North Bali Excursion

Beautiful pool area

Poinciana shore

After a delicious breakfast, we had a morning yoga class led by Kim overlooking the palm trees and the ocean in a large upstairs yoga studio the resort let us use. We then headed on another trip with our friendly Poinciana drivers. First we went to a local weaver’s family compound. Here, he and his family make batiks. They are hand dyed and woven. The Balinese man who showed us around explained how he makes the different dyes from plants he grows on the property. He is the master dyer and designer. It was all quite impressive, and many of us bought a few things. They were pretty expensive, but after seeing all the work they put into them, it seemed worth it.

Batik maker

I bought this for Grandma B. to make into a blanket.

Next, we stopped at a local Hindu temple (as most are in Bali). This temple was on a cliff overlooking the water. It was very pretty and we had occasion to wear our sarongs for the first time. Before entering the temple grounds we had to be blessed with holy water and had some sticky rice put on our foreheads and the base or our necks.. Unfortunately, it was insanely hot and we were sweating like crazy during the tour that the local priest gave us, but we got some pretty pictures nonetheless. However, as we were leaving we saw there were stairs to the beach below and our drivers brought our boxed lunches down to the beach and we sat on a sea wall in the shade and ate. It was lovely.

Ponjok Batu Teample

Ponjok Batu Temple

Ponjok Batu Temple

With our temple guide

Our next temple of the day was a Buddhist temple – the largest one in Bali. It was totally stunning. The grounds were expansive and so lush and green. There were gorgeous flowers everywhere and several buildings throughout, though the most impressive was the main temple. It is quite large with an odd dome on top with a point. Surrounding the temple are terraces with green grass and directly in front of the temple is a lotus pond. We got some really great photos at this temple!

Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Temple

with Buddha 

So lush

Gorgeous temple

(Quick side note about bathrooms in Bali - they are usually bowls in the floor with places to put your feet and some sort of spicket or water sprayer nearby.  No toilet paper. Luckily, Linda told us to purchase these things called "p-styles" which allow a woman to pee standing up like a man and not need toilet paper. This thing came in really handy throughout our time in north Bali and Ubud!)

Our last stop of the day was the Banjar Hot Springs. These are hot mineral springs that flow out of the heads of gargoyles into a large pool. I wasn’t sure about it before we got there, as some reviews said they were way too crowded and dirty, but when we arrived, we couldn’t believe our luck. The springs were not crowded at all, and we all got into the warm and soothing waters. (This is the benefit of visiting Bali during rainy season – less tourists).

Banjar Hot Springs

Enjoying the water

All the ladies

Throughout the day, my throat started getting very sore. I became increasingly worried that I had strep throat. We got some lozenges at the gas station, but nothing seemed to help. By that night, I really wasn’t feeling well. Luckily, the Balinese people are big on ginger water and tea. The hot water with fresh ginger infused in it really helped my throat.