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Editors’ note: The Idiots traveled to SE Asia in February 2017. They’ve been back in the US for about 2 months, but life has kept them too busy to keep up with these episodes. They think the photos and stories are still worth telling even if they are getting a bit “old.” Remember, gentle readers… patience is a virtue! They hope these are worth waiting for!
These events took place in early February, 2017.
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Sanny, their most excellent tour guide, planned a second day for the Idiots Three. Bali has hundreds of temples… and many of them are related to water. In a previous episode the Idiots took readers to the Spring Temple where spring water bubbles from the earth and is used for purification. Sanny wanted the Idiots to see two more water temples – one on the ocean and another in a lake.
It was a watery day, indeed! The heavens opened up and if pure water can wash away sins, the Idiots were thoroughly prepared for their next lives! Incredibly picturesque Pura Tanah Lot sits perched on rough ocean coast. The wind, rain, and crashing surf pound at the temple, yet it has remained a focus of spiritual seekers for almost 600 years.
The Idiots will allow the pictures to speak for themselves…
When the Idiots responded positively to some historic rice fields on their previous tour, Sanny told them they had much more spectacular ones to look forward to – the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. As always, Sanny was right. These beautiful community-operated rice fields are farmed using traditional methods, preserving a heritage going back millennia. The Indonesian government and the United Nations subsidize the efforts so that the residents can participate without suffering from the competition of mechanized production. The Indonesia red rice grown here is superb quality – the best rice the Idiots have ever eaten.
And speaking of eating, it was lunch time and the Idiots asked Sanny to join them. He offered a tourist-focused buffet… the kind of place that can handle bus loads of foreign tourists with food that is tailored to not offend anyone. Quantity triumphs over quality in those places.
The Idiots asked Sanny about a more “real” place… somewhere HE would eat with his family. He suggested a little roadside place, Warung ADA, serving traditional food including the “all-things pork” plate – Babi Guling. This dish… whole roasted suckling pig… is the national pride of Bali and is given almost religious reverence. The Idiots were pleased to get to try it in a little traditional warung on the roadside.
The Idiots enjoyed the relaxed lunch looking out over the rice terraces and chatting with Sanny. The food was delicious – and cheap! The Idiots have edited the signboard picture with some currency conversions. For example, the most expensive lunch plate – the Babi Guling – might concern one who is price conscious at 55,000 rupiah… until one does the calculation and learns it is a whopping $4.13.
After lunch it was off to Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, the large temple complex on Lake Beratan. Though mostly Hindu, early Buddhist influences can also be observed including a very old stupa with Buddha statues. The grounds are maintained as a botanical garden and there are even some sad looking native animals in caged exhibits.
Some tourists seemed to be disturbed by the overcast weather, but the Idiots thought the low-lying clouds draped over the mountains and rain forest provided the perfect atmosphere for the magical landscapes of rural Bali.
With a long drive ahead of them back to Ubud, the Idiots had to leave the beauties of The Lake of the Holy Mountain far too soon.
