 BADUNG
REGENCY
Located in the southernmost part of Bali is the regency of Badung,
the island's most intensely populated region, where Denpasar, the
island's capital and bustling metropolis thrives, and where Bali's
world-famous beach resorts are the star of the tourist industry.
The area stretches from the central highlands in the north through
an isthmus to the club-footed Nusa Dua Peninsula, also known as
Bukit Badung.
The landscape of the Peninsula consists of an elevated limestone
plateau, which differs from that of the month, where rich volcanic
soil nourish the lush vegetation. Kuta and Jimbaran are situated
in the north and west of the peninsula respectively.. Sanur is in
the east and the famous Nusa Dua resort area is on the eastern tip
of the peninsula itself.
Kuta
Kuta's claim to fame owes much to two things : its beach (originally
Bali's best) and the simply magnificent sunset. Apart from surfing
on its huge breakers and strolling for miles on the pearly white
beach, shopping is a must with the wide variety and number of shops
and street vendor selling rattan bags, batik shirts and range of
other interesting mementos. Street-side cafes are ideal for people-watching
while the numerous restaurants offer cuisines from around the world.
Nightlife is vibrant : pubs and discos are popular watering hotels
for revelers.
Beach bungalows first opened in Kuta in the 1930's but mass tourism
did not start here until the late 60's. During this period, Kuta
boomed, becoming were turned into losmen, then into hotels. T-shirts
sold on the beach were replaced by a thriving garment and handicraft
industry. The hippies either left or stuck it rich, and Kuta has
become one of the most dynamic places in Indonesia : a place to
encounter new ideas and lifestyles and a place to experience all
manner of pleasures.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa are Bali's other beach resorts that
boast of swaying coconut trees and the clear blue sea. Some of the
most famous hotels in Asia are to be found here : among them the
Hilton, the Hyatt and Club Med.
Their neo-Balinese architecture (giant split gates, huge statues
and halls) complements the beautiful natural surroundings to provide
all the ingredients of a tropical paradise.
Nusa Dua differs geologically from the rest of the Bukit Peninsula.
In place of cliffs, sandy soil descents to a long white beach stretching
from Nusa Dua proper all the way to Tanjung Benoa harbor, five kilometers
to the north. The beach at Nusa Dua is sheltered by coral reef,
creating an ideal family beach, while Tanjung Benoa specializes
in water sports.
Other Places of Interest
Another resort to the south of Kuta is Tuban. Originally part of
Kuta, it now claims an independent status. to the west of Kuta are
the new resorts of Petitenget (with its beautiful temple), Canggu
and Seseh. Most of the places of interest in the northern part of
Badung regency are on the main roads leading out of Denpasar to
the north and west.
Just outside Denpasar, on the road westwards to Tabanan, is the
village of Kapal, home to a small earthenware industry. But Kapal
is better known for the Pura Sadha temple, with its multi-tiered
prasadha shrine. And Pura Puseh temple has some interesting Ramayana
relief's.
Further west is the little town of Mengwi, which has one of the
grandest temples of the island, Taman Ayun. Until the end of the
last century, Mengwi was one of the main island kingdoms, and this
temple was built around 1740. Pura Taman Ayun is a water garden
tmeple, symbolizing the cosmic union of sea and mountain. You can
even row in the moat in a rented boat. The architectural structure
has three parts, duplicating the order of the cosmos-nista (impure
/ demonic) ; madia (middle / human) ; and utama (godly) corresponding
to the three successive courts. Most sacred (utama) is the inner
court. the shrines are made and decorated in the finest traditions
of Balinese carving.
To the north of Mengwi is the famous Monkey Forest at Sangeh, set
in the heart of the only primary forest in the southern Bali. This
forest consist entirely of pala (nutmeg) trees. The monkeys living
here are considered sacred, an association from the Ramayana epic,
where in Prince Rama allied himself with the mongkey hero Hanoman
to attack Alengka. some of the forest trees are also considered
sacred and hence used to make barong. After Sangeh, the roads heads
northwards to Kintamani past some beautiful scenery near Plaga.
during the dry season, the scrub and bushes give Bukit Badung a
weird Mediterranean air. No rice paddies are to be seen anywhere.
The plateau rises up to 200 m above sea level, ringed to the south
and southwest by cliffs with small beaches. The view over the white
sand and breakers is the best at sunsets. Bukit Badung is famous
among surfers for its long, white rollers. The best surfing in Suluban,
Labuhan Sait and Bingi. For hikers, paths run along much of the
cliff, while the inland region has many prehistoric caves including
Gua Selonding.
The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural marvel
situated on a headland at the western tip of the plateau. According
to local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th
century. In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state.
The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali.
The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone have withstood
time well. The split entrance gates is shaped as curved Garuda (eagle)
wings. Inside, a second gate is topped by the monstrous head of
Kala, with two statues of Gana at its foot |
