Bali is fast becoming the world’s top tourist destination. So what travel tips to Bali do you need? Just one: visit Kuta. Featuring Bali’s best beaches and prime party locations, Kuta draws sunbathers, surfers and party goers from all around the globe. The trendy bars, up market restaurants and entertainment venues do not disappoint but there is much more to this magical place, check into the Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort and find out.
A long history stretches back before the island gained the reputation it has today. The first time Kuta appears in history is in 1336. Gajah Mada, a powerful military leader and his troops from Majapahit, a great empire based on the island of Java, landed on the south end of the beach. Today, this spot goes by the name of Tuban.
Kuta’s history revolves around five places: Pasih Perahu Beach, Dharmanaya Monastery, the tomb of Mads Lange, Poppies Restaurant, and the Bali Bombing Monument. The former three are the lesser known areas. Pasih Beach, which translates to ‘Boat Beach’, once served as a harbour but the area has since been lost to sea erosion. Dharmayana Monastery, Built in 1876, is one of the oldest buildings in Kuta and is a symbol of the location’s multicultural past. The beach was used as a trading hub in Dutch colonial times; the story of a Danish trader marks this era. Mads Lange lived on the island for eighteen years and served as harbourmaster in Kuta. He was an influential tradesman and a trusted advisor to the local rulers until he was supposedly poisoned. He was laid to rest beneath a memorial, which can be seen today. Several scholars have also preserved his memory in historic chronicles of the area.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.