Karangasem
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| The regency of Karangasem has an impressive range of terain and covers about 2,000 square kilometers. The steep rise from the coast up to the mountains creates magical scenary. Dominating the regency is the VolcanoAgung, said to be the "Home" of the Balinese gods. In 1963, the volcano's last eruption killed more than a thousands people and many more people lost their land and became homeless. However, it also has given special value where hundreds of lorries and trucks thunder every day to transport sand stone for building materials. |
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Approximately 1.5 hour from Badung north of Padang Bai. There is most popular diving site or snorkeling in Bali. A shipwreck and a drop-off accesible from the beach offer easy access to colorful under water world. The magnificent coral viewing, also notorious for sharks, rays and a wide variety of beautiful fish live. Diving courses are also available.
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Bali's "mother temple", the largest temple in Bali, is over 900 meters up to the slopes of Gunung Agung. It has been regarded as a holy place since pre-historic times in Bali. The first recorded mention of its existence is from an inscription from the fifteenth century. Its has been regarded as a central, holy temple for the entire island. All the allegiances of the Balinese people come together at Besakih. Each Regency has its own temple within the overall compound, as do each of the caste groups.
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Protected for centuries from the outside world by its surrounding walls, the village of Tenganan has maintained its ancient pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of non-fraternization with outsiders. Tenganan is famous for its 'double ikat' woven material called gringsing, which is supposed to protect the wearer with magic powers.
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Just north of Karangasem, on the slopes leading up to Mount Agung, is Tirta Gangga, a veritable water playground designed by 6 princess in the Royal Family of Karangasem as a resting place. The exotic pools and water fountains sustained some damage during the eruption of Mount Agung, but the water gardens remain as serene, and tempting as ever to the weary traveler.