Away
from the tourist-packed, chaotic, happening places of Bali lies a
mystical land. Quite forgotten by everyone, Eastern Bali is a world in
itself. The black sand beaches, spill down mountains, gigantic
volcanoes, ancient temples, lush rice terraces offer nothing less than
tranquillity and food for the soul. For all those who wish to spend a
day or two in the arms of nature, exploring the rich historical heritage
of Bali, basking in the natural sensations of the volcanic mountains
and crystalline beaches and absorbing the traditional lifestyle in the
typical Balinese villages, a trip to the Eastern Bali is compulsory.
There are loads of places to explore in Eastern Bali. In order to enrich your spiritual value, Goa Lawah Temple
can be an option. Located in the Pesinggahan Village, around 2-hour
distance from Denpasar city, this temple is built around a cave opening
that is inhabited by hordes of bats, and hence called the ‘Bat Cave’. In
the centre, you will see Shivaite shrine, thousands of year old
together with a bale adorned with the motifs of Balinese mythical
dragon. The huge banyan trees keep the atmosphere in the temple cool and
breezy, and will make you feel refreshed instantly. Another worth
visiting temple in the east of Bali is the ancient Besakih Temple,
which also known as Bali’s ‘Mother Temple’. Over 1,000 years, it sits
1,000 metres high on the south-western slopes of Mount Agung. The high
location of Mount Agung gives the temple a mystical quality. Besakih
Temple features three temples dedicated to the Hindu trinity Vishnu,
Shiva and Brahma. You will witness a cluster of temples and shrines,
each having their own story and uniqueness.
Bali is considered to be an all year diving destination for the diving enthusiasts. As the famous diving spot, Tulamben
comprises of a black sand slope with a thousand-year-old shipwreck and
coral gardens. It contains a stunningly diverse underwater ecosystem,
and therefore the main dive sites offer different physical environments.
The wreck is humongous and a fantastic playground to explore, while you
can also find the rare pygmy seahorse in the area. It is the perfect
place for underwater photography. Amed is another
famous diving spot for soul and body relaxation. Gear up your diving
suits to explore the underwater flora and fauna. The teeming marine life
here includes various tropical fish, sea turtle, reef tip shark, rays
and vibrant coral gardens. You can also spot the traditional Balinese
wooden boats called ‘Jukung’ available for fishing charters.
For the beach-goers, the recommended beaches in the east of Bali would be Bias Tugel Beach and Candidasa Beach.
Located very close to Padang Bai Port, Bias Tugel Beach is also known
as the Secret Beach. You have to walk through a fairly steep and rocky
terrain to reach the white sandy beach. The clean water allows you to
dive or snorkel to see the beautifully coloured coral reefs and various
ornamental fish. Travelling further along the eastern coast of Bali, you
will spot Candidasa Beach. This beach offers a tropical climate with
thriving coconut trees, perfect spot to unwind. The wind mixed with the
smell of the ocean, and the scent of the trees creates an intoxicating
perfume. If you are carrying a picnic bag, you may want to stop by and
relax for a few hours.
The trekking addicts have a lot of mysterious and adventure spots to explore in the east part of the island. Kintamani
is the most favourite trekking destination. The magnificent view of the
Batur caldera lake serves as the main attraction, surrounded by the
captivating Mount Batur range. In no time you will feel yourself sinking
in the beauty of Lake Batur, Kintamani highlands and the fascinating
coffee plantations. While at the foot of Mount Abang, you can choose to
trek up through dense tropical forests. The trek is considered to be a
pilgrim to top of the high spirited atmosphere. The view from the top is
simply breath-taking with cloud hovering over the lake and the volcanic
cone of Batur on one side, and Mount Agung along with a magnificent
shoreline on the other. If you are one of those serious hikers, you
could consider taking the trek to Mount Agung.
For those who want to spend their day enhancing their knowledge on the local culture and lifestyle, Ujung Water Palace
will bring you closer to Bali’s historical heritage. This famous palace
consists of large pools and historic structures set against a backdrop
of Mount Agung and the eastern shoreline. You will be fascinated by the
blend of Balinese and European architecture. The whole park covering an
approximate 10 hectares of land gives you enough space to stroll around
and marvel at the ancient structures. While on the historical journey,
make sure to visit Tirta Gangga. On entering the site,
the first thing you will notice is a pond where rows of guardian figures
holding cudgels are neatly arranged. The polygonal stepping stones will
allow you to tour on the pond. The huge towering fountains, marvellous
ancient springs and huge banyan trees will be a cool retreat in the
humid afternoon. The Klungklung Palace in Semarapura
can be another famous historic attraction in the east. The palace
includes a floating pavilion, main gates and the court of justice. You
will be amazed by the paintings that lead up to the ceiling. The grounds
are easily walkable and absolutely gorgeous. In the floating pavilion,
you would find Balinese artists creating wonderful paintings.
If you are keen to blend with the locals, Sidemen Village
would be perfect for strolling around lazily. Located near Besaikh
Temple, this village will feed you well with lush, green paddy fields,
river valleys and wild pastures, all nestled along the slopes of Mount
Agung. Take a walk in the rice fields and interact with the villagers to
understand their lifestyle closely.
The
Eastern part of Bali has lots to offer, both to the eyes and to the
soul. You can choose from an array of mountains, temples, beaches, paddy
fields or royal palaces, and plan the itinerary yourself. The list is
so exhaustive that it is impossible even for a local person to visit all
paces in one go. So, either you are a tourist or a local resident, Bali
will never stop to amaze you. “The more you read, the more you will
Know. The more you Learn, the more places you will go.”
This article is also published at NOW! Bali Magazine
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