2011, Day 224 - Iconic Bali

This photo was taken on the last day we spent in Bali.  Our final stop was the famous Tanah Lot temple, one of seven temples dedicated to the sea.  This one is reputed to be protected from evil spirits by deadly sea snakes.

Tanah Lot's continued existence is thanks in part to a loan made by the Japanese government to Indonesia in the early 80s.  The rock structure was so badly eroded that the temple became unsafe and was in significant structural peril.  Fortunately this incredible icon of Hinduism in Bali was preserved along with numerous other sites of cultural significance with the aid of the Japanese.

Laura, my sister and traveling companion, thought it fitting that it was overcast and rainy on our last day in Bali, she said that the island was crying at our impending departure.  Somehow I doubt we had anywhere near the impact on Bali that Bali had on us but it is a nice thought, I wonder what the weather would be like if I were to visit again.  I hope sunny and warm (Bali is always welcoming).

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
34mm, f2.8, 1/500 sec @ 100 ISO

Day Eight in Bali - Tanah Lot Temple

Today was a lazy day. Our trip thus far has been amazing but the pace has been non-stop so we've decided that we're going to stay in and enjoy what Tugu has to offer, mainly their world-class spa services.






We started the day by having our complimentary breakfast at one of the tables just off the lobby overlooking the pool and out to the ocean. There was a nice breeze and, other than a spider that Laura attacked that fought back, we had a nice breakfast amidst the beautiful scenery.





After eating our fill we returned to our room to relax, watch a movie and generally enjoy the ambiance of the resort. Laura scheduled a manicure and pedicure plus a massage for the early afternoon where I just had a massage. We had also reserved a car to take us out to Tanah Lot temple, about half an hour from Canggu.

I returned from my massage after Laura had finished her manicure and pedicure. She didn't get her massage because the hand and foot pampering ended up taking three hours so she rescheduled it for last thing this evening. With great foresight, Laura had afternoon tea ready so I showered to clean off the massage oil, had a few tea snacks and a cup of tea before we went to meet our Tugu driver.

Tanah Lot temple was built on a rock formation along Bali's coastline. It has been worn away over the years but the temple stands and in 1980 the Japanese government loaned over 800 billion Rupiah to Indonesia to shore up the temple's foundations with artificial stone. According to popular belief there are highly poisonous sea snakes that guard the temple and one particularly large one that is said to have been made by the founding priest's scarf who is meant to guard against evil spirits and other intruders.

Due to the accessibility and natural beauty Tanah Lot was teaming with tourists and because Laura and I dislike crowds were didn't stay for too long. On our way out we did spy a flying ship and when a little boy offered to sell us a similar kite we accepted and when Laura had paid he began to walk away without giving us the kite. Fortunately his sister, who was there to help him make change for us, laughed at his omission and he sheepishly handed Laura our flying tribute to Top Gear's Vietnam special.




When we returned to Tugu Laura made for her massage appointment while I caught up on some emails. While she was gone I ordered dinner for us, courtsey of Jalan Jalan Asia who made all of our arrangements for this fantastic Balinese adventure, so that it arrived shortly after Laura returned. We ate, then packed for our departure home tomorrow.