Countryside Tour

We initially planned on getting a package countryside tour and we did get a quote from our hotel for just 150,000 rupiah per person (I initially thought it was such a bargain!) then my sister, Sheelah called to say that they were able to negotiate for a much better price --- only 8 US dollars per person! A real steal (we were so happy about it, we gave the driver a huge tip! Hahaha).

First stop was, Taman Ayun, meaning a “beautiful park”. Built in the 14th century, this beautiful royal temple is one of the most popular temple in Bali for tourists (as in printed in T-shirts even!). It is surrounded by an almost dried out moat but when you get in, you will be amazed at the carvings in the entrance and its many shrines inside.

About an hour away and passing through a picturesque landscape of rice terraces, we went to another Hindu temple --- Tanah Lot or the “land of ocean”. Perched on a stone cliff totally surrounded by water, this temple built in the 16th century is dedicated to the God of Ocean “Baruna”. When we got there, it was already midday so the place was overrun by tourists, locals and expats. Despite the human traffic, the place is still a must-see in your Bali itinerary!

We almost did not make it to our last stop. It was almost 5pm and we still have a long way to go, and traffic is starting to get really jammed in central Bali. But I was really focused on going there (well, me and my precious itineraries that I cannot or “will not” veer away from!) so off we went although Josiet and her family had begged off by then coz baby EJ is sleeping already.

Watching the sunset at Uluwatu is truly stunning! The place is so breathtakingly beautiful especially with the backdrop of the sun setting in the horizon, the temple’s tranquil setting on the edge of the cliff is absolutely amazing. One thing to beware though, the place is full of monkeys (and very smart and devious monkeys at that! Can you imagine the nerve! They tried to snatch our bag! Lol)

The climax of our cultural tour is watching the Kecak dance at sunset in Uluwatu. For 50,000 rupiah, you get to watch this traditional dance performance narrating the story of Rama and Sita. It’s a combination of ancient ritual, dance and drama accompanied by a group of bare clad men chanting “kecak” all throughout the performance. It was a truly memorable experience!