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DENPASAR
Municipal city
Denpasar covers
125,42 square kilometers of land with an elevation ranging from
12 to 75 meters above sea level , and consisting of 3 kecamatan.
The Kecamatan of East Denpasar, South Denpasar , and West Denpasar.
The population of Denpasar is about 360,000 people. Even thought
the town is relatively busy, especially its crisscrossing traffic,
the atmosphere in this town remains pleasant because of the relaxed
Bali influence. The average temperature in this town is 28 degrees
Celcius, the humidity varies between 60 and 97%
Denpasar
Places of interest
·
SAKENAN TEMPLE
Is built in the 13 Th Century by a holy priest namely : " Dang
hyang Dwijedra " on a small island very close to the Benoa
Harbour and Nusa Dua Local outrigger sailing canoes can be hired
from sanur for an hour's scenic sail down the coast, or motorized
canoes . Now, it can be reached through a roadway in approximately
15 minutes to the east of Kuta
· JAGAT
NATHA TEMPLE
One of the most beautiful temples of Denpasar is the Central Pura
Jagat Natha, at the Northeast corner of puputan Square. This temple
comes alive at the full moon ceremony, when worsppiers from all
over the city gather to bring offerings and devotions. On the main
street of Denpasar, its restful sahede and gnarled frangipani trees
offer a welcome contrast to the hubbub of city traffic. Also, you'll
find the market temple, Pura Melanting, where busy vendors pause
to make their offerings for a prosperous day.
·
MUSEUM
BALI
On the eastern side of the historic Puputan Square in Denpasar is
the Museum of Bali, built by the Ducth in 1932. The Original collection
was put together with the assistance of a German painter. Well apportioned
exhibition halls display an excellent collection of Balinese artifacts
from prehistoric to contemporary times, including weapons, dance
costumes, Ming ceramic, cloth and paitings.
·
BENOA
Just north of the Nusa Dua complex, takes one on to the narrow peninsula
of land, which terminates in the small village of Benoa. From the
concrete pier, you can see over the Serangan Island, lying low on
the water. From this fishing village, people can depart daily by
the Cruise ship . Out in the bay , is an anchorage for ocean - going
yachts and The Bali International Yachts also has a base here.
·
SANUR
On the Eastern coastline, sheltered by the coral reef, the waves
here are much gentler than other areas of Bali. Sanur is a multitude
of contrasts. As in the past , Fisherman still wander the beach
and the colourful outrigger canoes can be hired for sailing trips
along the coast and outlying island. In the last two decades the
once sleepy village of Sanur has become an elite international resort
with huge hotel complexes offering first class accommodations and
every modern facility to visiting tourists.
·
WERDI BUDAYA
Was built in 1973 to the design of the prominent Balinese architect.
Ida Bagus Tugur, as a showplace for Bali's performing and fine arts.
Strategically situated on Jalan Nusa Indah, Abian Kapas, Denpasar,
the Art Center has three art galleries, including one permanent
pavilions, including the huge open stage and arena, Ardha Chandra.
Local artist,dance and drama groups, and the music school, STSI
, all utilize the seminar and exhibition halls on regular basis.
Since 1979, the Festival pf the Arts has been instigated as an manual
fixture at the Art Cente
Denpasar is the bustling commercial heart of Bali. JI. Gajah Mada
is the main street, running east-west. It changes names to JI. Dr.
Wahidin to the west and JI. Surapati to the east. The center of
commercial activity is on JI. Diponegoro and JI. Teuku Umar. Prices
in US dollars. AC = Air conditioning. Telephone code is 0361.
The airport taxi
co-op counter is outside customs, near "left luggage".
The set fare is Rp35,000 to Denpasar. Buy a ticket at the counter
for the sedan taxis. To take a bemo, walk out to the main road as
far as the impressive white charioteer statue on the corner (about
1.5 km). From there, flag down a blue bemo van-it will take you
down to "bemo corner" in Kuta for Rp1.500, where you can
get another bemo to Denpasar. Metered taxis operate outside the
airport-make sure they start the argometer before you take off.
DENPASAR
Traffic is heavy and streets are often jammed during peak
season. The four-wheeled bemos serve the inner city, while the four-wheeled
versions serve the suburban terminals. Fare for a terminal to terminal
journey is Rp 1,000. Bemos can also be chartered for jaunts around
town, but it's easier and more economical to take the Praja (orange,
phone 289090), Pan Wirthi (green, Phone 723366) or Bali Taxi (blue
Phone 701111), Kowinu Taxi (Brown 773030) metered taxis. Fare at
flag fall is Rp3,000; minimum fare for ordering by phone is Rp6,000.
Taxi-motorcycles (ojek) are available. You can hire a dokar
(horse cart) for about Rp.10,000 per km. However, the best way to
get around Denpasar is on foot. The city is relatively small and
you'll want to look in the shops anyway. For tourist services see
Travel Advisory.
Eating out
in Denpasar
Denpasar is a
great place for all styles of Indonesian and Chinese food. Prices
are very reasonable. Many good restaurants are found on JI. Teuku
Umar, JI. Sumatra and on JI. Veteran, near the Satria bird market.
Also check out the night markets and food centers.
-
Ayam Baker
Taliwang JI. Teuku Umar. Spicy hot Sasak (Lombok) style cuisine.
Specialties: plecingkangkung(swamp spinach) and grilled chicken.
-
Bundo Kanduang
JI. Diponegoro 112 A, near Kerta Wjaya Shopping Center. Best
Padang food in town: open 24 hrs.
-
Rumah Makan
Sumatra is another Padang option, JI. Teuku Umar 88X.
-
Hong-Kong
Restaurant JI. Gajah Mada 99. The local favorite for Chinese
food. Or, try Rasa Sayang on JI. Teuku Umar, a popular place
for great Chinese fare, including seafood.
-
Kak Man
JI. Teuku Umar. Authentic Balinese food in a Bali kitch setting.
-
Gula Lunak,
JI. Teuku Umar 120, for Balinese food in a nice atmosphere and
outdoor seating option.
-
Balinese
chicken is a specialty at Warung Satria, Jl. Kedondong 11A,
Phone 235993, and JI. Tunjung Sari 65. They open at 9am and
10am respectively.
-
Or, try
the suckling pig at Warung Nasi Gemah Ripah, JI. Supratman 118.
-
Ikan Bakar
Rica on JI. Teuku Umar is known for its seafood and Manadonese
menu.
-
Mie Ayam
Jakarta JI. Veteran. Famous for its Chinese mie (noodles) and
bakwan (meatball) soups.
-
Prambanan
Restaurant JI. Hayam Wuruk 30XX, next to the RRI radio station.
Great Javanese food in a beautiful wooden building.
-
Soto Ayam
Suroboyo JI. Veteran, near Satria bird market. Specializes in
soto (chicken soup) and other East Javanese dishes, such as
ayam kampung goreng and ayam kampung bakar (free range fried
and grilled chicken). And go to Warung Sate Muslim on JI. Thamrin
for the best sate in town.
-
There are
three good restaurants on Jalan Sumatra (near the Corsica newsstand).
Betty, at no. 56, serves Indonesian favorites such as mie goreng
and frogs legs for a couple of dollars.
-
Mie 88,
at no. 88, has delicious Chinese meat balls and the Depot Kikel
at no. 40-42, has good Javanese soto soup.
Night Markets
and Food Centers
For an authentic local experience check out one of Denpasar's night
markets (pasar malam), where you sit out under the stars and eat
at small food stalls. Open from sunset to 10 pm. The biggest is
at Kereneng terminal, another is outside the Kumbasari shopping
center. The food is mostly Javanese and Balinese.
For the whole range of local food in a cleaner, if less exotic,
environment try the food centers, located in the city's supermarkets
(see below).
Shopping in Denpasar : Denpasar is where Balinese villagers
come for all their day-to-day necessities. Most shops close at 1
pm, re-open 6 pm-10 pm.
Markets and
Supermarket
Pasar Badung is Bali's biggest traditional market. Located on the
eastern bank of the Badung river, it is in the heart of the city.
The first floor has fresh produce, flower offerings and spice vendors.
The third floor has textiles, dance costumes and traditional accessories.
At Denpasar's supermarkets and department stores prices are fixed
and cheap, and quality is high. The main ones are: Tiara Dewata,
Ramayana at Bali Mall, Matahari, Libi, Siwa, Kerta Wijaya, Atfa,
Dharma, and New Dewata Ayu.
For a good one-stop-shop, visit the Indonesian Export Gallery on
the 3rd floor of Bali Mall Ramayana on JI. Diponegoro for paintings,
handicrafts, home furnishings, batik and souvenirs.
Textiles -
Check out our Bali
products page
Modem textiles. Kampung Arab, JI. Sulawesi; or Toko Yadnya,
JI. Gajah Mada. Tailored clothes at Alus, JI. Gajah Mada; or Adhie,
JI. Sumatra.
Traditional textiles. Lestari on the ground floor of the Lokitasari
shopping center, JI. Thamrin, sells traditional songket fabric directly
from the loom. Danar Hadi, at the same shopping center, sells fashionable
batiks from Java. Take a look at Surya Jaya, JI. Gajah Mada 128,
for ikat. Kumbasari market, on the west bank of the river, also
has a wide variety of songket and batik materials.
Handicrafts
end Antiques
Check out our Bali
products page
Pasar Kumbasari and Pasar Badung have all sorts of Balinese crafts
for reasonable prices. Satria Art Market specializes in handicrafts.
Also try the craft shops on JI. Sulawesi and JI. Gajah Mada. For
genuine antiques, visit Arts of Asia, behind Lokitasari shopping
center, JI. Thamrin 27-37 .
Gold and Silver
Check out our Bali
products page
JI. Hasanuddin and JI. Sulawesi are full of gold shops. Prices are
comparable to Singapore or Hong Kong; the gold is 22-24 carat. Check
out the Balinese jewelry made of beaten gold on the second floor
of the Kumbasari market. Mega Art shop, JI. Gajah Mada 36-38, has
silver jewelry.
Coffee
Balinese coffee makes a great souvenir. Toko Bhinneka Jaya, JI.
Gajah Mada 80, is the biggest producer and distributor of coffee
in Bali. $3 per kilo for robusta; $4 per kilo for arabica.
Banks. These banks process advances against your credit card for
5% commission. Take your passport. Bank Central Asia (MasterCard),
JI. Hasanuddin 58, Phone 431012; Bank International Indonesia is
the Western Union agent, Jl. Dewi Sartika (Phone 234306).
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). These machines are abundant and
found in front of nearly every bank. Shopping centers typically
have several different banks' machines. Most accept banking cards
linked to international networks.
The Balinese
swarm to Denpasar for cultural attractions, so be prepared to
be caught in a big crowd of locals. On the eve of the Nyepi day
(Balinese new year), usually in March, hundreds of ogoh-ogoh papier
mach monsters are carried along the streets of the city. This extraordinary
torchlit cavalcade is reminiscent of a small scale South American
carnival.
Bali's annual arts festival is held from mid June to mid-July at
the Art Center off J1. Hayam Wuruk. A month of dance, discussions
and exhibitions. The Art Center also holds daily kecak dances at
6:30 pm. Barong performances at Kesiman at 9:30 pm.
Museum : Beautiful collections of terracotta, carvings, painting
and ceremonial costumes are found at the Bali Museum (Phone 222680),
on the eastern side of Puputan Square. Open Mon-Thurs 7:30 am-2
pm, Fri till 11 am, Sat until 12:30 pm. Closed Sunday.
Hospitals - Medical. Sanglah General Hospital, JI. Kesehatan
Selatan 1, Sanglah, Denpasar. Switchboard / Emergency, Phone 227911/5.
Kasih Ibu, JI. Teuku Umar 120 Phone 223036. Surya Husada, JI. Pulau
Serangan 13 Phone 233787. These smaller hospitals are a little less
daunting than the enormous general hospital and tend to provide
a quicker, more personal service.
Pharmacy. Apotik
Kimia Farma, JI. Diponegoro 123-125, Phone 227811.
Opticians. International
Optical, J1. Gajah Mada 133, Phone 426294; Lily Kasoem, JI. Teuku
Umar 74XX, Phone 238405; Optik Seis, JI. Thamrin 52, Phone 437467;
Tiara Optical, JI. Mayjen Sutoyo 55 at Tiara Dewata shopping center,
Phone 235733.
Postal services.
The central post office is on A. Raya Puputan, Renon. Open 8 am-8
pm. Other post offices: JI. Diponegoro, near Teuku Umar crossroads;
Jl. Kamboja, near Kereneng terminal; JI. Supratman.
Telecommunications
(Wartel). The main telecommunications (telkom) office is at JI.
Teuku Umar 6. Open 8 am-8 pm. Other telkom offices: JI. Raya Puputan
in Renon and JI. Kaliasem, near Puputan square. Smaller wartels
are scattered throughout the city.
Massage. Masseurs in Denpasar are more professional than
those at Kuta. Sari Ayu, JI. Nusa kambangan 35XX is a traditional
salon.
Movies and
Nightlife. Wisata Cineplex, JI. Thamrin (Phone 423024) has 5
screens. Galeria cinema 21 , phone
0361 767021 for the most up to date movies playing. Check out their
web site with movie schedules, you will love the midnight movies
-playing saturday nights.. I just love to watch Midnight in this
cinema - click
here
There's also the Kumbasari, J1. Gajah Mada. Check the Bali Post
for details. The Citra discotheque is on the top floor of the Kumbasari
building. Filled with local youth.
Photo Processing.
Tati Photo at JI. Sumatra and Fuji Image Plaza at J1. Thamrin are
quite professional. Have your portrait taken wearing a Balinese
outfit at Tati or Fuji Professional Photo, JI. Diponegoro 89 (Phone
226965), which is also the best slide processor on the island, with
one-day service.
Newspapers.
The Jakarta Post and Indonesian Observer are widely available English
language dailies.
Language Courses.
balinese language training. visit www.kecak.com
for more info about course and online booking.
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