Location
Desa Singapadu is belong to the administrative area of Kecamatan Sukawati,
Kabupaten Gianyar, 12 km away from Denpasar city, 27 km from Kuta and 37
km from Nusa Dua area. The status of Mas is at the level of " Desa
" which means a unit of settlement autonomous in organization traditionally
relating to the religious, social, and many aspects of traditional life.
Normally a Desa is consist of many smaller unit of settlement which has
it's own traditional organization called " Banjar ". Yet a Desa
is not necessarily consist of many Banjar organizations, yet the most important
requirements to be considered to be a level of Desa is ownership of at least
3 temples, cemetery and a meeting hall. In a very simplified way the Banjar
can be translated into a village. That is the existence of Desa Singapadu
which is by chance this level of settlement unit consist of many Banjars.
By location Singapadu is only 2 km away from Batubulan town, and even today
there is no clear border between them. When one drives to Ubud or Gianyar
taking short cut to Batuan the road which passing Singapadu. Which atmosphere
is still like Bali dozens of years ago with very big banyan tree in the
middle of the Desa, although all houses are modern.
Interest of Desa Desa Singapadu
In contrast with Batubulan which offers traditional entertainment such as
Barong dance, Kecak Dance, and stone carving, Desa Singapadu offers mixed
interests from gold and silver works, animal safaris, Barong dance and Kecak
Dance.
Taman Burung or Bali Bird Park
Taman Burung is located on the border of Desa Singapadu and Desa Batubulan
which is one of the biggest specialized animal safari in Indonesia, special
in collecting various species of birds both local and from other countries.
The area of Taman Burung covers two hectares with many aviaries which is
constructed as close as possible with birds' original habitat both for terrestrial
and on trees. There are hundred of bird species which are mostly endangered
species such as the endemic Bali Starling bird, or known as Jalak Bali,
Macaw from American continent, Cockatoo from Australia, African heron, the
famous Tanzanian flamingo, Pelican, and many others. Local birds are Indonesian
cockatoo with its shining feathers, Kasuari, black cockatoo, Hornbill, and
Bird or Paradise with the most complete collection in the world which reaches
250 species of exotic birds. The park is not only bird with its' habitat
that are interesting but also can be seen lizard such as the Komodo dragon
with the background of water fall, lotus pond, water lily and others. Bird
Park is very suitable for school children which is related to their subject
of biology. The type of travelers visiting Bird Park are Local, Korea, Taiwanese,
and Japanese. The location is very suitable to be inserted on an itinerary
of sightseeing to Ubud. The Park also offers restaurant for snack, dinner
or any meal arrangement for both individual or group.
Reptile Park
Neighboring with Taman Burung or Bali Bird Park is the Taman Reptile or
Reptile Park. Most of heir collection are various type of snakes from the
most poisonous snakes such as cobra to very small and tremendously big Python,
medium lizard and big such as the Komodo Dragon. This Reptile park is also
very good place to bring the children to know each of the snake in good
observation at one stop with Bird Park.
Bali Zoo Park
Bali Zoo Park offers various big and small animal, located close to the
eastern border of Singapadu with Celuk, and adjacent with big gold and silver
smith such as Singapadu Art Shop, Krisnayuna, and many others. The small
road that connect Singapadu with Batuan are full of art shops or souvenir
shops that line up on the right and left sides of the road and in the middle
of left hand is strange there is a Zoo Park collecting Lion, Asian Tiger,
Squirrels, Deer, Leopard, Panther, and many other animals. The animal lives
in a cage, so travelers can observe it at close distance.
That are the main interest of Desa Singapadu beside indeed the traditional
smith of gold and silver as meticulous as silver and gold smith at Desa
Celuk. Most of the smith are working at home, only small number of them
have showroom, unlike in Celuk. They work with their family receiving orders
from big art shops or exporters or bring their product to the shops in Ubud,
Kuta, Denpasar, Nusa Dua or any places that sell as retail or whole sales.
There are also association of music and dances such as Barong dance and
Kecak dance at Singpadu, yet all of them are only perform on charter. The
can present their dance at the village hall or at any place prepared by
the hirer such as hotels, restaurant or other villages. A school of dance
can be found also there, which educate the children many type of Balinese
dance, especially from elementary school or early age. The school is a foundation
managed by one of the famous Balinese music artist and teacher at Bali Art
and Music Academy in Denpasar.
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