My Trip to Bali

A

Tanah Lot Bali

Dec 7th,2012....we get up quite early to catch up our flight to Bali. It was my first trip to Bali even though during my days as a flight crew with MAS, i always get this flight but it's only a turnaround flight. Never get to see the place or it's famous culture.

As soon as we arrived we were greeted by a driver that i got his no. from a friend. i was a bit reluctant but nevertheless just hope that he's ok and he seems fine. He brought us to GWK ' Garuda Wishnu Kencana' Cultural Park. This place is situated on the highest hill of Ungasan where visitors can enjoy sunset or sunrise over the magnificent view of Kuta, Benoa and Sanur. Made from more than 4000 tons of copper and brass, the statue is picturing Lord Wisnu, as the source of wisdom, riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda as the manifestation of conscience toward Amerta, the perennial goodness.
After the short visit, we went to the famous Uluwatu Temple. It is located in Pecatu Village, Sub district of South Kuta, and Badung Regency or about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar.It is situated on the coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters above the sea level. It is featured by a small dry forest which is mostly called by Alas Kekeran (interdict forest) which is belong to the temple and dwelt by a lot of monkeys and other animal. Name of Uluwatu was come from the word Ulu meaning the head and Watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip of coral reef.

Uluwatu Temple

We were very impressed of the view and the cleanliness of the place. Never had i imagined that one day i'll be seeing the view as nice as this.

We were told that there is a famous Kecak Dance by the performers and decided to stay and watched.

First, there is no musical accompaniment. The gamelan is not there. Rhythm is provided by a chanting 'monkey' chorus. The polyrhythmic sound of the chanting provides the name,
'Ke-chak'.

We managed to capture the beautiful sunset with our camera. Right after the dance ended, the driver brought us back to the hotel. It was a long journey and i feel like getting sick coz of not getting enough rest before we start with our tour.

As soon as we reached our hotel in Ubud where we booked earlier on, we just had quick dinner and less than 5 minutes i can hear my hubby snoring ......hehehe till next morning.Exhausted ...........really!!!!

Pura Goa Gajah

The next morning we get up very early coz we were told that we better start our tour early due to traffic is quite bad in Bali. Especially Kuta area where there is the place where all the tourist would like to go and spend time shopping.Our first stop is Pura Goa Gajah. It is located at Desa Bedulu, Gianyar.

At the façade of the cave is a relief of various menacing creatures and demons carved right into the rock at the cave entrance. The primary figure was once thought to be an elephant, hence the nickname Elephant Cave. The site is mentioned in the Javanese poem Desawarnana written in 1365. An extensive bathing place on the site was not excavated until the 1950^.These appear to have been built to ward off evil spirits.

Hubby smiling ...hehehehe actually tired of climbing the stairs

Next is Gunung Kawi.Gunung Kawi is an ancient rocky temple situated in Pakerisan River, near Tampaksiring village - Gianyar Regency in Bali. This archaeological complex is carved out of the living rock, dating back to 11th century. The temple with majesty and richness in history has been proposed by Governor of Bali to be listed on the World Heritage Sites.

Taking a bath with the holy water

A young Balinese boy

 Next is Pura Tirta Empul in Tampaksiring,Gianyar.The temple is located at the area of Banjar Tampak Siring, the administrative area of Kecamatan Tampak Siring, Kabupaten Gianyar. The place is a beginning of a river with big spring water and has plain area quiet wide more then 300 meters wide at low position with north west and east sides are high land. At the west highland is standing the presidential palace built during first president of Indonesia. The river that starts from this place forms the historic river of Pekerisan, along which left and right sides are found ancient rock carvings and 2 of them are well known in tourism such as Gunung Kawi and Goa Gajah. The activities of ancient people is disclosed to have been started since around 960 AD. King Çri Chandra Bhaya Singha Varmadeva constructed a temple with the name "Tirtha di air Mpul" from which is believed it got the current name.

The next day we planned to go to Kintamani. This is where the active volcano Mount Batur located.

The area of north-eastern Bali at the Mount Batur caldera, and which encompasses Penelokan, Toya Bungkah, Batur and Kintamani villages, is known widely as just Kintamani. Kintamani, Batur and Penelokan villages sit on the rim of the huge Batur caldera about 1,500m above sea level, and offer dramatic views of the active volcano Mount Batur and serene Lake Batur. Toyo Bungkah village is down at the lake edge.

Next stop is Tegallalang.It has a nice scenery of green rice terrace.What more can i say about this place.... Beautiful green area, with stunning view rice terrace.

The famous food in Bali is Babi Guling or Roast Pig. You can see it everywhere here in Bali. As for us, we have to look for vegetarian food.  Errrr......not easy to find halal food even though there's a place selling it.It's either we become vegetarian or asking for seafood.

Next is Monkey Forest. The Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal is owned by the village of Padangtegal. Village members serve on the Sacred Monkey Forest's governing council (The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation).

 The next day we went to Batubulan.Batubulan is an artistic countryside in west part of Gianyar regency. The identity and image as an art village, Batubulan has been famous in Indonesia and all over the world which has been built based on an artistic blessing dance of Barong (Barong and Keris dance). Barong Dance is daily performed at five different stages in this countryside, like Puseh Temple Stage, Tegal Tamu Stage, Denjalan Stage, Sahadewa Stage and Sila Budaya Stage. The fascination of this Tourism Cultural Object is from variety of quality artistic potency. Batubulan Village is covering the dance art, artistic of Kerawitan, artistic of idol and article art.

Next is Pura Taman Ayun.The Royal Temple of Mengwi is one of the most important temples in Bali. Built in 1634 by a King of the Mengwi dynasty, this impressive complex stands on an island in a river, its inner temple surrounded by a moat. Its Balinese name Pura Taman Ayun literally means ‘Garden Temple in the Water’.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major Shivaite and water temple on Bali, Indonesia — the other major water temple being Pura Ulun Danu Batur. The temple complex is located on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul. Water temples serve the entire region in the outflow area; downstream there are many smaller water temples that are specific to each irrigation association (subak).^[1]
Built in 1663, this temple is used for offerings ceremony to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11 stories of pelinggih meru dedicated for Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha statue also present inside this temple.

Jatiluweh, where you can find the most stunning and the oldest rice terraces of Bali, as far as the eye can see.  Go for a short walk in the rice paddies to see the villagers taking care of the rice. Unesco has declared this place as world heritage site. Later that evening we decided to wait for a sunset at the famous Tanah Lot which located at west coast Bali at Tabanan regency.

Tanah Lot Temple is located in coastal side of Beraban countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan Regency. It is situated in 30 Km in west side of Denpasar town and about 11 Km in south side of Tabanan town. The temple is built on the rock with 3 acre size and reachable in a few minute by walk, because it is just 20 meters from the coastal lip. This temple is very famous among tourist destinations in Bali with spectacular view of sunset. At some nooks of coral reef around Tanah Lot Temple there are holy tame snake in black and white color where according to the local society believe that it as a deity property and as the guard of the temple from the bad influence.

This is the super duper beautiful place besides Uluwatu. I love to see the unique culture of the Balinese. You can't find it anywhere on earth, they still protect their nature, they value what they have and the most important thing they protect the culture and still practise it till today. Superb...that's what i can say about this place.We failed to capture the sunset at Tanah Lot coz we are at the wrong place....urghhhhh!!!



Jimbaran is a fishing village and tourist resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach has seafood restaurants and luxury hotels, including the five-star Kayumanis Private Estate & Spa, Intercontinental Hotel Bali, Ayana Resort and Spa, Four Seasons and Jimbaran Puri Bali. Tourism in Jimbaran has increased rapidly so that it has boosted the local economy, but was devastated by the 2005 Bali bombings when suicide bombers struck at two popular warungs (restaurants) along the beach.  Diners select the live seafood that they wish to eat, and it is immediately prepared, generally grilled over a fire of coconut husks rather than charcoal.We choose Cafe Blue Marlin and the food is quite nice.

Sunset at Jimbaran from Blue Marlin Cafe

The next day we're heading to Desa Penglipuran, this is a traditional village of the Balinese. Tourist can see their house and how they lived.The Penglipuran Village in Bangli is a wonderful representation of traditional Balinese house design. There are also no cars in the village so you get a chance to wander the streets and enjoy the village without cars wizzing past you. The locals are all very friendly and the village temple Pura Penataran is also quite nice, lovely old stonework.

Mount Agung

Collecting holy water

Pura Besakih 'The Mother Temple'