Gitgit Waterfall : The Highest Waterfall in Bali

Bali Personal Drivers - Gitgit villages included in the district Sukasada, Buleleng regency, and is about 11 km from Singaraja, the capital of Buleleng. You can find the location of this waterfall if you're heading to Lovina Beach from Denpasar or Kuta area.

Introduction

In the Dutch colonial era which is headquartered on Persanggrahan Gitgit, the Gitgit waterfall attractions is well developed in 1939 by a Dutch government official named Dr.Chooykas, who at that time served as Chief Liefring Van der Tuuk, which is now known as Gedong Kertya. The Gitgit waterfall was once quite popular with the Dutch people so at the time, Gitgit waterfall known as "Ceburan Tuan" (a bathing place for Netherlands Sirs).
In the Gitgit village, actually there are several Waterfalls which is : Gitgit Waterfall, Bertingkat Waterfall, Campuhan Waterfall and Colek Pamor Waterfall. Among all the waterfalls which is known only two, ie Gitgit waterfall and Campuhan Waterfal (Twins). Gitgit waterfall is the highest waterfall in the island of Bali, while Campuhan waterfall is a waterfall that created by the meeting of two waterfalls. All of this waterfall is located not far apart, to the south of the site of the main waterfall, the Gitgit waterfall.
Gitgit Waterfall has a height of ± 45 meters with water coming from the various springs along the streams and the headwaters. While the springs that came out from the cliff wall are relatively constant. Because Gitgit area is supported by forests, springs which is the absorption from the Lake Buyan and Tamblingan have a very clear water quality, natural and pollution-free.

What is interesting here ...?

The Gitgit waterfall attractions is ideal for tracking lovers, because to achieve Gitgit waterfall you have to travel a fairly distance, with the terrain winding and up down. From the parking lot which is located on the main highway, you have to walk down the path as far as approximately 500 meters to the location of the ticket counter which is stood in the middle of the trees.

The trail has a width of 1 meter with terrain contour terraces up down and winding. The road is quite small, but it looks neat with a floor made ​​of paving and also iron fenced. Along the way, you can find the area of ​​cocoa, coffee, cloves, and nutmeg. There are also several stalls selling Balinese handicrafts.

Once you arrive at the ticket counter and pay the entrance fee, it means that you still have to walk another 700 meters to the waterfall. On your second trip, you will see a heavier terrain with a slope approaching 45 degrees. However along the way on your second trip, you will be treated to views of rice fields on the left and green canyon, on the right path. Sound of the waterfall can be heard from a distance of about 200 meters from the waterfall.

Getting closer, you will find the views of the forest which is more lush and the singing of birds in it. The path like splitting the jungle, and then the views began to change into a beautiful waterfall landscape.

Not far from the waterfall, there is a temple and a few steps ahead of its there is a pavilion. You can take a break here. All tired and achy will pay off once you reach the waterfall. Look at the beauty of the waterfall and enjoy the music of nature that comes from the rush of water that never faded, is very soothing the soul. You can also feel the cool mountain water which is in this place when you immerse your body into the pond under the waterfall.
If you still have time and energy, you can go to another waterfall to enjoy the beauty offered by these places.

Reference : commons.wikimedia.org, wisatadewata.com
Photo : commons.wikimedia.org

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Menjangan Island : The Beauty Underwater Scenery

Bali Personal Drivers - Menjangan Island stands majestically in the middle of the ocean with a backdrop of Mount Rawung, which is located in East Java. Located about 10 miles off the North West coasts of Bali, Menjangan Island is a small island belonging to the West Bali National Park. West Bali National Park itself consists of four islands, namely Kalong Island, Gadung Island, Bird Island and the last is Menjangan Island.
The word 'menjangan' in Javanese means 'kijang' or deer in the English language. The naming of this beautiful island, based on the presence of wild deer herd swam to the island a distance of 1.2 miles each spring. In this uninhabited island, the deers is widely seen but its population has declined. Therefore, the government made conservation effort and make Menjangan Island as part of the West Bali National Park. This is done to protect deer habitat from extinction and of course to preserve nature and biodiversity of Menjangan Island and the surrounding areas.

Menjangan Island is the first place where the diving activity, engaged seriously in Bali. In 1978, the Indonesian Navy sponsoring an event gathering or diving activities along with dive clubs in Indonesia, which consists of: POSSI, Ganesha, Nusantara, and Trisakti. The event became a turning point maketh Menjangan Island as a mainstay of international diving locations in Bali. Some participants of the event later also became a pioneer in the commercial diving operations in several areas throughout Indonesia.
Besides tourism, Menjangan Island is also used as a place of worship by the people of Bali. On this island there are Pura Segara Giri Kencana which initially is a border between the islands of Bali and Java and later became the forerunner of Menjangan Island.

What is interesting here ...?

With a stretch of white sandy beaches and colorful underwater garden, Menjangan Island is the perfect definition of The Beauty Underwater Scenery of Western Bali Sea. About 20 meters from the shoreline you can instantly find a sea wall with a depth that is quite challenging for those of you who love diving or do free dive. Thousands of marine life in them are very invigorating eye. Additionally the sea around the island of Menjangan is calm and clear, so that the island is frequently visited by photographers, because here they can get underwater objects that diverse and amazing.

Menjangan Island is also known as the best wall diving in Bali, because it has an underwater garden which is very bright and colorful and rich in marine life. Menjangan island surrounded by coral reefs which are marked with a "drop off" 60 meters and the complex rock formations. The rock formations formed a number of caves both large and small, which is home for coral reefs, soft coral, large groupers and moray eels. In small caves, many small snappers and batfish look pacing. The seabed of Menjangan Island is also rich in barrel sponges and sea fans are even able to reach a very large size. The Depth and the flows of its sea that quiet, making underwater gardens around Menjangan is the perfect place to live for tuna, jackfish, batfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and even sharks.

At a depth of approximately 45 meters, there is a point Anchor Wreck diving. As the name implies, there are shipwrecks complete with a rusty anchor. The location is known as "Anker" or "Kapal Budak" (Slave Ship). Allegedly this wreck is a Netherlands ship in the 19th century were sunk during World War II. This ship named Slave Ship for allegedly transporting slaves from Bali heading to Batavia (now Jakarta). On the inside the ship, found the crates of ceramics and glass bottles that have been overgrown with soft corals. When were these wrecks are likely to encounter turtles and sharks.

Eel Garden is a diving spot which is located in the western part of Menjangan and is touted as the best dive sites in the island of Menjangan. As the name implies, in this area there is a large colony of garden eels and sea fans. The dive begins from the wall at a depth of approximately 40 meters, which is rich in gorgonians and type of biota or other marine plants. This region is also famous because, its charm white sand, were sparkling at the edge of the shoreline.

Secret Bay is a diving spot which is a paradise for macro-photographers, video-operators, and marine biologists. There are no coral reefs in this shallow dives point (no more than 9 meters); its dive activity known as "muck diving". Located near the port of Gilimanuk, this dive region has a seabed volcanic sand (muddy) is grayed out and is a habitat for marine life is rare and endemic. In fact, recently several oceanographers found 4 species of anglerfish who first discovered, including the sargassum anglerfish, Spotfin anglerfish, and especially Tono anglerfish are specifically attracted great attention from marine researchers. Besides the rare fish, the region is home to a lot of types of sea horses such as dragonets, ghostpipefish, nudibranchs, lionfish, sea shrimp, ribbon eels, and so forth.

Menjangan Island offers fantastic diving experience for you. The ocean currents are usually pretty quiet and all levels of divers can enjoy this area. Sometimes appear sighting of whales, sharks, manta rays and sea turtles swim with remora fish on his back. Menjangan Island is The Beauty Underwater Scenery

You are interested to visit Menjangan Island ...?
Read first some extra information about this island below :

• If you want to Menjangan Island and you stay in the tourist area of Kuta, Sanur or Nusa Dua (within approximately 140 miles), it takes about 4 hours or more with a line through Denpasar to get to the small harbor named Labuan Lalang in Teluk Terima bay (Terima Bay). Labuan Lalang itself is a village which is used as a central point of information on West Bali National Park. From here, you can rent a boat that is intended as a transportation to heading to Menjangan Island. Do not forget, you also have to hire a guide here, because this is a national park. Another alternative is a boat ride from a small dock on the bay named Banyuwedang in the Teluk Banyuwedang (Banyuwedang Bay), which is next door to Mimpi Resort Menjangan.

• The boat used is a traditional boat that can accommodate up to 12 passengers (2 guide and 10 guests). And, this certainly can be shared, even if you are not in a group, you can get acquainted with a fellow traveler who has the same destination. Oh yeah, the boat rental is only for 4 hours. So, you cannot stay on Menjangan Island.

• A boat trip to Menjangan Island takes between 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the weather and the boat load. When you do activities dives, boat crew will be waiting for you in a tree house in the mangrove trees that they deliberately created as a place to rest.

• As an uninhabited island, Menjangan Island does not have the form of lodging accommodations, restaurants, shops, and more. The needs of accommodation is available in nearby islands around the area of West Bali National Park and or around Pemuteran. You should bring enough food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, and other items you might need. Prepare to dive support tools that you can rent at a nearby resort before you head to Menjangan Island. In Labuan Lalang snorkeling equipment rentals are available. If you want to take photos in the water, there is also an underwater camera rental.

• Menjangan Island beach itself also has a view that is not less beautiful. Besides a white sand beach, on the island of Menjangan you can also see the bat caves in the cliffs at the edge of the beach, and this can be distinctive sights for us to enjoy. Not surprisingly, many tourists who come here think that 4 hours is a very less time, because it is not enough to explore the beauty of Menjangan Island as a whole.

• The best time to visit and explore The Beauty Underwater Scenery in Pulau Menjangan is in April and November.

Reference : indonesia.travel/id
Photo : commons.wikimedia.org

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Lovina Beach : The Coast To See Dolphins

Bali Personal Drivers - Lovina beach, or so-called Lovina is one of the major tourist destinations in North Bali. Located about 10 km to the west of the city of Singaraja, Lovina Beach is located between two rivers in Kalibukbuk Village, Buleleng regency, Bali. Therefore, sometimes people call it, Kalibukbuk tourism area. If you depart from Denpasar, Sanur or Kuta to Lovina Beach, is approximately around 120 KM, and requires a travel time of nearly three hours. Lovina Beach is like from the south end to the north end of Bali.

What is interesting here ...?

The main attraction in the area of Lovina Beach is the wild dolphin who live in their natural habitat. Approximately 1 km from the beach of Lovina, hundreds of wild dolphins can be seen on every morning. By hiring a local fishing boat, you can get close and be able to directly see the funny and friendly behavior of these wild dolphins in the sea.
To be able to see the attraction of wild dolphins, you have to leave early when the sun will rise. Why ...?
Because the wild dolphins in this region appears only between 6 to 8 in the morning. At that hour, dozens of wild dolphins will exhibit their natural attractions. They are just there to swim on the surface or there are also hopping. Course this will make you amazed with the beauty of these marine animals and will be an exciting holiday experience for you.

Usually the tourists had gathered on the beach at around 5:30 am to go to sea. You can hire a fishing boat that had been prepared for the trip. The journey begins with a small boat that can only carry a maximum of 4 people in addition to the fishermen. The boat will take you approximately one to two kilometers to the sea to spot the wild dolphins usually appear.
On the way, you will feel the freshness and the coolness of ocean air which is slap your face. When you are far enough away from the mainland, Lovina looks from afar like a silhouette. You also be able to see the breadth of seascape while the boat kept away from the mainland. After arriving in the middle of the sea, the fishermen will be down to where the wild dolphins would normally appear. And if there is a group of wild dolphins that jump, the fisherman will tell the other boats in the around it, so the boats will add speed to chase a group of wild dolphins.

Of course you be able to record when the wild dolphins swim on the surface or jumping in the sea. However, there are times when the tourists do not get to see the wild dolphins. Occurrences of wild dolphins depends on natural factors such as the pair of sea water, wind direction and maybe your luck. Your action in pursuit of the wild dolphins will last approximately 3 hours. However, if you're feeling sick because of seasickness you should not hesitate to tell the fishermen to return to the mainland. While traveling back to the mainland, you can enjoy the warmth of the morning air and the scenery along the coast of Lovina which has become clear as the sun was shining with light.

Lovina Beach is a beach with black sand, which has a relatively calm waves and pristine sea water. Lovina Beach is a beach that is perfect for you who like diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, sailing, kayaking, or simply soak in the sea.
You can dive or snorkel at the beach to enjoy the beauty of the coral and various fish are quite friendly with the presence of divers. Indeed the underwater scenery of Lovina is not as beautiful as the other sea in Indonesia. However, you would be quite happy to play around with the fish in these waters. The beauty of the coral and fish in Lovina Beach is very eye-catching. On the beach, you can also find a variety of shells that diverse. You can take it to a collection of trinkets and souvenirs are natural and attractive.

If you are interested to visit Lovina Beach, please read first the additional information about this beach below :

• Lovina Beach distance from Denpasar, Sanur or Kuta indeed much, needed almost three hours of travel time. Frequently the long travel times become an obstacle for tourists to come to Lovina Beach. Even so, this can not be your excuse for not enjoying panoramic Lovina Beach at sunrise. That you should know also is, from the Lovina Beach you can watch the sunrise and sunset from this beach as well.

• Because the dolphin tour done in the morning, if you want to see dolphins and you stay in Denpasar, Sanur or Kuta, consequentially you have to wake up early in the morning, at least 3 am. Dolphins appeared in the morning from 6 am until approximately 9 am.

• If you object to get up early in the morning, the best recommendation to really enjoy Lovina Beach is to stay at least overnight in this area. If previously you stay in Denpasar, Sanur or Kuta, the most convenient option is to hire a car with the driver for two days.
  In Lovina area there are many resort, hotel, inn, homestay until restaurant with a variety of menu options, from Balinese menu, Indonesian menu until West culinary like Italian food. You simply adjust your budget when choosing lodging and restaurants. With you are stay at Lovina area, you do not need to rush wake up early, just to wake up at 5:30, and it looks like the dolphins will not going anywhere.

• THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT 100% the dolphins will be appear, all depends on natural factors. The fact of observation, 90% dolphin tours are offered, succeed to see the dolphins. The most important factor is the emergence of the weather. Sunny weather will be a magnet for dolphins to come to the surface. Months of April to October are the best months to Lovina.

• After you have completed the dolphins tour, other fun activities are snorkeling. You can rent snorkeling equipment around Lovina Beach with affordable price. Swimming activity can be your next choice. Lovina Beach is a quiet flow, relatively safe for the kids who want to swim.

• Your journey to Lovina Beach or return to Denpasar / Sanur / Kuta, through other tourist destinations such as Gitgit Waterfall, Bedugul (Beratan Lake and Bedugul Botanical Gardens) and Taman Ayun Temple. So, if you still have time you can visit these three sites, or any one its course.
  Note : The road from Denpasar/Sanur/Kuta to Lovina Beach is up-down and winding, prepare yourself for motion sickness.

• Lastly, do not forget to bring your camera to capture the beautiful moments : Lovina dolphins may appear next to your boat. Who knows ...?

Reference : wisatadewata.com, travel.kompas.com
Photo : flickr.com

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