[P365: Y3D13] Bali, Day 4 : Besakih Temple

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 at 10:47 pm | Blog | project 365 #3 | Sightseeing | bali

In the morning, not long after we get on our car, our guide had already informed / warned us regarding the aggressiveness of the locals in the Besakih Temple, which is the last temple we visit in our Bali trip.

The Besakih Mother Temple is located in slope of Mount Agung, about 1000 meters above sea level. It is the largest temple complex in Bali. According to our guide, there’ll be quite some locals at the temple there will force you to accept a tour guide with a sky-rocket (not too expensive, but not cheap / reasonable also) price, although through negotiation, it can be be reduced and bargained to a lower fix price of 50k Rupiah.

When we reach the bottom of the hill, we were told that due to the place is a sacred place, we’ll need to wear sarong to enter. No choice, we went to a shop there for sarong rental (It’s actually a shop selling sarongs and cloths, just that the shop owner have aggressively offered forced persuaded us to rent us), and in the process also not forgetting to keep pushing us buy instead.

We “survived” this 1st wave of “attack” by renting a sarong for 15k Rupiah. Nico on the other hand had settled for a batik-like skirt after nearly half our of bargaining. Initial price offered is 80k, but in the end settled at 65k, and she refused to return small change (meaning you’ll have to settle at a higher price if you only have large notes.)

At the main entrance, here came the 2nd wave attack. After been called over to a side for ticket checking, the staff there start explaining that the temple area is huge, and it’s a long way up (the hill) before can reach the temple area, and there’s a ceremony on-going then. Thus he advised us to bring along a tour guide. Had stopped him at this point. Insisted that we’re just taking photos and can walk on our own.

On the way up the hill, there’s still a few approached us trying to convince us to hire them as tour guide. Had to “Thank you”, “No thanks” all the way. =.=

Long way up the hill. Not many tourist on the way. Wonder why…

Finally reach the main temple complex…

Many tourists…

Met a youth at here, a small plaza like empty space. Before we wanted to walk further inside the temple complex, he approached us, claiming he works for the temple, and is only looking for donation which will be used for temple renovation. Even though he said is “donation”, but had demanded requested 2 USD, or 20k Rupiah per pax. Due to don’t want to have more hassles, we accepted his “help”.

Well, have to admit that his explanation is quite good, has explained to us many of the terms, history, and also about their Balinese culture. Such as the guardian dolls (forgot name) which can be found at entrance of many buildings. The black-and-white checkered flag on the doll symbolizes good and evil, where in Balinese believe every Good is followed by an Evil, for the balance ( if i remember correctly ^^|| ).

He mentioned that the temple complex is huge. Might need up to 3 days to really explore all of it.

The place gives me a very mysterious feel. Perhaps is due to the cloudy / almost-rain weather + all those old buildings …

We’ve been told that if weather is clear enough, we can even able to see the town area from here. ^^||

Many shrines…

Locals walking around. Forgot to ask what they are busy about at the moment…

Don’t know why, i’ve have a feeling it was like playing some historical setting RPG game when walking through these alleys >.< ...

We have been brought to this area, when the guide claimed that people of all region is allowed to go in pray.

We went in and prayed in Balinese way under his guidance and the presence of a priest.

Then here came the 3rd wave.

In the final part of the praying, he explained about offering. As in since we come here (to the temple) for the blessing of God, thus in return we’ll need to offer something. Due to we came there unprepared for this, he showed us what we can do by putting in 50k Rupiah as offering. This troubled us on the spot as we didn’t expect to spend again (after the sarong rental, entrance fee, “donation” / tour-guide fee). Due to we really didn’t have much cash left with us (still need to reserve for the remaining 2 days and airport tax), in the gang we have no choice but only put some small change, ie 4k ~ 5k Rupiah each.

We really doesn’t mean to disrespect to the Gods or Spirits there. We really were unprepared and lack of cash.

At a higher ground, where we can view the plains at far. Can’t take any nice photos due to the weather, and also the limitation of my skill T^T…

Our temporary guide left us to continue walk on our own at this spot…

This is the top most and inner most temple structure. Not sure the name. Didn’t ask. T^T

Staircase to heaven?

The view from there. Can see really far.

A part of the temple…

This temple has 3 tiers. Now is walking on the staircase towards the 2nd tier…

Partial view of the 2nd tier…

The gate / staircase towards the inner most tier.

Actually it give me a feeling as if we are going to “PK” the final boss. Gaming terms. ^^||

The inner / top most area…

Very ancient feel… ^^

We decided to stop and started go back at this point. Worried it will rain anytime.

On our way back, we have saw some foreigners entering the temple complex area without wearing sarongs. Suddenly felt that we have been unfairly threaten.

Before we leave Besakih, have went back to the shop i mentioned earlier this post to return our sarongs. The shop keeper had tried to sell us the sarongs for one last time. Ofcoz she failed.

Y3#13.2
26/2/2011