Making the most of Bali Celukan Bawang
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Celukan Bawang is northern Bali's principal cargo harbour, with a large quay handling timber and cement from Java and Kalimantan (Borneo). Bugis schooners also anchor here, magnificent sailing craft named for Sulawesi's seafaring people. What visitors encounter is not the westernised tourist mixture of Kuta Beach.
North Bali's largest town, Singaraja, lies approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of the port.
Getting around
Arrange local travel for the 30 km journey east along the coast towards Lovina. Along the way, experience village life, browse little roadside warungs and photograph rice fields, Balinese temples and black volcanic beaches. The clean beaches lead to coral reefs suitable for snorkelling, reached by small boat.
Nearby places
Lovina Beach lies only 30 min from Celukan Bawang, beyond South Bali's mass tourism. Visitors can relax on black sand with restaurants and boutiques nearby.
Singaraja is one hour from Celukan Bawang and, with about 100,000 residents, is now Bali's second-largest city. It served as capital of both Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands, now Nusa Tenggara, under Dutch rule and until 1953, and retains traces of that colonial era. Gedond Kirtya Library and Museum Beleleng occupies three small colonial houses, where visitors can view old Balinese books called Lontar because they are made from palm leaves.
The adjoining Puri Agung Beleleng compound, home of the 1st King of Buleleng Regency, the local region, is likely to be the most interesting visit.
The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan temple complex is a 2-hour drive from Celukan Bawang. These Hindu-Buddhist temples are among the best known for both their beauty and remarkable, distinctive surroundings. Two Hindu temples dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess of water, stand on small islands.
Food and shopping
Look for crafts along the route and sample the flavourful regional food. Be adventurous, speak with residents keen to practise English and barter in a friendly way. Intricate filigree silver or a first-grade wood carving should represent a bargain whatever the final price.
Money
Cash machines are common across Indonesia's major cities.
Use credit cards carefully because cloning and fraud present significant problems in Indonesia. Mastercard and Visa are widely taken, while American Express can be troublesome. Small businesses frequently charge 2-5% more than the cash price.
Staying connected
Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, is the only official language.
The price and quality of internet access vary widely, although the usual cost is around Rp 5,000 per hour. Certain shopping centres, McDonald restaurants and Starbucks cafés in large cities have free hotspots, and some hotel lobbies do as well.
Call 112 for an emergency from a mobile phone.