The former capital of Bali, Buleleng or Singaraja is located in north Bali, in the Lovina area, away from the more popular tourist areas and a scenic three hours drive from the airport. Buleleng has a black sand beach and is the main town for the Lovina area, famous for its dolphins. Close by are the Yeh Panas (hot springs) and the Air Sanih (a natural freshwater pool).
The Old Dutch capital of Bali during the colonial era, Singaraja is a quiet town with some quaint Old Dutch warehouses on the waterfront. It’s easily reached from the south via Bedugul or Kintamani or from Candidasa in the east. There is some accommodation here but we would be better to stay at the nearby Lovina Beach only a few kilometers to the west. Lovina has had a recent spruce up and the gravel beach is now pristine clean. The town has plenty of accommodation from basic to good quality and some adequate restaurants.
It was a centre and being the administrative centre of the islands during the years of Dutch colonialism up to 1953, (now the capital is in Denpasar, in the south of Bali). We will remains during Dutch period, there being influence of Chinese and Muslims. In the time of the Dutch occupation, Singaraja was Bali’s main port. But now the traffic has moved south, leaving the area in peace. Clean, quiet and culturally distinctive, Singaraja retains a colonial feel.
Bali’s smallest district Klungkung is located between Gianyar and Karangasem, and includes the island of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. Klungkung itself is a bustling town. Based on the decree of the Governor of Bali Province on 1993 number 528, Nusa Penida in one of with also fixed as a tourist resort in Bali.
And then base of the Regency of Klungkung Government on 1996 decree number 284 there are 18 tourist object in the regency inclusive Nusa Penida. On reaching the town centre. Klungklung was the base of the ancient Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from where the Balinese royalty of today draws its bloodline. It is the oldest kingdom in Bali, with a most exalted Kings.
The famous Kertha Gosa or Royal Court of Justice was built in Klungklung in the 18th century, displays one of Bali’s masterpieces. It has a wonderfully made ceiling displaying one of Bali’s masterpieces (murals portraying the punishment of hell and the rewards of heaven, and elaborated in thousands of panels of puppets) all on the ceiling. Klungklung’s golden glory is forever captured in its floating pavilion, elaborate garden, and charming lotus ponds. Klungklung satisfies one’s wish of returning to the glory of the ancient past.
Klungkung has played a most important role in Bali’s history. It was the seat of rule of Bali’s history. It also seat of rule of Bali’s most powerful dynasty of rajas, Dewa Agung, under whom the island was united during a glorious period of rich cultural influence.
Gajah Mada, head of Majapahit, pacified and united Bali towards the end of the 13th century, incorporating the island into the Majapahit Empire. He set king Kepakisan, the first Dewa Agung “Great Deity”. To rule over the island from his court at Samprangan, near the present town of Klungkung. Several generations later this seat of power was removed to nearby Gelgel, where it established much authority and prestige under the fourth succeeding Dewa Agung.
One of the 9 Regencies/Municipality in Bali Province is Karangasem Regency. This regency situated in the eastern most point of Bali Island, which bordered at the east by Lombok Strait, at the west by Klungkung, Bangli and Buleleng Regencies, at the south by the Indonesian Ocean and at the north by the Java Sea. The capital of this regency is Amlapura.
Precisely, Karangasem Regency is located between 8º00′00″ - 8º41′37,8″ south latitude and 115º35′9,8″ - 115º54′8,9″ east longitude. The total land surface of this regency is 83.954 Hectare, which is divided into 8 districts of Karangasem, Abang, Kubu, Bebandem, Sidemen, Selat, Rendang and Manggis. Karangasem Regency also covers 3 administrative villages, 68 traditional villages, 52 community groups, and 526 smaller community groups called ” Dusun”.
The population registration took place in 2003 reported that the total population of Karangasem Regency is approximately 388.320 people, consists of 193.518 men and 194.802 women. People of Karangasem make their living in various ways. Some of them are farmers, fishermen, traders, craftsmen, and even active in tourism field. People in majority are Hindu followers, who live in a very religious life, thus ritual activities can be seen almost everyday in this area.
Karangasem regency is an area with a tropical climate, which experiences 2 different seasons of dry season (April-October) and wet season (November-March). The largest rainfall is on October, which is in 166 days, with the average rainfall of 182 mm. Its plantations and animal are grouped in a tropical species.
The distance between Karangasem Regency and the International Airport located in Denpasar is about 88 km (53 miles). The two places are connected by a quite good street. Along the way from or to the Airport we will see a stunning panorama of East Bali with its hills and rice fields that arranged beautifully.
As one of tourist destinations in Bali, Karangasem has so many potentials to support the development of its tourism industry. Its rich nature with mountains, hills, rivers, lush rice fields and lovely beaches abound with the unique daily life of the people and their culture make Karangasem worth to visit.
There are fifteen (15) tourist destinations developed in Karangasem, they are Bukit Jambul, Besakih, Telaga Waja, Iseh, Putung, Puri Agung Karangasem (Karangasem Palace), Tirtagangga, Jemeluk, Tulamben, Sibetan, Taman Ujung, Candidasa, Tenganan Pegeringsingan, Padangbai and Yeh Malet. Those tourist objects are spread in 3 tourism development areas of Candidasa, Ujung and Tulamben.
The capital of Bali, is as much a part of ‘the real Bali’ as the rice paddies and temples. Over the past 20 years it has been the focus of much of the growth and wealth in Bali and has all the bustle, noise and confusion associated with the fast-growing cities of Asia.
Denpasar means ‘next to the market’ and it has the biggest and busiest in Bali together with the night market where locals come to chat, shop and feast on Balinese and Indonesian food. Visitors will also enjoy the interesting museum which features Balinese art dating from the present back to prehistoric times as well as the arts centre and many interesting shops.
