Winter 2019 - 38. Tanah Lot Sunset

38.  Tanah Lot Sunset

Should Be a Beautiful Sunset

We got caught up with watching the surfers trying to catch a good wave; the temple is a perfect venue to watch surfers do their thing. Those young people were in the water for hours, bobbing up and down with the waves. We had nothing to do but wait.

But Then the Clouds Appeared

We waited mainly for the sunset, one of the best on the Island… we waited for the green flash… but?  No, did not see the green flash at sunset in Bali, either. I am on a quest!

We were not allowed to walk over to the temple, either. Too dangerous we were told. (Or were there just too many tourists?) So I cannot say if there are sea snakes still watching over this holy place, protecting the temple from unbelievers. 

The Small Temple of Tanah Lot

 

This temple, Tanah Lot, is a small temple in honor of the sea god, Baruna  from around 1489 AD.

I love the historical anecdotes and myths that go with the creation of the temples. Just imagine… people believe these stories.

Not really much different than the myths of a Virgin Birth by Mary in Christianity, right?

Temple on the Right - a Beautiful Setting

This small Temple Island was saved from the ravaging sea in 1980. A loan from the Japanese Government of about 130 million US $ saved this and other historic temples. Almost 1/3 of what you see of the Island today is artificial rock, preserved for the tourists. Preserved also, I think, for the religious aspect of this so important spot on Bali.

He Is Guarding the Viewing Area

We came back to Uma Sari late that night it was dark when we stepped out of the car.

Late supper at 8 PM but we had our desert early, in the car. Agung had bought us KLEPON, a sweet that made me lick my fingers.

Klepon Rice Balls - Messy But Tasty

Here are 2 recipes you can try to make at home or just Google it… Klepon Rice balls. Super yummy!

Winter 2019 - 37. Monkey Business

37.  Monkey Business

 

Banyan Tree

Next we visited a temple dedicated to the Monkey God. No, we did not get to the much advertised Monkey Forest but visited the ‘other’ Temple, the one less visited by tourists; the Alas Kedaton Temple. 

 

Mother and Child

We were assigned a guide to walk through this section of the forest with us. It was deemed too dangerous for tourists to visit without

Hitchin' a Free Ride

someone with a long bamboo stick to fend off the marauding monkeys. Or to make sure we do not feed the animals or pet them? I did not feel threatened by the herd we saw, yet a male monkey did come close and our guide used her stick to shoo him away. Who knows… was it all theater or was it really dangerous?  

Proper Way to Hold a Bat

Within the circumference walk was a ‘vendor’ who showed us large bats; part of Bali, too. Bats are used for the control of mosquitoes and other small pests. I held one bat up by its ‘wings’ you can see how huge those bats are. No, those bats are not out for blood, all they wanted to do was hang around and sleep off the daylight. Unfortunately, the ‘vendor’ was in charge and the bats were used to make him some money. I had to pay to hold the bat… US$ 2, so Carol could take a photo. 

Will She or Won't She?

Surprisingly we did not have to pay for the guide, but according to Agung… we were obligated to visit her ‘shop’ of clothing that her husband had on the side of the temple. No, we could not find anything to buy; the shirts did not fit me or were totally inappropriate for me. But that is how it ‘works’ in Bali, one hand washes the other kind of set up. Free guide but please buy my husband’s shirts. Carol bought a nightgown/shift from her, but will she ever wear it?

The Monkey God

Awww - So Cute

 

Winter 2019 - 36. Chocolate For Anybody

36.  Chocolate For Anybody

Cocoa Pods Growing on Cocoa Trees

Huge Cocoa Pod

Our next stop was a much better stop. We visited a chocolate factory. Yum! They had tasting dishes with all kinds of chocolate and wow, were those delicious chocolates. I think we tried small nibbles from over 30 pots of samples. 

After all the tasting, we could not help but buy a mix of orange and chocolate for Carol and I took the cranberry and chocolate for myself. We bought some for Agung, too but he is not a chocoholic, he said he will give it to his son when he gets home.  

Cocoa Beans Being Removed From a Pod

How Can You Not Like Chocolate?

Beans Are Dried in the Sun