Karangasem Tour

Goa Lawah at Kusamba
Nine kms from Klungkung is Goa Lawah or bat cave. The roof is covered with thousands of bats and its entrance is guarded by a temple believed to be founded by a sage nine centuries ago.The road continuing east parallels lovely seascapes with a full view of Nusa Penida, inviting sunbathing, picnics and refreshing swims. One passes close to the sinister Goa Lawah, the Bat Cave, whose walls literally vibrate with thousands of bats-their bodies packed so close together that the upper surface of the cave resembles undulating mud. The sight would be more eerie if it weren't that whenever the creatures venture out of the cave into daylight, their radar sense directs them back into their murky dwelling place. Being an extraordinary phenomenon, Goa Lawah is considered holy. Atemple with shrines protects the entrance. The cave is said to extend all the way back to Besakih, and may,contain an underground river, which comes uiX it is said, at Pura Goa (Cave Temple) within the Besakih complex-a temple associated with the mythological naga or serpent Basuki which is also honored at Pura Goa Lawah, where 'a snake is said to live, feeding on bats.

Bali Aga Village
At one time the island was populated by pure Indonesians, an ancient people who filed and blackened their teeth. They lived in small communities, family clans ruled by a council of Elders who acted as the priests of their religion. Their cult centered in the worship of the powerful spirits of nature, and especially those of their ancestors, with whom they continued to live, a great family of both the dead and the living. The pure descendants of these people, calling themselves Bali Aga or Bali Mula, the " original " Balinese, still live, isolated and independent, in the mountains where they found refuge from imperialistic strangers. Hidden in the bills of East Bali, near Karangasem, lies the village of Tenganan, where the most conservative of the Bali Aga preserve the old traditions with the greatest zeal.
 

Tirta Gangga
Tirta Gangga is just north of Karangasem on the slopes of Mount Agung. It is water playground designed by a prince in the Royal Family of Karangasem as a resting place. The exotic pools and water fountains sustained some damage during the eruptions of Mount Agung, but the water gardens remain as serene and tempting as ever.

Puri Agung Karangasem
he first king of Karangasem, Anak Agung Gede Jelantik built this palace at the end of the 19th century. The main attraction of this palace is the building architecture, which is the combination between Balinese, Chinese, and European architecture. The Balinese architecture can be seen in the splitting gate, the statue and wayang relief on the wall. The European influence is reflected in the shape of the main building and its wide verandah called Maskerdam. The carving motifs on the door, windows and the building ornament reflect the influence of the Chinese architecture. In the courtyard of the palace stands an old lychee tree. Another attraction of this palace is the 25 meter candi made from bricks and decorated with wayang motifs. In front of the candi there are two lion statues, a pair of guard statues and two security posts.