We flew from Yogyakarta in Java to Denpasar in Bali and were surprised by how different from each other they are.

The airport  is an hours journey from Ubud,  its a bit like going through an enormous garden centre’s statue area. The atmosphere in Ubud is very laid back and we spent most of our time just walking alongside the rice fields or wandering around the town looking in the art galleries and craft shops. We had a fantastic home-stay, a tiny room and bathroom but with a little terrace surrounded by plants  where our breakfast was served, a different kind of egg dish each day We also had access to a driver at a good price so we were able to spend a couple of days going round the island

Goa Gajah

Also known as elephant cave this ninth century sanctuary has both Buddhist and Hindi images, it was rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923 but they didn’t discover the bathing pool until the 1950’s. The faces carved into the stone were to ward off evil spirits.

 

Puri Agung Semarapura

 

Or Klungkung Palace was built in the seventeenth century when Klunkung was the most important of the nine kingdoms of Bali. Much of it was destroyed when the Dutch bombarded the city in 1908.

 

Tirta Empul

This Hindu water temple is dedicated to Vishnu The holy spring water is used for ritual purification. The spring is the source of the Pakerisan river but unfortunately it is now contaminated.

 

Pura Besakh

 

On Mount Agung this is the largest and most holy Hindi temple on Bali. There are twenty three separate temples on a huge site. You need to cover bare legs so JP’s shorts wouldn’t do, he had to wear a sarong. The place itself is beautiful but the locals are quite aggressive and demand money saying you have to take a guide which you don’t. This made  us feel a bit uncomfortable but  luckily it didn’t happen anywhere else.

Pura Gunung Kawi

Built in the eleventh century on the Pakerisan river Candi or shrines are carved into the rocks. Its believed these are dedicated to king Anakwunsu and his concubines. This is another place for a sarong. There are huge amount of steps here and they are quite spread out. You down a long way so of course you have to get back up! There are views across the  rice fields and sellers of postcards and drinks to help you on your way.

 

After a day of temples this was quite hard work but definitely worth it.