Bali Things to Do Tips by Wild_Orchid

Pura Taman Ayun, Mengwi

Mengwi is famous for the unique state temple Pura Taman Ayun, (also known in some guide books as the Royal Family Temple). This was the most important temple in the Mengwi kingdom before Mengwi was conquered by the neighbors Badung and Tabanan in 1891, and was at that time a large kingdom stretching all the way to East Java. Taman Ayun was built in 1634 of the king I Gusti Agung Anom and restored in 1937. Certain internet guides say that it was constructed in around 1740 and once functioned as the home of the king of Mengwi, who surrounded his palace with wonderful spacious gardens and waterways.

One of the most famous tourist spots in Badung Regency, probably due to its unusual beauty, Pura Taman Ayun literally means "beautiful garden." The complex is set above a huge river, giving it a fresh, natural appeal.

Many smaller shrines with tiered roofs (meru) lie within the premises. These were originally built for the king's ancestral worshipping rituals. The temple consists of an "island" surrounded by water channels and a garden complex, the buildings are made up of about 50 different structures. As the inside of the temple grounds is surrounded by this little moat and is not accessible to the public, although I believe that on special occasions, festivals are still carried out here. As for the sacred temple grounds, it was completely devoid of people, cats have made this their haven, and many cats could be seen wandering and lazing around in and amongst the wooden shrines.

Now open as a public park (see second pics), Mengwi continues to attract local school children and tourists who come to enjoy the gardens, lake and the ancient temple. We climbed up one of the towers and took a few pictures.

Address: Pura Taman Ayun, Mengwi

Directions: Pura Taman Ayun is easy to locate, on the main road going east in Mengwi Village, Badung Regency. It is about 18 km from Denpasar.

Pura Tirta Empul, Holy Spring Water Temple

This important temple lays on the northern edge of Tampaksiring and was founded as early as 962 AD. It was built under the rule of Sri Candrabhaya Singha Warmadewa. In 1969 the temple was completely renovated so it is a mixture of old and new.

Like other Balinese temples it is divided into three main courtyards: the front, the middle, and the inner sanctum. Backing the outer courtyard are two rectangular bathing pools, one for men and one for women. According to tradition, each of the pool's 15 fountains has its own name and function: spiritual purification, cleansing from evil, antidote to poison.

While water has an important place in all Balinese rituals, the water in Pura Tirta Empul is especially holy, and all water used for cremations on Bali is taken from here and it is said to have magical powers for healing.

On a hilltop over Tirta Empul lays the palace of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, Istana Negara, built in 1954.

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When I visited in 1996, I could only observe the holy waters from outside the walls and through the low steel gate. Lately, its gardens have been extended and a certain section is now open to the public. A small fee is charged. The water here originates from the Lake Batur through underground rivers and it is so clear, you can see fishes swimming in it.

Footnote: The entrance and exits are marked clearly. At the exit, you will have to walk through a maze of stalls, with vendors eager to make a sale.

Address: Pura Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring

Directions: Near the town of Sebatu

Enjoy Jimbaran Bay

The less famous Jimbaran Bay has a lovely, quiet charm of its own. Away from the touristy crowds and hassling vendors of Kuta, and not as famous as Sanur or Nusa Dua, it is home of the swanky and gorgeous Four Seasons Resort and the expansive and sprawling Intercontinental Hotel.

Jimbaran & nearby Kedonganan is where local fishermen make their daily living, going out in their boats and returning with a bounty that is sold to the numerous Grilled Seafood Cafes here...and onto your plates!

In the evenings, local children play a game of football on the beach, or jump the waves, and a lone corn vendor fans the coal used to grill fresh sticks of corn on his green stall set up on a tricycle.

In short, Jimbaran is the perfect beach for an early morning jog, a quiet walk, some beach-combing for sea treasures or little swim in the evenings.

Address: Jimbaran Bay

Kintamani District~Active Volcano & Lake Batur

About 2.5 hours drive from Kuta is the town of Kintamani, which has a gorgeous view of the valley below. From here, you can also see the famous, still-active volcano of Mt Batur and the beautiful Lake Batur. At about 1,700 meters above sea level, the weather here is pleasant and cool and there are a few restaurants which cater for tourists. There are also a number of fruit vendors.

The drive here through Ubud and Tegallalang is a pleasant one, dotted with rice-field terraces, coconut trees, vegetable farms, village of craftsmen, local schools and small towns.

Look at the photo which has not been touched up - it is almost like a painting.
Don't you agree that this place is a MUST SEE when in Bali (smile)?

Address: Kintamani District

Bikini Shopping-the Australian way

I enjoyed visiting Rip Curl. It has a cool shop at Kuta Square and the merchandise was beautiful and came in great designs, colours and cuts. The one at Kuta has a large Barong hanging from the ceiling, giving it a uniquely Balinese touch.

Although there are a few Rip Curl outlets in KL, they don’t exude the same hip and cool confidence, and the range of bikinis and tankinis is quite limited. Certainly you'd have to visit Rip Curl, before hitting the surf at Kuta!

Address: Rip Curl Outlets through out Bali & Oz

Wood Carvers skillfully show off their talents

Bali is famous for its wood carving and rightly so. Using a variety of wood, such as hibiscus wood and mahogany (all imported into Bali as they are not found here), the wood carvers fashion out shapes of voluptious Balinese women going to market, old fishermen with their nets (supposed to bring luck), dogs, parrots, eagles, horses, wild pigs, Buddha statues, masks, Balinese dancers, and the more modern man or woman swinging his / her golf clubs, or artistic nudes. Another favourite is the male form - carvings of ash trays or bowls with phallic symbols may be found as a novelty item for the folk back home, and the male form is projected in its full (dare I say, erect) glory !!
Here are a few that we visited and would recommend:-
Made Budiasa Art Gallery & Wood Carver, Teges, Ubud, Ph: 0361-976082
(at two locations)
www.budiasa-art.com
Ibu Mary Art Gallery, MAS, Ubud
0361-975 220
RAI Wood Carver, MAS, Ubud
0361-975 250

Address: MAS village, Ubud district, Bali

Directions: There are literally hundreds of stores selling wooden carvings all over Bali, but there are only a few where you can actually watch the carvers at work and they are mainly in Ubud.

Other Contact: budiasa@indo.net.id

Phone: 081-139 6652

Goa Gajah ~ 11th Century Elephant Cave

On your return from Kintamani, and after visiting the Holy Spring Water temple, it would be worth your while to visit the mysterious Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave. From the car park, walk down the steps and look upon the site that was excavated in the 1954 by European archeologists. It has a quiet, unreal feeling, and I had to ask myself Indiana Jones, where are you?

Kapas (a type of local cotton) trees grow overhead, and their silver threads fall upon the waters that flow in the courtyard, where six female figures representing water nymphs or goddesses hold water spouts.

The monstrous head of Kala looms at the entrance to a carved entrance which depicts entangling leaves, rocks, animals, ocean waves and demonic human shapes running from the gaping mouth which forms the entrance to the cave. It was believed that ancient kings & ascetics once meditated within the cool interiors of the caves.

Outside the cave is an altar with a statue of Lord Ganesh, the Elephant God. As there are Hindu and Buddhist sculptures found around this cave, it cannot be certain whether it was originally a Hindu or a Buddhist hermitage.

Address: Goa Gajah, Bedulu

Watch the Surfers at Kuta Beach-Part 1

No visit to Bali would be complete without a visit to Kuta Beach, Bali. During the week that we were there, we visited this beach three times!

The kids & I really enjoyed jumping the waves, while my mum & husband sat on the sand doing a spot of people watching. The best part was that although there were many people on the beach, it never once felt crowded and you could always carve out a space, just for yourself.

Address: Kuta Beach, Bali

Sunset Uluwatu Temple

The Uluwatu Temple is one of the recommended places to watch a beautiful sunset. The other famous sunset place is Tanah Lot Temple. Arrive at 5.45pm, and walk up the hill to take in a good view of the cliffs and sea crashing down below. The world looked infinite and endless from my vantage point.

Warning: As you can see from the picture, there are lots of monkeys at this temple. They are a protected species and extremely territorial.
I am not sure if they are trained by humans, or just up to some monkey mischief but they can really play tricks on us humans. For more about this, please click here!

Address: Uluwatu Temple, Jl Uluwatu

Stone Carvers at Work

When in Bali, be sure to visit Ubud and see the stone carvers using their skills to create a work of art from a piece of limestone or other type of stone. You may also wish to browse the store and see if you like any of the carvings. They are beautiful and come in many designs.
I particularly admired the stone statues as their faces looked serene and had an ageless quality. I also liked the square pieces of stone carvings which would be suitable for a wall mural, or perhaps a smaller piece which could be framed as a picture.
Bring home a piece of Bali with you!

Address: Ubud district, Bali

Directions: Many shops sell stone carvings, but not all of them would also have workshop of stone carvers. Those that do, are naturally more interesting.