65) Ubud - where Bali’s cultural heart beats

Asia » Indonesia » Bali » Ubud
September 9th 2005

Published: September 28th 2005

Our last destination on Bali was Ubud, the city with the highest concentration of cultural sites on this island. It is not very far from Lovina and normally we would have taken a public bus, but we wanted to see more temples lying on the way, so we hired a car and a driver. The main receptionist of our hotel in Lovina made a good and honest impression on us, so we accepted when he offered to arran... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 49, Displayed: 21

Dancing ladies

Age does not matter, these ladies simply loved dancing

Typical rice fields

Such landscape is to be found all over Indonesia, not only in Ubud's surroundings

Walking in the lush green

The wonderful shades of green were so soothing for the eye

Boys having fun

They do not care about the ancient site in the vicinity of which they were splashing in the clear waters

Where are the fish?

On the site of Gunung Kawi, normal village life goes on

Gunung Kawi

Ancient burial ground for a king and his wives, hewn directly from the rock

Preparing for a ceremony

A huge number of people was participating, these women braid receptacles for offering

Applying some decoration

Everybody has to be pretty for a religious ceremony

Impressive headgear

Typical Balinese male headgear, worn only on special occcasions

Door at Tirta Empul

Impressively carved side entrance to one of Bali's holiest temples

Door detail

The whole door was covered with such stunning and brightly painted carvings

Holy springs at Tirta Empul

The waters are thought to have healing powers

Profiting from the holy waters

This place is a major pilgrimage spot for Hindus

Pavilion at Tirta Empul

The temple has recently been grandly restored

Throne at Tirta Empul

Another example of fine wood carvings and bright colours

Frightening mask

Towering above the throne, this one shall also keep evil spirits away

Stone altar

Guarded by beautiful nagas and endowed with plentiful offerings

Making religious offerings

Gods must be constantly appeased so that they watch over the humans

Copious offerings

The size of the offerings may vary, but they always contain flowers and incense sticks

Other nice offerings

Very often they also contain some kind of food

Nice food

This beautiful dove was one among the numerous animals to enjoy the offerings made to the gods

30th September 2005

emsay
non-member comment

thanks
I am leaving for indonesia/bali in a few days - thank you for this useful information

21st April 2006

chaz
non-member comment

cool
im indonesian, and i really like the way u tell us bout bali. i love bali, very beautiful place.. thanks for the article chaz ichanoel@yahoo.com

16th October 2006

J N Singh
non-member comment

Excellent comments
I am a travel buff myself, but as yet I have not expereinced such a thorough and interesting blog. I started with Mount Bromo which I plan to do in April next year, but I have found your entire blog series so enchanting that I plan to read whole of them. Guys( and of course lady) pl do complete a travel book on your entire series. Your photos are also praiseworthy despite poor light and often rainy conditions. All strength to both of you.

13th April 2008

jenda
non-member comment

name of the demons
Hello, I just returned from Bali and I forgot to ask an original inhabitant (and cant find elsewhere) the name of the demon that wears checked loincloth?

24th June 2010

DEWA PERMANA
non-member comment

profisional blog
this blog is very good content also design is very artistic. this blog is the best

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65) Ubud - where Bali’s cultural heart beats

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