temples Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 66: Pura Ulun Danu Beratan and the Jatiluwih rice fields

March 2, 2014

The destination for the day was Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, a temple that had been on my bucket list. I overslept by an hour, missing my set alarm. Despite feeling tired and tempted to sleep in, I compelled myself to get out of bed and kickstart the day with a shower. The clock on my phone read 8 am. Regrettably, I had forgotten to visit Pura Ulun Danu Beratan during my time in Lovina, but I realized I could still make the journey from Ubud. I still didn’t have GPS, so finding my way from Ubud to the main road…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 64: Pura Gunung Kawi, pure tranquility

February 28, 2014

Despite setting my alarm for 9 am, I found myself awake around 7 am, ready to embark on a visit to Pura Gunung Kawi, a temple that awaited exploration. While my room seemed familiar, the distinct feature of being on the fourth floor was an instant reminder of the unforgettable events from the previous evening. After a dramatic encounter with a colossal black spider, I made the decision to switch rooms (yes, you read that correctly, no shame here, and no, I’m not one to shy away – you weren’t there!). Although I once held a tarantula at the age of…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 62: Tanah Lot and a night out in Kuta

February 26, 2014

Waking up at 9 am, I geared up for a day exploring Tanah Lot on a moped from Kuta. But first, there was a pressing matter – my laptop needed attention. The maze-like streets of Kuta made memorizing a route seem futile, so I relied on road signs to guide me to Denpasar. Navigating solely with my less-than-reliable Google Maps photos felt like a gamble, yet miraculously, I made it. It took some time on the broad and lengthy main road, but eventually, I discovered the Acer service shop nestled between the Holland Bakery and the hospital after consulting locals for…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 60: Places to visit in Jimbaran

February 24, 2014

Today, my agenda included various wonderful places to visit in Jimbaran. Although I intended to catch the sunrise at the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool upon waking up, I ended up oversleeping. Around 9 am, I made my way up there, and Helmi opted not to join me. The views were breathtaking, and the weather was perfect. The best part was the complete absence of other guests – I had the entire swimming pool to myself! I spent an hour swimming, savoring the view, and working on my tan. From this vantage point, I enjoyed a fantastic view of Kuta Beach and…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 50: Kawah Ijen, blue fire and Valentine’s day

February 14, 2014

I awoke at 12:30 am with a sense of excitement. Today was the day I would witness the mesmerizing blue fire at Kawah Ijen! Quickly, I put on my hiking shoes, layered up in warm clothes, and prepared my daypack, stuffing it with pastries and water. By 1 am, Robik, my guide, had arrived. We navigated along a well-kept asphalt road, encountering occasional steep inclines. Robik skillfully adjusted gears whenever the terrain demanded. After an hour, we reached the parking area, where I paid a 15000 IDR entrance fee and additional tourist fees of 30000 IDR for my camera…

by Maarten

Leave a comment

Indonesia

Day 40: The reckless biker mice on a temple run

February 4, 2014

I rose early today, at 4:30 am, with plans to explore the Borobudur and Prambanan temples around Yogyakarta. The previous day, I carefully mapped out my route, realizing that for over an hour, I’d be navigating without the convenience of mobile internet and GPS until I reached the next country. Throughout the two months of my journey, I depended on Google Maps screenshots, my sense of direction, and asking for directions to reach my destinations. Naturally, the roads were deserted since no one was out at this early hour. I headed first to the Borobudur temples, which were located…

by Maarten

Leave a comment