Road Trip 2: Bali Day 5: Garuda Wisnu Kencana

We visited the Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a cultural park devoted to the Hindu god, Vishnu and his mythical bird companion, Garuda. The structures are not complete but they still look grand.

Evening was spent watching a Kecak and Fire dance while enjoying a lovely sunset at Pura Luhur Ulu Watu. This is a dance telling the story of Ramayana and Sita, done with a hearty male choir singing in vocal chants and sitting in different positions throughout the dance, to represent changes of sets.

Ulu Watu is probably the best place to view this unique Balinese dance. Not to mention that glorious sunset. Just be there early to get good seats and be careful of the monkeys who will take whatever you have on you, like mobile phones, cigarettes from your pocket, or even hairclips out of your hair.

The wife got a chance to take a photo with Hanuman, the King of the monkeys. He is not one of the monkeys that take things from people, obviously. But a key character in the dance.

Our dinner was some great Jimbaran seafood at Menaga cafe. This was the same cafe where the 2003 bombing took place. Despite being a Monday night, it was really crowded. We had to wait a bit for our food but the wait was worth it. The barbecued fish, clams and shrimp, and sambal kang kong were delicious.