DAY THREE - A TOUR OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND

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Today Wayan took us on a tour, the map shows Ubud just below the centre of the map and we drove north to Bedugul and beyond. 

Our tour first visited Taman Ayun Temple which is a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire and it is located in Mengwi Village, there are at least 20,000 temples in Bali.

This one was the biggest state temple surrounded by a wide moat and a series of garden terrace leads to its centre. It is very large, spacious and the elegant moat is an unusual feature. The temples are divided into three parts, the first two are open to the general public but the third is always closed. The first courtyard is a large, open grassy expanse and the inner courtyard has a multitude of multi-tiered shrine.

In the outer courtyard was a tableau showing cock fighting, which is very popular in Bali, but illegal!

The division between the outer compound and the second compound features a split gate - the Candi bentar

As we mentioned before, offerings to the Hindu Gods play an important part in Balinese life.  They can be found almost everywhere.  They are made with rice, flowers, fruits and vegetables

On our way north we could see the volcanic mountains of Gunung Batur and Ganung Agung. 

Our next port of call was the Botanic Gardens at Bedugul.  There was a cactus garden, an orchid garden and lovely grounds. There were many school parties there.

Next port of call was the local market in Candikuning where there were the usual array of stalls with clothing, food, fruit and vegetables.

The day was still relatively young and we made one more call before lunch to the Hindu/Buddhist Temple Pura (temple) Ulun Danu Bratan.  The temple was on the shores of Danau (lake) Bratan.

After lunch we travelled on to the Munduck waterfall passing the twin lakes of Danau Buyan and Danau Tambligan.

Danau Tamblingan

Wayan Juli and Ruth at the lake overlook

We had to climb down a hilly path to get to the Munduck waterfall, it was worth it.

Durian fruit

There was a stall back at the road entrance selling all manner of spices and other tourist attractions.  We bought some vanilla beans and expensive saffron.

Back in Ubud we ate at Warung Schnitzel which is dedicated in training all staff to a high level of awareness about hygiene, food contamination and food preparation, somewhat like the Fair Warung Bale.  It was one of the highly recommended restaurants in Ubud.  The recommendation was well earned.

That evening we went to another Balinese dance  - the Kecak Fire & Trance Dance by the Taman Kaja Community. What makes the Kecak special is that the accompanying music is provided by the human voice, the gamelan orchestra, a choir of a hundred men or more sitting in concentric circles, swaying, standing up, lying prone as the story develops.  The first part tells the same story that we had seen at the previous dance at the Ubud Temple but the difference here is that the shorter second part begins by the preparation of a wood fire.  As the fire burns down to hot charcoal the embers are spread inside the circle of the seated men.  Then a brave soul dances on the burning embers accompanied by the chanting men  This all takes place in the semi-dark, lit only faintly by red lights.  The man who owned our guest house was a member of the community and he had encouraged us to attend and we met up with him after the performance.  He was hot and dusty from the charcoal.

Our guest house host at the Kerak Fire Dance

End of Part 7 of 16