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Environment
Environmental
Attractions
The stunning beauty
of Bali's landscape enchants travellers at every turn. There
are, however, some special spots that the visitor to Bali
who is seeking that perfect postcard photograph, searching
for more knowledge about Bali's environment, or simply
looking for an afternoon of tranquility in harmony with
nature should be sure not to miss.
The Bali Barat National Park,
located on the west coast of the island, is one of only ten
national parks in Indonesia. This 76,312 hectare park,
encompassing 10% of the total area of Bali, offers a rare
glimpse into Bali’s past, before the island was
transformed by human habitation. Responding to the threat to
Bali’s last remaining virgin forest from rampant timber
cutting and expanding development, the Indonesian government
acted in 1984 to set aside the park as a preserve,
protecting the centuries-old trees and the habitat of
several endangered species, giving a true gift both to the
foreign visitor and generations of Balinese to come. Today
the park is open to tourists with the appropriate permits
(ask your travel agent to make arrangements), and is used
for projects in the controlled use of natural resources.
Within the borders of the
park there is a fascinating range of activities available to
the visitor. Hikers can explore the trails that wind their
way through the tropical, jungle-like environment of the
southern portion, or the deciduous forests and low-lying
mountain range that make up its northern section. Camping
can also be arranged for those travellers who wish to spend
a night under the impossibly bright stars in a true
wilderness setting. For the day tripper, there are some
interesting sites located within the borders of the park. At
Banyu Wedang there is a volcanic hot spring rumored to
possess magical healing properties. Not far from the
springs, there is a spot marking the final resting place of
Jayaprana, Bali’s legendary Romeo, who was duped by an
evil king into undertaking a false mission so the
underhanded ruler could steal the love of his Juliet, the
famed beauty Lyonsari. Jayaprana was killed on his quest,
but the faithful Lyonsari refused the hand of the king,
choosing instead to commit suicide and follow her beloved
into the afterlife. Perched on top of a hill, the temple
devoted to Jayaprana is amusingly kitschy, with glass cases
enclosing statues of the ill-fated couple, but the views
stretched out below are pure paradise.
Other popular activities in
Bali Barat include snorkeling and diving off the coast of
Pulau Menjangan, a small island on the northern edge of the
park. Here, away from the crowds of the more touristed
south, an exhilarating undersea panorama of colorful corals
and iridescent tropical fish, renowned as the best dive spot
in Bali, is to be found.
Near Bedugul, eleven
kilometers south of Singaraja, the Gitgit Waterfall is a
stunning sight not to be missed. The 45 meter high falls
roar down a steep stone cliff into a mist covered pool
below, where travellers can cool off with a swim or rest
their tired feet in the refreshing waters of the rushing
river below. For those searching for the ultimately romantic
spot to spread out an open air feast, there are picnic
facilities available at the site, offering spectacular views
of the dramatic falls.
The Taman Burung or Bali Bird
Park is another fantastic place to witness the natural
wonders of Bali. Nestled in the cool foothills between
Denpasar and Ubud in the village of Batubulan, the Bali Bird
Park offers an amazing array of colorful, unusual avian
attractions in a spectacular tropical garden setting. Over
1,000 birds -- ranging from the rare, endangered Bali
Starling, a small white bird with a brilliant streak of
turquoise blue encircling its eyes, to kaleidoscope colored
Peacocks, blush pink African Flamingos, and jewel toned
Birds of Paradise -- inhabit the two hectare grounds, whose
walkways are lined with lush foliage and spectacular lotus
ponds.
The Bali Bird Park also
boasts a walk-in aviary, where one can wander through a
thick canopy of dense rainforest with birds flying free
singing songs overhead. The park is a wonderful place for
children, who will be entranced by the rare Cassowaries,
huge, lumbering birds as big as dogs, and the tame Cockatoos
who will come to rest on your arm to pose for a picture.
There is also a lovely restaurant inside the park, where you
can have "breakfast with the birds" or a cup of
iced cappuccino to cool you off after your relaxing stroll
through the gardens.
Right next door to the Bali
Bird Park there is also a Reptile Park, where you can take a
peek at an exotic Komodo Dragon, a creepy crocodile, or
dozens of other reptilian attractions sure to enthrall the
kids and send shivers up the spines of their parents.
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