Pronounced "chan-GOO",
the name is derived from the Samprangan Chronicles-part-myth,
part-history-that relates stories of ancient Balinese
kings. About three km north of Petitenget, Canggu,
the name of the village two km inland, is coastal
Bali at its best.
Known for sunbathing and surfing, Canggu is for
those looking for a quiet beach. Life is easy and
relaxing. The waves here are big, though. Don't
swim during high tide, and you must be a good swimmer
to swim any other time.
Fishermen here still use the beach and sea for
their livelihood. Take a walk to the north and you'll
run into some important and attractive sea temples
and more fishing villages where life goes on relatively
undisturbed.
Cremation ceremonies can sometimes be seen right
in front of the hotels. Also, lots of wildlife,
thousands of birds and butterflies, Roman Polanski
has a house just down the beach, on Sunday morning
dancers train on the street-onlookers welcome-and
traditional temple ceremonies are ongoing.
Getting There
From Kuta, Canggu is about a 1.5-hour walk at low
tide or a 20-minute drive (16 km). To get into Denpasar,
you don't have to go to the time and trouble of
going via Kuta. Just take one of the hotel shuttles
two km from Canggu to Krobokan village, then a 'microlet'
12 km further into Stasiun Gunung Agung in Denpasar
from where you can hitch a 'bemo' into city center.
Canggu makes a good base from which to explore
coastal or inland Bali. Distances: 20 km to Sanur,
26 km to airport, 36 km to Nusa Dua, 38 km to Ubud.
A beautiful 34-km-long road winds through villages
to Tanah Lot.
You can also walk north to Tanah Lot through a
completely natural area in a little less than two
hours during low tide (five days before the full
moon) if you start out by 1400. If it's low tide,
reach Canggu by motorbike or bicycle along the beach.
Or take a 'bemo' down Jalan Legian toward Krobokan,
then turn west toward Berawa Beach. The most convenient
way to reach Berawa's hotels is by taxi. |
