Archive for November 9th, 2006
The word ‘java’ is synonimous with coffee. Java produces coffee and so does Bali. Drop into any supermarket or convenience store and you will see packets of kopi Bali.
             Â
The other day I stopped by Bintang in Seminyak to pick up a bag. You can get powder or ground, and a 250g bag of kupu-kupu bola dunia (butterfly globe brand) ground coffee cost me around 15,000rp.
If you ask for a Bali coffee in a restaurant, they will serve it black, with the grounds in the bottom of the cup. At home I use a tea strainer (us POMs can’t travel anywhere without one!) and it works quite well. Supermarkets do sell coffee filters.
Kopi Bali is cheap, tastes good and makes a handy oleh oleh (gift) for people.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 9th, 2006
Most visitors to Bali will not visit Amlapura, firstly because it is in East Bali and secondly because nothing draws them.
Here’s a little history on Amlapura. The city is located slighlty inland from Ujung, on the SE coast of Bali. Formerly known as Karangasem (also the name of the regency).
             Â
Being situated across the Strait from Lombok, its natural that Karangasem regency and Amlapura city have connections with Lombok. Basically the raja of Karangasem used to govern Lombok, in the latter part of the 17th century. Paybacks are a bitch, and the Sasaks got revenge and ended up in control of Karangasem from 1849-1893.
The main object of interest these days is the Puri Agung (Big palace), built in the early 20th Century.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 9th, 2006
Every time I’ve visited Amlapura I’ve got good vibes. maybe its just that being in East Bali gives good vibes, I don’t know, but I find Amlapura to be a fairly clean, typical Balinese town, with the usual streetside shops selling pots, pans, fans and stuff most tourists wouldn’t touch.
             Â
Amlapura has a small one-way system downtown which is really easy to navigate (if I say its easy, its easy). For the tourist passing through there are local warungs along the main street, Jl. Patih Jelantik, though nothing to write home about. Amlapura does not have any bars, although there is a nightmarket, serving a selection of local food. The population of Amlapura is a mixture of Balinese Hindu’s Chinese and Muslims, evidence of its turbulent history.
•Wartel - 24 hours on Jl. Ngurah Rai
•Hospital - Jl. Ngurah Rai
•Post office - Jl. Jend Gatut Subroto #25
•Banks - BNI (Jl. Kesatrian), BRI & Danamon (Jl. Jl. Gajah Mada)
•Buses & Bemos - available at the Terminal on Jl. Kesatrian. Theyy go in all directions. You’ll have to haggle for a fare.
•Tourist information - Jl. Diponegoro (Mon -Thurs 7am-3pm, Fri 7am-noon)
(0363) 21196
•Petrol station - Out of town on the road to Candi Dasa and Jl. Untung Surapati heading towards Tirtaganga.
Accommodation in Amlapura:
•Villa Amlapura - located on Jl. Gajah Mada, has a selection of rooms, ranging from simple, to hot water rooms. Rooms 70,000-100,000rp).
(0363)23246
What’s in the area:
•Ujung water palace to the south - 15 minutes
•Tirta Ganga water palace to the north - 20 minutes
•Rice terraces and scenic views / hiking at Sideman / Iseh to the west - 50 minutes
•Perfect beach at Pasir Putih, at Perasi to the SW. - 25 minutes
•Restaurants and bars in Candi Dasa to the SW. - 40 minutes
•Amed to the NE. - 1 hour
•Tenganan, Bali Aga village to the SW. - 55 minutes
By the way, when approaching Amlapura from the SW, via Candi Dasa, you might take a right turn, when you come to the statue at the 3 way junction in Jasri. That route leads to Ujung and onto Amlapura and is scenic, with lovely views of ricefields and Gunung Agung on a clear day.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 9th, 2006
Walking around Kuta, you will see hundreds of places offering day trips. Virtually every hotel has a tour counter, offeRing the same thing. If you want to get out for the day, its okay I suppose, but you will not experience what East Bali has to offer on a day trip.
                 Â
Here’s a short schedule that you could do on your own with transport, or with a hired driver.
Drive from Kuta to Candi Dasa (driving time 2 hours). Stay at one of the places on Forest Rd, at the far end of the main strip (keep going straight). Two of the accommodation options here would be:
Puri Pudak - (hot water, fan, simple, cheap) (0363)41978
Puri Bagus Candi Dasa - two bedroom villas, restaurant, pool, great quality, white sand beach.
While enjoying Candi Dasa, you can check out the Bali Aga village at Tenganan, a 20 minute drive. You can also go on an adventure, and see if you can find the perfect white sand beach at Pasir Putih in Perasi.
Head along the SE coast to Jasri, and stay at Kangkung Cottages for 100,000rp (double room, cold water, fan ,simple), or carry on past Ujung water palace and stay at Seraya Shores (lovely cottages, hot water, tranquilty, for $50 per person).
Drive arouund the quiet, unpoilt eastern coast of Bali, saying hi to local kids and enjoying the views of sweeping bays. Have lunch at Komang John’s, located at Blue Moon Villas in Selang (hot water, AC, pool ), or hop down the cliffs to Good Karma (bamboo cottages, cold water, simple).
Go for a snorkel / dive at Tulamben and check out the wreck of the USS Liberty.
Two options here, keep heading north and stay at the lovely Poicianna Resort south of Tejakula (lovely bungalows, all double bed, hot water, pool, restaurant), or come back towards Amlapura, don’t miss the waterpalace at Tirtaganga. A heavenly place to swim in the raja’s fresh water pool.
Take the road to Sideman and stay at Pondok Wisata Lihat Sawah (hot and cold water simple, clean rooms) (0363)24183, or Sacred Mountain Sanctuary (bamboo / thatch bunglaows, high quality, hot water, AC) (0363)24330
In my opinion, anyone taking 10 days to cover that route, would be well happy and relaxed. You are seeing volcanoes, rice fields, sweeping bays, crashing waves, Balinese vallages, waterpalaces and have the choice of great, Bali style accommodation.
source : www.baliblog.com
November 9th, 2006