Wednesday, April 21, 1999

Bali – Lake Batur

Breakfast was served on our terrace…what a way to start the day!
Our first official touring day and we headed to the northernmost loop around the island. Our first stop- Gunung Kawi. Since most of our visits would be to temples, we finally caved and bought a sarong for John…a lovely navy and white batik print that will make a great tablecloth when we get home.


The hike down (about 300 steps) wasn’t too bad since it was still early and the heat of the day hadn’t hit yet. Gunung Kawi is Bali’s oldest monument- 10 rock cut candi. Each is believed to be a memorial to the members of the 11th Century Balinese royalty.



Then after the painful climb back up (the humidity was definitely starting to kick in), we headed to Tirta Empul and Candi, the holy springs of Bali. We amused ourselves watching a group of idiot American tourists dressed in traditional Balinese outfits immersing themselves in the holy spring. The holy springs are believed to have magical powers. The temples were fascinating- still very active. Tirta Empul was crowded with local people in traditional dress bringing offerings to the temple to be blessed. Every where in Bali, you can find temples and shrines and offerings to the gods.

We drove all the way to Lake Batur- and the rim of the crater. The views were amazing. Then it was a drive to the northern coast.
We made a few stops at several of the more bizarre candi’s in the area- Candi Meduwe in Kubutambahan (one of the reliefs shows a Caucasian on a bicycle) and to Candi Gagaraga, the “Temple of Death” (with reliefs showing airplane dogfights and Europeans with guns in cars).

Then it was off to Lovina Beach for a quick lunch on the beach. The beach was pretty disgusting- lots of vendors, black sand and no tide.
We headed back across country over Mt Catur on our way back to Ubud.
Dinner was not stellar…. mystery curry and campur…. More Balinese legong dancing back at the hotel.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

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