|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
Pura Besakih – Besakih, located on the slopes
of Gunung Agung, is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bali. To be
close to the mountains is to be close to the gods – as you climb the
wide stairs, and pass through the split gate into the temple courtyards,
it's simply spine tingling. The complex has three temples, one dedicated
to Brahma, another to Wisnu, and the largest is dedicated to Siwa. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amed – |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 This fishing village
is the perfect spot for snorkeling, warm clear water, coral, and gorgeous
tropical fishes. Tip: While snorkeling, be aware of motorized boats zipping through the lagoon. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go for a sail in a Balinese outrigger (it could be
a genuine Balinese fishing outrigger). We sailed with a fisherman off the
coast near Amed and for a time it looked at if we were headed straight to
Lombok (we did turn back eventually). My kids were fascinated when the fisherman
rotated the sail to come about and used a coconut to bail out the boat. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tirta Gangga – Tirta Gangga in East Bali is a
water garden built by the last raja of Karangasm. The pools are
decorated with carved stone dragons and mythical animals, water cascading
from stone pagodas in the middle. |
|
|
|
| |
|
There is a large swimming pool and
restaurant on the grounds. This is a great day trip. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amlapura (Karangasem) – Stop into
the Puri Agung Palace, home of the kings of Karangasem, once one
of the most powerful kingdoms in Bali. The 19th century palace has a mixture
of styles – a Chinese-style pagoda entrance to the palace compound,
one room filled with furniture presented by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands,
other rooms have Balinese gamelans (musical instruments). Don't miss the
dance pavillion surrounded by a moat with floating lotus flowers. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Down the road, next to the beach, you can also run around
the crumbling "Floating Palace" at Ujung. The artificial
lakes are quite large, and a good place to picnic or just stretch your legs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Climb Gunung Agung – Gunung Agung, the volcanic
mountain in east Bali, is often shrouded in clouds. Hiking up the mountain
takes you above the clouds, for a spectacular panorama
of the entire island. On Gunung Agung you do feel as if you are in the morning
of the world. |
|
|
|
| |
|
The hike up the mountain is awe-inspiring but not for small
kids and kids who are not experienced hikers. Don't worry about getting to the crater at the top, just go as far up as the kids want to go. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
A guide is required. The trail is not all that well marked
and it goes straight up and straight down. It's recommended to start early (in the middle of the night) to beat the tropical heat. This also has the advantage
that you get a spectacular sunrise while on the mountain. Bring a windbreaker/fleece
for chill winds and cold you may encounter as you climb up. Real hiking shoes are essential. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Kerta Gosa (Klungkung) – Today Klungkung
is a pretty busy city, but it was once the royal capital of Bali, presided
over by the raja of Klungkung. At the Kerta Gosa, the Palace of
Justice, the raja and his judges sat to decide legal cases. The roof
of the Kerta Gosa is decorated with the most amazing paintings of Bhima
Swarga, the adventures of Bhima in heaven and hell. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The paintings depict the adventures of the stout-hearted hero
Bhima, accompanied by two fat clowns, Twalen and Mredah, as he travels for
hell to rescue his father and mother. Bhima fights and defeats the lord
of Hell and his armies. Bhima reclaims his parents, but before they can
enter heaven, Bhima and the clowns go on another quest to heaven to obtain
holy water. In heaven, Bhima wages war with the gods, dies, is brought back
to life, and finally battles the gods into giving him the holy water. The
holy water restores his parents giving them eternal life and a spot in heaven. |
