Sanur

Derived from the two words “saha” and “nuhur”, which means having a passion to visit a certain place, Sanur represents a name that carries important history for tourism in Indonesia, and Bali more specific. It was on the very beach of Sanur that the first Netherland troops set foot on the island of Bali in 1906. This was also the exact place that the first war occurred between the Netherlands against the community of Bali in defending their land from colonialism. This war was later known as the Puputan Badung, a heroic event that is strongly remembered by every individual Balinese until today’s generation.

Talking about Balinese art, Sanur is the true pioneer of arts and tourism instead of Ubud. It was Sanur that Le Mayeur, a Belgium artist, made his home in the 1930s. He fell in love with the people and the abundance of nature, which inspired him to paint hundreds of paintings. And it was here too that Donald Friend, a gifted illustrator, also known as Tuan Raksasa or Lord Devil Donald, who bought much of the beach on which today’s Sanur is built.

Located in the southern part of Bali around 30 minutes from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Sanur is famed for its beautiful strip of pure sandy beaches across the coastal line. It is also reputed for its spectacular sunrises, which literally mark a new day in the life of the Balinese. In addition to being home to some of Bali’s best known hotels, Sanur is also a very cozy, comfortable residential area. As such, it is much quieter than Kuta and has more “Balinese character” than the newer Nusa Dua resort area.

As the first witness of the Bali tourism industry, Sanur has a lot of historical landmarks such as The Bali Hyatt, Villa Batu Jimbar, and the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, the first international hotel in Bali where the 1st President of Indonesia, Soekarno, and the Prime Minister of India, Mahatma Gandhi, have stayed.

By the 1960s, Sanur was the “in” place where Walter Spies, Sophia Loren and even some royalty kept a low profile and immersed themselves in paradise. Mick Jagger and his former wife Jerry Hall even made Sanur as their second home. They stayed at Tandjung Sari Hotel and were wedded there in a traditional Hindu Balinese ceremony in 1990.

Sanur also has a well-deserved reputation for magic. In the ’70s, wars were ongoing between the shamans of Sanur and of the Kamasan village in the KlungKung regency. It is said that many people witnessed strange occurrences during this time such as red lights darting above houses and other unexplainable phenomena. Today, Sanur retains its laid-back atmosphere with a few changes for the good. Thankfully, there are no more signs of magic, though.

Many new restaurants that offer a wide variety of both Western and Indonesian cuisines have opened as well. Trendy restaurants such as Batu Jimber, Four Points and Ryoshi are situated on the main road, Jl. Danau Tamblingan, which runs through central Sanur. There are also many good restaurants on the beach or down side streets.

If you are looking for a more authentic culinary experience, then you should definitely check out Warung Mak Beng, a favorite among locals since 1941. She is reputed to serve the best crunch Fried Fish and mouthwatering Fish Soup in Sanur.

The beaches of Sanur are perhaps the best feature of this quaint village. They span from as far north as Padang Galak Beach, with its expansive stretch of black sand, and down south to Mertasari Beach. Several beaches lie in between, and all blend together seamlessly with an attractive boardwalk that spans the tract from Sanur to Mertasari. Visitors can take leisurely walks or cycle stress-free because no motorbikes are allowed here.

Recently, all Sanur beaches have been reclaimed under a project sponsored by the World Bank and the Japanese government. Tons of sand were brought in from the ocean to replace the sand that had been washed away. The boardwalk was also repaired and extended to Mertasari Beach, and several small gazebos were built on the jetties for visitors.

Sanur’s beaches are ideal for families because the water is much calmer than at Kuta or Seminyak and therefore a lot safer for children. Many fun beach activities are also held in the area for everyone to enjoy.
By the Hyatt Bali at Semawang Beach, visitors can choose from a variety of water sports, such as parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing or even book a diving trip to Nusa Penida, where they can view all kinds of beautiful tropical fish and colorful coral.

For those seeking less thrills and who prefer to experience a bit of the “old” Bali, try renting a jukung — a traditional wooden boat decorated with multi-colored paint. These boats are customarily used for fishing the seas, but local boat owners often supplement their income by taking tourists out to the reef for snorkeling or sightseeing. Yes, there are hawkers here too, but they don’t hassle visitors as much as they do on other beaches, and escaping them is easy enough with a smile.

And one event not to be missed is the annual Sanur Village Festival (SVF) at Inna Grand Bali Beach and Segara Beach hotels from Aug. 15-19 featuring cultural performances, sports, culinary events and other fun activities. Domestic and international tourists are invited to enjoy the festival, which will also include painting, bonsai exhibitions, a jazz festival, sport activities and cultural parade. With its myriad of authentic uniqueness and its eclectic aesthetic galore, Sanur is truly presenting a more than eyes worth visit.

resource:
http://www.baliplus.com