Bali Adventure #16 - Tanah Lot

After our cool trip to Lake Beratan, Yande took us to see the famed Tanah Lot. We arrived quite late and because we wanted to do shopping, I didn't take very many photos of the many many shops selling t-shirts, trinkets, food, knick knacks and the like. I bought 12 pairs of beaded slippers in varying designs and colours, souvenirs for my colleges and a couple of odds and ends. B was eager to be part of the Balinese culture and bought a head piece (no clue what it is called) and a sarung which he wore proudly. He also got us a pretty souvenier to commemorate our visit to Tanah Lot/Bali - this will sit proudly in our display cabinet in our new home once we move in.

It was after some time that we noticed that dusk was fast approaching so we made our way to watch the sunset and see the rock formation and the Pura Tanah Lot. It was really really crowded so almost every shot I had of the sunset or the temple had people in it *crappos* Since we were also bogged down by our my purchases, we didn't get to see the temple plus shoving through the crowds with my bluging backpack (yes, I carried one everywhere we went like a happy lil' camper) with my camera in hand whilst trying to keep my balance on the slippery rocks was not appealing at all.

Yande our tour guide did not join us this time since there was no parking, so we did not get any stories from him about Tanah Lot. However, if you are interested, swing on by to wikipedia here to read about Tanah Lot. 

Sitting on the cliffs and watching the sunset with B and our friends was breath taking. Seeing the hoards of people milling around like ants all over the place was not. Nevertheless, I think I got some pretty decent shots of the sunset and of the atmosphere at Tanah Lot. This is a definite place to visit - good for shopping and good for culture stuff. The sunset is pretty awesome stuff too. 

Bali Adventures #15 - Lake Beratan part2

After our stroll and cam-whoring @ Lake Beratan, we decided to lunch at one of the restaurants our tour guide Yande recommended us to and it our meal was pretty good. 

Another high point of the trip was having hot ABC tea and some delicious chicken dish called Ayam Bakar Taliwang whilest enjoying the awesome cool breeze. V.v. relaxing.

Just a note, we ordered the cumi-cumi goreng (fried dried squid) and I bit into it hungrily and it nearly took my tooth off. Besides that, the cumi-cumi was heaps salty, so you may or may not want to order this when you are there. 

After lunch, we drove to a nearby local handcraft and produce market to walk around for a bit to digest the awesome food before proceeding to Tanah Lot for their famed shopping and sunset. We refrained from buying anything since we were on our way to Tanah Lot which is famed for awesome buys... nevertheless, I enjoyed taking photos of some of the things that we saw. PS: I wish I could have taken the bunny with me.

Bali Adventure #14 - Beratan Lake, Bedugul Bali

After we went to the Pura Taman Ayun, we drove quite a distance to see Beratan Lake, a shallow lake located at Bedugul. I was pleased to feel the cool air on my skin after the humidy of Bali. The weather reminded me of Frasers Hill or Genting Highlands and there were times that I wish I had my pashmina with me as the wind sent shivers down my body turning my skin into a gallery of goose pimples.

Beratan Lake is also an awesome place to bring a date *grins* as it is very picturesque, the air is cooling and the food is pretty decent. It was quite cloudy when we arrive at the lake but taking in the quiet serenity of the Ulun Danu Temple was one of the highlights of the day. The flowers growing around the lake was also beautiful and I could not resist taking heaps of shots of them flowers. I would really really recommend this place to tourists. It would be awesome if I got zap myself to the lake tomorrow morning for brunch *smiles*

Tour Guides play acting

Happy feet @ Lake Bratan

Bali Adventure #13 - Pura Taman Ayun, Mengwi

Before we drove up to the hills to be all touristy at Lake Beratan, we visited the Pura Taman Ayun. Not much exploring was done here because the gates were locked, it drizzled and we were sorta rushing to go to Lake Beratan. Hence, I did not pay attention to our guide Yande who was no doubt dishing out the history of the temple to my other friends but instead went snap happy crazy. For your reading pleasure, here is a little snippet about Pura Taman Ayun. Alternatively, you can read about the Pura Taman Ayun here and here. 


The Pura Taman Ayun ("Garden Temple in the Water") is one of the six (according to an unofficial count) royal temples on Bali, and thus one of the most important temples on the island. This imposing complex stands on an island in a river, and the inner temple is in addition surrounded by a moat. In front of the entrance to the inner temple, beyond a split gate (candi bentar), is a large fountain basin dedicated to the rulers of the underworld. In the innermost courtyard, which is entered through a covered gate (candi korung), are no fewer than 27 buildings of varying size and function.

Ollie the Star Fish was in Bali with us as well

Love blooms everywhere