Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The landscaped grounds of
Bali Safari and Marine Park
draw several thousand visitors
a day who come to see animals from Indonesia, India and Africa (white tigers, Komodo
dragons and Sumatra tigers among them). There's also an aquarium, a water park, the “Bali
Agung” theatrical extravaganza, animal rides and shows. If you can deal with animals be-
ing treated as photo opportunities, it's worthwhile spending an entire day here, or staying
overnight at
Mara River Safari Lodge
.
The coast south of Gianyar
The
coast south of Gianyar
is fringed with long, black-sand beaches and offers some fine
views of Gunung Agung. It's mainly surfing territory here, especially at
Pantai Keramas
, as
the current is too treacherous for swimming and the shoreline has suffered drastic erosion.
Pura Masceti
Jl Prof Dr Ida Bagus Mantra, Medahan, by the beach about 7km south of Gianyar, 14km east of Sanur • Daily
7am-6pm • Rp10,000
The first of several important
temples
along the coast south of Gianyar, the ornate
Pura Mas-
ceti
is the directional temple, or
kayangan jagat
, for the south. The setting on the coast is
lovely, and regular festivals see dozens of worshippers setting off for purification rituals on
the beach.
Pantai Lebih
Black-sand
Pantai Lebih
, 1km east of the Safari Park, is crowded with fishing boats and
is famous for its dozen or so very popular warung serving
fresh seafood
(most are open
daily until 10pm). Menu highlights include the local speciality
sate languan
(fish grilled with
green coconut, spices and brown sugar),
ikan bakar
(charcoal-grilled fish in banana leaf)
and
ikan pepes
(fish steamed in banana leaves); the warung are great value, with set meals
from Rp20,000. Across the highway from the sea, Lebih's
Pura Segara
(Sea Temple; daily
8am-6pm) is associated with magical forces, and holds an annual ceremony to placate the
demon I Macaling, who is believed to bring disease and ill fortune from
Nusa Penida
across
the Badung Strait.
Pura Batu Klotok
7km east of Pantai Lebih • Daily 7am-6pm • Free
On the beach at Pantai Batu Klotok,
Pura Batu Klotok
is one of four highly revered state
temples in Klungkung district. The sacred statues from the Mother Temple, Besakih, are
brought here during the annual cleansing ritual of
malasti
.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: GIANYAR AND AROUND
By bemo
Gianyar has useful bemo services to and from Ubud and Denpasar's Batubulan
terminal, both of which terminate near
Warung Pande Oka
restaurant, on the corner of Jl
Ngurah Rai and Jl Jata. Most of the other services, including those to Candidasa and Batur,
pick up and drop off outside Hardy's on Jl Ngurah Rai.
