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.
The marching ducks are cute.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice memory....was a experience trip and all the "excitement"...hehehe...
ReplyDeleteYes, it was very memorable indeed!
DeleteI’m not that much of an onlinе readег to be honeѕt but
ReplyDeleteyour blοg's rеallу nicе, keep it up!