Indonesia Traveling - Indonesia Traveling Sea and Land Guide

Sports and other activities

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Sports and other activities Water sports
Swimming, snorkeling, banana boat rides, water ski, parasailing, etc. are arranged by most hotels and at the Beluga Marina in Tanjung Benoa. There are also small sail boats, catamarans, and boards for wind surfing for rent along Jimbaran Beach. The best surfing spots are near Ulu Watu (only for experts in top physical condition who are comfortable surfing over coral reefs on large, powerful waves that break in shallow water) and along Bali's West coast North of Canggu; the best time is during the dry season from June to September.
You can also buy a day-guest ticket (telephone before as prices vary from 25 to 90 euro per person and seem to depend on their occupancy!) and enjoy all sports facilities at Nusa Dua's Club Med until 17:00 in the afternoon. They offer kayaking, wind surfing, snorkeling, and many other sports activities such as water aerobics, archery, tennis, and ping pong tournaments, beach volleyball, bocci ball lessons, and a circus school for adults. The day-guest ticket includes a lunch buffet with a huge choice of Western, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes and unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks.
A large free-form swimming pool with a life band playing during the afternoon on the center island is the main attraction of the new Hard Rock Beach Club in Kuta. There is a pool-side restaurant for various snacks, a pool bar serving exotic drinks, and you can even rent your private pool-side "Cabana" if you wish to draw the curtains for some privacy. Pool use is 50,000 Rupiah per day for non-resident guests, and for the "Cabana" they charge 100,000 Rupiah per day.

Scuba diving
A number of PADI certified companies offer diving tours (no spear fishing in Bali) with experienced guides and equipment from one day to several days. The best sites (some with ship wrecks) are along Bali's East cost near Amed and Tulamben and in the North-West around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk (ferry to Java). About 40 to 90 euro, depending on the destination, per person for one-day tours; 350-400 euro plus extra costs or 450 euro including everything for four day courses including your PADI certificate.

Game fishing
A number of companies offer yachts and fishing boats with guides for charter. The catch includes Tuna, Wahoo, Mai-Mai, Mackerel, or Marlin - and Snapper, Cod and Coral Trout to be caught reef fishing should you so desire. From 40 euro per hour for a small boat, 500 euro per day for a modern 30-foot catamaran with satellite navigation, top-of-the range fish finder and sonar as well as Brownie diving equipment, and 660 euro per day for a state-of-the-art Black Watch game fishing vessel with experienced crew, full insurance, and all electronics and safety gear.

Day cruises
There are daily cruises to nearby Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan islands off the south-east coast of Bali. Guests spend the day either at one of the cruise companies' beach clubs - with restaurant, swimming pool, water sports equipment - or on a floating pontoon, and you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, take Banana Boat rides, or view the underwater world from a semi-submersible vessel. You can choose between modern, air-conditioned motor cruisers accommodating 100 and more guests and a number of smaller sailing boats. For the more adventurous there is now also a 12-meter inflatable Ocean Raft carrying up to 24 passengers. Departure is usually around 9.00 a.m., and you return in the afternoon. About 65 to 85 euro per person including lunch, children from 5 to 14 years 50%.

Dinner cruises
Some of the boats which leave in the morning for the regular Island Cruises offer also a Dinner Cruise starting around 18.00 hours. After cruising around the Benoa harbor, an international buffet dinner and some entertainment by folk singers and live bands you return around 20.30 to the pier. US$40 per person, children up to 14 years 50%.

Island cruises
There are a number of cruises from Bali through the Lesser Sunda Islands, to Sulawesi, and the Moluccas. You can choose from modern cruise liners, luxurious private yachts, and traditional Buginese schooners, and either join a scheduled cruise from 3 days to 12 or 15 days, or even charter your own yacht or schooner with 2 to 16 cabins, experienced crew, and a Western tour guide. Please look at the different cruises and yacht charter options available.

Submarine safaris
You can book a tour which brings you about 60 feet below the sea South of Nusa Dua. The small submarine can carry about 25 guests, and large port holes allow to view and photograph underwater reefs and corals, many marine creatures, a large variety of fish including sharks. Departure from the Beluga Marina in Tanjung Benoa and you return after about 90 minutes. 100 euro per person, 50% for children from 5 to 14 years.

Golf
The "Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club" near Bedugul in the mountains is probably Bali's most attractive golf course. There is also a 18-hole course at the "Bali Golf & Country Club" in Nusa Dua near the Bali Hilton, a 9-hole course at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur, and the new "Nirwana Bali Golf Club" with a 18-hole course near Tanah Lot.
White Water rafting
Several companies offer exciting white water rafting tours (grade 2 to grade 4 rapids) on the Ayun river North-West of Ubud and - during certain times of the year - also on the Unda river North of Klungkung. You pass waterfalls and volcanic cliffs, deep sided gorges, tranquil rice terraces and remote villages. From morning to afternoon, lunch included, 56-85 euro per person including transfers from and to your hotel and lunch.

Other organized adventures
Lake and Sea Kayaking, Jungle Trekking, and Mountain Cycling, Paragliding, and even Paint Ball War Games.

Bungee jumping
There are now three companies in Kuta and another company offering the island's only waterfall jump near Gianyar. With the "Sling Shot" at the "Adrenalin Park" in Kuta you can get shot 52 meters into the air in just over one second, and they have an overhanging climbing wall, too. Another Sling Shot is located right next to the Hard Rock Resort.
Horseback riding
Experience Bali on horse back, ride through padi fields and along deserted beaches. Tours can be organized through Jaran Jaran, Loji Gardens Hotel in Legian and Umalas Stables, Banjar Umalas, Kerobokan.

Nature tours
Visit the Bali Barat National Park in the West of the island, the Butterfly Park "Taman Kupu Kupu" in Wanasari, Tabanan, or the Botanical Gardens in Bedugul. Guided bird watching tours are offered starting from Ubud - in the village of Petulu a few miles north of Ubud you can also watch between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. every day the arrival of thousands of white herons who are nesting here - and you can visit the bull races in Negara. If you stay near Lovina in the North, get up early one morning and hire a boat to watch hundreds of dolphins.

Balinese cooking classes
Discover the secrets of Balinese cuisine by joining one of the 1-Day Cooking Classes held by Heinz von Holzen, the author of the book "The Food Of Bali" and former food guru of the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton hotels in Bali. You can visit Heinz in his beautiful Bumbu Bali restaurant in Tanjung Benoa next to Nusa Dua and enjoy their fabulous dishes at any time. If you wish to enroll in one of his popular classes, you better book in advance.
Balinese cooking classes are also held in Ubud at the BUMBU Restaurant, at Casa Luna, and at the nearby Sua Bali Culture and Information Centre. There are also 5-day classes and "2-Day Mini Schools" at the Serai Hotel near Candi Dasa.

Birdmarket
Take a stroll through Denpasar's bird market near the northern end of Jalan Veteran where you see not only a large variety of tropical birds but also tropical fish, cats and dogs, monkeys etc. You can visit the Taman Burung bird park with 1,000 different species of birds (and even a small Komodo dragon in the adjacent Reptile Park in Singapadu about 20 minutes north of Denpasar, the Waterboom Park with four slides and a flowing river in tropical surroundings in Tuban, or enjoy jungle treks on top of Sumatran elephants starting from the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, a village about 50 kilometers north of Denpasar. Camel rides on the beach are offered at Hotel Nikko Bali in Nusa Dua.

Waterbom Park Kuta.
Nice for your kids,whole day entertainment and fun.

Skydiving
One of the fastest growing high adventure sports is skydiving. Rapidly gaining popularity in Bali, tandem skydiving is available to give you the adventure of a lifetime at 10,000 feet above ground. You will first be given a 30-minute introduction to the sport and a briefing on safety. Next, you will be fitted into a harness before boarding the aircraft. The plane will take about 20 minutes to climb to the required height whereby at this point you should be securely attached to the harness of your instructor.
At the right moment, the Tandem Master will signal you to jump out of the aircraft and you will instantly be hit by the thrilling sensation of free-falling! When you've reached 4,000 feet, the Tandem Master will pull the rip cord to open the main parachute, pulling you up from an amazing 180 km per hour to a steady 20 km per hour. You will get to see Bali at an unbelievable bird's eye view. The instructor will then regain control at about 500 feet above ground for a smoother landing. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

Elephant Safari Park
Do not leave Bali without visiting the Elephant Safari Park, which is situated in the cool jungle of Desa Taro, 20 minutes north from Ubud. This nature park offers you the priceless chance to feed, touch, and interact with these wonderful creatures that are set in an exotic, landscaped environment. Elephants can be seen immersing themselves in the cool waters of the park or grazing peacefully. Elephant Safari ride tours are also available where you will sit atop an elephant in a traditional teak wood chair, while swaying through the refreshing jungle of Desa Taro.

Bali Bird Park and Reptile Park
Bird-watching enthusiasts, good news for you! You will be able to catch sight of the world's rarest and most captivating feathered friends at Bali's Bird Park. Hundreds of species dwell within this scenic and fascinating park, enthralling you with their brilliant colors and rarity. Indonesian parrots, cassowaries, black palm cockatoos, hornbills, and an impressive collection of Birds of Paradise will delight you. Apart from these exciting creatures, the extraordinary komodo dragons also make their home here. Set in magnificent botanical gardens with a backdrop of ponds and waterfalls, the Bali Bird Park is the perfect environment to enjoy the glorious myriad of birdlife as well as nature.

Jungle trekking
Explore and discover Bali's glorious flora and fauna via the nature reserve of Mount Batukaru in an 'off-beaten' track adventure that will lead you into the cool surroundings of a tropical rainforest. You will be introduced to the hidden world of Bali's wildlife and native plants, as you pass by ancient strangler trees, ferns, wild orchids and hanging lianas - the home of many species of tropical birds and animals. Stop awhile for a reviving picnic lunch by a clear mountain stream and savor the crisp mountain air before continuing your journey to the archaic temple of Batukaru.

Rice Paddy trek
Follow the farmers' tracks through Carang Sari's emerald-green paddy fields to catch a piece of traditional rural life that has remained unchanged for a thousand years. Skirting the Ayung River valley, you will have the chance to observe the timeless routine of plowing, planting and harvesting using hand-crafted tools and primitive techniques. Do not forget to visit village temples, coconut, mango and jackfruit plantations, all set in a background of unspoiled Balinese countryside.
Indonesia Jaya Reptile & Crocodile Park, is located in Mengwi. The park has not only over 500 crocodiles but alsoa collection of lizards and snakes within large tropical gardens. A snake and magic show and even crocodile wrestling go to make this an unforgettable experience.
Another reptile park is the Bali Reptile Park, next door of Bali Bird Park.The park housing a collection of Komodo Dragons, snakes, monitor lizards and iguanas. Featuring a nocturnal reptile house and other special displays you?ll be able to get close to some of the reptiles if you really want to.

Bali Butterfly Park
Butterflies one kind of living resources in Indonesia which are spread from Sabang to Merauke, are collected in beautiful garden is called Taman Kupu-Kupu Bali. Located in Wanasari village Tabanan Regency.
Everyday are release hundreds of colorful butterflies, among which are seen the world most famous kind of butterflies, such as Ornithoptera Paradisea, O. Croesus Lydius, O. Priamus and many kinds of traides from all over Indonesia.
Taman Kupu-Kupu Bali, which is the only place for butterflies in Indonesia, tries to breed butterflies and also to collected them for the sake of scientific knowledge and studies for the future.

Bali Safari & Marine Park
Designed by a leading U.S. zoo architect, guests will board special safari busses for drives passing through different areas of the park serving as home to a number of animals, including: rare white Bengali tigers, Sumatran tigers, hippopotami, lions, zebras, elephants, wildebeest, camels, alligators, bears and sundry primates ? all roaming in large, near-natural settings.
Reached by the near Professor I.B, Mantra highway, the park is located on Lebih Beach, just minutes from Sanur.
The Bali Safari and Marine Park occupies a 40 hectare site and is home to over 400 animals representing 80 separate species.
Once in full operation the Bali Safari & Marine Park will offer:
- A number of restaurants.
- 1,200 seat theater and exhibition area.
- Amazon Cruise.
- Safari Lodge and overnight accommodation.
An environmental education center.

Cultural Landscape of Bali -Jatiluwh

The island of Bali has long been characterized in the world as the last "paradise" on earth, a traditional society insulated from the modern world and its vicissitudes, whose inhabitants have exceptional artistic talents and consecrate a considerable amount of time and wealth to sumptuous ceremonies for their own pleasure and that of their gods. Therefore, the relation between the tangible and intangible aspects is a major aspect of the heritage and culture of Bali. The cultural heritage of the island goes way beyond physical structures and landscapes. More than anywhere else on the Indonesian peninsula an intricate connection exists between the built environment, the natural settings and the social and religious life.

Bali is a part of the Indonesian archipelago, lying between eight and nine degrees south of the equator. It covers an area of 563.300 hectares including three offshore islands.

The combination of tropical climate, rain and fertile volcanic soil makes Bali an ideal place for crop cultivation; including the growing of rice, coconut, cloves and coffee. These agricultural activities have had a great influence on the Bali landscape, notably in the creation of rice terraces. Over the last thousand years, the people of Bali have extensively modified the landscape of their island, terracing hillsides and digging canals to irrigate the land, enabling them to grow rice.

Rivers run all over Bali and this continuous flow of water sustains the agricultural activity. An elaborate irrigation system has been created to take maximum benefit of the water. In honour of the water, which allows the agricultural activities, the Balinese make offerings at the springs. This irrigation system has also made possible the coordination of cooperatives known as subak. They are a kind of democratic organization in which the farmers whose fields are fed by the same water source, meet regularly to coordinate plantings, to control the distribution of irrigation water and to plan the construction and maintenance of canals and dams, as well as to organize ritual offerings and subak temple festivals.

Rice is the main food component on Bali and the Balinese people believe that rice is a gift of the gods. The first fruits are given back to the gods and complex ceremonies accompany each stage of the growth of the rice plant.

Together with these natural elements, the Hindu religion dominates everyday life on Bali. The Hindu cosmology exists on three levels: the gods above the mountain peaks, the demons below the earth and sea, and the human world in between. The temples are the meeting places between humans and gods. Many rituals seek to maintain this harmony, which also exists in the micro cosmos - the mountains, the sea and the land - and which is visualized everywhere in the layout of villages, homes, and temples and even in the human body. This philosophy of the universe-Tri Hita Karana governs the landscaping of temples and the surrounding environment.

The Balinese village is a tight network of social, religious and economic institutions, of which each person on the island is a part. The Banjar, or village association is an ingenious form of local government unique to Bali. These cooperative associations of neighbours govern daily life in great detail according to local law.

Three cluster sites were proposed for World Heritage inscription with possible extension of Pura Besakih Temple compound subject to socialization process:

- Jatiluwih Rice Field Terraces, traditional villages in the Tabanan region together with its surrounding rice terraces;

- Taman Ayun, the islands' main temple complex;

- a group of eight (8) temples along the Pakerisan river valley; and

- Pura Besakih temple compound for possible extension.

The cluster sites as an ensemble represent the Bali Cultural Landscape of international significance.

The Jatiluwih Rice Field Terraces explain the distinctive feature of the social and engineering system of Subak, which interrelates with the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana.

Taman Ayun Temple compound is an important representative of ongoing traditions in religion, temple construction, ceremonial activities and social cohesion.

The group of temple complexes, archaeological sites and landscape along the Pakerisan River, reveals historic development of religious and architectural concepts which are clear testimony of the Hindu-Balinese cosmology concept of Tri Hita Karana, the God, human being and natural environment interlinked with each other.
Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity

The Cultural Landscape of Bali Province is an outstanding manifestation of unique Balinese cosmological doctrine. It is tangible reflection of the original Balinese ideas and beliefs which roots essentially in Tri Hita Karana concept, that is the awareness of the need to always maintain the harmonious relationship between God, Human, and Nature in daily life. Such a particular concept is in fact evidence of Balinese creative genius and unique cultural tradition as a result of a long human interaction, especially between the Balinese and Indian. All the cluster sites of the Cultural Landscape also directly demonstrates the capability of Balinese to make their unique cosmological doctrines real and practiced in their daily life through spatial planning and land use (cultural landscape), settlement arrangement, architecture, ceremonies and rituals, art, and social organization. Indeed the implementation of the concept has evidently generated a beautiful cultural landscape. All those achievements deserve to be appreciated as an outstanding universal value.
Comparison with other similar properties

The cultural landscape of Bali Province is a unique entity which materializes the unique Balinese philosophy, Tri Hita Karana. In essence, this philosophy affirms that happiness, prosperity, and peacefulness could only be attained if the God, humans, and nature live in harmony with each others.

This philosophy governs is an outstanding example of harmonious relation between supernatural (God), human, and nature. The temples that characterized the landscape and ceremonies conducted there manifest the Balinese eagerness to seek harmonious relation with God. The socio-religious organizations that responsible for maintaining the landscape, including Subak irrigation organization, are vehicle for keeping a good relationship among humankind. Meanwhile, how the Balinese build the landscape, such as choosing their temple locations and designs, build irrigation facilities, and make their rice field terraces, demonstrate their commitment to keep harmonious relationship with their environment. The harmonic arrangement of natural landscape and built environment illustrate the ingenious adaptation to a small island with still active volcanoes and rugged topographic environment.

A thorough research has been carried out to seek for possible comparatives for Cultural Landscape of Bali Province. Within the Indonesian archipelago, it is hardly found a comparable cultural landscape. Although some rice-field terraces exist in Sumatera and Sulawesi, there is no elaborate irrigation organization comparable to Subak in Bali. The rice-field terrace of Sumatra and Sulawesi have no specific temples or rituals which characterize the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province. Furthermore, the formation of rice-field terraces of Sumatra and Sulawesi is of more technical consideration while in Bali the landscape is created as a manifestation of Tri Hita Karana philosophy.

Outside Indonesia, the rice terraces of the Philippines Cordilleras in Luzon, the Philippines, may be compared to rice-field terraces of Subak Jatiluwih in Tabanan. The former was established around 2000 years ago and fed by an ancient irrigation system. The water flows from the rainforests above the Ifugao Mountains. In 1995, the Banaue rice terrace was declared as a World Heritage Site. As in Jatiluwih, the Banaue irrigation system is supported by traditional organization, agricultural engineering, ritual and belief system. However, the ritual and belief systems as well as the organization behind the system are quite different. Ifugao ritual and belief system has no Hindu influence at all, while Balinese ritual and belief system has been considerably influenced by Hinduism. This is evident in the occurrence of small temples in Jatiluwih rice terrace which are dedicated to Sri, the goddess of rice. Furthermore, the structure of Jatiluwih irrigation system (subak) has its root in the Tri Hita Karana, the essence of Balinese cosmology. Therefore, Jatiluwih rice terrace is unique phenomenon which are quite different to that of Ifugao or other rice-terrace system in world.

Regarding the rock-cut temples along Pakerisan and Patanu Rivers, Bernet-Kempers (1977) suggests its resemblance to Ajanta dan Ellora cave temples found near Aurangabad, Deccan (India). However, it should be emphasized here that the philosophy behind the rock-cut temples in India and those of Bali is totally different. Unlike in India, a Balinese temple is likely a megalithic ritual place and dedicated to a certain divine king or prominent figures rather than certain gods (Ramseyer, 2002). What is more, all the temples included in the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province are always related to water which is regarded as the most important substance as a means to maintain a harmonious relationship between God, humans, and environment (Tri Hita Karana). Such a philosophy does not exist in the Indian rockcut temples.

Besakih Bali

Besakih Temple is the biggest Hindu temple in Bali which the local people call Pura Besakih. It owns beautiful view from the top of temple area where we can see the wide nature panorama until to the ocean so that way this temple is many visited by tourists from all over the world. Besakih Temple is located in Besakih countryside, Rendang sub district, Karangasem regency, east part of the island. It is located in southwest side bevel of mount Agung , the biggest mounts in Bali . It is because pursuant to Agung Mount confidence is holiest and highest mount in Bali Island.

Elephant Cave Bali

Goa Gadjah: Between Peliatan and Bedulu, this antiquity is located on the side of the road some 25 kilometres from Denpasar. The actual site appears to sit on the edge of a steep ravine of the Petanu River. There are the ubiquitous sellers stalls in the carpark and the area leading down to a lower level, and it is from there, as you look down into the ravine, that the mouth of the 'Elephant Cave' is visible. It is without a doubt an awe-inspiring sight. If you plan on visiting this antiquity, try and arrive there before 10am when the tourist buses start arriving.

History: Dutch Archaeologists date the site back to the 11th Century around the time of King Airlangga's reign in Eastern Java according to inscriptions found at the site. Originally a Bhuddist Monastery, up until 1923 it was known only to the local people, and in 1954, the fountains and bathing pools nearby were excavated. There is uncertainty if Goa Gadjah was in fact used by Bhuddist or Hindu monks as a hermitage similar to the 'hermit cells' in eastern Java. There are Hindu and Bhuddist sculptures inside and around the cave, which points to a cohabitation of religions, but whether this occurred is not actually verified.

What is of relevance is the actual name of the antiquity. According to archaeological research, The Nagarakertagama (an old Javanese chronicle) written in 1356 AD, gave mention of a hermitage called 'Lwa Gadjah' kept by a high ranking Bhuddist. Literally interpreted means 'Elephant River'. It was assumed the reference was to the Petanu River nearby to the cave. There are other theories. The name 'Elephant cave' derived because of the statue of Ganesha inside the cave, and, another giving mention to the cave being named after the river (when it was known as Elephant River).

Layout: Thee are roughly 80 steps in the steep descent to the site. Once in the courtyard of the site, the exterior of the cave mouth is confronting. The cave, cut into rock, has a flat top - regarded by researchers as a place of meditation. Above the entrance to the cave, a monstrous head with bulging eyes (which view to the left-hand side), with large hands either side appearing to be pushing back the rock. The whole figure is ornately carved and there are many theories regarding the face. It is said to represent Rangda the Witch Queen, while other historians believe it to be Bhoma, the son of Vishnu and Pertiwi. There are numerous carvings on the exterior of the cave depicting forests, animals and people running in panic.

To the left-hand side of the cave mouth is located a statue of Hariti in a small pavillion. It is recorded this dates back to the Old Balinese Period (1000 AD). Hariti is surrounded by small children. Once a devourer of children, Hariti was converted to Bhuddism and became the protector of children.

Inside the T-shaped cave it is two metres high and only one metre wide causing one to bow in a bizarre manner. The actual passageway is nine metres long leading to the T-junction. To the left-hand side, there is a 100cm high statue four-armed statue of the Elephant God Ganesha (son of Shiva). The Elephant God's nature was warlike and is evident with the axe, a broken tusk, a drinking vessel and beads held in his four hands. To the right-hand side are the three stone phalluses (or lingas) of the Hindu God Shiva and the female counterpart known as the Yoni.

In an area facing the cave entrance, are the Bathing Pools. There are two distinct sections, believed to be separate bathing areas for men and women. When the Dutch Archaeologist Krijgsman unearthed the pavilions after WWII, each bathing pavilion had four large waterspouts each supported by six 'Widyardi'(standing nymphs). The Bhuddist and Shivaistic elaborate carvings are symbolically religious.

At the rear of the bathing pavilion there is a path with a steep descent to a smaller antiquity. There is a Candi with two 9th C Bhudda statues. Nearby are several fragments of what appeared to have once been a large bas-relief believed to have been carved on a rock-face higher up the ravine. Close to this area are situated two five-metre high stones shaped like stupas. These antiquities are believed to be dated around the 10th C, and according to Archaeologists, are from the reign of Kesari, a Bhuddist king who ruled Bali during the Central Javanese Period.

The Legend: That the great hollowed-out rock face was the supernatural work of Kebo Iwo, the builder of Gunung Kawi and Yeh Pulu.