Bali-Moving on.......

Leaving the Volendam the following morning with our growing luggage in tow, we had canceled our 10-hour tour day with our guide, Edy, and used his services for a considerably more mellow tour day combined with delivering us to our hotel in Ubud.  

Though Edy offered historical sites near the crowded Denpasar, we were anxious to get away from the city.  Pura Tanah Lot (temple floating in the sea) is a 3-acre rock formation along the Bali coast which is topped with a Hindu temple built in the 16th century.  Considered a top religious destination, it is also popular with tourists.  Arriving earlier than most tour buses we beat the heavy crowds which descend by midday.  Commercial interests nearby are expanding to accommodate the ever-increasing tourist load, with souvenir shops and small eateries as you approach the temple area.  It was a bit like working your way through a gauntlet, but vendors were not aggressive and a simple, "no thank you" was sufficient.  Arriving at the overlook, the temple and the setting in the water are impressive.  On low tide visitors are allowed to walk out to the base of the temple, but the tides were rising during our visit, along with the number of tourists shooting selfies, so it was time to move on. 

Stopping for lunch at a property overlooking a rice field, we enjoyed crispy, moist, fried duck with rice and veggies in an idyllic setting. Passing through the countryside, we saw countless rice fields and terraces interspersed with multiple vegetable, fruit and flower crops.

Tegenungan Waterfalls was next on the agenda.  While we only came to look at the falls, a number of visitors made the trek down and were enjoying the cool waters.  Bali is hot even in their winter off-season which coincided with our stay.  Temperatures around 85+ were the norm and humidity was high, so it was like walking around in a sauna.  I can't imagine being here in the summer with 3 times more tourists. 

Pura (temple) Ulun Danu Beratan was our final tour stop for the day.  Dressed in shorts for the hot weather, we weren't appropriately modest for a visit.  But loaner saris were available from women volunteers working near the temple to resolve what must be a common dilemma.  Built in 1634, space is used by Hindus to worship God, in his manifestation as the Tri Murti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).  Prayers are said to invoke fertility, prosperity, and well-being.  

Now on to Ubud.  Having read of the area, we were expecting a relatively small, sleepy town.  While the population is said to be near 30,000 (with 60,000 in the district) we were met with chaotic traffic as we approached.  Selecting a hotel near the center was, in theory, going to give us access to everything we might want to see.  We bid Edy adieu and settled into our new space.