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Buleleng Regency
Buleleng is located in the
northern and western part of Bali. Singaraja was the first
capital of Bali before Denpasar became the capital in the
southern part of Bali.
Singaraja - Bali’s chief port in Dutch colonial times,
this town received many influences from the foreign traders.
Singaraja has a number of Chinese Temples and colonial buildings.
The Gedong Kertya Library houses a unique collection of Lontar
(palm leaf) scriptures written in Balinese, covering many
issues including traditional literature, medicinal formulas,
black magic and much more. There are a number of old books
in English, Dutch and Ancient Javanese (KawilSanskret).
Buleleng Harbor
- this historic but unused harbor is located along the north
coast. Old warehouses, an ancient jetty and an arched bridge
are all that is left of this once major seaport. Here a monument
has been built in commemoration of Bali’s struggle to
defeat the Dutch.
Deer Island
(Pulau Menjangan) - 79 km west of Singaraja. This island is
one of the most famous marine parks in the world, and part
of the West Bali National Park. Rare and protected Java Deer
inhabit this small island, however visitors usually come for
the diving and snorkeling.
Pulaki Temple
- 53 km west of Singaraja. A large temple on both sides of
the road. Part of it is perched on craggy rock looking out
to sea, the other part climbs into the hills, both parts house
monkeys that are keen on eating almost anything in sight!
Balinese women sell fruit to tourists and it seems that grapes
are their favorite.
Banjar Tegah Hot
springs - 18km west of Singaraja. These slightly sulphur hot
springs are well worth visiting. Set slightly back in the
hills, dragon fountains fume hot water into the tiered bathing
pools. A number of souvenir shops and a restaurant cater to
tourists. A number of local visitors and schools visit at
weekends and holidays. Close to this area is the Buddhist
Monastery, Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery set in
beautiful valley scenery.
Lovina
- 10km west of Singaraja. Buleleng’s main tourist area.
Black sand beaches fringed with palm trees open onto a calm
sea where travelers can view dolphins, snorkel, dive, sail,
fish and swim. A resort area with a full range of accommodation.
Sangsit - 8 km east of Singaraja. Pura Dalem (the temple of
the ancestors) is famous for its unique and amusing stone
carvings and Pura Beji, a temple dedicated to the Goddess
of Rice, is also a recipient for these extraordinary carvings.
Gitgit Waterfall - 11 km south of Singaraja. An impressive
waterfall cascades into a small lagoon in a plantation of
coffee and clove trees.
Kubutambahan
- 12 km east of Singaraja. The Maduwe Karang Temple is renowned
for carvings of a very imaginative nature. One such carving
is that of a Dutch colonialist riding around on a bicycle
whose tires are made entirely of petals!
Jagaraga - 13 km south east of Singaraja. Another northern
temple that has amusing carvings, some of the carvings depict
the Dutch colonialists getting drunk, an armed robbery and
a wartime dogfight between aeroplanes.
Air Sanih - 18 km east of Singaraja. A cool
natural spring-fed pool borders the beach.
Pancasari - 24 km south of Singaraja. Amountain
village known for the golf course, Bali Handara Kosaido Country
Club and two of Bali’s lakes, Buyan and Tamblingan.
Sembiran
- 30 km south east of Singaraja. Probably a megalithic village,
the culture, dialect and rituals are quite different from
the rest of Bali.
Munduk -
South west of Singaraja - Bali’s ecological village.
This scenic village, located in the mountains, is an ideal
place to stay and escape from the heat. Foggy afternoons,
fields of blue hydrangeas and numerous waterfalls make it
an ideal place to go hiking.
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