danau buyan Archives - As Suanie Sees It

One of the things I wanted to see in Bali is a temple. I didn’t really care which temple because to me, most temples look alike. Seen one, seen them all. Perhaps not the most culturally-sensitive things to say especially in a place renowned for its beautiful temples. Well, there are lots of temples where I grew up. So I guess I should stop apologising for not wanting to visit more than one temple. I’m sure they are beautiful, just not really my thing.

It was down to either Uluwatu or Tanah Lot, then I decided on the latter. FA was not an integral part of the decision-making process because she didn’t really care either, heh. I’d read that there are aggressive monkeys at Uluwatu and I didn’t feel like having to protect my belongings at all times. Besides there’d be a dance: my feelings towards cultural dances (especially Asian because I was born, bred and am living in SEA) are pretty much what I feel about temples.

I relayed this to Yande, whom I’d contacted to take us sightseeing in Bali. He was very responsive (with his super canggih Blackberry), his rate was reasonable and he understood our straightforward itinerary. On Sunday, he picked us up at 9.30 a.m. My only destination for the day was to go to Tanah Lot and left everything else to him. So he took us to Mengwi to visit Pura Taman Ayu.

Us at the drum tower, and the hanging wooden drums

Pura Taman Ayu was built in the 17th century by the founder of the Mengwi Kingdom. It is still used by members of the royal family (who no longer have political influence or power) for worshipping — you can see, but cannot enter the inner courtyard. The temple is surrounded by a moat — I saw a few people fishing. By the way, entrance fee is Rp3,000 (RM1.xx) per person.

The shrines are called ‘meru’

Royal geese and a blossoming lotus flower

While waiting for FA to get to the car, I sang one line of Search’s Isabella for the car park attendant. Actually that was part of our bargaining lines the day before, i.e. if we sing Glenn Fredly/ Ungu/ Peter Pan can you lower the price??

Off to Bedugul. All this travelling (i.e. FA and I sitting in the car doing nothing much but chat with Yande about Bali and Balinese customs while he drives around a lot) was making us hungry so we stopped at a restaurant. Buffet lunch for something like Rp70,000 (RM24) per person. Then a short distance to Bratan Lake. Very misty, weather was cool and nice, lots of people. Entrance fee Rp10,000 (RM3.50) per person.

Pura Ulun Danu, shrine for the Lake Goddess

More driving, this time to Buyan Lake which is next to Tamblingan Lake. Yande drove us to a high spot to see the lake, which was unfortunately covered in clouds. Then it rained and the clouds went away, yay! Short video of 4.10 mins below.

Next, Tanah Lot. Quite a distance away. Lots of buses, cars, people. Entrance fee is Rp10,000 (RM3.50) per person. Lots of stalls selling clothes and souvenirs. If you’ve been reading this far on this blog post, congrats and here’s a great tip: all the stuff is cheaper in Tanah Lot. You’re better off buying your T-shirts (me), shorts (FA) and assorted other stuff here than in say, Kuta or Legian. Since I’m not Balinese and not bound to any code (which I do understand actually), I can tell you this: do your shopping in Tanah Lot kthxbai. That is if you were planning to go there in the first place.

Yande and I. Some dude meditating

Me and FA

Need to pay money to see holy water, skip. Need to pay money to see holy snake, skip. Cloudy, sunset wasn’t that awesome but it’s okay. Too many people around. Awesome waves. Hello you camwhored already then move la, other people want to camwhore at that spot also! One photograph peddler had a small instant printer in his bag… nice one!

After a while we went back to Kuta. Said goodbye and thank you to Yande. Showered. Went to Poppies Lane II for dinner and foot massage in a different parlour. Cost Rp55,000 (RM18.90) per person for an hour — very slightly more than the first one we had but the experience was a heck lot better! Went back to hotel, walked past a group of half-naked Aussies (they sound like Aussies) and fully-clothed guitar-strumming locals sitting outside a 24-hour convenience store karaoke-ing to Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours. Looked damn fun. We totally failed as bloggers because we were too lazy to take photos.

Got back to hotel. Packed. Watched bits of ‘Far and Away’ on cable. Slept. Woke up early next morning to go to airport. Flight at 7.50 am, was on time. Got home. Here I am and missing Bali.

Cloudy sunset at Tanah Lot