Negara Tourist Attractions
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By road: 97 km (60 mi.) from Denpasar in direction of Gilimanuk.Bus: regular services from Denpasar-Tegal.Bemo: from Denpasar not advisable; better from Gilimanuk or Pulukan.By road: 97 km (60 mi.) from Denpasar in direction of Gilimanuk.Bus: regular services from Denpasar-Tegal.Bemo: from Denpasar not advisable; better from Gilimanuk or Pulukan.Negara, situated in one of the most thinly populated parts of Bali, is the Balinese town with the largest Muslim population - the result of its nearness to the neighboring, predominantly Muslim, island of Java. Apart from its status as chief town of Jembrana district Negara has no particular claims to the tourist's attention.Negara itself has no particular tourist attractions, but it is a trim little town with a number of handsome houses typical of the local style of building.There are a number of mosques, which visitors can enter outside the hours of prayer; permission should, however, be asked before entering.
Water-buffalo Races
Water-buffalo racesThere is one annual event which brings a little life to this otherwise sleepy little town - the water-buffalo races which have been held here for the last hundred years or so in November and attract thousands of visitors. The exact date varies from year to year: ask at your hotel reception or a tourist office in Denpasar for information.The race is run by two-wheeled carts drawn by a pair of buffaloes, which are controlled by a "jockey" whose task is, on the one hand, to keep his balance and, on the other, to urge the rather clumsy beasts to greater speed. The astonishing fact is that they manage to achieve speeds of up to 50 km (30 mi.) an hour over the 2.5 km (11/2 mi.) long course.
Surroundings
Pulukan
The road from Denpasar to Negara runs through the little town of Pulukan, which may attract visitors who want to get away from the throngs of tourists. The accommodation available offers only a modest standard of comfort, but the beaches are ideal for surfing.
