Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Bali D 3

It was the third day in Bali. We were told to begin our journey to Bedugul at 11:00am. As we did not want to waste our time doing nothing in the hotel, we initiated to go to the Kuta Sea Beach and have some fun. Our tour guide agreed and brought us there.
We went to the Turtle Island on a glass boat. It was a boat with two glass panes on the bottom from where we could see shoals of fish under the boat. We saw big turtles which were kept in the pond on Turtle Island.
I would like to experience the parasailing, unfortunately it was quite windy and I could not make it.
We tried on the banana boat and jet ski. Waha...my first try with these at my old age.


The glass boat

The Banana Boat ( six adults on it)

In the pond of turtles

jet ski


We had our buffet lunch in one of the restaurant at Bedugul. We traced a pigsty among terraces of vegetables. After lunch, we proceeded towards Beratan Lake Temple which has a great scenery.

breath-taking view with my lousy camera.

A pigsty among terraces of vegetables.

How is the Beratan Lake Temple view?

A rocky outcrop in the sea located at Tanah Lot, west coast of Bali.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Bali D 2

After we had our breakfast at the hotel, we went to witness the Bali traditional Barong and Kris Dance.

Barong, a mythological animal represents a good spirit. It has a dragon head and a tiger tail.

Rangda, a mythological monster represents an evil spirit.

Even with the pamphlet which was distributed in three languages, I still could not understand the fighting between Barong and Rangda. It was a fable to me. Here are some of the photos taken, so keep viewing.


This is Barong side view.

Is Barong face like a dragon?

The group playing with traditional musical instrument.

This is Rangda, the monster. Look at the two nenens. wakaka!!

The dancers, servants of Rangda.

We visited a Batik boutique, I bought a sarong which costs IDR150,000 for souvenir. My sis, Rita bought a dress which costs IDR275,ooo.
After lunch, It took almost 2 hours to reach Kintamani. We visited the Tampakspring temple. Inside the temple, there is a spring where natural ground water flows out of it.
I was told that about 75% of the Balinese believe in Hinduism. They celebrate Hari Raya Galungan twice a year.
We were able to see the Balinese doing offerings to their Gods. All the statues were wrapped up with new clothes mainly black and white, some are yellow.
We were asked to tie a yellow ribbon on our waist before we entered the temple. It is an obligation to all the visitors.


The Gapura - The good and the bad. This can be seen everywhere on the way to Kintamini, Bali.

The Tampakspring. (A natural flow of ground water)

The lady carrying the offerings headed to the temple.

These are the offerings they made: rice, kuih, flowers, pandan leaves and IDR.

The tour guide with his 'destar' on his head and the driver.

Do you notice the yellow ribbon tied on the waist?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Bali D 1

It took us about 2 hours to fly from Kuching to Bali by Airasia flight. We reached Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar Bali at 7:30pm. Our tour guide Mr. Micro and our driver Mr. Dewa were waiting for us in the airport. The name of the airport commemorates a hero fighting for Indonesia Independence in 1945 from the colony of the Dutch.
It was a 45 minutes-drive to the sea beach at Jimbaran. We were served with seafood dinner.

Seafood with yummy BBQ sauce.

Cocktail as our appetizer.

A basket of Balinese rice for 6 of us.

This is the vegetable soup.
6 of us stuffed all the seafood. We joined in with the Indonesian Group from Jakarta for a beach jogget. Huahuahua! Jogget, jogget di Bali.
It was 10.30pm when we reached Goodway Hotel at Nusa Dua.