Bali Scenic & Must-visit Spots, Part III

Here is the starting point

Taman Ayun Temple

• Taman Ayun Temple is a compound of Balinese temple and garden with water features located in Mengwi subdistrict in Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia.
• The temple garden was featured on the television program Around the World in 80 Gardens.
• This is a magnificent family temple of Mengwi Empire. This is one of the most visited temples in Bali, both local and foreign tourists.
• It is about 18 Km north side of Denpasar town. It is strategically located beside of major roadway between Denpasar to Singaraja.
• Taman Ayun Temple is also one of six royal temples in Bali makes it very important both spiritually and historically.

Bedugul

• Bedugul is a mountain lake resort, located in the centre-north region of the island near Lake Bratan on the road between Denpasar and Singaraja.
• It is located in the Tabanan Regency, at 48 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city of Denpasar or 20 kilometres (12 mi) south from Singaraja city.
• Bedugul area enjoys mild mountain weather due to its location at an altitude of about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level.
• The major sites that you will visit in Bedugul are the Ulun Danu Temple (water temple) and Lake Bratan.

Bedugul Traditional Market

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot means "Land in the Sea" in the Balinese language. Located in Tabanan, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Denpasar, the temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide. Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 16th-century Dang Hyang Nirartha. During his travels along the south coast, he saw the rock-island's beautiful setting and decided to rest there. Some fishermen saw him and bought him gifts. Nirartha then spent the night on the little island. Later he spoke to the fishermen and told them to build a shrine on the rock, for he felt it to be a holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods. The main deity of the temple is Dewa Baruna or Bhatara Segara, who is the Sea God or sea power, and these days, Nirartha is also worshipped here. The Tanah Lot temple was built and has been a part of Balinese mythology for centuries. The temple is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. Each of the sea temples was established within the eyesight of the next to form a chain along the south-western coast. In addition to Balinese mythology, the temple was significantly influenced by Hinduism. At the base of the rocky island, venomous sea snakes are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. The temple is purportedly protected by a giant snake, which was created from Nirartha's selendang (a type of sash) when he established the island.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces