Foto Horizon Home                   Bali                          Jul 9-16, 2006

  Ubud | Kintamani-Besakih Tour | Tenganan & Candi Dasa |  Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu  | Seminyak & Kuta

 

Suszan and I spent a wonderful week in the Indonesian Island of  Bali. It is a tourist destination known for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music, especially that played the Gamelan. Today Bali is the only remaining stronghold of Hinduism in the archipelago, and Balinese religion is a fascinating amalgam of Hinduism, Buddhism, Malay ancestor cults, animistic and magical beliefs and practices.                See Kit

Ubud

Ubud is a town in central Bali and is considered the arts and culture center of the island. It has a population of about 8000 people but it is becoming difficult to distinguish the town itself from the villages that once surrounded it.

1. Boys Playing with Kite - Ubud

2. Dog and Lady - Ubud

3. Face Carvings and Dog at a Residence - Ubud

 

4 & 5. Lilies - Ubud

Ubud is the largest town in Bali to maintain traditional Hindu culture. It is a 'green' town, with a profusion of flowers, plants, palms, and the occasional rice field. Fauna include green tree vipers, pythons, coconut snakes, and the odd lumbering monitor lizard.

6. Statue with Umbrellas - Ubud

7. Smiling Lady with Basket - Ubud

8. Three Men Sitting Around - Ubud

9. Paintings in Ubud

10. Residence - Ubud

11. Statue and Flower - Ubud

12. Gathering Place - Ubud

In general, Balinese people do not have the means to travel. Cops earn a paltry US$100 per month and have to resort to traffic 'taxation' to earn extra income. Most people inherit land. By dividing lands, younger generations are always getting smaller plots.

13. Boys - Ubud

14. Ladies in Ubud

15. Botanic Gardens Ubud

The Botanic Gardens is a lush and tranquil sanctuary just 1.2km from the heart of Ubud. Pathways and steps join five hectares of natural ravine which include an Orchid Garden, a vast collection of ferns, palms, bamboos, and tropical trees.

16. See Kit in Botanic Gardens - Ubud

17. Old Man with his Fighting Roosters - Ubud

18. Hen and Chick - Ubud

We walked about 6 miles around Ubud on our first day in Bali, enjoying its culture. However we were not impressed by the number of shopkeepers and taxi drivers who hassled us continuously. Most of them do not understand what privacy meant.

19. Shopkeepers at Ubud Market

The Ubud market is a run-down, artsy place where you can buy arts and crafts. Be certain to bargain extremely hard since the shopkeepers are out to rip tourists off. I bought an adaptor for my camera charger for a hefty US$5 at a local store because I needed it badly! I knew I was ripped off.

20. Cat and Residence - Ubud

21. Old Lady with Coconut Leaves - Ubud

22. Rowdy Boys in Ubud

23. Pathway to our Kumara Sakti Cottage - Ubud

The Kumara Sakti Hotel is located in the northern part of Ubud and is next to a rice field. We stayed in a cottage for 3 nights and enjoyed the food, scenery, and playing with the dogs. It is a 3-year old hotel that cost about US$53 per night. We love the friendliness and the attention of the attendants and drivers of this hotel.

24. Kumara Sakti Cottage - Ubud

25. Swimming Pool at Kumara Sakti Cottages - Ubud

26. Suszan eating her Morning Breakfast at Kumara Sakti - Ubud

27. Morning Fruits at Kumara Sakti Cottages - Ubud

We have not had that much fresh fruits for breakfast for a long, long time.

28. Father and Kids at Kumara Sakti Cottages - Ubud

29. Working in the Paddy Fields - from Kumara Sakti Cottages - Ubud

30. Rice Paddy - Ubud

31. Coconut Trees and Rice Paddies - Ubud

32. Rice Paddy and Mountains - Ubud

33. Musicians for Legong Dance - Ubud

 

34 & 35. Legong Dances - Ubud

The Legong dance is a Balinese dance performed by ladies. Our Kumara Sakti staff drove us down to the Ubud Palace for this 1.5 hour entertainment.

 

Foto Horizon Home                   Bali                          Jul 9-16, 2006

  Ubud | Kintamani-Besakih Tour | Tenganan & Candi Dasa |  Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu  | Seminyak & Kuta

    Kintamani-Besakih Tour

The Kintamani area has some of the best scenery to be found anywhere in Bali. Here is a place where you can escape from the crowded city atmosphere. The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with its deep crater lake and bubbling hot springs make this region a must to visit.

36. Suszan at Elephant Cave Temple in Goa Gajah

37. Statue at the Holy Spring Temple at Tampaksiring

We were forced to buy Sarongs to enter temples. I suggest that you buy a cheap Sarong before going for any temple excursions.

38. Holy Spring Temple at Tampaksiring

39. Holy Spring Temple at Tampaksiring

40. See Kit in a Sarong at Holy Spring Temple at Tampaksiring

41. Praying at Holy Spring Temple at Tampaksiring

Since the roads in Bali were full of potholes, we often had to drive at about 25 miles an hour.

42. Roasting Coffee Beans at Coffee Plantation

43. Suszan Drinking Fresh Hot Chocolate at Coffee Plantation

We had lots of fun at this Coffee plantation. There were many types of fruit plants in the area and some were indigenous to Bali. Suszan bought some cocoa powder from this plantation.

44. Mount Batur and Lake Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano standing at 1,717m (5,633 ft) tall.

45. Lake Batur

Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali and provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain.

46. Mount Agung - Tallest Volcano in Bali

Mount Agung is the tallest volcano in Bali. It is an active strato volcano standing at 3,142m.

47. Besakih Temple with Mount Agung in the Background

High on the slopes of Bali's Mount Agung sits Pura Besakih, widely referred to as the "Mother Temple" of Hinduism in Bali. It is the largest of the island's 11,000 or so Hindu temples; its 35 shrines and halls draw devotees from all over Bali in massive numbers each year.

48. Besakih Temple at the Slope of Mount Agung

We were always escorted by local persons called 'guardians' at all temples. They seek donations at the end of their service. It is ironic to observe that tourists from Indonesia did not have any 'guardians'. 

49. Rice Paddy

50. Hall of Justice at Klungkung

Klungkung is a bustling town located between Ginayar and Karangasem. Surrounded by a moat, the Hall of Justice is a superb example of Klungkung architecture, best known for its ceiling paintings in Klungkung style. 

51. Roof Paintings - Hall of Justice at Klungkung

52. Farmers in the Evening

53. Small Dam and Houses

54. Scary Wooden Masks

Foto Horizon Home                   Bali                          Jul 9-16, 2006

  Ubud | Kintamani-Besakih Tour | Tenganan & Candi Dasa |  Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu  | Seminyak & Kuta

    Tenganan & Candi Dasa

Tenganan is an orginal pre-Hindu Balinese settlement and one of the most conservative Bali Aga villages on the island, and perhaps the only one with a completely communal society. Villagers live in brick and mortar long houses. Handsome ceremonial pavilions and giant grain storehouses run down the center of the widest avenue.

55. Ata Baskets from Tenganan

Ata baskets are a good buy, so sturdy they are said to last 100 years. They are made from a vine collected from the hills behind Tenganan. Ata is much stronger than rattan and it is water, heat, and insect resistant. They come in all shapes and sizes; those with black woven designs are more difficult to make and cost more. An average-size basket takes two to three weeks to make, worked on by both men and women when it is too hot or rainy to work the fields.

56. Men on Elevated Huts in Tenganan

57. Colored, Fighting Roosters in Tenganan

58. Ikat - Woven Fabric from Tenganan

Tenganan is the only place in the world where double Ikat is woven. Ikat is a woven fabric in which the threads are tie-dyed before they are woven and the pattern emerges in the weaving. The dyed threads are woven in only one direction, and the ensuing fabric, single Ikat, is common and found as both hand-woven and machine-woven cloth.

59. Tenganan Village

60. Oxens in Tenganan

61. Suszan's Pineapple Fried Rice in Downtown Candi Dasa

Relatively unknown a decade ago, Candi Dasa is now a popular and relaxing retreat that has managed to retain its village identity. Attractions include snorkeling, scuba diving and tours to the seaward temple of Candi Dasa.

62. Beach Front and Breakwater at Candi Dasa

63. Rama Candi Dasa Hotel

64. Swimming Pool of Rama Candi Dasa Hotel

Suszan and I had lots of fun swimming in this pool.

65. Bed Facing Indian Ocean at Rama Candi Dasa Hotel

66. Breakfast at Rama Candi Dasa Hotel

The Tiramisu in the hotel restaurant is simply mouth-watering. We enjoyed the open-air atmosphere during dinner at night.  The Rama Candi Dasa hotel is relatively cheap at US$45 per night. 

67. Catamaran in Candi Dasa

68. Bags to Scare Birds Away from Crops - Candi Dasa

Balinese people like to fly kites in their spare time. The most genuine Balinese are not tainted by the lure of tourist money.

69. Rough Waves in Candi Dasa

Internet access at local cafes cost about 400 rupiahs per minute (about US$0.04).

70. Breakwater in Candi Dasa

Everyone who visits Bali is an automatic 'millionaire' due to the low value of its currency.

71. Morning Offerings Made of Coconut Leaves - Candi Dasa

72. Suszan Choosing her Lunch at Alila Hotel in Candi Dasa

73. Village Lady - Candi Dasa

74. Husband and Wife on a Motorbike - Candi Dasa

75. Construction Workers Digging in Candi Dasa

76. Happy Kids in Candi Dasa

Foto Horizon Home                   Bali                          Jul 9-16, 2006

  Ubud | Kintamani-Besakih Tour | Tenganan & Candi Dasa |  Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu  | Seminyak & Kuta

 Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu

Denpasar is the capital city of Bali. It is also the site of Ngurah Rai airport, the main gateway to Bali. 

77. Mom Driving Kids to School - Sanur - Denpasar

78. Post Office in Sanur - Denpasar

Denpasar is a very crowded capital with slow traffic. This postman made a make-shift box to contain our Ata baskets that we shipped internationally. By charging a US$1 for the box, he was essentially 'taxing' us and probably used it for a good meal. Corruption is rife in Indonesia.

79. Aman Nusa Hotel in Nusa Dua

Any place in the southern area of Bali is often referred to as Nusa Dua. Most of the high-end hotels are located on the south east side while the south west remains deserted, inhabited primarily by surfers. Aman Nusa is a grand hotel of 35, thatched-roof suites sitting on a garden hillside in southern Bali with sweeping views of Nusa Dua and the Indian Ocean, the island of Nusa Penida on the horizon and further east, volcanic Mount Agung.  

80. Ceramic Place in Southern Peninsula - Bali

This ceramic place has the nicest-looking plates. We bought two.

81. Dreamland

Dreamland is a surf spot near Ulu Watu. It is owned by former President Suharto's son who is currently in jail for murder.

82. Surfers at Dreamland

We hired personal drivers for the day. It cost us $45 for 12 hours. Our driver is named Wayan who is a trustworthy and quiet person. If you ever visit Bali and want to use his services, give him a ring at 08179780871. Wayan works for his boss who owns 25 cars in Bali. All drivers have side jobs in Bali. On days when there is no business, Wayan works in the rice fields for his relative. It is a backbreaking and low-earning job. So whenever he gets an all-day driving excursion, he considers it a holiday.

83. Ulu Watu

Perched high on a cliff over the ocean on Bali's south-western tip is the temple ofUlu Watu. In addition to the fantastic view from the temple, especially at sunset, the temple is famous for its gang of monkeys and its Kecak dance performance. 

 

84 & 85. Naughty Monkeys at Ulu Watu

We witnessed two monkeys stealing a pair of sunglasses and a hair scrunchie from 2 tourists.

86. Suszan at Ulu Watu

87. Ulu Watu Temple in the Evening

88. Temple Offerings at Ulu Watu

89. See Kit and Suszan at Ulu Watu

Notice that I was not wearing my pair of glasses since I feared the monkeys would steal it!

Foto Horizon Home                   Bali                          Jul 9-16, 2006

  Ubud | Kintamani-Besakih Tour | Tenganan & Candi Dasa |  Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu  | Seminyak & Kuta

Seminyak & Kuta

Seminyak is a village situated in the south coast of Bali. Today a great number of foreigners are residing in this area. It has become the center of Indonesian handicraft business. Seminyak retains a small town atmosphere, with good traffic condition and no hawkers around. It is deeply rooted in traditions and have the  highest per capita population of personal computers on Bali and in all of Indonesia.

90. The Samaya in Seminyak

The Samaya hotel is situated on the quiet side of Seminyak Beach and bordered by the Indian Ocean. This 5-star hotel is set amidst lush tropical gardens and only 30 minutes drive from the Ngurah Rai International airport and 5 minutes from the shopping and entertainment area.

91. Suszan and I in the Samaya in Seminyak

The Samaya is the BEST hotel that Suszan and I have ever stayed at. The service is excellent; the place is gorgeous; and the food is simply awesome! But it cost US$225 per night. Suszan could only say 'Wow' during our first night of stay.

92. Suszan in the Tub - Samaya in Seminyak

Needless to say Suszan had the total relaxation treatment in Bali with 3 massages - 1 scalp, 1 foot, and 1 full-body. I became Mr. Lightfoot after my 40-minute foot massage and almost cried when the lady pulled each of my toes.

93. Swimming Pool at the Samaya in Seminyak

94. Breakfast at the Samaya in Seminyak

The rich millionaires from Jarkarta buy all the resort places from the Balinese people. It is a pity that the Balinese people only know how to sell their land for quick cash.

95. Seminyak Beach

96. Seminyak Beach

97. Suszan and I at Seminyak Beach in the Morning

98. Kuta

Kuta is the center of an extensive tourist-oriented urban area and is the center of night life activities in Southern Bali. It is also a shopping mecca with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Seminyak is a much nicer place than Kuta since it offers more exquisite shops and have people who are more courteous and friendly. We bought 2 pairs of wooden chopsticks in downtown Seminyak.

99. Bikinis in Kuta

The general economy in Bali has been severely affected by the 2 terrorist bombings in Kuta, the 2005 and 2006 earthquakes and Tsunami, and also the threat of Bird flu. 

100. Beautiful Lamps in Downtown Seminyak

101. Family on a Bike - Seminyak

102. Suszan and See Kit in Made Warung Restaurant in Downtown Seminyak

We had dinner two nights in a row at Made (2 syllables) Warung restaurant.  We sat in the elevated hut and enjoyed local cuisine and fed the cats and kittens below us.
 

Foto Horizon Home                   Bali                          Jul 9-16, 2006

  Ubud | Kintamani-Besakih Tour | Tenganan & Candi Dasa |  Denpasar & Nusa Dua & Ulu Watu  | Seminyak & Kuta