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| − | '''East Bali''' is in [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]]. | + | '''East Bali''' is a region of [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]]. |
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| | ==Cities== | | ==Cities== |
| − | *[[Amed]] — A peaceful traditional fishing village featuring black sand beaches, coral reefs and excellent diving.
| + | *[[Candidasa]] — a quiet coastal town, the Bali Aga and gateway to the east coast |
| − | *[[Candidasa]] — Quiet coastal villages, the Bali Aga and gateway to the east coast. | + | *[[Klungkung]] — a town of great historical and cultural importance |
| − | *[[Klungkung]] — A town of great historical and cultural importance. | + | *[[Padang Bai]] — small port town from where ferries to [[Lombok]] depart. Nice white sand beach nearby |
| − | *[[Padang Bai]] — Small port town from where ferries to [[Lombok]] depart. Nice white sand beach nearby. | + | |
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| | ==Other destinations== | | ==Other destinations== |
| − | *[[Kintamani]] — Active volcano Mount Batur, great mountain scenery and fruit growing | + | *[[Amed]] — an area of peaceful, traditional fishing villages featuring black sand beaches, coral reefs and excellent diving |
| − | *[[Mount Agung]] — Highest mountain in Bali and the ''mother temple'' of Besakih | + | *[[Kintamani]] — active volcano Mount Batur, great mountain scenery and fruit growing |
| − | *[[Tirta Gangga]] — Mountains, the water palace and stunning rice terraces nearby. | + | *[[Mount Agung]] — highest mountain in Bali and the ''mother temple'' of Besakih |
| | + | *[[Tirta Gangga]] — mountains, the water palace and stunning rice terraces nearby |
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| − | [[Image:Besakihprayers.jpg|250 px|right|thumb|Prayers at Pura Besakih]]
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| | ==Understand== | | ==Understand== |
| − | East Bali is a large region with natural habitat ranging from lush forests and black sand beaches to barren gravel plains and an active volcano. The south coast is home to the popular seaside resort town of [[Candidasa]] and ferries to [[Lombok]] at [[Padang Bai]]. Mighty [[Mount Agung]] looms large over the whole of East Bali and hosts Bali's holiest of temples, Pura Besakih. In the far east, Amed is an increasingly popular and ever charming stretch of coast. East Bali provides as much for visitors as any of Bali's regions. | + | [[Image:Mount_Agung.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Mount Agung dominates the landscape of East Bali]] |
| | + | East Bali is a large region with natural habitat ranging from lush forests and black sand beaches to barren gravel plains and an active volcano. The south coast is home to the popular seaside resort town of [[Candidasa]] and ferries to [[Lombok]] at [[Padang Bai]]. Mighty [[Mount Agung]], Bali's highest volcano, looms large over the whole of East Bali and hosts Bali's holiest of temples, Pura Besakih. In the far east, Amed is an increasingly popular and ever charming stretch of coast. East Bali provides as much for visitors as any of Bali's regions. |
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| | ===Climate=== | | ===Climate=== |
| − | The climate is noticeably drier in low lying areas of East Bali than in the rest of the island. On the slopes of Mount Agung (especially) and at Kintamani it gets distincly cold. Plan accordingly. | + | The climate is noticeably drier in low lying areas of East Bali than in the rest of the island, because it is in the lee of Mount Agung. On the slopes of Mount Agung (especially) and at Kintamani it gets distincly cold. Plan accordingly. |
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| | ==Get in== | | ==Get in== |
| | + | [[Image:Bali-East-Bali-Region-Map.png|thumb|500px|right|Map of the East Bali region]] |
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| | ===By car=== | | ===By car=== |
| − | Road routes into East Bali were traditionally a little inconvenient but that changed greatly when the [[Sanur]] to Kusamba main route (officially ''Jalan Prof Dr Ida Bagus Mantra'' - but nobody calls it that!) was opened in 2006/7. This not only cut drive times from [[South Bali]] in half, it also relieved pressure on the heavily used Gianyar to [[Klungkung]] road. | + | Road routes into East Bali were traditionally a little inconvenient but that changed greatly when the [[Sanur]] to Kusamba main route (officially ''Jalan Prof Dr Ida Bagus Mantra'', but nobody calls it that) was opened in 2006/7. This not only cut drive times from [[South Bali]] in half, it also relieved pressure on the heavily used Gianyar to [[Klungkung]] road. |
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| | * From [[Sanur]] in [[South Bali]] to Kusamba (easy access from there to [[Klungkung]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Candidasa]]). Time approximately one hour. | | * From [[Sanur]] in [[South Bali]] to Kusamba (easy access from there to [[Klungkung]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Candidasa]]). Time approximately one hour. |
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| | * From [[Kintamani]] in [[North Bali]] to Besakih and [[Mount Agung]] via Suter. Time approximately 45 minutes. | | * From [[Kintamani]] in [[North Bali]] to Besakih and [[Mount Agung]] via Suter. Time approximately 45 minutes. |
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| − | * From [[Singaraja]] in [[North Bali]] via Tulamben to [[Amed]]. Time approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. | + | * From [[Singaraja]] in [[North Bali]] via Tulamben to [[Amed]]. Time approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. |
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| | ===By bus=== | | ===By bus=== |
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| | ===By boat=== | | ===By boat=== |
| − | There are '''public ferries''' from [[Lembar]], ([[Lombok]]) to [[Padang Bai]] every hour, 24 hours a day. The trip normally takes four hours (but it can be ''considerably'' longer in poor weather) and costs Rp 32,000. It should be understood that this ferry has a poor safety record. | + | There are '''public ferries''' from [[Lembar]] ([[Lombok]]) to [[Padang Bai]] every hour, 24 hours a day. The trip normally takes four hours (but it can be ''considerably'' longer in poor weather) and costs Rp 35,000. It should be understood that this ferry has a poor safety record. |
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| − | '''Perama''' [http://www.peramatour.com] runs a daily ferry service from [[Lombok]] (Rp 200,000) and the [[Gili Islands]] (Rp 350,000) to [[Padang Bai]] one way including bus transfers. | + | '''Perama''' [http://www.peramatour.com] runs a daily ferry service from [[Lombok]] (Rp 200,000) and the [[Gili Islands]] (Rp 300,000) to [[Padang Bai]] one way including bus transfers. |
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| − | There are '''fast boat services''' from the [[Gili Islands]] to [[Padang Bai]]. These have been something of a movable feast with operators coming and going, but one constant has been the Gili Cat service [http://www.gilicat.com/]. Travel time about 80 minutes and costs Rp 660,00 one way. | + | There are '''fast boat services''' from the [[Gili Islands]] to [[Padang Bai]]. These have been something of a movable feast with operators coming and going, but one constant has been the Gili Cat service [http://www.gilicat.com/] for Rp 660,000 one way. Travel time is 2 hours. |
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| | ==Get around== | | ==Get around== |
| | + | There is a regular shuttle bus network on the south coast which links the popular destinations of [[Padang Bai]], [[Candidasa]] and [[Amed]]. Perama [http://peramatour.com] is always worth investigating. |
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| − | ==See==
| + | Motorbikes are widely available for rental in the popular coastal towns and are great for nipping around from bay to bay. |
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| − | ===Besakih Temple===
| + | Othwerwise you are best off renting a car and driving yourself. |
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| − | [[Image:Pura Besakih.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Part of the Pura Besakih complex]]
| + | ==See== |
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| | + | ===Besakih Temple=== |
| | + | [[Image:Besakihprayers.jpg|300 px|right|thumb|Prayers at Pura Besakih]] |
| | [[Mount Agung#Besakih Temple|Besakih Temple]] (''Pura Besakih'') is considered by the Hindu Balinese to be their mother temple. This is the single most important temple on the whole of the island and is dramatically located on the slopes of Mount Agung. | | [[Mount Agung#Besakih Temple|Besakih Temple]] (''Pura Besakih'') is considered by the Hindu Balinese to be their mother temple. This is the single most important temple on the whole of the island and is dramatically located on the slopes of Mount Agung. |
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| | Unless you are specifically there to pray or make offerings, all the main temples are off limits and will be locked. This is not however a big drawback for visitors as just about everything can be seen from outside of the actual individual temple compounds. | | Unless you are specifically there to pray or make offerings, all the main temples are off limits and will be locked. This is not however a big drawback for visitors as just about everything can be seen from outside of the actual individual temple compounds. |
| − | | + | [[Image:Besakih_Temple.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Part of the Pura Besakih complex]] |
| | Besakih is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bali and the area around the entrance has inevitably grown into a small town of souvenir hawkers and a host of others all trying to scramble a living out of relatively wealthy visitors. This does put some visitors off a little, even to point where travel guides and agents issue warnings about visiting here. There is no need to be put off though. If you behave sensibly and courteously, the hawkers soon know whether you are a "buyer" or not. Pura Besakih should be a must for every visitor to Bali. | | Besakih is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bali and the area around the entrance has inevitably grown into a small town of souvenir hawkers and a host of others all trying to scramble a living out of relatively wealthy visitors. This does put some visitors off a little, even to point where travel guides and agents issue warnings about visiting here. There is no need to be put off though. If you behave sensibly and courteously, the hawkers soon know whether you are a "buyer" or not. Pura Besakih should be a must for every visitor to Bali. |
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| − | The most usual approach to Besakih is from Klungkung in the south. Take the main road which leads due north from the centre of Klungkung for about 20 km passing through Rendang. Besakih is signposted along the way. An alternative (and atractive) route is from [[Kintamani]] taken the road south from Penelokan through Suter and turning east (Besakih is signposted) just before you reach the tiny village of Pempatan. | + | The most usual approach to Besakih is from Klungkung in the south. Take the main road which leads due north from the centre of Klungkung for about 20 km passing through Rendang. Besakih is signposted along the way. An alternative (and atractive) route is from [[Kintamani]] taken the road south from Penelokan through Suter and turning east (Besakih is signposted) just before you reach the tiny village of Pempatan. |
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| | ===Coastal villages and beaches=== | | ===Coastal villages and beaches=== |
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| − | [[Image:bali east candidasa.jpg|thumb|right|Fishing village east of Candidasa]] | + | [[Image:bali east candidasa.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Fishing village east of Candidasa]] |
| − | This region contains some of the most picturesque and least visited beaches on the whole island. Most (but not all) of these are black sand and tend to be quite narrow. The beaches around [[Candidasa]] are the most visited and [[Amed]] in the far east of the region is becoming increasingly popular. All the way along the south coast from [[Padang Bai]] in the west to way beyond [[Candidasa]] in the east you will find attractive waterfront villages, some far more visited than others. Take the time to explore and understand a little of coastal life in the region. The two coves (both with white sand beaches) either side of the port town of [[Padang Bai]] are absolutely gorgeous and often remarkably free of visitors. For these wanting an away-from-it-all experience but also the comforts of a developed tourist destination, then [[Amed]] fits the bill perfectly and is a great place to unwind. | + | This region contains some of the most picturesque and least visited beaches on the whole island. Most (but not all) of these are black sand and tend to be quite narrow. The beaches around [[Candidasa]] are the most visited and [[Amed]] in the far east of the region is becoming increasingly popular. All the way along the south coast from [[Padang Bai]] in the west to way beyond [[Candidasa]] in the east you will find attractive waterfront villages, some far more visited than others. Take the time to explore and understand a little of coastal life in the region. The two coves (both with white sand beaches) either side of the port town of [[Padang Bai]] are absolutely gorgeous and often remarkably free of visitors. For those wanting an away-from-it-all experience but also the comforts of a developing tourist destination, then [[Amed]] fits the bill perfectly and is a great place to unwind. |
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| − | | + | ===Mount Agung and around=== |
| − | ===Mount Agung=== | + | Standing some 3,142 metres above sea level, [[Mount Agung]] is the highest mountain on the island and its omnipresence dominates the region. Aside from specifically hosting Pura Besakih, the mountain is of great spiritual significance to the Balinese who regard it as a fragment of mythical Mount Meru and as the seat of the Gods. Any visitor cannot fail but be impressed by the majesty of Agung. |
| − | Standing some 3,142 metres above sea level, [[Mount_Agung]] is the highest mountain on the island and its omnipresence dominates the region. Aside from specifically hosting Pura Besakih, the mountain is of great spiritual significance to the Balinese who regard it as a fragment of mythical Mount Meru and as the seat of the Gods. Any visitor cannot fail but be impressed by the majesty of Agung. | + | |
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| | There are many ways to see and explore the mountain, some more formal than others. The area around the water palace at [[Tirta Gangga]] offers great views of the mountain and the terraced rice paddies in the foothills. From here you can arrange treks of all types ranging from fairlty gentle exploration of the foothils through to an ascent to the very top of the mountain. The latter is not be taken lightly and the how, why and when are all explained [[Mount Agung#Climbing Mount Agung|here]]. | | There are many ways to see and explore the mountain, some more formal than others. The area around the water palace at [[Tirta Gangga]] offers great views of the mountain and the terraced rice paddies in the foothills. From here you can arrange treks of all types ranging from fairlty gentle exploration of the foothils through to an ascent to the very top of the mountain. The latter is not be taken lightly and the how, why and when are all explained [[Mount Agung#Climbing Mount Agung|here]]. |
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| − | The road through the Sideman/Selat valley in the foothills of Mount Agung makes for one of the most scenic drives on the whole island. Stunning rice terraces, lush forested hill-sides and the mountain itself, all combine to make this is a magical area to visit. If you stop in the village of Selat it is easy to find local guides for undemanding hikes in the area. | + | The road through the '''Sideman/Selat valley''' in the foothills of Mount Agung makes for one of the most scenic drives on the whole island. Stunning rice terraces, lush forested hill-sides and the mountain itself, all combine to make this is a magical area to visit. If you stop in the village of Selat it is easy to find local guides for undemanding hikes in the area. |
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| | A very different but nonetheless dramatic drive is around the north east coast road through Culik (the turn off to Amed is here), Tulamben and beyond. Mount Agung again looms very large but this time the aspect is one of barren gravel plains between the coast and the mountain. It is hard to believe that the lush valleys south of the mountain of Sideman are only 30 kilometres away. | | A very different but nonetheless dramatic drive is around the north east coast road through Culik (the turn off to Amed is here), Tulamben and beyond. Mount Agung again looms very large but this time the aspect is one of barren gravel plains between the coast and the mountain. It is hard to believe that the lush valleys south of the mountain of Sideman are only 30 kilometres away. |
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| | The village is signposted from the main coast road in [[Candidasa]] and all drivers will know the way here. Alternatively grab a lift from Candidasa on a motorbike or stroll the easy 4 km track. A small admission charge to the village will be charged. | | The village is signposted from the main coast road in [[Candidasa]] and all drivers will know the way here. Alternatively grab a lift from Candidasa on a motorbike or stroll the easy 4 km track. A small admission charge to the village will be charged. |
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| | ==Do== | | ==Do== |
| − | * Bathe in the pools at [[Tirta Gangga]] water palace.
| + | The pools at [[Tirta Gangga|Tirta Gangga Water Place]] are a wonderful public bathing facility and a great way to freshen yourself up in the heat of the day. |
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| − | * Climb [[Mount Agung#Climbing Routes|Mount Agung]] or take a less demanding trek in the foothills.
| + | East Bali offers numerous walking and trekking opportunities. The serious trekker will find climbing [[Mount Agung#Climbing Routes|Mount Agung]] extremely rewarding. [[Kintamani|Mount Batur]] is an easy two hour climb and is one of the easiest accessed of all the active volcanoes in Indonesia. There are lots of other very scenic hiking routes through the region. |
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| − | * Climb the active volcano Mount Batur at [[Kintamani]].
| + | Many of Bali's best dive spots are in this region and include a notable wreck dive at [[Amed|Tulamben]] and very rewarding reef dives at [[Amed]], [[Candidasa]] and [[Padang Bai]]. Non-divers should not feel left out with each of those locations also offering excellent snorkeling. |
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| − | * Cycle from the highlands at [[Kintamani]] all the way down into [[Ubud]].
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| − | * Dive. This region has many top dive attractions including the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben and offshore reefs at [[Amed]], [[Candidasa]] and [[Padang Bai]].
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| − | * Go fishing in a traditional outrigger at [[Amed]].
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| | ==Eat== | | ==Eat== |
| | Fish is a very wise choice in this region as just about the whole of the coastline here is populated by traditional fishing communities. | | Fish is a very wise choice in this region as just about the whole of the coastline here is populated by traditional fishing communities. |
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| − | A local speciality in the [[Candidasa]] area is ''Satay Lilit'' - minced fish satay served on a lemongrass stick. Look for streetside vendors. | + | A local speciality in the [[Candidasa]] area is ''satay lilit'', minced fish satay served on a lemongrass stick. Look for streetside vendors. |
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| | ==Drink== | | ==Drink== |
| − | | + | There is a laid back beach bar scene in [[Candidasa]], [[Padang Bai]] and [[Amed]]. In Candidasa you will find live music most days of the week but -due to local regulations- everything will stop quite early. |
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| | ==Get out== | | ==Get out== |
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| − | * Ferries to [[Lembar]], [[Lombok]] run 24 hours a day from [[Padang Bai]]. | + | * Ferries from [[Padang Bai]] to [[Lembar]], [[Lombok]] run 24 hours a day. |
| | * Drive around the north eastern coast via Tulamben to [[Singaraja]] and [[Lovina]]. | | * Drive around the north eastern coast via Tulamben to [[Singaraja]] and [[Lovina]]. |
| | * Drive north from [[Kintamani]] to [[Singaraja]]. | | * Drive north from [[Kintamani]] to [[Singaraja]]. |
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| | {{IsPartOf|Bali}} | | {{IsPartOf|Bali}} |
| − | {{outline}} | + | {{guideregion}} |
| | {{regionguide}} | | {{regionguide}} |
East Bali is a large region with natural habitat ranging from lush forests and black sand beaches to barren gravel plains and an active volcano. The south coast is home to the popular seaside resort town of Candidasa and ferries to Lombok at Padang Bai. Mighty Mount Agung, Bali's highest volcano, looms large over the whole of East Bali and hosts Bali's holiest of temples, Pura Besakih. In the far east, Amed is an increasingly popular and ever charming stretch of coast. East Bali provides as much for visitors as any of Bali's regions.
The climate is noticeably drier in low lying areas of East Bali than in the rest of the island, because it is in the lee of Mount Agung. On the slopes of Mount Agung (especially) and at Kintamani it gets distincly cold. Plan accordingly.
Road routes into East Bali were traditionally a little inconvenient but that changed greatly when the Sanur to Kusamba main route (officially Jalan Prof Dr Ida Bagus Mantra, but nobody calls it that) was opened in 2006/7. This not only cut drive times from South Bali in half, it also relieved pressure on the heavily used Gianyar to Klungkung road.
There is a regular shuttle bus network on the south coast which links the popular destinations of Padang Bai, Candidasa and Amed. Perama [4] is always worth investigating.
Motorbikes are widely available for rental in the popular coastal towns and are great for nipping around from bay to bay.
The Besakih temple complex consists of more than 20 separate temples and numerous other smaller shrines, spread out over three kilomteres. Each temple has a specific purpose, whether it is for the worship of a particular god, for the use of the people from a certain region of Bali or for the use of a specific Balinese caste. The only way to move around the temples of Besakih is on foot and there are some quite steep climbs as the complex gradually rises up the slopes of Mount Agung. Make sure you wear a good pair of comfortable shoes. The overall effect is quite spectacular, especially on a clear day.
Unless you are specifically there to pray or make offerings, all the main temples are off limits and will be locked. This is not however a big drawback for visitors as just about everything can be seen from outside of the actual individual temple compounds.
Besakih is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bali and the area around the entrance has inevitably grown into a small town of souvenir hawkers and a host of others all trying to scramble a living out of relatively wealthy visitors. This does put some visitors off a little, even to point where travel guides and agents issue warnings about visiting here. There is no need to be put off though. If you behave sensibly and courteously, the hawkers soon know whether you are a "buyer" or not. Pura Besakih should be a must for every visitor to Bali.
The most usual approach to Besakih is from Klungkung in the south. Take the main road which leads due north from the centre of Klungkung for about 20 km passing through Rendang. Besakih is signposted along the way. An alternative (and atractive) route is from Kintamani taken the road south from Penelokan through Suter and turning east (Besakih is signposted) just before you reach the tiny village of Pempatan.
This region contains some of the most picturesque and least visited beaches on the whole island. Most (but not all) of these are black sand and tend to be quite narrow. The beaches around Candidasa are the most visited and Amed in the far east of the region is becoming increasingly popular. All the way along the south coast from Padang Bai in the west to way beyond Candidasa in the east you will find attractive waterfront villages, some far more visited than others. Take the time to explore and understand a little of coastal life in the region. The two coves (both with white sand beaches) either side of the port town of Padang Bai are absolutely gorgeous and often remarkably free of visitors. For those wanting an away-from-it-all experience but also the comforts of a developing tourist destination, then Amed fits the bill perfectly and is a great place to unwind.
There are many ways to see and explore the mountain, some more formal than others. The area around the water palace at Tirta Gangga offers great views of the mountain and the terraced rice paddies in the foothills. From here you can arrange treks of all types ranging from fairlty gentle exploration of the foothils through to an ascent to the very top of the mountain. The latter is not be taken lightly and the how, why and when are all explained here.
A very different but nonetheless dramatic drive is around the north east coast road through Culik (the turn off to Amed is here), Tulamben and beyond. Mount Agung again looms very large but this time the aspect is one of barren gravel plains between the coast and the mountain. It is hard to believe that the lush valleys south of the mountain of Sideman are only 30 kilometres away.
Those with an eye for top quality craftsmanship will also enjoy Tenganan. The unique double weave ikat fabric called Geringsing is made here and Tenganan produces what is probably the best basketwork anywhere in Indonesia.
East Bali offers numerous walking and trekking opportunities. The serious trekker will find climbing Mount Agung extremely rewarding. Mount Batur is an easy two hour climb and is one of the easiest accessed of all the active volcanoes in Indonesia. There are lots of other very scenic hiking routes through the region.
Many of Bali's best dive spots are in this region and include a notable wreck dive at Tulamben and very rewarding reef dives at Amed, Candidasa and Padang Bai. Non-divers should not feel left out with each of those locations also offering excellent snorkeling.
Fish is a very wise choice in this region as just about the whole of the coastline here is populated by traditional fishing communities.
