The temple and holy springs of Tirta Empul are located just north of the small town of Tampaksiring, a few km east of Ubud. Here, devotees bathe in the holy waters and receive blessings at the adjacent temple. Above the springs, WoWasis vistors will see Istana Negara, Soekarno’s former home, from where, it is said, […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Historical Buildings & Temples' Category
Gunung Kawi temple, outside of Ubud, in Bali, Indonesia
The magnificent temple complex of Gunung Kawi is located near the small town of Tampaksiring, a few km east of Ubud. Here, ten temples are hewn from the rock hillside and stand in massive stone arcades, two storeys high. There are several other shrines in the immediate area, well-posted by signs. We recommend going early […]
Read the rest of this entry »Pura Tanah Lot temple in Bali, Indonesia
Located 25km southwest of Ubud, on the southern coast of Bali, Pura Tanah Lot is probably the most photographed temple in Bali. Although extensively renovated, it’s in a lovely spot, but best enjoyed in the early morning before the tour buses arrive. We especially enjoyed having a drink at the Sunset Terrace, located a few […]
Read the rest of this entry »Pura Taman Ayun temple in Bali, Indonesia
Located 10km southwest of Ubud, Pura Taman Ayun is a picturesque orange-walled temple surrounded by sculptures and a moat, a wonderful respite from the heat, and a refreshing walk through well-kept gardens. Although originally built in 1634, it was tastefully renovated in 1937. Located at GPS: S08°32.626’ E115°10.329’
Read the rest of this entry »Pura Besakih temple near Bangli, Bali, Indonesia
The 23 temples that make up Pura Besakih comprise Bali’s most important temple complex. The most important temple is Pura Penataran Agung, a six-level temple that is off limits to non-believers. All other temples are accessible. Beware of the touts that continually badger you, and enjoy your walk. You do not need them to guide […]
Read the rest of this entry »Pura Kehen & Pura Dalem temples near Bangli, Bali, Indonesia
In and near the quiet city of Bangli in east Bali, you’ll find two wonderful temples, worth a visit. Pura Kehen is considered to be one of the most the nicer temples in east Bali, and serves as the state temple. Located right in Bangli, it rises from a hill has a nicely carved […]
Read the rest of this entry »Malaysia Oasis Top Ten Sites in Malaysia
Malaysia is full of great places, and here is our short list of highlights, not to be missed. Choose between Peninsular Malaysia, and Malaysian Borneo, or visit both, as air transportation is inexpensive and easy. Tour Malacca, tour Lankawi, tour George Town, or tour Kuala Lumpur now! Peninsular Malaysia 1. Melaka, a charming riverside town, […]
Read the rest of this entry »Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
At 1685 meters, the mountain of Doi Suthep overlooks Chiang Mai to the east, providing wonderful views, nature trails, and the spectacular Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The wat is worth a visit for its beauty even when views are marred due to weather or smoke from slash-and-burn farming. The crowning feature of the wat is […]
Read the rest of this entry »Visit a traditional longhouse in Sarawak, Borneo while you still can
Visiting a Dayak Longhouse is, by everyone’s account, one of the highlights of a visit to the state of Sarawak, Borneo. Some westerners, though, have an aversion to “roughing it,” and elect to go for a day visit, rather than an overnight stay. This is a mistake for several reasons, the chief of which is […]
Read the rest of this entry »The extraordinary wats (temples) in Chiang Mai, Thailand
There are over 120 wats within the municipal limits of the city of Chiang Mai, and they are the cultural — and to many degrees the social — hub of the city. They are held in such respect than there is a building ban on building any high-rise structure within 93 meters of a wat, […]
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