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

The post A Weekend of Bird Watching at The Handara Golf and Resort Bali appeared first on Handara.

Handara Golf & Resort is Bali’s oldest golf course located in the scenic north of the island. Offering excellent hotel and cottage accommodations, the resort features a magnificent setting, a great dining experience, and of course one of Asia’s best golf courses. With our team of in-house golf professionals, we aim to make your golf getaway experience a truly memorable one.

The article we have brought to you today addresses the best way to enjoy your time on the course while helping you learn the golf tips fundamentals, procedures and social conventions of this beautiful game we call beginner golf tips.

Learning to play

Before stepping onto a course, learn the basics of swing mechanics. Check with our golf department to see if a professional golf instructor is available to guide you through the basics on the driving range. At Handara Golf & Resort, we are happy to share with you our 18 holes, par 72 golf course that catches the scenery of the cool mountains with lush foliage. You will find playing at our course inspirational and refreshing; it really is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle.

Purchasing clubs

Start with a basic set of golf clubs, the idea behind starting off with regular ones is to replace them as you gradually improve.

Go to a retailer that allows you to test the set of clubs and try asking for a 6-iron with a variety of shaft flexes. For female golfers, don’t necessarily head straight for the flex labeled “L” (for “ladies”) just because they have the most flexible shafts. Select a flex type that feels best when you swing the club, then apply that flex type to all your clubs.

Playing golf

Consider playing your first round on a shorter par-3 course then proceed to a regulation course.

As you start your round, determine the order of play on the first tee however you’d like. Afterwards, the person whose ball remains the farthest from the hole is given the opportunity to hit next, but most importantly, it is advised to be ready as quickly as possible to avoid slowing other groups. Additionally, there may be other golfers assigned to join your group, so to be respectful, it is important to play at a reasonably quick pace. Walk briskly to your ball, assess the lie and distance of your next shot, select your club, visualize the shot, take a practice swing, then execute.

Now that you know the golf tips fundamentals for golfing, it’s time to choose your course. Naturally, we invite you to choose Handara Golf & Resort to take your golf experience to another level. Golfing in Bali is a once in a lifetime experience you can’t miss out on. Book your tee time and accommodation with us today!

The post Beginner golf tips by Handara Golf & Resort appeared first on Handara.

Surrounded by the island’s most iconic mountains and lakes, Handara Golf & Resort, Bali is populated by lush greenery that creates a dramatic backdrop for an inspiring round of play golf. Situated in the cool highlands of Bedugul, the golf resort is Bali’s first and oldest golf course. The 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course was masterfully designed by five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson, along with Ronald Fream and Michael Wolveridge.

Below we have made a list of the reasons why you should travel to Bali for a memorable golf holiday:

1. A great destination to play the perfect round

Bali is described as a tiny paradise that sits in the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia. There is no other place in the world that offers golfers a unique golfing experience quite like Bali.

Complete with mountains, the Indian Ocean, and unique island culture and tradition, Bali is a one-of-a-kind golfing experience. There are several fantastic golf courses to choose from, one being the most iconic and historical Handara Golf & Resort Bali. The 18-hole, par 72 golf course is full a full-service golf operation, with play golf lessons from our in-house team of professional golfers, a pro shop complete with the latest golfing accessories, a driving range to perfect your swings, and golf club rentals to save you the heavy burden of flying your own equipment to Bali.

2. The unbeatable weather conditions

Being a tropical island, the weather tends to fluctuate, but when playing at Handara Golf & Resort Bali, you’ll be playing to your heart’s desire in cool climates.

Located in the central Bali highlands, the golf resort is Indonesia’s highest elevated golf course. The refreshing climate is a far cry from the usual expectations of the island’s hot sandy beaches and warm climate that dominates the other coastal golf courses in Bali. The weather patterns common at Handara Golf & Resort Bali give golfers the opportunity to play in a pleasant and comfortable environment accompanied by the fresh mountain air.

3. Aside from play golf, there is so much to Bali to discover

Bali enjoys a rich spiritual heritage and unique culture. Historical and cultural attractions surround Handara Golf & Resort Bali, making access to these amazing sight-seeing venues easy.

With the combination of pristine beaches, refreshing rice paddies that line up mountains, and an abundance of volcanic landscapes, Bali is a sight for sore eyes. Being a small yet diverse island, this little wonder called Bali continues to win the hearts of tourists from all over the world.

At our resort, we offer to play golf packages in Bali that are tailored to your needs. For more information about the variety of packages we offer, have a quick peek at our website!

The post Why you should play golf in Bali appeared first on Handara.

The temple is regarded in Balinese Rwa Bhineda (The balance of two opposites) as Pradana (feminine). While the Besakih Temple as Purusha (masculine). The temple is one of Bali’s most visited tourist destinations and a beautiful historic and cultural wonder located on Lake Bratan in Bedugul.

As one of Bali’s oldest resorts in the untouched natural district of Bali, Handara Golf & Resort offers a cultural and traditional setting with modern day amenities. We bring you an article dedicated to the once in a lifetime sights to see, one of the many being Ulun Danu Temple.

The history

The Ulun Danu Temple is situated in the area of Lake Bratan, Bedugul. The distance travelled from Handara Golf & Resort is 4km and takes 10 minutes to reach.

It is believed by the Balinese that the temple embodies the meaning of universal balance. Besakih Temple is where the Balinese would worship their almighty for strength for the soul of the people in order to achieve spiritual satisfaction. At Uluan Danu Temple, prayers are conducted to strengthen prosperity. Rebuilt in 1926, the Ulun Danu Temple is dedicated to the goddess of lakes and rivers, Dewi Batari Ulun Danu.

Purpose and significance of the Ulun Danu Temple

The Ulun Danu Temple is the core of all water temples in central Bali. It paramount amongst all water temple systems that have a high authority over all irrigation systems that draw water from Lake Batur.

This distinct system is recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage that not only compromises the technical elements of rice field cultivation, but the social and religious unity in Bali known locally at ‘Tri Hata Karana’. There are 4 main purposes to the Ulun Danu Temple:

1. To worship their almighty, Sang Hyang Widhi for his care for the lake, rivers, and waters of Bali.
2. To worship the goddess Laksmi, goddess of lakes and rivers as well as beauty and fertility.
3. The meaning behind ‘Ulun Danu’ means ‘above the lake’.
4. Lake Bratan alone stands as a significant part of the Ulun Danu Temple.

Strategically located in Singaraja, Handara Golf & Resort is one of Asia’s top 50 destinations for golfers seeking a unique perspective for this calming sport. Other than catering for golf enthusiasts, our resort also offers comfortable accommodation and sensational nature activities for guests to be closer to the island. For more information about our resort, take the time to check our promotions!

The post The history of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple appeared first on Handara.

In the article today, our in-house golf professionals have compiled a collection of advice to get your child golfing in the right direction.

Maximize Your Child’s Practice Time

Regularly take your kids to the course or driving range and choose a time when the sun isn’t at its highest peak. Early in the morning or sunset are the best times to avoid strong rays. This is also highly recommended if you and your family are planning to stay with us at Handara Resorts.

With gorgeous golf courses overlooking Bali’s beautiful tropical greenery, we guarantee your family and children will have an enjoyable time playing golf. If you are interested to reserve a time for your child to optimize his or her golf skills, book a tee time with one of our golf professionals so you don’t have to worry about holding back another group.

Have Patience and Let Them Call the Shots

This may come to a challenge for some parents who have golf running through their veins. We all want our children to successfully play golf the right way. However, as golfers, we tend to teach them the sport in a firm manner as if the children were back at school. This is the opposite of introducing golf as a fun sport. Learning a firm grip on the golf club is fundamental, but going into great detail and adding unwanted pressure on that one topic can result negatively. They are children if it’s one thing that’s on their minds while they play golf is that they are having fun. Let them explore the game on their own. Let them lead and be there for them when they want to know something they’re curious about. Remember, you are there to do what they want to do, not what you want to do.

Provide Them with Suitable Equipment

There are 2 common problems Junior’s face when starting out. The first one is using golf clubs that are just too long, too stiff, and too heavy. And the second being the result of the first problem is that the junior holding the club will swing the club too flat relative to his or her height. Other than our in-house golf professionals at your service, Handara Resorts also provides guests with golf club rentals to save the worry of bringing your own and lugging it everywhere during your holiday.

Communicate How to Play on Their Level

Communication between a child and the instructor is crucial. Teaching golf should be expressed at the child’s level of understanding, and this should also be taken literally. As the child is comfortable with their positioning, kneel down, make eye contact, and explain what’s next. Watch what you say and how you say it because terms such as “wide arc” won’t come to them like a breeze. Replace “wide arc” with “big circle” or “descending blow” with “thump the ground” because children need a visual representation in their heads in order to execute the next step. Don’t teach them the everyday golf frustrations adult golfers face every day, always be there to lend a helping hand.

As you can see, teaching your children golf depends on how we are a role model for them. If you’re feeling hesitant to be the one to introduce golf to your children, don’t worry as Handara Resorts in Bedugul have in-house professional golfers instructors to lead your child in the right direction.

Our resort facilitates all player levels, with a driving range to get those shots right, a pro shop just in case your child is hooked on the game, and golf club rentals to suit your child’s needs. Contact us for special promo’s and packages revolving around our golf facilities.

The post Four golf tips for Junior Golfers appeared first on Handara.

• Handara – If you have been researching or looking for a hotel in Bedugul, you may have heard about this one. It stands out as a great destination for golfers.  Here you will have a memorable experience as you enjoy the scenery, excellent accommodation, fine dining and the very best in hospitality.  Handara is a resort and golf club and is located in the central highlands.  It is actually built within a crater in a volcano that has been extinct a long time.  It is about 4000 ft. above sea level.  The surrounding area is made up of equatorial rain forest, crater lakes and mountains.
• Strawberry Hills – August 2009 celebrated the opening of a new hotel in Bedugul.  Strawberry Hill features 17 cabins that have been designed in the Indonesian mountain style.  You will find walls clad in wood and wooden floors as well.  The interiors are cozy, colorful and comfortable and you have a balcony that overlooks the dormant volcanoes.  Of course they come with modern amenities for your convenience and comfort.
• CLV Hotel and Villa – Also located in Bali’s central highlands, this is a quiet place to stay in Bedugul away from the various crowded tourist areas.  Here you will be very close to nature while enjoying the perks of contemporary life.  If you are looking for some R & R time, this is the place to be.  You can also enjoy trips to Puru Ulun Danu Temple, Bratan Lake and Bedugul Botanical Garden while here.
• Puri Candikuning – This delightful hotel in Bedugul is right on the shores of Lake Beratan.  You will be close to 4000 ft. above sea level, surrounded by the most picturesque of mountain sceneries.  This hotel is privately owned and built on 10 hectares of land.  The landscape is very green since the hotel is in a district that is agriculturally rich.  You will be able to enjoy excellent views of Lake Beratan from your hotel room.  The vegetation is lush, the climate cool and you can be sure that you will rest to your heart’s content.

They are few options for you, if you looking for an accommodation in Bedugul, North Bali. Now you already know the options place to stay there. Know better what they offers, where and what kind of place you can explore near by. We hope this information will help you out. Stay tuned in our blog, to get the newest information about Bali and around, golf tips.

The post Hotels and Resorts around Bedugul appeared first on Handara.