Bali Trip Day 4

It was fun looking forward to breakfast everyday.. the breakfast somehow made remarkable memory in this trip. I wonder why..

After breakfast we headed off for the day's program! On the way, we stopped by a temple at the road side. There was a crowd of villagers in an event of rooster fight next to the temple. Men aged 10 to 70 flooded the area; circling the arena of fight; shouting and swearing at the "fighters". It was my first experience watching a rooster fight, and I think it is a very very terrible game. The roosters had a sharp blade tied around their legs; to wound the opponents as much as possible. Those who won, I suppose the owner would get monetary prizes. And those who perished, the rooster would be chopped off for the meat. Ah, what a barbaric game.

- A way to boost the rooster "mood" to fight -

- Lost. Chopped. Eaten -

We left the arena after watching 1 or 2 rounds of fight. I think the boys really enjoyed it. We continued our journey towards Mengwi, to visit the Taman Ayun Royal Temple. On the way, we stopped by again, as there was a paddy field view that caught our eyes. Yellowish, ripen rice.. so we jumped down to take a quick snapshot.

- Beautiful yellow paddy field -

- Look! Ripen rice! -

Many asked, why did I spent 7 days in Bali? Because Wilson and I would like to rest off the fatique and stress, we wanted to travel freely and without time constraint. We jumped down the jeep whenever we felt like it, whenever something caught our eyes.

- Ever wonder how the signature gates were constructed? -

- Ever wonder how the stone carvings were made? -

- Ever wonder how the leaf roof is made? -

- Ever seen so many sculptures lying on the floor, selling at dirt cheap prices? -
(The blue one is not-for-sale though)

We reached Taman Ayun Royal Temple around noon. Pura (Temple) Taman Ayun was built by I Gusti Agung Anom, the founder of the Mengwi kingdom, a powerful kingdom in the district of Mengwi, in central Bali, until 1891. It is set on the land which is surrounded by the big fish pond and look like a drift on the water. It owns the beautiful temple building with multistory roof and Balinese Architecture. The word of Ahyun is coming from from the root word Hyun meaning a temple is founded in the park (pool with the beautiful garden) which can fulfill the desire. The function of Taman Ayun Temple is a place to pray the god in their manifestation.

- Posing at the temple entrance -

- Pose -

- Posing.. again! -

As we walked into the temple, we saw a garden with many multi-storey roof huts. Really enjoyed the view here, together with the frangipani tress, it did resembled a little Japanese atmosphere here.

- A slight Japanese feel here -

- Temple building with multi-story roof, for god worshipping -

We continued the journey to the next destination, Bedegul. Bedugul is an area in the central mountains of Bali. Bedugul Area is composed of 3 lakes (Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan) and one main town (Candikuning). The most visited place of Bedugul is Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan, an unique temple on a small island on the lake. It is situated in the plateau area with cool atmosphere surround it and hills as a backdrop. The name of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is taken from the lake where the temple is built at Beratan Lake. Ulun is come from Hulu word meaning head or power and in this case is intended by Ulun Danu Beratan means power of Beratan Lake that is Danu Goddess.

- It was really cold here, luckily I brought my scarf -

- The famous Ulun Danu Temple -

- Romantic, isn't it? -

- The chilly atmosphere allowed us to relax our minds -

We headed back to Ubud after spending almost 1 hour at Bedugul. After washed up and resting at hotel, we agreed and signed up for a cultural show at Lotus Cafe. The backdrop of the stage was so grand and beautiful. We enjoyed the live band of lady orchestra and cultural dances by both young an old dancers.

- Lotus Cafe -

- The stage backdrop -

- Cultural Dances -

- Took photo with the dancers on stage -

We called it a day after having dinner at a nearby restaurant. Dinner that night was OK. Nightlife was minimal in Ubud, it was all dark and quiet by the time we finished dinner. If rest and relax are what you look for, staying in Ubud is the best choice.

:)