Ulu Watu, Bali
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Fri 5 Nov 2010 10:14
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Friday 5th November
Amanda arrived late Thursday night so
we now have a very busy boat. Friday was spent provisioning and finding homes
for 5 peoples belongings, not an easy task! Although for some it was quite a
relaxing day.......Paul, Jack and Amy! Whilst Amanda and myself were out ticking
off items on our shopping lists, items for other people on the boat might I add,
Paul and the kids were off out enjoying themselves. They were somehow talked
into going on one of the flying fish off the main beach. It is basically a giant
lilo towed behind a speedboat with 3 people holding on for dear life as the
thing takes off sometimes up to 40 plus feet depending on the wind.
Anyway, once they returned from their jolly
it wasn't long before Wayan was picking us up yet again to take us out. I bet
he's glad he picked us up that night in Sanur, he's had a lot of business from
us. This time we were heading to the South West of Bali, around an hours drive
to Ulu Watu.
Pura Luhur Ulu Watu is one of several
important temples to the spirits of the sea along the south coast of Bali. The
temple is perched on the tip of the peninsula on the edge of sheer cliffs that
drop straight down to the sea.
Entry was through an unusual arched gateway
flanked by statues of Ganesha but it was difficult to concentrate on our
surrounding with the naughty monkeys bounding around our feet looking for what
they can acquire next from some poor unsuspecting tourist. They like to snatch
glasses, sunglasses, hats and almost anything within reach. And when I say
within reach I mean that they will clamber up your body or jump from a tree or
pillar onto you just to claim what they believe belongs to them. Nonetheless,
the scenery was spectacular with a path leading all the way along the cliff top
from temple to temple offering stunning views of the sunset that was drawing
ever closer.
 
 
 Clever monkey!
  He fancied Amy's
hair-grips.........So much so that when she tried to shake him off he refused to
let go and so clung on to her hair!
We made our way around the cliff
top and through the different parts of the temple to be seated in a small
amphitheatre looking out to sea ready to observe a traditional Balinese Kecak
dance. The enchanting performance consisted of 70 Balinese men chanting in
unison without an orchestra. It went something like 'kecakkecakkecakkecak' over
and over throughout the whole performance, apart from every now and then when
they broke off to sing a different tune only to return to the 'kecakkecakkecak'
chant.
The story, set in the 1930's,
depicted a wise exiled prince, Ayodya Ranta, his wife Sita and younger brother
entering a forest where a demon King lusted after Sita. With the help of his
accomplice, the Prime Minister, disguised himself as a deer, set a trap and
kidnapped her. Ranta eventually rescued his bride, assisted by a huge army of
white monkeys.
 Lighting the fire and summoning
the gods
 A full
amphitheatre................and so it begins
  The man behind with the big
white spot was the lead vocalist
  Female dancers
 The white monkey
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