A whirlwind tour of Bali

Since Bali is renowned for its beautiful beaches, upon arriving, our group, consisting of BWH Hotels executives and media representatives, headed straight to view the picturesque sunset at Jimbaran Beach. The beach was scenic with crystal-clear seawater and silky sand. In addition to people strolling along the shore, I observed two cute puppies tirelessly scampering back and forth from the beach to the sea. After capturing many photos of the sunset, we had dinner at a restaurant called Melati Bali, located right by the beach. The seafood was fresh and delectable. The coconut water was bit disappointing because in spite of its impressive size, it was very bland.

Jimbaran Beach.

During my stay in Bali, I had the pleasure of spending two nights in a deluxe bedroom at the Best Western Kamala Jimbaran, which is conveniently located close to Jimbaran Beach and only 10 minutes to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) cultural park attraction. There are many convenient stores nearby. From my terrace, I was treated to a serene and refreshing swimming pool view; I could even see the majestic 121m tall Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue. The hotel also offers a spa, which is a popular attraction for visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

During our three days and two-night stay, we explored many aspects of Balinese cultures and tourism organised by BWH Hotels. Although both Bali and Jakarta are in Indonesia, these two cities have different vibes. While Jakarta is a predominantly Muslim city, most people in Bali are Hindus.

The next morning, we visited The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. The ticket fee for this sanctuary is US$6 (218 baht) on weekdays and $7.50 (273 baht) on weekends. Ida Ayu Amara, our Balinese tour guide, informed us that monkeys are considered sacred animals due to their role in the Ramayana where they helped the king in building a bridge across the ocean. Therefore, it is prohibited to harm or kill monkeys as it is believed to bring significant negative karmic consequences.

As we strolled through the lush green sanctuary, visitors were advised to be cautious of the 1,260 Balinese long-tailed monkeys that roam freely in their natural habitat. Official guidelines warned against making direct eye contact with the monkey, as this could be interpreted as a sign of aggression. While monkeys might approach and touch visitors, it is crucial to avoid touching them back since they can be unpredictable.

At the feeding areas, visitors could observe monkeys gathered to eat potatoes. The tour guide, Amara, revealed that monkeys actually prefer bananas, but potatoes were provided due to cost considerations. Three temples -- Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple, Holy Spring Temple and Prajapati Temple -- are located in the area, but they were closed during our visit. Amara explained that these temples are only open for special occasions like temple ceremonies because some tourists who are unaware that the sanctuary is a sacred area often washed their feet with holy water.

After leaving The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, we visited Ubud Water Palace, also known as Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, a sacred temple in Bali constructed in 1951. Despite its name, Ubud Water Palace, this historical site is considered a temple, as its primary purpose of construction was for religious functions. The temple is dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge.

Seafood dish at Jimbaran Beach.

Beef satay and tum fish.

Banana fritter

The entrance fee to the temple is 35,000 rupiah (80 baht). The temple is distinguished by its traditional and exquisite Balinese architectural elements. However, international visitors appeared to be more excited about wearing the traditional Balinese costumes. The costumes were beautiful, but not clean. Tourists were required to return the costumes on the provided hangers, leaving them unwashed for subsequent visitors.

One of the temple's prominent features is a lotus pond in front of the entrance. Unfortunately, the lotus pond was undergoing renovation during our visit.

"The lotus is a sacred flower; it grows in muddy areas which is dirty, but transforms into something beautiful. Therefore, it is our belief that like the lotus flower, regardless of your difficult circumstances, you can become a good person. That's the philosophy of our beliefs in the lotus," said Amara.

Next to the temple, my fellow travellers were thrilled to experience the Jungle Swing, which are giant swings set in a forest environment. As someone with acrophobia, I did not dare get on those huge swings, but still enjoyed the natural landscapes. Many spots offered exceptional photo opportunities.

After that, we stopped by to view Tegallalang rice terrace. Amara explained that the rice terrace used to be primarily cultivated to feed the local farmers as terrace can hold water for rice cultivation.

Nowadays, farmers mainly cultivate the rice terrace to attract tourists, generating a more substantial income source.

Swimming pool view in the Best Western Kamala Jimbaran. (Photo: BWH Hotels)

We had lunch at Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud which blends traditional Balinese features with modern comforts, creating a pleasant ambience. The resort served several delicious dishes. I particular enjoyed the beef satay, tum fish (steamed fish in banana leaves) and banana fritter. We were also able to view the deluxe pool view and deluxe executive rooms, which are spacious and provide an elegant retreat. Visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings and experience comfort even during a short stay in these rooms.

In the evening, we travelled to Uluwatu Temple to watch the Kacak Dance, a unique Balinese dance. Without any musical instruments, the performance was captivating, featuring a choir who sung powerfully throughout the show. The performance depicted an episode from the Ramayana epic, where an evil king attempted to kidnap Queen Sinta and Hanoman, the white ape, came to rescue her. Hanoman's character stole the show; the actor who played Hanoman wowed the audience with acrobatic feats, climbing up and down the stadium seats and interacting closely with the audience. The highlight of the performance was a scene where the stage was set on fire. Despite not understanding the Balinese language, I enjoyed the show.

We had dinner at Best Western Kamala Jimbaran's restaurant which served the best meal we had in Bali. For some reason, we felt that Balinese cuisine had a more intense flavour than dishes in Jakarta.

We spent our last morning in Bali at the GWK Cultural Park, home to awe-inspiring the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, one of Indonesia's most tallest cultural landmarks. This 121m statue depicts Hindu god Vishu majestically riding his mount, the divine bird, Garuda.

Jungle Swing. (Photo: Thana Pongsaskulchoti)

Amara explained that Nyoman Nuarta, a renowned sculptor and artist, was the visionary behind the enormous statue. She said that the project was deemed "impossible" and faced numerous rejections. It eventually gained support from the Indonesian government and private investors. Aside from the Lord Vishnu statue, the park's construction required cutting through a hill, involving significant costs. We paid our respects at this sacred place and a priest blessed us by pouring holy water and placing rice grains on our foreheads.

Before leaving Bali, we went sightseeing at Pandawa Beach and Tanah Barak Beach, both of which offered breathtaking landscapes. At the limestone cliffs near Tanah Barak, a group of Muslim ladies were filming their videos and kindly allowed us to join them. It was a warm welcoming experience. Bali is not only a place with rich culture, spiritual significance, but also a destination that left a lasting impression in my mind.

This is the final part of travel series that explores the historical and cultural aspects of Indonesia. This part is dedicated to Bali.