Bali Mandara Toll Ride You on The Sea

Bali Mandara Toll road is the first toll road which links Denpasar city, south Kuta, Badung regency and Ngurah Rai international airport. The Toll is constructed above the water with 12.7 kilometers of length. During the construction, several mangroves around the shore were cleared. This action has become controversy among environment activists. The construction has been completed in 14 months and it was officially opened by the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the 23rd of September 2014. The purpose of this Toll construction is to prevent traffic jams on Bypass Ngurah Rai Road. 

The meaning of "Mandara" is an acronym of some Indonesian word. The words consists of Maju (to move forward), Aman (safe), Damai (peaceful), and Sejahtera (prosperous). The fee charged to use this Mandara Toll is Rp 10.000 for cars and Rp. 4000 for motorcycles. The Governor of Bali this toll would be a new icon that becomes the pride of the island of Bali.

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Beratan Lake Offers a Magnificent view

Bedugul is a mountain lake resort in Bali. One of the most famous tourist destination in Bedugul is Beratan Lake. Beratan Lake is the largest lake in Bali located in Bedugul, Tabanan regency, about 48 kilometers north of Denpasar city. Beratan lake is a shallow lake, the deepness is about 22 meters and the wideness is about 3.8 square kilometers. The lake is situated 1231 meters above sea level. In the Beratan lake, visitors can do activities such as sightseeing and water recreation. The various water recreation activities are riding a boat around the lake, Parasailing, traditional canoeing, water skiing and fishing are also available. There are also many hotels and restaurants around the lake. Visitors can enjoy some meals while viewing the beautiful lake and the fresh scenery, visitors are also able to spend an over night in the lake area.

Visitors can access to the Beratan lake through a small port provided or stop over at Ulun Danu Temple. Ulun Danu temple is another tourist destination in Bedugul. It is a unique temple located in the lakeside of Beratan with beautiful lake view and hills surrounding the temple. It consists 4 different temples.

• Lingga Petak Temple: is to worship the Siwa God.
• Penataran Puncank Mangu Temple: is to worship the Wisnu God.
• Terate Bang Temple: is to worship the Brahma God.
• Dalem Purwa Temple: is to worship the Laksmi Goddess

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Water skiing in Beratan Lake

Traditional boat riding around Beratan Lake

Ulun Danu Temple:

Git-Git Waterfall Bless a Fresh Atmosphere

Git-git waterfall is a famous tourist destination in the north part of Bali which is located in Git-git countryside, Sukasada sub district, Buleleng regency, about 10 kilometers from Singaraja and about 70 kilometers from Denpasar city. The waterfall is set at height land about 300 meters above sea level surrounded by tropical trees. The entrance fee is Rp 3.000, on the sides of the road there are several souvenir shops. To reach the waterfall, visitors must follow the walkway down until the spot point. The air is cool and it will get cooler as we approach the waterfall, sometimes it might get misty.

There are several types of waterfalls with different shapes and heights. The first waterfall is The Twin Falls, this fall consists of two waterfalls which is sheltered in a narrow cliff surrounded by green trees. The second waterfall is a continuation of the first waterfall the difference is that this fall is higher than the Twin Fall and looks like white clouds falling from the mountain. The third waterfall is called Waterfall Story, you can only see this waterfall from the bridge.

Besides the beautiful waterfall, visitors may also have a chance to see wild monkeys and listen to birds take turn to sing. Not far from the waterfall area, there is a relaxing place where you can take rest while viewing the beautiful rice terrace and Buleleng beach.

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The Git-git Temple	Git-git Main waterfall
The Git-git waterfall bridge	Git-git river
Twin Falls

Balinese Black Rice Pudding Satisfaction

Bubur Injin or Black Rice Pudding is a Balinese pudding made with black rice and coconut milk. Black rice has a high value of nutrition which contain several important vitamins. This pudding is often served for breakfast, afternoon tea, as well as desert. It is a simple and delicious desert. 

Soaked black rice is boiled with Pandan leaf and cinnamon stick until the texture is soft enough to eat. Some palm sugar and salt will be added to the black rice. When the mixture is ready, the Pandan leaf and the cinnamon stick will be removed and the pudding will be spooned to a small bowl.The Black Rice Pudding is mainly served with coconut milk. Some shredded coconut, fresh fruit and ice cream can also be added to the pudding to give more sweetness. This pudding is served in many restaurants in Bali, you can also find this pudding in traditional markets easily.

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Simple Black Rice Pudding	Black Rice Pudding served with fruits
Black Rice Pudding served with ice cream	Boiled Black rice, Shredded coconut and coconut milk

Sukawati Art Market | A Source Balinese Souvenir

Sukawati Art Market or Pasar Seni Sukawati is an art market located in Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency. It is approximately 15 kilometers northeast from Denpasar and it can be reached within 1 hour from Denpasar. Sukawati Art Market was established in 1980 referred as Bali's most popular and long-standing art market in Bali. This market is one of the busiest market in Bali especially on holiday seasons, opened daily from 8am to 7pm. Visited by both local and foreign people.

For the locals, they come to this market for sourcing households and daily necessities. But for foreigners and tourists, Sukawati Art Market is one of the best souvenir center and shopping destination in Bali. Compared to other art markets in Bali, such as Kuta and Nusa Dua, the prices that are offered in Sukawati Art Market is much cheaper. The typical things you can find in this market are paintings, wooden arts, handicrafts, traditional kites, Balinese handmade bags, accessories, batiks, shirts, sarongs, candles, aromatherapy, small Balinese souvenirs, Balinese ceremonial items and many other interesting art crafts.

On your first visit, it is better to spend your time browsing through the whole market to compare the quality and the prices of the items. There may be some peddlers offering their ware to visitors. Patience is needed. All items that are sold in this market can be bargained up to 50% of the actual price, it depends on the stall owner. It is also important to check the quality and the condition of the item before you purchase the item.

Some Items That are sold in Sukawati Art Market:

Bajra Sandhi Monument Bali's Historical Site

Bajra Sandhi monument is a monument located in front of the Bali Governor's office in Renon, Denpasar. This monument is dedicated to immortalize the struggle of Balinese from time to time during 3000 BC. The great pillar arises above 45 meters to symbolize the indonesian independence. Inside the monument there are many miniature scenes of Balinese people over the years. The entrance fee to Bajra Sandhi is Rp 10.000, opened from 8:30-16:30 and closed during Hindu holidays. The monument is surrounded by a very large park, it is known as the city park by the locals. The park is popular and used for many occasion for the locals such as sport activities and some other local events.

The monument is divided into 3 areas (Tri Mandala)

1. Utama Mandala: is the main building in the middle.
2. Madya Mandala: is the courtyard that surrounds Utama mandala
3. Nista Mandala: is the outer courtyard surrounding Madya mandala

The main building (Utama Mandala) consists of three floors. Utamaning Utama Mandala, is placed on the third floor of the monument. Visitors can see a great view of Denpasar from this floor. Madyaning Utama Mandala, is placed on the second floor. In this floor, Visitors can see 33 different miniature of Balinese people's struggle. Nistaning Utama Mandala is the ground floor of the building. In the ground floor, there are information room, exhibit rooms, and conference room.

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Top view of the monument
View from the monument	View from the Utamaning Utama Mandala
Inside the monument	One of the miniature
Stairs to reach the Utamaning Utama Mandala	Bajra Sandi monument at night
	The entrance of the monument

Balinese Theatrical Wayang Kulit Performance

Wayang Kulit or known as Shadow Puppet is a famous theatrical expression in Bali. Kulit means skin or leather. In a Wayang Kulit performance, shadow images are projected in a white screen with a coconut oil lamp or electrical lamp as its source of light. The stories are usually about Hindu epics such as Ramayana and Mahabrata. But other stories from Indonesian history and myth are also performed.

The Wayang is manipulated by the puppeteer or shadow artist (Dalang) who tells the stories accompanied by Gamelan orchestra and sometimes some singing. The Gamelan players respond to the timing and direction of the Dalang. Most characters in the performance speak in language of Kawi or ancient Javanese. Indonesian audiences may not understand the language, for that, there is a translator who impart the story to a well known language.

Wayang performance that are performed at night is considered as an entertainment performance. While performance that are performed in day light without coconut lamp is considered as a religious performance. Religious Wayang performance are usually performed in a Ngaben ceremony or cremation ceremony.

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A Dalang performing a Wayang kulit performance
Some Wayang kulit characters