Negara
Negara
Airport
GO TO NEGARA FOR
• Fishing boats at Perancek
• Buffalo cart races
• Church at Palasari
• Banks and ATMs
• Supermarket shopping
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FROM THE AIRPORT
Distance: 110 km
Travel by car: 3,5 hours
Cost: Rp500,000 with a driver
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BOOK A HOTEL IN NEGARA
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Okay, so let's be upfront about this: Negara isn't geared up to be a holiday destination, nor does it pretend to be – but there are a few places around the (very small) city that make for an interesting day trip.
Perancek is a fishing village about half an hour's drive south-east of Negara, or an hour's drive west from Medewi – and so worth a visit if you're in the area. The boats here are unlike any others on the island: they're big, bright and always work in pairs, so you'll always see two decorated the same and moored together.
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On Sunday mornings between July and October, the villages and paddies between Negara and Perancek become covered with dust and excitement: it's at this time of year that the traditional mekepung – buffalo chariot racing – takes place. Two ornately decorated buffaloes pull a small cart driven by one man, and races happen two-by-two throughout the morning. The later in the day the more bloodier the races (because the mekepung drivers wield nail-tipped koshes), so if you're sensitive to animal rights but are interested in watching the races, get there early. Read more about the races and traditions here.
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About an hour north-east of Bali you'll find Palasari, the island's only Catholic village. The cathedral here is beautiful, and the drive up to the village is really scenic.
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As the biggest city in this part of the island, Negara is a good place to go if you need to stock up on supplies from a supermarket (Hardy's has everything from clothes to cosmetics to beer to appliances). All of the major banks are in the city, and there is a good hospital here, too.