LAKE BATUR & MOUNT BATUR
'Danau Batur, set inside the massive crater where rise the Mt Batur, is the largest mountain lake in Bali. The crater, the surroundings, the Mt Batur are all parts of the magic of Lake Batur.
Danau Batur, home to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun, the Goddess of the lake, is a holy place. Pura Ulun Danu Batur, in Songan, was built to honor her and is probably one of the oldest temples in Bali. The original temple was on the lakeside, but was moved after the 1926 earthquake that claimed thousands of lives. Many travelers make a stop during the day in Toya Bungkah, stay at night and go climb Gunung Batur to reach the top at sunrise.
Unfortunately, Mt Batur is a special place with special rules. The Association of Mt Batur Trekking Guides regulates the trekking business a bit like a mafia: To put it in a simple way, if you’re not with them, you’re against them! Many unfortunate travelers and trekkers have experienced insults and threats of violence simply because they wanted to hike by themselves. People coming by car are advised to pay someone to watch over their cars If you want to avoid this, agree to hike with one of the guides, or you can get away from the crater and head to Blandingan: The Trekking Guides control everything inside the crater, but their influence stop outside of it.
If you’re still up to hike to Mt Batur’s summit, you have 3 choices:
The short way: From Serongga. Walking from there to the summit takes between 30 minutes and one hour.
The medium way: From Toya Bungkah, go around the rim and come down on another route.
The long way: From Toya Bungkah, hike around the rim to the Western side, continue to Batur 2 and 3 and come back to Toya Bungkah or Yehmampeh. It should take about 8 hours.
Despite the bad attitude, the region remains a breathtaking sightseeing experience. Lying on the Western Shore of Lake Batur, Toya Bungkah is a spectacular place. Toya Bungkah has 3 natural hot healing springs: Tirta Bungkah, holy waters from the mountain. Tirta Empul, holy waters from the valley. Tirta Selukat, holy waters from the ocean.
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ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Bali has sure seen the birth and progress of numerous bands this year, and here we are, happy to do our part related to the births and happenings related to the island's music scene! We are sure passionate to cheer for the newcomers to make their way and earn their place, of course starting in the local scene. This week we...
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