Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Bali Trip - Day Two - Monkey Forest

After Tanah Lot, Mr Wayan (our Tour Guide) took us to Monkey Forest. He advised us not to bring our bag down and only bring camera because the Monkeys will snatch our belongings. Fearing so, we left our bag in the tour van and off we go to Monkey Forest. Deep down, we are very worried that someone will disturb our stuff and steal our passports, handphones, etc. But thank God, the tour guide and driver are a very responsible person and keep Bali in a clean image.



Entrance gate to Monkey Forest. See that monkey joining the group of Indonesian/Japanese tourists.



A monkey welcoming us with the most replusive sitting posture.



Then you can see monkey everywhere.



Here!



and here!



and here again! (This one is so disgusting. Bright day light, and he is already high on something. zoom in the pic, and you'll get what I mean)



There is actually a group of monkey dangling around the tree.



Pregnant monkey!





I dare not go near the monkey!











Damn! I am so GOOD in making fun of myself!
Ok, I had enough! Serious time...



Temple in the Monkey Forest.





















See that monkey in the middle of the road blocking our van!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Bali Trip - Day Two - Tanah Lot

On our second day in Bali, we booked a day tour to Tanah Lot and Bedugul. The tour is worth our money cause we were brought to four different places namely, Tanah Lot, Monkey Forest, Ulun Danu (Bedugul) and Palace Temple. And it only cost us RM100 per pax. Whats more, the lunch is included.

[Facts on Tanah Lot are adapted from this here.]

From the village of Marga, the trip west returns to the main route leading to Tabanan. At the crossroads of Kediri, a side-road branches to the sea, ending on a green hill which slopes down to the beach and to the remarkable temple of Tanah Lot, suspended on a huge rock offshore. Set apart from the land by a stone basin, the rock has been carved by incoming tides. Tanah Lot, with its solitary black towers and tufts of foliage spilling over the cliffs, recalls the delicacy of a Chinese painting. If hearsay is to be believed, there dwells inside one of the shrines at Tanah Lot a huge snake, discreetly left undisturbed by the Balinese.

Although a small sanctuary, Tanah Lot is linked to a series of sea temples on the south coast of Bali: Pura Sakenan, Pura Ulu Watu, Pura Rambut Siwi and Pura Peti tenget. All these temples are related to the principal mountain sanctuaries: Besakih at Gunung Agung, Pura Batur at Batur and Plura Luhur at Mt. Batukau. The upland temples venerate deities associated with mountains and mountain lakes, while the sea temples include homage to the guardian spirits of the sea within their ritual. These main temples are often listed with the sad-kahyangan the six holy "national" temples, which exact tribute from all Balinese. The chronicles attribute the temple at Tanah Lot to the 16th century priest Nirartha.


This Temple was built in the 15th century by the priest, Pedanda Bahu Rawuh or Danghyang Nirartha from Majapahit Jawa. Near this Temple there are several small and big shrines, the biggest one is Pekendungan Temple. There is a spring considered sacred not far from this temple.
Tanah Lot is 13 km from Tabanan is Beraban village. When the tide is low people can walk to the temple. It looks like a floating one if the tide is high. There are many caves under the temple lived by the peaceful sea snakes, which has white and black colors.
During my trip to Tanah Lot, I took 100 photos and by noon, my camera's battery died on me. *sob*sob*






Before entering the Tanah Lot Temple area.



Bats for photo taking. As in holding it while taking photos. One have to pay if interested for the photo taking session with the bats.



The entrance!








The Assembly Hall on the right side of the entrance gate.






My Favourite Photo!



Another Favourite Photo!











Far end, there is one temple. We have to walk from one end to reach to the end in order to get to the temple.




It suppose to be "DO NOT ENTER" rather than "DO NOT ENTRY" , right? Sometime direct translation really works for some people in some part of the world.





OK. To prove to you I was there. Here!

















Photo of local villagers doing ritual praying.





Going down the slope to the sea temple. It was low tide that fine day.






That is the sea temple. Lot of people went there for blessing. It was believe the water from down the temple is a Holy Water in Hinduism. This is because it was the only place where we can find pure clean water in Bali.



Then we saw a tour guy whom we think is quite cute. So I pretend to take photo of the scenery but in actual fact I am taking his photo. However, he is not as man as how we thought he is. Photo explain!



Then we went for the HiIndu Blessing in the cave where the Holy Water is. And I donated 1,000 rupiah which is only 35 cents Malaysia Ringgit. wtf. I know I am a Christian. But wtf. I just want to experience things.








Then I saw an uncle who wore so smart to a sea side tour. That's very funny. So I took a photo of him, with the intention to show it to my mum. And then I realise there is also another funny freak photographer wannabe in the same photo. wtf.



Then I caught a guy taking off his shoes and I got no idea why. So I guess it must be Hong Kong Feet infection.



Guess whose reflection is these!




Going back!


Temporary tattoos for sale. It last up to 2 weeks and it only cost 5,000 rupiah that is RM1.75. Freaking cheap. But I did not get one of those cause I was wearing dress and I only want it done on my hips.




Then I saw an uncle checking out some Taiwanese chicks.

Then after, we stop to make keychains for relatives and friends.


While waiting for the lady to finish with May's keychains, I walk around and bought Balinese Traditional Headgear. And I made the Balinese Uncle to demonstrate to me how to tie it onto our head.



Last but not least, photo of a Balinese chick wannabe for ya'all.

More photos here.