Tag Archives: Holland America

Fun Photo Friday — Bali Favorites 3


Ursula About to Abscond with an Apple (just kidding)

Today is part three of five Fun Photo Fridays featuring Bali favorites:

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Filed under Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Bali; Pura Taman Ayun Part 1


Pura Taman Ayun

Monday’s article transported you to the sights of a Balinese Hindu water temple. Today I’m going to show you a Balinese Hindu temple containing a garden. Pura Taman Ayun, which translates to Temple (pura) of the Beautiful Garden, is the second largest such site in Bali. It covers 17 acres/6.9 hectares. Because there is so much to see here, I’ll be covering it further in next week’s Monday and Wednesday articles. We’ll start today with an image of the water feature here. This large body of water is part of the local subak (irrigation system used to supply water for rice paddies).

Pura Taman Ayun water and garden

So, how tranquil is it here in the garden and long the waters of Taman Ayun? Let’s check in with a couple of locals:

Contented Taman Ayun residents enjoying some peace and solitude

Taman Ayun dates to 1634. with restorations in 1750 and, most recently, in 1937. Not bad for a site approaching its 400th birthday. Here’s today’s photo gallery and slide show of our first few minutes inside this UNESCO World Heritage Site:

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Indonesia — Bali; Pura Tirta Empul


Pura Tirta Empul

Our next destination on this day was yet another temple. This time it’s Pura Tirta Empul, a Balinese Hindu water temple located just north of Tampaksiring. And, yes, this temple site is ancient, dating back to 962 when it was established around a natural spring used for ritual bathing.

The ritual bath at Tirta Empul

Here are the sights to see and this destination:

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation