Pura Besakih: The Revered Mother Temple of Bali

Overview

Rising majestically on the western slopes of Mount Agung, and referred to as the Mother Temple of Hindu Bali, is Pura Besakih, or the Besakih temple, covering  a vast area that offers  breathtaking mountain scenery surrounding this beautiful and artistic temple complex.

Facing Mt. Agung’s highest peak, believed to be the abode of the gods, and located at an altitude of 900 meters, Pura Besakih is built in the village of Besakih, in the eastern part of Bali. The name Besakih comes from the word “Basuki”, derived from the word “Wasuki” which means Salvation in the classical Sanskrit language. Whereas, in the Samudramanthana mythology, the same name “Besuki” in fact refers to the Dragon-God “Naga Besukian”, who inhabited Gunung Agung, the main volcano in Bali.

This grand temple complex has been revered as a holy place since ancient times. The first recorded mention of its existence comes from an inscription dating back to 1007 AD. It is known that since the 15th century Besakih was regarded as the central temple of Hinduism in Bali.

 Pura Penataran Agung, or the “Great Temple of State” is the center of the temple complex and is is Bali’s main place of worship, a complex comprising twenty-two temples on six rising terraces set on parallel ridges.

 This complex expresses the essential belief of the Balinese known as Tri Hita Kirana, meaning that life on earth must be lived and kept in balance and harmony between man and God, man and society and his fellow human beings, and man and his natural environment.

During a full moon, Balinese and pilgrims throng to the temple. During the festival of Odalan, the temple is most elaborately decorated. Odalan is celebrated on every 210th day.

To Do

Besakih is a remarkable and outstanding temple. Looking at the temple from a distance, you can observe an impressive complex of pyramid-like temples, extending up the mountain, with Gunung Agung providing a dramatic backdrop. The setting looks particularly stunning in the clear morning light, and gorgeous at sunset. This temple is also decorated with Bali-style ornaments, doorstep temple, sacred stone idols, and stone carvings.

Before exploring this temple, you have to rent and wear a sarong and sash at the main entrance of the temple to respect the Balinese tradition, as Besakih Temple is a holy place of worship. The sSarong and sash are special clothes Balinese wear when praying at temples.

When you reach the complex, you will see the first group of temples on your left. This is sacred temple dedicated to royal ancestors is known as Pura Dalem Puri. Balinese store the ashes of the dead after the cremation known as the  Ngaben ceremony. From here, walk up the flight of stairs that will lead you to Pura Penataran Agung.
The locals believe that Pura Penataran Agung is the center of devotion to the Gods. Next to the main temple are two other important temples. These are Pura Kiduling Kreteg on its right and Pura Batu Madeg on its left.

The colors of the banners denote which God the temple is dedicated to, the three representing the Hindu Trinity. The white banner is dedicated to the temple of Shiva (Pura Penataran Agung), the red banner is for the temple of Brahma (Pura Kiduling Kreteg), while the black banner is for the temple of Vishnu (Pura Batu Mandeg). When there are no festivals or events taking place here, visitors may be allowed inside to look around the temples. This is the best spot to take pictures.
If you wish to explore the more remote part of the temple,  head to Pura Pengubengan, which is situated some 2 kilometers at the northern end of the complex.

Get Around

To reach the temple complex, you have to stroll up a footpath for about 200 meters. On both sides of the path you will find beautiful views, and feel the breeze on your way to the temples. Otherwise, you may prefer to rent a motorbike offered by the locals. 

Get There

This temple is very easy to find, as most people know it as one of the best tourist destinations in Bali. There are several starting points that you may choose to take:

From Kuta, it takes about 2 hours to get here. Simply head east towards Sanur, then follow the fast coastal route, which is connected to the Kusamba Bypass at Tohpati. Then go north until you find the road sign to Besakih, and after a few kilometers from this point turn north.

If you are staying around Klungkung, then Besakih is about 20 kilometers north of the town center. Take the Bemo – the small public buses– that will take you to Besakih from Klungkung. Bemos are most frequent in the morning, and it is recommended to change bemos at Rendang, halfway between Klungkung and Besakih.

If you come from the north of Denpasar, it is about 25 kilometers to reach Besakih by car. However, if you stay in the eastern part of Bali such as at Tirta Gangga, Candidasa, or Amed, you can reach Besakih by taking a smaller inland road from Karangasem. This will lead you to the crossroad between Besakih and Klungkung at Rendang, and then turn right to reach Besakih Temple.

During your hour-long drive, you will enjoy beautiful views traveling through  forests, villages, and rice fields. If you are willing to make a short stop in one of the villages, you will see how the locals live, and learn a bit about their unique houses.

To Stay

Besakih is easily reached from all parts of Bali. You can stay anywhere on the island and visit the temple. All over Bali there is a range of accommodation options, from super deluxe hotels to the more affordable home stays. It is also possible to stay with the locals. 

To Eat

There are many roadside stalls called warungs along the footpath before you reach the gate of the temple complex. You need not worry about getting ripped off, as prices are reasonable here. 

To Buy

You can buy some unique souvenirs of Bali for your family members or loved ones. Bali is best known for its unique hand-made crafts, paintings, sculpture and carvings. There are also many vendors outside the temple complex selling trinkets and handicrafts. 

Tips

• Besakih Temple is open to visitors all year round during the official opening hours between 8 a.m. up to 5 p.m.. The entrance fee is 10,000 IDR; parking fee 1,000 IDR; camera use submission 1,000 IDR, and video use 2,500 IDR.
• If you who have not been to Besakih Temple before you may want to engage a guide, who will help show you around the temple. The guide fee is about 25 USD. Still,  if you do not find it necessary to hire a guide, you can walk around on your own.
• Prepare yourself with a pair of comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and a light t-shirt.
• It is recommended to invite a Balinese friend to accompany you or hire a driver to visit Besakih temple in the daytime.
• Please feel free to report to the temple guards if you meet with any problems.

Bali , Heritage Sites

Eat, Pray, Love and Escape in Ubud

Overview

Follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Gillbert and journey to Ubud where just like her you can experience this place of wonder and beauty. Elizabeth Gilbert’s best selling memoir Eat Pray Love tells the story of her experience over one year living in Italy, India and Indonesia – in search of an inner balance and spiritual fulfilment in life.

And where better to search for balance and spirituality than in Bali, an island of gods and goddesses? It drew Elizabeth Gilbert’s attention for its richness of nature, culture, cuisine. And of course, in Bali she finally found love.

It’s in Ubud, with the help of her local friends, Wayan, the traditional Balinese healer, and wise man Ketut Liyer, that Liz rediscovers her ability to love. Living in the beautifully lush surrounds, making friends with the local people Liz embraces Ubud and learns how to find balance in her quest for pleasure and meaning.

Join us for a journey of eat, pray, love and escape in Ubud, Bali.

Get Around

Your escape to Ubud will start right at the time you unpack your bag in a nice quiet hotel of your choice just as Liz did as she relaxed her body and mind surrounded by beautiful scenery. She knew she didn’t have to worry about being on her own  because she could always make friends with the charming locals. They are more than happy to explain what and where to go. Such is the friendliness of Ubud.

Get There

As you arrive in Ubud you’ll be welcomed with the smell of canang (a Balinese offering; combination of leaves, flowers and incense). You will see genuine smiles of the Balinese faces who greet you with respect.

If you don't have a map in hand or even a clue, you can always understand phrases like "Taxi, Sir?" or "Hotel, Ma'am?" Just tell them you're heading to Ubud and you'll be on your way.

To Do

One of the most popular attractions here is the sightseeing at Jalan Raya Ubud. The Ubud Palace is a nice stop.
Don’t miss gazing at the rice fields at Tegalalang. Smell the air and feel the breeze on your skin. Embrace the butterflies in your stomach.

Experience the local culture and go see a Kecak Dance performance. Or see some of the unique local artwork produced here at one the marvellous gallery’s like Blanco’s or at Biasa Gallery.
If you come at the right time, you may be lucky enough to see a festival or ceremony. Ask locals for information about this.
Soak up the relaxed pace of daily life here and see how locals live by embracing their spiritual side, just like Ketut Liyer (the healer who encouraged Liz to love again).

Meditation is good for your mind and soul. Try one of the many meditation and relaxation centres around Ubud and learn to slow down and live in the moment just like Liz did on her journey. 

To Stay

Staying a few days, weeks, or even more than what you originally planned, will always be a wonderful moment to treasure. Exclusive hotels are optional. Even Liz enjoyed the blunt look of tropical tree tops, swimming pools and a fresh tropical fruits at a reasonably priced hotel down at Monkey Forest Road. "It’s good to be back," she said once along the journey.

To Eat

Dash a lick of a strong spicy Balinese ‘Warung  Babi Guling Ibu Oka’ (Balinese suckling pig set menu) down at Jalan Sweta Ubud, across the Ubud Palace. It's a five-minute walk to the leftside of Pasar Ubud. But if you miss home and want to munch a wider choice of culinary options, cruise along Jalan Raya Ubud (Ubud main road). During the filming of Eat, Pray, Love, Julia Roberts was invited by the local ruler to dine in an enjoyable restaurant in Ubud. That'll be  be The Lotus in Jalan Raya Ubud.

Carry on, let's maybe sip down a few evening margarita at Nuri’s, plus a giant juicy ribs with sambal kecap (mixture of chili and soya sauce ), or a Japanese elegant at Ryoshi Ubud. You don't have to come at the same place twice since there are countless restaurants and delicacies to explore.

To Buy

Visit Pasar Ubud and rummage through the beautiful locally made souvenirs. It’s also a good place to hunt for some antiques. Spoil yourself with choices of antiques, decorations or traditional fabrics—all prices are negotiable so be prepared to bargain. 

Adventure , Bali

Mount & Lake Batur- Kintamani

 Bali: The Volcanic Caldera With Its Deep Crater Lake

Overview

The mountainous region around Kintamani, centering on the spectacular volcanic caldera of Mt Batur with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs, is rugged with a high and wild beauty.

Wonderful mountain air and dizzying views in all directions, as well as several important temples, are what makes Kintamani one of the most memorable stops on the Bali tourist itinerary.

Mount Batur is actually just a small volcano, but its setting is in the heart of a huge crater 14km in diameter. Adjacent to the volcano is the large crescent-shaped Batur Lake, all surrounded by the high walls of the crater rim. The sheer size of the crater conjures up images of the massive eruption of the original Mount Batur that occurred tens of thousands years ago.

The volcano is still active today as Balinese all over the island who still remember the great eruption of 1917 will testify. It claimed thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples. Old people might tell you this was "the year when the world shook" Other eruptions have taken place since, forcing the local population to be relocated, along with several of their temples including one of the main Bali temples, Pura Ulun Danu. Initially inside the huge crater, this temple has been relocated to the top of the ridge overlooking it. Here it now offers an impressive view of Mount Batur.

To Do

Pura Ulun Danu Batur - near Batur village. This is the most important temple after Besakih, housing more than 90 shrines. Worth visiting at any time of year, especially during the Odalan festival, usually in March depending on the full moon, which is dedicated to the goddess of the crater lake, who is said to control the irrigation systems for the entire island.

Trunyan Village - mortuary traditions. From Toya Bungkah, lot of boats will cross the lake to a Bali Aga village called Trunyan. This place is notorious for its mortuary traditions. Instead of cremating the dead, as Balinese do throughout most of the island, the Trunyan communities leave the bodies to decompose naturally in a special cemetery.

Trekking Around Gunung Batur. The most popular trek is from Toya Bungkah to the top of Gunung Batur for sunrise. You may ask for this to a group of local guides or some of tourist service there.

Get Around

To move around Batur area, you just need to take a walk or you can rent a bike also.

Get There

You can go there by taxi or just rent a car. You can also join a tour to visit Mount Batur and Lake Batur. Tourist shuttle buses between southern Bali and Lovina stop off at Kintamani.

To Stay

There are several accommodations ranges from star hotels to Home stays in Kintamani. You may choose one of them to stay.

To Eat

At Penelokan (translated as 'viewing spot') there are several restaurants from where to repose and get a well-deserved bite.

To Buy

Up the road going north is a market, busy every three days on Hari Paseh in the Balinese calendar. This is interesting to visit to see the variety of produce from surrounding mountain farms - oranges, corn, vegetable, fruit and the usual vast array of flowers, dried fish, tools, livestock, pots and baskets, plus a big clothing market. You may also see men cuddling big furry Kintamani puppies highly prized all over Bali.

Tips

• Theres a brilliant view from Penelokan, if its clear. But prepared for wet, cold and cloudy conditions and aggressive souvenir selling.
• Remember to bring along a camera, as the breathtaking view is one to be cherished and shared back home.
• There are many street hawkers selling some souvenirs. If you don't want to buy from them, don't make any contact to them otherwise you will be followed until you give up and buy from them.
• Its better to visit mount and lake Batur in a dry season. It would make lakeside activities available and enjoyable. The rainy season was just too foggy and wet to enjoy to its fullest.

Bali , Hiking Trekking and Ecotours

Kuta Beach

Overview

Once a sleepy village with a quiet, beautiful sweep of beach, Kuta today has become a popular beach destination in its own right, alive with tourists from all over the world, swimming, surfing or sunbathing by the beach. Others, casually dressed in shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops stroll along its main road, shopping around or enjoying meals at its many open air restaurants. When in Kuta you know that you are in a holiday town, and people here are in a holiday mood. 
Back in the 1960’s the only hotel was the Kuta Beach Hotel, but soon without much planning, Kuta developed rapidly into a haunt for surfers and backpackers, while the high end market preferred to stay at the more sedate Sanur village on the opposite side of the peninsula. 
With time, Kuta’s popularity grew, and shops, restaurants, discos hotels, - from the simple to the exclusive - sprang up along the main road from Kuta to Legian, catering to the ever increasing holiday crowd, that not only included international tourists but also domestic visitors from Jakarta and other big cities.
On the beach, people enjoy parasailing, banana boat trips or swimming Women offer traditional Indonesian massage on the beach, others are seen plaiting hair.
Before sunset, crowds rush to the beach waiting to watch Kuta’s legendary sunsets. Then as darkness falls, Kuta’s nightlife starts to throb with loud music from bars and restaurants, while shops stay open till late at night. Kuta’s main attraction is that everyone can enjoy the town without any prescribed dress code.
Many famous international bands and celebrities have voluntarily played and sung here enlivening the fun, dance and music scene of Kuta.
One poignant reminder, however, of the tragedy that befell Kuta is a monument located next to the present Paddy’s café. The monument is erected in memory of those killed during the fatal October 2002 bomb terrorist blasts. The blasts killed more than 300 people, mostly Australian tourists and Indonesian workers. 

Get Around

Moving around Kuta its very fun and simple. You can go around on foot or you can rent a bike or motorcycle.

To Do

Many visitors come here to shop. Kuta is a manufacturing center for summer wear, jewelry and decorative handicrafts that are exported all over the world. So shop here to your heart’s content for summer chic to beach wear, including wonderfully creative accessories from shoes, handbags to bracelets, necklaces and earrings. There are department stores to boutiques, to roadside stalls.
Popular night spots on Kuta include the Hard Rock Café, De Ja Vu, the Bali  Globe, Paddy’s Café and many more.  

Get There

There are plenty of taxis that can take you to Kuta beach. You can rent these by the meter or by the hour. Taking your own car is not recommended as parking here is very tight.

To Stay

Kuta is the ultimate beach resort catering to any taste and budget. You may stay at five star hotels, or at clean “losmen” or home stays. In the hotel complex you will have privacy at the hotel’s own beach front or swimming pool, but when you stroll out you will be met with the hustle and bustle of the town centre.

To Eat

There are various foreign and local restaurants that offering international and local foods. These restaurants are available along Kuta.

Tips

• Dont forget to equip yourself with sun protection
• Bring a bathing suit and extra clothings
• If you're a backpacker looking for cheap accommodation in Kuta, just go to Poppies Lane Alley, where you can pick your low-budget inns and restaurants
• Warungs offering cheap food are within a 2 minute walk on Poppies Lane 1, so no need to get sucked into a beachside restaurant and high prices
• Almost every evening there is a performance of Balinese -dance somewhere in Kuta. To know what is on just ask around.

Bali , Water Sport

Lovina Beach

Overview

Lining up of busy losmen and hotels with the depleted shady sea makes Lovina one of the most stirring beaches in Bali. Tranquility, incredible under water world and popular attraction is the dolphin watching. A small traditional boat called, jukung, may be hired form the villagers in the morning to bring us off shore to meet these smart and cute creatures. According to the news, theres about 500 - 1000 dolphins here in Lovina Beach

Get There

You can go there by private or public vehicle. From Kuta or Denpasar, it will take a time around 2-3 hours of driving.

To Eat

 There are various foreign and local restaurants that offering international and local food with varied price.

Bali , Diving and Snorkeling