Map of Jembrana

Jembrana the least populated area of Bali was home of the now extinct Bali tiger. Although the area has only basic tourist facilities, many attractions make Jembrana worth visiting. The main population areas are scattered along the southwestern coastal road. The district can be reached from Singaraja in the north and Denpasar in the southeast through Tabanan. Enjoining a strategic location on the northwestern coast of Bali, Jembrana district is the landing point for travelers by sea from Java Island.

Around the clock ferry services link the ports of Gilimanuk at the northwest tip of the area and Ketapang in east Java. Opened in the 1960's the ferry terminals have been upgrade to cope with the busy traffic. From Gilimanuk a road led eastwards to Singaraja through scenic clove and Vanilla plantations and vineyards. Jembrana's popultion is multi religious. Both mosque and Hindu temples can be found here.

The clean and well-formed villages of Belimbingsari and Palasari boast the biggest Protestant and Catholic Church is the most beautiful in eastern Indonesia.

The topography of the district is as varied as its cultures. The northern half of Jembrana consist of mountains and forms part of west Bali National Park. In the south there are 71 kilometers of beaches of volcanic origins with black sands but there are also some beautiful white coral beaches, especially at Madewi beach, and some of the most beautiful rice terraces on the island.

Mekepung and Perancak

The most exciting event in Jembrana is the traditional buffalo race. The regency even calls itself "the land of the Mekepung". Usually held between August and October, the Mekepung was originally held as part of the harvest festivities. The carts and buffaloes were until quite recently used for transportation and to help the peasant to carry the yoke to plough in the rice field. The Mekepung consists of a race between two carts pulled by a team of water buffaloes. The colorfully decorated animals race on a two kilometers course. These days, championship events are organized under the sponsorship events are organized under the sponsorship of the local government, whish uses the race to help promote tourism.

In the village of Perancak there is a small temple of white stones to commemorate the landing of Dang Hyang Nirartha. A crocodile farm commemorates the now extinct Perancak crocodile, tigers, the Rare Jalak Putih, the Phoenix bird of Paradise, and other animals.

At high tideon nearby Perancak river small traditional jukung and sampan boats can be seen quietly sailing up the river towards Loloan on the estuary, which is a unique Bali Village inhabited by descendants of Bugis seafares who settled here at the end of the 17th century. Loloan is predominantly Muslim in many ways, having its own dialect and culture.

Besides the Mekepung buffalo race there is a cow race called Magembeng. The name originates from the Gembeng, the wooden bell makes a sound that produces a special kind of music. The Megembeng competition is not so much about speed as about the elegance and beauty of the cows.

West Bali National Park

Spreading over more than 76.000 hectares, West Bali National Park is situated in two districts, Jembrana and Buleleng. The entrance on the Jembrana side of the park is at Melaya on the Denpasar - Gilimanuk road. Visit this place if you're looking for pristine tropical nature. The park is the last natural habitat of the endangered Jalak Putih fewer than fifty are believed to remain in the wild, where they are threatened by poaching. The park is also home to Banteng, the wild red bull, and the deer like menjangan. The National Park contains a broad range of natural environments, from mangrove coastal forests to Savannah and rainforest shelters.

To enter the National Park one must first go to the park office in Cekik. Accommodation is available in basic huts but you must bring your own bedding and utensils. Experienced guides in the office offer excursion for trekking, diving and snorkeling (see"Buleleng" article). Diving and snorkeling on the Jembrana side of the National Park are not recommended for beginners.

Gilimanuk Bay

Gilimanuk's beaches are trully pristine and there is a wide range of them: coral beaches, white and black sand beaches and mangrove forest. The beauties of the underwater coral await anyone willing to dive in and go snorkeling. There are two small islands in the bay, which are barely, more than sandbars - Pulau Kalong (Bat Island) and Pulau Burung (Birds Island). There is also a museum containing pre-Hindu archaeology. The villages around Gilimanuk contain a mioxture of Balinese, Javanese, Madurese and Bugis architecture unique to Bali. No less beautiful are the various boats belonging to these ethnic groups.

Further south at Candi Kusuma there are two temples dedicated to the legendary figure of Dang Hyang Nirartha - Indra Kusuma temple and Taman Sumur Bulus. Locals tell how in 1897 two Dutch officers were attracted to the place when they saw a light coming from the earth. It turned out to be a Kris (a supernatural dagger). Candi Kusuma beach is known for its beautiful black sand and the gentle hills permeating the beach.

Inland from Melaya are the parallel Christian communities of Palasari (catholic) and Blimbingsari (Protestant), built at the beginning of the century in a settlement area for Balinese who had converted to Christianity. Hills and paddy fields surround the villages. Their uniqueness, however, lies in the cultural cocktail present in the churches, which mix both Gothic and Balinese architectural style.

Delodbrawah Beach is black sand beach, which used to be a swamp (Brawah), believed to be a favorite crocodile haunt. Believe it or not, the sand from the beach is said to cure rheumatism. To the north of the beach is Mendoyo in Negara. One of the racing grounds for the Mekepung is found here, it can even be used in the rainy season.

Rambutsiwi temple is on a cliff top overlooking a breathtaking panorama of rice fields on one side and the black sandy beach on the other. Stairs allow people to get safely down onto the beach. Two caves overlook the sea, each with a view of the fishermen's boats and seabirds hovering above. This spot is a favorite hangout for painters. Dang Hyang Nirartha built the temple itself. According to the legend, he made a gift of his hair to the temple. Hence the name Rambut Siwi, which literally means 'Hair Worship'!

Madewi beach is a small resort in the southeast of Jembrana (about midway between Gilimanuk and Denpasar), just off the main road at Airsatang. Waves from three to seven meters in height make for perfect surfing. Small black pebbles are scattered over the black sandy beach providing a magnificent scene at sunset.