Amlapura: Why visit?

Every time I’ve visited Amlapura I’ve got good vibes. maybe its just that being in East Bali gives good vibes, I don’t know, but I find Amlapura to be a fairly clean, typical Balinese town, with the usual streetside shops selling pots, pans, fans and stuff most tourists wouldn’t touch.

Amlapura has a small one-way system downtown which is really easy to navigate (if I say its easy, its easy). For the tourist passing through there are local warungs along the main street, Jl. Patih Jelantik, though nothing to write home about. Amlapura does not have any bars, although there is a nightmarket, serving a selection of local food. The population of Amlapura is a mixture of Balinese Hindu’s Chinese and Muslims, evidence of its turbulent history.

•Wartel – 24 hours on Jl. Ngurah Rai
•Hospital – Jl. Ngurah Rai
•Post office – Jl. Jend Gatut Subroto #25
•Banks – BNI (Jl. Kesatrian), BRI & Danamon (Jl. Jl. Gajah Mada)
•Buses & Bemos – available at the Terminal on Jl. Kesatrian. Theyy go in all directions. You’ll have to haggle for a fare.
•Tourist information – Jl. Diponegoro (Mon -Thurs 7am-3pm, Fri 7am-noon)
(0363) 21196
•Petrol station – Out of town on the road to Candi Dasa and Jl. Untung Surapati heading towards Tirtaganga.

Accommodation in Amlapura:
•Villa Amlapura – located on Jl. Gajah Mada, has a selection of rooms, ranging from simple, to hot water rooms. Rooms 70,000-100,000rp).
(0363)23246

What’s in the area:
•Ujung water palace to the south – 15 minutes
•Tirta Ganga water palace to the north – 20 minutes
•Rice terraces and scenic views / hiking at Sideman / Iseh to the west – 50 minutes
•Perfect beach at Pasir Putih, at Perasi to the SW. – 25 minutes
•Restaurants and bars in Candi Dasa to the SW. – 40 minutes
•Amed to the NE. – 1 hour
•Tenganan, Bali Aga village to the SW. – 55 minutes

By the way, when approaching Amlapura from the SW, via Candi Dasa, you might take a right turn, when you come to the statue at the 3 way junction in Jasri. That route leads to Ujung and onto Amlapura and is scenic, with lovely views of ricefields and Gunung Agung on a clear day.