which sits on your lap! They offer elephant rides which you pay for in the package you choose, starts at about 1pm, we were so hungry and exhausted that we decided not to do it though but it would be worth it if you can! It is quite expensive entry but it is a good day!

It is a nice park with many shows to see. I recommend to stay at the Mara River Safari Lodge (within the park) to make the experience perfect. The best is to book the 3D/2N package on their homepage. The shows are amazing, especially the Bali Agung Show.

The animal shows are nice. The actual safari is very short. Since you can only visit it in vehicle you can not really enjoy. The agung show was ok but the theater was very warm...i guess ac was not working. Water park is very small and only meant for kids, but its refreshing to plunge into water after hot day. We tried indian veg food at Uma hotel and it was very good. Chole was nice and so was roti with veg kurma.

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Pura Luhur Uluwatu

Pura Uluwatu looks like any other temples in Bali. However, it is perched right on top of a cliff overlooking a gorgeous sea view. That makes it more special than any other temples in there. I would recommend you going between 4-6pm so that you have enough time to explore the beautiful scenery during day light without waiting too long for sunset. The traditional kecak dance starts at 6pm daily if you are interested. 

Before you enter the temple, there are many warning signboards cautioning you against the monkeys and also to keep your spectacles in your bag. Do adhere to it or you will regret losing you expensive glasses or shades to those mischievous monkeys. These little creatues are not afraid of human contact and can get pretty agressive. While I was there, there were a few monkeys which tried to snatch the slippers of some visitors. In short, anything small that is easy to grab or dangling like your camera, flip flops, glasses, etc are best guarded. There was even a cheeky monkey which was mocking the owner of a pair of spectacles as it plays with the latter with glee. 

Unlike Pura Tanah Lot which has plenty of stalls / stores which sell knick-knacks, paintings and other souvenirs, there is nothing to see here. 

The most important advice I can give you and take it seriously please: Before you get out of your car take off or store these items, glasses, hearing aids, jewelry, earrings, hats, flip flop shoes, cell phones and anything else you might want to keep. Leave your prescription glass off and in the car, seen 14 pair destroyed, really. 

The monkeys will take them, that is a guarantee.

Now relax, you don't have a thing they want and will leave you alone. We went a few hours before sunset to walk around and it was fun, now set up your camera and be ready for the best sunset of your life. Monkeys did not seem to be interested in my big SLR but I would be careful with compacts. There is a show at the temple also, but we did not go.

Ulu Watu is one of several important temples to the spirits of the sea along the south coast of Bali. In the 11th century the Javanese priest Empu Kuturan first established a temple here. The complex was added to by Nirartha, another Javanese priest who is known for the seafront temples at Tanah Lot, Rambut Siwi and Pura Sakenan. Nirartha retreated to Ulu Watu for his final days when he attained moksa (freedom from earthly desires).

A popular Kecak dance is held in the temple grounds at sunset (100,000Rp), when traffic jams form during high season.

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Sanur

SANUR, PEACEFUL VILLAGE IN BALI

The waters of Sanur are protected by a long string of offshore reefs, creating large, warm shallow, safe lagoons that are perfectly clear and excellent for swimming, snorkeling and a whole array of water sports. Surfers will be pleased to know that the reefs around Sanur produce some of the best waves in the world in the right conditions although they can be very shallow at low tide. But there are more consistent waves beyond the reefs good for surfing. 

Sanur is also the launching pad for visitors who want to dive and explore the splendors of the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan. Nusa Lembongan is approximately 8 square km in size, and is one of three neighbouring islands, the others being much the larger Nusa Penida and tiny Nusa Ceningan. 

Many areas around the island are good for diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life and healthy corals. Surfing can get a bit crowded, but the waves are good. There are several white sand beaches away from the main centers which are virtually never crowded.

As a place where tourism first flourished in Bali, Sanur has some of Balis’ historic hotels. There are a lot of restaurants and cafes along the coastline. For budget meals you may want to try the Pasar Malam (Night Market) at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan.

Sanur's splendid paved beachfront cycle-path stretches some 5 km from Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning. The more active could try one or more of the many watersports on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. 

For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters. The surf here is not great by Bali standard but there are reasonable breaks about 1 km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October-March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks-just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000.

For one of a kind experience, you should try the Sea Walker. A safe and exciting underwater adventure Sea Walker is a unique diving system, that provides an opportunity to observe the underwater world to a depth of 15 feet without certification, and without getting your hair wet. Participants actually walk along the bottom of the sea, rather than swim while numerous exotic fish and sea life are found all around.

Get Around

Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso. Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not far, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beachfront path which runs the whole length of the district.

Get There

Located within the vicinity of Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Sanur is a 20 minute taxi ride from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island that will be keen to take you to Sanur. This is one of the more straightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. 

There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 30 minutes driving time from Kuta or Legian, about 45 minutes from Seminyak or Ubud and 15 minutes from Downtown Denpasar.

Sanur is also well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from Denpasar's Tegal terminal. The bus company Perama has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers direct transfer here from Candidasa, Kuta, Lovina, Padang Bai and Ubud. Private shuttle buses run from most major tourist centers of Bali to Sanur.

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Tanah Lot: Bali’s Scenic Sea Temple

TANAH LOT, MAGNIFICENT BALINESE TEMPLE IN THE OPEN OCEAN

To many people, Tanah Lot epitomizes the romantic island of Bali. This is the image of Balinese temples on the rock facing the wide open ocean, perched high above the crashing waves below, with as background the colorful sky at dusk, lit by the slowly disappearing setting sun.

Located in the sea some 300 meters from shore, the huge rock of Tanah Lot is reachable overland at low tide. On its northern side stand two Balinese temples built on an overhanging cliff which connects the islet to the shore. Underneath the rock are caves that are inhabited by sea snakes, believed to be the guardians of the temples.

At the entrance lane to Tanah Lot you will find many art shops offering local handicrafts besides other products like T-shirts, Balinese sarongs, hats, sandals, accessories, paintings, woodcarvings, and more. Here you will also find stalls selling food and drinks.

The best time to visit Tanah Lot is during Odalan, which is celebrated every 210 days, near the Galungan and Kuningan festivities on the holy day known as Buddha Cemeng Langkir. On this day you will see rows of Balinese women gracefully carrying offerings on their head to pray at the temple of Tanah Lot.

The tourist area of Tanah Lot near the rock is very well managed for visitors. It has a parking area, toilets, art shops, restaurants, hotel, open stage, tourist information centre, and security and safety services. Your ticket also covers insurance against accidents.

There are many restaurants here where you can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast or lunch. Experience the serenity of the tropical sun slowly disappearing beyond the horizon and the wide open ocean, and listen to the sound of the soothing waves crashing on the shore. It will be an incredible memory to treasure all your life.

Get Around

The Sunset Terrace

The Sunset terrace is the best place to watch an unforgettable sunset over Tanah Lot. Here you can enjoy a luxurious breakfast or lunch, taste special Balinese food and drinks, and watch the tide flow in. At high tide the rock of Tanah Lot appears like a boat floating on the waves. On full moon nights, spend an unforgettable romantic evening on the terrace with your loved one.

Batu Bolong

The temple at Batu Bolong is located some 100 meters west of Pura Enjung Galuh. The temple is built within the cave inside a huge rock that juts out into the sea. During Melasti, people come here to pray at the temple of Batu Bolong.  

Enjung Galuh

The temple or Pura Enjung Galuh stands right next to Pura Jero Kandang, also at Enjung Galuh. “Njung” means the rock that juts out to sea. Pura Enjung Galuh is dedicated to the goddess of welfare, Dewi Sri Shakti.

The Surya Mandala Cultural Park

At the Surya Mandala cultural park you can enjoy cultural performances, exhibitions, while meetings and conferences are also often held here. Here is also a good place to enjoy the view. The Kecak Dance which is normally performed just before sunset is held here daily.

The Art Market

Here is also an art and souvenir market for those wanting to shop for art pieces or souvenirs from Bali to take home.

Get There

Tanah Lot is around 30 km west of the city of Denpasar or 11 km south of the town of Tabanan, and 43 km from Kuta Beach. Coming from Denpasar on the main highway and arriving in the town of Kediri, you will certainly not miss the large sign at the main intersection announcing the southwest turn to Pura Tanah Lot. To reach the temple of Tanah Lot you will need to cross some dry land then climb a hill to reach the site of the temple.

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Seminyak

SEMINYAK: THE TRULY BEST EXPERIENCES ON THE ENCHANTING ISLAND OF BALI

An essential part of the swathes of stunning beaches along the south coast of Bali next to the vibrant ambience of Kuta, is Seminyak beach and  the town of Seminyak,  which has its own eclectic mix of world-class restaurants, high end spas, designer boutiques, international surf shops and lifestyle brand outlets.

Seminyak today is Bali's up-and-coming fashion, dining and accommodation precinct,  an upmarket coastal enclave just north of Legian and Kuta. Situated some 10km from Denpasar, capital city of Bali, Seminyak stretches from Double Six Street in the south and morphs into the villages of Kerobokan and Umalas, north of Pura Petitenget temple. The atmosphere here is much more sophisticated and laid-back compared to  Kuta, while the beach in particular is relatively quieter during the day.

Seminyak is packed with some of Bali’s finest and most well-established restaurants, while several of its roads are recognized as must-visit dining destinations. Dubbed as a food-lover’s haven, rich flavors from all around the globe, prepared by highly skilled chefs – some of whom  are notable figures in the international culinary scene – can be found here.

Seminyak's shopping scene comprising  exclusive fashion boutiques and lifestyle brand outlets. Most of the smaller shops line the main road of Seminyak's Main Street (also referred to as Basangkasa Street), while a collection of other fashionable boutiques can be found along Laksmana Street and several corners of Petitenget Street.

Whether modern or  ethnic chic, with natural and silk fabrics adorned with beading and sequins in strong deep colours – their summer collections are perfect for Bali’s tropical climate and any summer day around the world. Seminyak is also the high-end spa capital of Bali featuring great luxury in sophisticated setting, with so many options to choose from, where one can truly experience a perfect Balinese getaway.

Activities

Continuing the long sweep of Kuta, white sandy beaches stretch in both directions as far as the eye can see. The two notable beaches are the Seminyak Beach and Petitenget Beach which offer fantastic views of the Balinese sunset. Seminyak Beach is favored because of the great waves that are most  ideal for surfers. This beach also features a beautiful panorama on the Indian Ocean.

Browsing and shopping along Seminyak fashion boutiques can occupy days of your holiday. Designer boutiques, funky stores, attractive galleries, wholesale emporiums and various workshops are among some of your choices. A good starting point for any shopper would be the legion of small boutiques and designer stores on Jalan Laksmana.

Get There

Seminyak is part of the main west coast conurbation in South Bali and traffic can get very congested at times. From Kuta and Legian, the Legian Street runs parallel with the beach, and at its western limit continues as  Seminyak Street. You can also get to Seminyak via the eastern bypass of Sunset Street. This is almost invariably the quicker route from Kuta and Legian into Seminyak, although it is actually further distance-wise.

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Bunaken National Marine Park

BUNAKEN, FEEL THE GLIMPSE OF SEA LIFE IN THE MAJESTIC SEAGARDEN

Bunaken is an 8.08 km² island in the Bay of Manado, situated in the north of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bunaken forms part of the administrative city of Manado, capital of North Sulawesi. The marine Park around Bunaken is part of the National Park that also includes the ocean around the island of Manado Tua, Siladen and Mantehage. In the Bunaken Marine Park, you will encounter a real “mermaid”, and you can also get a glimpse of sea life. Within the Bunaken Marine Park, visitors can see various strange and colourful marine life along its sea bed. To reach this park, you can take a motorboat. The journey from Manado takes around 40 minutes.

The translucent waters of the Bunaken seas enable people to clearly view numerous sea biota. There are 13 species of coral reefs in this park, dominated by edge ridges and block ridges of rocks. The most attractive view is the steep vertical sloppy coral reef that plunges down as deep as 25-50 meters. Feast your eyes on 91 types of fish found in the Bunaken National Park, amongst which are the locally known Gusimi Horse Fish (Hippocampus), the White Oci (Seriola rivoliana), Yellow-Tailed Lolosi (Lutjanus kasmira), Goropa (Ephinephelus spilotoceps and Pseudanthias hypselosoma), Ila Gasi (Scolopsis bilineatus) and others. Divers may also meet mollusk like the Giant Kima (Tridacna gigas), Goat Head (Cassis cornuta), Nautilus (Nautilus pompillius) and Tunikates/Ascidian.

For those who enjoy scuba diving, this is a great place to be. With about 20 dive spots to choose from, divers will have the chance to swim below the sea, and frolic joyfully while admiring the sea creatures. Most diving takes place near Bunaken and Manado Tua, because of the many excellent sites. The following are representative of dive spots in the area.Lekuan Walls (I, II, III)This long wall at Bunaken is divided into three sites: the Lekuan I, II and III. Together they are the park's best.

Steep walls are marked with deep crevices, sea fans and giant sponges. The shallows are filled with fishes. The wall, often protected from stronger currents, is frequented by bumphead parrotfish, turtles, and Napoleon wrasses. You can also explore the island on foot or you can take a boat to move from one dive site to the other Just walking around the beach is already a most enjoyable experience.

Get Around

You can also explore the island on foot or you can take a boat to move from one dive site to the other. Just walking around the beach is already a most enjoyable experience.

Get There

The island of Bunaken is easily reached from Manado by motorized boat, departing from Manado harbor, Molas, Kalasey and Tasik Ria beach. Ferries from Manado to Bunaken leave daily around 02:00 PM (depending on the tide), except on Sundays, when they leave from Pasar Jengki near the Manado harbor. The return journey from Bunaken to Manado usually leaves early in the morning, at around 07:00 AM - 08:00 AM. There are also charter boats that depart in the morning and return in the late afternoon. These are usually reserved for travel packages organized by agents or hotels.

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BOROBUDUR, FAMOUS ICON OF INDONESIA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Located on the island of Java, the magnificent Borobudur temple is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, an ancient site widely considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. The temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.

It covers an enormous area, measuring 123 x 123 meters. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stonework of this temple has no equal. And it was built without using any kind of cement or mortar! The structure is like a set of massive interlocking Lego blocks held together without any glue.

The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was rediscovered in 1815, buried under volcanic ash. In the 1970’s the Indonesian Government and UNESCO worked together to restore Borobudur to its former majesty The restoration took eight years to complete and today Borobudur is one of Indonesiaand the world’s most valuable treasures.

The temple is decorated with stone carvings in bas-relief representing images from the life of Buddha. Commentators claim that this is the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit.

Get Around

The best way to explore this site is on foot. As you climb to the top of this magnificent temple you will marvel at the intricate detailed stone carvings displayed on the temples walls. You will certainly miss a great experience if you visit this enormous temple without learning about its history and importance which are captured on its many reliefs.

Guides are available for around Rp 50,000. This is a wise investment as a guide will be able to walk you around the site and explain the history of the temple, beginning with its construction during the Syailendra dynasty. The stone carvings attached to the temple display legends and stories which have great philosophical significance. For visitors with children, don’t miss the massive green grass area surrounding the Borobudur site.

You may choose to walk through Green Park from the entrance. Many vendors will offer you souvenirs and other knick knacks as you walk through this area, however there are regulations in place to prevent them from disturbing visitors.

Forty kilometres west of Yogya, surrounded on three sides by volcanoes and on the fourth by jagged limestone cliffs, is the largest Buddhist monument in the southern hemisphere. This is the temple of Borobudur, the greatest single piece of classical architecture in the entire archipelago. The temple is actually a colossal multi-tiered Buddhist stupa lying at the western end of a four-kilometre-long chain of temples (one of which, the nearby Candi Mendut, is also worth visiting), built in the ninth century by the Saliendra dynasty. At 34.5m tall, however, and covering an area of some 200 square metres, Borobudur is on a different scale altogether, dwarfing all the other candi in the chain. Abandoned and neglected for almost a thousand years, Borobudur was “rediscovered” by the English in 1815, though nothing much was done until 1973, when UNESCO began to take the temple apart, block by block, in order to replace the waterlogged hill with a concrete substitute.

Borobudur is pregnant with symbolism, and precisely oriented so that its four sides face the four points of the compass; the ticket office lies to the southeast.

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