Gedong Kirtiya library, Singaraja - Bali

Gedong Kirtiya library was founded in 1928 by the Dutch in what was then their colonial capital of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Singaraja, and named for the Sanskrit word to try. It is in the complex of Sasana Budaya, the old palace of the Buleleng Kingdom.

In its collection are lontar manuscripts (written on dried leaves of the rontal palm), prasasti (inscribed on copper plates) and manuscripts on paper in Balinese and Roman characters including documents from the colonial period (1901-1953).

Ex Bupati of Buleleng Dr Ketut Wirata Sindhu is upgrading the library into a full museum. When completed, the museum will cover the entire Sasana Budaya complex.

Jimbaran, Bali

Jimbaran is a fishing village and tourist resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located just at the south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach is cluttered with hotels from inexpensive homestays to five stars hotels. Tourism in Jimbaran has increased rapidly that has boosted local economy, but it suffered by the 2005 Bali bombings where the bomb exploded in one of the restaurants in Jimbaran.

Jimbaran lies on the neck of the southern peninsula in Bali and is widely known for the fresh seafood kiosks that litter the beach. Diners select the seafood live that they wish to eat and it is prepared immediately. More recently, Jimbaran has become a popular location for foreigners to build villas.

Southern Bali : The Bukit Peninsula

The Bukit Peninsula is at the southern end of the island of Bali, Indonesia. Its traditionally considered to be all the area south of Jimbaran beach. Unlike the bulk of the rest of the island, it features a dry, arid and stoney landscape. The Indonesian government has encouraged the development of the area — instead of more fertile land — for large upmarket tourist facilities. It is a popular destination for surfers. Bukit means hill in Indonesian.

This area has undergone large scale investment and growth during the early 2000s, partially owing to its proximity to the Ngurah Rai international airport (the only international one in Bali) and the stunning ocean views from its cliff tops. In 2006 a new golf course (Balis 4th) started construction. The bukit now hosts such international hotels.

Singaraja, Bali

Singaraja is the regency seat of Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia. The name is Indonesian for Lion King. It is on the north coast just east of Lovina. It has an area of 27.98 km and population of 80,500.

Singaraja was the Dutch colonial administrative centre for Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands until 1953, and the port of arrival for most visitors until development of the Bukit Peninsula area in the south.

Gedong Kirtya, just south of the town centre, is the only library of lontar manuscripts (ancient and sacred texts on leaves of the rontal palm) in the world.