Welcome to BULELENG REGENCY
The regency of Buleleng lies across the northern strip of Bali, with a terrain characterized by mountains that plunge into a narrow coastal plain facing the Sea of Bali. Having been isolated from the rest of the island for many centuries, Buleleng has developed social and culture features of its own.
The first region to be colonized by the Dutch, Buleleng traded with Indian merchants some 2000 years back as evidenced by the discovery of ancient beads in Pacung, 40km east of Singaraja. This finding, in fact, was the first sigh of Indian trade with the Indonesian archipelago. Small stupa effigies unearthed in Lovina also point to a presence by Buddhist monks in the 6 th century blossomed 200 years later. These discoveries bear witness to the role of the early sea routes in the history of Buleleng.
The city of Singaraja (100,000 inhabitants ) was the capital of Bali during Dutch times. Today it is a mix of Muslim kampung , Chinese stops, tree- lined, avenues of colonial houses and neo- Balinese government offices. There is a Chinese temple (kelenteng ) near the harbor, not far from Kajanan mosque, whose mirhab pulpit has an interesting combination of Moslem and Balinese decorative motifs. The Balinese element of the city appear pushed to the periphery of the city while traditional traders - the Bugis and the Chinese -occupy its center.
Visit the Gedung Kertya Library, where there are thousand 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 is Gitgit Waterfall, Bali's highest waterfall. Tourist looking for a quiet beach resort can head for Lovina, a long stretch (with hotels and Bungalows ) 10 kilometers 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 though 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 Sough - east Asian architecture, offers a stunning panorama down to the sea. Banjar also offer 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 Padawa, with unique shines made from bamboo.
Seririt, a highway branches inland and southwards across the most beautiful rice terraces in the island at Busung Biu 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 rainforest. Munduk is an aco- tourist hill resort with no less than six waterfalls as well as treks to the pristine Tamblingan lake and nearby mountain, rainforest and plantation areas.
Visitors can stay at Bukit Joged Cottage, a first class boutique hotel set amidst lush vegetation Package with culture performances are available ( hotels also see " Boutique Hotels " for more information ). Coastal strip past Seririt narrows west wards, with the main road winding pas Celukan Bawang harbour 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 black sand, though it is a little far from Bali' culture centers.
Pemuteran is an ideal place to plan excursions to West Bali national Park ( Taman nasional Bali Barat ), comprising the nature reserve of Menjangan Island and the uplands in the west. Menjangan has the most beautiful coral reefs in Bali. A long 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.
Taman Sari Bali cottages, near Pemuteran village and at the foot of the Pulaki mountain, should be the first choice of accommodation for visitors, Designed to be a place for spirit uplifting, the resort is in a total harmony with its natural surrounding . Visits to temples, jungle trekking, snorkeling and diving excursions can be arranged for its guest.
To organize treks to the inland section of the park. You need to go southeast to Cekik ,near Gilimanuk, where the west Bali National Park office is to be found.
In eastern Buleleng you will find something completely different. East of Singaraja is the scenic Sawan rice plain, Producing Bali's best rice. The area around here has a unique baroque temple architecture best known for relief dating from colonial times. In Sangsit, where boats still shuttle to the Kangean island to the north, don't miss the Beji temple. Its gates and shines are finely carved with serpents, Garudas, demon heads and floral decorations.
The inland town of Sawan is a traditional center for dance and music. It is simple accommodation and river views rivaling those in southern Bali. One of the few remaining gamelan makers on Bali has its workshop there .
From, Sawan, a narrow road heads south towards Bedugul though coffee and clove plantations and mountain landscapes.
When you are returning to the coastal road, stop at the Pura Meduwe karang temple in Kubutambahan on the northern coast. The carvers here, besides making sculptures of classical heroes, have also integrated the Dutch presence in their relief. The most famous shows a Dutchman riding and bicycle with wheels made of flowers. This is said to represent Nieuwenkampf ,a Dutch artist who first explored Bali at the beginning of the century. Hr traveled around the island by bike, stopping to make sketches of the temples and religions events he witnessed.
Further east, the coastal villages of Julah ang Pujung, and the nearby mountain village of Sembiran , are there Bali Aga Village with their own versions of the Balinese language. The road that climbs to Sembiran offers a fantastic view over the palm trees of the coastal plain.
At the eastern end of Buleleng regency is the village of Tejakula, which has preserved an original dance tradition, with baris Gede (warrior dances ) and the famous wayang wong, which is performed during the Galungan festival. The road then heads eastwards into Karangasem across a landscape savaged by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung.