Puri Saren Palace

The word Puri in Balinese literally means ‘ royal palaces’ and it was built around 1800 and apparently the local royal still lives inside. I feel this is a place for people who love sketching architecture. The well-preserved Balinese architecture with charming garden setting out,

bold stone carvings and is a great place to spend a couple of hours with a stool here. However, the palace is a strategically the focal point of Ubud, with the Ubud Art Market, so it is slightly crowded with tourists.

The Taman Ayun Royal Temple

This is one of my favourite temples in Bali which set in a beautiful garden built in the 1630s CE. In the first courtyards, until you get to the gates of the inner sanctum, you see large and small pavilions, shrines and statues, then a fountain and a pavilion that are aligned with the nine cardinal directions, and finally a very large hall with its kilkul bell.

The complex is very spacious and the design consists of three terraces, each slightly higher than the other to represent the world of men, the world of gods and the world of the almighty God. What I enjoy about visiting Bali temples are the entire ritual and the beautiful garden setting and scenery!

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

This is a temple you actually cannot avoid as it is the first thing you see on your arrival in the airport terminal or pull out a 50,000 Rupiah bank note.  The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple complex consists of five temples and a Buddhist Stupa, each serves different ceremony to conduct rituals since the megalithic era. 

The temple situated in the Bratan Lake and it looks like floating on the water in a distance. I definitely think it’s worth to pay a visit except it is the most visited temples in Indonesia, so be prepared for the crowd.

Banjar Hot Mineral Spring

The natural hot mineral spring was worth a visit too. There are Jacuzzi, outdoor spas and different sizes of pools which surrounded by trees in two levels.I felt I was in a jungle as there were many tropical trees waving at us. Apparently, the complex has been further developed during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia during WWII for cured skin problems.

Just a kind reminder, it will be much easier if you have changed with swimsuits in the hotel as the restrooms, lockers and changing rooms are not included in the entrance fees (Rp 3000).  Map: North Bali

Gitgit waterfalls

It was a spontaneous visit to the waterfall is Rp 10,000 per person. It’s a pleasant stroll through lush green vegetation.

The short trek is about 20 mins and there are quite a few steps to climb.

Panorama view of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan

The two lakes formed a single lake and located in the Caldera of Bedugul VolcaI. It is an absolutely stunning stop with a fresh breeze at the Gobleg Hills to enjoy the twin lake scenery.

My hair caught in the air, and beyond this point, the fog stretch out indefinitely and commingling with the horizon.

Bajra Sandhi Monument

With entrance signage written“ I am Bali” caught my eyes and I highly recommend everyone to go to get immersed in the history and culture of Bali.  It is a centrally located in Denpasar. This monument feels part of a temple and part of a museum like as it commemorates the various struggles of the Balinese people and includes dioramas relating to the wars. 

It is a very interesting place to spend 45 mins to unfold the timeline of dioramas leading to Bali’s independence as well as the culture of the island.  The picturesque Balinese style architecture and the garden also draw many joggers and locals taking wedding photos. The museum has one point to climb where you can see the entire Denpasar city. It was a downpour during the visit that added an air of melancholy.