8.30 am. I checked out from Tune Hotel, Kuta. Alfian (he is 10 years younger than me) was waiting for me with his car together with his cousin, Farel who will be the driver for my tour. He has just arrived in Bali from Padang and Alfian intended his cousin to learn the road in Bali and act as an apprentice for him. I didn't mind the company as long as I am paying at the same agreed rate and all through out the journey, Farel did a fine job as my photographer.
My first stop was at Tune Hotel, Legian. I dropped the bags (now had become two with all those shoppings yesterday) at the hotel. I was disappointed to learn that, Pura Besakih, the oldest and the biggest temple in Bali is closed to public since Hindus here are celebrating a holy day (which was actually a Thaipusam day in Malaysia). Other than Besakih, two other places I have not been is in Lovina (further north of Bali which is famous for its dolphins) and Uluwatu, south of Bali. Since Lovina was out of the question because of the distance, I opted going to south Bali instead. Going to south Bali, I passed through Udayana University, one of the biggest university in Indonesia. The place is so huge and I was made to understand this university offers 100 undergraduates and graduate degree programs, the expert staff come from all over the world.
My next stop was at Tanjung Benoa which is famous for its water sports and activities such as diving, para gliding, cruises and such. Since I have no intention for that sort of thing, I stopped here to take my late breakfast.
My first stop was at Tune Hotel, Legian. I dropped the bags (now had become two with all those shoppings yesterday) at the hotel. I was disappointed to learn that, Pura Besakih, the oldest and the biggest temple in Bali is closed to public since Hindus here are celebrating a holy day (which was actually a Thaipusam day in Malaysia). Other than Besakih, two other places I have not been is in Lovina (further north of Bali which is famous for its dolphins) and Uluwatu, south of Bali. Since Lovina was out of the question because of the distance, I opted going to south Bali instead. Going to south Bali, I passed through Udayana University, one of the biggest university in Indonesia. The place is so huge and I was made to understand this university offers 100 undergraduates and graduate degree programs, the expert staff come from all over the world.
My next stop was at Tanjung Benoa which is famous for its water sports and activities such as diving, para gliding, cruises and such. Since I have no intention for that sort of thing, I stopped here to take my late breakfast.
Many boats here going to Turtle Island
Another view for Tanjung BenoaI had the opportunity to visit the oldest mosque in Bali. The mosque, a Chinese temple and a Hindu Temple (Pura) are located very near to each other marking the religious harmony of its people here.
The renovated Mujahidin Mosque, Tanjong Benoa
Next stop was at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, famously known as GWK. To enter here, you have to paid Rp.50,000.00 if you are a foreigner. Since Alfin declared that I was from Riau (which speak slightly like Malay) I only had to pay Rp25,000.00.
This 240 hectares cultural park is so huge and so many thing to see. The park have a Lotus Pond, Festival Park, Amphitheater, Street Theater, Exhibition Hall, Panoramic Rest, souvenir shops and off course the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. At present, 3 statues (Wisnu, Garuda and Wisnu's hands are located at 3 different places.) Once completed, the building will be 150 meters tall with its wings span 64 meter across. Made with 4000 tons of copper and brass, the statue will resemble Lord Wisnu riding on the back of mythical bird, the Garuda.
The way to the statue.
The roof top where the replica of GWK lies.
The replica of GWK
The statue of Wisnu
A huge one that is...
The statue of Garuda, the second piece of the puzzle of the whole statue
Another view of the Garuda..
Another pic..
Another small replica of GWK, imagine how big the complete statue will be, huge!!!
The fountain near the Amphitheater
The lotus pond
I missed the show, but I managed to see the procession afterward
Met a new unusual "friend"
The nice Festival Park, there will be a show that nite...
Other activities on the park..
The starting of 'the flying fox'...ada berani?
The end of the flying fox route...wonderful view..
The renovated Mujahidin Mosque, Tanjong BenoaNext stop was at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, famously known as GWK. To enter here, you have to paid Rp.50,000.00 if you are a foreigner. Since Alfin declared that I was from Riau (which speak slightly like Malay) I only had to pay Rp25,000.00.
This 240 hectares cultural park is so huge and so many thing to see. The park have a Lotus Pond, Festival Park, Amphitheater, Street Theater, Exhibition Hall, Panoramic Rest, souvenir shops and off course the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. At present, 3 statues (Wisnu, Garuda and Wisnu's hands are located at 3 different places.) Once completed, the building will be 150 meters tall with its wings span 64 meter across. Made with 4000 tons of copper and brass, the statue will resemble Lord Wisnu riding on the back of mythical bird, the Garuda.
The way to the statue.
The roof top where the replica of GWK lies.
The replica of GWK
The statue of Wisnu
A huge one that is...
The statue of Garuda, the second piece of the puzzle of the whole statue
Another view of the Garuda..
Another pic..
Another small replica of GWK, imagine how big the complete statue will be, huge!!!Below are other pictures at GWK..
The fountain near the Amphitheater
The lotus pond
I missed the show, but I managed to see the procession afterward
Met a new unusual "friend"
The nice Festival Park, there will be a show that nite...
Other activities on the park..
The starting of 'the flying fox'...ada berani?
The end of the flying fox route...wonderful view..I also managed to watch a Hindu ceremony being held near the statue of Visnu..
The priest in front chanting prayers..
The ceremony behind me...
Another pic..
The road to the Dreamland complex
The long walk to the beautiful beach..
Stop for awhile, capek deh..hehe
The priest in front chanting prayers..
The ceremony behind me...Next stop, Dreamland beach, located in the complex of Pecatu Graha Bali (Kuta Golf Resort Link). It is a huge complex complete with a golf course, a new resort and high end housing project and has now become the new surf spot for surfers around the world.
The entrance to Dreamland
The entrance to Dreamland
The road to the Dreamland complex
The long walk to the beautiful beach..
Stop for awhile, capek deh..hehe
At last, the beach....
hot weather, nice beach
A few tourist started to surf...One the way back I saw this advertisement...
Feeling hungry anyone? heheheMy next destination will be Padang Padang Beach, nearby Dreamland. This once a quiet place has become famous after being selected as a location for Julia Robert's latest movie, 'Eat, Pray, Love' last October 2009. I fully understand why this place had been chosen. Its is so beautiful and exotic and you would probably spend your days just lying here for hours...
To go down to the beach, you need to pass a dark cave
To go down to the beach, you need to pass a dark cave
A small cave
Out of the cave at last
The beach..
ermm.. I am here...not them...hahaha, plenty of 'that' here...
One wrong step will be fatal. The rocks here are hard and very very sharp.
The small pic before was taken from the pura behind me..here I am at the same place..
The sea look so near...it is not...
Out of the cave at last
The beach..
ermm.. I am here...not them...hahaha, plenty of 'that' here...
One wrong step will be fatal. The rocks here are hard and very very sharp.An interesting event took place at the beach. One of the important ceremony was being held here i.e. a ceremony to pay respect to the spirits of the mountain. I was informed, a "petanda", one of highest priest in Bali in a rare occasion was leading the ceremony.
I was told not to touch the 'offerings'
The 'petanda' citing prayers with a small bell in his hand.
Another view of the 'petanda'
The group of people, dancing towards the beach and back with the offering at hands
Another view of the proceeding..
I was told not to touch the 'offerings'
The 'petanda' citing prayers with a small bell in his hand.
Another view of the 'petanda'
The group of people, dancing towards the beach and back with the offering at hands
Another view of the proceeding..The next and the best place of all is of course, the Pura Uluwatu, one of Bali's 6 sacred temple. Its location is on the most south western of Bali and it is believed to be the guardian to ward evil spirit of the ocean. Being sacred, you need to wear a sarong to enter here. One very important tips here is that, its not advisable to wear spectacle, hats or sun glasses. Why? I saw it myself when one of the monkeys here snatched a cap from a young boy and to have it back, you need to 'pay' to someone ( I suspect to be the master of those monkeys) for him to 'persuade ' the monkey to return back the cap. Utter sham..
Nonetheless, the view here is indeed breathtaking and spectular.
Funny sarong..see the sharp cliff?
Different angle..
Another view, one step back I am gone..
This side of the wall.. look at far end of the cliff..
Tada.....I was already there...
Another pic, to show how high the cliff is...
Nonetheless, the view here is indeed breathtaking and spectular.
Funny sarong..see the sharp cliff?
Different angle..
Another view, one step back I am gone..
This side of the wall.. look at far end of the cliff..
Tada.....I was already there...
Another pic, to show how high the cliff is...
The small pic before was taken from the pura behind me..here I am at the same place..
The sea look so near...it is not...Later I was in Jimbaran beach for dinner. By now I can't take anymore pictures, I need to recharge my battery. Here, I ordered seafoods and invited both Alfian and Farel to join me. From our conversation, I was informed that Alfian married a Hindu's wife and converted her to Muslim years back. Farel intends to open a shop selling 'murtabak' (here called 'cahaya bulan') a delicacy from Padang once his wife and children moved in from Padang to Bali next month. I was guarantee free dinner by them if I come visit Bali again in the future.
Later, I was sent back to the hotel. After bath, I walked to the Legian beach nearby in about 3 minutes walk. Just like Kuta, Legian beach also has it own charmed and along the beach there are rows of high class restaurants too but unlike Kuta, the place is not as busy and noisy. I love Legian beach better than Kuta. The golden sandy beach and the big waves is just mesmerising. Near 1.00 am, I got back to the hotel and rest.
End of day 3, I intend to rest and relax tomorrow...see how it goes...
Later, I was sent back to the hotel. After bath, I walked to the Legian beach nearby in about 3 minutes walk. Just like Kuta, Legian beach also has it own charmed and along the beach there are rows of high class restaurants too but unlike Kuta, the place is not as busy and noisy. I love Legian beach better than Kuta. The golden sandy beach and the big waves is just mesmerising. Near 1.00 am, I got back to the hotel and rest.
End of day 3, I intend to rest and relax tomorrow...see how it goes...
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