The Neka Art Museum

If a Museum is only a collection of art or its buildings, then it has no purpose. A museum is successful only if it provides a sense of history, development, and continuity. While individual pieces can be fascinating by the themselves, when properly presented they all fit together like the parts of a puzzle and form a complete picture.

The Neka Art Museum, previously known as the Neka Museum, is unique because its collection of foreign artworks by Balinese, other Indonesian, and foreign artists all were inspired by the natural beauty, life, and culture of Bali. The high quality of the Neka Art Museum's collection serves as a source of inspiration, information, research, and education for many people in Indonesia and the other. In this way, future generations of artists, especially in Bali, can benefit from it and develop their place in the national and global communities, while visitors gain a better understanding and appreciation of Balinese art and culture. The Neka Art Museum now is recognized as an institute of international standing.

The Art of Bali's Museum

As one of tourism place in Bali, this museum Is an old building which still stand completely until now. It's located in centre of Denpasar city, or exactly it's located in east side of Puputan field Badung, in Great Pura Jagat Natha side.

This building has a long history. It's started at 1910, when "KPM" the Dutch Ship landed in Bali with many tourist inside. Since that, Bali become famous in other country and it makes many foreign tourist came to Bali. But it make many historical artefacts in Bali lost. In that condition, resident assistant Bali and Lombok Mr. WJF Kroon give order to Mr. Curt Grundler to make museum planning team which have order to made museum with combined temple and castle architecture. Their architect are I Gusti Gede Ketut Kandel from Bali and Curt Grundler from Germany. Cost and material to build that museum was supported by King of Buleleng, Tabanan, Badung, and Karang Asem. But, when the building almost finished at 1917, Batur mountain exploded. And it make some part of museum broken by the earthquake. In 1932, this museum finally finished and opened for public.

Bali's Museum consist of three pavilion, that is Tabanan building, Karang Asem building, and Buleleng building. The Museum concept is Tri Mandala. They are Nista Mandala (the outside), Madya Mandala (the outside before main), and Utama Mandala (the main). In the right side of front corner has a building which called "Bale Bengong". And in the left side of front corner has building which called "Bale Kulkul".

In Tabanan building there are many old times commodities like art commodities, accessory, household tools, ceremony tools, and many traditional weapons. Tabanan building has Tabunan regency architecture.

In Buleleng building with has north Bali style has many household, art, agriculture and fisherman, and entertainment tools, old sculpture which made of from soil, stone, and many more stored there.

In Karang Asem Building which has east Bali style many prehistoric, archaelogy, etnographi commodities and some modern painting displayed in there. Bali's museum has not less than 10.506 collection, include article, ceramic, ancient money and porcelain.

Candidasa Beach

Candidasa is a major destination of the tourists who come to Ubud, located in the Bugbug region, Karangasem district. Candidasa is known as a replica to Kuta beach because they had one thing in common, the white sand. It is suitable for water sports such as swimming, diving and snorkeling.
Candidasa is one of the tourism site that was developed starting in 1983. At first the name Candidasa is the name of a temple, the Pura Candidasa, located on top of a small hill and was built in the 12th century AD.
The white sand beach is actually named "Teluk Kehen", but in its development as the enactment of the interesting tourism site, Teluk Kehen changed into Candidasa tourism complex same as the name of the temple in there.
Natural charm that was developed as a maritime tourism can be an option to perform various activities, such as sun bathing, canoing, snorkeling, fishing, trekking through the hills, and which is not less interesting is the presence of small islands that can be reached by fishermen boats (called "jukung"). Those Small islands has a potential of beauty underwater coral reefs and ornamental fish.
One of the stories that became a myth about the existence of Candidasa temple and is believed by local people is a statue of Goddess Hariti located in a niche at the bottom of the cliff of the hill. It is said that Goddess Hariti narrated in the beginning was a Yaksa in Buddhism who likes to eat the flesh of children. But after getting enlightenment teachings of Buddhism, the Goddess then repent and turn to be protective and loving children.
The Hariti Goddess statue was sculpted next along with 10 children around her, as characteristic of the protective, loving, and also as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. Local people believe that the Goddess mother of Hariti means a lot to give gift of fertility and prosperity. Therefore the place is much visited and utilized by the husband - wife who has not been blessed with children to pray by bringing offerings dedicated to Goddess Hariti.

Tourism Destination : Singaraja

Singaraja is the largest city in north Bali. It has an area of 27.98 km² and population of 80,500. Singaraja was the Dutch colonial administrative centre for Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands until 1953. Singaraja was also an administrative centre for the Japanese during their rule.

Singaraja Beach

We can takes 2 or 3 hours to Singaraja from the south of Bali. We have three alternative route to Singaraja. First, from east via Kintamani, taking in the stunning active volcano and mountain vistas. Second, from west via Pupuan, through beatiful rice-paddies, spice and coffe plantations. And the last from central via Bedugul with famous market and botanical garden. Whichever route we can take, the journey is sure to be scenic and interesting.

Singaraja has some interesting place to visited such as Gedong Kirtya, a library and museum dedicated to the cataloging and preservation of old lontar scripts. Gitgit waterfalls which have water drops about 50 metres. Pura Meduwe Karang is a truly spectacular temple which located in Kabutambahan village about 10 km east of Singaraja. Pura Beji is a splendid pink sandstone temple with especially dramatic stone carving in Sangsit village, about 7 km east of Singaraja. And Air Sanih which placed about 15 km east of Singaraja is a quaint, tiny coastal village with a notable cold spring bathing area set in nice gardens.

Center of Art : Ubud

Ubud, which is located in Gianyar regency, offers arts and cultural attractions for visitors. Since the booming tourism in Bali, Ubud region also develop into a center for the arts in Bali crafts ranging from wood carvings, gold and silver handicrafts, paintings and other art. Local cultural life of Bali is still maintained strongly here. Not surprisingly, Ubud area is mostly used as a place for learning art of Bali by most of foreign tourist. They live here and the every day filled with learning how to interact with local residents.

Mas Village, Ubud region, known as a center of wood carving producing second to none. Almost along the road and the house you will find traditional Balinese art carvings in the gallery. As with the village craftsmen Celuk known as gold and silver, also a favorite place to get souvenirs. In the travel or tour route, the trip from Ubud you can continue to visit Kintamani

For accommodation needs, Ubud offers many options that offer a "private escape" atmosphere away from the crowd with a beautiful view of hills. Among Pitamaha resorts, Maya Ubud, Sayan Four Seasons Resort and other international class hotel is a small example.

Tanjung Benoa : Water Sport Heaven

For last ten years, Tanjung Benoa has totally changed from a dry place full of bushes and rock. Those changes makes Tanjung Benoa become an equal Tourism site such as Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua or Ubud. Even now, Tanjung Benoa is very famous to the world with it's identity as the first and biggest Sport Water place in Bali, and Indonesia.
Tanjung Benoa is located in Tanjung Benua district for about 8 kilometres north of BTDC (Bali Tourism Development Center) Nusa Dua. 15 minutes by car from the Ngurah Rai airport and 20 minutes from Kuta, Bali.

Water Sport in Tanjung Benoa

Long ago native peoples in Tanjung Benoa is a fisherman and seaweed finder. But now everything has changed to the tourism industry, especially Water Sport facilities. This Sea activity is very interesting. As example parasailing, banana boat, Jet Ski, Flying Fish, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Glass Bottom Boat + Turtle Island and other water sports can be enjoyed here.

All this sea sport activities can be done by tourist safely and comfort because it's guided by a proffesional instructor with many years experiences. Especially in the school holidays for domestic tourist and the summer holidays for international tourist, Tanjung Benoa will be full of tourist up to 2000 visitors.

* PARASAILING, is a game where you will use a parachute and pulled by a speed boat go around Tanjung Benoa beach. So just like real skydiving. The duration for one round is about 4 minutes in the air. Height of the rope connecting the parachute to a speed boat is approximately 80 meters. So it sure is pretty high.

* JETSKI, the game uses a vehicle on the beach like a motorcycle. For safety you can not ride your own jetski, you must be accompanied by an instructor, because there will be lots of ship and other watersport activities and you sure don't want to get any accident in your vacation. But it is to early to feel disappointed, because the instructor will only drive from the beach toward the sea, in the sea is up to you on driving the jetski. The duration of this activity is about 15 minutes. If you want exciting ride, try hitting the big waves there... then you will feel the real sensation of driving jetski.

* BANANA BOAT, using a single raft that has shape of a banana, you will be pulled by speed boat around the coast within 15 minutes. Banana boat can load up to 4 persons plus 1 instructor as a companion. Banana boat is a very exciting activity but make sure you got all wet when do this, because the real pleasure of water sport is... water and get wet of course!!!

* FLYING FISH, latest water activity in Bali. 3 pieces of banana boat rolled into one with an additional rubber boat across the front and has a wing in each side. Flying Fish is played by up to 3 persons, 2 people in the left and right side and 1 instructor in the middle. You can try riding position just like in motorcycle or just lay down on your back. Flying Fish will be pulled by speed boat going against the wind. Thus, will make the flying fish fly over the water for about 2 meters or more depending on wind speeds. Just like a kite. For those who love a challenge, never miss this game.

* SNORKELING, is swimming in shallow deep underwater to enjoy the beautiful view of the sea. The main requirements you should be able to swim. By using only swimming googles and fin, you chan enjoy lot of beautiful fish and coral underwater.

* SCUBA DIVING. Instead of snorkeling, diving is better. You will be given complete diving equipment, ranging from clothing, oxygen tanks etc... One participant will be accompanied by an instructor in the water, so do not worry. Before start diving, you'll be briefed about how to dive correctly. The depth for beginners is ranging between 3 feet - 7 feet in water for 40 minutes. The instructor will give you some food to feed the fish, so the fish will atracted to come near you, you'll see the beautiful underwater view filled with beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish.

* GLASS BOTTOM BOAT & TURTLE ISLAND, is the most suitable tour if you bring your little child along. With the boat that have clear glass in the bottom part, you will be invited to see the undersea view on the beach of Tanjung Benoa. As you threw the bread out of the boat, fishes will rise and they will eat the food you threw. There are hundreds of colorful fish. Similarly, with beautiful views of the ocean reefs. Once satisfied to see the view, the boat would slide into Turtle Island to see the turtle breeding locations, who are quite rare animal existence. Here you will see a turtle eggs dikeram, little turtles, middle aged to adult turtles who are ready to be parents. There are several kinds of turtles in this place. other than turtle, there are also other animals such as birds, bats, snakes, etc.. which is already tamed, so that you can hold them for a pciture. This activity takes about 1 hour.

Interested? Why not invite your family to enjoy your favorite water sports in Beautiful Tanjung Benoa.