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Things
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Kuta, located in southern Bali, was a sleepy fishing village half
a century ago, but it has slowly expanded since the 1960s after
its long sandy beach was discovered by travellers from Asia and
wandering surfers from nearby Australia.
Nowadays Kuta is quite busy and packed with varied accommodation
from four-star hotels to budget hostels. Cheap bars and clubs
make it a party centre, while local and international restaurants
offer great dining. Kuta also offers shopping aplenty, from the
chic beachfront ‘Discovery Shopping Mall’ and Kuta Square to the
souvenir shops lining Jalan Kartika Plaza, Jalan Pantai Kuta and
up to Legian and Seminyak – all within easy walking distance.
Despite its negatives, Kuta has its own beauty and attractions
and remains one of Indonesia’s major tourist destinations; particularly
during the peak season from July to August and the holiday season
for Christmas and New Year: at these times Kuta will be fully
booked by a local younger crowd, Asian travellers and Australian
teenagers who are intent on enjoying an affordable vacation in
Bali.
Kuta Beach
The five-kilometre long arching sandy stretch of Kuta Beach is
still possibly the best beach front of Bali. A very short drive
away from the airport, meter taxis and motorcycle taxis are easily
found around the area to take you anywhere in Kuta or elsewhere.
The beach is safe, partially clean and well maintained, although
the vendors fill up the beach side haphazardly.
However, this beach is really famous for its spectacular sunsets
and waves, and attracts tourists who spend hours here swimming,
surfing and sunbathing. This place is a well-known destination
among surfing enthusiasts: the long sandy beach with its lack
of dangerous rocks or coral makes the waves ideal for beginners.
In December, especially, the sunsets here are spectacular, so
don’t forget to bring your camera and pick a spot to get the best
shot of the sunset.
Memorial Statue
Another place you should visit is Ground Zero, where Balinese
residents and foreign tourists alike still keep coming to put
fresh flowers at the Memorial. A Bali Bomb Memorial Event is also
held every year, hosted jointly by the Indonesian and Australian
governments.
The government has built a permanent memorial on the site of the
destroyed Paddy's Pub on Legian Street. (A new bar, named ‘Paddy's:
Reloaded’, was reopened further along Legian Street).
The memorial is made of intricately carved stone, set with a large
marble plaque, which bears the names and nationalities, flanked
by the national flags of the victims. The monument is well maintained
by the local government and is illuminated at night. Every year
on 12th October there is a memorial ceremony.
Temples
Kuta does not have a popular main temple to visit, but sprinkled
along the main road you can find regular temples worth a peek
at during your holiday here. Positioned on Jalan Pantai Kuta you’ll
find Pura Batu Bolong; on Kuta Sidewalk is Pura Penataran; and
on Kuta Beach a few metres east from the main gate is Pura Kalangan
Majelangu. Every morning and late afternoon right after sunset,
the Balinese who live in the neighbourhood come here to pray and
present offerings.
The temple is busy only on special occasions during holy days
and ceremonies such as Melasti: three or four days prior to Nyepi
(the Balinese day of silence that falls on Bali’s Lunar New Year),
the Balinese gather to send prayers and put offerings that are
dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi/Vishnu-Devas-Bataras and performed
on the beach to respect them as the owners of the land and sea.
Discovery Shopping Mall Esplanade
Discovery Esplanade is a new concept of entertainment located
in the Discovery Shopping Mall’s backyard. Occasionally used for
celebrations or some annual events, the Esplanade also offers
weekly free entertainment from DJs, and is used for band parades,
concerts, product launches, and much more. With a line up of open-air
cafés, a deck spinning beats, and a beautiful sunset, what more
could you possibly want?
Soccer Beach
Getting tanned but have extra calories that need burning off?
No worries, Kuta is full of beach activities. Try a soccer game
with some locals. They usually set up goal posts at around 16:00
between Hard Rock Café and Discovery Shopping Mall. Just come
along to play, or even better, bring a friend so the teams will
be even. It’s time the world knew about your dribbling skills!
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Other Things
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