Bali is worth visiting for its picturesque beaches, culture and heritage, and warm locals. Add to that the fact that Bali is budget friendly for most international travellers. Thanks to Instagram and Facebook, Bali is popular among Gen Zs and Millennials. There are specially curated Instagram tours for tourists wanting to visit popular spots to click pics for posting on social media. Our purpose was to explore Bali’s heritage, culture and natural beauty. Read on to know how we went about exploring Bali.
GWK Cultural Park
After landing in Bali, we check into our hotel and explore the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park in Jimbaran, showcasing Bali’s culture, art, music and dance. Since we are eager to watch the Kecak Dance, we head to the park. We take an electric vehicle which drops us at the entrance. Kiosks sell various handcrafted products, food stalls, and a photo studio where you can dress in a traditional Bali costume and take pictures. The park has an art museum, souvenir shops, and restaurants. But we rush to the amphitheatre since it’s time to watch the Kecak dance performance.
Kecak Dance
There are several dance styles in Bali which have been included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We rush to an open spot where thousands of tourists have gathered to watch the Kecak dance. The story of Ram and Sita from Ramayan is being enacted. Dozens of bare-chested men wearing black and white checked sarongs sit in groups and chant ‘cak cak cak’ as some walk on fire or carry giant dragon installations. The elaborate costumes, intricate dance movements and storytelling as a dance drama make this a superlative performance.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue
We then head to see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, the tallest Indonesian statute with a height of 400 feet. The story that inspired The Garuda Wisnu statute is that the winged Garuda agreed to let Vishnu ride on it in exchange for ‘Amrit’ an elixir of life to liberate his enslaved mother. The magnificent statue, made of copper and brass, is constructed on a pedestal. The statue is illuminated since the sun has set and it is dark. We walk through the park, which also has some smaller statues and then return to our hotel.
Taman Ayun Temple
It is our second arrival day, and we visit the Royal Water Temple of Taman Ayun. It was built in 1632 by the Mengwi king. Taman Ayun means ‘Garden Temple in the Water’. It is an apt description, as water moats surround the garden. We walk on a bridge and enter the temple complex. A sprawling outer courtyard with gardens and fountains awaits us with the ticket booth on the right. A pavilion has models of villagers and cocks enacting a cockfight scene.
We move to the middle courtyard, where we see an ornamental gate, enclosures and shrines. The last courtyard has a series of pagoda-like tall structures. We walk into the complex and see a statue of Goddess Sridevi, also called Goddess of Rice, signifying beauty, fertility and prosperity. We visit the museum, with an enclosure displaying the ceremonial masks of mythological figures. The museum has a model of the temple complex and a picture gallery. Close by is a mini theatre where we watch a film on the history and details of the temple.
Baturiti Luwak Coffee Plantation
Bali is known for its coffee plantations, where you can do some coffee tasting. We visit the Baturiti Luwak Coffee Plantation next. Our guide explains the coffee cultivation and making process. She adds that the world-famous Kopi Luwak is unique to Bali. It is made of partially digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by an animal called Asian palm civet or Luwak. We see a Luwak and its poo with coffee beans excreted and have a mixed reaction of awe and disgust. We sip on ten different types of coffee as we watch the picturesque surroundings of the plantation.
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple / Pura Ulan Danu Bratan Temple/Floating Temple
On the shores of Lake Beratan/Bratan is a temple complex that houses the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. We purchase entry tickets and enter the complex and see manicured lawns with flowers blooming. We see the characteristic Bali-style gates with hills in the background. Couples are posing to click pictures for their social media feeds. As we pass the gates, we see several shrines, but their entry is restricted. As we stroll further, we see the temple, which is also called the Floating Temple, which we have seen on numerous souvenirs and the 50,000 Indonesia Rupiah currency note. The temple resembles The Taman Ayun Temple in pagoda style with thatched roofs. Although the temple is dedicated to Hindu gods, we notice a Buddha Stupa in the complex. We click pics and explore the shops where we pick rattan bags.
Tegallang Rice Terraces
After exploring the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, we head to the rice terraces in Tegallang near Ubud. We are given a brochure of various activities we can do here. Girls can even wear an outfit in vibrant colours with a long trail that soars through the air. The emerald green rice paddy terraces are the backdrop of several pics in the Bali swing photos on Instagram. Here is a spoiler: many women screamed in fear and tears as they were pushed onto the swing. Their husbands and boyfriends kept cheering them, saying they would have more likes on social media for these incredible pics.
Ubud Palace
The Ubud Royal Palace, also called Puri Saren Agung, is a landmark in Bali. Strolling in the Palace complex, we see several ornamental doorways, sculptures, shrines and pavilions. The palace complex is small, and we were done within 10-15 minutes.
Pura Taman Saraswati Temple
We exit the palace and, through crowded Ubud streets, find our way to the Pura Taman Saraswati Temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge. We see a waterbody with pink lotuses blooming. A path leads us to a platform where some event is planned, and arrangements are on the way. A flight of steps lead to ornamental doors which are shut. It’s a small but beautiful temple complex.
Ubud Market
We exit the Saraswati temple and head to the Ubud market. There are a series of kiosks selling handmade products. From Bohemian clothes to rattan bags, wooden décor items, masks, and souvenirs. Kiosks sell native Indonesian fruits too. The choices are plenty, but shopkeepers know that all tourists head to Ubud at least once on their trip and don’t bargain.
Goa Gajah Elephant Temple
The following day, we visit the Goa Gajah Elephant Temple. At the entrance near the car park is a statue of an elephant. We descend a flight of stairs which take us to a sprawling courtyard. There are twin water pools with female figures holding pots from which water sprouts. There are several shrines and pavilions with thatched roofs. We come to a cave with a menacing demon carved on its façade. Upon entering the demon’s mouth, a narrow passage leads us to a dark cave. Inside the cave in one niche is a Ganesha idol and in another three shivlingas. We stroll around the temple complex, drink some refreshing coconut water, shop for rattan bags at nearby shops and leave.
Subak Landscape of Pakersian Watershed
This landscape is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is the oldest water irrigation system in Bali and includes, amongst other things, four water temples. It gets its name from the Pakersian River over here. We visited the following temples; Pura Tirtha Empul Temple, Pura Pegulingan Temple, Pura Mengening Temple and Pura Gunung Kawi Temple. You can read more about it here.
Kuta
On our final day in Bali, we visit Kuta, known for its local market and beach. I first stroll around the Beachwalk shopping mall with all the high-end brand stores. I then walk along a lane parallel to the mall with several shops selling bags, clothes, macrame items, and souvenirs. Some shops sell replicas of high-end brands at a fraction of the original price.
I then stroll to the Kuta beach, which I had heard so much about. Sadly, it didn’t live up to my expectations. The beach was not as picturesque and pristine as I had imagined. A signage mentioned a turtle rescue centre on the beach. But here, too, I was disappointed. There was just an installation of a turtle and a room with some posters and nothing more. I quickly left and joined my husband to return to our hotel in Nusa Dua.
Nusa Dua Beach
The hotel we stayed at had a private beach. A shuttle dropped us to the beach with azure blue waters and white sand. People were swimming, surfing and lazing on the beach. We sip coconut water and reminisce about all the good times we had in Bali.
We have been captivated by Bali’s heritage, beauty and cultural richness. Whether it’s the ancient temples, emerald green rice terraces, or beaches, they all have left us impressed and craving for more. The warm smiles of the locals, the handcrafted products by dedicated artisans, and the traditional dance performances have left an inedible mark on us. There is so much still that we haven’t explored, so another trip to Bali is definitely on our cards sometime in the future.
GETTING THERE
Nearest Airport: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, known as Denpasar International Airport, is the main airport of Bali, Indonesia. From India, there are no direct flights to Bali. We flew from Mumbai via Bangkok to Bali and returned via Singapore.
Where to Stay: A separate blog can be written just for this. Some of the most popular places with tourists are Ubud, Seminyak, and Kuta. There are lots of options available depending on budget and comfort.
Best Time to Visit Bali: The best time would be from April to September due to less rainfall.
Travel Trip: Bali is a massive island that can take hours to get from one end to another. So it would help if you plan your itinerary well. When visiting the temples, dress appropriately or carry a sarong to cover your legs. Women during menstruation are not allowed entry to certain temples.
Travel Support: Wayan from Bali Explore Tour arranged for a car service to explore Bali. We got excellent service, and Wayan helped us optimize our travel plans. https://www.baliexploretour.com/ +62 812-3720-7337