Northen Bali Trip To Buleleng Regency

Ancient beads dating back 2000 years were recently discovered in the east of Singaraja, the first sign of Indian trade with the Indonesian archipelago. Also small stupa effigies showing signs of Buddhist monks landing and settling who, eventually traveled south to where their culture blossomed 200 years later, were also found. These discoveries bear witness to the role of early sea routes in the history of Buleleng, the first region to be colonized by the Dutch.

The city of Singaraja was the capital of Bali during the Dutch times. Visit the Gedung Kirtya library, where there are thousands of lontar manuscripts in the Javanese and Balinese scripts. You can also buy prasi paintings, done in the ancient fashion on lontar palm leaves. To the south of Singaraja, you’ll find Gitgit waterfall, Bali’s highest. Tourists looking for a quiet beach resort can head for Lovina, a long stretch of beach hotels and bungalows 10-km west of Singaraja. The black sand beach is safe and a perfect place for swimming and snorkeling. Lovina also offers dolphin viewing. It is the perfect base from which to explore northern Bali. West from Lovina, the coastal road passes through the small towns of Banjar and Seririt. Banjar is home to the only Buddhist monastery on Bali. The monastery, a blend of Balinese and mainland southeast Asian architecture, offers a stunning panorama down to the sea. Banjar also offers hot springs popular with both locals and tourists. Up the road, driving from the dry coastal area to increasingly lush landscapes, you will arrive at the small village of Pedawa, with unique shrines made from bamboo.

Seririt, a highway branches inland and southwards across the most beautiful rice terraces in the island at Busungbiu and Pupuan. At Mayong a mountain road will take you back to the Bedugul hill area via Munduk and the Tamblingan and Buyan lakes located in the midst of the rainforest. Munduk is an ecotourism hill resort with no less than six waterfalls as well as treks to the pristine Tamblingan lake and nearby mountain, rainforest and plantation areas. The coastal strip past Seririt narrows westwards, the main road winding past Celukan Bawang harbor and Gondol beach (a good place for swimming and snorkeling) before eventually arriving at Bali’s western tip. After passing a huge rock-face almost to the sea and the nearby Pulaki temple, you will reach the newly-developed Pemuteran beach resort, with fair accommodation and white sand, though it is a little far from Bali’s cultural center.

Pemuteran with its volcanic sand is an ideal place to plan an excursion to in west Bali National Park (Taman Nasional Bali Barat), cornprising the nature reserve of Menjangan Island and the uplands in the west. For these who wish to dive or are looking for a hideaway without living in luxury, Matahari Beach Resort with all their facilities and delicious food caters for all your needs. They also have direct access to Menjangan Island. Menjangan has the most beautiful coral reefs in Bali. Along with the nearby Labuan Lalang, this is a wonderful place for diving and snorkeling. Basic accommodation is available at Labuan Lalang, but you are forbidden to spend the night on this unique island.