Bali is also blessed with a beautiful nature. Endless
sand beaches envelope most of Bali's shores, where silvery
waves come home to. Tall cliffs border the eastern shores.
Volcanic
mountains crown the center of Bali, home to Gunung
Agung (Mount Divine), the sacred abode of the gods and
the goddesses. Green
forests stretch on from east to west of the northern
part of Bali, nurturing numerous flora and fauna that
can only be found here.
Beaches
The beaches of Bali are, in one word, magnificent!
From the stretch of sand in Kuta, fenced far in the South
by the runway of Denpasar International Airport; the peaceful
elegance of Nusa Dua; the mysterious quietness and somberness
of Candidasa, as a temple dedicated to the sea goddess
submerges; to the spectacular sunsets of Lovina in the
North.
Waves
The beaches of Bali readily accept the arrival of the
waves, time and time again. And they vary. In the stretch
of Nusa
Dua alone you can find soft waves for the beginner
surfers to the wildest of waves that will challenge even
the most experienced of the surfers. Yeh Saneh in the
East, Uluwatu in the South, and Medewi slightly to the
West, are all excellent site for waves.
Lakes
There are four lakes in Bali. Lake Batur, the old crater
of Mount Batur, is the largest. Kintamani offers an excellent
panoramic view of the lake, and the lake itself effectively
fences in the Bali Aga people in Trunyan. Lake Bratan,
the second largest, is near the town of Bedugul. Lake
Buyan and Lake Temblingan are also near.
Bedugul
When the heat and humidity gets to you, why not escape
to Bedugul. Bali's highland retreat tucked into the
crater of an extinct volcano 1400 metres above sea
level.
Here three lakes provide everything from recreation
to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below.
Lush pine forests seem to create a freshness in the
air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruit,
vegetables and flowers. |
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Kintamani
The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani
with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs,
make this region a must to visit. Lake Batur is the
largest lake in Bali and the region offers some of
the most spectacular views to be found anywhere on
the island. Lake Batur also provides water for an
underground network of streams and springs across
the southern slopes of the mountain.
The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali,
dating from the tenth century. The evenings get cool
up here but it's well worth the stay overnight to
climb the volcano and watch the sunrise. Many cheap
losmens are available here. |
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Mountains
The string of volcanic mountains crown the Northern
part of Bali. The tallest is Gunung Agung (or Mount Divine),
the abode of the gods and the goddesses.
Forests,
Flora, and Fauna
The wild forests of Bali can be found mostly in the Bali
Barat National Park, dedicated to the preservation of
wildlife. And the tropical climate of Bali endows it with
a rich flora. In the forests, tall tropical trees reach
for the sky, nursing a variety of wild orchids to grow
on their branches. Pine trees carpet the mountains. Ever
protective, waringin trees faithfully stand at the center
of every village. Flowers beautifully punctuate little
gardens in every house, and most importantly, spreading
their sweet fragrance into the midnight air and completing
offerings to the gods and goddesses.
Bali tigers (Panthera tigris balica ) used to roam these
forests, but now you can only find deer or wild boars.
Bali Barat National Park is also reestablished as the
new habitat for Bali Starling (Jalak Bali), a sweet, white
bird that has inspired
many a painter. Sea turtles, another protected species,
can playfully accompany you when you go snorkeling in
the the waters of Nusa Dua.
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