In Reply to: Candi Dasa posted by aussielea on Wednesday, 16. January 2008 at 17:48 Bali Time:
check out post done by Filo on november 21 last year. We stayed in Candi Dasa last year and saw heaps, but I have printed this off to give me ideas for this year. He describes a day trip well worth doing.
We really enjoyed going to Tenganan - Bali Aga village, take money to buy some really nice handcrafts and the most beautiful pashminas - not really cheap but lovely.
Goa Gajah - the elephant temple - is an amazing place to see, the Water Palace - Taman Ujung - and the Water Gardens - Tirta Gangga - are worth a look. You can swim at the water gardens and at both places for a donation you can get a guide to show you around.
In Candi Dasa you can get someone to take you out on their traditional boats and snorkle on around the islands off shore, or go to the Blue Lagoon for snorkeling.
We really enjoyed going to the local market in Amlapura, that was really interesting to buy and try local foods (for example snack foods made out of peanuts and flour fried up into a little flat cake)and exotic fruits and spices. Be warned they also sell animals. The people there were all lovely and our driver took us in and helped us.
Depending on how much time you have and what route you take you could also go to Besikih.
A good website to give you ideas is www.karangasemtourism.com or go to the Candi Beach Cottages website and go into 'leisure'. You can also download a map of Bali here which we found really useful in planning our day trips.
Good Luck and enjoy