Benoa Bali - VW Safari

 

Our tour today was labeled as a VW Safari. Mary and I were driven into the interior of Bali by a driver and our private guide, Navayana, in a VW Thing. We had a police escort again to navigate the fierce traffic. Our two-lane road often had 3 vehicles side by side with a scooter trying to pass between vehicles. This is the “Land of a Thousand Temples”, there are probably 100,000, many of the houses have a temple in their front yard. The making of temples, gift offerings to the gods and Hindu ceremonies form a large part of the local economy. Our first stop was a batik shop where they demonstrated how they used wax to create patterns from which they died the cloth.

Gangsa and Bonsa instruments

We continued through districts (former villages) specialized in statues, furniture, baskets, silver. etc. We passed many former royal residences and numerous temples. Our next stop was a shop that makes gangsa,  bonsa,  and gongs used to play gamelan music in Hindu ceremonies. The artisans were carving the wood, creating metal pieces and gongs, all carefully tuned.

Mount Batur

The road began climbing higher eventually to about 1000 meters where we had lunch with a gorgeous view of Mt. Batur, a volcano, and Lake Batur in the caldera of the volcano.

Village of Penglipuran

We visited a preserved 17^th century village, a UNESCO world heritage site, Penglipuran. The traditional homes usually had a family temple for the ancestors in front with a kitchen and the bedroom for the family parents. As children are married, they may construct other bedrooms behind the main building. Sharing the kitchen, courtyards, temples, and kitchen. Each home had an area for selling goods.

Pura Kehen Temple

Our last stop was a 13^th century temple, Pura Kehen Temple. This was the main temple for the Bangli Regency, one of nine kingdoms in Bali. The split gates represent a mountain. Lions often guard the entryway. Temples usually have three levels or courtyards. The outer courtyard features a 400-year-old Banyan tree. The last of which is only used for meditation or ceremonies and has a 11-tiered tower. I was surprised to see Chinese porcelain plates and cups built into the wall separating the first two levels.