Full Day on Bali 11/13/2025

I encountered this snake fruit at the hotel's breakfast buffet. Snake fruit, also known as salak, is a tropical fruit native to Indonesia, characterized by its scaly, reddish-brown skin and a unique sweet-tart flavor.  The skin was very hard but not extremely thick.

The inside is divided into three sections, and each section contains a seed. The fruit is crunchy.  Other fruit grown on Bali include durian, orange and mango. 

 

Bali isn’t just an island; it’s a province, and the province of Bali is not made of one island.  It includes the islands of Bali, Penida, Lembongan, Menjangen, and Ceningan.  The word Bali means “sacrifice”, and that name appears to have been used for the first time in the 10th century A.D. by King Sri Kesarivarma.  He was also responsible for creating the political system on the island and for creating the first Buddhist-inspired government here.  Of course, Buddhism would later give way to Hinduism here, and unlike in other parts of Southeast Asia, there was no later resurgence in Buddhism.
Being just 8 degrees south of the equator, Bali has a fairly even climate all year round. Average year-round temperature stands at around 86 °F with a humidity level of about 85%.  Too hot for me!

I had signed us up for this private tour that was 10 hours long.  We didn't actually get all the stops done in the 9 hours we were out, but we saw a lot. Our driver/guide, Destra, made sure we stopped where we wanted and spent as much time as we wanted at each stop. 

We learned a lot during the day.  There were many places like this selling statuary. The tradition of stone carvings in Bali dates back centuries, rooted in the island’s cultural and religious evolution. Initially, this craft was practiced by skilled artisans to create sacred objects for temples and other religious structures. The carvings served as both a form of devotion and a medium to narrate stories from Hindu mythology, animistic beliefs, and local folklore.

Bali is famous for its artisans who produce a vast array of handicrafts, including batik and ikat cloth and clothing, pottery, wooden carvings, stone carvings, painted art and silverware. Notably, individual villages typically adopt a single product, such as wind chimes or wooden furniture. There are many villages in Bali that specialize in pottery. These are some huge pots!

Automobiles are not common property. If fact, our driver/guide, Destra, doesn't own a car. The vehicle we were in belonged to the company that offered the tour. Scooter and small motorcycles were the main form of transportation. While stopped at a stoplight, of which there were few, scooters would surround the car and even weave in between vehicles to change lanes.  There is a helmet law but we saw people riding without a helmet. 

Batubulan Village is not only famous for its stone carvings but also for the street statues that line its roads. These statues, often depicting gods, demons, and mythical creatures, are a testament to the village's artistic heritage. The artisans use 'paras,' a soft volcanic tuff stone, to create these intricate sculptures, which are a blend of traditional craftsmanship and Balinese mythology. The village's name, 'Batubulan,' translates to 'moonstone,' reflecting the artistic endeavors of its sculptors. 
Kain poleng is the black-and-white checkered cloth that we saw wrapped around statues and temple carvings. Its alternating squares of black and white represent Rwa Bhineda—the Balinese philosophy of duality and balance.  Poleng is a living symbol of life’s paradoxes, reminding us that the world is not meant to be pure or perfect. It is meant to be balanced. And within that balance lies harmony. Wrapped around sacred trees, poleng signals the presence of a guardian spirit. Wrapped around statues, it calls attention to the spiritual energy that must be both honored and respected.

Store parking lots do not have to be large because the majority of their customers ride motorbikes. 

The arrival of Hinduism and Buddhism between the first and fifth centuries profoundly influenced the development of stone carvings. Hindu temples became adorned with intricately carved statues of deities, celestial beings, and mythical creatures, reflecting the syncretism between Balinese indigenous traditions and Indian spiritual iconography. The influence of these religions brought a new level of sophistication to Balinese stone artistry, with detailed depictions of divine stories etched into stone panels.  Buddha is the most common statue. 

The Balinese word for temple is Pura. It is derived from Sanskrit and means ‘walled enclosure’.  A temple is seen as a ‘home’ between heaven and earth for the gods. It is of great importance to the Balinese to maintain it, decorate it with carvings, conduct ceremonies, and place offerings.  There are said to be over 25,000 temples in Bali. 

Creating stone carvings is a meticulous process that demands extraordinary precision, patience, and skill. Balinese artisans, known locally as “sangging,” often dedicate years to mastering this craft. The process begins with selecting the right type of stone. Soft volcanic stones, such as paras and sandstone, are commonly used due to their workability and durability in Bali’s tropical climate.

The frangipani tree, also known as Plumeria, is a tropical flowering tree celebrated for its fragrant blooms and resilience in warm climates. 

There are many distinct temples that serve various functions in Balinese ceremonies which coincide with different times of the year in the Balinese calendar. Temples on Bali are located along the kaja-kelod sacred axis, which runs from the mountain to the sea and symbolizes the transition between the spiritual and the earthly worlds. All of Bali’s temples are sacred sites, although some are more revered than others. The temples of Bali may be broken down into four distinct types, each based on the specific functions they serve and other distinguishing features.
Pura Kahyangan (Directional temples) - The most sacred sites, and most revered temples in Balinese Hinduism, where the island’s most revered deities, priests, and ancestors are honored. 
Pura Kahyangan Tiga (Traditional Village Temples) - Three temples; one each dedicated to either Lord Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva; may be found in most Balinese villages. The Balinese community gathers at these temples, which are often located in the middle of cities or villages for religious ceremonies.
Pura Tirta (Water temples) - Apart from religious purposes, these temples also manage water as part of the Subak irrigation system. The priests at these temples have responsibility over the distribution of water among rice paddies in the communities that surround the temple. A few tirta temples are known for bathing pools with sacred water for certain cleaning rituals, while others have an actual lake surrounding them.
Pura Segara (Sea temples) - These are puras erected near the sea to please the sea gods and goddesses. 

Temples across Bali are adorned with stone reliefs, statues, and panels that narrate mythological tales and honor the gods.  90% of the population is Hindu with a majority of the rest being Muslims.

The Balinese place offerings every day on shrines found in temples, at their family compound, and even on the sides of the streets. Some shrines are even temporary such as those at a construction site or in the rice fields.

See the offering on the ground?

I'm sure you have noticed the power and phone lines by now. The maze of power lines above the streets of Bali, is a visual representation of the extensive and often exposed power infrastructure in the region. This phenomenon is a result of Bali's rapid growth in tourism and population, which has led to the need for quick and cost-effective electricity distribution. Overhead lines are a common solution due to the complexity and cost of burying cables underground. 

The Barong statue in Batubulan is a significant cultural symbol of the village, representing the eternal struggle between good and evil. The statue is a mythical lion-like creature that engages in a dance-off with the menacing Rangda, symbolizing the eternal battle between virtue and ugliness. 

This is one of those Bali facts that everyone should know. Tap water is not something that you want to drink. In fact, it’s one of the regular causes of the famous “Bali belly”.  However, ice here is safe because it falls under the remit of the local government because they recognize how important cold drinks are to tourists.

Tire or wheel store?
Another interesting Bali fact: people in Bali usually speak three languages. They speak Bahasa Indonesia, Basa Bali and often they speak English too. Impressive.

This interesting building is Angel and Angel silver store.  Loved the frogs climbing the fence and the dancing figures in front and on roof. 

Next we stopped at a store in Celuk Village, center of the Balinese silver industry.  They had lots of silver jewelry but the detail of this ship was amazing. 

They also had a few gold items. 

Bali is the only Hindu-majority island in all of Indonesia. Balinese Hinduism is inspired by Indian Hinduism but has evolved into a very distinct set of practices that are not the same as those found in India.

At the Puseh Batuan Temple, we each had to don a skirt in order to enter the temple.  Destra also put one on.  

The Puseh Batuan Temple is one of three village temples in Butuan. Puseh temples are known as the temples of origin. They are located in the north of the city, kaja, and face sacred Mount Agung, the mountain where the gods live. This temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu (the Preserver) and the founders of the village.

At over 1,000 years old, this temple is one of the oldest in Bali.  

A Balinese temple complex is divided into three courtyards. Like almost anything in Bali, the courtyards have three cosmological levels: the human world (kelod), the realm of the gods and deities, and the divine level (keja).

Detailed stonework tells stories from Hindu myths, ancient Balinese life, and local folklore. To enter a temple, you first need to go through the outer courtyard which is called Jaba. It’s considered the transitional part between the outside world and the sacred area. All kinds of activities take place here, such as cockfights or non-sacred dances performed for visitors.

Then you have the middle courtyard, Jaba Tengah. There are pavilions here where the Balinese can prepare their offerings or where meetings are held for priests. Gamelan music instruments and other temple relics are stored here too. 
 Many things were draped in yellow. In Balinese temple ceremonies, yellow is a color that holds a special place. It symbolizes divinity and spiritual energy, connecting you to the gods. Yellow is often associated with Agni, the god of fire, representing purification and transformation. It is used in offerings, decorations, and attire to invoke blessings and ward off negative energy.

There were two women creating offerings, each one containing flowers of varying colors (to reflect the differences in people), holy water and fruit.

Offerings can be triangular, 

square or round. 

Utama Mandala, the inner courtyard, is the most sacred part of the temple. This is where important rituals are held, and the towering Padmasana shrine, dedicated to the supreme god Acintya, is located. The intricate carvings and statues at Batuan Temple are more than just artistic displays, they tell spiritual stories. Scenes from Hindu epics like the "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata", as well as local legends, are depicted in the carvings. These serve to educate both the local community and visitors about the moral and philosophical teachings of Hinduism, emphasizing values like devotion, duty, and righteousness.

We went back through the other courtyards to exit the temple. Balinese Hindu do not eat beef, but they do eat pork. 

This must be the temple cat.

These must be the gamelan music instruments 

Time for another interesting fact about Bali: In Balinese belief, a newborn baby is still closely connected to the divine realm. That’s why babies are not allowed to touch the ground for the first 105 days after birth. During this time, they are carried everywhere by family members, especially mothers and grandparents. On the 105th day, a sacred ceremony called Nyabutan or Nelu Bulanin is held to symbolically welcome the baby into the human world.   

In Bali, rice on the forehead is a common practice during Balinese Hindu ceremonies. This ritual, known as Melukat, is performed at natural water sources, such as holy springs, rivers, or temples, and symbolizes purification and renewal. The rice grains, or bija, are placed on the forehead, temples, and throat, signifying spiritual protection and renewal. The rice is a symbol of the seed of life and the syllable Om, the seed sound of the Universe.

Our driver frequently use the car's horn but only in short little beeps.  Mostly it was used to mean "Thank You", "I'm here", or "Pay Attention".  

Destra hangs a diffuser bottle of essential oil in the car to combat smells.

Next stop the Segara Windhu Coffee Plantation.  Ok, they really didn't grow the coffee right on that spot. It was just a place to promote and sell their coffees.  But it is free to enter, and the guides lead you on a short walking tour to explain the differences in coffee beans, and how they are processed.

We were shown the difference between male and female coffee beans and told they taste different. Coffee growing in Bali is characterized by its unique volcanic soil and favorable climate, particularly in the Kintamani region, which is the primary coffee-growing area. The region produces mainly Robusta coffee, although Arabica is becoming increasingly common. Balinese coffee beans are known for their rich, smooth flavors, largely due to the island's high-altitude climate and traditional farming practices. Various coffee species are cultivated, including Kintamani coffee, which is the original Balinese coffee, and Plaga coffee, which is produced by a collective of women farmers. 

We were lead on a path to show plantings of coffee plants, 

and ingredients for teas. 

I guess this isn't really the season for these plants.

This is what the Rosella plant looks like.

This Asian Palm Civet is unable to care for itself in the wild, so it is housed here to show visitors the animal that produces Luwak, the most expensive type of coffee in the world, which originated in Bali.  So how does a civet produce expensive coffee?

The civet eats the coffee cherries, but it can only digest the fruit. The coffee beans pass through its system untouched and are then pooped back out again.  Lovely, right?  Oh, and civets only like Arabica beans, not Robusta. The closest container shows the civet feces, next is the beans after they have been cleaned.

This woman was roasting beans.  We were told it takes 45 minutes to roast them.  I’m fairly certain the “traditional roasting and grinding” we witnessed isn’t exactly how they prep every bean.

Still, it’s very educational.  I believe these are dried mangosteen fruit. Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, known for its sweet and tangy flavor.  I had never heard of it before.

Turmeric.

Morter and pestle to grind up the roasted beans. 

Ground beans are sifted.

We continued down the path and were shown other plants that produced ingredients for coffees and teas. 

Vanilla plant in bloom. 

We were led to a seating area and told to wait.  There was a catalog on the table that described the various coffees and teas they offered for sale. 

Really wanted to try this one. 

We were brought a tray with nine coffees and five teas to try.  I liked most of the teas and a few of the coffees.  My sister liked the darker coffees that I didn't like.  Neither one of us liked the ginger tea.  Too strong.  I had no interest in trying the Luwak coffee and my sister had already had some before, so neither one of us wanted to pay to give it a try. 

Next stop was the gift shop.  It was actually a step off the path instead of a way to the exit like so many places are.  We both bought stuff.  I bought the mangosteen tea and the turmeric tea. 

It's hard to see in this photo but there is a deep ditch at the edge of the pavement.  Looks like an open drainage system.  Driveways and sidewalks were built over some of it. 

A busy intersection with no stop sign or stop light.  Our driver just had to ease through.  Very interesting. 

You could tell we were entering another tourist area.  There was a currency exchange with a sign listing the exchange rates. 
Time for an interesting Balinese fact.
The Balinese Lunar New Year is celebrated on the day of Nyepi in April. This is “the festival of silence”. During this time, everyone in Bali, except for local police, is expected to remain within the confines of their own homes meditating, fasting and in silence.  The airport closes for the day, and there are no open tourist attractions or restaurants, and one year, they even shut down the internet!

Ubud’s monkey forest is a protected site which features ancient moss-covered temples and monuments dedicated to the monkey god, Hanoman.

Another native plant of SE Asia, the Ti plant. 

Komodo dragon statue dipping its snout into the koi pond.  In Bali, there’s a sacred teaching called Catur Sanak, the Four Spiritual Brothers who are born with us, walk beside us, and return with us to the unseen. When someone dies, the four brothers return with them to the spirit world, completing a sacred cycle. The statues representing these brotherhoods, such as the boar and komodo, are placed in front of temple lobbies. These statues are believed to symbolize the beast that welcomes a soul when they enter the eternal realm on their first journey of afterlife.

The statue of the Goddess of Sri (Sri Devi).

The three fountain statues on the side of the Yoni pool give blessings of fertility to the world. Their abundant milk of live and beautiful smiles guarantees good harvest results. 

Moneys playing on a bridge.  In Hindu believes the soul passes over a long, narrow wooden bridge on their journey into the eternal realm.   

Monkeys wading through the water under the bridge.

The next step of the soul's journey is to face the batu terbelah (divided stone) that symbolizes a mountain surrounded by vast forest and animals.  Trees and animals such as the owl (the messenger of death), and the snake can be seen carved into the rock.  See the snake in the lower right of the photo.

Entrance to the cave, which is really just a tunnel 

I didn't even see the carvings on the wall because I was too busy dodging monkeys sitting in the middle of the path. 

Our guide had already warned us not to look the monkeys in the eye nor to touch them.   Destra seemed fairly wary of being around the monkeys.  Maybe he had been attacked in the past. 

Pool at central point.

Don't know if these people were taking a rest and the monkey climbed on them or if they had tried to feed it. 

Couldn't get a clear photo of the only baby monkey I saw. 

The monkeys just used the temple walls as a jungle gym. 

The fattest monkey we saw was by a feeding station.

This monkey had number tattooed on its chest. 

We did run by a couple small gift shops.  The item in the middle grabbed our attention. In Bali, the representation of the male genital is considered as a symbol of good luck. You will find evident presence of this in all parts of Bali in the form of statues, keychains, incense burners, and even bottle openers.  My sister purchased a key chain for a friend.

This monkey had found an empty spray paint can and was shaking it to make the ball inside rattle. 

I can just hear his thoughts... Yo dude, watch the tail. 

Feeding station signs reminded visitors not to hand food to any monkey. 

A Balinese name will have three parts: a title, a birth order name and a personal name.
The first born are named Wayan, Putu, Gede or for a girl, Ni Luh. Wayan is a Balinese name meaning "eldest". 
Second born children are named Made, Kadek, or Nengah. Made and Nengah mean madya or "middle". Kadek means "little brother" or "little sister".  
The third born is given the name Nyoman or Komang. These names may be shortened to "Man" and "Mang" respectively.
Fourth born children are named Ketut. Ketut is often shortened to "Tut".
If there is a fifth child in the family, he is often called Wayan Balik (meaning "Wayan again").
So our guides name was actually Nyoman Destra.

Headed back through the cave to exit the park.  On the entrance of the Durgama Cave there are reliefs from Tantri Kamandaka, which is a story of animals.  The relief on the left side illustrates the process of memendak, which is a ritual process to welcome the arrival of the Gods, the forests visitors in this case.
The relief on the right side illustrates the process of farewell, escorting the guests on their way home after their visit.  This fragment continues until the exit gate of the cave.   

Square statue of Jro Luh

Relieves on wall as we exited cave. 

Barong in lobby

Love the name of the gelato shop. 

Beautiful croton plant on grounds. 

There were a few cows in the field around the sanctuary

Drainage consists of a ditch.

Closest I came to seeing a Harley in Bali. 

Offering left on sidewalk.  I almost stepped on the offering at the silver shop.  

We didn't stop at the Ubud Palace. 

All their sculptures there were decked out in yellow and red. 

Pickup full of chickens 

Cool mural.

You have to get really inventive when carrying big loads. 

He even had a bag in front of him.

I don't think I ever saw a "no passing" zone, and I doubt it would have been adhered to anyway. 

Somebody's offering was so close to the road it was ran over. 

This photo shows two things: the offering on the dash and the condition of the streets. 

  

Although tourism produces the GDP's largest output, agriculture is still the island's biggest employer.  This is a rice paddy. Fishing also provides a significant number of jobs.  Our guide mentioned that they are starting to make oil from rice. 
Rice bran oil is a type of oil extracted from the outer germ and brown layer of rice known as bran.
Owing to its high smoke point, this oil is beneficial for high heat cooking and is mainly used for several cuisines of East and South Asian countries.

 

 

Well this road at least had a white line.

Big gathering of motorbikes.

We ran across a closed road while we were attempting to get to the next stop.  Destra backed into a driveway to get turned around. 

Our next stop...

Lunch at Teba Sari

menu

We were on the main floor of the restaurant overlooking some semi-private booths below us.

We were served some pre-meal snacks.  

My sister's meal. 

I got the Ayam Goreng.  Chicken

Beautiful lights overhead. 

Bar area. 

There were rice terraces below the restaurant and we could see a group of four women harvesting rice.  They would pick up a sheave of rice and beat it on something.  I'm assuming something like chicken wire, to get the rice off the plant.  The blue netting funneled the flying rice into the container.  Hot sweaty work but they had to wear long sleeves to keep the plants from cutting their arms. 

Next we went to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a series of lush, emerald-green rice paddies carved into stepped terraces along the slopes of a valley just north of Ubud.  

Below is one of the more recent tourist activities, having your photo taken as you swing on the swing or sit in the circle of vines.  Anything for an Instagramable moment I guess. 

Bali's rice terraces are not only a testament to the island's agricultural prowess but also a reflection of its rich cultural heritage. The Balinese people have developed a unique irrigation system called subak, which allows them to cultivate rice in steep terraces, creating a landscape that is both visually stunning and functional. The rice terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are considered a precious gift from God by the Balinese people. 

Looking closer, I could see a greenery covered structure and steps leading up the hillside. 

In Bali, rice is not just a crop; it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. It is often associated with Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility and abundance, who is believed to dwell within every grain of rice. The rice fields are considered sacred landscapes, and farmers perform rituals to honor Dewi Sri and ensure a successful harvest. 

Rice is not only a dietary staple but also plays a significant role in Balinese culture, often used as a form of payment and in various traditional ceremonies. The rice terraces, such as these in Tegalalang, are not only beautiful but also reflect the island's agricultural heritage and the respect for nature.

Over-exploitation by the tourist industry has led to 200 out of 400 rivers on the island drying up. The central government built a water catchment and processing facility at Petanu River in Gianyar to meet the demand.  Tourism is now the largest single industry in terms of income, making Bali one of Indonesia's wealthiest regions.

Open shops along the roadside sell a variety of items. 

I think the white items are small statues. 

Most people we saw were slender or only slightly overweight.  Definitely no obese people.

Someone has a vintage scooter. 

Our last stop was at the Tegenungan Waterfall.

At this point we were exhausted so we only went to the viewpoint for a look.

There is a pedestrian bridge high over the river.

The Titi Banda Statue in Bali is a significant monument that tells the story of the Ramayana epic. It depicts Lord Rama and his monkey army building a bridge across the sea to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. The Statue stands in the center of a busy road, and it was not possible to stop and admire it. 

There's a guy laying down in the back of this pickup, right alongside the propane tank. 

I wonder if the bike's weight limit has been exceeded. 

And the prize for the packing (overloading) of a bike goes to this expert. 
For dinner we went to the grocery store across the street where we bought grapes, cheese, crackers, a big bottle of water and a bottle of Sprite.  Total cost was almost 63,000 rupiah.  US$3.75.

Indonesia’s official currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), available in coins and banknotes. Indonesian banknotes come in denominations of 1,000 IDR, 5,000 IDR, 10,000 IDR, 20,000 IDR, 50,000 IDR, and 100,000 IDR. They showcase intricate designs with vivid colors and images highlighting Indonesia’s rich cultural and historical significance.  

Indonesian coins are available in various denominations, including 50 IDR, 100 IDR, 200 IDR, 500 IDR, and 1,000 IDR. These coins are crafted from different metals like copper, nickel, and steel, with variations in size and weight based on the denomination.

Our room came complete with a pet, though fortunately, he was dead. 

Night view from our balcony shows that the rooms surround two pools, some of the dining area is outside, and the next-door neighbor is a Catholic church. 

Part of dining area with reception area on right.