Buddhist Monastery & Hot Springs

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Geo: -8.16799, 115.027

Bali only has one Buddhist Monastery so I went to see it. It's located on the north shore a little bit up a volcano. I rented a motorbike for the day and rode up. (I am SO getting one when I settle back in SanFrancisco - I'm addicted)

The monastery is pretty close to a local hot spring, so after the mornings heat walking around the monastery I went to the springs for the afternoon. It was a great day, super relaxing.

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Photos

a - Monastery - Small altar in a side prayer hut
Pauline I did the prayers you asked me to in this altar for all the members of your family. I spent quite a while here, it was a really peaceful space.

e - Brahma Vihara Monastery Stupa
Stupas are really common Buddhist features; you can see them at most monasteries and other holy sites. Here's some more on them, I think they are pretty fascinating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa

g - Meditation Hut
These huts are scattered all over the monastery grounds and no two were a like. I really liked this one; it was tucked into a corner by the stupa. The thing I liked about it was the soft cushion in the center of the hut/gazebo (called a 'bale bengong´ by the locals) was covered by a paper umbrella that was draped in mosquito netting. When the wind blew the umbrella swung from its hook and the netting brushed the skin on my arms and knees. It was really soothing, like God stroking you while you are resting.

h - Another buddha statue
You know how Buddhists think ALL life is sacred and they don't kill anything ever? Well the proof was in these bushes, HUGE scary OMG I can't take it I'm freaking out - spiders. Like 2 inches across, I'm not kidding. The kind with the scary markings on their backs from my guide book that say "Don't touch!". OK, we'll just see this statue from the path over here, thanks very much. And moving on.....

j - The largest temple on the top
Lovely carved stone temple, surrounded by lotus ponds. This is the front, and there are entrances on the other three sides to the prayer chamber inside. I didn't see any monks around the grounds, but I could imagine them all gathered here for a big ceremony.

k - Open Lotus
So that's what they look like on the inside!

l - Buddha Profile
The Buddha on the front of the main temple from the side, with some lotus flowers in the foreground.

m - One of the 3 doors into the temple
You can see the Buddha on the alter through the doorway.

n - The Buddha alter insied the temple
A cushion is on the floor here, preoof that monks are here - even if I didn't see one!

o - View out into the world
It was such a HOT morning, muggy too. Even when the clouds came in, it was still stifling, but inside the temple with the cool marble and shade it was really comfy. I can see why you'd want to spend all day in here meditating. It's the most comfortable place for miles.

q - Statue of a Monk
This statue looks really, real. It reminded me of the wax covered Popes they have interred in glass caskets at The Vatican in Rome. Only thankfully this was not a real body, just a really, really realistic statue. There wasn't a sign, so I don't know who he was =(

r - Aww isn't it cool? NO!
These beetles were flying everywhere in swarms, they're interesting until one kamikazes into your forehead because they are suprisingly clumsy in the air, and on the leaves for that matter. Not cool.

s - Roadsign
Probably should have posted this first, but I whizzed by the sign on my way in and got this pic on the way out. These roads are so much fun to ride on my motorbike, it's better than Six Flags and Disney put together!

t - Bali Hot Springs
And a couple of very nice Korean tourists that made my photo more special!

u - Close up of a dragon spout
These hot springs had three pools of varying heat and depth. There were lots of locals here and only a few tourists. Cool spot. There was even a little cafe adjacent to it that had Gado-Gado for Rp10,000! That's like a dollar for a lunch. Gado-Gado is a staple dish in Bali, like Fish N Chips in London or pizza in the States. Its steamed rice and veggies covered in peanut sauce. Yum! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gado-gado

v - Dragons in a row
The pool above is only about 3 feet deep, perfect for kneeling in the water and directing the hot water onto your neck and back. The lower pool goes from 1M to 2M deep for proper swimming. There is a side pool with the really hot water, but I didn't go there. Funny that once the sun set all the locals were in the hot pool within minutes. Brrr it's like only 81F in the shade aren't you freezing?!?

x - Little bridge to the hot springs
Can you say lush vegitation! This was a neat little bridge to cross to get to the hot springs. Look Mom it's made of stone this one won't collapse!

Comments

[suzettesp]

Re: Facinating! Hmmmmmm, does that mean I'd get to live here?