Cruise Guide to Bali, Indonesia
Full of hidden treasures like the mysterious temples and the sacred monkey forest, Bali is an island with a lot to offer. Stunning beaches is parr for the course on the island of Bali, along with incredible volcanic terrain, rice paddies and exotic coral reefs. The ultimate destination for a relaxing holiday, the island is packed with everything that you could hope for to fully unwind. Catering also to the more adventurous travelers, Bali is also the home of some breathtaking hikes and trails
through it’s unbelievably beautiful lands. If you’re planning on starting or ending a cruise trip in Bali, then it’s highly recommended to spend an extra few days here to fully explore the highlights of the island.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
One of the most unique attractions you could hope to find on an island vacation, the sacred monkey forest sanctuary is a must-visit site in Bali. A walk through the incredible nature preserve in Ubud, – an area in the center of the island – is like talking a walk through the Amazon rainforest. Lush, strikingly green vegetation provides the stunning backdrop for this protected area which is also full of eye catching Indonesian palaces and shrines. You can wander around this monkey forest at your own leisure, or even feed the playful monkeys that inhabit the area. Also on the site are three impressive Hindu temples you can visit, that date back from as long ago as the 14th century.
Uluwatu
Another area of immense natural beauty, Uluwatu – south west of the island – is derived from the words “Ulu” which translates to “land’s end” and “watu” which translates to “rock”. Giving you a good idea of what to expect in this part of the island, Uluwatu is home to impressive rock formations, and more importantly, one of the 6 temples on the island that are integral to the culture of Bali. Uluwatu temple sits majestically atop a rocky cliff, high above the sea below, and is a joy to get to with the incredibly scenic surroundings. This temple should be seen as a moment to savour the journey more than the destination, since the trail to arrive is so magical and the sunsets that can be seen from next to the temple are truly mesmerizing.
Pura Besakih Temple Complex
The Pura Besakih temple complex on the other hand -on the eastern part of the island – is a series of temples that you will definitely want to spend time exploring and admiring up close. Primarily because the site is home to over 23 towering temples and many festivals throughout the year. Pura Penataran Agung is the largest of the lot and arguably the most impressive, not least because it sits 1000m raised above ground. Built on 6 levels, the largest temple is a wonder to behold in person and should definitely make the cut if you decide to spend time in Bali.
Goa Gajar Cave
Another site to see in Ubud, Goa Gajar is a striking cave complex complete with stone carvings all over the walls and courtyards boasting precious relics and artifacts. On top of this, the cave is home to relaxing bathing pools and fountains which will certainly bring you a sense of inner peace, and if that’s not enough, there’s also a meditational cave within the complex. Interestingly translating to the Elephant cave, there are no signs of elephants in the complex, but there is plenty to keep you entertained for an hour or more as you admire the creative old carvings and stonework.
Ulun Danu
A place that will certainly amaze you with its varied temples, a big part of Bali’s enchanting ways are the many amazing examples of history and culture on the island. Ulun Danu is a mystical lakeside temple in the central area of the island. Floating in the middle of the lake, the temple is a perfect photo opportunity, especially if you catch the orange hue of the setting sun behind it. There’s also boating possibilities and exotic animals around such as chameleons, eagles, owls, bats and parrots. Take a walk around the serene gardens of the temple, full of colorful plants, religious shrines and great views of the floating Ulun Danu temple.
Mount Batar
A volcanic mountain with some of the most picturesque panoramas of the island of Bali, Mountain Batar is the northern part of the island’s fantastic lookout point. Located right next to a perfectly peaceful lake, Mount.Batar is a highly recommended place for a scenic hike. It’s not often you get the opportunity to scale an active volcano, so this is definitely one to tick off the bucket list. Taking roughly 2 hours to ascend the mountain to the summit, Mount.Batar is another fantastic place to go for unforgettable photo opportunities and awe-inspiring views.
Author: Sophie Anderson
Post Date: 6th July 2019
Categories: Ports