Tabanan:Bali, Indonesia

I have driven through this town more times than I remember and although Tabanan, the capital of the Tabanan regency, looks just like any other town in Bali, it does contribute to the tourism industry in various ways.

If you are heading north to Gunung Batakaru or to the west of the island, then you must go through Tabanan. A powerful kingdom from the 17th to the 20th Centuries, one of the places to visit is the Puri Tabanan, the ornate and traditional residence of the Raja.

Tabanan is situated in the heart of a rich agricultural area and, in my opinion, is worth a stop to look around town. It is also home to a multitude of Chinese-owned shops and merchants. Because of its agricultural prominence, a visit to the Subak Museum on the east side of town is well worth a visit.

Tabanan has always struck me as a town of statues. Everywhere you look there are beautiful creations on every crossroad, on the sides of busy roads and the entrances in and out of the town.