• CELUK
Balinese jewellery is unique, and Celuk is the home of much
of it. Nearly every family in Celuk is involved in some aspects
of the delicate gold and silver work, which has become very
famous over the years.
• MAS VILLAGE
This is a village specializing in woodcarvings of any kind.
Most of the prominent wood carvers of Bali dwell in Mas village,
producing elaborate and fine woodcarving and this is where they
teach the young generation to carve by imitating the master
carvers.
• BATUBULAN
Just outside of Denpasar on the road to Ubud , is a small village
where stone statues line the roadside in an impressive array.
Terrible fanged demons, noble warriors, and animals of all shapes
and size and at all stages of completion rest under the shady
trees.
• UBUD
Famous for its painter's community, Ubud is special in more
ways than one. It has its own magic, and its particularly beautiful
surroundings and gracious way of life have drawn celebrities
and artists from all over the world in recent decades; some
have even adopted Ubud as their own home. The magic is easy
to find - just take a walk south of the village through its
terraced paddy fields to the monkey forest. Fresh water spouts
out of the sheer rock at the base of the ravine, and a bath
in a secluded shady spot is purifying.
GOA GAJAH
Literally means Elephant cave, and it is a "T" shapped
cave. This was an ancient monastery of Hindu and Buddhist monks
who used to meditate in the cave. It is believed that the cave
was built in the early 11th century . Its face is elaborately
carved, depicting a demon head splitting open the rock with
its bare hand at the mouth of the cave.
BALI BIRD PARK
The Taman Burung Bird Park Situated in Batubulan, is home to
more than thousand birds ( 250 exotic bird species ) from Indonesia
and all over the world. It is set in Two hectares magnificent
gardens filled with tropical plants, water features and spectacular
rain forest in aviary. Also see the famous Komodo Dragon . Has
restaurant for visitors to interact with nature by having breakfast,
lunch, or afternoon tea with bird .
TAMPAK SIRING
The holy spring which bubbles up in the inner courtyard of the
Tirta empul Temple in Tampaksiring is believed to have magic
curative powers, and throngs of people visit the special bathing
pools where clear cool water spouts from mossy walls. Legend
has it that the God Indra created the spring , piercing the
ground in search of holy water.
GUNUNG KAWI
These 11th century tombs , carved out of the rock face of the
gorge of the Pakrisan river, are approached by a steep descent
through breath- taking rice terrain scenery. Historically, the
tombs probably have some connection with King Anak Wungsu. Across
the gorge are some more impressive tombs that were the resident
meditation caves of the only men who were rhe keepers of the
tomb.
While it's possible to visit Ubud in just a day, such a short
trip would barely touch the surface of this extraordinary village.
An interesting mélange of rural Balinese life and modern
services co-exist here. Only 60 minutes from Ngurah Rai airport,
Ubud is close to many of central Bali's major sights. Despite
the fact that visitors may outnumber residents during peak periods,
Ubud retains the atmosphere of a small country community and,
in contrast to the hassle of Kuta, the pace of life is very
relaxed. It's a great place to tour on foot or by bicycle and
there's a wide range of facilities for tourists of all budgets,
as well as beaches 10 km away. For those who enjoy being close
to natural beauty, yet within easy reach of creature comforts,
Ubud is ideal.
Prices in US dollars. AC = Air conditioning. Telephone code
is 0361.
