Bali-One from my Bucket

       

It was a Brouhaha at the picturesque sight of the vigorous Tanah Lot temple  with the stark blue sea at the backdrop romancing with the dazzling morning sun here at Bali. Everyone were exulted at the bewitching   fusion of land and sea which was no less than the best painting ever seen by mankind. The frothy vociferous tides hitting the calm iron willed black rocks inside the sea  was no less  than the most  delighting  picture that human can ever imagine. Welcome to the place which has made Bali famous in the map of the world tourism- The Tanah Lot (PURA TANAH LOT)

Spread across a vast area with lush green background supported by the ancient sculptures and wall craving was a shot in the arm making the place vivid and vivacious. We started from our hotel by 8 AM amidst the rain pouring like cats and dogs  with our driver Mr Negrah and with his Toyota SUV .In fact the parking lot in front of the hotel was flooded with the on going heavy rainfall. We were afraid we could visit anyplace and a lot of apprehension about our plan being roiled by the morning incessant rain. However   the reticent Mr Negrah gave us confidence that the clouds will soon part away. Rightly said and within 30 minutes the black clouds parted away to make way for the beaming morning sun. It took nearly 1.5 hours to reach from our hotel to the temple. Unlike Maddy , Mr Negrah was quite reserved and only opens his mouth upon asking any question. The climate become clear and fledging after a heavy downpour followed by a  dazzling sunlight. We reach the temple very early before the crowd making the place clamorous and noisy. As every place inside the temple was equally scenic , we went on clicking numerous photographs and went to the place where the KECOK dance is performed in evening. There was a steep pathway with a couple of flights to reach the beach where the white tides bumping the rocks on the not so white sand sea beach. The sea beach was not as clear as the beach I have seen in GOA and ANDAMANS. It was a normal beach but the main attraction of the beach was the different class of rocks which we have not seen anywhere before.

We spent nearly 1.5 hours in that place before we took the steps and came to the temple corridor. We were so mingled with the splendour that we forget visiting the main temple. However ,we quickly move towards the main temple located inside the sea, As it was a low tide we could go near the temple. Other than Balinese Hindus, no one was permitted to go inside the main temple. We as well as the tourist could go near it to have a closer look. Unlike the temples we visited yesterday , there  was no such restriction on the dress once wear. There was no compulsion to cover the lower part of the body with a Sharon. After almost 2 hours we were preparing to come out of the temple. As promised  to our ladies to give them enough time for shopping, they brought some dresses from the art market spread across the exit gate. As our next destination “ULLUWATU TEMPLE” was 2 hours journey from Tanah Lot, we could not able to spend much time there and drive on the way to reach the temple. It was a tiring 2 hours journey on a narrow serpentine road crossing across  the virgin locales, rocky mountains, breath taking views, tranquil Balinese temple, bustling bazaars and delectable food scene – what’s not to love!. We reached Ulluwatu by 12 noon .This is another temple located at one horn of the Bali costal line. Uluwatu Temple (Pura Uluwatu) is one of Bali's nine key directional temples. Though a small temple was claimed to have existed beforehand, the structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th Century. Another sage from East Java, Dang Hyang Nirartha is credited for constructing the padmasana shrines and is claimed to have attained Moksha here. Even more remarkable than the temple itself is its location, perched on a steep cliff 70 metres above the roaring Indian ocean waves. There are more steep headlands on either side and sunsets over Uluwatu are a sight to behold.

The entrance fee from 2012 is Rp 30,000 and you need to be properly dressed to enter. Sarongs and sashes are available free at the entrance. Guides, once famously mercenary, hassle visitors less than they used to, although they will offer to "protect" you from the monkeys, for a tip of course. Note that while you are free to walk around the temple grounds, the central courtyards can only be entered during special rituals.

The temple is inhabited by large number of monkeys, who are extremely adept at snatching visitors' belonging, including bags, cameras and eyeglasses. Keep a very close grip on all your belongings and stow away your eyeglasses if at all possible. If you do have something taken, the monkeys can usually be induced to exchange it for some fruit. Needless to say, rewarding the monkeys like this only encourages them to steal more. Ulluwatu temple is famous for the famous KECAK DANCE which is being performed after 6 PM and we could not witness due to time constraint. However, after spending almost 1.5 hour we proceed for our next destination the PANDAWA BEACH in NUSA DUA .Without lunch but some snacks that we ate inside our cab ,we straight away move to the gorgeous Pandawa Beach after 45 minutes of driving. We have to descend to reach the deep blue sea. The sea was vivid, spectacular and stark blue with pearl white sand making this a completely different beach. I have been to Many sea Beaches in Indian Subcontinent and middle east but the sea beach here was surprisingly amazing. I have never imagined the color of the sea will be deep blue. I have seen such type of picture in High definition movies and tele shows but seeing this in naked eye has a different feeling. It Is a perfect exotic holiday destination much better than we see in Hollywood HD movies.

One has to visit to feel the aura and charm of the place. We all got goose bumps at the first sight of the sea . The tides were not so violent but with a little vigor not enough to push anyone. We all 4 took lot of pictures and spent 1 hour there enjoying and taking the feel of the exquisite creation of nature. It was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. After spending some 1 hour we started proceeding back to our hotel and were supposed to reach  hotel by 4.45 to catch  the of Bali Hi Cruise pick up cab waiting for us at the hotel lobby. It was already 4.15 when we left the beach and told our driver to drive fast so as to catch the pick up waiting for us at the hotel. He was surprised to know our plan and told it will take minimum 1 hour to reach . However, he asked for 10000IDR to take a short cut .Actually he has to pay that money to a toll gate situated on the bridge which serves as a short cut to obviate the chance of getting struck in the notorious Bali traffic. Mr Negrah  boiled the whole ocean to drop us   at hotel in time. He took every possible short cuts to drop us at hotel. Really appreciated his inclination and penchant to serve the guests. Though   reserved person ,he was too helpful and his attitude generated lot of respect for the people of bali. However after giving a small tip to Mr Negrah ,we bed adieu and straight away ran to our hotel room for a quick fresh up. Before that we met the driver in white uniform loo

king like a captain of a ship waiting at the hotel lobby and asked to wait for 10 minutes. After 15 minutes we were inside the BALI HAI Cruise pick up van .We had booked the Bali High cruise for a Sunset Evening Cruise supposed to leave the port by 6 PM. The traffic was as usual very much ill famous and it took almost 1 hour to reach the port.  A hairy last minute entry to the cruise contains everyone with the slow chilled winds. There were three decks in the cruise. Let e tell you ,I have not seen as much of Indians that I saw in the Cruise. Indians everywhere which was quite surprising. We have not seen any Indian in our Hotel,neither in Balinese temples neither in the Beaches but don’t know how this many Indians present in the cruise.Anyways,we started to begin the journey,standing at the deck on the edge of the top deck .Me and my better half stood side by side enjoying the evening cool breeze with the beautiful sunset at the background.The  hazy reflection on the India Ocean was as beautiful as any beautiful poetry.It was getting darker and cooler when we went down stair to have some photos .After one hour I.e by 7.30 PM dinner was served. We were delighted at the Indian Buffet dinner which we enjoyed . Especially me ate a hell amount of food as I am a vociferous lover of food. Soon we completed our dinner and ordered 2 Large BINTANG and cocktails for the ladies.Away from the bustling crowd down stair we went to the top deck where no one was present except one Punjabi Newly wed. As it was calm and tranquil away from the land and in the middle of no where we were enjoying our drinks. BINTANG was really tasty and we went on gulping  amidst the stark dark night. It was 8 PM when we heard the cabaret show from the middle deck and we completed our drinks and went downstairs.This was our first Cabaret show.It was a lovely dance and music show orchestrated by some beautiful and vivacious dancers of the troupe.I could remember one name as HONEY the star attraction, the show stopper who went on entertaining the crowd like anything. Advertently she was caressing the shy Indian male tourist on the deck making the sight quite funny.Finally one Hindi number was being played on which some of the tourist left no opportunity to enjoy the dance steps. By 9 PM we were back to the Land . It was really entertaining show. It was a first cruise ride which made the experience quite different.Evening sunset,dance numbers,drinks,romantic weather ,the start black sea everything culminated to make the evening a dazzling one. Finally we rode back to our hotel in the same cab and called it a day.

Finally I have ticked one check box from my bucket list and quite amazed at the beauty of the Balinese culture, the strikingly unique temples, the most gorgeous beaches, the arresting rice terraces and many more to which my words will fall short to describe.In fact the pleasing scenic beauty is no less than the imagination of a poet,painter,writer whoever you may name it.A perfect place to spend time away from the jostling and bustling of the city,a romantic gateway for the lovebirds,an absolute recepie for the lover of nature and the list goes on .It was a wonderful trip culminated at this beautiful land of Bali which will go down the memory lanes to cherish.