Walk on the wild side and explore the other face of Bali<\/p>\n
As far as tourism is concerned, West Bali has remained less
\nexplored. Aware of its tremendous potential, Bali is looking west
\nfor future tourism. Upon the invitation of Conservation
\nInternational Indonesia, The Jakarta Post's Pandaya recently
\nvisited West Bali National Park which is being developed into an
\necotourist destination.<\/p>\n
WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK (JP): There could be a thousand
\nreasons why people do not like going to the forest for their
\nvacation.<\/p>\n
Holiday adventures like jungle trekking, whitewater rafting
\nand mountain climbing are popular among backpackers, especially
\nthose who have plenty of time on their side.<\/p>\n
For the typical rich holidaymaker, holidays in the forest
\nmight mean that he would miss hospitality services, the
\nlimousine, the hotel, the golf course and the fine wining and
\ndining.<\/p>\n
But the fear of losing these luxuries will be disappearing
\nvery soon if you go to West Bali National Park, a tropical jungle
\non the holiday heaven internationally extolled for its sun, sea,
\nsand and cultural charms.<\/p>\n
Some upscale resorts have been in operation and more will open
\nto the public within or close to the park.<\/p>\n
Currently, Bali's population of three million is concentrated
\nin the eastern half of the 5,632 km2 island so it is no wonder
\nmost activities take place there.<\/p>\n
So if you have had enough of sunbathing on the beaches of Kuta
\nor Sanur, if your skin has tanned and if you still have time, go
\nwest and explore the other side of Bali.<\/p>\n
That buzzword, "the other side of Bali", has been coined to
\npromote the natural beauty of west Bali, the sparsely-populated
\nwing of the island. The topography consists largely of forested
\nhighland in the middle and farmland in the lower peripheries.<\/p>\n
The western part, which is divided horizontally between the
\nregencies of Buleleng in the north and Jembrana in the south, has
\nlong suffered less developed tourist facilities. There are few
\nstar-rated hotels, and no discotheques or other places of night
\nentertainment.<\/p>\n
Luxury in the jungle<\/p>\n
The Bali provincial government is serious about developing the
\nalmost 20,000 hectare park into a tourist attraction. It is
\noffering concessions to other stakeholders to build tourist
\nfacilities there.<\/p>\n
In progress is the US$70 million Menjangan Jungle and Beach
\nResort, which is designed as a luxury lodge within the park. It
\nis built by the Jakarta-based PT Trimbawan Swastama Sejati and
\nowned by a Balinese.<\/p>\n
The project is located in Pejarakan village, about 16
\nkilometers east of the western port of Gilimanuk, or 60
\nkilometers west of Buleleng.<\/p>\n
The resort targets the upper end of the market, the leisured
\nclasses that can afford to stay at the bay view cottage at an
\nall-in $500 per night.<\/p>\n
The cottage is built mainly from wood with a thatched roof.
\nThere, no sound of machinery is allowed; a horse-drawn cart will
\ntake guests from the main road to the hotel room, almost three
\nkilometers away in the forest.<\/p>\n
And the rest is the law of the jungle: plants and beasts shall
\nbe respected as they are, while guests pay a fee for their
\nwelfare and conservation.<\/p>\n
So far, there also exist Waka Sorea Resort and the upscale
\nMimpi Resort, which is built on a reclaimed plot of land in
\nPejarakan village, Buleleng.<\/p>\n
According to Tri Siswo Raharjo, chief of the West Bali
\nConservation office who is involved in the Menjangan resort
\ndevelopment, the new facility will have its soft opening in July.<\/p>\n
Under the concessionaire agreement, the resort will set aside
\n10 percent of its annual net profit for conservation, in addition
\nto the regular fees and taxes.<\/p>\n
Under construction are bay view cottages and a tower that will
\nbecome the center of recreational activity in the resort. The
\nmain attractions will be horseback riding, cattle ranch, jungle
\ntracking, surfing, snorkeling.<\/p>\n
In fact West Bali National Park has been quite popular among
\nnature lovers around the world. Many come for either recreation
\nor nature study.<\/p>\n
The area in general has long been well-known as a world-class
\nplace for diving, surfing and snorkeling around the unpopulated
\nMenjangan island, adjacent to the park.<\/p>\n
The small island is reached from Labuhan Lalang, a small quay
\nat Pejarakan village where visitors can hire diving equipment.
\nFacilities like boats are operated and managed by locals in
\ncooperation with the park management.<\/p>\n
Statistics at the conservation office show that 40,000 people
\nvisit the park every year. Despite the large number of visitors,
\nthe revenue is small due to the lack of facilities.<\/p>\n
An entry ticket costs a mere Rp 2,000 for locals and Rp 20,000
\nfor foreigners.<\/p>\n
The ecotourist development received support from Russel
\nMittermeier, chairman of Conservation International who visited
\nthe area last month to get first-hand information on the
\nendangered Bali starling.<\/p>\n
"If successful, this project can serve as a model for other
\nareas in Indonesia," he said.<\/p>\n
Unimpressed by the cheap tickets, he added, "Don't undervalue
\nthe park. Tell rich tourists to go elsewhere if they haggle."<\/p>\n
In the long run, the park will introduce a guided tour to
\nparts of the jungle to see critically endangered animals such as
\nthe Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), of which there are
\nonly 13 left in the wild. Deer (Cervus timorensis), Black monkey
\n(Tra-cyticathus auratus) and grey monkey (Macaca fascicularis)
\ncan also be found there.<\/p>\n
The Park is only two kilometers east of Gilimanuk port in the
\nwestern tip of Bali. The journey takes about three hours from the
\nprovincial capital of Denpasar by bus.<\/p>",
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