uluwatu temple

About 45 minutes from Nusa Dua, or 1 hr 15 minutes from Kuta or Tuban area. From Nusa Dua, the hilly road will pass through Pecatu, (in)famous for its uncompleted monument and luxury homes. If you are from Kuta, similar hill climbing road through Kedodongan and Jimbaran Hills (and Bay) will bring you here.
Description:Officially known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu (yes, that's the real name: "Luhur" means "something of divine origin" while "Uluwatu" can be broken into "ulu" which means "land's end" and "watu" means "rock" in the old language). Nonetheless, merely mentioning Uluwatu will get you here in no time.
To me, this is the most spectacular temple on the island of Bali. The inner sanctum of the pura is perched majestically on the edge of a steep cliff that towers above the legendary surf breaks of southern Bali.
While I'm not too sure what the view is like from within the inner temple itself, the views are best enjoyed on two different vantage points on both northern and southern portions of the area.
I try not to mention much about the monkeys here. Precautionary signs have been put at a few places to remind about their aggressiveness. I did not experience any bad incidents with them, but I did take off my sunglasses and hid my camera in my pocket, just in case. At sunset, Kecak dance performance is held here everyday. And, it goes without saying that sunset viewing at Uluwatu is one of the must-do in Bali.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is regarded as one of the six most important temples in Bali (along with Pura Besakih, of course!). Its location on the south westernmost precinct of this magical island guards the Balinese from the evil spirit of the ocean.
There is a minimal entrance fee to enter. I'm not particularly sure about the need to have a "local guide" to explore the pura just like what I have experienced in Pura Besakih. Sarongs are available for rental at the entrance. It was indeed a hassle free experience for me. And the view is out of this world.

Pandawa Beach (secret beach)

Bali has many beautiful beaches and one of them is on the southern island of Bali.
The beach is known by the name Pandawa Beach. Pandawa Beach is a white sandy beach and clear of pollution, and away from residential areas.
Along the beach of Pandawa natural cliffs and cave encounter many natural cave.
On the beach is also in use by the local communities for planting seaweed.

 

 

Garuda Wisnu Kencana

Designed and built by Nyoman Nuarta, one of Indonesia’s foremost modern sculptor, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue or GWK and its pedestal building will be standing 150 meters tall with its wings span 64 meters across.

Made from more than 4000 tons of copper and brass, the statue is picturing Lord Wisnu, as the source of wisdom, riding on the back of the mythical bird Garuda as the manifestation of conscience toward Amerta, the perennial goodness.

The statue and its pedestal will be surrounded by more than 240 hectares cultural park which was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. The cultural park will provide attractions for both local and foreign visitors with supporting facilities such as Lotus Pond, Festival Park, Amphitheater, Street Theater, Exhibition Hall, as well as Jendela Bali The Panoramic Resto and souvenir shop. At present time, the statue of Wisnu, the statue of Garuda, and the hands of Wisnu have been placed temporarily in three different plazas within the park.

GWK Cultural Park is intended to educate, especially the young generations about the importance of preserving and cultivating world’s cultural heritage.

Here is the story of Garuda Wisnu Kencana which follow the birth and deeds of the mythical bird Garudaas quoted from Wikipedia. You can find this story carved into stone relief, placed in GWK Street Theater.

The story of Garuda’s birth and deeds is told in the first book of the great epic Mahabharata. According to the epic, when Garuda first burst forth from his egg, he appeared as a raging inferno equal to the cosmic conflagration that consumes the world at the end of every age. Frightened, the gods begged him for mercy. Garuda, hearing their plea, reduced himself in size and energy.

Garuda’s father was the creator-rishi Kasyapa. His mother was Vinata, whose sister was Kadru, the mother of serpents. One day, Vinata entered into and lost a foolish bet, as a result of which she became enslaved to her sister.

Mahabharata mentions about a bet between sisters and wives of Kashyapa, Vinata and Kadru, about the colour of Uchchaihshravas‘s tail. While Vinata, the mother of Garuda and Aruna, said it was white, Kadru said it was black. The loser would have to serve as a servant of the winner. Kadru told her sons, Naga (“serpent”), to cover the tail of the horse and thus make it appear as black in colour and thus, Kadru won.

Resolving to release his mother from this state of bondage, Garuda approached the serpents and asked them what it would take to purchase her freedom. Their reply was that Garuda would have to bring them the elixir of immortality, also called amrita. It was a tall order. The amrita at that time found itself in the possession of the gods, who guarded it jealously, since it was the source of their immortality. They had ringed the elixir with a massive fire that covered the sky. They had blocked the way to the elixir with a fierce mechanical contraption of sharp rotating blades. And finally, they had stationed two gigantic poisonous snakes next to the elixir as deadly guardians.

Undaunted, Garuda hastened toward the abode of the gods intent on robbing them of their treasure. Knowing of his design, the gods met him in full battle-array. Garuda, however, defeated the entire host and scattered them in all directions. Taking the water of many rivers into his mouth, he extinguished the protective fire the gods had thrown up. Reducing his size, he crept past the rotating blades of their murderous machine. And finally, he mangled the two gigantic serpents they had posted as guards. Taking the elixir into his mouth without swallowing it, he launched again into the air and headed toward the eagerly waiting serpents.

En route, he encountered Vishnu. Rather than fight, the two exchanged promises. Vishnu promised Garuda the gift of immortality even without drinking from the elixir, and Garuda promised to become Vishnu’s mount.

Flying onward, he met Indra the god of the sky. Another exchange of promises occurred. Garuda promised that once he had delivered the elixir, thus fulfilling the request of the serpents, he would make it possible for Indra to regain possession of the elixir and to take it back to the gods. Indra in turn promised Garuda the serpents as food.

At long last, Garuda alighted in front of the waiting serpents. Placing the elixir on the grass, and thereby liberating his mother Vinata from her servitude, he urged the serpents to perform their religious ablutions before consuming it. As they hurried off to do so, Indra swooped in to make off with the elixir.

From that day onward, Garuda was the ally of the gods and the trusty mount of Vishnu, as well as the implacable enemy of snakes, upon whom he preyed at every opportunity.

 Gitgit Waterfall at Buleleng Bali

Gitgit Waterfall tour is a very famous and beautiful tourist attraction, in the northern part of Bali. Gitgit waterfall is located about 11 Km from Singaraja Town - North Bali - or about 70 Km from Denpasar. Bali Gitgit waterfall is in the plateau area with the height about 35 meters and it is surrounded by tropical tree and emits the constantly natural water debit during the year. Waterfall voice around the charming nature is amazing and it was the separate attraction which can be enjoyed by each visitor who comes to visit. There are some plantations protecting the rain forest around the Gitgit waterfall and in this place we often met the wild monkey to get the water from Gitgit Waterfall.

A well-signposted path goes 800 meters west from the main road to one of the tourist attractions waterfall Gitgit, - there is another spot point beside of Gitgit. It is located in the countryside of Gitgit and Sukasada sub district - about 17 Km from Singaraja Town. It is not far from the Gitgit Waterfall place, there is a place for taking a rest while enjoy the beauty panorama of rice terrace and Buleleng Beach. 

There are at least 4 big waterfalls in north Bali, probably more. These are Gitgit Waterfall, Sing Sing Waterfall, Blahmantung Waterfall and Yeh Mempeh Waterfall. Close to the Buddhist monastery you will find hot springs at Air Panas Banjar. Heading east along the main to to Singaraja is a place called Air Sanih, its freshwater springs a great place for a cooling dip.

Other than that, we can tell you, that Bali has plentiful rivers and streams and there is nothing like stopping the car, hiking down the bank and taking a refreshing dip just like the locals do.

Since Gitgit waterfall is appointed as one of the tourist attractions in Bali, many tourists from domestic and foreign countries make use of our Bali tours / visits this Gitgit Waterfall, Singaraja and Lovina etc. which is one of our famous tours in Bali.

The path to Gitgit Waterfall is lined with souvenir stalls, and persistent guides offer their services, which you have no need for at all. The path crosses a narrow bridge and follows the river up past several sets of Gitgit waterfall, Bali,through verdant jungle and with several places to swim.

The 40 meters waterfall is very pretty, and a great place for a picnic.

Taman Ayun, Pura dengan Taman yang Indah di Bali

Taman Ayun adalah sebuah kompleks Pura yang sangat besar, terletak di Kecamatan Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, kurang lebih 18 km dari jantung Kota Denpasar. Setelah kita melewati pintu masuk, taman luas yang terawat baik menyambut kedatangan, dengan rumput hijau yang benar-benar indah, tapi sayangnya pada saat hari panas hal ini dapat menjadi sangat berat karena tidak terdapat pohon-pohon besar untuk memberikan keteduhan di taman ini. Ketika kita mencari keteduhan, taman bagian belakang adalah jawabannya. Akan sangat menyenangkan sekali untuk berjalan-jalan di jalan bebatuan di bawah pohon-pohon besar ditemanani oleh suara burung-burung yang sedang bernyanyi.
Taman Ayun diterjemahkan secara harfiah sebagai taman yang indah dan dianggap sebagai salah satu Pura yang paling menarik di Bali. Dibangun pada tahun 1634 oleh Raja Mengwi, I Gusti Putu Agung. Pura ini berbatasan dengan sungai yang lebar yang mengairi sawah-sawah disekitar lokasi. Pura ini didedikasikan untuk para leluhur Kerajaan Mengwi dan dewa-dewa penting lainnya. Pura Taman Ayun dianggap sebagai "Pura Pusat" untuk Kerajaan Mengwi.
Untuk memasuki kompleks Pura, kita harus melintasi jembatan yang menghubungkan kompleks pura dan jalan utama. Terdapat sebuah candi kecil sebagai penjaga pintu masuk di sisi kiri dan kanan. Juga terdapat wantilan besar (ruang terbuka), suatu tempat di mana sering dilaksanakan Upacara Tabuh Rah. Ada juga air mancur dengan sembilan pancuran air.
Memasuki gerbang kedua, terdapat suatu bale dengan ukiran Dewata Nawa Sanga yang menakjubkan, merupakan dewa yang menjaga sembilan arah mata angin. Halaman kedua adalah Jaba Tengah, dan di daerah ini, terdapat sebuah Bale Kulkul yang tinggi berdiri megah seperti gedung pencakar langit. Kulkul adalah media tradisional untuk berkomunikasi masa. Kulkul digunakan untuk memanggil penduduk desa untuk berkumpul bersama. Bunyi kulkul dapat berbeda-beda sesuai dengan kegaiatan apa yang akan dilakukan oleh masyarakat.
Bagian paling suci Pura dalah Jaba Jero. Tempat ini memiliki tiga pintu gerbang. Pintu gerbang di tengah hanya dibuka bila dilaksanakan kegiatan upacara agama. Pintu ini berfungsi sebagai pintu keluar dan masuk untuk arca-arca suci dan instrumen-instrumen suci lainnya untuk kegiatan upacara. Dua pintu lainnya di sisi kanan dan kiri untuk pemakaian sehari-hari. Pada halaman ini terdapat beberapa Meru dalam berbagai bentuk dan ukuran.
Tiga halaman di kompleks Pura adalah simbol dari tiga tingkat dunia kosmik. Yang pertama adalah tempat bagi manusia, yang kedua adalah tempat roh atau atma, dan halaman utama adalah tempat dimana Tuhan, yaitu suatu simbol surga. Dalam sebuah kisah kuno berjudul Adhiparwa, dikatakan bahwa seluruh kompleks Pura menggambarkan Gunung Mahameru yang mengapung di lautan susu.

Pantai Padang-padang yang menyembunyikan keindahannya

Jika kalian ingin mencari pantai yang memiliki panorama yang indah dan memiliki lingkungan yang masih alami tampaknya bukan hal yang sulit di Bali. Pantai Padang-padang mungkin bisa menjadi referensi liburan kamu di Bali.
Dipantai yang berpasir putih inilah dulu pernah di untuk pembuatan shooting Film Eat, Pray Love yang di bintangi oleh Julia Robert.
Pantai Padang-padang memiliki keunikan tersendiri bagi wisatawan yang datang, dikelilingi tebing batu kkarang yang kokoh untuk mencapai lokasi ini wisatawan harus melalui celah tebing karang yang hanya muat untuk satu orang saja untuk dilalui, hal ini menjadi salah satu hal yang menarik bagi wisatawan yang datang. selain keunikan tersebut di pantai ini wisatawan juga bisa melihat keindahan terumbu karang.
jarak tempuh ke lokasi pantai Padang-padang kira kira 32 KM dari kota Denpasar atau kurang lebih 45 menit dari Bandara Ngurah Rai.
Pantai Padang-padang masih bersih suasana yang sepi dan airnya masih jernih membuat betah lama-lama berenang dan bermain air disini.
Jika anda ke Bali dan mencari pantai yang masih asri dan alami datanglah ke pantai Padang-padang 

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