Days since my last post: 4
As I go on day by day with these recollections of my Bali trip, I'm beginning to miss the island a little more especially when we were so carefree with the freedom of a driver taking note of every other detail for us. I guess the thought of not driving was the best part of it all!
TAMAN AYUN TEMPLE
On our 3rd and what would have been our last day, we decided to get a little adventurous and took off to the southern side of Bali which was about an hour's drive from home. Our first stop was the Taman Ayun Temple, a sacred ground located inside of Taman Ayun in Mengwi. Surrounded by a gorgeous lake as you enter and lush greenery all around the temple, the Taman Ayun Temple was once a special place where the ancestors of the Raja Dynasty of Mengwi and other important Gods were honoured.
Unfortunately we couldn't enjoy the temple as much because there were simply too many unanswered questions for us, though the views was something to really enjoy. We kept second guessing if the roofs of the pagoda were made of human hair because it looked as fine as that, and quickly left when I had the creeps.
Super hot that day, super sweaty all day!
Unfortunately we couldn't enjoy the temple as much because there were simply too many unanswered questions for us, though the views was something to really enjoy. We kept second guessing if the roofs of the pagoda were made of human hair because it looked as fine as that, and quickly left when I had the creeps.
Creepy yes?
Creepy no?
It's still a worthy visit however, as we bumped into two students making what seemed like a travel show style video and another group of students waiting to enter by the ticketing counter. Perhaps more enjoyable with a guide who could explain the ups and downs of the temple, I'd definitely like to one day come back to also step into the well cared for garden behind the temple grounds.
Taman Ayun Temple
Entrance fee at IDR 15,000 per person
JATILUWIH RICE TERRACE
As promised by our driver, we were then taken to the Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, which was the biggest rice terrace area there was in Bali. Unfortunately we met the same fate as we did at the Tegalalang Rice Terrace and that was that the paddy had all been harvested.
Nothing but puddles.
Disappointing as it was to see only puddles of water and little dots of newly planted paddy, the visit to Jatiluwih was still interesting for its systematic plantation that you could clearly see happening around you. My advice if you'd like to visit these rice terraces will always be to check the season! They even have a trekking path for visitors to walk around, and we didn't hesitate to take some pictures here. Can't say you've been here without pictures yeah?
I look less sweaty here because it was a long drive and the aircond in the car dried me off.
Pondering a future...return.
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace
Entrance fee at IDR 40,000 per person
TANAH LOT TEMPLE
We promptly left Jatiluwih Rice Terrace behind us as our driver got us to the Tanah Lot Temple after, hoping to let us finish up with our sightseeing before the ultimate finale of watching the sunset by a beach. Truth be told, I was most excited with visiting the Tanah Lot Temple because it was one of the most famed temples in the world.
And check out that crash!
Tourists were definitely all over the temple grounds, but luckily for us we had met a friend of our driver's the day before and he guided us to a lesser known viewing spot. The result was an uninterrupted moment of looking at Tanah Lot. Unfortunately the tides were high and we couldn't get close to the temple, but I got to take amazing pictures of the waves crashing into the rocks surrounding the temple. One of the myths surrounding the temple however is that unmarried couples were not welcome here, with a promise that if they were to set foot around the grounds, the would return either broken up or that they wouldn't last past 6 months.
We'll go against the odds I guess.
This came with a story that there was once a prince and princess from the Brahman caste of Java who were bound to be married who arrived the Bali island for a vacation. Following the lovely surroundings and a hasty night, the two became intimate. The prince later called off the wedding with the princess, and left without a sound shortly after. Word has had it since that the princess got so upset, heartbroken, and felt so betrayed that she placed a curse upon the island for all couples to go their separate words. If she wasn't to have her happily ever after, everyone couldn't too!
Still in awe.
And more.
My other and half and I decided to risk it anyway, and touchwood we've been alright the past month since our return. Perhaps he also has no choice now, but that's a story for later. Curse or not however, I still think Tanah Lot is somewhere everyone should visit once in their life, and I hope to one day come back when the tides are lower so I could approach the temple to see it up close instead.
Tanah Lot Temple
Entrance at IDR 60,000 per person
Our adventures for the trip ended with a dinner by the Jimbaran Beach where one of the most magical thing in my life happened. So stick around, I'll write about it... soon enough.
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