September 26, 2012  Temple Journey in the Mountains

The hardest part of doing this blog is to pick the pictures from the hundreds of shots.  We'll post just a few as we are again traveling this afternoon. We had a playful time traveling up the mountain to the first temple - Pura Ulna Danu Bratan.  Goddess Danu is the goddess of Rice, Water, and Beauty. The Balinese worship the One Supreme God who is the Creator.  The temples each have a different focus of the energy and purpose much as in the Catholic Churches.

The focus on their life if to be in service, from their hearts to God first and then to Family, village and others second.  

Our playfulness started with Koybayan motioning me to follow him.  This temple within the temple sits out in the water but the lake was lower this time.  As I followed him we each got our feet stuck in the muck.  Here I sit rinsing off my feet in the water and giggling about it.  Later I realized that this was just preparation and it allowed me to connect more deeply with the Earth Mother.

 This temple is a very busy temple with tourist from around the world.  We went into the inner temple that you can only enter for prayers. Entering the inner temple we felt a sense of inner calm.


Our second stop for the day was the Village of Giriloka on Lake Tamblingan - the people hold the sacred energy of the protectors and caretakers of the lake and the temples around the lake.

The water level had risen in the lake and those closest to the lake had to relocate their homes.  You could see many tents being used for temporary shelter.  The people here live very much in the way of the early Balinese.  They prefer to speak their Balinese language instead of Indonesian.

This is the village temple that is also under water.

Crossing the lake to Pura Ulan Danu Tamblingan  was  a  playful pilgrimage to the stone age site.

Stairways to the ancient site.  A few years ago David and I could barely reach the top without stopping many times.  This time we each walked up the steps with ease. It was as if the energy of the site was nw welcoming us.

  This site has been kept natural with just a few structures.

After our prayers we paddled back to the village then headed to Munduk were we found a home stay and enjoyed the sunset with our supper.

All of now for we are off on another adventure to the temple of Ulu Danu that is in the crater at the top of Mt Batur.

More later.

Blessings to all,

Pam and David

Sept 24, 2012   Blanco Museum, Ubud

Blanco was a Spanish painter and close friend to Dali and his influence is seen in some of his paintings. He came to Bali in 1952 and married a famous Balinese Dancer who often modeled in his paintings.  

They say that if you can look the Dragon in the eye with only love it will become a divine goddess.

It looked like Pam was going to the birds.

We strolled the garden and enjoyed its beauty and it also stimulated ideas for our gardens back home.  I love the way the plants are layered so it brings more depth to the gardens.  Many orchids were blooming, bird nest ferns hung in the trees, and a canopy of vines were overhead and offered a quiet place to sit.

Tomorrow we are taking an overnight road trip into the mountains to visit some very special temples.  We will be unable to post till we get back. 

Sept 24, 2012 -- Our Morning Meditation.

At first light we head to the river for our morning meditation. In Bali it is all about creating with happy colors and decorations that fill the family compounds and line the streets.

The steep road leads to the Agung River

Arriving at the river there is a peace and oneness with God, Nature and all of Life. 

After our meditation we stop at the Holy Water Spring

With the new Power flowing within us the climb back up was easy.

A Morning Walk

It was a long trip but worth it.  Total time from door to door 35 hrs.  Total flying time 23 hrs.

The trip across the Pacific was smooth and they served good food and they had good legroom at the seats.

Sunset from our porch

The home we stay in belongs to a yoga instruction who lives in Seattle. We met in in Bali in 1992 and have been good friends ever since.  The house is located on the gorge of the Agung River.  If you listen closely you can hear the water rushing by in the gorge below.

The night are cool and the house is mostly open to the outside so we go to sleep and awake to the many sounds of nature.  Because Bali is near the equator the days and nights are nearly equal.  The sun rises at around 6:15 am and sets around 6:15 pm.

About 3 am the roosters begin to crow and we often awaken and watch the darkness turn into light. As the sun begins to light the gorge one of the magic of Bali become visible as you look across the gorge.  Each tree has the appearance that it is standing by itself in total focus be it in front of the house or at the top of the gorge on the far side.  It is like being in a real life 3-D,  360 degree theater.

The reflections of the morning sun  rise and clouds in the rice field also adds to the beauty of the life we have moved into. 

Living in this beautiful Garden of Eden is very special.  However to me it is all about the people that one meets as the you travel throughout your day. Each person you meet greets you with an open heart as if you were a long time friend.

Taking a morning walk with the Garbage Collector.

Everyone is smiling on the inside and thus on the outside.