South Bali, Indonesia Travel Guide
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Bali Temples
Tanah Lot & Pura Enjung Galuh
Overview: When my friend and I reached Tanah Lot, our driver pulled into a huge and packed parking lot. We paid entrance fee at the ticket booth at the entrance of the parking lot as well as the Rp5,000 for parking.
After a delicious lunch at Dewi Sinta, our driver showed us a more wheelchair accessible way to reach the Tanah Lot Temple: through the back of course. It was not really a “back” entrance per se but a much less crowded, alternate entrance. As we walked towards the alternate entrance, Ketut, our driver, took us past fields of coconut. You wouldn’t think of it but a field of coconuts, especially when the sun is starting its descent, is a gorgeous sight. From this entrance, we entered the park surrounding the Tanah Lot area. I looked straight ahead. It was about 4:30pm and there was the sea and a the famous cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. The sun was starting to make its bed: it’s rays simmered on the ocean.
PURA ENJUNG GALUH
The driver led us immediately to a bluff – like a red carpet for tourists – where Pura Enjung Galuh temple stood. From the bluff my eyes feasted on the rest of the scenic coastline, sitting west of Tanah Lot Temple. To the left in the distance, Tanah Lot Temple seemed to play in the caressing waves. I could see the troupes coming and going from the Tanah Lot like ants and playing on the exposed dark volcanic rock of the coastal shelf (thanks to the low tide). Around Pura Enjung Galuh was a fairly narrow walkway. On one side, there was edge of the bluff and on the other side, the shrine. I started to wheel around this walkway to get a better camera but my driver held my wheelchair back. He resolutely would not let me wheel around, saying it was too dangerous. Okay then!
We made our way through the park to the coastal shelf where Tanah Lot Temple stood. There was a large, broad stone stairway down to the volcanic rock surrounding the temple. I went down the steps and landed on a surprisingly smooth and hard surface. Here, I found it fairly easy to roll around. The closer I got to the Tanah Lot, however, the rockier the grounds grew and the more water appeared.
Truly, the fun part of my experience was meeting the locals and/or other tourists. They crowded around my friend and me for pictures. My friend has red hair: I have a wheelchair. Any photo op is a good photo op! The sun was quickly setting and the tide gradually rolled in. We made our way back up and relaxed at a warung restaurant at the Tanah Lot Sunset Terrace. Very very cool time.
The Tanah Lot Temple in Beradan Village, Kediri, which is about 25 minutes northwest of Kuta, shines as a temple among temples in Bali. This sea temple stands gloriously atop a huge stack, a rocky island formation about 20 meters from the walkable area of the coastal floor. When the tide is low, you can walk over the rugged coastal floor and reach this beautiful temple.
The Tanah Lot is perhaps the most famous temple in Bali because of its seaside location and mythology behind it. It was built by fishermen for a Brahmin priest in the 1500s. Legend has it that it’s protected by sea snakes.
I should also add that the walk back from Tanah Lot to our car was very memorable. Ketut took us along a path through the residential area of the locals. We followed a paved path which carved a swath in the middle of the seaside forest. Interspersed were narrow lanes, high brick and stone walls and quaint homes. At one point, there was a very long decline and I could see a very long climb up on the other side. I took a wheeling start from the top of the decline so my momentum could carry me back up a little ways up the incline. When I was wheeling up, I noticed Ketut running after me to help me!
Location: Jalan Raya Tanah Lot, Beradan Village, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82113. About 30 kms from Denpasar
Website: http://tanahlot.net/home/
Ph: 62 361 880361
Cost: Rp10,000
Accessibility: The park and walkways at the top of the cliff are wheelchair accessible at the Tanah Lot. There are some steps right at the beginning of the coastal lip. The ground just before the Tanah Lot is difficult to traverse, especially if you want to actually reach the temple. You definitely need help.
Getting There: Tanah Lot is not within walking distance, so hire a taxi or a driver.