Bangli's mountainous region centers around the
spectacular volcanic crater (or caldera) of Batur. Mount Batur
itself is actually just a small volcano, but its setting is in
the heart of a huge crater. Adjacent to the volcano is the large
crescent-shaped Batur Lake, all surrounded by the high walls of
the crater rim.
As the road rises steadily from Bangli or Tampaksiring, nothing
in the surrounding grey landscape of bushes and garden plots suggest
the presence of a volcano. But over, one more small ridge a dizzying
view awaits the eyes, encompassing the crater and beyond. From
Penelokan, the main road runs right round the rim towards Kintamani,
the panorama shifting as circling around the crater.
The sheer size of the crater conjures up images of the massive
eruption of the original Mount Batur that occurred tens of thousands
years ago. The volcano is still active today as Balinese still
remember the great eruption of 1917. It claimed thousands of lives
and destroyed hundreds of temples.
Other eruptions have taken place since forcing the local population
to be relocated, along with several of their temples, including
the main Bali Temple, Pura Ulun Danu. Initially inside the huge
crater, this temple has been relocated to the top of the ridge
overlooking it. Here it now offers an impressive view of Mount
Batur.
Located less than an hour from north Bangli. Danau Batur is the
largest lake in Bali
and cribbed with the calderas of an active volcano named
Gunung Batur.
