Bali: Unimaginable Uluwatu & Jimbaran Bay 巴厘岛:乌鲁瓦图寺&金巴兰海湾

We set off at 4pm on a hired car with driver Edy for an hour drive on a hilly road to Pura Uluwatu, famed as the MOST spectacular temple in Bali. Dedicated to the Spirits of the Sea, this ancient Hindu temple was significantly rebuilt since the 11th century. 

The name Ulu means 'land's end' and watu means 'stone'. Uluwatu temple complex is set on majestic peninsular cliff with east and west side jutting into the vast Indian Ocean. Visitors walked on stony esplanade along the cliff bank to admire its magical beauty. The Uluwatu Temple Tour is a 'Must not Miss out' tour of Bali. Truly it is, however, I would preferred to call it 'Spectacular Sunset and Monkey Business' tour. 

Monkeys were roaming freely almost everywhere around the temple ground.

-If you don't like monkeys (at all), you might have to give this destination a miss. 

-If you've never seen or want to try a monkey business, an amazing experience awaits. 

-If you don't like monkeys, don't want monkey business but dying to see the Unimaginable Uluwatu, don't worry, the beautiful sights will blow your mind away (from the monkeys!)

Edy took a tree branch to 'protect' us from the 'monkeys traders' who are  notorious for sneakily snatching belongings from unwary visitors, hoping to 'trade' them back for some fruits or peanuts! Mind you, a little patience and negotiation skills are required for a successful 'deal'! They must have been to some sort of monkey business school!? 

Warnings were given that shiny or colourful things like hats, caps, eyeglasses, necklaces, hair clips, phones, etc, should be kept away but some tourists (especially those bimbos who wanted their photographs taken like a model, wearing lots of accessories ) couldn't be bother and later screamed and cried like a ghost when they became a victim! 

Dear Victims, You don't have to cried nor die, you can have your belongings back by trading with the monkeys or pay/tip a local people to get it back. And a Lesson Learned. (AND an encouragement for the monkeys to make more business next time! Thank you!)

Some were amusing though...Luckily, they didn't snatch my camera nor punch my face!

A man helped a tourist to retrieve a pair of sunglasses stolen by a 'monkey thief' hidden in the tree. If you looked hard enough, there are many 'stolen goods' hanging on trees! Naughty naughty monkey!   

But these Little Monkeys were well-mannered! 

Look at the stunning brilliant blue Indian ocean... 

Listen to the short powerful waves rushing to hit the rocky shores...

Embrace every second of sweet sea breeze caressing your skin...

Inhale slowly A deep breath of pure fresh air... 

Feel a delightful rejuvenated body and soul.

Walk to the end of the cliff. Some called it 天涯海角, literally 'Edge of Sky, Corner of Seas' or simply 'The End of the Earth'. A term used poetically to describe immeasurable distance in longing to be with a loved one. As such, it also symbolize Forever Love, thus, a perfect place for couples to exchange promises of love and eternal vows.   

But from any enthusiastic photographers' point of view, its a powerful vantage point for great shots of 'A Border-less World!'. Whether its the 'End of the earth' or a 'Border-less world', the panoramic stunning views will definitely  blow your mind away..

The west side of the peninsular cliff; viewed from the cliff bank of the picture above. 

A close up view of the inner sanctum of Uluwatu temple with the iconic three-tier meru towering beautifully on the edge of the limestone promontory, about 80m above the roaring sea. Entry to the inner temple sanctum is strictly for Balinese Hindus ONLY.

'A Spectacular Sunset of Uluwatu' is perhaps the most memorable sunset treasured by all tourists. Sure it's one big attraction of Bali that should not be missed!

A beautiful seascape with the mellow sun radiating rays of strong orange hues light and warmth across the shoreline while wispy cotton clouds gently drifting through the pastel blue sky on a summer breeze. A beauteous evening to behold indeed!  

The last bit of the Sun as it slowly slipped smoothly into the western horizon at 6pm. 

Softly, the Blue Hour sets in, creating a splendid dreamy seascape that totally captivated its viewers' heart, mind and soul instantly. 

Saying my farewell to this monkey, we then make our way to Jimbaran Bay, a short distance from Uluwatu. Jimbaran was once a fishing village and is now home to exclusive and prestigious hotels, beach resorts and luxury rental villas. There are about 50 grilled restaurants in three different clusters lining the glorious white sandy beaches.

Relaxing and enjoying the cool sea breeze, the sounds of the waves, kicking our shoes off and swirling our legs in the sand. Watching Balinese cultural performances on stage while waiting for our orders. And buskers came singing 小微, thinking we were Taiwanese. 

Our most expensive dinner in Bali Rp656,000/RM235.64 Set D- Grilled Prawns, Squids, Mussels and fish served with steam rice, soup, vegetables, salad, fries soft drinks and seasonal fresh fruits. Different set dinner offers different types of seafood combinations or pick your choice of live seafood from the tanks. Ala- Carte available too. 

Cheers for Home Sweet Home tomorrow!

NOTE:
Temple Visit: 
1. No 'skimpy' dressing. No open wound. No menstruation. (Nothing fleShY nor bloOdY!)

2. Sarongs and waist sashes are provided. (sarongs for those who forgot to dress appropriately but everyone is required to wear a waist sash to ward off evil spirit unless you want to risk your soul!!)

3. DON'T wear any eyeglasses at all. (Risk of being snatched by monkeys and a scratched face)

4. DON'T eat/drink or feed the monkeys. (unless you like monkeys to jump onto you)

5. Wear proper shoes for a journey of stony walkways and steep stairways. (Monkeys love thongs and flip flops, risk going home bare-footed!!)

6. Get hold of a tree branch/stick, so the monkeys dare not get close to you. 

8. Kecak Fire Dance - a cultural performance held daily(6pm). Get your ticket (Rp 50,000) and be at the venue on time. 

Jimbaran Beach Dinner: 
1. Be prepared to be ripped-off.  
2. Have smaller notes ready for buskers.
3. Have insect repellent handY.
4. Have a healthy stomach as it's a long way back to the city!

Bali: The Beauty of Kintamani 巴厘岛:美麗之金塔马尼

Kintamani, nestled in rich green foliage and tranquil mountainous area of north eastern Bali is a popular day trip away from busy Kuta. Most people come to see the stunning views of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. 

With a planned itinerary at hand, we took the hotel kijang with a driver who was smartly dressed in traditional costume to explore the beauty of the unspoiled country side.

1. Sukawati Art Market - Our first stop after an hour drive from Kuta. A wholesale and retail marketplace for Oleh Oleh (indonesian word meaning gifts for somebody). Arts, crafts, Souvenirs, shirts, batik, sarongs, beach wears, bags, statues, everything Balinese. Most shops sell the same merchandise, the only thing is WHERE to get the best price? Bargaining is power but somehow prices are adjusted to shoppers' nationalities, i guess.

  

Shop like crazy, Sweat like doggy. It's hot and stuffy inside. Sellers can be aggressive and cursed you once you turned your back after a sale went sour. Bahasa Indonesia is not very much different from Bahasa Malaysia ya!? We know what you're saying!

2. Pura Tirta Empul (圣泉寺) - Holy Spring Water Temple, situated in a valley of Tampaksiring Village. At the outer courtyard, there is a shrine under a huge holy banyan tree where worshipers make their prayers and offerings before entering the temple. 

The entrance to the temple. Note: No skimpy dressing. No menstruation. Sarongs are provided for those who forgot to dress 'decently'. Why? To remind them to show proper respect to the God(s) and the temple. 

Once inside, you'll be mesmerized by the beautiful, healthy Koi gliding gracefully in peaceful motion around a large pool of emerald waters. Serenity carried me away..... 

Within the courtyard are bales, shrines, statues, pavilions and beautiful Balinese carvings. Please Take note: DO NOT walk in front of praying groups nor use a flash camera. TQ. 

The Istana Negara (Presidential Palace) on top of a green hill has an excellent view of the whole sanctuary. It was built in 1954 as a retreat for President Sukarno (1st President of Indonesia) during his/and family stay in Bali. Later, it became a Government VIPs rest house and now, open to visitors but are not allowed to go inside the buildings. 

Pura Tirta Empul is a Hindu temple built in 926 A.D. at the site where God Indra fought against the evil Mayadewana King during legendary times. God Indra pierced the ground, creating spring water to revive his army back to life after they were poisoned by the evil king. This antidote water was thus relived to have miracle power over life's troubles. 

In the middle courtyard, the sacred spring water in a big rectangular pond still exist. Known as the HOLY POND, you can see clear water bubbling up naturally from underground, some forming clouds while some were like spilled fern green paint. The luminous green algae/plants blooming amid the water were fascinating, too.

The bathing pool with cool holy water gushing from a line of 12 ornate sprouts. Each sprout is believed to have a purpose/healing power, with Sanskrit words inscribed on it. 

Devotees waded through the pool to the sprouts. Then follow a ritual of offering, prayers and cleansing themselves from sickness, sins and bad luck or just merely purifying their mind and soul - a spiritual tradition that has continued for more than a thousand years. Visitors are welcome to take a bath too. Or take some holy water home. We did!

Upon exit from the temple to the parking lots, there are rows of lengthy Oleh Oleh shops where multi-linguistic sellers desperately trying to get you to buy a thing or two; giving options to various foreign currencies being accepted. Personally, i think it's easier to shop here than Sukawati Art Market. As for the prices, it depends on your skills of bargaining.

3. Buana Amertha Sari Coffee farm (BAS 咖啡园) - Located on highlands about 18km from the temple. Established since 2000 where the famous Bali Coffee originated. 

This is where Luwak Coffee comes from. Perhaps the most expensive sh*t in the world!! 

Famous for its traditional coffee processing. Do you know there are male and female coffee beans? No i don't, but i like the fresh coffee roasting aroma drifting around me and politely requested for 2 Luwak coffee beans to take home for good luck! 

Buy a pot of Luwak coffee (Rp50,000/RM18.00), FREE a cup of Bali female Coffee, Ginseng coffee, Hot Cocoa, Ginger tea and Lemon grass tea each for tasting. 

Coffee break atop a hill, overlooking coffee plantations, with fresh air all around. Cool eh?

 4. Penelokan,  Kintamani  (金塔马尼) - The stunning panorama of Mount Batur viewed from Penelokan. Mount Batur (巴杜尔火山) is a sacred mountain, located in between two concentric calderas of Mount Agung. A height of 1,717 meters at summit, erupted about 28 times since 1800 and is still an active volcano that attracted thousands of tourists each year. (Eruptions at intervals of between 1-39 years. Last eruption: 7 July, 2000)

Penelokan- perching at 1500m above sea level on the rim of Batur caldera, with clusters of overnight lodgings, restaurants and vendor stalls. Visitors stayed a night to witness a spectacular sunrise or to explore the surrounding areas of the volcano and the lake.

The favourite spot for picture taking and the only moment pushy peddlers kindly stop pestering you from buying their t-shirts and sarongs. ~pHeeW~  

During pre-historical times, a major eruption formed a secondary volcano and caldera, which partly filled with water that became the crystalline Lake Batur (火山湖). The largest lake of Bali located on the south eastern side of Mount Batur. The lake provides a good fish source and irrigation to the rice fields of the surrounding villages.

5. Tegallalang Rice Terrace (德格拉朗梯田) - The spectacular views of green rice terraces with swaying coconut trees and small river valleys on hill slopes and mountain edges. The step garden like terrace is the most popular featured landscape in Bali. 

If you zoomed your lens, you can catch duckies swimming and diving happily in canals. No so lucky for the duckies at Dirty Duck Diners in Ubud! 

6. Ubud (乌布) - A short drive took us to the famous Bebek Bengil or Dirty Duck Diners, a classy garden-themed restaurant. Why such a name? Because a flock of ducks were assumed as 'first guests' after they left their muddy webbed footprints all over the place just when the restaurateur was searching a name for their new restaurant. Was that also the idea that they became their signature dishes? PoOr duCkies! 

Ubud is the arts and culture hub of Bali. This picturesque town, surrounded by glistening rice fields has a truly mystical old-world charm filled with art galleries, craft shops, boutique cafes, fancy restaurants and lovely hotels. Whether is a romantic getaway, wellness retreat, relaxing break, Ubud is a definitely A Good place to stay!  

Luck was on our side that (without booking) we were given Pondok 3, the best and most coveted seats being located in the center; looking out onto the surrounding paddy fields and cheerful duckies. (Book this pondok in advance to avoid disappointment!)  

Smelling the fresh air while admiring the vast paddy fields; made lively with marching duckies quacking happily away. Do they know that one fateful day, they'll end up being smoked or roasted on hungry diners' plates? - SoB Sob SOB - Happy Life is Short! 

Set lunch at Rp 187,000/Rm68.00:- Signature Bebek Tutu or Balinese Smoked Duck (sorry, duckie) with spices, six sticks fat juicy chicken satays, a plate of crunchy fried long beans, a basket of fragrant steamed rice and mixed fruit juices. After munching everything off the plate, we felt like taking a nap on the comfortable cushions.

Enjoy a leisurely scenic drive on route to Denpasar over small roads passing paddy fields, hills, forests, small villages, arts and crafts communities. 

7. Denpasar (登巴萨) - The largest city and capital of Bali. Our day trip ended with a check into Pop Harris Hotel. The night was spent in shopping malls and people watching.

NOTE:

Discover Bali without joining a tour:

1. Do your homework. Have a planned itinerary. 

2. Rent a car or hire a trusted driver. (Preferably from your hotel's tour desk)  

3. Hired driver ONLY drive you around. (Don't expect a tourist guide service to come with it)   

4. Entrance fees applies at tourist spots. Have small notes at hand.

*Places you may give it a miss:

1. Sukawati Art Market - Shopping is Stressful. Hot and stuffy too.

2. Coffee Farm - If you don't buy/drink coffee, the people aren't going to be happy. 

3. Dirty Duck Diners - Sad to see happy live duck one minute and next minute dead on your plate. 

Bali: Pura Taman Ayun & Tanah Lot 峇里岛:塔曼阿扬寺&海神庙的魅力

There are thousands of temples (Pura) in Bali. We visited two of the "Top 10 Must-See Temples in Bali" in a hired kijang (with driver) from the hotel tour desk for a half day tour. 

Pura Taman Ayun  

A Royal temple of Mengwi Empire built in 1634 by King Gusti Agung Anom in the town of Mengwi. The temple complex has three ascending courtyards - Outer, Middle and Inner courtyards, (connected but separated by gates and walls) surrounded by landscape gardens and a wide moat, giving the temple a 'floating on water' impression from afar. 

Cross a bridge to the the Outer courtyard which has a spacious beautiful  landscape garden. A paved footpath passed a little pond and fountain led to the Middle courtyard.

Entrance to the Middle courtyard. There is a shrine dedicated to one ancestor and other shrines dedicated to the various main temples of Bali to ensure prosperity of the nation.

Visitors are not allowed to enter the Inner (Holy) courtyard which is considered as the most sacred area of the temple. However, there is a perimeter walkway outside the walled area where visitors may take a look inside the Inner courtyard.

West side view of the Inner courtyard with rows of Bales - open sided court pavilions for musicians, cultural performances and high priests to conduct ceremonial rites and rituals.

Back side view with numerous distinctive wooden multi-tiered 'merus' (shrines) dedicated to different gods and goddess that rise up into the temple's skyline.

East side view and towards the exit of the temple. 

It is indeed a place to marvel the rustic charm of this more than three centuries old temple, rich in Balinese architectural designs.  After a leisurely stroll around the site and enough of picture taking, we left the temple for Pura Tanah Lot. 

Pura Tanah Lot 

This iconic "Temple on the Sea" is perhaps the most photographed temple in Bali. A holy place built to worship the Balinese sea gods back in the 15th century.

First stop was at Pura Batu Balong - a small temple that perched on a promontory with a natural archway under it. Follow a footpath to the cliff top temple which has a perfect position exactly overlooking the right side of Pura Tanah Lot.

At the edge of Pura Batu Balong cliff - a spot where tourists took turn to have a 'MUST take picture' with Pura Tanah Lot and the vast Indian Ocean as the backdrop.

And taking numerous zoom shots of the famous Tanah Lot that splendidly sits on a rocky island some distance off the shore, towering over the sea. 

After finishing admiring the magnificent views of the temple from afar, we walked a short distance along a foot path to get a closer look at the temple.  

A boy selling souvenirs along the foot path.

Some tourists playing hide and seek with little fishes in the rock pools,

while others go for more adventurous waves catChing and splaShing! 

Run for your Life!

The temple ground is reachable during low tide only because it will be surrounded by the sea during high tide. Visitors are not allowed to enter the temple. According to legend, there are poisonous sea snakes at some nooks of the coral reefs guarding the temple from evil spirits and intruders. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable wandering around the mystical temple and would not be complete without watching the sunset.
   

The Golden Hour Sun Set that all tourists set to catch! The sun's radiant glow against the soft amber orange hue sky with clouds drifting by lazily create a gorgeous summer romance scene that anyone would long to be with their sweetheart.  

Shorty after the sun went below the horizon, came the special Blue Hour with vibrant shades of blue blending into the golden sunset lights. A lovely post evening seascape to capture before it slipped silently away.

Glad to be here with good friends!

But boyfriends girlfriends may have to Beware of the 'Tanah Lot Curse'- a popular myth that unmarried couple who visited this temple will breakup shortly thereafter. Not sure for those who went there for honeymoon!!