Days 67-68: Bali - Temple On An Island - Part 2

 

Day 2 involved a lot of travel and an early morning (6:45am) start. Even at that time of day, the roads are still jammed with traffic and thousands of scooters. It's the primary form of transport in Bali - you often see three or even four family members on one vehicle. This morning's trip took us through the center of Denpasar, the capital city. Then, we headed north and inland to Mengwi to see the Royal Temple. After that, we moved southwest to Tanah Lot on the Indian Ocean coast before returning through Denpasar again. 

Established in 1634 by the Mengwi Dynasty, Taman Ayun Temple served as the kingdom's primary temple. Its name, “Beautiful Garden,” reflects the harmonious blend of stunning architecture and meticulously landscaped gardens, embodying the deep spiritual connections of the Mengwi royals. As a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage, the temple showcases some intricate Balinese architecture, lush green gardens, and various religious structures, creating a serene oasis for spiritual reflection and prayer. It's an impressive sight when you pull up in front, with plenty of water all around. Before entering the temple grounds, I had to put on a sarong wrap (green today vs red yesterday) to cover my bare knees. 


I managed to get all around the buildings, but unfortunately wasn't allowed in the inner section of the temple as that is reserved for prayer. 








The Royal Temple was a larger (and better maintained) version of the Village
Temple we saw yesterday. But Tanah Lot was something else. It's quite a spectacular temple on an offshore island, pounded by incoming waves from the Indian Ocean at high tide. At low tide, you can walk across to the temple and climb some steps to the island's top. Tanah Lot means "Land In The Sea," and it's exactly that. 


The temple dates back to the 16th century and is one of seven sea temples situated around the Balinese coast. Unfortunately, by 1980, the rock face was crumbling, making the temple a dangerous place to pray. The Japanese government stepped in and loaned the Indonesian authorities money to reface and stabilize the rock. So, part (about 1/3) of what we see today is actually fake, artificial rock. Despite that, and the bazillion vendors that hang around the area - it's a must-see attraction. 


Few extra photos below of both locations. 







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