|
| |
|
CANDI DASA |
| |
|
|
| |
At the eastern end of Amuk Bay, CANDI DASA is a centre for
snorkelling and diving, and a pleasant base from which to explore the
east of Bali, including the nearby traditional village of Tenganan .
However, throughout the 1980s, Candi's offshore reef was crushed to
produce lime for the building boom and the beach was left so exposed
that it simply washed away. Large sea walls now protect the land, and
enormous jetties protrude into the sea in the hope, largely justified,
that the beach will build up against them. The tourist developments have
spread 8km west around the bay, through the villages of Senkidu , Buitan
and Manggis , where the beach is still a respectable size. To get to a
decent beach from Candi itself, follow the road past Bunga Putri at the
end of Forest Road up onto the headland and then down onto the black
sand on the other side.
Just off the coast of Candi Dasa, a group of small islands provides
excellent spots for experienced divers (currents can be strong),
including walls, a pinnacle and the dramatic Tepekong Canyon. Candi Dasa
is also an ideal base from which to arrange diving trips to Padang Bai,
Nusa Penida, Amed and Tulamben (US$55-80) and to take a course. There
are many local dive operators , including Baruna with a counter in town
(tel 0363/41185) and one at Puri Bagus Candidasa (tel 0363/41217);
Divelite (tel 0363/41660); Maoka Dive Centre (tel 0363/41563); Pineapple
Divers at Candi Beach Cottages (tel 0363/41760); Spice Dive at Balina
Beach Resort (tel 0363/41725), the only southern office of this well-regarded
north-coast operator; and Stingray Dive Centre in both Senkidu (tel
0363/41268) and in central Candi Dasa (tel 0363/41063). It is important
to follow the guidelines for choosing a dive operator .
Long-distance Denpasar (Batubulan terminal)-Amlapura buses and bemos all
serve Candi Dasa. Shuttle buses from the main tourist destinations serve
Candi Dasa, and Perama (tel 0363/41114; 8am-9pm) has an office with
departures three times daily to Kuta and the airport (Rp15,000), Sanur
(Rp15,000), Ubud (Rp10,000), Padang Bai (Rp5000) and Senggigi on Lombok
(Rp25,000); daily departures to north and east Bali and to other
destinations on Lombok. You can also book through to Bima (Rp65,000) and
Sape (Rp70,000) on Sumbawa. Simpatik have twice daily departures to Ubud
(Rp12,500) and Sanur (Rp19,000). There is a centrally located tourist
office in the main street close to the lagoon, but it seems to have
somewhat erratic opening hours.
Asri Shop provides a poste restante service - mail should be addressed
c/o Asri Shop, Candi Dasa, PO Box 135, Karangasem, Bali. The wartel
(daily 6am-11pm) is next to the Kubu Bali Restaurant. Several bookstores
in Candi, including Candidasa Bookstore, sell new and secondhand books.
|
| |
|
