Temple Time

Slept like a rock.  There was a moment where I thought the frogs were going to keep me awake and just as I was about to shout at them, they shut up - really they did.

This morning I tried the American French toast, instead of yogurt I had muesli with my fruit.  This muesli looked a bit like cooked oatmeal in color and texture, and maybe even tasted like it a little.  It had coconut, raw peanuts and some other stuff; it was very starchy and slightly sweet - I liked it; the French toasted paled in comparison.

Today, dressed in my Balinese finery we headed off to Tirta Empul or the holy spring temple. Again, no idea what to expect so everything was a surprise.  I had purchased the gear the day before as instructed.  This was very interesting as I wear an XL in Bali - seriously.  

We got to this 9th century temple and went to the pools with water that just bubbles up from the ground.  Oka says to get in the pool and go from fountain becoming clean and pure before entering the temple.  It's okay he says, do it in your own way.  

In I go, from fountain to fountain; there are giant koi fish in the pool with me - the water is cold. When I get to the end, I get out and Oka says okay next pool.  A grandfather and daughter lap me, and they are having a good time - I am not sure they are concentrating on getting pure.  There is one more pool and in this pool each of the fountains have swastika on it - interesting I think.   

Soaking wet, it's time to put on dry clothes and go to the temple.  A long conversation is had with some guy and Oka.  Oka reluctantly tells me that they want to take a picture with me - I say no.  Oka is surprised by this - I can't believe he didn't say, go get your own American.

Dry, into the temple we go, make offerings, burn incense, listen to the priest.  You can ask for things in your own way, Oka whispers.  Flowers are clasped in pray and then the priest comes and sprinkles water on your head, in your hands, drink, in your hands, drink, on your head, rice, eat a grain and stick the rest on your head - DONE!

This was a rule breaking adventure as the guide book said absolutely do not get into any fresh water in Bali other than a hotel pool AND don't drink anything but bottled water as the water is not fit to drink - even the Balinese don't drink it.  Oh well, I was getting pure.

We stopped at another temple called Kehen in Bangli.  This is a 13th century temple, and it is much more elaborate then the first one.  As we are climbing the stairs, I reach out for the railing - partially out of habit and partially because the steps are really tall.  A big piece of the stone railing comes away in my hand and tumbled down the stairs.  I am horrified, but Oka says don't worry and marches on.  

In Cumbria, Gill is laughing like a drain - let's give her a minute.

There was an enormous banyon tree in the middle of the temple - enormous, it was amazing.  I mention this tree and Oka sort of dismisses it, and then he looks at it again; and yes, it is a very big tree.  

We have a big discussion about the swastikas as they are here too.  According to Oka, the symbol shows the directions: north, south, east and west and then the arms point to the directions and when the symbol was rotated, it creates a perfect circle.  It's a hindu thing, and there were white tall Indians that were called Arrans - I do not know if this is true, but this is what Oka said.  Oka's credibility was called into question when he asked me if I wanted to stop for some special coffee.  

I said no, again surprising Oka, as I said I was not drinking cat recycled coffee.  So then he tells me this story about a man that was very sick until he drank the coffee made from the beans expelled from a Civit cat - blah blah blah - until I said, Oka this is a tall tale you are telling me and Oka laughed and said maybe, but people spend $300 a pound for this coffee and I said, not this people.  

Shortly after this story, we arrived back at the hotel and I was released upon Ubud...I'd read about their culinary specialty - roast pig.  There was a very famous place near the Ubud temple and although warned off as too soon by Oka, I decided I had to have me some pig