Melukat in Tirta Empul Temple

Bali is a small island that is rich in tourist destinations, in generally such as beaches, lakes, and mountains.But, if you know, not only that place you can visit. Bali also presents temples that has a special attraction for tourists. Temples in Bali generally serves as a place to pray for Hindus in Bali. Besides that, several temples in Bali also serves as a place for ‘melukat’ (ablutions). There are many temples in Bali which has a holy spring that serves as a place for melukat. One of the many temples known as a place of ablutions is Tirta Empul Temple.

Last month was my first experience visiting Tirta Empul Temple. Located in Manukaya Village, Tampaksiring, Gianyar – Bali. According to local people, the name of Tirta Empul Temple taken from the springs called Tirta Empul which when it defined is a water that gushes from the ground. So Tirta Empul is holy water that gushes out of the ground (holy spring).

Such as other temples, Tirta Empul Temple is divided into three parts, namely outside of the temple, the center of the temple and the last one is the main part of the temple. To get to the holy spring pool, first I had to pass through the outside part of the temple. Here there are many statues that decorated by garden of lush tropical plants. In the middle of the garden there is a path that lead me to ‘Candi Bentar’, which is the entrance to the temple. After passing the entrance, finally I arrived at the middle part of the temple. 

Here there is a rectangular pool which has approximately 30 pieces showers that lined from east to the west with clear water flows from each showers. it makes me impatient to showers here. But before I do the showers, there is main requirement to do, that is to use kamen. Kamen is a fabric that tied around the waist like a long skirt. Usually used by Hindus to be able to enter the temple area. 

I feel my body is so light and calm after one hour showers. This proves that, in this pool really contained holy water. That's my little experience while visiting Tirta Empul Temple, and I really want to visit this temple again. 

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Experience Like Exploring The Jungle in Bali Zoo Park

Visited the one of alternative tourist spot in Bali named Bali Zoo Park with my family is my best experience when spend my holiday in Bali island. Located in Singapadu Village, Gianyar Regency I just need times about 45 minutes with drived a car from Kuta. I think this park has about 3.5 hectares area, with high tree, high grass and dense plants, made this park like home for the animals here.

This park is the best place to learn about the wildlife reserve especially for children or teenagers like me, also serves as a vehicle to reintroduce the endangered animals. I can saw many animals in Bali Zoo Park such as mammals, primates, deer, camels, kangaroos and Sumatran tiger. Famous tropical birds such as cassowaries, peacocks, cockatoos, Bali starling and many species of birds asia. Other views include reptiles, like Komodo the largest lizard found only in Indonesia), iguanas, green snake and python.

Being in an enormous garden filled with tropical plants and water, featuring natural environment for the animals. The environment is designed with a variety of plants which can be used both as a medicinal plant (eucalyptus, clove, noni, matoa, sandalwood and others), spices (betel nut, lime, salam), for ceremonial equipment (nagasari, coconut, bamboo yellow , majegau, perasok, uduh palm, papyrus and others).

According the information I got from employees in the Bali Zoo Park, at the end of 2006, this zoo adding several new mammal animal collections including the white tiger (phanttera tingris), pygmy hippopotamus (cheoropsis liberiensis), mountain goats (amortragus LERVIA), ape coat (Papio hamadryas), Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) imported from Surabaya Zoo as one of the cooperation forms in exchange programs surplus animals and mating animals that have not been paired so that they can breed well and remain stable presence in the this world. And I think this is nice program for our survival.

After a pleasant trip around the zoo, I relax in the the restaurant with 300 seats capacity and select Balinese cuisine menu, although there are the option seafood or vegetarian menu, I still want to try taste the Balinese cuisine. The class service at this restaurant like in the five-star hotel services. And I was very lucky because this restaurant was displayed Balinese dance and it is not every day can be seen.

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Most Excellent Rafting Experience

Last week I was told by my friend about his trip to Telaga Waja, located in Muncan Village, Karangasem, Bali. I feel attracted and challenged by the story, and plans to go there with another friends. And finally, yesterday morning I depart from Kuta towards Karangasem by motorcycle. Because not jammed, this trip takes two and a half hours. And fortunately the day was sunny, so it doesn’t obstruct my trip.

Arriving at the Telaga Waja, a guide who has been trained give directions to us and other visitors. After giving directions, the guide provides safety equipment that already national standarized (life jacket, helmet, and paddle). Equipment are ready, and now its time for rafting. This was my first experience in rafting, so my hand is still hard to paddle. But it's not a problem, because there are friends who are already experienced in this.

During rafting, I see the unspoiled natural scenery. At every edge of the river there are, rice fields, shrubs, and trees. Not only the natural scenery, the fresh air around the area become an attraction to rafting in Telaga Waja. On the north side, we see the exotic view of Mount Agung which is the highest mountain in Bali. This is truly become an amazing experience for me.

After two hours wading through Telaga Waja river,

we arrived at resting place. Near from resting place, there are a restaurant which is in the middle of rice fields. Everything feels so natural here. In this restaurant, rafting participants can enjoy a buffet menu that has been provided. Other facilities such as changing rooms and toilets are very adequate. If I had spare time or holiday, I will come here again with family. So, if you've never feel the rafting sensation in Telaga Waja, immediately visit this place with your friends or family. It certainly would be fun! 

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100% Holiday with Bali Hai Cruises

Established in 1990, Bali Hai Cruises is Indonesia’s leading Marine Tourism Company operating exciting day cruises to Lembongan Island, with fun filled activities for the whole family. Offering a range of activities to cater for those with an adventurous spirit, to those who are seeking a relaxing day on a paradise island. Also boasting unique beach front accommodation at Hai Tide Huts, as well as evening dinner cruises, Bali Hai Cruises truly has something for everyone. Located in Wahana Tirta Street, Benoa, Bali.

Bali Hai Cruises offering many choises of cruises, such as:

1. Reef Cruise

Cruises to Lembongan Island aboard Bali Hai II and moor alongside our purpose built reef     pontoon for a full day’s activities, above and below the water. 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer 

-Morning and afternoon tea, coffee and snacks 

-International buffet luncheon 

-Unlimited banana boat rides

-Snorkeling equipment and instruction 

-Guided village tour 

-Full use of the pontoon facilities 

-Semi Submersible Coral Viewer 

-Diving board 

-Locker 

2. Beach Club Cruise

Cruises to Lembingan Island aboard Bali Hai II and relax on the golden sands in tranquil Lembongan Bay at the Bali Hai Cruises private Beach Club. 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer

-Morning and afternoon tea, coffee and snacks 

-Use the Beach Club facilities including swimming pool and volleyball court 

-Tropical BBQ lunch 

-Guided village tour 

-Snorkeling equipment and instruction 

-Kids play arena 

-Lockers 

3. Aristocat

Sail into paradise on the Luxury Sailing Catamaran, Aristocat, and enjoy a day in the pristine bay at Bali Hai Cruises private Beach Club on Lembongan Island. 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer 

-Morning and afternoon tea, coffee and snacks 

-Tropical BBQ lunch 

-Fishing (trolling lines) during your cruises to Lembongan Islnad 

-Guided village tour 

-Unlimited banana boat rides 

-Snorkeling equipment and instruction 

-Use of Beach Club facilities including swimming pool and volleyball court 

-Kids play arena 

-Semi Submersible Coral Viewer 

-Towel and lockers 

-Complimentary soft drinks and light snacks onboard 

4. Three Island Day Cruise

Experience Bali’s fastest and most exciting full day snorkeling cruise as you discover the magnificent. Sights of Bali’s three sister island. Sit down, hang on, and let’s go! 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer 

-Cruise the South Coast of Penida Island and view the 300 foot high cliffs 

-Visit pristine bays and snorkel, swim or explore deserted beaches 

-Cruiese through spectacular Ceningan Channel 

-Visit a traditional seaweed farming village 

-Picnic lunch is served onboard or at a secluded beach or Bali Hai Beach Club, Lembongan. 

-Visit to Lembongan Bay marine park and Bali Hai Cruises Beach Club 

-A towel 

 

5. Dolphin Cruise

Experience an exhilarating early morning high speed cruise along the coastline of Nusa Dua to view wild dolphin. 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer 

-Tea/coffee, fruit juices and pastries served prior to boarding. 

-Dolphin spotting off the South Bali Coast 

6. Aristocat Evening Cruise

A sophisticated Evening Dinner Cruise aboard Luxury Sailing Catamaran Aristocat. After enjoying cocktail in the garden, we welcome you aboard to savour a romantic 5-course dinner in the tranquil, tropical night air, whilst being serenaded by the sounds of live music. 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer 

-Welcome cocktail and canapés 

-Tropical evening meal 

-Live musical entertaintment 

7. Sunset Dinner Cruise

There’s no better way to spend a balmy tropical evening than on Bali Hai’s Evening Dinner Cruise around Benoa Harbour. Relish an international buffet dinner whilst enjoying the live musical entertaintment and cabaret show. 

Includes: 

-Hotel transfer 

-Welcome cocktail and canapés 

-International buffet dinner 

-Live musical entertaintment and cabaret show 

8. Bali Hai Tide Huts

Bali Hai Tide Huts is a unique accommodation concept located on Lembongan Island, comprising beach front huts set on a pristine white sandy beach overlooking a crystal clear Indian Ocean. 

Includes: 

-Breakfast 

-Use of Reef Pontoon facilities 

-Resort swimming pool -Bicycles -Ocean kayaks 

-Volleyball (beach/pool) 

-Guided village tour 

-Banana boat rides 

-Snorkeling equipment and instruction 

-Free surfing transfer 

-Kids play arena 

-Free WiFi 

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Exoticism Panorama of Menjangan Island

Menjangan Island is located in West Buleleng, Bali. To get there we should go to the harbor, located in the tourist area of Batu Ampar, Pejarakan, Gerokgak, Buleleng about 90-kilometer or 1.5 hours drive from the city of Singaraja.

After crossing by boat, you will get to the Menjangan Island. Menjangan island surrounded by coral reefs and a number of large and small caves which is a habitat for, soft corals, large groupers and moray eels. In small caves, there are many kinds of small snappers and batfish. The sea bottom is also rich in barrel sponges and sea fans with a large size. 

The depth of the sea and the quiet flow of current makes the underwater park around Menjangan become a place to live for tuna, hordes of jackfish, batfish, angelfish, sea turtles, even sharks. Therefore, professional divers frequently visit this island just to   enjoy the beauty of the underwater. Or just snorkeling on the beach. Besides the panoramic beach, visitors can also walk around the forest and see wild deer.

In Menjangan Island, the visitors not only enjoy the nature, but also spiritual tourism. In Menjangan Island there are Agung Pingit Klenting Sari Temple. The location is at the end of the island, facing the Java Island with a background of Mount Ijen. Moreover, Ganesha statue with 15 meters tall and Pagoda of Kwam Im stand sturdily here.




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Ancient Balinese Life History in Yeh Pulu Relief

Yeh Pulu Ubud is one of cultural destination in Bali. Many tourists who visit the Yeh Pulu Temple are foreign tourists. Domestic tourists are very rarely visited this relief. It’s because the less promotion about this temple for domestic tourist. Yeh Pulu Temple located in Bedulu Village, Blahbatuh Sub-District, Gianyar Regency. 

Because located in Bedahulu Village, Yeh Pulu Temple also called Yeh Pulu Bedulu. The unique from this temple are the location. Located in very vast rice fields and scattered in all directions Bedulu Village. So you not only look at the temple reliefs history, but that you will see the rice terraces are arranged neatly. To can reach this temple, you must past the rather small footpath. This footpath very maintained, from the cleanliness and the beauty. This footpaths maintenance, conducted by the local community who have a farm organization, named Subak. 

This location has facilities like parking area, toilet and Balinese souvenirs. In this temple you can see many uniques ancient relief. Because in this temple there are many reliefs, so this temple often called Yeh Pulu Relief. There are ancient relief, carved in the rock, long relief about 25 meters and the width relief about 2 meters. 

The reliefs history contained in this temple, tells about the ancient Balinese life history, in the Bedahulu Kingdom. Not only relief on the wall, holes protrudes into place to meditate, also in this area. It’s said this place used Bedahulu King to meditation, before lose his battle against the Majapahit Kingdom on 1343.

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Yeh Pulu Relief on google maps: