Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world – Gustave Flaubert

Many times, reality gets inspired by our DREAMS. I lived that kind of a dream, being in an Island with unique architecture Temples, heavenly Beaches, volcanic hill sides, pleasing rice field, admirable people living with and loving nature.And that is called the ‘Island of the Gods‘ – BALI

Apart from India, Hinduism is prevalent in few other south east Asian countries, one among them is Indonesia.Especially Ubud has lots and lots of temples.Some have built temples , even in front of their houses.They have a traditional attire, which they wear for temples.The worshiping method is completely different from ours.But the take away from there is “They worship Nature more than any god”.We stayed there for Five Nights and Six days.Expect to spend , Lakhs of rupiah, because 1 INR = 211 Indonesian Rupee (Year 2017)

Day 1

We reached Bali Airport around 10 AM and immediately started the trip .On the way visited Gold & silver making shop, Wooden carving shop, Art Painting shop. Beware about the expensive jewelry.Its always better just to see the craftsmanship, congratulate them and come back 😛

Checked in at Sarin Ubud suites, near monkey forest.Its an extraordinary place to stay and great value for money.Evening visited Ubud Royal palace, the shopping street , and Legong Dance which happens in palace complex Dance ticket costs 500 INR. Legong dance is a traditional dance form that demonstrates Mahabharata and for music ,they use unique instruments like Bronze and bamboo Xylophones, Gongs, Bamboo rattles , etc,. I loved the music they played.

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Day 2

Ayung River Rafting – Started this day with Ayung River Rafting.Cost is 500000 Rupiah (2500 Rs) per person.Its a medium trek with 1000 challenging steps down the forest to reach the starting point.The 10 km rafting path is filled with spectacular scenery, waterfalls, carved rocks, which ends with man made free fall in the river.Thrill experience ,along the rhythm of the river.

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Goa Gajah – In the past it has served as a Monastery of a Buddhist priest as well as Shivite Monk.The Shiv ling is present inside this cave.Entry fee : 15000 Rupiah.

Pura Tirta Empul – Its one of the big and aesthetically built temple , also called as Holy water temple.People coming here take bath in the holy spring, which is said to have been created by lord Indira and has curing properties.I am not sure whether this will cure ailments, but inside the temple complex there is a pond full of colorful fishes, which just soothes the soul.

ARMA Museum – There are a lot of museums in Ubud. This has good collection of paintings.Entry – 80000 Rupiah with Complementary coffee.

Painting of Besakih temple , during festival.

Sacred Monkey Forest – Its a most popular tourist place in Ubud. There are over 600 monkeys in its natural habitat.

Pura Taman Saraswati – This is a beautiful temple , dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.It has a lotus pond and they have scheduled dance programs happening here.

Day 3

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan – Pura means temple.The temple complex is located on the shores of lake Beratan, in the mountains near Bedugal. Its kinda Bali’s Poster image.The entire temple complex is vast and has beautiful flower garden, huge big trees, children play area as well.Visit this temple early in the morning to beat heat and avoid crowds.Entry Fee: 50000 Rupiah

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An architectonic temple, amidst Mountains , feels like floating in water looks Phenomenal.

Kebun Raya Bali – It is the largest Botanical garden in Indonesia.This houses more than 21000 specimens belonging to 2400 species.There are Orchids, Bamboo garden, Cactus Greenhouse, Medicinal plants, Rhododendron Garden, Rose Garden, Aquatic Garden and also houses world’s largest Begonia collections.It is just 5 minutes drive from Beratan temple and a wonderful place for photo lovers.Entry Fee: 20000 Rupiah

Jatiluwih Rice terraces – There are two famous rice terraces in Bali – Jatiluwih and Tegalalang . Jatiluwih has less crowd.In Bali everything has an entry fee and this costs 20000 Rupiah.

Bali Luwak Coffee – Luwak coffee is one of the Costliest coffee in the world,and Indonesia is the main producers of it.They demonstrate the step by step making of the coffee powder.They feed the Coffee Cherry to Luwak (Civet Cat) , it eats them,the bean half digests and it comes out as a poop.They clean the poop, roast the bean and powder it.

Tanah Lot – Its another famous Shiva temple.Very touristy.Entry Fee: 50000. Never miss the Rice cake, which is available here, very delicious.Also the coconut in entire Bali is too good.A single coconut will be so big containing lot of water , that it can be shared by three.

Day 4

karangesam Beach – The beaches in Karangesam is much better than the ones in Kuta , Legian areas.

Pura Tirta Gangaa – Tirta Gangaa is a former Royal palace in Eastern Bali.Its about 5 km from Karangesam. Tirta Gangga is a maze of pools and fountains surrounded by a lush garden and stone carvings and statues. The center piece of the palace is an eleven tiered fountain.Fun to walk on the stones which looks like floating in the pool, which is filled with colorful fishes.Its again one of the spectacular temple complex.Entry Fee: 30000 Rupiah

Ujung Water Palace – It is very close by Tirta Gangaa and its one of the Hidden gem of Bali. The palace contains the photographs and manuscripts depicting the rise and fall of the empire.The Master bedroom, where the king resides , gives us the sense of larger than the life standards of living.The room is surrounded by lotus ponds and Scintillating landscape.Seeing the palace ,I remember one of Thalaivar’s dialog from movie chandramukhi ‘Rasigan , Epdi vaaldhirukkan paaru’.Entry Fee: 50000 Rupiah.

Pura Lempuyang Luhur – This temple has two sections, the lower and upper level. The upper level is worth the climb of seemingly infinite staircase.From the top, the views are incredible and breathtaking.Its rightly called as a ‘Gateway to Heaven’ .From the entry gates of upper level, we can see the mount Agung so close by.The climb to the lower level via car is adventurous journey in itself, such a 70 degree, steep climb.The entry to this temple is free ,but they expect Donation.

Day 5

Mt. Batur Volcano – It is one of the Active volcanoes in Bali.You can always witness the smoke coming out of the mountain.You can climb the Volcano to see the Sunrise.This 2 hours trek, starts at 4 AM. Great views of lake Batur , Mt Agung (Biggest active Volcano opposite to Mt Batur).After that the guide will cook breakfast by the steam of the Volcano.

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Besakih – This is the most important , largest ,Mother temple of Bali, located on the slopes of Mount Agung. It has 23 separate temples built on 6 levels.The main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung. The symbolic center of main sanctuary is the lotus throne, or padmasana.

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Kuta Beach & Nusa Dua Beach – You can see so many surfers learning lessons in the beach.Just did window shopping in local areas and visited Beach Walk shopping mall.Overnight stay at Central Park Kuta Hotel.

Day 6

Experienced a lot of Water sports like Flying Fish, Jet ski, Parasailing, Sea Walking.Don’t go with the Price tag, Bargain to get less than 50 percent of the price.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu – This temple is built at the edge of the cliff and most popular during sunset.Every evening there is a Kekak dance show which depicts Ramayana.There is no music, but the crew of nearly 50 people make some vocal music. As far as the dance is concerned, i did not like it personally and not up to the Hype given for the show, except for the entry of Hanuman which is very funny.

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Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural park , in uluwatu,is a must visit and heard lot of positive reviews from the visitors.We could not accommodate in our plan due to lack of time.

Jimbaran Sea food dinner – They arrange the tables near the shore and dance and entertainment will be going on.You have to select the sea food , weigh them and they will cook with the selected items.You can see flights taking off every 2 minutes since the airport is close by.

Expenses

The total expense per person including Return flight tickets, Car rental, Hotel stay, Food (Except dinner – which we bought ready made items), water sports , River Rafting , Entrance tickets is 32000 Indian Rupees.

The car rental is 650000 Indonesian Rupiah per day (3100 Indian Rupees ) and four of us traveled.
Room stay is 3000 Indian Rupees - 4000 Indian rupees per day - Four sharing
Flight fare is 10000 Indian rupees with return.

Excluding River rafting and water sports this trip can be easily done in 22000 Indian rupees.

PS : If you get 2 or more days, try to visit Gili Islands and Dolphin watching at Lovina. Most of the temples in Bali requires you to wear a sarong (Towel around the waist) , its also free in most of the temples , except few. Prefer to stay in Ubud , since it is less crowded , unlike Kuta and you can get the complete essence of the Island here, also it is center place and easy to travel in all the directions.

Spread Love!! Spread Positiveness!!!