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Showing posts from August, 2008

Trekking In Lake Tamblingan

Working as a Bali tour guide, I also get a chance to get people to Lake Tamblingan to start their natural trekking journey. It is a great way to see Bali closer by doing trekking in Lake Tamblingan. (not in the middle of the lake, but by the lake). First, you will descend from Munduk village down to the Lake Tamblingan. There is a trekking guide association office by the lake. This is where you will pay for the local guide (trekking guide). You will start your journey passing through various plantation, such as coffee, chocolate, and clove. You will hear the bird singing in the air, and inhale fresh air to your lungs and think "what a great day." The sun glows above, the lake surface shines like a crystal by your side. After two hours trekking, you will arrive at the other side of Buyan lake. Now what? Do I have to walk back the way I came? It is interesting, but I have done that. Don't worry, here is a little secret, we will take you back on a canoe voyaging through the

Coins At the Pond Bottom

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Touring to Kintamani , just after Tegalalang, you can visit the holy spring Sebatu temple. You will notice that in one of the spring pond, there are coins scatered on its bottom.At first, I wonder why people put there since in our culture, it is not common to throw coins to the pond. Then I found out that they put the coins because they think this is like a "wishing well". You throw coin, say your wish, and if you are lucky your wish maybe granted. (Try wishing Nintendo Wii, I wouldn't mind to have one.) But it is not a "wishing well". It is a holy spring pond. Legend says it was created by Lord Visnu to cure the wounded people during the war against Maya Denawa (an evil king). Some Bali drivers or tour guides create stories to make it more interesting for the tourists that if they throw coins they will get your wish granted.( This is for fun only.) So, if you visit this temple, please donate to the temple directly instead of throwing your coins into the pond.