On Monday the 15th June we got up late and
went on a half-day tour that started in late morning. Our first visit was to Nasa Dua beach which
is famous for beach-side adventure sports like windsurfing, Para sailing, Jet
Ski and scuba diving and for snorkeling cruises. But our purpose was not to engage in any of
these activities but only to watch
others engage in these and also to travel in the glass-bottomed boat to the
nearby island of Tanjung Benoa and visit the turtle farm there. Getting into
the rocking motor boat from the beach-side itself was a big adventure for
us. As the boat slowed down and stopped to let us
feed the fishes and watch the sea-bed
through the glass-bottom in the middle of the sea, it began to rock fiercely
making Rajam regret why we opted for this trip.
But when the boat picked up speed, the tossing lessened and getting down
on the island side was comparatively easier.
In
the island apart from turtles there are other
creatures like bats, snakes, porcupines, chameleon, hawks and birds all
tamed and in enclosures. We can touch
and hold them. Getting near to the
hundred and odd year old turtles and handling them besides handling and patting
other wild species made this trip worthwhile. After spending an hour in the
island we returned to the mainland in the motorboat. The return journey was an enjoyable 20 minute
ride.
From there we went to Uluwatu temple which is famous for
its location on a cliff top, 70 metres above sea level. A small forest lies at
the front and a number of monkeys dwell there.
These are a bit mischievous as compared to the ones in the monkey
forest. They have a fascination for
sun-glasses, cameras and mobile phones and we also encountered one who lost
his sun-glasses to a monkey that abandoned it in multiple pieces. There are
sign boards warning visitors of monkeys and their attraction for sun glasses
and cameras of all types. They abound
the coastal way which is a long one but quite scenic. So we took off our glasses and used the
camera also sparingly. The scenic serpentine path is fortified by concrete
walls on the cliffside. The views from here of ocean horizon and of waters
beating against the rocks down below are remarkable. Like Tanah Lot temple this
temple is also famous for its sunset view.
A kechak dance is performed everyday at the cliff top stage every
evening. As it was only a half-day tour
we didn’t stay to watch the sunset or Kechak dance.
Hindus here believe that the divine
powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva become one in Rudra here who is supposed to
protect Bali from evil spirits and so this is a very important place of worship
even now. The monkeys that abound here are supposed to protect the temple from
bad influence. Visitors must wear a
sarong and sash even to enter the courtyard and they are not allowed in the
shrine when group worship is going on. We could see number of people in groups
visiting the temple in traditional attire and offering prayers. So we could not enter the shrine. In their
prayers they offer different colours of flowers and also chant the Gayatri
Mantra.
The next morning we toured the local markets after breakfast. As we were leaving that day we didn’t go on
any tour. The weather that has been sunny and warm previous three days changed
and became cloudy with off and on rains.
So locally also we couldn’t explore much. We left Bali with regrets that we didn’t plan
a longer stay to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the place.
