After a wonderfully relaxing night in my own private villa, it was time to get out and soak in some beautiful Balinese sights. I chose to hire a private driver for around $40 AUD for the day. This is a pretty reasonable price for an entire day, and it meant that I wouldn’t have to risk getting stranded in the middle of nowhere. Public transport is far from reliable in Bali – so having transportation sorted is majorly important.
I had absolutely zero previous exposure to Balinese culture – so I was keen to soak up as much as I possibly could.
After departing from Seminyak, the first stop of the day was the gorgeous Pura Samuan Tiga. Visiting this temple is free but a small donation is expected. Workers across the road will put you in a suitable sarong and then you are free to roam for as long as you like.
It is one of the smaller temples, but it is certainly a beautiful one.
It was a pretty hot day and walking around in the sun was proving a bit much for my fair skin to bear – so I tried to stick to shady areas whilst soaking up the vast array of burnt oranges this temple was adorned with.
After slogging it in the sun for as long as possible, it was back in the air conditioned car and off to the next stop!
Pura Taman Ayun is a moderately sized compound of Balinese temples located in the Mengwi district. Architecturally, the temples are physically very typical of many other such temples, but what sets this wonderful bunch of buildings apart is the many water features flanking these many temples.
In the time it took to drive between Pura Samuan Tiga and Pura Taman there had been massive rainfall (thank you wet season) so the sun had gone to hide behind the clouds and my pale skin was free to roam as much as it pleased!
I loved the way the overcast weather cast shadows over the orange paint, making the temples appear more weathered and aged. However, one disadvantage of this post-monsoonal rain is that within seconds of cleaning my lens, the intense humidity was completely fogging it up to the point that the pictures were indecipherable!
I had experienced humidity before – but this was next level!
I loved how much more green and lush this site looked – only at this point did I really start to feel like I was really getting into the tropics.
This temple is a bit further away from the main drags of Kuta and Seminyak – and as a result is much less crowded than many other temples, which is a huge appeal in and of itself.
After getting my fill of the humidity, it was off towards Ubud area to have some fun with some monkeys! Along the way I made a quick stop at Goa Gajah – commonly known as the ‘Elephant Cave’ for a quick looksie. Hot tip – wearing a maxi skirt will mean that you won’t always have to wear a sarong!
Also – be aware that all of these temples have sarongs available included in the cost of admission – don’t fall for the many hawkers with stalls outside the front of these areas trying to convince you that you need to buy one!
T H E L O W D O W N
Getting to Denpasar: AirAsia flies from Darwin to Bali almost daily and return flights can be nabbed for between $100-$300 depending on the time of year
Made Paul Artawan: This wonderful and hard-working Balinese driver can be contacted through Facebook Message – he is available for full day hire during school holidays and half day hire during school days
Pura Taman Ayun: Located in the Mengwi district, it is an easy trip from Seminyak
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with 12-40mm M.Zuiko Pro Lens
Threads: I am wearing a cute as maxi by Aussie label Tigerlily
Remember: Bring anti-persperant, sunscreen and acceptance that you will sweat your heart out!
Your post makes me want to go back to Bali. Right now. 🙂
Do it! Cheap AirAsia flights at the minute! 🙂
I wish it was as easy as that!
Till now, I thought Bali was only about messages and relax. You have proved me wrong ☺
I thought the same before I visited! One of those times where I am more than happy to be wrong 🙂
That just look so awesome!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Great post! The architecture in the temples is certainly unique. High humidity can really drain the enjoyment from travel can’t it? If you let it… I followed the link to the camera you use, great choice and I envy you! Great colors in your maxi. ❤️
It certainly can! But now that I am living in Darwin during the wet season – my tolerance for humidity has improved majorly!
Glad you checked out my camera – I am so happy with it 🙂
Yeah, if I had the cash that camera would be a fine choice. Just looked at Darwin on Google Earth, looks like a small town but has lots of businesses and homes too. All the way north, warmer.
Yeah it is definitely one of the smaller capital cities in Oz! And very very warm. Currently at the end of the wet season and should head into the dry soon. There isn’t really a winter up here!
Thank you for this post. They remind me of my own temple hopping in Bali 4 years ago. I miss the lingering scent of incense in the air.
That unique Balinese smell! I miss it too 🙂
Wow — u sure are a busy girl 😉
I really am! Best way to be though 🙂
Been dreaming of making it out to Bali…one of these days 😊 Thanks for sharing all the pics!
Any plans to go in the near future? And my pleasure – thanks for reading!
Maybe once I pay off some student debt! haha
I don’t even want to know how much student debt I have left to pay off :/
Absolutely amazing, loved it! One day!
Hopefully one day soon!
Please stop making me want to go to even more places! I loved this and your pics are great.
Haha! I am afraid I cannot stop – it’s an illness! 🙂 Thanks for reading 🙂
If this is a 3-day weekend trip sign me up, great report.
It definitely is! Gotta love a good three day weekend!
Wow…These temples are just amazing. I love the one set on the water. Cheers!
That was my favourite too! 🙂
Thanks for the pics – they brought back memories of our last visit (2014) to Bali. Did you visit Gunung Kwai (Rock temple) & the Istana Tampak Siring (water temple) ?
I am afraid I didn’t! I was only in Bali for a few days and there was heaps I missed. Good thing the flights are so quick and cheap from Darwin – I will make it back soon and see even more!
Love the pictures and your blog.
Thank you so much!
Beautiful temples and your portrait photos were pretty, too.
Thank you very much 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
Wow, these pictures are incredible. Looks like you had a great time.
Thank you so much! I really did 🙂 Much more still to come!
You surely just scratched the surface of Balinese temples, though these are a fabulous introduction to the island’s heritage.
Oh absolutely! I was only in Bali for a three day weekend so I missed an absolute tonne! Gives me an excuse to go back though 🙂
Wish I could’ve worn a maxi skirt in SE Asia! Damn gender norms…
Put those bloody gender norms in the bin!
Haha I do I do but only with things that can be hidden under ‘male’ clothing, a maxi skirt might be too hard to disguise.
Asombroso 🙂
Beautiful pictures and summary of your day trip. I enjoyed Goa Gajah and thought the trees were wonderful there. The humidity of Bali does take some getting used to – or simply doesn’t if you’re a pale English girl like me! The fogging up of the camera lens made me smile at the memories!
Oh definitely! I am glad I had been in Darwin for a while before I made the trip to Bali – my paleness had had some time to adjust to the wet air!
Oh wow, Darwin would certainly prepare you! Hope you continue to have a wonderful trip in Bali.
These are amazing… Well executed!
Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Lovely story and amazing places I, too, would like to visit.
Do it! Any plans to visit in the near future?
Looks amazing 🙂
I’ve been dying to go to Bali and almost had the opportunity this year. Your post is making me want to give it another go!! Can’t wait to follow more of your adventures there.
What stopped you from going? I can’t wait to share more adventures with you!
I always enjoy your photos, beautiful.
That is so wonderful to hear 🙂 thank you so much!
Hot and steamy!! Great photos. I love the reflections. And that massive door!
Man I love a good door! Ha!
Wow, those temples certainly are something to behold. Amazing architecture, I’m sure it’s almost overwhelming in person!
It can be! They are so much bigger in person than I was able to convey through photographs!
Hey this is awesome! I’d like to visit Bali one day. Love that you’re traveling!
Do it! Hopefully one day soon!
My daughter almost went to Bali but a volcanic eruption cancelled their flights! So they had to go to Phuket instead 🙁 I’ve been as a child but I don’t really have a clear recollection of it 😛
Yep those damn volcanoes wreaked havoc and a half last year! Which airline was she meant to be flying with? A lot of the domestic AirAsia flights were still flying as they were able to reroute themselves.
I can’t remember unfortunately but you are right, some airlines still were ongoing at that time! So there was a dash of bad luck as well. Next time then 🙂
The photos look amazing! I especially love the first one with the reflection. Very cool. I’m sure it’s even more beautiful in real life. =)
Thank you very much – and you are right – it definitely was!
Never been there and this place and this post has a lot of appeal for me! Thank you for even more wanderlust!
My pleasure 🙂
wow…beautiful place..it looks so natural and unspoiled..wonderful shots
Reblogged this on Travel Guides & Blogs.
Wow, beautiful pictures! Hope you can have a look at my latest blog, I’ve listed Bali in my top 10 places to visit 🙂
I will be sure to check it out!