GPS ACTIVITIES
TOURS
code : GPS-GO1
DENPASAR CITY TOUR (4 Hours)
Visit "WERDI BUDAYA"
ART CENTRE where there is an excellent permanent exhibition of
art and craft from all over Bali; proceed to PASAR BADUNG, the
major local market; on to BALI MUSEUM, where there is splendid
collection of Balinese arts and artifact from prehistoric to present
times.
Details
About
Denpasar :
As a microcosm both of modern Bali and modern Indonesia,
Denpasar is easier to understand than to see. Nevertheless, it
awaits the intelligent traveler who wants to learn about the future
as well as the past, and who wishes to take home more than just
a few images. So forget your lens for awhile. Forget the traditional
village Bali; have a look at the new urban Bali. In the very heart
of Denpasar, just behind the main artery of the city, Jalan Gajah
Mada one can see many traditional compound with their gates, shrines
and pavilions, in among the multi-story Chinese shop fronts Shrines
dwarfed by parabolic TV antenna Gods of the past versus gods of
the future? For a more typical look at Denpasar's villages, a
drive through the streets of the "villages" of Kedaton,
Sumerta, and particularly Kesiman will do.
Kesiman has
some of the best examples of the simple, yet attractive Badung
brick-style. Alas, dying witness to a passing grandeur, the Badung
brick-style is disappearing, replaced by the new baroque of the
Gianyar-style, and the ugliness of reinforced concrete. A "modern"
temple is also worth a visit the Pura Jagatnatha, right on the
central square of the city next to the museum. Built as a "world"
(Yagat) temple, its tallest building is a big padmasana "lotus-throne"
shrine that symbolizes the world as the seat of ParamaSiwa, the
"Supreme Siwa." Modern Hindu intellectuals meet there
for full-moon religious readings - a barometer of Bali's new monotheism.
For a look at modern Bali, go first to Taman Puputan square. Facing
the museum and the Jagatnatha Temple one sees the heavy-set, new
military headquarters. On the far right, the Balinese Catur Mukha
"God of the Four Directions" gazes impassively through
one of its four faces at the statue of the fallen heroes of the
puputan.
The Javanese-pendopo-styled
governor's residence closes the inventory of power symbols in
the center of town. "Chinese" Denpasar and the main
markets are a few blocks away, on JI. Gajah Mada, JI. Tharmin
and A. Hasanuddin. For modern Balinese architecture, do not miss
the new administrative complex in Renon. It is a landmark made
to stay, a projection of Balinese architects into their own future.
Go also to the Werdhi Budaya Art Center. New shrine of the island's
culture, it hosts a museum of the Balinese arts as well as stages
for dance and theater. On its monumental Ksira Arnawa stage are
held equally monumental displays of modern Balinese choreography.
For the local color, definitely don't miss the Pasar Malam. Pekambingan
night and food market.
code : GPS-GO2
UBUD VILLAGE TOUR (4 Hours)
Drive inland to CELUK, where
gold and silversmiths painstakingly forge delicate jewelry and
artifacts-, stop at MAS, center of wood-carvers; proceed to UBUD,
where almost each family home has its own gallery, and watch artists
at work on canvases of fine detailed scenes of everyday Balinese
life. Calls will be made at the RATNA WARTA MUSEUM of paintings;
the WENARA WANA monkey forest: PENGOSEKAN Village, a well-known
community of artists.
Details
About Ubud
:
No visit to Ubud is complete without a visit to the Puri Saren
palace at the main crossroads, with its maze of family compounds
and richly carved doorways by Lempad. The royal family temple,
Pura Pamerajaan Sari Cokorda Agung, is next door a storage place
for the family pusaka (regalia). To the west behind a lotus pond
by the Puri Saraswati palace (now a hotel), lies the superbly
chiseled Pura Saraswati temple of learning a clin d'oeil dedicated
to Ubud's artistic past. From the crossroads here, walk north
to Ubud's "navel" temple, Pura Puseh, with its delightful
sculptures. Next stop is the Puri Lukisan Museum to enjoy the
paintings and sculptures and the peaceful garden. The museum was
founded in 1953 by surviving members of Ubud's famed Pita Maha
movement. Painted panels that Lempad executed 40 years ago depict
the Balinese agrarian cycle.Another of the major "sights"
of Ubud is the so-called Monkey Forest Temple, 2 km to the south.
Stroll down
Monkey Forest Road to have a look at all the new shops and restaurants.
Before entering the temple itself, however, keep all edibles,
eyeglasses, earrings, etc., and hold on tight to your bags. These
rapacious thieves are dangerous if provoked. The Pura Dalem Agung
Padangtegal itself is an extraordinary "temple for the dead,"
with a covered gate or candi kurung. For further explorations
from here. Having gone east and south, now travel west along the
main road across the bridge to Campuan. Up to the left is eccentric
Filipino American painter Antonio Blanco's, gallery of extravagant
nudes and anecdotes. Farther up on the right is the Neka Museum
housing the best collection of paintings on the island. For more
contemporary art, visit the Sika Art Gallery in Sangginan, near
the Neka Museum, and the Komaneka Gallery, halfway down JI. Monkey
Forest.
Please email me at bali_info_4u@yahoo.com
for more information on the tours and/or booking info. I will
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