Bali, though just a small island, caters to all tastes and expectations. There is the luxury of Sanur, the seclusion of Nusa Dua and the hectic pace of Kuta and Legian. Bali Java Getting Started will help to prepare you for trip to Bali and Java. Most of the tourist areas are on beaches :… Read More Bali Java Getting Started
One doesn’t have to be interested in temples and markets to fully enjoy your stay in Bali or Java. Ball-sports such as golf, tennis and squash are well catered for. But it is for its water sports that Bali is legendary. Coral reefs abound and there are very reliable scuba diving companies which are PAD1 registered. At Sanur and Nusa Dua most accommodation have sailboards/windsurfers as well as jet-skis and catamarans. … Read More Bali’s Best Dive Sites
For the location of all the breaks included in this section, see the map of Bali on page 8. Take your own repair kit with you, as none are available in In-donesia. Many surfers have lost good boards because they haven’t been able to fix simple dings.… Read More Bali’s Best Surf Breaks
Travelling across Bali and Java can be exciting but tiring; a hair-raising ride along mountain roads or a relaxing becak ride with the wind in your face, modern jet aircraft or a Javanese horse-and-buggy. Many adventures lie before you if you travel by local vehicles, or nice and easy if you choose taxi or tour-bus. One of the attractions of Indonesia is that it caters for all needs. Common modes of transportation in Indonesia are:… Read More Indonesian Transportation Getting Around
Bali, though just a small island, caters to all tastes and expectations. There is the luxury of Sanur, the seclusion of Nusa Dua and the hectic pace of Kuta and Legian.… Read More Balinese Society and Culture
Each village in Bali has at least three temples (sometimes more) that relate to a particular god and certain deceased persons. Hindu and Buddhist believers use the same temples. The basic differences between the temples are:… Read More Temples and Ceremonies in Bali
Evidence of human settlement in Java dates back 35,000 years. On the banks of the Solo River, near the town of Trinul were unearthed part of the skeletal remains of Java Man, scientifically known as Pithecanthropus Erectus (upright ape-man). Wajak Man, who was discovered on the south coast of Java near Blitar. is the earliest known example of homosapiens. the human race.… Read More History of Java Island
Bemo/Mini-bus from Kuta to Denpasar Ten-seater mini-buses, coloured navy-blue, run from Legian to Kuta and on to Tegal Terminal at Denpasar. Smaller bemo operate only between Kuta and Legian, and you can change to a navy-blue one on Jalan Kuta Raya to Denpasar. These operate regularly until early evening. KURA-KURA SHUTTLE BUS The following… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Kuta Legian
In the 1960s Kuta was a quiet fishing village on the road from the airport to Denpasar. At that time most Western tourists stayed at Sanur Beach. By the early 1970s Kuta had grown into a major centre for travellers because of its convenient location, long sandy beach and cheap homestay accommodation. … Read More Kuta Legian Travel Guide
Bars, Discos and Pubs Kuta Bagus Pub Jln Buni Sari Bali Sand Bar Jln Legian Casablanca Jln Buni Sari Pub 41 Jln Buni Sari The Pub Jln Buni Sari Bar/ Restaurant Andy’s Bar Jln Bakung Sari Bona ‘s Jln Pantai Kuta Daya I Jln Bakung Sari Geoffrey’s … Read More Things To Do In Kuta Legian
Sanur is situated to the east of Denpasar, Kuta and the airport. For a holiday by the beach, though in more luxurious surroundings than Kuta, Sanur is the place. In the past, budget travellers stayed at Kuta-Legianand package tourists, families and honey-mooners at Sanur. … Read More Sanur Travel Guide
Nusa Dua is the place to stay if you want a relaxing holiday in Western luxury, laxing around by the pool, on the beach or enjoying water sports. Most future luxury tourist facilities will be at Nusa Dua, which currently has five hotels and more planned. Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, possibly the best hotel in Bali and Hotel Bualu opened in 1983, and the others followed soon after. … Read More Nusa Dua Travel Guide
Denpasar is a small but busy town. Public transport is by a three or four mini-bus called a “bemo”, which follows set routes in a clockwise direction around town. Most routes pass through Tegal Terminal on the Kuta/ Airport/Nusa Dua side of town, and Kereneng Terminal on the Sanur side of town. Some, but not… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Denpasar
Denpasar, the largest town in Bali and its capital, is a twenty minute drive from both Kuta and Sanur by car or mini-bus. Jalan Gagah Mada is the main street where the banks, tourist information office and the main market are situated. Some of the Government services, such as the G.P.O. and Immigration have moved to the new Civic Centre at Renon.… Read More Denpasar Travel Guide
Pasar Badung Market Denpasar The main market is mid-way along Jalan Gajah Mada next to the river. It is easy to spend hours wandering among the stalls. On the lower level is the food market and upstairs are clothing and material. Pasar Kumbasari, on the opposite side of the river facing the main market, has… Read More Things To Do In Denpasar
Ubud is around 35km north of Kuta Beach, or 30km north of Sanur. Public transport between the beaches and Ubud is difficult because all public transport stops at the Batubulan Terminal on the northern outskirts of Denpasar. To get to Kuta from there you also need to change bemo at Tegal Terminal, or to Sanur… Read More Transportation And Getting Around Ubud
Ubud is the first stop for most people who move away from Kuta or Sanur, and is the only place in Bali where there is a wide variety of accommodation not on a beach. Walking amongst the ricefields you catch a glimpse of Balinese life as it really is, not the hybrid version that has been created in the south of the island.… Read More Ubud Travel Guide
Balinese Painting In Ubud Most of the original Balinese painters came from Ubud. In the 1970s Ubud was at the centre of Balinese painting. The so-called “young artists” follow traditional and modern styles, and their paintings are much cheaper than those by the Masters. To get an idea of Balinese art and wood carving before… Read More Things To Do Around Ubud
The second largest town in Bali and a centre for weaving and textiles. Opposite the open field on the main street is the old palace. 4km from Gianyar on the road to Bangli is Pura Dalem Sidan temple which looks back over the ricefields to the coast. Another 1km up the road in the village is Pura Puseh. … Read More Peliatan Travel Guide
This ancient site is named after a cave used for meditation by Buddhist monks near the Gagah River. It dates from around 1000 AD and was first mentioned in a royal chronicle of Kertagama in 1365. Like other sites in the area it has a Buddhist and Shivaist background. Beside the T-shaped cave there are three large water spouts and pools. … Read More Places Near Ubud Travel Guide
One way to see Bali is to book accommodation at one of the beaches in the south (Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua or Sanur) and make day-trips by motor bike, taxi or local transportation. … Read More Around Bali by Bus
Lake Batur is a must for visitors to Bali. The morning view from Penelokan over the lake is fantastic. In the afternoon or the wet season, the lake and volcano are often shrouded in mist. You can cross the lake by boat and stop off at a Bali Aga village or walk across the lava flow to the small hot spring that emerges on the edge of the lake.… Read More Kintamani & Lake Batur Travel Guide
The south-eastern coast of Bali is the cradle of a civilisation that blossomed after the Majapahit Kingdom fled from Java in the 14th Century. Klung-kung was the seat of the first and still premier royal family in Bali. The other royal families are said to have been members of the king’s family who moved away from Klungkung to set up in their own right. In later centuries they waged war with each other.… Read More East Bali Travel Guide
Bemo from Denpasar to Candidasa & Amlapura Buses to the east coast leave from the Kereneng Bus Station in Denpasar. Ask for the bus or bemo going to Amlapura or Klungkung. The old name for Amlapura town was Karangasem, but it was changed after the eruption of Mt Agung which destroyed half the town. Karangasem… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Candidasa
Candi Dasa is named after a temple overlooking the tidal lagoon, 13km from Karangasem and 67km from Denpasar. Candi Dasa is in a very pretty setting. The main street is shaded by overhanging Kapok and coconut trees, and most of the accommodation is set amongst coconut plantations, so the whole area is cool and breezy. The view from the beach sweeps from Nusa Penida island to the inlet of Padangbai with a lighthouse on the headland. On the landward side, there are rolling hills which are difficult to climb, but offer fantastic views once you get to the top.… Read More Candidasa Travel Guide
The town of Klungkung was the cradle of Balinese society that blossomed after the Majapahit Kingdom fled from Java in the 14th Century. Klungkung was the seat of the first and still premier royal family in Bali. The other royal families are said to have been members of the king’s family who moved away from… Read More Things To Do Near Candidasa
Bemo to Lovina from Singaraja The bemo or bus from Kintamani or Karangasem stops at Buleleng Terminal. To get to Lovina it is necessary to cross town to another terminal at Banyuasri, or wait along Jalan Ahmed Yani on the way to Banyuasri, ½ km from P.O. The bemo or bus from Denpasar or Ubud… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Lovina
Lovina Beach, on the north coast of Bali, is actually a number of beaches and villages spread out along 8km of coastline to the west of Singaraja. Lovina proper, which is at Kalibukbuk village, is llkm from Singaraja and offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and other facilities. The other grouping of places to stay and eat is centred on Anturan village at the 8km post. The first place out of Singaraja, Baruna Cottages, is only 3-4km from Banyuasri Bus Terminal and petrol station.… Read More Lovina and North Bali Travel Guide
Pura Ulan Batur, Lake Bedegul Singaraja The port of Buleleng, situated at the mouth of river of the same name, was for many years the centre of Dutch influence in Bali. Stone warehouses on the waterfront handle cargo from as far away as Singapore and Hong Kong, and inter-island vessels anchor off-shore. Walking along the… Read More Things To Do Near Lovina
Java, the volcano studded island across the water to the west, can easily be reached by way of the innumerable day-buses that run between most major Balinese towns and the ferry terminal at Gilimanuk. After crossing on the ferry to Banyuwangi, one has the choice of buses to various points in Java or the slow train to Surabaya. … Read More Bali to Yogyakarta by Bus
The route to Java with the most to offer is probably via Malang, a large town set in the highlands of East Java. This area was the last centre of Javanese Hinduism and the surrounding countryside is dotted with Hindu temples dedicated to Siva. With the spread of Islam through Java, the Hindu kings fled to Bali with their courts. This layering of one religion on another has led to the local adaptation and syncretism that makes Javanese culture so interesting.… Read More Bali to Jakarta by Bus
From Yogya to Jakarta the train is scenic but slow and hot; and beware of theft whilst you sleep! Stopovers in Bandung, another highland city, and Bogor which is on the edge of the Jakarta Plain, are suggested. Bandung is renowned for its cool climate, fresh vegetables, lively people, volcano and hot springs; whilst Bogor has the best botanical gardens in Smith East-Asia Indonesia.… Read More Yogyakarta to Jakarta by Train
Malang Bus Terminals There are three bus terminals in Malang: Dinoyo Terminal on Jalan M.T. Haryono is for buses going to Selecta, Madium and Kediri. Patimura Terminal on Jalan Patimura is for buses going to Bali, Surabaya and Probilinggo. Gadang Terminal to the south of town is for buses to Karangkates and Blitar. Bus… Read More Transportation And Getting Around Malang
A large town in the highlands of East Java, with a cool climate and friendly people, Malang is a convenient staging point for climbing Mount Bromo or Mount Sumeru. Bromo is 100km away to the northeast, and Sumeru can be seen from town in the dry season. 20km away near the south coast is the Karangkates Dam on the Brantas River.… Read More Malang Travel Guide
Mt Ijen near Malang PLACES TO VISIT NEAR MALANG Tumpak Sewu Waterfall The Tumpak Sewu Waterfall ( Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu) is located near Sidomulyo- Pronojiwo, around 70 km south-east of Malang ( 2 1/2 hours drive along a winding road) between Turen and Lumajang. Further south near the island called Pulau Sempu is a… Read More Things To Do In Malang
Bromo must be one of the most famous sunrises in the world. Often over 100 people line the rim of Bromo’s crater to watch the mist and sand-sea change colours as shafts of light reach into the valley. Quite spectacular and a unique experience.… Read More Mount Bromo Travel Guide
Whilst the most picturesque route to Java from Bali is via Malang, if a daytime stop-over in Surabaya is necessary, be sure to visit the best zoo in Indonesia. Conveniently situated opposite the Joyoboyo bus station at the southern end of town, the zoo has a seemingly endless array of birds, an island community of monkeys and other apes, an old Komodo Dragon and an even older looking Garuda eagle. Apart from the zoo, there is not much else of interest in Surabaya.… Read More Surabaya Travel Guide
TRANSPORTATION IN SURAKARTA The humble becak is still widely used is Solo. The price for a trip is around Rp 20,000. Joglosemar Shuttle Bus Surakarta to Jogja Joglosemar (Jogja-Solo-Semarang) is a shuttle-bus system that connects the three Central Java cities of Jogja, Solo and Semarang. The one-way fare is Rp25,000 to Jogja or to Semarang.… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Surakarta
Solo or Surakarta, the town that surrounds the Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, retains much of the feel of old Java. Within the brick walls of the greater Kraton (palace) there now live more commoners than blue-blood, and most of the detached buildings have been taken over by the government to be used as schools.… Read More Surakarta Travel Guide
Shopping at Pasar Klewer Pasar Klewer market is one of the largest batik markets in Indonesia. After it was destroyed by fire in 2014 a temporary market was set up on Alun-Alun Utara, the royal field on the northern side of the Kraton. In 2019 Pasar Klewer reopened in its original location on Jalan Coyudan.… Read More Things To Do In Surakarta
Jogja is situated near the south coast of Central Java about halfway between Bali and Jakarta. One hour by plane or 14-18 hours by overnight express bus to either destination. Around Jogja by Becak One way to travel around town, shopping and seeing the sights such as the Kraton and Water Castle, is by ‘becak’,… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, the traditional seat of the Mataram Empire which built the temples around Borobudur and Prambanan, and later the last stronghold of the Revolution, is still considered by many to be the cultural heart of Indonesia. The performing arts of traditional dance, the puppet play and the gamelan orchestra have evolved over the centuries at the palaces of Yogya and Solo. Especially formative were the years of Dutch intervention when the traditional rulers were deprived of absolute power and so had more time to cultivate and develop the performing arts and batik design. There is enough in and around Yogya to keep you there for at least a week, including trips to the various temples, Parangtritis Beach and the Dieng Plateau.… Read More Yogyakarta Travel Guide
SHOPPING in YOGYAKARTA The main commercial area of Jogja extends from the entrance to the Sultan’s Palace (Kraton), past the Taman Sari Water Castle, left at the G.P.O., past Beringharjo Central Market, up Jalan Malioboro (against the one-way), across the railway line opposite the Garuda Hotel, does a right turn at the Tugu monument into… Read More Things To Do Around Yogyakarta
Leaving Bandung by Bus There are two main bus terminals in Bandung. Leuwi Panjang Terminal is located at Situ Saeur , just off Jalan Soekarno Hatta, on the south side of Bandung serving buses going to the west such as Jakarta, Bogor and Merak. Cicaheum Terminal is located on Jalan Ahmed Yani, on the north-east… Read More Transportation And Getting Around Bandung
Set on a plateau 180km south of Jakarta, the cool nights of Bandung are a welcome change after the lowlands. Be¬ing 800 metres above sea level, as soon as the sun sets the temperature drops pleasantly. At Lembang, which is situ¬ated in the hills 18km to the north, the temperature change is even more pronounced.… Read More Bandung Travel Guide
Arts Venues In Bandung Gamelan/Karawitan Academy of Karawitan , Jln Buah Batu Sudanese Dance Purwa Setia Building, Gang Tegellega Puppet Play/ Wayang Kulit Yayasan Building, Jln Naripan (near Jln Braga) Places To Visit Near Bandung Mount Tangkuban Prahu… Read More Things To Do In Bandung
The safest way to travel around Jakarta is by taxi. All legal taxis have meters and are air-conditioned, and you can get to most places for $2-4. The noisy Bajaj are not a very good alternative because you have to bargain a price before you get in, and they are very hot and dusty, especially… Read More Transportation and Getting Around Jakarta
This Jakarta Travel Guide leads you along the tree-lined streets of Menteng and Kebayoran Baru, and past the shanties along the many rivers that run from the southern mountains through Jakarta into Jakarta Bay; traditional markets and modern shopping malls; street-side food vendors and western fast-food.Greater Jakarta is now the second largest city in the… Read More Jakarta Travel Guide
Kota Tua Old Dutch Town – North Jakarta Kota Tua, or Old Town, is the area of the early Dutch walled-city centred on Kali Besar or Main River (now called Kali Krukut or Krukut River). The main thoroughfares at the time were the roads that ran both sides of this river. The southern boundary of… Read More Things To Do In Jakarta
At first, Bahasa Indonesia is an easy language to learn. Not having tenses you can quickly put together the necessary words to communicate. In most places it is the peoples’ second language, so they don’t use correct grammar when speaking either, especial¬ly to foreighers.… Read More Indonesian Grammar for Travellers
INDONESIAN PHRASES FOR TRAVELLERS Lots of helpful Indonesian phrases make this a quick and interesting way of learning Bahasa Indonesia. Written for travelers and expatriates. It consists of twenty-one dialogues based on typical situations in Indonesia, plus useful Indonesian Grammar and lists of common words grouped for easy reference. Use of a dictionary is recommended. https://balijavapocketguide.com/useful-indonesian-grammar/… Read More Indonesian Phrases for Travellers
COMMON INDONESIAN WORDS BAHASA INDONESIA PRONUNCIATION GUIDE LETTER A B C (tj*) D E F G H I J (dj*) K L M N NG NY (nj*) O P R S T U (oe*) W Y (J*) INDONESIAN ambil, Anda, makan bayar, ambil, lembab cari, becak dari, duduk empat, sedang fajar golok, lagi… Read More Common Indonesian Words
bali-and-java-guides-all-editions About the Book: First published in 1986, Bali and Java : The Pocket Guide was one of the earliest backpacker guides that covered the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java. The book was the first to contain an in-depth language section, based on situational dialogues; as well as travel info, culture and history.… Read More Don Turner Bali Java Travel Guide biography