Being a keen bird watcher living in the South-east Bali it is always nice to head up in the mountains to get some cool air as well as to hopefully spot a few different bird species, so I decided to book a weekend up in the mountains above Bedugul and stay at the famous Handara Golf and Resort. I am not a golfer, but I had heard about the resorts amazing views and the forests that surround the resort so it seemed like the perfect place to spend a relaxing weekend.

Driving into the resort it was obvious that I was in prime bird habitat and on the 5 minute drive from the main road I spotted a small group of pair of Ashy drongos fly over the road, a flock of Orange breasted green pigeons settle in the tree tops as well as numerous Yellow-vented and Sooty headed bulbuls, Collared kingfishers and of course the ubiquitous Spotted doves.

After checking into our room overlooking the golf course, which is spectacularly flanked by mountain rain-forest, it was evident that I would spot many more species before our two day stay was over. In the forest behind the rooms I could hear the incessant tonk of barbets and a wide range of mountain bird sounds that I just couldn’t place – it was clear that this forest was full of life!

I spent a relaxing afternoon at the resort and spotted a pair of Long-tailed shrikes hawking for insects just in front of the hotel lobby as well as a regular sightings of Whitebreasted water hens making short, hurried flights between vegetation patches – these water hens are very common in Bali and dominate scrub and water ponds from the seafront right up into the high mountains. While sitting back on my balcony in the late afternoon I was lucky enough to spot the spectacular Javan kingfisher, an endemic to Bali and Java, streak across the golf course with its turquoise blue body and bright red beak making for easy identification. Collared Kingfishers are also common on the golf course.

Just before sunset I went for a quick walk around the resort car park and with my binoculars scanned the huge trees that seem to be regularly visited by large numbers of small flower-peckers and sunbirds – while tricky to spot I could recognize the sound the clicking call of the Scarlet Headed Flower Pecker, caught glimpses of a Blood- Breasted Flower Pecker. That was enough birding for the day and after a delicious meal at the resort restaurant I went to bed early intent on being up early to meet the dawn chorus.

First light takes a while at Handara Golf and Resort as the sun needs to rise over the mountains before the first rays of sun hit the resort, so my first hour of birding was mainly just a walk along the resort road where I focused on trying to find some good spots to await some ‘bird waves’. After about 40 minutes I got lucky and a mixed flock flew into a mistletoe tree by the side of the road – I was able to observe both oriental white eyes and Javan-grey throated white eyes from just a few meters away and this was a great start to the morning. Next up, just as the sun was starting to peak over the edge of the mountains I got great view of a pair of scarlet minivet – the male is a distinctive red and black while the female is yellow and black – very easy to identify. In the same patch of roadside forest I also spotted both male and female Black-winged flycatcher shrike – these birds are quite common in the mountains of Bali and the black and white male is easy to distinguish from the ashy brown and white female.

My morning walk continues and with rays of sunshine now starting to light up the morning the bird species started to really come to life with the trees full of mixed species of sunbirds, flower peckers and white eyes. Over the next hour I spotted fulvous breasted woodpecker, grey cheeked green pigeon, orange spotted bulbul, a Flame- fronted barbet and quite a big flock of Asian glossy starling but the highlight was spotting a personal ‘lifer’ – this was a Javan whistling thrush that I spotted in a small gully on the walk back towards the main resort. I was also lucky enough to see an Indonesian Honey Eater feeding on a mistletoe tree 100 meters or so in front of the entrance to the resort.

I was back at the resort by 10am and enjoyed a breakfast and another day of relaxing and casual bird watching (sorry, I don’t play golf!) and managed to spot a few more species and heard many more in the forest that I just couldn’t identify – the really serious birder could likely do a much better job than me and I am sure there are some rare Indonesia endemics hiding away in the forests surrounding the golf course.

The next morning it was time to head back to the coast and to say goodbye to the resort but I was more than happy with the birds I had added to my ‘Bali list’ however before my next visit I am going to have to do some research as there was just so many bird songs coming out of the forest that I couldn’t identify. On my next visit I will be hoping to greatly expand my species list from the gardens and forests surrounding the Handara Golf and Resort.

Weekend Bird List from Handara Golf and Resort

• Javan whistling thrush
• Blood-breasted flower pecker
• Scarlet- headed flower pecker
• Ashy drongo
• Long-tailed shrike
• Asian glossy starling
• Scarlet minivet
• Scaly breasted munia
• Javan munia
• Olive-backed sunbird
• Black-winged flycatcher shrike
• Grey Cheeked green pigeon
• Orange Breasted green pigeon
• Oriental white eye
• Javan grey throated white eye
• Indonesian honey eater
• White-Breasted waterhen
• Fulvous Breasted Woodpecker
• Orange Spotted bulbul
• Yellow Vented bulbul
• Sooty headed bulbul
• Flame-fronted barbet
• Javan kingfisher
• Common kingfisher
• Plaintive cuckoo

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Indeed the 2018 Order of Merit, now on the home straight looks to be a tight contest between holder Ross and Hillbillies Captain Carl Sandstrom. After a long season there are only 5 more competitions until the bar closes. Carl is quoted as saying “I see this competition as a true test of perseverance and performance over 12 months and I hope the best man wins. That’ll be me.”

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The end of September featured a long awaited Golf event, the bi-ennial challenge between the best Golfers in the United States and those of Europe. As ever, the Americans look stronger on paper but struggle to take that advantage to the fairways. Based in Paris, the course was laid out with accuracy rather than length in mind and the Americans took the bait, landing more often than not in the challenging rough. The consequent European victory was observed and celebrated by a cheerful group of Handara Golfers who took advantage of a special stay and watch offer put out by the club. As Indonesia television once again didn’t show the tournament, the option of streaming was employed, and although not 100% reliable did give us a great flavor of the amazing atmosphere over in France.

To celebrate such a fun weekend, a new chipping contest was launched. All those with the required 50,000 IDR entry fee were welcome,  and the challenge was to chip from the barbecue area to nearest the pin. Three balls, a borrowed sand wedge and a sharply downhill pitch onto a front pin made it a real challenge. Pak Aru won the money and Kindly donated his winnings to the kitty where it was promptly turned into a case of cold Bintangs. A generous gesture (thanks Aru) marked a fitting end to a super weekend.

Selamat Les Blues

AMAZING 67

On the 26th of August, Par 5 member Charlie Ryals playing off 4, shot seven under his handicap. Out in 33, back in 34 his round featured 9, yes that’s nine birdies making a course score of 67. Whilst not the course record (that’s 65) it’s the best round that’s been shot at Handara for many a year. Congratulations Charlie!!!

ROB PEETOOM GOLF TOURNAMENT

For the second year, Rob Peetoom, Bali’s most famous hair and beauty expert held his Golf Tournament at Bali Handara. A great turnout and super weather was present to see Charlie Ryals (yes, that man again) romp home in first place with a gross 72. Well done Charlie, can you give us mere mortals a chance, now and again. 
For those who need some help in the Hair & Beauty area, Rob has branches in Petitenget & Beachwalk Mall and would be delighted to help you out.

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Marketing have produced this lovely poster that’s now hanging in the clubhouse, reminding us, should we need it of the benefits of walking while playing golf.

So I encourage you to give it a try. I’m finding it very therapeutic even if I do need a little breather when arriving at tee boxes 2 and 18. Long live Fit Golf.

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Cliff Rees won the cup in September which was a great performance as Pak Cliff was still nursing a recently broken wrist. Well done Mr. Rees.

And last weekend Aru Santhrian had a fabulous round shooting an 88 (including a 40 on the front) which with his 14 handicap gave him a net 74, handing him the Cup. In the absence of previous holder Cliff Rees, the cup was presented by co-founder of the Tournament, Mr. Don Lucy. High honor indeed. Well done Pak Aru.

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North Bali is where culture, religion, nature, and the spirit of the island become one. Creating a diverse and cultural setting for people coming all over the world to experience the best of Bali. Located in the heart of North Bali, Handara Resorts offers a strategic location for you to explore Bali’s biggest and most iconic Buddhist temple where the spirits come to rest along with sacred hot springs believed to heal any skin disease.

Banjar Hotsprings and Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist monastery

The Banjar hot springs are located southwest from the popular Lovina coast. It shares the same grounds with the largest Buddhist temple in Bali, the Brahmavihara Arama monastery.

Locally known as ‘Air Panas Banjar’, the sacred hot springs is set amidst lush jungle foliage in a manicured tropical garden. The grounds hold up 3 public and 1 private hot spring pools. The hot spring’s water gushes through the mouths of carved ancient mythical Balinese dragons that is locally believed to heal any kind of skin disease. Regardless if you believe it or not, the hot springs offer recreational and therapeutic experience for a weary soul because of the hot spring’s high sulphuric content.

The history Banjar Hot spring

It is predicted that the Banjar hot springs were built hundreds of years ago during the Japanese colonization. This is because it is located close to Japan’s military office resort. The reason to the local belief that the hot spring is able to cure any skin disease is because it contained a massive amount of brimstone.

Not long after came Brahmavihara Arama, the biggest Buddhist temple in Bali. Built in 1970, the sacred ground covers a hectare of hillsides with a vast number of meditation rooms, libraries, well-trimmed gardens, and a replica that is a spitting image of the world’s largest Buddhist archaeological site: Borobudur.

Fun facts about the Banjar Hotsprings and Brahmavihara Arama

The Banjar Hotsprings

• Once you plunge into the hot spring, notice the yellow-reddish sedimentation that surrounds the pool. This shows that sulfur is present.
• Till this day, the Banjar Hotsprings continue to offer a health benefitting retreat located up in the hills to the north. It is a serene experience for those seeking to enjoy relaxation, fun, and nature.

Brahmavihara Arama

• The majority of the temple is decorated with colorful Buddhist ornaments and little bits of Balinese carvings here and there. This shows solidarity amongst the local Buddhist community and the Balinese people.
• There is an expansive meditation area where guest’s everyday visit to either meditate and relax or admire the beautiful buildings and environment.
• Because you are entering sacred grounds, visitors are welcomed and asked to respect the area and beliefs by wearing sarongs or a sash.

Become part of a bigger community in north Bali. You can get to these locations with ease from Handara Resorts, Bedugul. To stay close to these amazing destinations is convenient and time-saving, so you will be able to travel around north Bali at your own pace. If you have any questions about tours available that comes included with these beautiful sites, contact us! We are happy to help in any way to make your holiday in Bali a memorable one.

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North Bali’s top destinations for your holiday include Bedugul, Lovina, and Banjar. There are many different activities and adventures in store for you and your family to enjoy such as unforgettable water sports, exotic jungle trekking, visiting lush strawberry farms, unbelievable waterfalls, and Bali’s very own botanical garden.

Lovina

Lovina is a quiet, sun drenched coastal town well known as home to the dolphins. There are many water based activities to enjoy in and around Lovina.

• The shallow coral reefs are unique in Lovina and offer a gentle and beautiful diving or snorkeling destination.
• If you are travelling with your family, check out the waterpark at the Gran Surya offering a number of exciting slides, pools and fun activities for all ages.
• Fishing and boat excursions are another highlight of Lovina. Source your own dinner tonight by fishing in Lovina’s pristine ocean.

Only being a 55 minute drive from Handara Resort, you can reach Lovina in no time to enjoy its iconic gentle sunsets as the dolphins jump dramatically out of the ocean.

Bedugul

Bedugul is a town surrounded by mountains and situated between lake Buyan and lake Beratan. Bedugul might ring a bell because of the popular tourist attraction the Ulun Danu temple on lake Beratan.

However, we’re here to give you a little more insight as to what beautiful Bedugul has to offer:

• Bali’s botanical garden, Kebun Raya Bali, is a wonderful attraction with more than 2,000 plant species being preserved in the park. This colorful and educational park is just a 15 minute drive from Handara Resort.
• Bedugul has its very own strawberry farm just underneath Beratan lake. Here, you can pick your own strawberries and take them home!

If you want to know more about Bedugul and activities it offer worth your time, read our blog here about The Hidden Gems of Bedugul and Its Nearby Surroundings.

Banjar

The village of Banjar is located at the north-end side of Lake Buyan. North Bali is up in the highland and temperatures are much cooler compared to staying at the bottom of Bali where the sun shines the brightest. Missing this feeling? Soak up in the natural hot springs of Banjar.

To be able to facilitate great golf course for players around the world isn’t the only great service we offer. It is the facilities and access to discovering new experiences we provide for every type of guest to make sure their stay in north Bali, Indonesia is a memorable one.

At Handara we offer many nature based activities for those who don’t fancy golfing. From short soft trekking to full day trips, let us guide you to bring you to the amazing sceneries North Bali has to offer. For more information about our tours, have a look here at our excursions or don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Places to Visit
North Bali has for many years been isolated from the South side. The mountains that kept it hidden sheltered some wonderful places that you can now visit. It is interesting to note that the people of Northern Bali have different customs and rites than those you may have seen or heard of in Southern Bali. If you love pristine nature, authentic culture and rural, tranquil surroundings, this is the place to be. It’s always bring you a great experience to explore North Bali.

Singaraja
This is the biggest town in the area famed for being the colonial capital of Bali. Here, you will find old colonial style buildings still standing. The market is quite lively and can be visited in the morning and in the evenings as well. Modern amenities and services including ATMs and Banks can be found here as well, so you need not worry about running out of cash. You should consider a visit to the Royal Palace of Singaraja. You will find that the royal families, descended from the kings of old, still live in the palace. You should also consider the library known as the Gedung Kirtya. It houses old manuscripts written on palm leaves, metal plate transcriptions as well as books that carry information about architecture, black magic, religion, homeopathy, philosophy, genealogy and more. You can start to explore North Bali from this town.

Lovina Beach

This is a tourist area with a 12 km stretch of beaches. This beach is famous for the dolphins that visit its coast in their hundreds every morning as the sun is coming up. The beach is said to belong to the surrounding fishing villages. Air Sanih is a place that you should visit as well. Here, you will find cold water springs that have made natural basins. There are many restaurants and hotels in this area of North Bali.

Banjar
This area is in between Seririt and Singaraja. Here, you will find hot springs named ‘Air Panas.’ They are located in a tropical garden within a jungle. The water is a delightful 37 degrees Celsius and there are several basins. If you would like to visit a Buddhist monastery, then Vihara is the place to be. The Borobudur temple located in java has a replica here.

If you are planning to explore North Bali, don’t forget to stay in Handara Golf and Resort. It is closer to explore all these places from here. Also if you play golf, you can enjoy your stay here even more. So, what are you waiting for? Book and explore North Bali with Handara Golf and Resort now!

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