In Reply to: Any suggestions-around bali in 3 days? posted by saronggirl on Friday, 8. February 2008 at 06:42 Bali Time:
- at Tabanan town (that's the 'Subak Museum'); the sweep of the south-west coast beaches at Soka; Pura Rambut Siwi on a bluff overlooking the beaches (don't miss the holy fresh water spring in the caves on the beach under the bluff); take in the mix of rice fields, banana and coconut plantations and vegetable gardens; the ferry port of Gilimanuk where you might also see sardine netters and divers working in amongst the boats (don't get caught up in a rush from the ferry to the bus terminal); visit the Jayapura grave site (Bali's own Romeo and Juliet story) almost on the north west tip of the island; back towards the east along the north west coast road to an overnight stay at Rambutan Cottages in Lovina where you will be able to find some of the best food in Bali.
Next day tour around the old Dutch collonial capital and port of Singaraja. the lontar records at the museum and the weaving and Batik demonstrations; on to Pura Meduwi Karang where you will see the famous 'flower-wheeled' bicycle carving on the wall; on to Pura Ponjok Baru where there is a stone ship wrecked in the little bay and a fresh water spring running out of the shingles on the beach (your driver will appreciate a bottle of this holy water to take home for a family blessing); the waterfalls at the village of Les for a cooling dip; stop for a look at the ancient sea-salt panning at either Tianyar or Kubu; the Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben, snonkeling of the beach if that's your thing; along the final stretch of this road you'll possibly get the clearest views of My Agung as you cross the lava remains of its most recent eruption, then at either Labasari or Culik decide if you want the inland route through Amlapura or the coast route via Amed. Inland through Amlapura you will get to see some of the largest and most spectacular rice paddies and terracing in all of Bali right up to the edge of the road plus the water palace and gardens at Tirtagangga before reaching the local business centre of Amlapura where you can investigate the local market and the fascinating locals' shopping streets. If you opt for the coast road you'll go through the many coastal villages that make up Amed and on along a spectacular coast road (that is no longer frightening) with views across the Lombok Strait to the mountains of that neighbouring island and on to the restored palace and temple at Ujung.
Whether inland or coastal you'll end up at serene Candi Dasa for an overnight stay at your selection fron a variety of hotels or bungalows.
The next day a visit to the Aga village at Tenganan, stopping at the old German bakery along the way to pick up morning tea; then to the beautiful Padang Bai, the bay with the split personality - azure blue and clear fishing village on one side and grotty ferry and fuel terminal on the other; the fishing and ferry village of Kusamba is a must and if a ferry is being loaded or unloaded in the coastal surf you'll be transported back to the centuries old, colonial tropical island that James Mitchener might have described; Klungkung is a worthy detour to visit the market, palace and horrific 'Hall of Justice' and then on to the silk and cotton mills of Gianyar and maybe the super markets of Sukawati before heading to either the southern tourist centers or to Ubud for your final night.
- - - and now I wish I was doing the trip too.
Enjoy.