Ulu Watu

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One late afternoon we had Warta drive us to the southern tip in the Bukit Badung area and visit a temple built by the architect-priest Mpu Kuturan around the 11th century. The reformer priest Pedanda Wawu Rauh rebuilt it in its present state in the 16th century. It is atop limestone cliffs that are 250 feet above the ocean. The pounding surf below is a spectacular site as it crashes into the cliffs far below. Dark gray coral stone were used in the construction of this temple where many many monkeys live. This is a wonderful spot to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. As people were coming down from the temple they were passing their sticks to people going up. I had Warta take one... to keep the monkeys at bay. We were told not to wear earrings, sunglasses, or carry anything because the monkeys would grab and steal. A couple guys were quite cruel and were taunting & poking them with their sticks. One didn't like it and grabbed the guys camera & managed to get his lens cap off and run away. Another monkey was excited by this and grabbed a womans barret out of her hair & was seen chewing on it. We walked further & a monkey was running past us with a nice pair of sun glasses in his mouth with a guy in hot pursuit. We walked to the other edge of the cliff where they performed an ancient fire dance called the Kecak. About 70 shirtless men in black & white shorts came out kneelled down in a circle chanting with arms raised. It is the best known of the many Balinese dances. There is no music, just the chanting 'choir' of the men who all 'chak-a-chak-a-chak-chak" over and over chanting. This dance is deeply rooted in local & Indian mythology & is inspired by Ramayana, the epic poem written in Sanskrit. The dance brings to life the tale of King Rama, his wife Dewa Sita and his brother Laksamana who were exiled to the forest for 14 years because of their scheming struggle for power. In this forest they are persecuted by Rahwana, the ogre king who then abducts Dewi Sita & makes her prisoner of his palace on the Island of Lanka (Sri Lanka) Rama then strikes an alliance with the monkey people whose army defeats Rahwanas troops making it possible for Rama to rescue his wife. In this dance 2 women came out in beautiful costumes, the evil King with flowing robes and then the 'Monkey' dancing around with bells on leaping around the male dancers. All the while the chak-a-chak-a-chak-a chant! We could watch this dance & look out over the cliffs watching the suns last rays.

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Photos

Uluwatu Temple
250 feet on top of cliffs

Cliffs at Uluwatu
250' limestone cliffs overlooking Indian Ocean

Ancient Fire Dance
Dance at sunset Uluwatu

Big Buddha Monkey
Monkey at Uluwatu

Mark
Keeping monkeys at bay