Goa Gajah, Bedulu

History : "Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave) is located in west side of Bedulu countryside, Blah Batuh Sub district and Gianyar Regency. It is about 27 km from Denpasar town. This cave is built at crevasse edge from the federation of 2 rills that is called Pangkung River , where the irrigation is mixed with Petanu River flow. The federation area of two rivers is called Campuhan/Mixture. It owns the magical energy on the basis of Rwabineda Concept/two different matters on this basic concept hence Gua Gajah (Elephant Cave) is intentionally built among two rivers.

The word of Gua Gajah is anticipated coming from the word of Lwa Gajah, the name of Buddhist Temple or hermitage for Buddhist monk. The Gua Gajah's name is written on Negarakeertagama papyrus which is compiled by Mpu Prapanca on 1365 M. Lwa or Lwah/loh mean the river and it reflect to the meaning that the hermitage is located at Gajah River or in Air Gajah. In the year inscription 944 Saka, it is mentioned with the name of ‘ser ring Air Gajah' that is meaning the Subak leader in Air Gajah. The word has mentioned that the hermitage of Lwa Gajah is located in Subak Air Gajah. " Source from here

Goa Gajah Temple or Elephant Cave is a temple full of historical significance. At the entrance where the signage to welcome visitors and tourist. For tourists who would like to visit are required to wear a scarf  or sarong because other than functioning as archaeological attractions, this temple also poses a sacred place or sanctum. Sarongs and scarves are available at the location

Signage at the entrance of the temple

  From the stairs leading to the place of the Goa Gajah where the situated, the panaroma view

Overview from the staircase down to visit this place

The entrance to the elephant cave, which is carved into a sheer rock face lies in the northern part of the temple in the shape of  the letter ”T”. Inside this cave there is a Ganesha statue considered as the god of sciences. More info here

Goa Gajah

 This is one of the old omission that can be found at Gua Gajah - Bathing Shower or bathing pond ( Situated in front of the cave for followers to cleanse and purify themselves). Now, they are used as a holy water for ceremonies. The fountain in the middle of the pond has yet to be found till now.

Part of the Bathing Showers

Bathing Shower fed by 3 fountain

The area that separates the 3 bathing showers

Another angle of the bathing shower

The courtyard in front of the bathing shower

A prayer altar near the Goa Gajah

 In the temple, there is a beautifully maintained garden with a small pond with lotus.

The lotus pond in the garden

A unique bare tree with beautiful roots near the garden..

path leading towards the garden

 There are also paddy fields in the surrounding areas of the temple.

Closeup shot of rice

Some of the historical pagodas and buildings left by believers in the vicinity of the Goa Gajah Entrance

Damage :
Entrance Fees : Rp15,000 / pax

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Tegenungan Waterfall, Kemenuh

History : "With the increasing visits of tourists who come to Bali especially to the regency of Gianyar, tourism actors must be able to provide and develop a variety of attractions that is required for the consumption of tourists, especially foreign tourists.

To anticipate it is now in exactly the Valley Waterfall Tegenungan, Kemenuh Bungge Jumping once stood, where the attractions for tourists who like to jump from a height of approximately 50 meters, but the tourist attraction is now no longer in operation now live panoramic waterfall into attraction for domestic and foreign tourists." Source from ekuta.com

Tegenungan Waterfall is located in the village of Kemenuh, in the Sukawati District of Gianyar. This is the only waterfall not located in the highlands or mountains. Although not so famous as the Gitgit or Munduk waterfall, it also have its own unique history. It was once a location for bungee jumping. 

Closeup view Tegenungan Waterfall 

Tegenungan Waterfall captured while descending the stairs

The place is reachable by hike down hundreds of stairs from the parking lot.  Along the way, you are able to see Tukad Petanu River flowing by. Mind you, you have to climb up that same flight of stairs later and this will test your endurance and strength. 

Tukad  Petanu  River

The view is beautiful and serene, with natural environment surrounding the waterfall. Although not so high, the water pouring down the waterfall is strong and hard. The waters that flow through the river is clean and clear, you can even see the fishes swimming about. Few kids were seen frolicking around the waterfall swimming and playing with the waters.

We also passed by a temple however, we decided not to enter but just took a picture of it.

Entrance to the temple

Praying items in front of the temple entrance

There are several shower area ( presumely for female and male)  made of stones near the waterfall and it seems the locals after bathe and shower as the water is clean. It is also fit for consumption if you want.

One of the shower area

Another shower area

 Near the top of the hill where our vehicles are located, we passed by some flower garden with beautiful flowers...

Damage : 

Entrance Fee : Rp5,000 / pax

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Babi Guling ( Roast Pig) Ibu Oka, Ubud

During the research on the trip, there were many recommendation on this Babi Guling in Warung Ibu Oka, and all were excellent. Therefore, when we reach Ubud, i cant wait to try out this Bali Guling served at Warung Ibu Oka. As we have yet to reach the town (where is main branch is located) we went to another branch at Perliatan (also in the Ubud district).

The place was packed with visitors and tourist all eagerly trying out this famous dish. 

Babi Guling Ibu Oka's Warung at Perliatan, Ubud

There are 2 floors, we were lucky to get the top floor where we can enjoy the scenery of Ubud. The wooden tables are designed like Japanese Style where you sit on top of a pillow on the floor with a rattan map. 

The japanese-style like tables of the restaurant 

The waitress brought us to our tables and pass us a menu and take down our orders before leaving.

Menu provided by the staff

The contents of the menu with their prices shown

Our orders were the famous Nasi babi guling special and a dish of vegetables. It was served quite fast considering the amount of diners. 

The famous Babi Guling Special

The vegetables - also part of the side dish of the Babi Guling Special

close-up view of its tender meat

We passed by the kitchen area on the way to make our payment... It was

The kitchen with their staffs busy preparing the dish

Damage : Rp49,500

Verdict : This dish consists of Crispy pork skin on top of the chopped roast pork meat which comes together with some gravy, sausages, their specially made vegetables and steaming hot rice. It was simply delicious, especially its crispy pork skin, and the]pork meat below it. The meat was also well marinated with their secret recipe and tender. The gravy was also fantastic. If you ever come to Ubud, this dish must not be missed as it is absolutely terrific. 

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Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park,Bukit Peninsula

History : "Mandala Garuda Wisnu Kencana, or Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), is a 240 hectares private cultural park on the Bukit Peninsula at the southern end of the island of Bali in Indonesia, 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Bukit is a limestone plateau with Uluwatu to the west and Nusa Dua to the east.

It is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and his mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who is his companion.

Currently, the statue of Vishnu is 23 metres (75.5 ft) high, although the original plan was for a 146-metre (479 ft) gold-plated Vishnu riding Garuda on top of an 11-storey entertainment complex. Garuda wing span will be 64 metres (210.0 ft) across.[1] When it's completed, it will be the largest statue in the world.[2] The idea was not without controversy, and religious authorities on the island complained that its massive size might disrupt the spiritual balance of the island, and that its commercial nature was inappropriate.

". Source from Wiki

As said, its situated on a plateau, therefore its can be easily seen from afar. The cultural park itself covers a very wide area. As we went there quite late, we have to rush in order to be in time for the kecak dance performance which will be held at 7pm at their auditorium.

After getting our entrance tickets verified, we then went around to look for its magnificent statue. Although the status is just less than 20% of its original height, its still very huge.

Brief History of Wishnu

Hindu god, Vishnu

Brief Description of Garuda

Visnu's Mount, Garuda

Scenery of Bukit Peninsula with the Int. Airport in the distance

Sunset view taken from Plaza Vishnu

The lotus pond which symbolizes Beauty, Prosperity and Fertility..

Brief Description of the Lotus Pond

The Lotus Pond

Peaceful surroundings of the Lotus Pond

The cultural park with many gigantic stones being stood upright and positioned perfectly...

gigantic stones arranged around the plaza

Plaza Garuda with statue Garuda in the distance

The area where flying fox activities are held

the Marine Bridge Signage

The Marine Bridge

The kecak dance held in their amphitheater.....

Kecak Dance

Damage : 
Entrance Ticket : Rp60,000 / pax
Car Fees : Rp5,000 / pax

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