Bali District > Sanur

Administratively, Sanur is included in the city of Denpasar. But with white sand, coconut trees, and some of the best international hotels on the whole island just a few meters away, Sanur was Bali's first beach resort. Only a few hundred meters inland, it is a village traditionally run by the brahmins - the priestly caste of Bali.

The Sanur area, the beach front of Denpasar now extending from Sanur westwards to the Suwung marshes and Serangan Island, is steeped in history.

Sanur was for centuries an important trading place. Nearby Serangan island has a Moslem community of Bugi fishermen, descendants from the famous seafaring traders of old. But it is best known for the inland Brahmi communities of Taman and Anggarkasih, inside elaborately gated compounds, who are believed to use magic.

Tourism in Sanur began in the 30's. Expatriates write and other luminaries had beach bungalows there. After independence, the Dutch painter Le Mayeur lived there and gained fame for his affair with and marriage to Ni Polloc, one of the best dancers of his day. Le Mayeur's impressionist work, while heavily damaged, can be seen at Le Maye Museum near Grand Bali Beach Hotel. Donald Friend, one Australia's great artists, also lived in Sanur- until the 60 Sanur was where the Indonesian government made its fit attempt at mass tourism: the construction of the Bali Beach bunker built using Japanese war reparations. The hot burned down in 1993, but has now been restored even grand than before with the addition of a Bali-style roof. The Hyatt built in 70's, is famous for its garden and lobby, built like Huge traditional Balinese wantilan.

The charm of Sanur lies in the relative tranquility of its Social scene. It is a resort for families or visitors wanting the right mix of beach and Balinese life. It also has the immense advantage of being much nearer inland tourist spots - just half an hour from Ubud. Another advantage of Sanur compared with Kuta is its quieter beaches, making it a favorite walking lace.

The main road passes inland, not along the beach front itself. The beach varies from black sand in Padang Galak to white sand in the stretch from Grand Bali Beach to Semawang. Further west, the coast turns to swamp prior to Suwung village, he location of a small pier for travel to Serangan Island. This land is currently developing into a popular resort area. It as several attractions for tourists, most famous' being the Pura Sakenan temple, built in the coral-stone architecture f the coast. The temple comes to life on Kuningan day, when thousands of worshippers cross the narrow strait to pay their respects to Empu Kuturan, 10th century reformer of Balinese Hinduism.

There is also a turtle hatchery on the island. Turtle meat used to be a favorite Balinese delicacy. But in the 60's and 70's turtle-shell became a favorite material for making jewelry and boxes, and the tortoises all but disappeared, hence the hatchery. But the local Bugis fishermen have lost their main livelihood, now having to travel as far as Eastern Indonesia and the Timor Sea to catch fish and sea-shells.

Tourism in Sanur began in the 30's. Expatriates write and other luminaries had beach bungalows there. After independence, the Dutch painter Le Mayeur lived there and gained fame for his affair with and marriage to Ni Polloc, one of the best dancers of his day. Le Mayeur's impressionist work, while heavily damaged, can be seen at Le Maye Museum near Grand Bali Beach Hotel. Donald Friend, one Australia's great artists, also lived in Sanur- until the 60 Sanur was where the Indonesian government made its fit attempt at mass tourism: the construction of the Bali Beach bunker built using Japanese war reparations. The hot burned down in 1993, but has now been restored even grand than before with the addition of a Bali-style roof. The Hyatt uilt in 70's, is famous for its garden and lobby, built like Huge traditional Balinese wantilan.

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