SOUTH ASIA BLOG October 5th, 2024 - BALI

 

10/5/24– Sleeping in until 6:30am seems weird to say, but that’s exactly what I do. We spend the morning at breakfast and utilize the downtime by going over pictures. Our tour today is not until 2pm and it’s refreshing not to worry about anything beforehand. We had an option of going to Kuta Beach (which is mostly shops if you don’t want to lie in the sand) but no need to add too much. I mean we are on vacation.

As the hours pass, we order a pizza from the hotel kitchen, eat it quickly and then go off with our driver to the first temple Taman Ayun. The drive is over an hour (which seems to be the theme around here from our hotel) and hard to find parking up front with the celebration of Galungan & Kuningan holiday. This is unique to the Balinese calendar and celebrates triumph of good over evil.

We walk through a small street market and cross a mini bridge over water into the temple. Here, we put on the sarong wrap around our waist, picking green this time around, and walk leisurely through the complex. The split gates separate it into the outer courtyard, middle courtyard and inner sanctuary (which include several shrines ranging in different heights from two to eleven tiers).

What also catches us is the artwork spread throughout some of the buildings, the garden areas and the water surrounding the complex. All combined to form a perfect union of peace and serenity.

Leaving the temple around 4pm, we experience the brunt of the sun bearing down on us. The temperature shows 86 degrees, but the humidity brings it well close to 100. Luckily the vehicle has very good AC allowing us to cool off during the thirty minute ride to the next location.

We arrive at Tanah Lot Temple at 4:30pm. Meaning “Land and the Sea” the temple is located just off the coast and is one of the most visited places in Bali thanks to its awesome sunsets. And that’s why we chose to take this sunset tour.

There is a bit of a walk from the parking area to the main split gate, walking through rows of souvenir shops along the way, but as soon as we go through we spot the shore line right away. The sky couldn’t be any more beautiful as the sun rays poke through the clouds perfectly. It’s at this time that Sharece starts to feel woozy and needs a break.

Figuring it’s something she ate, she takes a breather in the shade, but it soon becomes apparent that her sickness isn’t going away so quickly. Nausea, sweat, dizziness… I soon realize these are symptoms of heat exhaustion (not just sickness) and make sure she has water to help calm her body down. Even though the sun is setting the heat is still present, so we gingerly walk back to the vehicle to get some cold air.

The drive back to the hotel is a long hour and a half, but it does help her recover. It’s not until we get to the hotel room that she starts feeling like herself again.

Side note: Had two different couples approach me at the temple to take a photo with them. Our guide didn't even ask me if it was okay and offered to take the photo for them. Very interesting.