BEDUGUL VILLAGE

Bedugul Village, Bali's highland retreat, tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano, 1400 meters above the sea level, it has cold climate with temperature at night is 18°C and 24°C at daytime. It is known for its excellent golf course.

Ulun Danu Floating temple, a temple which seems to rise out of the lake to present itself beautifully. Three lakes which are surrounded by mountain can be found in Bedugul provide the water for the fields, rivers and springs on the plains below. The biggest one is Lake Beratan. Boats, water skiing, and parasailing are among the many water sports available in this area.

To reach the mountain range, you drive west from Denpasar through Mengwi. As you leave the southern plains, the landscape changes from flowing tiers of rice to motley patches of onion, cabbage and papaya grown in the cool climate of the highlands.

The clusters off arm houses along the way are no longer the familiar thatched huts of the south, but sturdy cottages made of wood and tile to withstand the steady downpour of heavy rains. This is rich alpine country. The earth, saturated by mountain streams, is smothered with thick moss and creepers. The road climbs and winds its way around steep cliffs hung with ferns, wild flowers and elephant grass In jungle terrain lies the serene lake of Bratan, veiled with mist. It fills the ancient crater of Mt. Bratan. Because the lake is an essential water source for surrounding farmlands, the people of Bedugul honor Dewi Danu, goddess of the waters, in the temple UluDanu on a small promontory on the lake. One can stay overnight nearby at a rest house on the shore. It is peaceful and cool. Children fish for minnows and canoes cross the still waters, carrying firewood to villages on the further bank. Just near Bedugul is the market of Bukit Mungsu selling wild orchids and both temperate and tropical vegetables grown in the fertile soil here. Near the market are the botanical gardens. Lake Bratan is so lovely that it is easy to forget the surrounding forest-clad mountains. From the market a path leads through pine plantations up towards the primary jungle on the peaks.

HOME | bali interesting places