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From the lively,
fashionable shopping strip of Legian and Seminyak to the
remote and idyllic coastal villages curving northwest
towards the sacred Tanah Lot Temple, Bali’s sunset coastline
is indeed a varied and fascinating one.
Packed with fashionable boutiques, retail outlets, clubs,
cafés and restaurants, the Legian-Seminyak area is perfect
for a dose of retail therapy, and shoppers are sure to
be dazzled by the innovative Balinese products in the
array of export-quality stores. To satisfy your wildest
gastronomical desires, Jl. Laksmana, a.k.a ‘Eat Street’,
offers a kaleidoscope of regional and international cuisines
- Indonesian, Indian, Italian, Mediterranean, Thai or
even Turkish, it’s all there for the picking.
Home to thousands of expatriates, Seminyak in particular
has a persuasively bohemian atmosphere, featuring hip
cafés and clubs with virtually non-stop nightlife.
The Oberoi area, just north of Seminyak has recently given
birth to an expanse of up-market real estate including
luxury villas and resorts, many of which are hidden along
the roads which converge on the breezy beachfront.
Moving north to the sleepy villages of Canggu and Brawa,
wildlife is dominant and picturesque paddies abound. Here,
community life is still prominent and there’s a high chance
you’ll bear witness to a traditional ceremony or procession
no matter when you visit. Winding up the coastline snake-like
towards the Java Strait are a series of black-sand beaches
which sparkle in the tropical sun. Renowned for their
pounding beach-breaks, Canggu and Soka beaches are notably
popular with surfers. In the late afternoon, locals and
visitors congregate on the rustic beachfront, anticipating
another one of Bali’s ‘postcard-perfect’ equatorial sunsets.
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This splendid coastline is also dotted with a number of
breathtaking temples. Pura Petitenget and Pura Rambut
Siwi are both dedicated to the benevolent spirits of the
ocean, but most celebrated is the mystical site of Pura
Tanah Lot. Balanced on a huge eroded rock offshore, this
magically charged temple inhabited by huge writhing snakes
is one of the most photographed religious edifices on
the planet.
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