Short trip @ Bali

Attended a Paediatric conference on allergy, respiratory and immunology @ Bali from 9-11 October. Took the opportunity to explore Bali with my wife, by extending the stay for another 2 days after the conference.

Stayed in The Stones Hotel. The conference was held there. The beach is just across the busy street in front of the hotel.

Snap shots of the Beach

Booked a private driver, Adi, for the private tour on day 1, departing from the hotel at 9.30am. 

First stop was Tanah Lot Temple. Stopped at a small luwak coffee shop along the way.

Luwak Coffee Shop with padi field next door

The Luwak

Luwak coffee (front) and coffee of various flavours (back)

rice paddy field

Tanah Lot Temple

One of the most photographed temples in Bali. During high tide, the temple is sepated from the shore; one have to wade pass the knee deep sea water to get to the temple. During low tide, once can easily walk access the temple without getting wet.

entering into the compound of the temple

There were two other scenic spots in the same area, not commonly featured in travel journals.

After that, we were brought to Taman Ayun. This is a royal family temple and also an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.

Taman Ayun Temple

Rather quiet place. Not many visitors around.

view of the town from the temple

After that we went to another sacred water temple, Tirta Empul Temple, where people can go and wash away their sins, first by dipping into a pool and then letting jets of holy spring water douse over our head and body. The temple is gearing up for some major religious ceremony the next day.

Tirta Empul Temple

Went over to Tegallalang rice terrace, before checking into our hotel @ Bali Jungle Huts.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Looks enthralling from the photos. But was rather dissappointed on seeing it personally - rather touristic and " fake". Tourists can explore the rice terrace by foot. It looks as if the place is artificially build just for tourists. 

Bali Jungle Huts

We stayed in a standard double room in the first night. And was mercilessly jolted out from our holiday mood when checked into our room. It was literally a small hut with a double bed and standing fan, but no TV or air-conditioning, with barely any extra space for walking. No hangars to hang clothers or towel. Worse still, the "private bathroom" separated physically from the room. We had to walk out from our room, down some wooden stairs, to reach the bathroom next door. The bathroom was quite small, again with no hook to hang clothers/towels.
Just imagined that we had to lug our body out from the room, walked down a few steps of staircare, out to the adjacent bedroom -- in the middle of the night, if you wanted to go toilet in the middle of the night. A bit frightening - my wife had to wake me up to do that at 2am.

The standard room, with "attached bathroom" on the right

                                       
We upgraded to a Deluxe Double Room the next day. This was probably a better choice, as the room is more spacious, equipped with hooks / hangers, dressing table with mirrows. The only grouse is the toilet / bathroom is not directly attached to the room; still has to walk out from our room, down even more steep stairs, to the bathroom. The bathroom is bigger and cleaner, and well equipped.

glimpse of the outdoor bathroom on the left

The hotel is located right in the midst of jungle. A stream meanders pass the compound, with a small waterfalls at far end. The air was cool and fresh in the evening, and cold in the early morning. For those who like nature, and do not mind the inconvenience of "detached" bathroom, it is an excellent place to stay.

We woke up very early the next morning for our day trip to Gate of Heaven (PURA Lempuyang), Balur volcano and Toya Devasya Hot Spring Wellness Resort. The driver for the day is Agong. He picked us up from the hotel at 6am sharp. The hotel kitchen kindly prepared two simple breakfast pack (soft bread, banana and packet condensed milk).

Agong was driving quite fast, presumable trying to reach Gate of Heaven (Pura Lempuyang) early (to beat the tourist crowd).

Mount Agong in the background

worshippers walking to attend religious ceremony

walking to our car, after buying some Satay and Ketupat for lunch

The much "Instagramed" Gate of Heaven was indeed magnificent in its view. And of course, there is no pool of water in front of the gate, to cast a mesmerising enchanting reflection. This was but some camera trick, using some mirror in front of the camera for reflection. But alas, many people queue up for the 3 poses at the gate. We were given queue number 146, when those with queue 45 had just been called.

And of course, we didn't wait for our turn... Instead we took these shots....

After that, we went to view Balur Volcano from a distant. Ehmm, not quite the type of walking to the crater of volcano that I was anticipating though! But the entrance fees to the viewing station was quite expensive though.

Nevertheless, the view was still quite good.

Balur volcano

Agong then drove us to the Toya Devasya Hot Spring Wellness Resort for relaxed soaking in the hotspring. 

To me, it feels more like a hyped up swimming pools. I must say the hotspring water appeared rather 'diluted" (with only faint sulphur smell). 

And I probably lost my glasses in the resort (I only realised my glasses were missing after checking back into our hotel in the afternoon). 

Along the way to Toya Devasya Hot Spring Resort

Toya Devasya Hot Spring Resort

Retired early to our hotel by 3pm in the afternoon. Took our dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Last day of our stay in Bali (14-10-2019)

Took our breakfast in the hotel. Lazed around in our room till 1pm. Picked up by our guide/driver, Adi. He drove us to visit the Monkey Forest Sanctuary at Ubud. 

Monkey Forest Santuary

We spent almost 2 hours there, strolling and exploring the various corners of the park. The park was big, but rather artificial. 

the snake sculpture at the entrance

Monkey God 孙悟空

The "cave" leading to the natural reserve

The "Ancient/Archaelogical" hanging bridge

We asked Adi to drive us to a Batek Factory. Again, a very touristy destination, with staged workplace where a few ladies were working on the Batek design on the clothes manually and diligentlly. (many of them were just lazed around, watching their handphone).

After visiting the Batek Factory, Adi drove us to the upscale tourist spot (with prestigious hotels/shopping district) at the southern end of the island - for a short excursion. Then, off we went to the airport for our departure flight home.

Bali, a rather touristic and laid back island, with many Hindu temples. 

A good place for relaxation. It has the typical Asian charms.

We didn't explore the more adventurous activities (e.g. white water rafting, snorkeling) - I guess we had passed that phase in life.