Multidimensional Tourism in the Land of Gods

THE Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Funds (IMF) and the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) that took place in October 8-14 2018 in Bali could bring a positive impact for tourism in the region. An estimated of up to 30 thousand meeting participants
attending from all over the world would need introduction to the unique attractions in Bali.

The variety of tourist attractions available in Bali is quite rich, ranging from mountains, to sea, as well as culture. One of the recently opened tourist attraction offered in the island of gods is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) statue, a masterpiece by Nyoman Nuarta with financing and construction by PT Alam Sutera Realty Tbk.

The 'giant' 121-meter high statue was surrounded by “cutted” limestone hills forming a wall of giant limestone blocks, giving it a modern
architectural look. Aside from the GWK statue, there are a range of beaches iconic to Bali such as Kuta, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and
others.

Some of these beaches provides diving spots that are the main to-go to for Balinese tourists, those places are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Benoa Island.

Bali not only provides the beauty of it’s sea and beaches, but it also has breathtaking mountains. At least there are three of them that have
become “tourist magnets”, Mount Agung in Karangasem regency, MountBatur in Kintamani, and Mount Mangu in Bedugul.

As a region that still holds their cultural ties close, Bali also provides cultural tourism that are spread in a number of places. The town of Ubud is one of the favorites, famous for traditional Balinese dance and craft center.

A product of Balinese culture can also be easily seen from the local agricultural style, cultivating terraced paddy fields. The view of yellowing rice stalks and peaceful rural atmosphere is such a feast for the eyes. Such scenery can be found in Jatiluwuh Tabanan area, Tegalagang, and Ubud.

Animal loving tourists can also visit the Bali Safari and Marine Park in Gianyar, which cared for more than 60 species. The Park was first
opened in 2007 and provides a lineup of live animal shows.

Water palace
In addition to that, Bali also has a wealth of history and even more natural beauty. The water palace Tirta Gangga was a historical site
from the Karangasem Kingdom, located in East Bali. Stone-carved pools filled with goldfish surrounded by water fountains, were how the place got its name, “water palace”.

There is also Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang, a tourist attraction in Jalan Sahadewa, Gianyar regency, Bali. Beautiful canyons along with flowing
rivers and “hidden” village lives attracts quite a lot of domestic as well as foreign tourists.

For those who are keen about flowers can visit Gemitir Garden in Belok Village, Petang Subdistrict, Badung Regency. Located in a  mountainous area and criss-crossed with hilly pathways adds up to a memorable experience. Originally a humble vegetable patch owned by a local villager, it became a place of curiosity for travelers who wanted to see the clusters of marigold flowers, originally from Central America,
that grows in the garden.

A 12-meter waterfall can also be found in Buleleng regency, called the Aling-Aling, this waterfall is surrounded by cliffs, lush trees, and
fresh clear waters. It is relatively quiet since it has not been much frequented by tourists. Aling-Aling waterfall can be found on Jalan
Raya Desa Sambangan, Sukasada, Buleleng Regency. (S-4)

Wisata Multidimensi di Pulau Dewata

Pertemuan tahunan Dana Moneter Internasional (IMF) dan Bank Dunia (WB) 8-14 Oktober 2018 di Bali dapat berdampak pada pariwisata. Karenanya, para peserta pertemuan yang mencapai sekitar 30 ribu orang dari berbagai negara itu perlu disuguhkan sejumlah objek wisata yang unik.

Keanekaragaman tempat wisata yang ditawarkan Bali cukup kaya, mulai dari kawasan pegunungan hingga laut serta wisata budaya. Salah satu objek wisata terbaru yang ditawarkan pulau dewata yaitu patung Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) hasil karya Nyoman Nuarta dan Alam Sutera.

Bukan cuma pemandangan patung raksasa yang dapat dinikmati di seputar GWK, tapi juga keindahan bukit kapur yang dipotong menjadi balok kapur besar. Selain GWK, terdapat deretan pantai yang menjadi ikon Bali seperti Kuta, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur, dan lainnya.

Di beberapa pantai tersebut, wisatawan juga dapat melakukan penyelaman, seperti Sanur. Selain Sanur, spot penyelaman yang menjadi incaran wisatawan di Bali, antara lain Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, dan Pulau Benoa.

Bali bukan hanya menyuguhkan keindahan laut dan pantai, tapi juga pegunungan yang indah. Setidaknya ada tiga gunung yang menjadi magnet wisatawan, yaitu Gunung Agung di Kabupaten Karangasem, Gunung Batur di Kintamani, dan Gunung Mangu di Bedugul.

Sebagai daerah yang masih memegang erat ikatan budaya, Bali juga menyuguhkan wisata budaya yang tersebar di beberapa tempat. Salah satu yang menjadi favorit yaitu Kota Ubud yang dikenal sebagai pusat tarian dan kerajinan tradisional Bali.

Produk budaya Bali juga terlihat dari kebiasaan bercocok tanam masyarakat Bali yang membuat sawah berundak atau terasering. Pemandangan ini dapat memanjakan mata lewat kuning padi dan suasana perdesaan yang kental. Pemandangan tersebut setidaknya dapat dilihat di kawasan Jatiluwuh Tabanan, Tegalagang, dan Ubud.

Bagi pecinta fauna, wisatawan bisa juga mampir di Bali Safari & Marine Park di Gianyar yang dipenuhi lebih dari 60 spesies. Di kawasan yang dibuka pada 2007 itu, juga terdapat beberapa atraksi fauna yang ditampilkan pada waktu tertentu.

Istana Air
Selain itu, Bali memiliki kekayaan sejarah dan keindahan alam yang lain. Ada taman air peninggalan Kerajaan Karangasem yang berlokasi di Bali Timur bernama Tirta Gangga. Di sana terdapat kolam batu berisi ikan mas dan dikelilingi air mancur sehingga terkenal dengan sebutan istana air.

Ada pula Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang. Objek wisata di Jalan Sahadewa, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali. Ngarai indah bersama sungai mengalir dengan kehidupan desa yang tersembunyi ini cukup menarik perhatian wisatawan domestik dan mancanegara.

Bagi yang ingin melihat taman bunga, dapat datang ke Taman Gemitir di Desa Belok, Kecamatan Petang, Kabupaten Badung. Letaknya yang berada di pegunungan dengan jalan berbukit semakin menambah pengalaman berkesan.

Tempat itu awalnya cuma ladang sayur punya warga lokal. Tapi, karena taman bunga marigold khas Amerika Tengah yang khas tumbuh di taman itu, banyak para petualang yang singgah ingin melihatnya.

Bali juga punya tempat wisata berupa air terjun bernama Aling-Aling. Air terjun setinggi 12 meter ini dikelilingi tebing serta pepohonan rimbun plus air jernih nan menyegarkan. Suasana di sana terbilang sunyi karena masih jarang dijajaki pengunjung. Lokasinya berada di Jalan Raya Desa Sambangan, Sukasada, Kabupaten Buleleng. (S-4)