The Ulun Danu temple sits on the western shore of Lake Bratan and it can give the illusion of actually floating on the water. Built in 1633, the temple is devoted to Ida Batara Dewi Ulun Danu, goddess of the lake. The unusual feature of this temple, to the left of the entrance to the first courtyard, is a Buddhist stupa with figures of Buddha meditating in the lotus position in niches on the square base. The stupa reflects the adoption of Buddhist beliefs by Balinese Hindus.
Kellie's Castle is a mysterious mansion surrounded by river some kilometers out of Batu Gajah, commissioned in 1915 by a late Scottish Planter named William Kellie Smith. Smith left for England in the middle of the construction of the castle and dies soon after in England. The castle was thus never completed and stands today as an unfinished mansion. It has 14 rooms and a tall tower. The Castle is shrouded in mystery and it is widely believed that it has hidden rooms and a secret tunnel.
Smith also built a temple for a Hindu Goddess not too far away from the castle. As he was so fond of the Goddess that he wanted to have built a statue of him beside her. Therefore a statue of a white man can be seen on the roof of temple today, alongside statues of Hindu gods and goddesses. During a road widening exercise, road construction workers accidentally unearthed a section of a tunnel which is believed to lead from the castle to the Hindu temple nearby.
Pura Tirtha Empul is regarded as one of six most important temples in Bali. The name "Tirta Empul" signifies a crystal clear stream which is used as the holy water for various religious ceremony. Legend has it that the sacred spring was created by the god Indra. Ever since - for more than a thousand years - the Balinese have come to bathe in the sacred waters for healing and spiritual merit. But the main attraction here is a long rectangular pool carved of stone, filled with koi and fed by the sacred spring via 12 fountains.
I was on a roadtrip last weekend to Sekinchan the ricebowl of Selangor. It's a small town within the district of Sabak Bernam and has a unique dual character - it is both a fishing village as well as a rice producing area. Drive north along the main highway that cuts through the town and you'll will see vast expanses of rice paddies on your right. Take the left turn when you reach town and you'll see a busy fishing villaget. Interesting place to to let loose your camera.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana is a private cultural park on the Bukit Peninsula at the southern end of the island of Bali. It is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and his mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who is his companion.
The Garuda Figure is Wisnu's means of transport is paraphrased as symbol of loyalty and devotion that esposed by devout sacrifise to God, and as "freedom or indpendence" to improvise, to create, and appreciate the culture in particular in the form of art and also a symbol of freedom from any limitation and violation of human rights.
Peace Memorial - Dedicated to all the Bali bombing victioms by the Bali's finest sculpture Nyoman Nuarta to unite the world into a peaceful and harmonious community.
The 'Barong' character from one of the Bali's most famous storytelling dance entertains the vistors to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Complex on a hot Saturday afternoon.
