• Selling Last and Love in Bali
• What to Do-Kuta and Seminyak
• The Hidden Life of South Bali
• The Struggle to Save Bali's Turtles
• Jimbaran-The Bukit
• What to Do-Impossible Surf at The Bukit
• Fair Trade in Bali
• Ubud
• A Dance for Every Day
• Balinese Painters
• Ubud-What to do
• A Word of Dance
• East Bali in a Nutshell
• The Hidden life of East Bali
• Klungkung
• Where to Stay-Padang Bay
• Where to Stay Candidasa
• First and Third World in Tenganan
• Amlapura-Tirtagangga
• Tirtagangga and Around
• Amed Beach
• Planning Your Trip: The Best of Bali
• South Bali in a Nutshell

 

Where to Stay – Candidasa

Once a romantic beach destination, Candidasa 1s a case ­in point of the impact of unplanned tourism. When this fishing village became popular in the mid-80s, local entrepreneurs started building dozens of hotels along the coast. For the construction, they needed lime, available in the coral beds that made up the reef. Wading out day and night into the shallow water, farmers and fishermen - competed to collect coral for US$2 per day – enough to live comfortably by local standards. Soon enough, without the protection of the coral reef, the waves ate away at the shore, and the beach disappeared underwater. To prevent further erosion, the reef was replaced with a concrete wall and a set of piers.Yet some locals say it was a blessing that the beach vanished - it prevented the installation of big chain hotels.

Most hotels in Candidasa are now directly above the water. A bit of sand is accumulating along the piers, creating mini-beaches full of colourful jukung boats. This is still a far cry from the original lure of Candidasa, and after having lost the very reason why they were built, many of the hotels are often empty.  A Lush Dream at the Water Garden . With its dedalus of water ponds adorned with lilies and blossoming garden plants, this luxurious place has a unique and exquisite feel. The atmosphere is soothed by the murmur of flowing water, with the occasional splash of a red fish in front of the wooden decks of the well - decorated villas. The Water Garden promotes environmental cleaning activities in the area, and provides help to local orphanages as well as the East Bali Proverty Project. A donation box is available for contributions. A Green Stay at Asmara Dive Resort and Spa

This new romantic dive resort has been built by Yos , the founder of Yos Diving and a dedicated environmentalist. It features stone bungalows, each with its own fish pond, in a small garden filled with water plants. A special sys

prevent further erosion bungalows are built simple bamboo furniture

astretching from Padangbai concerned about plastic down through coconut