Below is the Google map version of Bali island

Several years ago, after watching Eat, Pray, Love which was starred by Julia Roberts, millions of people began to ask, "Where is Bali?" Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Indonesia - the largest archipelago in the world. This tropical island is located between Java and Lombok islands. Every year millions of travelers from around the globe go or fly to Bali. They visit Bali that is also called "the island of the gods" to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, wave surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving, learning and appreciating art and culture of the Balinese people or experiencing massage and other body treatments in various spa resorts of the isle. Where ever we go, we will see temples and offerings. Perhaps you have heard such names of places as Kuta, Legian, Sanur, Ubud, Candidasa or Kintamani. These are important tourist hubs in Bali but they are not the capital of the island.

Lihat Peta Lebih Besar

The capital of Bali province is Denpasar located in the south of the island.

How to get there?

Domestic and international flights use Ngurah Rai airport whereas cargo and passenger ships make Benoa harbor as their port of call. Today majority of tourists come from Australia. Chinese and the Japanese are the second and third largest travelers who make Bali as their destinations. Cruise ships have just got another new harbour in Tanah Ampo cruise terminal located in Karangasem regency in the east of Bali. The terminal is close to the seaside resort town of Candidasa. Passengers of cruise ships will be able to see the magnificent view of Mount Agung and the tropical rainforest that covers its slopes. Along the coastal area of Candidasa is the black sand beaches that have become a favorite sunbathing place for those who want to have tan skin all over their bodies. Coconut trees can be seen growing all over the lowland areas. Domestic tourists coming from the nearby Java island usually go to Bali by bus. Their buses will go to Ketapang harbor in East Java to cross the Bali strait by ferry. Ferry will carry the passengers and the buses to Gilimanuk harbor. After that the buses will continue their trips to Ubung bus station located in Denpasar city. If the bus leaves Surabaya city at around 3.30 p.m., it will arrive at around 7 a.m at Ubung station the next morning. From Bungurasih bus station in Surabaya city to Ubung bus station in Denpasar city, the cost is Rp. 140,000 per passenger.

Kuta, Legian and Jimbaran

The most popular beach in Bali is Kuta and Legian. Thousands of tourists go swimming, sunbathing, wave-surfing and receiving massage treatment or temporary tattoos along the white sandy beach of Kuta every day. At the end of the day, another tourist attraction is sunset watching. A few kilometers to the south is the Jimbaran beach. It is a favorite dining spot for anybody who likes seafood. Jimbaran beach and Kuta beach is separated by Ngurah Rai international airport, named after an Indonesian national hero. Seafood restaurants offer delicious fish, squid and lobster grilled with coconut shells to tourists who usually enjoy their romantic dinner in rows of tables that have been arranged on the sand very close to the sea water.

Ubud

Tourists who are art and culture enthusiasts will find Ubud as their must see destination. Here, they can enjoy the beauty of the island of the gods in the form of paintings, sculptors and ornamented clothing. Various kinds of souvenirs can be bought in Ubud Market located on Jalan Raya Cokorda Putra. Don't forget to bargain when you want to buy an interesting artwork there. If the vendor mentions Rp. 100,000 (one hundred thousand rupiahs) for a small wooden carving, cut the price to Rp. 40,000 (forty thousand rupiahs). She will lower her price slightly and you will raise it slightly too. Both of you will reach a price that is affordable to you and quite profitable to her. There are hundreds of massage service and spa resorts as well as private villas in Ubud that travelers can choose to stay. If tourists are traveling on tight budgets, they can stay in guesthouses that are operated by Balinese families. The rate per night is between Rp. 100,000 to 200,000 depending on the size and facilities in the bungalow. I hope that the above question, "Where is Bali?" has been well answered by this article. The easiest way to explore Ubud is by walking, cycling or riding a motor bike. There are bungalows which visitors can rent for up to one month or even more if they want to experience the richness of Balinese culture and agricultural life.

Administration

Today, the governor of Bali is I Made Mangku Pastika for 2008 - 2013 term. Before working as the head of Bali provincial administration, Mr. Pastika was an Indonesian police official who played very significant role in Indonesia's war on terrorism. The province of Bali has got 8 regencies and 1 municipality. They are Jembrana, Tabanan, Badung, Gianyar, Klungkung, Bangli, Karangasem, Buleleng regencies and Denpasar municipality.

by Charles Roring

Kintamani and Mount Batur

Lake Kintamani and Mount Batur located in the mountainous region of North Bali can be reached by cars, motorcycles or even mountain bikes. Going down the slope to the edge of the lake, travelers will arrive at a boat station where boat drivers offer a water trip crossing the lake to Trunyan.

Oil Painting Gallery in Ubud

Ubud as the culture center of Bali island has numerous oil painting galleries. One of them is Tebesaya Gallery that is located on Jalan Sukma of Peliatan village. Here, travelers can see high quality oil paintings that are created by professional Balinese artists who give great attention to details of the subject which they put on the canvases. In addition to Tebesaya Gallery, art lovers can also explore the Ubud market for more artworks such as wooden carving or batik clothing.

Tourists who are serious in learning oil painting or watercolor painting can go to Seni Warna Art Shop in Dusun Abiansemal of Lodtunduh for buying art supplies. Another Seni Warna art shop can also be found in Banjar Pande of Peliatan village of Ubud town. The art shop provides canvases, drawing papers, watercolor and oil painting in tube packages and easels. I have just returned from the Seni Warna Art Shop in Peliatan village. I bought a sketch book, a staedler drawing pencil and a box of Lyra watercolor pencils.