Bali Trip - Knowing Bali Deeper through Pura Taman Ayun and Desa Panglipuran

We woke up early because of the day's itinerary.

We were supposed to go north instead of south again for the fourth day. Our destinations for the day was Pura Taman Ayun, Desa Panglipuran, Pura Ulun Danu, and finally Ubud.

So we were so very ready early in the morning and stuffed our mouth full with the breakfast from the villa. We then checked out and drove out around 8:00am.

Pura Taman Ayun.

Pura Taman Ayun, literally translated as Swinging Garden Temple, is located at Mengwi area and was built in 1634 by the king that time. This temple serves as the paibon (central temple) for Mengwi. Once in every 210 days, a great event to glorify the gods is held for all people in Mengwi.

The complex is divided into four areas, one higher than another.

The first area, the only entrance to Pura Taman Ayun is through the bridge over the pond

The second area with a fountain pointing to nine cardinal directions

The gate to enter the third area

Bale Pengubengan inside the third area with a relief of the god protector of nine cardinal directions

Pura Dalem Bekak is located at the east of the third area

The fourth and the most sacred area where no visitors are allowed to enter

The second, third, and fourth area represents three steps of this world, from human world to the world of gods until the highest world of the creator of this universe.

I found this temple really beautiful and no regret visiting it. Moreover, the ticket only cost us IDR 10,000 (SGD 1.1) per pax.

I can only see beauty and beauty and beauty

We then continue our journey further north to a village called Desa Panglipuran. This village is original Balinese village that has been frequently used as video shooting places for Indonesian TV series. Desa Panglipuran is also opened for visitors as a cultural village.

We spent IDR 100,000 (~SGD 11) for seven of us including two bottles of loloh cemcem. Loloh cemcem is a bottled drink homemade by the villagers consists of the extract of the leaves of cemcem (I have no single idea what cemcem is), water, sugar, and salt. Loloh cemcem is good to lower blood pressure and aid digestion.

When we entered the parking lot, we realized that it was quite full. And when we entered the front area, we realized a bazaar was actually going on.

I was asking the rest to join me taking photo with the sign board!

Walking around to see traditional goods being sold

This is the stall selling handmade soap

And after looking around, we decided to walk in and we got a big surprise.

Taaa Daaa! It's an ocean of human

Once seeing so many people, I kinda lost my interest to this place. However we kept walking and entering one of the building to see traditional Balinese house.

At the end of the long alley, we found this place.

The tiny sign board says, "Selling Tipat Cantok & Loloh Cemcem"

Inside this small gate was a small area with a mid age lady selling tipat cantok. Tipat cantok is similar to gado-gado (Indonesian mixed vegetable with peanut sauce).

The seller will make your tipat cantok upon order 

Tipat cantok ready to be eaten!

She also sold klepon (traditional glutinous ball with brown sugar filling) made from purple sweet potato

Two portions of tipat cantok, some rice crackers, and one packet of klepon cost us IDR 12,000 (~SGD 1.3). After eating, we moved back to the car to continue our journey to Pura Ulun Danu.

And this was when the painful experience started.

Love is in the air,
Little Feet

Next post - Further North and Lost the Way