Bali in 6 days~ Day2

The Uluwatu Temple

(Pura Luhur Uluwatu)

South Bali

A must visit when in Bali.

The Uluwatu Temple, perched on the edge of the cliff, above the roaring waves of the Indian Ocean. The temple itself is out of bounds. Understandably enough, with the number of tourists Bali gets and considering that the temple was made in 11th century.

But the views around are rewarding enough. And the sunset is not to be missed.

There is a nominal charge to enter the temple. You are given coloured sashes to tie around your tummy.

I figured later that they were tied to cover your navel( Tied mine way too hight the first time! )

Also, if you your legs are bare you'll be given sarongs. They do look quite lovely, the brights coloured fabrics on everyone around.

The monkeys can be bit of a menace. There are warnings saying as much, at the entrance of the temple.

Our driver warned us in advance, so we were careful with the camera we were carrying and also my husband took of his glasses. And we were unharmed.

After admiring the views and exploring the area around, we headed to watch the Kecak Dance.

{Views of and from Uluwatu}

The Kecak dance

The Kecak dance is performed every evening at the Uluwatu Temple.

Just the location of the performance make it special and worthwhile.

The dance begins with a group of men walking in saying "Kecak (pronounce kechak) Kecak Kecak" in a continuous rhythm. They continue the chanting all through the dance performance.

The dance is a story from the Ramayana. The story of Sita's abduction by Ravana and Hanuman reaching to save her. And in the process setting "Lanka" to fire.

The timing is just perfect, with the burning of the "Lanka" starting just around dusk.

A lovely way to initiate kids to the story of the Ramayana.

A must watch!

{Stills from the Kecak dance}

Dinner on the beach at Jimbaran Bay

After the lovely Kecak dance , we headed to Jimbaran Bay for our dinner on the beach.

It truly is dinner "on" the beach! It's beautiful and totally romantic a setting.

Since we'd opted for a package for our trip to Uluwatu and the dinner.

We had a set menu of a sea food platter. When the waiter walked in with our plates, we just looked at each other and went "wow"!!!

For folks like us, for whom sea food isn't an everyday thing...it can be a little overwhelming!!!

Crab, lobster, prawns, fish, mussels...there was everything!

Served with a bowl of rice along with the yummiest greens...

And it was great...other than the fact that I was just too queazy to do all that breaking and tugging out the meat!

But my husband was sweet enough to do all of that:) The darling he is.

With the cool breeze blowing, sounds of the waves...it was one of the most romantic meals ever!

And we even had a band serenading us ...a very Mariachi type band was going around from table to table singing songs of request :)

To end it all with a bang, there were a series of fireworks which went up!

Guess a part of the plan by the restaurant owners to make it all the more special!

Another must do when in Bali!!!

{Romantic dinner at Jimbaran Bay}