Gunung Batur and Pura Besakih

Trip Start Dec 30, 2007

Trip End Dec 17, 2008

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Where I stayed

Pradha Guest House Ubud

(Ubud hotels)

Flag of Indonesia Baturiti, Indonesia
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

In the afternoon, after the morning's cremation ceremony, Faith, Timshell, Made, Ketut and I hopped back in the jeep and headed up the Gunung Batur volcano. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Batur) It's the largest and most sacred volcano on Bali, it's erupted two in the last 100 years. At the top is a big crater, with two big summits inside it, and also a big fresh water lake.

We had lunch on the crater rim at a little local warung (warung = bodega, general store, restaurant place). The warung had a patio with tables overlooking the volcanoes crater, lake and middle summits (I'm sure there is a name for the large hills that sit in the middle of a volcano's crater, I just don't know it)

After lunch, we drove back down the volcano a little ways to Pura Besakih. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besakih) It's the largest and most holy temple in Bali

a - Gunung Batur crater

. We got there just as the sun was setting, it supposed to be the best place on the island to see sunset. Unfortunately as our guide put it, the weather was unfriendly, and it was really foggy. We couldn't see the big volcano backdrop to the temple, fog, and we couldn't see the majestic beach below (fog) and we really didn't get a sunset (fog). Take a look at the pics anyway; the fog adds a spooky element to the visit.

I'm going to try to visit the temple again on the trip south from Lovina. There is a big, once a year, temple ceremony happening on March 19th at the temple. And seeing as I have to be in Kuta on the 20th to visit Sha, it seems fortuities that I should spend the 19th on the volcano at the temple. We'll see what happens.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

b - Gunung Batur Crater	c - Close up of the lake and some houses	d - Close up of the mountains inside the volcano	f - Faith, Timshell and I at Gunung Batur!
g - Timshell looking amazing =)	h - the expanse of towers at Pura Besakih	i - Folks leaving temple	j - Folks decending carefully
k - I said some hello's in Balanise is they passed	l - And everyone loved it! I made new friends!	m - Too much fun!	n - These two wanted their own picture =)
o - A temple guradian at Pura Besakih	p - Pura Besakih signage	q - Me at Pura Besakih!	r - The main temple to pray
s - It was a really magical experience	t - Blessings with holy water	u - My turn for blessings	v - And holy water
w - And I'm blessed.....	x - The sut has set at Pura Besakih	y - The lights played tricks in the fog	z - Faith in the midst

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Comments

rrsquared on Mar 12, 2008 at 07:16PM

Fog?
These pics are amazing, even with the fog! You look so pretty too!!

joannesp on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:25PM

from Mom
I watched the sideshow of your photos...beautiful. You have such a 'good eye.' I loved your look in the blue and white outfit. You are looking so healthy and happy. Warms a Mom's heart......

dadsp on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:22PM

Times change.
I suspect Madison Ave. and NYC are somewhat diminished in those surroundings and with those events. Life unfolds. Love, Dad

shokanson on Mar 14, 2008 at 07:38PM

WOW!! Beautiful Pictures
Suz - you have some beautiful pictures and I love all the stories of your trip. What an amazing trip you are having and a lifetime of awesome memories.
Love Auntie

dadsp on Mar 14, 2008 at 11:58PM

Check your Hotmail
Love, Dad

suzettesp on Mar 28, 2008 at 12:46PM

Re: from Mom
Thanks for the comments everybody! I love that you are all taking this trip with me!

suzettesp on Mar 28, 2008 at 01:27PM

Re: WOW!! Beautiful Pictures
Thanks Auntie, it feels really awesome from here, and I know in 20years when I look back over these pics they'll be even cooler then! Glad you are coming along for the ride!