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Postcards: Tirta Gangga (ID)

We kickstarted our (East) Balinese cultural education not with a visit to one of the many temples; instead we went for a walk at the Water Palace of Tirta Gangga. The “Blessed water from the Ganges” is a beautiful complex which incorporates fountains (the centrepiece is an eleven tiered fountain), pools (for swimming, with water from its natural spring), ponds (for lily and koi), stone carvings, statues and a small temple among its lush and meticulously-kept gardens.

The water palace is not very old, built only in the late 1940s by the last King of Karangasem. Following damages caused by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, it was rebuilt and restored to its present form, and has been well-maintained since. For visitors who would like to dine with a view, restaurants with balconies adjacent to the water palace offer a premium view and presumably with a premium price tag too.

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga

On the Monday afternoon we were there, the sky was slightly overcast and the visitors barely numbered a couple of dozens, mostly French for some unknown reason (I’m not kidding!). With many private nooks in the gardens, it makes the perfect setting for a quiet lovers’ walk, just taking in the beauty before our eyes. More active pursuits are possible: a walk to the higher ground to see the palace from above, a swim at the designated pools (small fee chargeable), a game of hopscotch across the Mahabharata Pond.

We paid 10,000 Rp (~ €0.65) per person to enter the water palace complex, and since this is not a place for holy prayer, no sarong is required. I’m not entirely sure if the small temple within the complex is still in use from time to time, but a panel was displayed to ask that women who are menstruating to not enter. Hmmm…

 

All posts in this series:
Bali: First impression
Bali: Postcards: Tirta Gangga
Bali: A feast at Bali Asli
Bali: Postcards: Masceti and Candidasa
Bali: Pura Lempuyang
Bali: Postcards: Amed and Tulamben
Bali: Pura Besakih
Bali: Pura Tirta Empul
Bali: Postcards: Inlands of Bali



Category: Asia, Indonesia, Travel

Tagged: , , , , ,

4 scribbles & notes

  1. Chloé says:

    Now that’s a most convincing postcard! I must plan more trips abroad for 2014 :)

    • Lil says:

      Hehehe, glad you’re enjoying it. You are already starting 2014 with an envy-inducing trip, so for more to follow, that would keep the year going with a bang! :)

  2. med says:

    oooo…like a mystical animal water garden ;)

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