Indonesia, Bali

Love and kissing at Uluwatu. (Monkey style) :)

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the south-west. Major Hindu deities dwell in Uluwatu such as - Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures. Bali's most spectacular temples located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in Badung Regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views. This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Most of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, are also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Uluwatu is a small village on the west coast, south of Jimbaran, but for most visitors it refers only to the famous temple of the same name and several kilometers further south at the coast. A taxi from Kuta to Uluwatu takes about 30 minutes up and down winding roads.

The temple is inhabited by large number of monkeys, who are extremely adept at snatching visitors' belonging, including bags, cameras and eyeglasses. One has to keep a very close grip on all your belongings. Anu carried a stick like some others and I carried my tripod. :)
If you do have something taken, the monkeys can usually be induced to exchange it for some fruit. Needless to say, rewarding the monkeys like this only encourages them to steal more. Locals and even the temple priests will be happy to do the job for you, naturally in exchange for a tip. That's how it works.

Kecak dance (aka "monkey dance") performances are held at the temple daily between 6 pm and 7 pm. This show was invented for and performed for tourists and can be followed up with a dinner.

Badung RegencyBhatara RudraGod of the elementsJimbaranKecak dancePura Luhur UluwatuUluwatuarchitectural wonderbagsbaliblack coral rockcamerascosmic forceculturedailydinnerdirectional templesevil spiritseyeglassesfruitguardshigh on a cliffhinduhistoricindonesiakayangan jagatmonkeymonkey dancemonkeysodalanperformancespilgrimagesplateausnatchingsouthern tipspectacular viewsspirits of the seastealsunsettempletemple prieststipvillagewinding roads

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the south-west. Major Hindu deities dwell in Uluwatu such as - Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures. Bali's most spectacular temples located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in Badung Regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views. This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Most of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, are also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Uluwatu is a small village on the west coast, south of Jimbaran, but for most visitors it refers only to the famous temple of the same name and several kilometers further south at the coast. A taxi from Kuta to Uluwatu takes about 30 minutes up and down winding roads.

The temple is inhabited by large number of monkeys, who are extremely adept at snatching visitors' belonging, including bags, cameras and eyeglasses. One has to keep a very close grip on all your belongings. Anu carried a stick like some others and I carried my tripod. :)
If you do have something taken, the monkeys can usually be induced to exchange it for some fruit. Needless to say, rewarding the monkeys like this only encourages them to steal more. Locals and even the temple priests will be happy to do the job for you, naturally in exchange for a tip. That's how it works.

Kecak dance (aka "monkey dance") performances are held at the temple daily between 6 pm and 7 pm. This show was invented for and performed for tourists and can be followed up with a dinner.

Badung RegencyBhatara RudraGod of the elementsJimbaranKecak dancePura Luhur UluwatuUluwatuarchitectural wonderbagsbaliblack coral rockcamerascosmic forceculturedailydinnerdirectional templesevil spiritseyeglassesfruitguardshigh on a cliffhinduhistoricindonesiakayangan jagatmonkeymonkey dancemonkeysodalanperformancespilgrimagesplateausnatchingsouthern tipspectacular viewsspirits of the seastealsunsettempletemple prieststipvillagewinding roads

Kecak Dance (also called "monkey dance") being performaned at Uluwatu.

This dance is held at the temple daily between 6 pm and 7 pm. This show was invented for and performed for tourists and can be followed up with a dinner.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the south-west. Major Hindu deities dwell in Uluwatu such as - Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures. Bali's most spectacular temples located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in Badung Regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views. This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Most of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, are also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Uluwatu is a small village on the west coast, south of Jimbaran, but for most visitors it refers only to the famous temple of the same name and several kilometers further south at the coast. A taxi from Kuta to Uluwatu takes about 30 minutes up and down winding roads.

The temple is inhabited by large number of monkeys, who are extremely adept at snatching visitors' belonging, including bags, cameras and eyeglasses. One has to keep a very close grip on all your belongings. Anu carried a stick like some others and I carried my tripod. :)
If you do have something taken, the monkeys can usually be induced to exchange it for some fruit. Needless to say, rewarding the monkeys like this only encourages them to steal more. Locals and even the temple priests will be happy to do the job for you, naturally in exchange for a tip. That's how it works.

Badung RegencyBhatara RudraGod of the elementsJimbaranKecak dancePura Luhur UluwatuUluwatuarchitectural wonderbagsbaliblack coral rockcamerascosmic forceculturedailydinnerdirectional templesevil spiritseyeglassesfruitguardshigh on a cliffhinduhistoricindonesiakayangan jagatmonkeymonkey dancemonkeysodalanperformancespilgrimagesplateausnatchingsouthern tipspectacular viewsspirits of the seastealsunsettempletemple prieststipvillagewinding roads

Kecak Dance (also called "monkey dance") being performaned at Uluwatu.

This dance is held at the temple daily between 6 pm and 7 pm. This show was invented for and performed for tourists and can be followed up with a dinner.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the south-west. Major Hindu deities dwell in Uluwatu such as - Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures. Bali's most spectacular temples located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in Badung Regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views. This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Most of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, are also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Uluwatu is a small village on the west coast, south of Jimbaran, but for most visitors it refers only to the famous temple of the same name and several kilometers further south at the coast. A taxi from Kuta to Uluwatu takes about 30 minutes up and down winding roads.

The temple is inhabited by large number of monkeys, who are extremely adept at snatching visitors' belonging, including bags, cameras and eyeglasses. One has to keep a very close grip on all your belongings. Anu carried a stick like some others and I carried my tripod. :)
If you do have something taken, the monkeys can usually be induced to exchange it for some fruit. Needless to say, rewarding the monkeys like this only encourages them to steal more. Locals and even the temple priests will be happy to do the job for you, naturally in exchange for a tip. That's how it works.

Badung RegencyBhatara RudraGod of the elementsJimbaranKecak dancePura Luhur UluwatuUluwatuarchitectural wonderbagsbaliblack coral rockcamerascosmic forceculturedailydinnerdirectional templesevil spiritseyeglassesfruitguardshigh on a cliffhinduhistoricindonesiakayangan jagatmonkeymonkey dancemonkeysodalanperformancespilgrimagesplateausnatchingsouthern tipspectacular viewsspirits of the seastealsunsettempletemple prieststipvillagewinding roads

Bali is an Indonesian island with the provincial capital at Denpasar. Lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east, the island is home to the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music. What's interesting is that while Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, on the island of Bali, 93% of the population is Balinese Hindu and one can find Hinduism in each and every aspect of the life and living.

Balinese performing arts often portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana but with heavy Balinese influence. Famous Balinese dances include pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, gong keybar, and kecak (the monkey dance). Bali boasts one of the most diverse and innovative performing arts cultures in the world, with paid performances at thousands of temple festivals, private ceremonies, or public shows.
June, 2009.

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Nensi (Photographer I Putu Arya Sentanoe's girlfriend) at the Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali.

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Close up shots of the iguana at Bali Zoo.
Bali Zoo, Singapadu (near Ubud), Bali. Situated in the cultural heart of Bali, the zoo is only 15 minutes drive from Ubud, and 45 minutes from the tourist areas of Kuta.

zoofamousfamosfamusbaliindonesiaIndonesianislandubudtourist destinationrenownedhighly developed Balinese HinduhindureligionHinduismmonekylizardlionorangutangbirdsIguana09063213