|  Bali's
famous surf beach is now known for its shopping &
exciting nightlife. True to its surf heritage Kuta has
many small, inexpensive hotels as well as larger hotels
with all the bells & whistles.
To the north of the Bukit peninsula is the popular beach
resort of Kuta. Its claim to fame owes much to two things:
its beach (originally Bali's best) and the sunset. The
beach front is now host to star hotels, except for Legian
and Seminyak, where much of the social scene is now
centered. The main shops are located along Legian street.
Beach bungalows firstd in Kuta in the 1930's.
But mass tourism did not start here until the late 60's
when it became known as a hippie haven. Kuta soon boomed.
The bamboo beach bungalows were turned into losmen,
then into hotels. T-shirt sold on the beach were replaced
by a thriving garment and handicraft industry. The hippies
either left of struck it rich, and Kuta has become one
of the most dynamic places in Indonesia, a place to
encounter new ideas and lifestyles and a place to experience
all manner of pleasures. |
