We took a three day trip to Bali to celebrate our 5th Wedding Anniversary. We spent one day in Ubud and two days in Nusa Dua. It was wonderful going to Bali again and it brought back many happy memories of our trip in 2009 when we visited with friends (for more on our first visit, please go to our September 2009 posting).
Ubud
Ubud is often referred to as "the real Bali" and this rings true as it is a representation of what sets Bali apart from other beach destinations - the culture, the rice fields and the charm of the Balinese people. Ubud is considered to be the cultural centre of Bali and is home to many artists, painters, galleries and craft shops. Unlike our visit in 2009 when we were only in Ubud for an afternoon, during this trip we had more time to explore the city centre and visit the many interesting shops.
Uma Ubud
While in Ubud, we stayed at this beautiful hotel which proved to be a quiet haven away from the busy streets of the city centre. It is a lovely hotel with terrace and garden rooms, in a very natural setting with lots of trees and greenery everywhere. For our anniversary, there were some nice touches that included a cake and flowers (we didn't ask for any of this, so it was a nice surprise).
While in Ubud, we stayed at this beautiful hotel which proved to be a quiet haven away from the busy streets of the city centre. It is a lovely hotel with terrace and garden rooms, in a very natural setting with lots of trees and greenery everywhere. For our anniversary, there were some nice touches that included a cake and flowers (we didn't ask for any of this, so it was a nice surprise).
A walk through the Rice Fields
Two of the activities that our hotel in Ubud offered in the morning, were a yoga session or a walk through the rice fields. We opted to go for a walk through the rice fields, as this is something we can't do everywhere. We spent about an hour and a half walking through the rice paddies, mostly along the narrow dividers between the fields and it was fun. Our guide explained to us how rice is grown and we definitely have a new appreciation for rice growers, as it is a labour intensive activity.
Two of the activities that our hotel in Ubud offered in the morning, were a yoga session or a walk through the rice fields. We opted to go for a walk through the rice fields, as this is something we can't do everywhere. We spent about an hour and a half walking through the rice paddies, mostly along the narrow dividers between the fields and it was fun. Our guide explained to us how rice is grown and we definitely have a new appreciation for rice growers, as it is a labour intensive activity.
Pura Taman Saraswati
An oasis in the heart of Ubud, this temple is dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and the arts. It features a Padmasana (lotus throne) and waters from the temple feed a pond overflowing with iconic lotus blossoms.
An oasis in the heart of Ubud, this temple is dedicated to Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of learning, literature and the arts. It features a Padmasana (lotus throne) and waters from the temple feed a pond overflowing with iconic lotus blossoms.
Pura Tanah Lot
We hired a driver to drive us from Ubud to Nusa Dua (about a two hour drive) and along the way we made a stop at Pura Tanah Lot. The last time we were in Bali, we arrived at Pura Tanah Lot just as the sun had set, so we really missed out on seeing this beautiful temple. Pura Tanah Lot is the most famous of the seven sea temples along Bali's west coast. Located on a rock jutting out of the Indian Ocean, it really is a unique temple. During high tide (which is when we visited), the temple is not accessible, but when the tide is low, a sandy stretch of land connecting the large rock and the island appears and this enables visitors to go across to the temple.
We hired a driver to drive us from Ubud to Nusa Dua (about a two hour drive) and along the way we made a stop at Pura Tanah Lot. The last time we were in Bali, we arrived at Pura Tanah Lot just as the sun had set, so we really missed out on seeing this beautiful temple. Pura Tanah Lot is the most famous of the seven sea temples along Bali's west coast. Located on a rock jutting out of the Indian Ocean, it really is a unique temple. During high tide (which is when we visited), the temple is not accessible, but when the tide is low, a sandy stretch of land connecting the large rock and the island appears and this enables visitors to go across to the temple.
Soccer World Cup
It was wonderful to see the spirit of the World Cup alive and well in Bali. On our way from Ubud to Nusa Dua and again on our way from Nusa Dua to Ulu Watu, we drove through many residential areas and were pleasantly surprised to see many flags in support of the various teams playing in the World Cup in South Africa
It was wonderful to see the spirit of the World Cup alive and well in Bali. On our way from Ubud to Nusa Dua and again on our way from Nusa Dua to Ulu Watu, we drove through many residential areas and were pleasantly surprised to see many flags in support of the various teams playing in the World Cup in South Africa
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is located on the east coast of the Bukit Peninsula and is home to many resorts. An offshore reef protects the beaches here, so the waves are mere ripples and thus the ocean is ideal for swimming and watersports. One of the nice features of Nusa Dua, is the 5 km beach promenade that extends all the way from Nusa Dua to Tanjung Benoa (on the northeast tip of the Bukit Peninsula). This promenade also provides access to the other beach resorts in this area. While in Nusa Dua we stayed at The Laguna Resort and Spa, a lovely resort that was right on the beach. We got a lovely room on the ground floor that gave us direct access to one of the pools at the resort. We had a lovely time relaxing on the beach and enjoying all that the resort had to offer.
Nusa Dua is located on the east coast of the Bukit Peninsula and is home to many resorts. An offshore reef protects the beaches here, so the waves are mere ripples and thus the ocean is ideal for swimming and watersports. One of the nice features of Nusa Dua, is the 5 km beach promenade that extends all the way from Nusa Dua to Tanjung Benoa (on the northeast tip of the Bukit Peninsula). This promenade also provides access to the other beach resorts in this area. While in Nusa Dua we stayed at The Laguna Resort and Spa, a lovely resort that was right on the beach. We got a lovely room on the ground floor that gave us direct access to one of the pools at the resort. We had a lovely time relaxing on the beach and enjoying all that the resort had to offer.
Bumbu Bali
To celebrate our anniversary, we had dinner at Bumbu Bali Restaurant. Bumbu Bali is known as one of the island's best restaurants. Owned by a cookbook author Heinz von Holzen and his Balinese wife Puji, Bumbu Bali serves traditional Balinese food. Many diners opt for one of several set menus, as this is a great way to sample a bit of everything. We opted for the Seafood rijsttafel (Dutch world for "Rice table", but in essence it is like Tappas where there are small portions of many different dishes) and we were not disappointed. For dinner we had amongst other things, minced seafood satays, green papaya soup with seafood, marinated grilled prawns and squid, fish grilled in a banana leaf, seafood in yellow coconut sauce and rice. For dessert we had a selection of fruit, Balinese cakes, black rice pudding and glutinous rice flour dumplings in a palm sugar sauce. Everything was beautifully presented and tasted delicious !
To celebrate our anniversary, we had dinner at Bumbu Bali Restaurant. Bumbu Bali is known as one of the island's best restaurants. Owned by a cookbook author Heinz von Holzen and his Balinese wife Puji, Bumbu Bali serves traditional Balinese food. Many diners opt for one of several set menus, as this is a great way to sample a bit of everything. We opted for the Seafood rijsttafel (Dutch world for "Rice table", but in essence it is like Tappas where there are small portions of many different dishes) and we were not disappointed. For dinner we had amongst other things, minced seafood satays, green papaya soup with seafood, marinated grilled prawns and squid, fish grilled in a banana leaf, seafood in yellow coconut sauce and rice. For dessert we had a selection of fruit, Balinese cakes, black rice pudding and glutinous rice flour dumplings in a palm sugar sauce. Everything was beautifully presented and tasted delicious !
Ulu Watu
We hired a driver to drive us from Nusa Dua to Ula Watu (about an hour's drive). Ulu Watu is situated on the southwest corner of the Bukit Peninsula and is a surfer's paradise. This section of Bali attracts surfers from all over the world. Ulu Watu is the rugged section of coastline that is known for its huge cliffs, with little beaches at the base of these cliffs. On the day we visited Ulu Watu, we saw many surfers in the water and also non-surfers relaxing on the beaches.
Pura Luhur Ulu Watu
Pura Luhur Ulu Watu is one of several important temples to the spirits of the sea along Bali's south coast. This temple was established in the 11th century and is situated on the southwestern tip of the peninsula. It is precariously perched on the edge of a steep cliff that drops straight into the pounding surf. Visitors are allowed in the temple grounds, but only Hindu worshippers can enter the small inner temple. We had read that this temple is home to scores of grey monkeys who are quite a menace. Apart from being quite brash, they have been known to snatch handbags, sunglasses, hats and anything that is within reach. Before entering the grounds, our driver warned me about my glasses. I found it hard to believe that my glasses would not be safe on my face, but decided to put my glasses in my pocket to be safe. This proved to be a wise decision, because while we were walking around the temple grounds, we witnessed a monkey snatch the glasses off the face of a man who was standing near the railing where the monkey was sitting. Eye-witness proof that they really are naughty little buggers !
We arrived at this temple in the late afternoon with the intention of staying for sunset. Many people visit this temple at sunset, as it is also at this time that a Kecak and Fire Dance is performed. Kecak is a unique Balinese dance that has its origin in an old ritual dance called "Sanghyang" or trance dance. In the Sanghyang dance, a person in a state of trance communicates with the deities or ancestors. It is a dance that is not accompanied by any orchestra or music, but by a choir of seventy men chanting. We watched this interesting dance as the sun set over the ocean and it was dark when we left this temple. Fortunately the monkeys were nowhere in sight !
Pura Luhur Ulu Watu is one of several important temples to the spirits of the sea along Bali's south coast. This temple was established in the 11th century and is situated on the southwestern tip of the peninsula. It is precariously perched on the edge of a steep cliff that drops straight into the pounding surf. Visitors are allowed in the temple grounds, but only Hindu worshippers can enter the small inner temple. We had read that this temple is home to scores of grey monkeys who are quite a menace. Apart from being quite brash, they have been known to snatch handbags, sunglasses, hats and anything that is within reach. Before entering the grounds, our driver warned me about my glasses. I found it hard to believe that my glasses would not be safe on my face, but decided to put my glasses in my pocket to be safe. This proved to be a wise decision, because while we were walking around the temple grounds, we witnessed a monkey snatch the glasses off the face of a man who was standing near the railing where the monkey was sitting. Eye-witness proof that they really are naughty little buggers !
We arrived at this temple in the late afternoon with the intention of staying for sunset. Many people visit this temple at sunset, as it is also at this time that a Kecak and Fire Dance is performed. Kecak is a unique Balinese dance that has its origin in an old ritual dance called "Sanghyang" or trance dance. In the Sanghyang dance, a person in a state of trance communicates with the deities or ancestors. It is a dance that is not accompanied by any orchestra or music, but by a choir of seventy men chanting. We watched this interesting dance as the sun set over the ocean and it was dark when we left this temple. Fortunately the monkeys were nowhere in sight !
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