The Island of Bali.....peaceful, green and mystical



Today’s blog will introduce you to Bali, a mystical island at the eastern tip of Java, Indonesia. The trip has taken place several years ago with my parents and sister for our annual holiday. The flight duration between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Bali was around 3 to 4 hours. We stayed at Jayakarta Hotel located by the beach of Legian, quite a decent hotel with nice surrounding of Balinese garden and excellent hospitality.

Jayakarta Hotel, Legian.......peaceful and very very green

Bali is not a HUGE island but the tourist attractions are located quite far to each other. Because of the narrow and busy traffic, we decided to rent a van with driver to bring us around for the two days (between 9 am to 6 pm every day). The rental was just RM300, this includes a van, driver acting as tour guide, petrol and parking tickets. Too cheap compared to the amount you need to pay if you tour Kuala Lumpur.

The sweet smell frangipani.....can be found anywhere in Bali

We started our tour by visiting traditional Balinese house in Batu Bulan, then followed by watching Barong and Kris Dance. Barong dance is very popular and a must see show when visiting Bali. Barong is a story telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil, resulting from myth and history blending. The story goes that Erlangga's (the King of Bali) father condemned Rangda, mother of Erlangga, because practicing black magic. After she became a widow, she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle and the demons, to come after Erlangga. A fight occurred, but Rangda’s black magic troops were too strong that Erlangga had to ask for the help of Barong. Barong came with Erlangga's soldiers, and fight ensued. Rangda casted a spell that made Erlangga soldiers all wanted to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned keris into their own stomachs and chests. Barong casted a spell that turned their body resistant to the sharp keris. At the end, Barong won, and Rangda ran away. The masks of Barong and Rangda are considered sacred items, and before they are brought out, a priest must be present to offer blessings by sprinkling them with holy water taken from Mount Agung, and offerrings must be presented.

1. Gamelan musicians support the Barong Dance; 2. Barong and Rangda; 3. Barong and the soldier

The next destination was quite high up on a mountain, known as Bedugul for its Lake Beratan and Ulun Danu Temple. The scenery was breathtaking as the temple was located just beside the lake of volcanic crater and the air was refreshing.

1. Taman Ayun temple, Mengwi; 2,3,4. Bedugul, Ulun Danu temple and Lake Beratan

Ulun Danu temple with lake Beratan as the background

We ended our 1st day at the 16^th century seaside Tanah Lot temple for the beautiful sunset and for the dramatic Kecak show. Kecak, a trance-inducing exorcism dance originated in the 1930s and is performed primarily by men. It is also called as the Ramayana Monkey Chant, performed by a circle of 100 or more performers wearing checked cloth around their waists, percussively chanting "cak" and throwing up their arms, depicts a battle where the monkey-like Vanara helped Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana.

Tanah Lot temple

At night, we have nothing much in plan, so we off to Kuta Town to see what interesting. Kuta is a very small town, not many vehicles, not many people too as many of the tourists spend their time at the hotel pubs or clubs. Hard Rock Cafe Bali is located here, so for the fan don’t forget to get your ‘T’ shirt here for collection J

Kuta Town......narrow road suitable for motocycle or locally known as speda motor

To start the 2nd day, immediately after breakfast we when to Mengwi for the old royal family temple of Taman Ayun. Before off for a long journey climbing towards Kintamani for the scenic caldera Mount Batur (1717m) and its beautiful lake. We had our lunch around the area overlooking the volcanic mountain and lake view. What a view?!

Mount Batur....a living volcano 1717 meter in height

Mount Batur and Lake Batur....a panoramic view from Kintamani while having lunch

On the way back from Kintamani, we passed by a small village named Tegallalang to see rice terraces. Again, the surrounding was very very wowww and so GREENNNNNN. We don’t have this in Malaysia, so this is another must see attraction!

Rice terraces at Tegallalang

1. Rice terraces at Tegallalang; 2, 4. Taman Ayun temple, local people and the main entrance; 3. Tanah Lot temple

Then we when to the Monkey forest at Alas Kedaton. Here you also find the fruit bats hanging or 'lepak'ing high up the trees. You requires binocular for this, but it is not compulsory to have one. If you cannot see the bats then just spend your time with the monkey or at the souvenir shops.

1. Main entrance one of the pura in Ubud; 2. Local flower girl; 3. Kecak show; 4. Wood carving near Mas village; 5,6. Stone works infront of the traditional Balinese house.

Then we have a short stop at Mas village for its Balinese traditional wood carving. Finally, we end the Bali visit at Ubud. The Ubud market is a busy center selling batik and local souvenirs. We spend just about 1 hour here and managed to buy few pieces of batik and wood carve for my wall.

If you are aware from today’s update, most of the tourist attraction sites in Bali are actually sacred temples or locally known as pura with nice surrounding garden, so please respect their belief and don’t do SILLY things. Most of the Balinese are religious people who pray every day, the offering is usually made from coconut leaves and flowers. This offering is usually place in-front of houses, shops, restaurants and even in the cars, please be extra careful when you walk around and try not to step on this religious item.

Next update will be on the floating city.....the enchanted Venice 

*Quality of the photos may not be great as these are not from DSLR....the photos were captured using a cheap camera :-)