Bali – Batuan, Tegenungen, Kertha Gosa, Klungkung markets

From Ubud the first stop was Batuan to visit the temple in the middle of town. Originally from 944AD. Next stop, more waterfalls. Tegenungen is easily accessible and has a segregated bathing/shower area at the bottom of the stairs. You can clamber over the rocks for a better view of the falls. En route to Klungkung we stopped briefly at Goa Japeng, the caves where locals hid from the Japanese during the war (when the area was still dense jungle). Kertha Gosa, the Justice Hall and Palace is really interesting, with stories of crime and punishment painted on the ceilings in the Wayang style (ie they look like Wayang kulit). There is a large memorial across the road to mark the various mass suicides that have taken place in this area when the Balinese were fighting against the Dutch. It’s worth popping into the little museum at the back to see original photos of the royal family and ancient relics, some prehistoric. The markets across the road from the palace are behind the car park and seel mainly local stuff – cermonial clothing, sarongs, male headwear, as well as food (cakes, fruit, veg etc) and hardware tools. Coming back to Ubud we made a quick stop at Pura Samuan Tiga. I was the only person there and it was a nice feeling to walk about alone.

My Tripadvisor report is here: http://tinyurl.com/qexwtyo

My driver for the day was Wayan Sudana. Email: madesudana494@hotmail.com

phone: 081 7353 276

His pitch is at a tourist booth just past Three Monkeys restaurant on Monkey Forest Rd

Pura Batuan

Batuan

Batuan

Batuan

Almost at the bottom of the stairs

One of the many silk dress/tops purchased in Ubud

This property is condemned

Goa Japeng near Klungkung

Inside the caves

The area once had native elephants apparently and the Bakas Elephant park is nearby

The caves as seen from the road

Kertha Gosa, Royal Courts of Justice

Amazing painted ceilings

Monument to historic mass suicides

Steps up to the pavilion housing replica seats from the Halls of Justice (the originals are in the museum at the back)

Follow the path to nirwana

Klungkung markets

Kebaya and undergarment shop

Where’s the Grim Reaper? This is definitely the place to buy scythes.

Pura Samuan Tiga

Samuan Tiga