Activities
These are some of the activities that easily can be made using Villa di Bias as your base. All activities are within 30 minutes from us.
Amed:
A very nice motor bike trip is to go to Amed for some snorkeling, as Amed is one of the best places for snorkeling in the whole of Bali. However, Amed has not much else to offer than the well known snorkeling, so a one day tour might suit those of you that don’t want to waste too much time of your short vacation on one single activity. East Bali has so much more to see and Villa di Bias is ideally situated in the middle of the most interesting tourist sites in Karangasem.
It only takes 25 minutes by motor bike to Amed using the main road.
But if you have time, we suggest you to go along Bali's eastern tip on a very steep, winding coastal road through tiny villages and scubby forests with spectacular views, do some snorkeling in Amed, have lunch in one of the many restaurants there and come back using the main road from Amed. Just before Tirta Gangga you will pass one of the most beautiful rice fields in the whole of Bali. 10 minutes later you will be back “home” with us.
Tulamben:
Some of the best diving and snorkeling in Bali are within comfortable reach.
Within 30 minutes you can reach Tulamben to witness the famous, sunken USS Liberty .
Local dive masters are available to teach beginners and challenge experienced divers – all equipment is new and professionally maintained.
Diving USAT Liberty Wreck Tulamben, Bali Indonesia
White Sand Beach:
There are many beaches in Bali. Our favorite beach in Bali is Bias Putih (White Sand Beach) that is set about 1/2 hour from Villa di Bias. This beach has that white lovely sand that most people looking for a typical tropical beach want.
It's a hidden away beach that is mentioned in most guidebooks but few people ever bother getting to it because it involves a bit of traveling to reach. It’s a beautiful beach with good squeaky sand.
The setting really is stunning and there are beach umbrellas and deckchairs should you want them. A few warungs at the northern end of the beach will feed you, while the southern end is given over to the local fishermen’s boats.
The warungs are cheap and friendly, our favorite warung serves a delicious fish, grilled Mahi-Mahi, that we recommend you to try. You will get the sunbed for free if you eat here.
Tirtagangga Water Palace:
Just outside Amlapura lies the Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a maze of pools and fountains surrounded by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. It is situated just 7 minutes from Villa di Bias.
This one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangasem, but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963. It has been carefully restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence of bygone days.
Bali Asli:
Bali Asli restaurant and cooking school has quickly become an institution here in East Bali. It was started just a few years ago by an Australian chef, Penelope Williams. It is just 5 minutes from us.
It is a cooking school that wants to show it’s guests “a day in the life of…”, which means that apart from the famous cooking school you can choose between different activities like fishing in a jukung canoe, learn how to plant rice or plough with a cow etc.
Taman Ujung:
Taman Ujung ‘water palace’, with its complete and official designation of Taman Sukasada Ujung, is located in the village of Seraya in Karangasem regency. It is the sister site of Tirta Gangga, also built by the late raja of Karangasem. The complex consists of various large pools and historic structures set against a backdrop of Mount Agung and the eastern shoreline.
The site suffered near devastation by showers of hot ash following the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963, and also weathered an earthquake in 1979. Restoration efforts throughout the decades made way to its current splendour, and it continues to appeal to both locals and visitors. It is situated less than 20 minutes from Villa di Bias.
Gates to Heaven:
If you’re up for a bit of a climb, then Pura Luhur Lempuyang (Gates to Heaven) offers fantastic views and it's less than 20 minutes from Villa di Bias by car.
1,700 stairs are waiting for you, but you really don't need to go to the top in order to get to enjoy the stunning views.
This blog has a very good description of this experience.
