Jembrana

Some of Bali`s oldest remains of prehistoric humans have been found in the Jembrana regency. Legend tells that sparsely populated West Bali god that way because it's early in habitants was cursed into invisibility for having violated the daughter of a Powerful priest. A ruling family related to the Gelgel house was established here in the mid 1400s, but a dispute between its two founders led to civil war and a destruction of the court. For a while the area was considered to be marginal part of the Badung Kingdom, and a Prince from Sulawesi set himself up as ruler during the 17th century with little problem. Karang asem nearly took Jembrana in the late 1800s, but Jembrana surrendered peacefully to the Dutch before rival Kingdom were subdued. Most of Jembrana includes the forests, mountains, and coasts of the west Bali National Park and Reserve. Visitors must obtain the necessary permit and guide at the part headquarters in Cekik. You might be lucky to see the rare white Bali starling bird, or may be hear the roar of the Balinese tiger, long thought to be extinct.

Excellent diving and snorkeling can be found around Pulau Menjangan Island, with the Banyu Wedang hot springs near by on the coast. Catch a ferry to Java at Gilimanuk port. Closed to the district capital of Negara is the temple of Gede Prancak near a waver, while further east the Rambut Siwi complex has magnificent ocean views. A large fishing community has been established at Pengambengan, and there is an excellent surfing beach at Medewi. Cloves are grown on plantation in the foothills around Asah Duren.

Bigger is better in Jembrana: huge bamboo xylophones of the gamelan jegog accompany martial arts and dances. Kendang Mebarung competitions of large oversized drums are sometimes held. Exciting makepung bull races take place in the village of Banyubiru and Delod Brawah during the dry season. Joged bumbung groups with flirtatious dancers accompanied by smaller bamboo instruments are popular around Tegal Cangkring.

History
Negara is the capital city of Jembrana, Bali?s westernmost district and where some of Bali?s oldest remains of prehistoric humans have been found. Jembrana also happens to be Bali?s most sparsely populated district. A ruling family related to the Gelgel house was established here in the mid 1400s, but a dispute among its two founders led to civil war and a destruction of the court. For a while the area was considered to be a marginal part of the Badung kingdom, but when a prince from Sulawesi set himself up as ruler of Jembrana in the seventeenth century, he did so with little difficulty. Karangasem nearly took Jembrana in the late 1800s, but was piped at the post by the Dutch, to whom Jembrana surrendered peacefully even before any of the other kingdoms were subdued.
Scenic drives
As a counterpoint to the cultural wealth of southern Bali, Jembrana?s main point of interest is its West Bali National Park and reserve, which encompasses the forests, mountains, and coasts of much of the district. To enter the Park, visitors must obtain a permit at Cekik, A good road provides a pretty, scenic drive from the Gilimanuk end of the park, in the west,, almost all the way to Lovina in Buleleng. It is in the forest that hems this road that the long-extinct Balinese tiger once roamed, and here also the rare white Balinese starling may be sighted.

Surfing
Menjangan Island is also a part of the National Park, and is renowned as harbouring the best reefs in all of Bali for snorkling and diving. Boats leave regularly to Menjangan from the port adjacent to the island in the park, and diving trips to here can be arranged from Lovina and other major tourist centres. As for surfing, go no further than Medewi beach, on the southern coastal road leading from Kuta to Tabanan and through to Negara.

Temple-going
The Rambut Siwi temple complex, located on the north coast road that links Singaraja with Gilimanuk, is without doubt the most renowned temple complex in Jembrana. But in Negara itself, the riverside Gede Prancak temple is also well worth a visit.

Traditional arts
If the traditional art forms of Jembrana are known for anything, it is their size. Bigger is better, it seems, in Jembrana, which boasts the huge bamboo xylophones of the gamelan jegog, the kendang mebarung competitions of large oversized rums, and the makepung bull races which take place in the villages of Banyubiru and Dlod Brawah in the dry season.