Bali travel guide

Pura Tirta Empul (Temple of Holy Water) is considered the site of Bali’s holiest water and has for a thousand years drawn nobility and Balinese worshippers for its supposedly curative and spiritual properties. The sacred spring is said to have been created by the God Indra to save his forces by creating a fountain of immortality. Whether you believe in Hinduism or not, it's pretty impressive that the Pool of the Sacred Water fed from 12 fountains has never dried out since dating back to roughly 926 AD. The beauty of the stone sculptures, the three courtyards that make up the temple and the lush green tropics that encircle it are visually striking on their own. For those who want to visit, sarongs are provided and worshipping is also possible for visitors by making an offering at the temple and then bathing in the sacred waters. Don’t forget to take a moment to view what may seem out of place: the Government Palace founded by the first President of Indonesia is located on a hill directly above the temple.

This bend on road is another great place to enjoy the famous rice terraces of Bali. The place is mostly famous for a water palace (Taman Tirta Gangga) that some rajah got built in 1946, but the gently sloping rice terraces are of equal interest. It is possible to do shorter walks through the rice paddies and nearby villages. There are several guesthouses and warungs (simple restaurants) around that parking lot that pretty much makes up Tirta Gangga.

Bali, the land of many different things. The beauty of Bali is so vibrant, you can still see it through the vast toursim industry that engulfs this small island. Known for beautiful culture, amazing surf, and drunk tourists, you need to get out of the main cities to really appreciate the Balinese culture. Ulu Watu is on the southern tip and is an amazing setting for a temple, sitting high on the ocean cliffs. Keep in mind that it is a very touristic place, so you will not be the only person absorbing the beauty of Ulu Watu. Regardless, it is worth it to watch the sun drop into the ocean. Temples, a famous surf spot sits below and on a good day, can be very impressive to watch.

Ulun Danu is a large and very scenic Shivaite temple complex, set on the shores of Lake Beratan (Bratan) in the mountains of central Bali. Ulun Danu is a water temple, built in 1663, and due to the significance of Lake Beratan for irrigating central Bali, it is an important offering site to Dewi Danu, the Balinese water, lake and river goddess. Parts of the complex are off-limits to visitors, but if you arrive in the morning, you have a good chance of catching an offering procession. There are shops just outside the temple, selling typical tourist trinkets such as sarongs, hats and cheap jewellery.

White Beach, or Pasir Putih as the locals know it, is a beautiful secluded beach, crescent shaped and protected by cliffs at both ends. There is nowhere to stay at the beach, but there is a handful of warungs (small restaurants) who also lend out deckchairs. The furthest end of the beach is still occupied by docked fishing boats and coconut palms. The sand at White Sand is surprisingly not blitz white, but a mix of white and black making the beach look a bit gray - but hey, who are we to argue. You need your own transport to get here and finding the turnoff from the main road can be a bit tricky, but look for homemade "White Beach" signs. A bumpy dirt track will then eventually lead you down to this not-so-secret-anymore piece of Bali paradise.