Decided to see some more of the island so we hired a car and driver to take us to see some of the temples. Most are relatively small but there are some very large ones. The first one we went to was “Goa Gajah Cave Temple – The Elephant Cave”. It is situated in Bedulu. The cave was very interesting, built in the 11 century then destroyed in an earthquake it was unearthed again in 1917. It like all other temples on Bali is sacred to the Hindu Religion. We then moved on to Tampaksiring – The Holy Spring Temple. There were special ceremonies going on at the temple. People being bathed in the holy water and lots of offerings, music and religious services. Our third temple was “Besakih” the biggest temple in Bali known as the mother temple. It was enormous compared to all the others. Very busy, lots of steps to climb to reach the highest part. It has various smaller temples within it for type classes and types of people ie family temple, business temple etc.
After that we decided that something different was required so we went to Bali Zoo. It’s a very small zoo and in our opinion not the best place to keep the animals. Their enclosures are too small. They had an information session where they took out some birds and animals and explained all about them. The last animals they produced were two young lion cubs. We had our photographs taken with them.
Bit of excitement the following evening. We had a power cut lights around the pool had been blowing for the last couple of day but tonight it cut power to the villas around the pool. Later we were lying in bed reading when we heard a noise at the window. A sort of thump and scratch. The windows are in two parts, an outer glazed window and an inner mesh window with wooden venetian blinds between. Syd closed the window when we came in but a frog had somehow managed to get struck between the blind and the glass. Syd opened the mesh window to knock the frog into the waste paper bin but it jumped out again and was hopping around the corner of the room. Luckily Syd caught it an let it go outside.
For out last day in Bali we decided to hire a car and a driver and head to the beach. We had heard that Sanur beach was quite good and as it is the closest we set off. Took about an hour to get there. The sea was relatively calm and the beach virtually deserted. We walked along the path at the beach edge for a bit taking in the view, then stopped for a beer and sat in the sun. It was very hot. Took some pictures of local boats, brightly coloured, used to ferry tourists about. Walked in the sea for a bit then we walked along to a cafe where we had ice cream. Went back and met our driver and asked him to take us to the beach at Seminyak. It turned out to be more like the beaches we had atnicipated in Bali. The sea was much rougher, surfers and lots more people on the beach. This beach is on the Indian Ocean so the tide is much stronger. The beach appeared cleaner than Sanur. Lots of people watching. We had lunch in a cafe shaped like a boat right on the beach, barbequed shrimp and chicken, lovely.
We then headed back to Ubud. Didn’t realise how much sun we’d got until we showered. We both look a bit like a lobster. Took the hotel car into Ubud where we were dropped in the centre. Exchanged the last of the Singapore dollars that I had then went an had a milkshake and a sit in the shade. Decided to walk back to the hotel. It was threatening to rain and by the time we got close to the hotel it started so we went into a nearby cafe/bar for a beer and something to eat. The rain just got heavier and heavier. It must be monsoon season. The street appeared to turn into a river. We stayed put until it seemed to go off then decided to make a run for it. It wasn’t too far back to the hotel but by the time we got there we were soaked. The rain just never let up.
We had a great time in Bali, lots of fantastic memories.
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