Singaraja
The former capital of Bali, Singaraja is located in north Bali,
in the Lovina area, away from the more popular tourist areas and
a scenic three hours drive from the airport. Singaraja has a black
sand beach and is the main town for the Lovina area, famous for
its dolphins. Close by are the Yeh Panas (hot springs) and the
Air Sanih (a natural freshwater pool).
The Old Dutch capital of Bali during the colonial era, Singaraja
is a quiet town with some quaint Old Dutch warehouses on the waterfront.
It's easily reached from the south via Bedugul or Kintamani or
from Candidasa in the east. There is some accommodation here but
we would be better to stay at the nearby Lovina Beach only a few
kilometers to the west. Lovina has had a recent spruce up and
the gravel beach is now pristine clean. The town has plenty of
accommodation from basic to good quality and some adequate restaurants.
It was a centre and being the administrative centre of the islands
during the years of Dutch colonialism up to 1953, (now the capital
is in Denpasar, in the south of Bali). We will remains during
Dutch period, there being influence of Chinese and Muslims. In
the time of the Dutch occupation, Singaraja was Bali's main port.
But now the traffic has moved south, leaving the area in peace.
Clean, quiet and culturally distinctive, Singaraja retains a colonial
feel.
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