Bangli travel guide

Background

Balinese believe that Bangli is the haunt of leyaks, witches who practice black magic. In Bali, misfortune or illness is frequently attributed to leyaks, who often intervene on behalf of an enemy. In order to overcome this the Balinese visit a balian, a shaman or healer, who often has knowledge of the occult. As a result of the presence of leyak in the area, Bangli has a reputation for the quality of its balian, with supplicants arriving from all over the island, dressed in their ceremonial dress and bearing elaborate offerings. The people of Bangli are also the butt of jokes throughout Bali, as Bangli is the site of the island’s only mental hospital, built by the Dutch.

Bemo

Many (but not all) bemos are ‘colour coded’. There are a plentiful supply of bemos running throughout the day, and most places are accessible by bemo if you are prepared to wait and do some walking. There are regular services between: Denpasar’s Batubulan terminal, many connect through to Singaraja; the market in Gianyar (these bemos are usually blue); and Semarapura. Blue bemos wait at the Bangli intersection on the main road between Gianyar and Semarapura at Peteluan; so it’s easy to change bemos here. The road climbs steadily up to Bangli with good views to the south. Generally, orange bemos run from Bangli to Kintamani; to Rendang they are generally black or brown and white; bemos also run between to Besakih and to Amlapura, all fairly regularly from 0600-1700; fewer in the afternoon. The road from Bangli to Rendang is good but winding, with little traffic; it is also pretty with ravines, streams and overhead viaducts made of bamboo and concrete.

Banks

Several, including Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Jl Kusuma Yudha, T0366 91019, in the centre of town by the Bale Kulkul.

Medical services

General Hospital, Jl Kusuma Yudha 27, T0366 91020. Pharmacy: Apotik Kurnia Farma, Jl Kusuma Yudha, and in Toko Obat Rhizoma, Jl Bridjen Ngurah Rai.

Post office

Jl Kusuma Yudha 18.