Although this is my 20th day in Bali I'm still not acclimatised. It's not too hot at about 30 deg C most days, with overnight dip to about 25 (there's little difference day to day, or do they just keep recycling the forecast?). It's the humidity which hits me - it runs at 80% and up, especially after the odd shower we've had.
Last Sunday (15th Aug) I went with Jaya (my colleague and friend here at the college), his wife and family, to the Bali Botanical Gardens (Kebun Raya Eka Karya Bali) on the lower slopes of (Mt) Gunung Pohen, just to the east of the hill town of Candikuning.
Small shrine within the gardens |
The spacious gardens are very attractive, and have sections containing plantings of different types of plants - much the same as ours do. At times hill mists blew through the trees giving the forest a wistful and mysterious air. In places small shrines with traditional umbrellas were located amongst the trees (see my "Outings" Gallery on this Blog, or on my Picasa Web Album.
It wasn't the botanical aspect which brought us to the gardens. The Bali Treetop Adventure Playground has its home here. The "kids" (from 6 or 7 year old childen through to adults) loved it. The Playground has 3 or 4 circuits through the treetops. These are graded so young kids can use a circuit which is just a couple of meters off the ground, and the most adventurous and "big kids" can test themselves on equipment tens of meters up in the treetops.
There are various combinations of ladder climbs, wire tightropes (with safety line and hand wires), suspended bridges with footways that swing back and forth, flying fox descents, obstacles, nets and so on. It was fun just watching.
From the Playground we went down the mountain to Lake Beratan (or Bratan) to the lakeside temple complex of Puraluhar Beratan. The guide books and maps show a variety of names, and the sign at the entrance calls it "Pura Penataran".
The small pura on islands in the lake |
This Pura (temple complex) is well known, and has local significance. The Pura contains many small shrines and Balinese Hindu worship areas within it. It is attractively located on the lake shore and some of the component buildings are built on small "islands" just a short distance from the lake shore.
We couldn't see it at its best because of extensive restoration work taking place, the mountain mists which were developing into a fog, and 2 buses of tourists who seemed to have been trained to stand in a way which spoiled almost every possible camera angle. I may have to return to see it, and its famous views, under better conditions. (Note - in 2011 I returned and it was foggy again!)
I hope to go into this region again to see some more of the attractive rural upland areas.
Hi Paul. I agree the weather is pretty grotty but in 2 months you will be used to it, and then it will be time to come home. It is certainly cooler in the mountains. It always used to amaze me that the Balinese people wear jackets and sweaters all the time!! How is your eating at the local warungs? Have you tried many? Don't forget there is a fruit shop just down the road on the right (just past the orange coloured warung) that sells amazing fruit drinks. Almost worth the walk in the heat. Thanks for all your pics and news it is really great to share them with you. Regards, Maureen and Trevor
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