Map of Bali: more traveling

Beach resort in Lovina,yep those are flowers

The best way to describe our trip is to say that we started in Ubud, headed east ,went into the mountains (Gunung Agung) and on the first day stayed in Amed (the east coast above Candiasa,east of Gunung Agung (the highest mountain).

We then proceded each day to go into the mountains, (Gunung Batakau+ the three lakes: Danau) heading westward and then descend to the coast (northern, Amalapura, Singaraja and Lovina).  Our desire to swim went unfulfilled as the weather was uncooperative (think rainy season and high winds) and frankly the beaches were undesirable(yep, you do not come to Bali for the beaches!)They were black volcanic sand and No Beach all erosion.  if it had been better weather we would have gone with a  boat to snorkle,away from the beach.  The northern beaches are supposed to be calmest. (southern for Surfing).  I should have taken Dee to Virgin Beach above Candidasa.  very pretty but i thought I could find better.  We then headed back into the mountains/volcanoes and found the land of Green.

this is the planting of the new rice seedlings....... they will be transplanted soon (back breaking work- but you knew that!)

green terraces shimmering like mirrors

walking the paddies

Endless Rice Paddies in Jatiluwih.  Mountainous regions with farms not unlike Vermont. (Munduk) Slow going,windy and beautiful.  Each day Wayan Jantuk would stop at temples, vistas,markets, villages.  Outside of Ubud is so different.

Quieter.  Less sophisticated. Village life.  Less Touristy.

praying, then the clamor of the music

Barong procession

Each day we just happened upon serendipity.  A Barong procession. Mythical lion/dog protector. A temple ceremony.  Many temple ceremonies.

We'd don our sarongs, put on our temple sashes, cover our shoulders......and Join In.   This is THE BEST PART OF BALI.  Just join on in.  Pray.  Watch.  Learn.  Meditate.  Just Be.

notice you cannot enter the temple if you are "MAD" (huh? well that could describe me in many circumstance)  Leave it at the door!

pura at Batukau

family ceremony (perhaps death, notice small penjor boy in front holds)

sacred waters- tirta at temple

Map of Bali

View the destination guide & interactive map

Maps related to Bali

• Asia
• Indonesia

A most extraordinary Buddhist temple Brahma Vihara Arama west of Lovina heading into the foothills.  A mixture of both Hindu and Buddhist environs..... there is some distinctly Buddhist architecture to be found here. 

Buddhist Temple, near Lovina

Dee and Wayan at the bottom of the stupa

I had the opportunity to meditate in the temple

the glorious lotus

Monks live here.......... i may join them

We traveled everywhere, except the one national park (westward) and the western coast.  We did come southward into Tabanan and ended the trip with a sunset (rainy) evening at TanahLot. (southwestern coast)  An incredible temple, rising from the sea with architecture that rivals any in the world.  Unfortunately, it is one of those temples that sees throngs of people, and commensurately there are hawkers everywhere.  We saw the important directional temples, Besakih...  this is where the Balinese make their pilgrimages, after important benchmarks in their lives. (such as a death of a parent or grandparent).

traditional village north of Bangli

Dee entering the temple (desa-village)

yes, they were preparing for a ceremony: full moon

in front of the g'dere (part of the gamelan)

the penjors were about to come down-42 days after Galangun

traditional temple wear- kebaya,sash and sarong

they love their Babi Guling here

roast PIG!

Yes, the Hindus eat meat here...... (not beef)  pretty weird but this is an animist society first, Hindu second.  It is very very easy eating vegetarian (and even vegan) here.

soon I will be describing some of the more interesting innovative things i have been eating........ more raw food that i want to incorporate at home. I started eating this way in Costa Rica; nothing like the tropics to encourage you and support you into (really) healthy eating!