Karangasem Grand Palace, Karangasem Bali

Candidasa, Karangasem, Bali

Previously, Candidasa was known as Teluk Kehen (Kehen Bay). But when this area was finally opened as tourism depelovment area, the name Candidasa was started to be used.

There is no certain report about the historical backgound of the name. However, it is assumed that the choice of this name is connected with the story of "lingga" inside the temple lies on the top of Candidasa hills.

An old manuscript found here mentions that Candidasa Temple was built on the 12th Century. There is a remain called "lingga" inide the temple, which is believed as the symbol of God Siva. In this holy place hermits often received their highest solitude or "heaven" by uttering 10 letters called "Dasa Aksara" (10 = Dasa).

Another story says that the name Candidasa was inspired by a statue near the lingga. It is a statue of Goddess Hariti that surrounded by 10 children. It is believed that Goddess Hariti could give blessing of welfare and prosperity to the people who pray here.

Location:
Candidasa is located at Samuh - Bugbug village, Karangasem district. It is about 65 km from Denpasar and 12 km from Amlapura.

Facility:
Facilities available here are restaurants, small hotels to star hotels and other facilities needed to support the industry.

Description:
Candidasa is well known for its shiny white sand. Tourism industry flourishes significantly in this area that background by the Indonesian Ocean. From this place, we will see Lombok Island and Nusa Penida in a distance and the sparkling light of "Jukung" or traditional boat at night that will always draw us to come again.

Taman Ujung Karangasem, Bali

History:
Ujung Water Palace, which by the local people is called as Taman Soekasada Ujung, was built in 1919. However, the launching of this complex of water palace was performed in 1912.

The water palace was constructed by the late King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, that reigned in Karangasem between 1909 and 1945.

Ujung Water Palace was majestically built to welcome and to serve important guests and Kings from neighboring countries, besides for the pleasure of the King and his royal family.

Location:
Taman Soekasada Ujung lies at Tumbu village, Karangasem district. It is approximately 85 km from Airport Denpasar and 5 km from Amlapura.

Facility:
Tourism activity in this area is supported by the available of food stalls, small restaurants and quite large parking area. Visitors who are interested in local crafts product can find some of them in art shops available here.

Description:
Taman Soekasada Ujung has been announced to be a cultural tourist object for it is noted as one of several cultural heritages exist in Karangasem regency.

The complex of this water palace is the combination of Balinese and European architectures. There are 3 big and large ponds inside the area. In the middle of the main pond, there is a building that connected to the edge of the pond by 2 bridges.

On the most tip of the highest level of this complex, we will find a great statue of "warak" (rhinoceros). Beneath the warak there is a Bull statue. From this high place we will see a marvellous view of sea, hills with lush and green forest, the beauty of Mount Agung combined with the green terraced rice fields.

The greatness of Ujung Water Palace had been destructed by the explotion of Mount Agung in 1963 which was made worst by the great shake happened in 1979. However, the recovery effort had been performed to bring back the glory of this complex of water palace by holding a reconstruction and revitalisation project on it. Although it is not as great as it was, the amaze of the past still can be seen here this moment.

TULAMBEN, KARANGASEM, BALI

Where is Tulamben

Tulamben is located on the north-east coast of Bali, approximately 110 kilometres (65 miles) from the capital Denpasar. It is also 110 years behind the troubles of Bali's south! There are no night clubs, no girly-bars, no overcrowded resorts and no endless streets of market stalls. But there is fantastic coral reef diving, a quiet village atmosphere, a shipwreck just metres from the shore, a breathtaking panoramic view of a Volcano, some beautiful coastal scenery and some of the best marine life you are likely to see anywhere in the World.

Getting to Tulamben

From the resorts of the south coast (Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua, Sanur) or from the Airport it is approximately a 2½ hour trip by car. From Ubud it is a 1½ trip or from Candi Dasa 1 hour. We can arrange our driver to pick you up from anywhere on Bali for private transfer to Tulamben in a late model air-conditioned vehicle .

The journey encompasses a wide range of scenery, including the busy streets of outer Denpasar, then the open highway to Kusamba with glimpses of rural Bali and the mountains in the distance, followed by meandering roads through foothills, small villages, and then close to your destination is a winding road through some of Bali's most picturesque rice fields and mountain ranges that opens-up to the arid coastline near Tulamben. Our driver will happily stop en-route for snacks, drinks or for photo opportunities.

Shopping

There are so many shops in the south of Bali, that any shopping for clothes, art works, wood carvings, jewellery etc. is best done before or after your trip to Tulamben. It is not really feasible to do any serious shopping on a day trip from Tulamben.
However our driver can be booked for a full day from your pick-up at the Airport and then guide you personally to any shopping that you request, followed by transfer to Tulamben.
Alternatively, you could leave Tulamben early and shop before departing on a late afternoon or evening departure from Bali.
Tulamben has a few small shops where you can buy T shirts, Sarongs, plus some limited souvenir carvings, prices are very reasonable . Snack foods and drinks are also available in Tulamben.

Dive Equipment Advice

Although we can arrange all diving equipment for you in Tulamben, we advise customers to at least bring their own BC, Regulator, wetsuit, Mask & Fins where possible. It is not always possible to rent dive equipment that fits as well as your own. If you are able to, then bring all of your own equipment. We provide tanks and weights as part of our guided dive pricing.

Clothing to Bring

Tulamben's climate is generally drier than most of Bali, it is generally sunny and hot (30ºC+). Clothing is light and very casual, most people wear shorts, T shirts, sarongs, skirts, sandals etc. during the day. In the middle of the dry season (July-September) the evenings can be a little breezy and slightly cool (22ºC) so ladies often find a long-sleeved blouse or cardigan handy. Hats and sunscreen are a must for people not accustomed to continuous sunshine, sunburn can (and does) ruin a dive trip.

Tirtagangga, Karangasem, Bali

Tirtagangga is a small village located in E part of Bali, 15km N from Amlapura where You can see a very elegant Balinese Water Palace built for the holly spring. The village is a very small and very relaxing.
To come to this village, Perma does not have a regular service to this village. You have to book in advance with minimum 2 persons in your group, theirfore it is a bit expensive to come here by
It is not so difficult to come by public transport from Denpasar. Take a bus from Batubulan to Amlapura, then take a bemo to Tirtagangga.

Near the Water Palace
	h1	Dhangin Taman Inn: near the entrance of Tirtagannga Water Palace. T22059, f ab 35/40,000, large rooms 50/70,000 bf C3 basic
	h2	Tirta Ayu Bungalows: inside of Tirtagangga Water Palace.. T21697, f ab d250,000 HW sw(water palace)C4 Go through the gate and walk right. The rooms rates includes the entrance of the water palace and use of its swimming pool. This is the only upper class accommodation.
	h3	Homestay Rajasa: T21873, just opp from the entrance of Tirtagangga Water Palace, f ab 40/60,000 bf C2 Rooms in the back have better view and better porches. Good cheap option.
	h4	Good Karma: on the main road 22445, f ab 60/80,000 bf R towel C4 Very large rooms and large porches with terrace view Very relaxing place Its restaurant is on the main road and the rooms are acturally located behind the restaurant in the miidle of the rice field. Rec

Just after crossing the bridge
	h5	Puri Sawah: Just N from the bridge, walk left to a small road. T21847, PO Box 110 Amalapura, f ab CW 1F 100,000, 2F 200,000, HW 1F 200,000 R(rice terrace view) bf towel C4 Large rooms and large porches
	h6	Kusumajaya Inn: on the hill side, walk from the main raod, 50m N from the bridge, T21250, f ab 70/90,000, 80/100,000 bf towel R C3 Great view to the sea but it is a bit hard to climb up the hill. Rec

On the hill side N from the Water Palace
	h7	Pondok Lembok Dukuk: on the slope of the hill behind Water Palace, f ab 50/80,000 bf C3 Excellent view to the volcano up on the hill. Walk from the side of Good Karma restaurant.
	h8	Batur Indah: on the slope of the hill behind Water Palace T22342, f ab 80/125,000 C4 Excellent view to the volcano. Walk from the side of Good Karma restaurant. Or take a bemo to Ababi, 2km N from Tirtagangga and phone.

Amed Karangasem

Amed is located on the SE corner of Bali. The coastal strip from Amed to Aas is often referred to as ‘Amed’, but there are a few villages along the way including, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah and Selang. The landscape is a series of headlands overlooking bays, lined with fishing boats. The local economy is supported by farming cattle and corn, fishing, diving and the hotel trade. The hole area is connected by one narrow road. Amed is ideal for people looking for a quiet place to relax. The coastal road was completed a couple of years ago and now you can drive all the way from Tirtaganga to Ujung in a clockwise manner, if you so desired.

Why would you go to Amed?
Peace and quiet.
Snorkeling / diving.
A more low-key Balinese village scene than the main tourist area

Getting to Amed:
To get to Amed from Kuta, you jump on the Bypass heading to Sanur, exiting Sanur the Bypass splits in 2, you take the one going right, which will turn into the coastal highway heading east. You can make Candi Dasa in 2 hour from Kuta and after going through Tirtaganga, reach Amed proper in about 3.5-4 hours depending on how fast you go, how many times you stop etc. Distances are deceptive out here, so allow yourself 4 hours and you’ll be good.

•How to explore the Amed area:
The Amed area is in the ‘corn belt’ a fact which becomes obvious when you’re there. The lack of rivers and streams, plus the mass of large volcanic boulders strewn across the landscape, means rice farming is not possible. The drive from Amed around to Ujung will take around 3 hours and it is particularly enjoyable to wave at the smiling local kids. A car with driver, or self drive car would be the best way to explore the Amed area. As the coast turns west the vegetation increases and one is back into the rice belt at Ujung. The coastal road is narrow, but in okay condition, there are steep sections near the village of Seraya.

•Places to stay:
When you first come into Amed from the north you may be confused as to what the fuss is about. Amed is tiny and somewhat rundown. Give yourself a chance to check out some of the accommodation options around the coast, the heaviest density of places being from Bunutan to Lipah. The tourist stuff comes to a halt at Aas and continues again a kilometer or so east of Ujung water palace with a small line of quality guest houses.

•Nightlife in Amed:
Amed is a picture of tranquility at night. It pitch dark outside with little traffic. You don’t go there for nightlife and there really isn’t any. The Pavillion south of Selang as well as other places puts on a joged dance, allowing tourists to get up and make a fool of themselves. Its fun and after a glass or 2 of arak nobody cares.

•Activities in Amed:
Amed gained in popularity due to scuba diving. The best diving is off of Jemeluk, with a 40m coral wall. Dive operators in the area can accommodate PADI courses and pleasure dives as well as snorkeling.

Amed Cafe Divers
(0363)23473
At Amed Cafe (Pondok Kebun Wayan)

Amed Dive Center
(0363)23462
At Hotel Ayah.

Eco-Dive
(0363)23482

Euro Dive
(0363)23469
In Congkang

Stingray
(0363)23479
At Diver’s Cafe & Bungalows

Wirata Dive School
(0363)23523
At Puri Wirata in Bunutan.