Culture

Bali National Golf Club

Located on the southern tip of the island within the Nusa Dua tourism complex, the luxurious Bali National Golf Club sits alongside a long stretch of white sand beaches and is just a 15-minute drive via toll road from the international airport. Parkland terrain, lush tropical jungle fauna, ocean views, coconut groves, high dunes and lakes all elevate your playing experience here. Spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the Nusa Dua area are evident on practically every hole. A grass driving range with chipping and putting greens are also available. The mature natural setting of Bali National Golf Club offers the best playing experience on the island and stellar maintenance ensures year-round championship playing conditions. The MAJ Nusa Dua, Kawasan

Wisata Nusa Dua Lot S-5, Kuta Selatan balinational.com

New Kuta Golf

Situated in Bali’s southwestern region of Pecatu, nestled between brilliant white limestone cliffs and the endless blue horizon of the Indian Ocean, New Kuta Golf Course is a championship standard golf course ranking among Asia’s best and most challenging. Established in 2007, New Kuta Golf was designed as the first links-style layout in Indonesia with the original contours of the land preserved. The signature hole is the 15th hole, aptly named “The Cliffhanger” and is perched high above a limestone cliff, overlooking the stunning Dreamland and Balangan Beaches and the Indian Ocean. Taking in the 240-degree ocean views while standing on the tee, you will understand why this is one of the most photographed golf holes in the region. Tip: When booking your round, a tee-off around 2pm is the perfect time to catch a spectacular sunset at the end of your game. The club also has a lookout tower beside the clubhouse where patrons can climb up to view Bali’s magical sunsets. The course is located just a 20-minute drive from the International Airport. Jl Raya Uluwatu, Kawasan Pecatu

Indah Resort, Pecatu, South Kuta | newkutagolf.co.id

Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club

Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club is situated on 150 hectares of stunning clifftop real estate near Bali’s southernmost point. Established in 2016, this 18-hole championship caliber par-3 course is the latest addition to the growing collection of world-class golf courses in Bali; the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Offering unparalleled sea views, this course was the the winner of the 2017 Best Par-3 Golf Course and is sure to please golfers of all levels. Unique features including rustic architectural ruins, stunning waterfalls and the majestic backdrop of the Bukit Peninsula are all key components of this highly enjoyable track, where the serenity of Balinese culture is well immersed into the course design. This unique par-54 layout can also be played in an average of just 120 minutes and is just 30 mins from the International airport.

Jl. Gunung Payung No. 8, Banjar Panti Giri, Desa Kutuh, Kuta Selatan | www.bukitpandawa.com

BeautifulIsland

With reputation as one of the most beautiful and diverse tourist spots in asia, bali annually attracts almost 7,000,000 visitors yearly from around the world

Photo by Pier Francesco Grizi on Unsplash

GeoGRaPhically, situateD between the islanDs of java anD

lombok, Bali is small, stretching approximately 140 km from east to west, and 80 km from north to south. The tallest of a string of volcanic mountains that run from the east to the west is Gunung Agung, which last erupted in 1963. Located just 8º south of the Equator, Bali boasts a tropical climate with just two seasons (wet and dry) a year with an average temperature of around 28ºC. The wide and gently sloping southern regions play host to Bali’s famed rice terraces, which are among some of the most spectacular in the world. In the hilly, northern coastal regions, the main produce is coffee, copra, spices, vegetables, cattle and rice.

The Balinese have strong spiritual roots and despite the large influx of tourists over the years, their culture is still very much alive. The main religion is Agama Hindu Dharma, which, although originally from India, is comprised of a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs; It is very different from the Hinduism practiced in India today. Naturally creative, the Balinese have traditionally used their talents for religious purposes and most of the beautiful work to be seen here has been inspired by stories from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics.

The majority of Bali’s 4,000,000 people live, for the most part, in tight village communities with large extended families. The largest cities are Denpasar (the capital) and Singaraja in the north. The main tourist area stretches from Kuta to Seminyak. Kuta became a major attraction during the tourist boom of the 70’s because of its famous white-sand beaches, the surf, and stunning sunsets.

Today, the stretch from Kuta to Seminyak is a major tourist destination, with hundreds of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Those in search of a little peace and quiet tend to head for the more serene resorts of Sanur and Candi Dasa on the east coast, or Lovina in the north. Nusa Dua, on the southernmost peninsula of the island, houses many five-star hotels. The central village of Ubud, in the hilly region of Gianyar, has also blossomed as a tourist attraction and is now considered to be the artistic and cultural centre of Bali.