A small seaport and the capital of Buleleng featuring tree-lined avenues, quiet residential perimeters, a wide market street, rows of bright Chinese shops, and horse-drawn carts amidst frenetic traffic. Singaraja is reminiscent of Java.

Traders from all over Asia have called at the port of Buleleng since the 10th century, trading arms, opium and 'kepang' for fresh water, food, livestock, and slaves. Each group has greatly impacted the cultural life of the city. Singaraja means 'lion king', a name commemorating a palace built in 1604 by Raja Panji Sakti. The Dutch fought the powerful raja at a fierce battle in the nearby village of Jagaraga, finally taking control of the northern Buleleng region in 1849.

With a present population of more than 550,000 people, Singaraja is Bali's second largest city. It's cleaner, less polluted, less congested, and more attractive and relaxing than Denpasar.

The only part of the city that has retained its original character is the densely packed merchant's quarter south of the harbor. Many imposing residences and examples of European architecture still stand, reminders of Singaraja's former grandeur as the Dutch capital of Bali and all the islands to the east.

A number of these white-painted colonial edifices can be found along Jalan Ngurah Rai, heading south from the harbor up to the winged lion statue, where Jalan Ngurah Rai meets Jalan Pahlawan. In Indonesian called Tugu Singa Ambara Raja, the lion symbolizes the dynamic spirit of the people of Buleleng and serves as the regency's coat of arms.

At the top of Jalan Ngurah Rai is the Kantor Bupati, once the official residence of the Dutch 'Resident' (a sort of governor). After independence it was used as the Indonesian Governor's office when Singaraja was the capital of Nusa Tenggara. In 1958, Nusa Tenggara was divided into three provinces-Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timur, and Nusa Tenggara Barat-and the island's capital was moved from Singaraja to Denpasar.

The building remained vacant until 1970, when it was used as the headquarters of the Fifth Regional Defensive Command. In 1977 it was converted into the Hotel Singaraja. In 1982 it became the mayor's office.

Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the old harbor area. Walk through the narrow streets and along the seawall and try to imagine the days when this was one of the Dutch East Indies' busiest entrepôrts. Now only a few small fishing and cargo 'perahu' bob offshore.

See abandoned and decaying coffee and tobacco 'gudang', shophouses, the crumbling old Port Authority office, and an antique arched steel bridge. This old anchorage at the mouth of the Buleleng River, poorly protected from bad weather, has long since silted up. Celukanbawang, 40 km west of Singaraja, now serves as Buleleng's principal export harbor.

Near the waterfront, the haunting statue of freedom fighter Ketut Merta points seaward. After WW II, in the chaotic period between the Japanese surrender and the Dutch return, the crew of a Dutch patrol boat hoisted the Dutch flag in Buleleng Harbor. Ketut Merta climbed to replace it with the red-and-white Indonesian banner.

He was machine-gunned from the Dutch boat the minute he stepped away from the pole. During the Indonesian struggle for independence it was common for guerrillas to use nicknames like Pak Hitam ('Mr. Black'), Pak Cilik ('Mr. Small'), etc. Ketut Merta was known as I Lontong, ('Mr. Steamed Rice'). A shrine commemorating I Lontong is located around the corner opposite the Chinese temple.

The huge Hindu temple Pura Jagatnatha is on Jalan Pramuka. In the evenings the local 'gamelan' rehearses in the first courtyard. Singaraja's 'pura dalem', on Jalan Gajah Mada below the cemetery, contains a wall of incredible phantasmagoric relief depicting Balinese heaven and hell and the dire consequences of earthly sins.

See miscreants with their tongues pulled out, arms sawed off, boiled, beaten, and stabbed. A large Chinese klenteng in the eastern part of the city houses priceless vases and tapestries.

In the west part of town is the Chinese cemetery Bukit Suci with unusually marked and decorated graves; turn north just east of Terminal Banyuasri and travel down Jalan Pantai Lingga. There's a fishing village and swimming beach nearby.

Accommodations

Most Singaraja hotels cater to Indonesian business or 'pegawai'. If you're staying longer than a day, it's more pleasant to stay six kilometers away at Lovina Beach than in the city itself. Most of Singaraja's hotels are conveniently located on Jalan A. Yani, heading west out of town.

Service

The tourist information office, Jalan Veteran 23, tel. 62362-61.141, is near the Gedung Kirtya, about 100 meters back from the road; you'll see the sign from Jalan Veteran. From Banyuasri station, take a yellow 'bemo'. The friendly staff may have a few pamphlets and maps of Buleleng and Singaraja. Open Mon-Fri 0700-1700, Saturday until 1230.

Getting There

Board a minibus from Kintamani or Denpasar to Singaraja via Bedugul. Go through a hair-raising mountain pass, descend from a point 1,200 meters above sea level, and there it is. Another route is via Kintamani in the mountains through Kubutambahan on the north coast.

Singaraja is also on the shuttle bus route. If traveling to Lovina from Karangasem, you arrive first at Penarukan Terminal then take a 'bemo' into Singaraja or across town to Banyuasri Terminal, then another to Lovina.

Getting Around

'Bemo' constantly circulate between Terminal Banyuasri, Pasar Anyar, and Terminal Penarukan. 'Bemo' from Banyuasri to Sangket are yellow, Sangket to Banyuasri red, Penarukan to Sangket blue, Penarukan to Banyuasri green or brown. 'Bemo' are scarce after 1800. 'Dokar' will also take you anywhere in town (negotiate price before climbing in) emanating from Pasar Anyar, the night market.

Getting Away

Singaraja's Terminal Banyuasri is on Jalan A. Yani in the West Side of town, serving such western destinations as Lovina, Seririt, Gilimanuk, as well as Java. To reach Labuhan Lalang (for Pulau Menjangan) or Negara, catch an 'oplet' to Gilimanuk, then take the main highway to Denpasar. Minibuses leave Banyuasri for Denpasar via Pupuan, a mind-blowing trip.

The quickest way to reach Denpasar is from the bus station, Terminal Sangket (also called Sukasada) at the south end of Singaraja. From here minibuses for Denpasar via Bedugul leave about every 30 minutes from early morning to around 1800, a two-hour trip. Denpasar-bound minibuses can even be found after 1800, but they'll charge higher fare. Buses leave here also for Bedugul/Lake Bratan and Gitgit Waterfall.

The terminal Penarukan, tel. 62362-61334, is on Jalan Supratman three km east of Singaraja, serving such eastern destinations as Amlapura and Kintamani. Penarukan Station offers a proper covered waiting area, and swarms with Isuzu vans and colts. Catch a ride to Tejakula, Sanih Beach, Amlapura, Padangbai, Kintamani (infrequent after 1200, so get an early start), Klungkung via Penelokan, Batubulan.

By motorcycle or car, it takes about 2.5 to three hours to reach Amlapura. Direct buses travel to Surabaya from either Singaraja or Lovina If you're in a hurry to get to Java, you can hop the first thing going to Gilimanuk, where you can connect with long-distance buses for destinations including Yogyakarta or Jakarta.