Sunset Trilogy
Key West / Uluwatu / Cabo da Roca
Emotional sunset at the Uluwatu: My pick of three temples and one UNESCO World Heritage Site that are must-sees in Bali
Pura Luhur Ulu Watu
One of the most emotional sunsets that I have ever witnessed was in Uluwatu, Bali.
Bali was magical. The island was like a sponge soaked with a rich and unique culture; the landscape was diversified: volcanoes, forests, Terraced paddy fields, Beaches, and Cliffs… I spent a week in Bali for my birthday celebration and the experience was spiritual.
One day the driver took us to Uluwatu. The Uluwatu Temple stands on a cliff located at the southwestern tip of Bali. It was about a 45-minute drive away from Jimbaran beach and luckily there was no traffic that day. To me, it’s the best place to view the sunset as it has the perfect attitude, the perfect direction, the perfect temperature, and the perfect backdrop for the entire experience. On top of that, be there a little bit earlier and get a good seat for the Kecak and Fire Dance performance before the sunset. Also, the cliff is inhibited by naughty monkeys (we were reminded that the monkeys do not like those in Ubud monkey forest 🙂 They steal your hats, food, and more. I heard those monkeys were trained by the temple priest… huh…)
Pura Tanah Lot, Marga
There was a lot of Balinese Hindu temple on the island, and the must-see would probably be the Tanah Lot Temple. ‘Tanah Lot’ (in Balinese means ‘land in the sea’) is a unique rock formation on the shore of the island; and Tanah Lot Temple, along with the Uluwatu Temple, is one of the seven magnificent sea temples in Bali and probably the tourist’s favorite. Featured heavily in Bali mythologies, the photogenic temple looks mesmerizing at every angle. As I was sitting on a cliff overlooking the temple from afar, listening to the soothing waves crashing on the rocks every few seconds, I was as if got taken to another spiritual place.
Pura Tirtha Empul Temple
Tirta Empul is a Hindu Balinese water temple. The temple pond is filled with Sacred Spring Water, where the religious Hindus come to the temple for the showers to wash away evil spirits, perform ritual purification, and get the blessings of prosperity. Luckily, visitors are also allowed to experience the blessings from the Holy Spring Water and the temple staff would be happy to provide guidance about the tradition and rules.
Goa Gajah
Well, I didn’t actually get into the water. I touched the holy water and washed off the evil spirits, though, at a different place. Goa Gajah or better be known as ‘Elephant Cave’, is not a temple but a sanctuary with significant historic value. The stone carvings at the entrance of the cave looked stunning from a distance.
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[…] Trilogy: Key West / Uluwatu / Cabo da […]
[…] West / Uluwatu / Cabo da […]
[…] waves crashing on the rocks every few seconds, I was as if got taken to another spiritual place (Temples in Bali: The Spiritual Moments). More, visit the “water temple” and the “Elephant […]
[…] coastlines, and lush forest to the layered rice field. I remembered my sunset experience at Uluwatu was quite a spiritual one. With such magical canvas as backdrops, they make the Balinese […]
Bali is absolutely stunning from your perspective. I love its temple and the blue sea, more than just the normal white sand resorts. You seriously inspires me to go there!
Thanks! Bali is irresistible, given that the scenery on the island is so diverse!
[…] waves crashing on the rocks every few seconds, I was as if got taken to another spiritual place (Temples in Bali: The Spiritual Moments). More, visit the “water temple” and the “Elephant […]
[…] coastlines, and lush forest to the layered rice field. I remembered my sunset experience at Uluwatu was quite a spiritual one. With such magical canvas as backdrops, they make the Balinese culture a […]
[…] West / Uluwatu / Cabo da […]
[…] Trilogy: Key West / Uluwatu / Cabo da […]
Hi there i like your blog com to our Ubud luxury resort and make some pics dinner or lunch is up to you.
Thank you.
Glad you like it ! 🙂 Thank you~
Bali is such an amazing place. It has been on mi list for like forever! Hopefully will visit soon, it is so far away from me.
I think monkeys are like this not only in the monkey forest but in general. I’ve heard quite a few stories about stolen items even in India.
Haha thanks for the info, I do think monkeys behave differently in different places – even just in Bali. Fascinating. Monkeys in the Ubud Monkey Forest are much more friendly and mild!
Bali looks amazing. I heard that after Eat Pray Love it has become a very popular destination and that it lost a bit of it’s magic because of that. I like what you did with the pictures, adding sweet stickers on them. My favorite was the big with the balloons, haha. 🙂
Thanks Joanna – I do think “Eat. Pray.Love” is like a slogan and can be seen everywhere in Bali now. 🙂
Love the monkey in the shot at Pura Luhur Ulu Watu – he looks pretty cool!
Thanks! I love it too and the monkeys are good posers! haha
We are headed to Bali in 2 weeks time! This post has me very excited about our trip now 🙂
Wow ~ that’s good to know and it’s a good time to visit Bali! Enjoy!