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Best Places To Surf In Bali

Admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Bali surf can be something that the travelers seek during their holidays in Bali. If you are one of those people, then this information might come handy for you. Indonesia has two seasons known as the dry season and the wet season. During the dry season, you will find that the wave is generally much larger, more often and much longer one. It is because of the blowing of a consistent trade wind from Uluwatu to Legian. This south east wind blows to the west coast offshore for the whole day making the wave gets larger and more frequent. While in the wet season, you will find that the wave is smaller and less often than in the dry season. It is because the wind is blowing lighter from the west to the east coast, and resulting in clean waves. There are Bali surf paradise. One of the best one will be in Bukit Peninsula (Peninsula Hill). The waves here are considered as one of the best waves in the world. The range of waves is starting from Uluwatu and the waves are the first stop directly from Antarctica. You will get the largest waves up to 12 ft or more for the whole day in this place.

The waves in Bukit Peninsula are categorized as the left hand waves. While Kuta, Seminyak and Legian are the beaches with the right hand waves breakers. From Uluwatu heading north you will come to Padang Padang which only breaks properly in 4ft+ swell offering an easy take off into a barrel section from hell, once your out you can fade into the inside section which is can be made but is can close down depending on the swell direction. From the same spot you can paddle to Impossible’s which is a long wave with a few take off spots and seemingly impossible sections. Along from here is the perfect left hand barrel vending machine known around the world as Bingin where a tiny take off sport is shared between a crowded pack of surfers. Next you have dreamlands which has two deeper peaks and an inside beach break and around the corner again you will find Balangan which is another left which suffers from sectioning in smaller swells. After this you will find the airport waves and Kuta reef which require a short boat ride to reach or in the case of Kuta reef a possible long paddle, gone are the days of jumping.

Other spots include the left hand Malibu wave known as Medewi which is a long journey from Kuta and a mellow wave over a rocky point and a laidback jungle like atmosphere surrounding it. Canngu is a wedgey sandbar and a left and right reef, there is a large crowd surrounding this area and due to a few pros and surf video producers living in villas nearby, there are often pros appearing as well as a number of keen locals and many others.

Bali surfing has been gaining popularity for the Balinese, especially the youth. Soon after the day is started, there are many young Balinese hurrying to the beach for surfing. On their surfboards, they seem to dance with a graceful movement over the waves. They try and try again, until they can master the waves. They will never stop unless they have penetrated the tubes.

Surfing in Kuta
Kuta Beach Bali has been becoming one of the best spots for Bali Surf. If you don’t bring your surfboard, you will be able to rent any surfing equipment available along the Kuta beach. Many people have the surfing here, both locals and tourists. They are racing againts the waves trying to conquer the tubes. However, there are some dangerous surf spots along the Kuta beach. If you are not careful and well-informed, you can be in trouble. Therefore, it is wise to ask the locals about any necessary information before do the surfing here.

Surfing in Uluwatu
Another challenging Bali Surf paradise is in Uluwatu Bali. Uluwatu is at the southern part of Bali coast, where the road and also the beach are quite hidden from the outside world. Therefore, if you want to go to Uluwatu, you will need to rent a car or motor-cycle. If you want to have the adventure by exploring the nature, you can get there by two miles walking distant. Because of the level of surfing difficulty here, this spot is intended for the professional surfers. Besides a fabulous Bali surf, Uluwatu is also famous with its 3 courts Uluwatu temple which are located on top of few hundred feet cliff.

Surfing in Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua Bali is definitely included in the list of the best spot for bali surf. Nusa Dua is located at the sout-eastern part of Bali. This place has a great reef where you will find a great range of waves perfect for surfing. You can stay on any of the most sumptuous hotels in the world spread around the area, and surfing is readily available within walking distance, from a beginner’s level to a challenging one for the serious surfers.

Bali Surf Map

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Diving in Tulamben Bali

Admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:37:00 +0000

When divers see calm waters on a sunny day, it is as if they are being called forth to heaven to enjoy diving in Tulamben Bali, the marine paradise.

When we arrived at Tulamben, one of Bali’s most frequented diving spots, the water was calm and there was a light breeze of refreshing wind. Nature’s beautiful welcome more than made up for our 2.5 hour drive from Sanur, where we had spent the night. Getting out of the car, there was a strong buzz of excitement among us.

Our diving guide from Bali Diving, Chris, seemed to sense our mounting enthusiasm and tried to speed up preparations for our adventure. But he still needed to stick to the procedure. He explained the diving plan after the usual dos and don’ts briefing.

“We are going to dive at the following spots: the US Liberty Shipwreck, Coral Garden and the Drop Off,” he said, pointing to the underwater map.

While some people were still putting on their BCD (Buoyancy Control Device), Chris signaled to those who were ready to go with him. We walked some 100 meters along the sandy beach from the Paradise Resort, our base camp, to begin our adventure, diving to the entry point site.

Chris reminded us to walk carefully when we were approaching the edge of the beach, which was full of volcanic stones as big as adult’s fist.

In a day at least 50 divers visit the diving site. They usually came in groups and the must-see spot was the shipwreck location.

“When holiday season comes the number (of divers) can double,” Chris said.

The US Liberty shipwreck, which was torpedoed by the Japanese army during World War II, attracts divers to Tulamben. Those who prefer snorkeling can enjoy the ship stern for it is only located some 6 meters under the water surface with average visibility of 12 to 30 meters.

History has it the ship, which sunk in Lombok waters, was about to be towed to Singaraja port in North Bali but as Singaraja was already occupied by Japan army, the shipwreck was rerouted to Tulamben beach.

Mount Agung’s powerful volcanic eruption in 1963 pulled the shipwreck deeper to the seabed – its present home -where it is heavily covered with anemone, gorgonian and coral.

When we reached the shipwreck, two schools of bright, silver trevally fish swam past us as if patrolling the site. They perfectly contrasted with the dark sand.

Hundreds of trevally moved in circles. They swam around the shipwreck and did not seem afraid of us. Locally known as kuwe, the trevally even approached some divers. Chris got an amazing welcome from surgeonfish that swarmed him as if performing their welcoming dance. Fishes in Tulamben are indeed friendly and recognize no fear – unlike in other less visited diving spots.

I remembered when I got a similar warm welcome from a school of small fishes in Bunaken, North Sulawesi. It was a priceless moment. The fishes not only “danced” around me but they also “kissed” my diving mask.

So when I saw what happened to Chris, I lifted my underwater camera and began pressing its shutter release to capture the precious moment and other beauties nearby.

If we observed carefully enough, we could spot ikan sebelah (flounders) and blue-spotted stingrays that hid beneath the sand, waiting for their lunch.

Not far from the shipwreck, I saw dozen of garden eels, eating floating planktons. Their bodies danced to the gentle sea currents that moved gently in this site. Many others rested with half of their bodies submerged in the seabed.

Our second destination was the Coral Garden, which was located right in front of the Paradise Resort. This garden is 2 to 15 meters depths, making it the perfect destination for snorkeling.

This spot has both soft and hard coral with light density. Yet, they were rich with marine life, including Napoleon fish, pipefish, parrotfish and clownfish. Even barracudas, which had sharp teeth, were seen swimming nearby when we got there. Chris said divers could come across blacktip sharks if they were lucky.

Columns between the soft and hard corals were the perfect hideout for shrimps. Local divers called them cleaner shrimps. One type was red and white but there was also one with combinations of red, white and green.

Fellow diver Emily Douglas from US was intrigued to find out if the shrimps were natural vacuum cleaners. She extended her hands to the shrimps, which immediately swarmed her hands and performed their famous duties.

Because of its average depth and generous light, this spot was also known as a perfect site for night-diving and heaven for hunting objects for macro-photography.

Our last destination was the Drop Off, located on the right side of Coral Garden. We walked to go to the side and had to go through the rocky beach.

The Drop Off site was formed naturally by a volcanic eruption. Our adventure began on a sandy slope, which was the starting point of the standard dive at Tulamben. At the end of the slope we could see the Drop Off’s topography in the form of vertical walls whose depth could reach tens of meters.

The wall was heavily decorated with sponges and black coral. The marine life at this site is not very different to the Shipwreck site. There were butterflyfish, angelfish, Moorish idols and many other small fish with striking colors. Coral fish like groupers and anthias can also be seen at this site. Lucky divers can spot bigger fishes like whitetip and hammerhead sharks.

In general, Tulamben waters have relatively good visibility ranging between 12 and 30 meters. Its subtle currents make this place suitable for divers of any level.

Visiting Tulamben is a must for divers whenever they are in Bali. A growing number of diving operators are proof of the growing popularity of this recreational sport. Dive operators usually offer transport and accommodation, as well as alternatives to diving and snorkeling.

Tulamben has been included among spots recommended by nearly all diving operators, and is one of the best places to begin your underwater adventures. Nusa Lembongan Island and Nusa Penida Island are also very popular dive site.

Source : TheJakartaPost

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Exploring Mount Rinjani Lombok

Admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:51:00 +0000

Mount Rinjani Lombok is one of Lombok Attractions. As you probably know, there are several active volcano in Indonesia. Mount Rinjani Lombok is one of active volcano. It is one of big mountain which is 12,224 feet or 3,726 meters, this making Mount Rinjani as the second of the highest volcano in Indonesia.

September 1847 was the first historical eruption of Mount Rinjani. The latest eruption of Mount Rinjani was on 1 October 2004. The volcano and beautiful Segara Anak lake are protected by national park which is founded in 1997. About 6 km 8.5 km oval caldera partially by a lake known as Segara Anak (about 2000m above sea level is at 300 and 200 meters deep), contains the caldera – including Hot Springs. An explosion in the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 were something of Gunung Baru or New Mountain about which is anout 2,300 meters above sea level), it is in the center of the caldera and lava from the eruption in the lake.

In the top of the mountain mostly are forests clad. In the lower area there are rice plantation, tobacco, soybeans, coffee, cotton, vanilla and cinnamon. They are the main crops in the fertile soil of the Lombok island.

Mount Rinjani National Park is located in the main field of bio-geographical transition area called Wallcaeae, where the flora and fauna of Southeast Asia meet the Australia. The National Park was established in 1997. The people of Lombok (Sasaknese) and Balinese are so alike. Mount Rinjani Lombok was respected and sacred for people in Lombok. The Crater Lake is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people each year. Pilgrims offering water to bathe and clean the disease in the spa.

For visitors, the 3 days route of Rinjani trek from Senaru to the crater edge, you can go down to the Crater Lake, and after that go on to Sembalun Lawang,this place is considered as one of the best treks in South East Asia. The Trekkers who like adventurous usually go to the summit, the close way from Sembalun Lawang returning after 4 days to Senaru. If you like, you can join the communities to help with the National Park and tourism revenues. Mt. Rinjani Trek is organized by a company of National Park officials, the private and public sectors of community representatives and industry of Lombok tourism. The community give very cooperatives coordinate of the trek in the Rinjani Trek Center (RTC), it is located in Senaru and also in Sembalun Lawang at the Rinjani Information Center (RIC). Each of them has scheduled system to guide and they also have some porters, activities for touring around the village and find the handicraft sales.

The benefit of entry fees and tourism activities can be used for conservation, management, raining and assisting the National Park and to maintain Rinjani Trek, so that need to making sure sustainability. Overseeing and supporting these activities is the Rinjani Trek Management Board, combining the authority of the central government (National Park) and local government (tourism office), with the voices of Lombok tourisms private sector, and the boundary communities. This institutional model is unique in Indonesia and considered an example for practical implementation of the ideals of ecotourism.

How to get to Mount Rinjani ?
You can manage the transport to Senaru or Sembalun Lawang. These two village can be reached by private and charter vehicle, or by public bus. Form the west, catch a bemo to Anyar, from where bemos travel to Senaru about every 20 minutes until 4 pm. If you are coming from, or going to, eastern of Lombok Island, get off at the junction near Bayan (your driver will know it), from where bemos go to Senaru. To Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbun, from Kali Putih to the north, a few bemos run along the rough road to both villages, usually only in the morning.

Segara Anak Lake
Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea. Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.

Eternal Flower or Edelweis
The plant or the flowers should not be taken because it grows in the park and in the mysterious world of the spirit kingdom. In the past, someone who wanted this flower must be brave enough to fight and gamble his soul. That is why the flower is called Sandar Nyawa. The flower has never wilted and is as old as the mysterious spirits.

The Peak of Rinjani
The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the queen spirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani lives. To the south-east from the peak in a sea of dust called Segara Muncar is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her followers.

Mount Baru Jari
Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that Gunung Baru is the navel of Mt. Rinjani. That is why if Gunung Baru erupted it will not harm the people of Lombok unless the eruption is from the peak of Mount Rinjani Lombok.

Map Of Mount Rinjani Lombok

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