Denpasar is the capital city of Bali. Its the also the biggest city in Bali, which bristling with temples, places and museums. Some of interesting places around Denpasar are:

• Alun-Alun Puputan (Puputan Square), Jl Gajah Mada/Jl Suprati. The huge four-faced, eight-armed Catur Mukha statue is situated here at the centre point of the city. Representing the Lord Brahma and it serves as a guardian of each cardinal point. The square is a key point of orientation for the whole city. If you get lost, find your way back here and all will be clear
• Palace of Satria and the Royal Temples, Jl Veteren (about 300 metres north of Alun-Alun Puputan). 8AM to 4PM daily. The palace and temple of the royal family of Denpasar which is beautifully kept and admirably, open to all residents of Denpasar for worship. Some wonderfully ornate carvings here, even by Balinese standards.
• Pura Agung Jagatnata (Jagatnata Temple), (Adjacent to the northern boudnary of the Bali Museum). A state temple which was built in 1953. Dedicated to the supreme being Sanghyang Widi Wasa, this temple is open to all worshipers without any restriction as it is a government building and not a village temple. There are large ceremonies here twice a month at full moon and dark moon. Ask at the tourist office for a detailed schedule.
• Bali Museum (Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali), Jl Mayor Wisnu (eastern side of the Alun-Alun Puputan). 8AM to 3.30PM Sat to Thurs, AM only on Friday. A much under-patronised place by visitors which offers an informative introduction to all things Balinese both historical and modern-day. The grounds and architecture are quite charming and the museum is housed in four separate pavilions. If this place was in Kuta or Nusa Dua it would be swamped with tourists.
• Sidik Jari Museum, Jl Hayam Wuruk 175, phone +62 361 23511. 9AM to 5PM daily. A small, private fine art museum established and owned by I Gusti Ngurah Gede Pemecutan and which exhibits his own work as well as that of other artists. Also has facilities for public dance and other peformances
• Taman Budaya Cultural Centre, Jl Nusa Indah,. 8AM to 3.30PM daily. A museum that covers the history and essence of Balinese art. The classical schools are well represented by both paintings and sculpture and there is a large section featuring contemporary Balinese art. Gamelan orchestra performances are also held here

Kuta is a popular place with the surfing activity besides of beautiful sunset.

• A 3-day surfing course in an accredited school costs approximately US$100. Bali learn to surf is Bali's first professional surf school. Offers equipment in good condition and premises for a surfing introduction in calm water at the swimming-pool of the Hard Rock Hotel. The lesson lasts 2.5 hours and the students are offered hotel transfers and fresh water. Five courses also include a "surfari" to other surfing spots.

• It is also possible to rent equipment from locals on the beach for between Rp 20,000 and Rp 80,000 per half day. If you rent from the same guys for a few consecutive days you will almost certainly get a better price. The equipment quality is lower than in surfing-schools. The surfers on the beach can also give you some basic lessons and look after your stuff while you are in the water but if this is your first experience of surfing it is safer to use a surf school before heading out on your own.

There are SPA's by the dozen and as Kuta is the most competitive place in Bali, prices are the lowest (as is the quality of experience). Shop around and ask for package discounts. Take a look at the place first and do not allow yourself be talked into something by touts. A well known spa is Villa de Daun on Jalan Legian. Many hotels have their own in-house spas or partner with a local operator.

Enjoy the sunset. In the evenings plenty of people head down to the beach or seaside cafes to watch the wonderful sunset.

Kuta also well equipped by tourist facilities like bars, restaurants, cafeteria, and others spectacular nightlife. We can also meet a lot of good shops selling multifarious items of tourist need like clothes, cassette ribbon, souvenir, handicraft, sport gear and others.

Nusa Dua is located 40km south of Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali. Famous for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, golf courses and spas.

• Pantai Geger (Geger Beach). This is the public beach in Nusa Dua. This splendid white sand beach at the western edge of the enclave retains lots of the character that is missing in the sanitised Nusa Dua resort zone. Generally safe for swimming and some beach side warungs. Head westwards out of the Nusa Dua enclave passing the golf course and then the St Regis Hotel (on your left). Shortly after the St Regis, take the first turning left towards to the beach and procerd to the Pantai Geger car park.

• Serangan Island (Turtle Island). Boats are available from Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa. These are usually glass-bottomed allowing observation of marine life from within the boat. As the name suggests, Serangan is a turtle conservation area. The local people keep turtle eggs in traditional conservation houses until they hatch and then the youngster are released from local beaches. Besides turtles, they also have reptiles, birds, snakes and bats. Entrance is free but they will ask you to give some money for animal feeding, which is usually around Rp 20,000.

Tanah Lot is one of the important directional temples in Bali. The temple is located on a rock just offshore. It is said to be the work of revered 15th century Hindu priest Nirartha and forms an important element of Balinese spirtualism and mythology.

(pic from www.tanahlot.net)

Batu Bolong Temple is located on the one of "Njung" in Sagara Kidul Tanah Lot, about 100 meters in the west side of Enjung Galuh Temple, to be exact at Enjung Batu Bolong, "Njung" which is the rock that stick out in to the sea was hollow (bolong). Hollow form of this Njung, like crescent, so that this temple named Batu Bolong Temple.

Ubud can be described as a magical, wonderful, cultural center. Above all, it is famous as an arts and crafts hub. Much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists' workshops and galleries, mostly retailing cheap reproductions for tourists. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed thanks to the spirit, surroundings and climate.

• Bali Bird Park,a splendid two hectare aviary park with more than 250 species of birds in well thought out, attractive enclosures [Jl Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir, Singapadu, ☎ +62 361 299352 (sales@bali-bird-park.com) 9.30AM to 5.30PM daily.]
• Botanic Garden, is a wonderful way to spend a few hours walking around and exploring the valley that it fills.[on the road to Kutuh Kaja village which runs north from Jl Raya Ubud close to BCA Bank]
• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), is a cave dating back to the 11th century, the entrance to which is an ornately carved demon's mouth. Inside are some fragmentary lingam and yoni statues, as well as a statue of Ganesha.
• Gunung Kawi (Poet Mountain - on the road to Kutuh Kaja village which runs north from Jl Raya Ubud close to BCA Bank), , from the 11th century, this is presumed to be the burial complex of King Anak Wungsu and his many wives. Reached by climbing down 371 steps, the location at the bottom of a steep valley lined with paddy fields is stunning.
• Monkey Forest, is a sacred forest full of ravenous monkeys. Stroll through to find Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, a temple of the dead.[Jl Monkey Forest, Ubud, ☎ +62 361 971304 (info@monkeyforestubud.com)]
• Pura Kehen (Kehen Temple),is one of the most attractive temples in the whole of Bali and as it is slightly off the beaten path, one which recieves relatively few visitors. [Jl Sriwijaya, Bangli (just north of Bangli town centre which itself is about 30 minutes north east from Ubud)]
• Tirta Empul,Tampaksiring (20 km northeast from Ubud) is one of the holiest temples in Bali built around hot springs that still bubble in the central courtyard. The Balinese come here to bathe and purify themselves physically and spiritually, and during Galungan the sacred barong masks are bathed here.
• Yeh Pulu, Banjar Batulumbang. This is a complex of rock carvings is close to Goa Gajah but far less well known. The carvings date from the 14th or 15th century and are in a very attractive rice field setting.[Banjar Batulumbang, Bedulu near Gianyar (turn off the Ubud to Gianyar main road about 400 metres east of the entrance to the Goa Gajah complex. Drive through Banjar Batulumbang until the road comes to an end. For here walk down the track)]

Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. In general terms, it is more expensive than Kuta but cheaper than Seminyak.

Hang out, sunbathe on the soft sand BEACH. Located on the east coast, Sanur has a coral reef that makes it ideal for snorkeling - you can even do sea-walking. While local beach restaurants and bars provide an ethnic alternative to hotel dining.

WATERSPORTs. More and more popular, both within and beyond the reef.

Sanur also a religious centre and the venue for many colourful ceremonies and traditional dances that mark the calendar each year. It's also the kind of place where exclusive hotels, boutiques and chic restaurants nestle in with the local shops and cultural centres. Explore Sanur's shady lanes and discover traditional markets, shops nightspots and local life, especially in the late afternoon.