Fun things to do in Bali

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Overlooking the temple on a hill above is a suprisingly modern building: the Government Palace, built in 1954. Originally a residence for Dutch officials, it was later used by former President Soekarno during his frequent trips to Bali.This is the govt guest house but actually very famous as President Soekarno's Palace. The President was very famous for his love for young women. He married 12 times besides he had an array of girl friends. The people say, he would come to Tirtha Empul Temple , every now and then with a new women!

What a libido???

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As the legend says if you take bath here and drink water of the fountain, you will remain young for long period. This must be true also, as many fountains near the volcanoes contain super rich minerals which may help one to retain youth or cure the diseases.

We saw, many people from West taking bath along with the locals. I also wanted to take a dip in the holy water but had to restrain myself as the guide said we shall be here for a very brief period. I collected water i a bottle and drank it. I also carried a small bottle of water with me to bring back the Holy water to India but the Denpasar airport did not allow me to carry it, so I drank it all. Let's see if I remain young for long!!! Hahaha!

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Tirtha Empul Temple is a Hindu temple in the middle of Bali Island, Indonesia, famous for its Holy water where Hindu Bali people go for purification.Tirtha Empul Temple was built in 926 A.D. during the Warmadewa dynasty (from the 10th to 14th centuries), at a site where there was a large water spring.

On the left side of the temple is a modern villa on the hill. built for President Sukarno's visit in 1954, which is now used as a rest house for important guests.
More than a thousand years ago a powerful King named Mayadenawa ruled over a vast area which included Bali. Mayadenawa possessed the spiritual power to transform himself into anything he desired. Unfortunately he misused his powers and became a cruel, black magician.

A priest named Sang Kulputih appealed to Indra to come to earth to kill Mayadenawa.Because he had many spies, Mayadenawa learned about the upcoming attack in time and managed to organize his defenses. However Lord Indra's forces were superior and therefore victorious. Most of King Mayadenawa troops fled, leaving him almost without defense.

Then the war was interrupted by nightfall. When Indra's forces slept, Mayadenawa stole into Indra's camp, walking on the sides of his feet as to leave no foot prints, and created a pool of poisoned water. This way of walking gave Tampaksiring its name, for tampak siring is Balinese for 'without imprints'. He left as he came and when Indra's forces woke up the next morning and discovered the water pool, they drank from it and became violently sick.

When Indra found out what happened, he created a large spring of fresh water by stabbing his flag pole to the ground.The clear water was able to cure the sickness of his army. The spring was called Tirtha Empul, which means bubbling spring.

Mayadenawa fled, chased by the forces of Indra. During his flight he transformed himself a number of times, but he couldn't trick Indra with his disguises. When he had transformed himself into a stone, he was shot by Indra with an arrow. A stream of blood flowed from the stone, forming the river Petanu. And for a thousand years this river would be cursed. Rice fields irrigated with its water would make the rice grow fast, but once harvested, blood would come out of it and it would smell bad.

The death of King Mayadenawa is symbolic for the victory of good (dharma) over evil (adharma). The day of Mayadenawa's death is still celebrated, every 210 days according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar, and this day is generally known as Galungan Day

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During second world war The Japanese occupied Indonesia, including Bali and drove out the Dutch. But at the same time they brought atrocities to the Indonesian/ Balinese people , they were captured, tortured , raped the women and what not. Many people took shelter in caves , Volcano crater to save them from the atrocities imparted by the Japanese.

We visited one such cave situated just in front of Mount Batur Volcano. Many people miss this and just go away. This cave was also shelter for many people.

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Lake Batur is the result of volcanic eruption from Batur Volcano. The water is beautiful blue and one of the most scenic place! The water here is clean, serene and cool blue. You would love to go there for boating or for just a stroll!

Danau Batur is a crater lake that fills the south-eastern side of the Batur caldera. It is Bali's largest lake and has an area of approximately 18 square kilometers. Just as Gunung Agung is revered by Pura Besakih as Bali's largest mountain, Batur is revered by its own temple, Pura Ulun Danu Batur, as Bali's largest lake. Pura Batur is considered Bali's second-most important temple, after Besakih.

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We visited Mount Batur Volcano on the second day of our stay in Bali. It is still a very live volcano and has erupted at least 4 times since 1966. The last eruption was in 1996. In case you want to climb to the volcano you may get in touch with local authority. It's a two hours climb from the bottom.

The area of north-eastern Bali at the Mount Batur caldera, and which encompasses Penelokan, Toya Bungkah, Batur and Kintamani villages, is known widely as just Kintamani. Kintamani, Batur and Penelokan villages sit on the rim of the huge Batur caldera about 1,500m above sea level, and offer dramatic views of the active volcano Mount Batur and serene Lake Batur. Toyo Bungkah village is down at the lake edge.
As well as the lake and the volcano, Kintamani is home to Pura Ulun Danu Batur, one of Bali's key nine directional temples.

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Cruise in comfort aboard Bali Bounty Cruises 600 passenger catamaran. With a cruising speed of up to 30 knots, you may sit back, relax and enjoy full staff service while reading the daily newspaper or viewing our onboard video entertainment. We sail from Bali every day.

Bounty Cruises is equipped with state of the art computerized stabilizer and meets with International Safety Standards. Complete with an executive standard of service, the Bounty Catamaran is three decks of pure luxury.

I wrote to Bounty Cruise and sent the tips to them, they were kind enough to share the names of the dancers. The dancers are, Puspita Sari, Dessy, Hartini, Kebel Dan Tri. Well I don't know whose name is what. But I really appreciate Bounty Cruise management.

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The visit to The Turtle Island is one of the must if you are visiting Bali. The tour starts from Tanjung Benoa Harbour on a speed boat and takes to you mid harbour . There they show you corals and fishes they they take you to Turtle Island. In this island they have kept various kinds of turtles in various size after making enclosure in one side of the sea. The giant turtles are also kept here, which you are allowed to touch, feed and even kiss the smaller ones ( see pictures).

They make you aware to preserve the endangered species as they are friends of human.

Here there are a few restaurants , where you can have beer, coconut water and snacks. But the prices are just double. Bintang beer costs 30000 Rupiah and Coconut costs 20000 Rupiah.

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