Exploring the countryside of Bali

We took one day to explore the countryside of Bali, but had to take a private driver as the public transit system is not great here and the roads are narrow and rough. We even had to stop and help push one guy out of the ditch! As you can see by the picture, to the right of the road there is a deep drop off!

Bali is a country of 10,000 temples so of course the day started with a visit to a temple at the base of the nearby mountain. All of the temples in Bali face either the mountains, seas or the sunrise.

The custom here is to wear a sarong and wash yourself before entering...

There are also lots of rules when you enter this temple...

The priests were busy repairing the temple and cleaning the grounds. They do not live at the temple but nearby with their families as they can be married. The role of the priest is also passed down through generations and can be male or female.

 

This temple was very cool so the moss was everywhere...

We then went to the high rice terraces which were absolutely beautiful! The view was wide and quite green!

This area is a UNESCO designated one which celebrates the cultural landscape of Bali.

Of course there were more temples along the way...

One of the royal temples...

In the temple the height of the pagoda depends on the level of consciousness that can be achieved, the highest being eleven.

Bali is a very tropical country with beautiful gardens and flowers. We drove through a large botanical garden where on Sunday the were many people having picnics...

Lovely flowers...

Because it was a Sunday families were out enjoying their day off and visiting the temples...

These temples were on a lake...

Children were enjoying the rides on the lake...

People were taking lots of pictures. ...

Our next stop was a temple that was overrun with monkeys, which I found scary as they jump on you and steal your belongings but they were cute!

Lots of mothers with babies, they have one baby maybe two every six months.

And very big bats, gross!

Our final stop was Tanah Lot, one of Bali’s most important landmarks, famed for its unique offshore setting and sunset backdrops. An ancient Hindu shrine perched on top of an outcrop amidst constantly crashing waves; Tanah Lot Temple is simply among Bali’s not-to-be-missed icons.

We decided not to stay for sunset as it had been a long, hot day. Distances aren't long in Bali but the conditions of the roads make for slow going.

It was our last night at the homestay so we enjoyed the last night of Nyoman's cooking...

Curry chicken, egg and veggie fritters and morning glory greens fresh picked from the fields that day!

Our homestay visit was over and we said our goodbyes to the Wayan and Nyoman who like all other Balinese share the same names. In Bali all first born children are called Wayan, second born children Made, third born children Nyoman and the fourth child is Kemut.These names can be used for either males or females so it is a little confusing here.

We also said goodbye to the neighbours who were very welcoming to us as well...

This gracious lady bringing her offering, she would also come help care for the grandmother in the house who wasn't feeling too well.

These are two eight year old girls who would come by at night and smile at us...

So many memories of a wonderful visit!