Temples

Pura Uluwatu (Uluwatu Temple)
Looming high above the Indian Ocean on majestic cliffs, the well-maintained temple at Uluwatu is a spectacular sight and allows a stunning sunset view. Belonging to the Sadkahyangan group of temples, Pura Uluwatu is one of the holiest places in all of Bali . According to legend, the temple was once a ship which was turned to stone, and it pays homage to the sea goddess Dewi Laut.

Beaches, Surfing & Swimming
(Pantai = Beach)

Uluwatu
Pantai Uluwatu is the closest beach to The Istana, and is only a short walk down the road to the left from the estate. This exotic beach is set in a sort of cave with cliffs looming above. Uluwatu is famous for its waves that can peel perfectly for hundreds of meters over reef, and are reserved for expert surfers only. Swimming here, however, is inadvisable. There are warungs (cafés) for drinks and local snacks.

Padang Padang
Just down the road from Uluwatu is Padang-Padang, which is another enchanting beach nestled into a pocket of lava-rocks, with an entrance to the beach though a cave crevice. This small cove offers famous world-class waves that attract surfers from all over the world. The water is also safe for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is small but the setting is enchanting and memorable, and, like Uluwatu, has warungs for drinks and snacks.

Impossibles
Down the peninsula from Padang Padang, this long stretch of white-sand beach is free of warungs and people, and still maintains its original natural make-up of flora along the towering cliffs. Unfortunately, at high tide the beach is all but disappear under the waves, and for this reason Impossibles is not an ideal place for relaxing in the sand, although it is a great setting for a sea-side walk at low tide. Swimming is not advised here, and the waves are for experienced surfers only, as they break over reef.

Bingin
Within paddling reach of Impossibles is Pantai Bingin, but this beach totes an extremely different atmosphere. It is still very natural and quiet, with few people, although there are quite a number of bungalows and a few warungs in the vicinity. This white-sand beach is pockmarked with rock and reef, forming pools in low tide, while at high tide the beach is almost completely consumed by the sea. Experienced surfers love to come here as the waves are near perfect and often form pristine tubes. The water is also fairly safe for swimming and snorkeling as the waves break on a reef about fifty to one hundred meters from the shoreline.

Dreamland
A few hundred meters up from Bingin is Pantai Dreamland, which overlooks every other Bukit beach all the way to Uluwatu. Because of its beauty, with white sand and cliff outcroppings, it has become the chic beach of the day, and it is usually fairly busy with tourists, and quite a number of warungs and small bungalows have been built in the area. It is a great beach for swimming and surfing, as it offers a sand-bottom break, but often has a strong rip current.

Balangan
Just around the corner from Dreamland, this white-sand beach is absolutely idyllic, fringed by cliffs and clear water. Relatively quiet, with a mix of locals and tourists, there are only a few warungs near the tree line. The water here is fabulous for surfing and is safe for swimming, as the waves break over reef one hundred and fifty to three hundred meters from the shore.

Insurance
Holidays, like everything else in life, occasionally take a wrong turn. It is recommended that all visitors ensure that they are covered in terms of travel insurance. The Istana and Bali Homes Management shall under no circumstances have any liability to hirer, any other occupier, licensee, or guest on the property for any loss of or damage to the personal belongings, car and its contents of the hirer or any member of the party during the holiday.

Health considerations
Bali , unlike many other areas in the region, is non-malarial. Therefore any malaria prophylactics are unnecessary, unless you plan to travel onto a malarial region. Bali has a number of Western-trained health professionals along with several expatriate doctors who work in some of the local clinics and hospitals. This infrastructure suffices for the majority of any health problems. In the unfortunate cases where something more is needed, Singapore 's world-class physicians and institutions are just two hours away by plane.

First time visitors to tropical locations and this part of the world are advised to first talk to their physicians about recommended immunizations before traveling. This should be done at least three weeks before your planned departure date. If you plan to bring any prescription medications with you, bring a copy of your doctor's prescription to avoid unnecessary trouble from Indonesian customs. Traveler's health insurance is recommended.

Bali is located just 8° south of the equator and consequently the sun is very strong. Visitors should be very careful in their tanning habits in order not to get burnt, especially right after arrival. Even on a cloudy day, the UV is strong enough to burn within a few short hours. Furthermore it is recommended to make an effort to drink more fluids than usual in order to avoid dehydration and sunstroke.

Clothing needs
When packing, keep in mind that you will be in the tropics (the average year round temperature is 32°C) but it can get cold if you plan to visit the elevated and mountainous regions. Generally, you will want to dress light and wear natural fibers that absorb perspiration. For the most part, visitors to Bali dress fairly casually, with beachwear and sandals being the choice of many. At night, a lightweight sweater or light jacket can be useful. For the many upscale restaurants and nightlife, the dress tends to be smart tropical casual. There are a variety of clothes suited to tropical climates and available for purchase in Bali 's many boutiques and shops.

Travel Tip
We strongly advise making photocopies of airline tickets and passport identification pages, and make a list of all the serial number of traveler's checks as well as the details and emergency fax and telephone numbers of credit cards. All of this information should be kept in a safe place separate from your wallet/purse. Having this information readily available will expedite the replacement of these items in the unfortunate event, should they be lost or stolen.