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Balinese
Nature
Bali is also blessed with a beautiful nature. Endless sand
beaches envelope most of Bali's shores, where silvery waves
come home to. Tall cliffs border the eastern shores. Volcanic
mountains crown the center of Bali, home to Gunung Agung (Mount
Divine), the sacred abode of the gods and the goddesses. Green
forests stretch on from east to west of the northern part
of Bali, nurturing numerous flora and fauna that can only
be found here.
Beaches
The beaches of Bali are, in one word, magnificent! From the
stretch of sand in Kuta, fenced far in the South by the runway
of Denpasar International Airport; the peaceful elegance of
Nusa Dua; the mysterious quietness and somberness of Candidasa,
as a temple dedicated to the sea goddess submerges; to the
spectacular sunsets of Lovina in the North.
The island of Bali is blessed with the line of beaches surrounding
it.
- Sanur
On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily
reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur
is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as you jog
along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resort
developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only
a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand
as solemn as they have been in centuries past.
- Kuta and Legian
Practically on the opposite side of Sanur, the beaches of
Kuta and Legian stretch on the southwestern side of Bali,
again only about 5 to 10 minute drive from Denpasar or the
airport. Surfing is a major activity in these beaches. Shops,
Kecak dance performances, pubs, and other facilities make
Kuta a tourist mecca.
- Jimbaran
Jimbaran is directly south of the airport, on the way from
Denpasar towards Nusa Dua. The village of Jimbaran is the
narrow neck of the island of Bali, and thus it has two remarkably
different beaches. On the west, Jimbaran Beach faces the
Jimbaran Bay, recently lined by new luxurious resorts. On
the east, the beach faces the body of water sheltered by
Benoa Harbor.
- Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is a new luxurious resort area where the world's
most sumptuous hotels gracefully integrate into the beautiful
white beaches. Crystal clear water provides excellent snorkeling
and diving site, and the waves on the northern and the southern
part of Nusa Dua allow for great surfing opportunity.
- Soka Beach
Further northwest from Denpasar, on the way to Gilimanuk,
the ferry port town that connects Bali and Java, there is
a small quiet beach called Soka Beach.
- Medewi Beach
Continuing along the path towards Gilimanuk, near the village
of Pulukan, the beach of Medewi is another beautiful beach.
- Lovina Beach
Near the northern tip of the island of Bali lies a stretch
of villages by the Bali Sea. Lovina Beach is the name. It
is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching,
snorkeling, and diving. Night life activities are also abound,
as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If you
like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowd, Lovina
Beach is for you.
Waves
The beaches of Bali readily accept the arrival of the waves,
time and time again. And they vary. In the stretch of Nusa
Dua alone you can find soft waves for the beginner surfers
to the wildest of waves that will challenge even the most
experienced of the surfers. Yeh Saneh in the East, Uluwatu
in the South, and Medewi slightly to the West, are all excellent
site for waves.
Lakes
There are four lakes in Bali. Lake Batur, the old crater of
Mount Batur, is the largest. Kintamani offers an excellent
panoramic view of the lake, and the lake itself effectively
fences in the Bali Aga people in Trunyan. Lake Bratan, the
second largest, is near the town of Bedugul. Lake Buyan and
Lake Temblingan are also near.
- Bedugul
When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape to
Bedugul. Bali's highland retreat tucked into the crater
of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea level.
Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the
water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine
forests seem to create a freshness in the air. Bedugul is
known for the quality of its fruit, vegetables and flowers.
- Kintamani
The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with
its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, make this
region a must to visit. Lake Batur is the largest lake in
Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular
views to be found anywhere on the island. Lake Batur also
provides water for an underground network of streams and
springs across the southern slopes of the mountain.
The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali, dating
from the tenth century. The evenings get cool up here but
it's well worth the stay overnight to climb the volcano
and watch the sunrise. Many cheap losmens are available
here.
Mountains
The string of volcanic mountains crown the Northern part of
Bali. The tallest is Gunung Agung (or Mount Divine), the abode
of the gods and the goddesses.
Forests, Flora, and Fauna
The wild forests of Bali can be found mostly in the Bali Barat
National Park, dedicated to the preservation of wildlife.
And the tropical climate of Bali endows it with a rich flora.
In the forests, tall tropical trees reach for the sky, nursing
a variety of wild orchids to grow on their branches. Pine
trees carpet the mountains. Ever protective, waringin trees
faithfully stand at the center of every village. Flowers beautifully
punctuate little gardens in every house, and most importantly,
spreading their sweet fragrance into the midnight air and
completing offerings to the gods and goddesses.
Bali tigers (Panthera tigris balica ) used to roam these
forests, but now you can only find deer or wild boars. Bali
Barat National Park is also reestablished as the new habitat
for Bali Starling (Jalak Bali), a sweet, white bird that has
inspired many a painter. Sea turtles, another protected species,
can playfully accompany you when you go snorkeling in the
the waters of Nusa Dua.
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