Jembrana, Bull Racing Center

The Other Side of Bali

In many parts the world, people will celebrate New Year 2004, and also many will celebrate Christmas on 25 December 2003. As the most popular tourist destination in the country, the Balinese celebrate both Christmas and New Year with traditional art and traditions. Tourists staying in Bali during December have choices to explore all parts of island with their own local atmosphere. .

Jembrana regency in West Bali offers the difference in both nature and culture. Negara, the capital town lies 33 km east of the main-gate Gilimanuk, or 96 km west from Denpasar. The region is less visited by tourists for the reason; the landscape is more natural, and less artificial. Please try to visit some places of interest like Pengeragoan beach, Pekutatan beach, the beach of Medewi (surfing beach), Rambut Siwi, Delod Berawah, Perancak, the beach of Rening, Pulukan plantation, Sacred Banyan Tree of Bunut Bolong, Palasari Dam, the most popular is West Bali National Park. Some standard hotels and restaurants are available. Recommended hotels are Taman Wana Villa (Palasari), Cahaya Matahari Bungalow in the village of Batuagung, Medewi Beach Cottages and Puri Dajuma Cottages and Spa at Pekutatan Beach.
The Christmas’ Eve celebration is conducted in the village of Gumbrih, the capital town, Blimbing Sari village and Palasari. The churches are decorated with Balinese decorations, worshippers are clad in Balinese costume, they speak Balinese on the occasion, and the meal is also Balinese cuisine, similar to the Galungan celebration for Balinese. It is told that their ancestors are formerly Balinese who changed their religion.
Especially in celebrating New Year Eve, there are other cultural events such as launching new books (anthology of short stories by Raudal Tanjung Benoa, a student of the Indonesia Art Institute – ISI – Yogyakarta entitled “Pulau Cinta di Peta Buta” and biography of the current regent, Prof. DR. drg. I Gede Winasa, entitled “Anak Desa Penantang Zaman” written by Nanoq da Kansas, also a solo painting exhibition by Made Suta Kesuma at Bik Mang Coffee Shop during December 2003), traditional and popular art performance at Jagatnatha Temple. Last but not least, the New Year’s Eve Jegog performance will be for both locals and tourists at the village of Sangkaragung, 5 km east of Negara, and the capital town. All will agree that the jegog show is the specific art performance of the region in West Bali.
For the grand opening of the recreational swimming pool in Delod Berawah beach, a scheduled performance of a traditional folk dance locally known as “Joged Bungbung” on New Year Eve will be one of the highlights.(BTN/Lanus Sumatra)