Badung

Badung is a regency (kabupaten) of Bali, Indonesia. It has an area of 418.52 kmē and population of 358,311 as of year 2004. It extends in a narrow ribbon from the central uplands in the north of the island to the Nusa Dua Peninsula, also known as Bukit Badung, in the south. The Peninsula is strikingly different from the northern fertile volcanic plain, consisting of a slightly-raised limestone plateau surrounded by sea. Kuta and Jimbaran are to the north and west of the peninsula, Sanur to the east, while the famous Nusa Dua resort area is on the eastern tip of the peninsula itself.

The local government became concerned about the "immorality" of the Western hippie communes which developed in Kuta. So it was decided to isolate future tourist resort. The development of Nusa Dua was therefore carefully planned. Today, while Kuta is still synonymous with sun, fun and youth, Nusa Dua which was developed in the 1980's is home to the five-star resort. Tanjung Benoa, Jimbaran, Sawangan and Batu Pageh (Bali Beach), are the latest additions to the list of attractions Badung has to offer.

The scrub and bushes give Bukit Badung a weird Mediterranean air during the dry season. No rice paddies are to be seen anywhere. The plateau rises up to 200m above sea level, ringed to the south and southwest by cliffs with small beaches. The view over the white sand is best at sunset. Bukit Badung is famous among surfers for its long, white rollers. The best surfing is at Suluban, Labuhan Sait and Bingi. For hikers, there are paths running along much of the cliff, while the inland region has many prehistoric caves including Gua Selonding.

The tallest statue in the world, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK)(145m), is built in an ancient quarry at the highest point on the Bukit. The famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple is an achitectural marvel situated on a headland at the western tip of the plateau. According to local tradition, the first Uluwatu temple was built in the 11th century. In the 16th century, it was rebuilt into its current state. The temple has some of the most exquisite architecture in Bali. The carvings made in the unusually hard coral stone have withstood time well. The split entrance gate is shaped as curved Garuda (eagle) wings. Inside, a second gate is topped by the monstrous head of Kala, with two statues of Gana at its foot.